On Friday, April 26, I was surprised by the Mayor of my hometown of Roosendaal, Han van Midde, who was allowed to appoint me Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau on behalf of king Willem-Alexander. I was awarded the Knighthood for “years of dedication as the Netherlands' only historical shoe and leather expert and for a major substantive contribution to the realization of the Schoenenkwartier”.
In addition to the mayor, Cabinet and Representation Employee Fabienne van Eekelen and a photographer, there was a whole delegation of family, friends and acquaintances who supported the application for the award. After the mayor had pinned on the award, there was of course cake and coffee. CAST, the trading platform for shoes, sports and fashion based in Nieuwegein sponsored wine and sandwiches. All togetherit turned out to be a surprising and very enjoyable day, which I look back on with great pleasure!
Dick de Cloe, former chairman SLEM (successor Schoenen Museum, predecessor of the Schoenenkwartier), Waalwijk
Anouk van Heesch, former director of Schoenenkwartier, Heusden
Marijn Verschure, general manager CAST | trading platform for shoes, sports and fashion, Nieuwegein
Fleur Dingen, curator Schoenenkwartier, Wintelre
Charles Bergmans, shoe designer and visual artist, Sprang Capelle
Hester Vlamings, shoe designer, Tilburg
Amber Ambrose Aurèle, shoe designer, Amsterdam
Liesel Swart, shoe designer and teacher at the Dutch Shoe Academie, Utrecht
Liza Snook, owner Virtual Shoe Museum, www.virtualshoemuseum.com
Nicoline van Enter, CEO at Footwearology Lab, Barcelona
Ton Verhoeven – van der Linden, volunteer at Schoenenkwartier, Waalwijk
Peter van Tilburg, former chairman of the Friends of the Schoenenkwartier, Waalwijk
Wilbert Bool, volunteer at Schoenenkwartier, Waalwijk
Peter Konijnenburg, former chairman of Rabo de Langstraat, Waalwijk
Anja Tirions- van den Nieuwenhuizen, volunteer at Schoenenkwartier, Waalwijk
Mechtild van den Hombergh, former interim director Schoenenkwartier, Amsterdam
