Rolder sand drift (zandverstuiving)

The Rolder Sand drift, a historic attraction, has served many purposes over the years. From parties to sporting events and school trips, this place has always held a special place in the hearts of many. Even Groningen children came en masse by train to Rolde to play in the spray and enjoy delicacies at the kiosk of operator Plest. A remarkable fact from times gone by: in the 1960s, autocross was even held here.

Restoration of the Rolder Sand drift

In 2016 it was decided to revive the Rolder Zanddriving. Years of neglect had caused the memory of this place to fade, buried under unwanted vegetation in the Bodenpine forest. This was a thorn in the side of many Rolden residents, causing various local organizations to join forces. The Boermarke Rolde, the Stichting Dorpsbelangen Rolde and the Rolder Historical Society worked together to tackle the neglect and restore the historical value of the Sand drift. Thorough site research was carried out to ensure careful restoration, given the rich history of this site.

The changes through time

The history of the Rolder Sand drift reflects changes over the centuries. For centuries, Drenthe had numerous sandy areas where the wind had free rein, including Rolde, where even the current Brink in the center was covered with sand. This caused inconvenience to the village and the farmers. De Boermarke, as owner of these lands for general use, appointed special Zandheren to limit the consequences of drifts. Over time, the sand slowly disappeared due to forestry and more intensive agriculture, allowing fertile soil to cover the sand and nature to take its course. However, this place also had dark times, such as during the National Socialist period, when mass meetings took place, including those of the National Socialist Movement (NSB), with prominent figures such as Mussert who spoke here.