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Gorcum guides in the spotlight: through the eyes of Hennie Sanders

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“A good story is allowed to bring a smile to your face.”

Anyone taking a city walk with Hennie Sanders will not only learn about Gorinchem’s history. You’ll also be treated to humour, surprising anecdotes and stories that will stay with you for a long time to come.

Hennie was born on 1 January 1957 in Schijndel, Brabant. After seven years with the Royal Military Police in Den Bosch, he set out in search of a new challenge. In 1983, he joined the police force in Gorinchem.

“It felt like quite a big step at the time. We felt as though we were moving all the way to the Randstad .”

He has now been living in Gorinchem for over forty years. His children grew up here and the town has long felt like home.

From police officer to city guide

When Hennie retired, he didn’t want to sit still.

He took the ‘Gorcumkunde’ and ‘Fortifications’ courses and signed up to become a city guide. There were no vacancies at the tourist information centre at the time, but he was able to gain some experience through Cicerones. Not long after, a vacancy did indeed become available at the tourist information centre.

Whilst shadowing other guides, he kept discovering new stories time and again.

“Even tour guides learn from one another.” And that, he says, is precisely what makes the job so enjoyable.

Two hours fly by

What does Hennie like best about being a guide? The people. After every guided tour, he goes home feeling a sense of fulfilment. Especially when he later hears that participants have remembered his name and specifically want to go on another tour with him.

As a result, his guided tours regularly run over time. “They often last two hours instead of one and a half. People keep asking questions and want to hear even more stories.”

Even his children and grandchildren have now been there, and they too now see Gorinchem in a completely different light.

From crime to dark legends

Given his background in the police force, it was actually inevitable that Hennie would develop his own walking tour. This led to the creation of ‘Duister Gorinchem’, a guided tour that focuses on the lesser-known side of the fortified town.

For this walk, he delved once more into old files, spoke to former colleagues and gathered stories about crime, the administration of justice and mysterious events from Gorinchem’s history. He takes visitors on a tour of places where murders were once committed and tells the story of the notorious poisoner Goeiemie.

There’s no shortage of old folk tales either. One such tale features Anna Mûchen, the vrouw who was condemned as a witch. “Why do we actually call a vrouw a witch, whilst a man with the same characteristics is called a wizard?” Hennie likes to ask his group. It almost always sparks some interesting conversations.

Humour plays an important role in this. “When people laugh, they relax. That naturally leads to interaction.” It is precisely this combination of history, excitement and a touch of humour that makes his guided tours so special.

Book your ‘Duister’ walk here

The town is full of hidden stories

Even during the regular city walk, Hennie never fails to surprise his audience time and time again.

At the Dalempoortje, for example, he enjoys recounting the legend of Jan de Sterke, who, according to the story, used his enormous strength to lift himself – horse and all – up over the city gate to escape from robbers.

Historic? Perhaps not entirely.

But it is precisely these centuries-old folk tales that give a town its character.

And as the group walks through the Gasthuisgang, Hennie suddenly points to a corner of a building.

“Look,” he says, “here’s a remnant of the old guest house.”

The looks of surprise that follow are worth their weight in gold to him.

A town that never ceases to surprise

According to Hennie, many visitors have the same impression before they drive into Gorinchem.

People mainly know the town for the traffic jams on the A27.

“And then they’re surprised at just how beautiful it actually is here.”

The fortifications, the cosy terraces, the historic streets and the lively town centre are sure to impress.

“It’s not just a town you walk through. There’s echt something going on here.”

 

Even lifelong Gorcummers discover something new

According to Hennie, it is actually the residents of Gorinchem who should take a stroll around the town.

“People often think they know the town.”

But whilst out walking, they suddenly discover plaque stones they’ve been walking past for years. Old house numbers. Unusual details on buildings.

“You just need to look up a bit more often.”

That is perhaps its most important message.

Experience a guided tour together

His personal tip for visitors is therefore simple. “Do you want to really get to know Gorinchem? Then set off with a city guide.” Of course, you can look up information on your phone or read a leaflet.

“But a story that is told sticks in the mind much better.”

And that is exactly what Hennie loves doing most: telling stories – with a smile.

 

Choose your city tour - Gorinchem is full of stories. From hidden alleys to impressive history and surprising places. With a city walk, you will see the city as you have never seen it before.

What visitors say about our walks - Many visitors and residents preceded you. Read what they thought of their walk.

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