Summary of the symposium programme

We have tried to set up an attractive and relaxed programme which is still subject to alteration. Excursion days tend to begin early though.

After the welcome reception and buffet on Saturday June 2^nd, the Symposium will begin with a short formal opening session on Sunday, to be followed by a keynote presentation. The remainder of that Sunday and, in fact, that week will see presentations alternating with excursions.

It is our aim to devote some of the presentation sessions to specific subjects and perhaps even lectures for which expert speakers will be invited. On Monday afternoon some parallel short excursions will be organised  which you will have to subscribe for in advance; see below. The General Meeting will be held on Wednesday afternoon (June 6^th). TIMS members may wish to advise Council, via the Secretary, in advance of any particular business that you want to discuss at the Meeting or issues you want to raise. Non-members may attend the Meeting, but are only allowed to observe.

The symposium ends after breakfast on Sunday June 10^th, 2007.

It will be preceded by an optional pre-tour and an optional long visit to the Netherlands Open Air museum, and followed by an optional post-tour.

Monday afternoon mill activities

a) A relatively small group of non-Dutch symposium participants will be given the opportunity to actually work with one of several mill types on Monday afternoon June 4^th, and, for a couple of hours, learn the basics of handling a Dutch windmill under the guidance of an experienced miller. There will be a maximum of about 30 people on a “first come, first served” basis. After registration the Committee will get in touch with you to discuss the available options regarding mill types.

b) Other options include: a short visit to the famous Netherlands Open Air Museum at Arnhem, with a number of interesting mills (see below for more information) or a visit to some very nice watermills. Or you may take the afternoon off and enjoy some leisure time.

Themed mini-symposium

On Friday June 8^th, in the morning and perhaps part of the afternoon, a mini-symposium will be organised, addressing the theme of mills and polders and how the Dutch cultural landscape was shaped by them. Expert speakers will be invited.

Excursions

On Tuesday June 5^th there will be an excursion to the eastern part of The Netherlands and on Thursday June 7^th to the northern part. Both comprise visits to extremely interesting working mills that are not very well known to foreign visitors, and perhaps even not that well to Dutch people. All the millers are eager to receive us!

On Saturday June 9^th we shall travel to the western part of The Netherlands. This excursion includes visits to a huge pumping station, windmills, and a leading mill wrighting workshop. After that, there will be an excursion by boat, a unique experience on Dutch rivers and lakes, passing some 20 windmills, many of which we hope to arrange to have turning! This unforgettable sight will be the prelude to our traditional Dîner d’Adieu on the same boat (no return to the hotel in between!).

During excursions light refreshments will be available en route and a sandwich lunch will be taken at or in the vicinity of a mill.

Please read the information under Programme & Schedule for a flavour of the mills to be visited.

Pre- and post-tours

(optional at supplementary charge)

The 3 day pre-tour "Highlights of Holland" will visit famous Dutch "must-see" mill complexes. Please read the information under Pre-tour.

The 4 day post-tour "Mill wonders in Flanders" will show the rich mill heritage of Flanders in Belgium. Please read the information under Post-tour.

Excursion to the Netherlands Open Air Museum

(optional at supplementary charge)

Those arriving before Saturday June 2^nd may join an excursion to this famous museum at Arnhem on that Saturday.

This museum was given the “European museum of the year 2005” award. It has a fine collection of working windmills, a water-driven paper mill as well as several horse-powered mills and tread wheels, and old Dutch (wooden) farm houses with a display of old tools and interiors. Volunteers will open the mills and offer guided tours.

The tour will start at the symposium hotel Mooi Veluwe, at 9.00 am, and end back at the hotel at about 4.00 pm.

Note: A shorter visit to the museum will be offered again on Monday June 4^th as one of the Monday afternoon mill activities included in the symposium fee (see above), but in that case you will not be able to join any of the other activities during that afternoon and probably not have enough time to visit all the mills and other interesting exhibits in the museum.

Partners’ programme

On two days there will be a half-day optional programme for partners/friends who do not wish to attend paper presentations at the hotel. Each will comprise a visit to typical Dutch cultural sights of interest to tourists. Lunches and refreshments are included in the Symposium fee, but there will be a modest charge for transport and extra costs, depending on our sponsorship funds. Please indicate your interest on the application form. Details will depend on the number of people participating.

(permission obtained from photographer)