Activities agenda

Students from year 3 of VMBO TL, HAVO and VWO at Ichthus College in Dronten are taking part in a poetry competition this week. After a guest lesson provided by the Stichting 4 Mei Herdenking Dronten in collaboration with the Stichting Veteranen Gemeente Dronten, students will write a poem based on the national theme of the 4 and 5 May Committee: “Understanding history”. Ten poems will be nominated, and a jury will select one to be read aloud during the 4 May commemoration at Meerpaalplein in Dronten.

On Monday, April 20, the adoption transfer of the Vliegersmonument will take place. Primary school De Dukdalf from Dronten will hand over the responsibility to primary school De Brandaris, also from Dronten. Representatives from grade 7 of primary schools in the municipality of Dronten are invited to attend. The event willOn Monday 20 April, the transfer of responsibility for the Aviators Monument will take place. Primary school De Brandaris will hand over care to primary school De Flevosprong. Representatives from year 7 classes across Dronten are invited. There will be a speech and conversation with Mayor Gebben. Gert Talens will share the story of Kitchen and Williamson, one of the aircraft found near the Vossemeerdijk. Tjerk Zwanenburg will talk about his father’s work as a recovery officer and show items found during recovery.

Swimming club De Zuiderzeezwemmers (ZZZ) is organising the annual Airgunner Trophy competition on Wednesday afternoon, 8 April. Year 8 pupils from primary schools in the municipality of Dronten are invited.

William Ward, one of the crew members of Lancaster ED357, attended Stewart’s Melville College. Since 2019 there has been contact with this school. Since November 2022, an exchange programme has taken place between students from Almere College in Dronten and students in Edinburgh. This year, students from Stewart’s Melville College visit Dronten for the third time.

A commemorative gathering takes place prior to the ceremony at the square. The national theme “Understanding history” is central. Contributions include Stefan van der Leeden, René de Graaf, Gert Talens and Anouk den Bakker. They reflect on how history remains visible today and why it matters. The programme includes dance by the Dansschool of De Meerpaal and music by Theaterschool KARAKTER and the Soul Society Band. Hosted by Marleen Vos. Free tickets are available via www.meerpaal.nl. 

Invited guests are welcome from 4:00 PM at De Meerpaal to attend the program for May 4:

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Arrival

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Program for invited guests and dinner

6:00 PM - 7:15 PM: Remembrance ceremony

7:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Commemoration at the Meerpaalplein

Freedom Meals will be organised at different places in Dronten, Swifterbant and Biddinghuizen. Click here for more information.

The ceremony will take place at Meerpaalplein. There will be a speech by Mayor Gebben and a poem by a student from the Ichthus College. After the Last Post, the two-minute silence, and the national anthems, wreaths will be laid at the monument. The ceremony will feature contributions from the Flevo-Scouts, the Flevo Men’s Choir, Maris Sonores, and the Harmonie De Eendracht. Omroep Flevoland will broadcast the remembrance. Veterans and active-duty military personnel from the municipality of Dronten will be present. Around 8:10 PM, Tom van der Meulen will fly over in a Harvard. Around 8:25 PM, the Edambusters will perform. A large screen will be set up for those who wish to watch from a distance.

In November, students from Almere College and board members of the Stichting 4 Mei Herdenking Dronten will travel to Edinburgh. They will attend the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11 at Stewarts Melville College. This will be the fourth time for this event. Further information will follow.

At the intersection of Lancasterdreef and De Zuid in Dronten, there is a monument dedicated to the crew of the Lancaster ED357. On Christmas Eve, candles will be lit at this location, as well as at many other places. This event is organized by the Stichting Veteranen municipality of Dronten, in collaboration with the Flevo-Scouts, who will bring the Peace Light. The candles will be lit with the Peace Light, one for each crew member. The streets surrounding the monument are named after the crew members.