Welcome to this week’s edition of Wassenaar Weekly. Your source for local stories, events, and community
news in English, brought to you by Wassenaarders.nl
Volunteer drivers wanted for ANWB AutoMaatje
ANWB AutoMaatje is looking for new volunteer drivers in Wassenaar to help residents with limited mobility get around.
The service, which has been operating in Wassenaar for five years, connects volunteers with residents who need transport for everyday journeys, such as going to the shops, visiting a doctor or seeing friends.
Volunteers use their own cars and decide when and how often they are available. The service is run locally by Stichting Maatschappelijke Ondersteuning Wassenaar (SMOW).
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver can find more information on the SMOW website or call 070 511 22 26.
Documentary explores hidden reality of mental illness
The documentary Stemmen van Sterre (Sterre’s Voices) tells the story of 24-year-old Sterre van der Starre and her years-long struggle with severe mental illness.
Using Sterre’s own video diaries, audio recordings and notebooks, the documentary shows how mental illness can remain largely invisible to the outside world. Her parents, family and friends also talk about her life and the impact of her illness.
After years of intensive treatment, Sterre applied to the Expertisecentrum Euthanasie, the Dutch Euthanasia Expertise Centre, at the age of 21. Following a three-and-a-half-year assessment process, her request for euthanasia on the grounds of unbearable and hopeless psychological suffering was approved. She died in August 2025.
The documentary was broadcast by regional broadcaster Omroep West on 12 September and is available to watch online.
Questions raised over end of fire brigade’s first-response role
Wassenaar’s fire brigade will no longer be deployed as a first responder to cardiac arrests. The Haaglanden Safety Region has ended the arrangement, prompting concerns from former fire brigade commander Rob Gussekloo, local emergency responder Natascha Gras and political party Lokaal Wassenaar.
Wassenaar was one of four places in the Haaglanden region where firefighters could be called to cardiac arrests, sometimes arriving before an ambulance.
The Safety Region says ambulance services have improved in recent years, reducing the need for firefighters to perform this role. The mental impact of attending resuscitations on firefighters was also taken into account.
Lokaal Wassenaar has submitted written questions to the municipal executive about the possible consequences for emergency response times. Mayor Leendert de Lange has said he wants to discuss whether a tailored solution for Wassenaar is possible.
Free Duinrell days for Wassenaar residents
Wassenaar residents will be able to visit Duinrell amusement park free of charge on Saturday 7 or Sunday 8 November.
The initiative by Duinrell and the municipality is intended to celebrate the longstanding relationship between the amusement park and Wassenaar.
Residents must register in advance and can choose one of the two days. Registration opened on 17 September and closes on Sunday 11 October at 10.00 pm. Applications are made per household, and the municipality will check whether those registered live at the address provided.
Successful applicants will receive an invitation and codes to reserve a time slot at the end of October.
Admission to the Tikibad water park is not included, although separate tickets can be purchased subject to availability.
Wassenaar clubs raise funds in Grote Clubactie
Six Wassenaar clubs are taking part in this year’s Grote Clubactie, the nationwide fundraising campaign for sports, cultural and other community organisations.
From 19 September, members will sell lottery tickets to raise money for their clubs. Participating organisations decide how to spend the proceeds, for example on equipment, activities, club facilities or anniversary celebrations.
This year’s participating Wassenaar clubs are Hockeyclub HGC, Muziekvereniging Excelsior, Graaf Willem II, Snel en Lenig, Wassenaarse Volleybal Vereniging and WZK Zwemmen.
Clubs receive €2.55 from each €3 ticket sold. Tickets can be sold until 27 October, with the draw taking place on 3 November.
15 van Wassenaar returns on 11 October
Hundreds of runners are expected to take to the streets on Sunday 11 October for the 12th edition of De 15 van Wassenaar.
Mayor Leendert de Lange will give the starting signal at 2.30 pm for the 15 km and 7.5 km races. Organisers expect between 1,100 and 1,200 participants.
The route starts at sports club Blauw-Zwart and takes runners through Oostdorp and other parts of Wassenaar before returning through the town centre. Traffic measures will be in place along the route, and motorists should expect delays until around 4.00 pm.
The organisers are also looking for volunteers to help with registration, the start and finish areas and several points along the route.
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See you next week!
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