The Hope very special by the view alone

They are undoubtedly among the most characteristic structures in the city: the windmills. Every weekend you can see them from the inside. We went to visit Ton van den Heuvel, miller at molen De Hoop on the Dalemwal.

How long have you been a miller at De Hoop?

I started in 2012. I am originally a carpenter and that worked out well, as there was some refurbishment to be done. The mill wasn't turning much in the years before either. As a boy, I sometimes visited a mill because a comrade's father worked there. When I retired, I became interested in it again. Then I took a course and got my miller's certificate.

Tell us something about the history of De Hoop?

The predecessor - a simpler version - of this mill was already on this spot in 1634. This one has stood here since 1764. It was a consumption mill for a long time. Later it made cattle feed. It had an engine to run it even when there was no wind, but it is no longer there.

What makes this mill so special?

The construction and operation in itself are no different from other mills, but the view alone makes De Hoop particularly natural. You look over the river, over the embankment, at the Dalempoort; the view is very impressive. Not for nothing are many wedding reports made at De Hoop. People have even been married in the mill. The mill itself is still fully capable. Everything is on it and working. If I throw a bag of wheat into it, it will give me flour.

Got a lot of arrivals?

It varies from day to day, but especially when the weather is nice, quite a lot of people come to watch. I am here an average of five days a week and at least every weekend. On Saturdays, I am here from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from 10am to 4pm. The door is always open when I am here and it is also possible to visit by appointment. It is good for the mill if it runs a lot. Rest rusts; old things need to keep moving. I fit in nicely with that myself, haha! By the way, during Symposion in 2015, Princess Beatrix visited when she looked at the artworks on the quay.

Molen De Hoop is open every weekend: Saturday 10-17 hours, Sunday 10-16 hours.