Welcome to Wassenaar Weekly, your English-language roundup of local news, events and community updates. Here is what happened in Wassenaar this week.
Mayor calls for stronger community ties in church address
Wassenaar Mayor Leendert de Lange has called on residents to look out for one another, saying that a resilient community depends not only on government support but also on people taking responsibility for each other.
Speaking at the Dorpskerk during a Preek van de Leek (a sermon delivered by a guest speaker), De Lange drew on the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan to highlight the importance of helping others.
He referred to a local man who rescued a woman from a car that had ended up in a ditch last year. The mayor recently presented the rescuer with an award for his bravery.
De Lange also spoke about pressures facing society, including rising demand for youth care, housing shortages and international conflicts.
He praised the many volunteers, carers and community organisations working in Wassenaar, stressing that government alone cannot solve every problem.
“True resilience does not begin with independence, but with connection. Looking out for one another,” he said.
Councillor seeks independent assessment of reports about council culture
Concerns about conduct and social safety within Wassenaar’s municipal administration led to a heated exchange between councillor Ben Paulides (DLW) and Mayor Leendert de Lange during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Paulides said he had received reports from several councillors concerning possible inappropriate behaviour within the municipal administration, including concerns about how the mayor had handled earlier incidents.
He wants to establish the appropriate procedure for dealing with the reports before deciding whether independent advice or a formal investigation is needed.
The discussion follows earlier questions about alleged intimidating behaviour during municipal executive meetings, including an incident involving a laptop. The municipal executive has denied that a laptop was thrown at the mayor. It had not conducted a separate investigation or interviewed witnesses.
During the meeting, De Lange said he had received no report that warranted an investigation. Paulides maintained that councillors had approached him in his capacity as deputy chair of the council. It remained unclear whether the two were referring to the same reporting procedure.
The mayor also criticised Paulides for announcing his plans publicly without informing him beforehand.
During the same meeting, the council adopted a motion calling for more respectful political debate and greater attention to policy and results for residents. The motion passed by 12 votes to seven.
It is not yet known whether the reports will lead to an independent investigation.
Dutch handball stars inspire young players in Wassenaar
Young handball players from across the region had the opportunity to train with members of the Dutch national team during a special coaching session organised by HV Olympia’72 at sports hall De Duinpan.
Goalkeeper Rinka Duijndam and international players Romee Maarschalkerweerd, Isa Ternede and Kelly Vollebregt took part, alongside former international Danique Snelder and assistant national coach Ricardo Klarijs.
The session focused on technique, teamwork and enjoyment of the sport, giving young participants the chance to learn directly from experienced players.
HV Olympia’72 hopes the event will encourage more children and teenagers to try handball. Beginners are welcome, and no previous experience is required.
For more information, email secretaris@hvolympia72.nl.
Wassenaar calls for firefighters to resume cardiac arrest response
Wassenaar’s municipal executive has criticised the decision to stop sending firefighters to cardiac arrest emergencies, arguing that it reduces the level of emergency care available to residents.
Since 1 July, firefighters in Wassenaar have no longer been automatically dispatched to cardiac arrests following a decision by the Haaglanden Safety Region.
The municipality says it was not informed beforehand and believes the decision fails to take sufficient account of local circumstances.
Research by the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety found that firefighters arrived first at 17 of 75 cardiac arrest incidents examined in Wassenaar. Police were first in 44 cases and ambulances in 14.
Ambulances, police officers and trained community volunteers continue to respond to cardiac arrests. Wassenaar also has 48 defibrillators accessible around the clock.
Mayor Leendert de Lange was due to raise the issue with the safety region’s board on Friday 30 October. The municipal executive wants Wassenaar’s firefighters to resume their first-response role as soon as possible.
The impact of the decision on emergency response times and patient outcomes remains unclear.
Young siblings continue family tradition at Wassenaar fish shop
Charlotte and Christiaan Roeleveld have taken over a well-known fish shop at Stadhoudersplein in Wassenaar, continuing a family tradition in the seafood business.
The brother and sister, aged 20 and 19, took over the former De Lekkerbekking shop more than a year ago and renamed it Roeleveld à la mer.
Although both initially trained for different careers, they grew up helping in their family’s fish business in Scheveningen.
The pair have retained the shop’s focus on fresh fish while expanding the range to include prepared seafood dishes, salads, meals and catering services.
They say Wassenaar’s village atmosphere has been a pleasant surprise and that international residents are among their regular customers.
Roeleveld à la mer is located at Stadhoudersplein 1A.
Theater Warenar cancels comedian’s performance
Theater Warenar in Wassenaar has cancelled a performance by comedian Rogier Kahlmann scheduled for 4 November, following complaints and public debate about the content of his shows.
The theatre’s management says it values artistic freedom and freedom of expression but also has a responsibility to uphold its own principles.
According to chairman Wim Topper, the theatre received reports about sexist jokes and offensive remarks in Kahlmann’s performances. He declined to identify those who raised the concerns.
Kahlmann, who describes his comedy as satire and role-playing, has previously faced protests and cancellations elsewhere in the Netherlands. He argues that jokes do not necessarily reflect a comedian’s personal views.
The cancellation has prompted political questions in Wassenaar. Forum voor Democratie (FVD) criticised the decision, arguing that theatres should provide space for different viewpoints. Democratische Liberalen Wassenaar (DLW) has also submitted questions.
The municipality says it has no influence over the theatre’s programming.
The controversy has renewed debate about artistic freedom, the responsibilities of cultural venues and how theatres should respond to criticism of performers.
Wassenaar clubs raise more than €23,700 in national fundraiser
Seven Wassenaar sports and cultural associations have raised a combined €23,712.45 through this year’s Grote Clubactie, a national fundraising lottery for local clubs.
Sports club Snel en Lenig raised the largest amount locally, collecting €9,136.65. Hockey club HGC followed with €5,485.05, while Graaf Willem II raised €5,329.50.
Other participating organisations included WZK Swimming, ASH Cheer Sport, Wassenaar Volleyball Association and music society Excelsior.
Under the fundraising scheme, 85 per cent of the proceeds from each lottery ticket sold goes directly to the participating club. The money can be used for equipment, facilities and activities.
Nationwide, 6,990 associations raised a record €27.3 million this year.
The lottery draw will take place on Tuesday 3 November.
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See you next week!
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