The new book tree in the center of Uelsen "Am Brunnen" was recently officially opened to the public with a small inauguration ceremony.
The new tree replaces its predecessor, which had to be dismantled at the beginning of the year for safety reasons after a long period of intensive use. Immediately afterwards, there were many inquiries from the local population about the whereabouts of the book tree and the desire to erect a new one. That is why we are delighted that there is now once again a place in a central location that offers a symbol for exchange, community and the joy of reading, says municipal director Hajo Bosch. Anyone who takes out a book also takes out an invitation to dream, laugh, learn or reflect.
The idea of the Uelsen book tree, where citizens can obtain free reading material and post books themselves, originally came about in 2016/2017.
And that is why representatives of the Rotary Club Uelsen/Coevorden attended the event alongside the two creators of the book tree, Henk Kampherbeek and Albert Meyer, as well as Mayor Wilfried Segger and Municipal Director Hajo Bosch. Among them were the former president Marja Ritterfeld, who had once supported the project, and the current president Gitta Büter-Holthuis. The latter has a special connection to the book tree - her father created the very first book tree in Uelsen in 2016.
At the time, the Rotary Club of Uelsen/Coevorden initiated the project in line with the club's core idea of creating something charitable and promoting the idea of sharing and education in public spaces, explained the two Rotarians.
The Kampherbeek forestry company from Itterbeck was asked to help with the replacement that has now been erected. However, the search for a suitable trunk took some time, as no tree was to be felled just for this project. Finally, a special naturally grown specimen was found: a 100-year-old oak trunk from the joint municipality of Uelsen.
In many hours of loving handiwork, the owner Henk Kampherbeek and his friend Albert Meyer, who provided voluntary support, have now created the new book tree. Richly detailed and weatherproof, it once again invites all generations to browse, swap and linger. However, a number of challenging tasks had to be solved before this could happen. Starting with the question of where the door could best be carefully cut out of the trunk so as not to destroy the naturalness of the tree, to the question of how the cavity could be chiseled out cleanly and watertight. A special chainsaw with a planer attachment was also used. Furthermore, attempts were made as far as possible to reuse items such as the roof or hinges from the old tree.
And so, after some initial skepticism about accepting the commission, the joy of the project and of having created something very individual finally gave way.
With the new tree at the old location, the history of the book tree in Uelsen continues - as a symbol of community, sustainability and the joy of reading.