Argos participates in the 25th edition of the Varend Corso
08-04-2024
He may be retired, but going on vacation is not on the cards at the moment, as he mentioned at home. No, Sjaak van der Tak, former mayor of Westland, is visiting companies these days to get them excited about the Varend Corso. And he's doing this excellently. One of the new participants that Van der Tak has persuaded is Argos, led by director Frans van Alphen. Together, they talk about their passion for the brightly colored boat parade.
For years, Westlander Frans van Alphen sat along the waterfront, carefully watching the boats of the Varend Corso pass by one by one. Or he would sail along the long procession himself in his own little boat. Perhaps he should do something more with it, he found himself thinking more and more often. When Sjaak van der Tak, whom he has known for years, rang the bell, he decided to say “yes.”
“I had been hesitating for years about taking part, and now I have decided to finally take the step,” says Van Alphen, seated at a large table in the office of Argos on Nieuweweg in Honselersdijk. Next to him at the table sits Sjaak van der Tak, who has brought two bright blue Varend Corso sweaters especially for the photo, listening with satisfaction. “I really managed to pull that off,” the ambassador seems to be thinking.
And Van Alphen confirms the “push” from the former mayor of Westland. “I think it’s great that Sjaak now wants to give extra flair to the Varend Corso by bringing in new participants as an ambassador,” Van Alphen continues. “And it is necessary, because we have to show the world that we have something unique here in Westland.”
Van Alphen cannot understand at all that some people find the Varend Corso old-fashioned. “I really don’t get that,” he exclaims passionately. “It is unique, with our historical heritage. Beautiful Zeilende Westlanders and lovely Westland barges, all decorated according to a certain theme and sailing through the region — I truly enjoy that.”
The boat with which Argos will participate in June in the 25th edition of the Varend Corso is therefore a true showpiece, more than 120 years old. “A boat from 1903 by Thijs van Waveren, who used to be located along the Gantel. The rudder was broken, but it is now being fully restored in authentic condition. That origin and history must be cherished.”
Saying yes is one thing, but decorating the boat is certainly no easy task, Van Alphen has already experienced. “That is quite exciting. You need a good arranger and a good story. And then all those vegetables and flowers have to make it onto the boat. We have been very busy coming up with everything. And once it happens in June, we will invite all employees with their family members to gather at a location along the water to enjoy being together and watching the boats go by. Very nice to do, because not everyone comes from the region. I am proud of Westland, and I want to show that to everyone.”
The Varend Corso is a wonderful way to do that, the Westland entrepreneur believes. And he is glad that after a few seemingly difficult years, the corso is now completely on the rise again. With around 50 participating boats, the procession has not been this long in years. “It weakened a bit, but since last year they have found their way upward again. The organization is tackling it very positively and with lots of energy.”
The same goes for former mayor Sjaak van der Tak, who has been living in Honselersdijk again for years. When he announced he would become an ambassador for the event, he said he would definitely call 40 companies. That number has already become much higher, and he is far from finished. Companies from outside Westland that are building homes here, for example, can also expect a phone call.
“I even get approached about it on the street,” he admits. “In the past I drove through Westland by car, now I walk. People then keep asking me: ‘come by me as well.’ And I do, with my sponsorship packages.”
Van der Tak even managed to get supermarket Albert Heijn to sponsor water and other supplies. And that is quite a “thing” for a thousand volunteers, the ambassador knows.
There are now more than enough participating boats, but sponsors are never too many. The Varend Corso costs quite a bit, especially in this jubilee edition in which the organization wants to make an extra big effort. For this 25th edition, around 500,000 euros are needed, and that is mainly raised by companies, municipalities, and funds. There is only one larger sponsor contributing 60,000 euros.
That is why anyone can support the Varend Corso. For as little as 1,000 euros, you can become a member of the Club of 1000. In addition, there are bronze (2,500 euros), silver (5,000 euros), and gold sponsors (10,000 euros). “I still have twelve outstanding where I am waiting for an answer. And I am still working with quite a number of companies. At home I said that in April we won’t be able to go on vacation.”
Van der Tak thinks it is wonderful that in De Lier, where the Varend Corso first came into being, there will be a big celebration this year. All residents of De Lier from across the country are returning to their village. The boats will even pass through twice because they have to sail back and forth. “That is why I call on everyone to do something along the waterfront and make something beautiful of it.”
The Varend Corso is not an event for a company to attract more customers, Frans van Alphen adds, but to support the region. “It is a national event organized by Westland to lift the region to a higher level. You do this because you care deeply about the area. This is positive energy. With the whole discussion about the distribution law, Westland has received so much negative publicity from all over the country — we really need this now.”
Van der Tak fully agrees. “I notice that people now want to stand up precisely to show what we are all doing and what we are in Westland.”
The boats of the Varend Corso will sail through the regional waters on June 21, 22, and 23.
Source: AD
Image: Thierry Schut
