Birgit Cramer van den Bogaart: proud resident of Nieuw-Vennep for 22 years!

Birgit, how did you end up in Nieuw-Vennep?

I moved here just before we had our first child, over 22 years ago now. At the time I thought this would only be temporary, but after a few years I was sold. The cosiness of Nieuw-Vennep, the location in Haarlemmermeer and the Randstad and the village character make me feel at home here. Because of all the active associations, my children and I have of course always had a lot of connection with peers.

You do a lot in Haarlemmermeer. How did this start?

I quickly became involved with the Oranjevereniging Beatrix through my then-neighbor, where I served on the board for eight years. After starting as a freelancer, I became responsible for PR and (online) marketing at the Haarlemmermeer Zuid Business Association (OVHZ). I also produce the magazine ZuidPost, which has since become part of the Haarlemmermeer business magazine InfoRegio. Later, I also produced a magazine for Hollandse Plassen. These two experiences made me curious about the origins of Haarlemmermeer. So, together with a partner, I created a magazine about the Waterwolf and the Ringvaart canal. It was called "Varen langs de Oevers van de Ringvaart" (Sailing Along the Banks of the Ringvaart). The Waterwolf was the nickname for the Haarlemmermeer. I've always had a connection to water, so this was a real gift for me to be able to create it. Many other wonderful opportunities followed this project. Together with Daniëlle, I created the first and second editions of the magazine "Liefs uit Haarlemmermeer" (Love from Haarlemmermeer), and I remain involved with it because it's simply a wonderful platform.

You are now a proud Venneper! What do you prefer to do in Haarlemmermeer? 

There is so much to do in Nieuw-Vennep alone! I like to eat at Bistro Jacques and at De Rustende Jager. Orries is great for a delicious lunch or dinner. And if I want to have a drink, I go to the always cozy Grand Café de Bulls. I often walk with my dogs at Landgoed Kleine Vennep. There they can run on the dike. While walking I always have a chat with another Venneper.

Outside Nieuw-Vennep I often go to the Toolenburger Plas and the Haarlemmermeerse Bos. I shop in Hoofddorp Winkelstad at various boutiques, such as Juffrouw Jansen and Ilse. In Hoofddorp I like to eat at Fort Noxx or have a drink at Nozem. By the way, I usually go to Hoofddorp by bike. Because cycling through the polder, over and under the Calatrava bridges is a party!

Do you have a hidden tip for residents?

There are several things I find very special about Haarlemmermeer. First of all, the history of the municipality, for example, the Hoofdvaart canal. The polder boys who dug out the entire Hoofdvaart canal to give us a polder. I consider a visit to the pumping stations a must for anyone in Haarlemmermeer. The Cruquius Museum is, of course, beautiful. But I would also definitely recommend a visit to the Halfweg Steam Pumping Station, especially on a weekend when the pumping station is running. If I want a drink, I go to the always lively Bar Bruis. And something I really like is the Pieperautomaat (Pieper Machine) in Lisserbroek. It's like a Febo wall, but for potatoes. Funny, isn't it?