Gorcum guides in the spotlight: through the eyes of Toon
“You shouldn’t just tell a story; you have to draw people into it.”
A true ‘Bliek’. That’s how Toon Hopkoper describes himself. Born and bred in Gorinchem, he turns 70 this year. He knows his town inside out by now, but he never tires of it.
On the contrary, as a city guide, Toon is keen to show others just how much lies hidden behind Gorinchem’s façades, ‘ vestingwallen ’ and narrow streets.
“So much has happened here. So there’s also a great deal to tell.”
From tower guide to city guide
Toon actually became a guide quite by chance. About ten years ago, he met a tower guide. During their conversation, the question arose as to whether guiding might be something for him too. Toon decided to give it a go and started out as a tower guide.
One thing led to another. After all, if you can tell visitors about Gorinchem from the tower, why not take them on a tour of the town down below as well? Toon now does both, and still takes great pleasure in it.
Toon’s involvement with Gorinchem goes beyond his work as a city guide and tower guide. He has recently also become a member of the Gorcum Bell Ringers’ Guild. Among other things, the guild rings the Alarm Bell Buiten de Waterpoort during the Remembrance Day ceremony on 4 May. For Toon, this is yet another special way of being actively involved with the town and its traditions.
‘Selling’ Gorinchem a little
For Toon, guiding is first and foremost about connecting with people. But he also sees himself a bit as an ambassador for Gorinchem.
“I want to promote the town. To show what we’ve got here.”
It doesn’t just highlight the beautiful aspects of Gorinchem; its serious and soms exciting history is also given a place. The most important thing is that a story sticks in the mind.
Toon likes to call it “spicing things up a bit”. Not by doing history an injustice, but by turning it into a story that people want to hear.
And if a child is tagging along? Well, they’ll be given an important task straight away. Toon brings along some pictures and appoints the child as his assistant. The child gets to hold the pictures along the way and help out during the story.
What’s more, he doesn’t just give guided tours in Dutch. English and German-speaking groups can also join him on his tours. “And in gibberish,” he adds with a laugh.
His favourite spot in Gorinchem
Ask Toon about his favourite spot and he doesn’t need to think for long.
The eastern side of the ‘ vestingwallen ’.
From there, you can look out towards Woudrichem and Loevestein, with the windmill and the ‘ Dalempoort ’ nearby. For Toon, this spot encapsulates much of what makes Gorinchem so special.
He therefore likes to end his guided tours there. Although he does have another favourite way to round off a tour. In the Helmsteeg, he takes his group back to Gorinchem as it was around 1600, with the story of the witch. Just one more story before everyone returns to the Gorinchem of today.
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From a town with ramparts to a fortified town
During his guided tours, Toon has noticed how the image of Gorinchem has changed.
“In the past, everyone mainly knew Gorinchem for its traffic jams.”
Due to its central location, many people had heard the name before, but actually visiting the town centre was another matter. That has changed. According to Toon, the title ‘Most Beautiful Fortified Town in the Netherlands’ has piqued the curiosity of many people. Major events and occasions when the town was in the national spotlight have also contributed to this.
Once inside the fortifications, Gorinchem comes as a surprise to many visitors. And that is exactly what Toon loves to showcase.
A guided tour you’ll never forget
In all his years as a guide, Toon has led many special groups. But there is one guided tour he will probably never forget.
A man approached him with a special request. He wanted to propose to his girlfriend at the top of the tower. Everything was prepared in secret. Another guide went up beforehand to set out flowers and champagne. Meanwhile, Toon took the couple up to the tower.
He explained that the other participants had unexpectedly pulled out.
“So you’re having a private guided tour today.”
Once they reached the top, Toon was asked to hold the camera. He started filming and saw the man get down on one knee. After seven years together, he proposed to his girlfriend.
“There I was, filming. It actually brought tears to my eyes.”
After the proposal, the three of them went inside. The flowers were brought out and they drank champagne together.
A guided tour that suddenly became part of a very special moment.
How well do you know your own town?
Toon believes that many Gorcummers know their own town less well than they realise.
“Most residents are perhaps familiar with twenty per cent of their town. The real history is unknown to many people.”
That is precisely why he is so pleased when local residents get involved themselves.
It’s a different story for visitors. They arrive in Gorinchem with certain expectations, and Toon tries to spelen to these during his walk. With wonderful stories, exciting events and humour, but always with respect for history. Because storytelling is important to him.
“People simply want to be entertained.”
Start with the town and then discover more
For those who aren’t yet familiar with Gorinchem, Toon recommends starting with a general city walk. This way, you’ll get to know the city, the fortifications and the most important stories. After that, there’s still plenty to discover.
Climb the tower, choose a themed walk or delve deeper into a particular chapter of history. Toon also develops new walks himself. Together with Wim, for example, he created a special walk exploring Gorinchem during the Second World War.
Because even after decades, Toon still has plenty of stories left to explore. And perhaps that is precisely what he wants to convey to his groups: Gorinchem is never just what you see at first glance.
You need to know the stories to truly discover the town.
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.
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City walk with city guide (Saturday) | Mooigorinchem.nl
City walk with city guide (Saturday) | Mooigorinchem.nl
weekly
Guided tour
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City walk with city guide (Sunday) | Mooigorinchem.nl
City walk with city guide (Sunday) | Mooigorinchem.nl
weekly
Guided tour
