The Böllekes

History

Origin.

In 1974 some menbers of 'Harmonie Orkest Oisterwijk' crept together to form a carnival brass band. On the initiative of carnival association 'de Knuisten' is trained under the leadership of Jan Potters. After a while Oisterwijk had a new orchestra: "The Böllekes". The files of the first years are almost empty, so for this period we must do it with good memories. Later on we realized it would be nice to keep something, write it down, or take a photograph.

From "Unne Kliek" - our fans from the beginning - we got below photo's from that time. Thanks Ine!
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A weekend Böllekes in Germany.

Begin 1987, probably during the carnival, the idea was born to visit the wine parties in Germany once. We had heard a lot over the successful trips of several citizens from Oisterwijk, so we choosed Königswinter. Early in the year the hotel rooms had to be booked. The whole trip was prepared, a complete program was waiting for us. We departed Saturday morning. After making our beds ready for the night we passed through the streets. How can it be else, we started with a boat trip. Followed by a large crowd (Böllekes)fans we made a trip on the Rhine. The bottles of wine where opened, but of course we made music too. Everyone was in the mood but the day was not finished yet, so after a short ´break´ we got ready for the Saterday evening. The instruments rested in the hotel rooms now so we could have party ourself. It became a real Böllekes party. After a short, but intens night we had to rise early because we would join the parade through Königswinter. Moreover not to compare with our carnival parades but a chain of twirlgirls, guilds etc. with somewhere between The Böllekes. For the large crowd a welcome alternation between all piccolo´s. Sunday afternoon we made a musical trip through Königswinter. We visited several places in the village and did a lot of appearances. Tired but satisfied we went to table for a wonderful dinner. The hat of paper (insiders know this) entered upon the office again. After much eating and singing we where ready for the evening. Again without instruments but with the terrific atmosphere. Monday morning we woke up and went back to Oisterwijk. An unforgettable party from the Böllekes history.

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The Böllekes in the carnival parade.

A yearly repeating happening during the carnival is the parade of course. First in combination with 'Trappaf' and later 'solo', we took our part to this parade through Döllekesgat. Making music is our thing, so that's what we do from the beginning till the end. In the music class we take care of the right carnival atmosphere together with collegue orchestras. Music is the main part, but a parade means more... a theme for instance. We always have a nice idea, but we are glad to have someone who will help us with the presentation always. (by the way: not only in the parade).

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Böllekes Summer carnival.

In 1995 we proposed to organise a real Böllekes happening again. But what? After some investigating discussions we decided what to do. It had to be a festival where everyone felt comfortable and where the Böllekes atmosphere would be most important. We choosed a musical happening round the theme ´Summer carnival´. Of course this had to happen in the open air and which location was better than the site of De Rode Lelie? So we contacted the manager, the Foundation Wink (pointing to ‘music with a wink’) was grounded and the organisation could start. It was really a lot of work to present a good program. The selling of the tickets started during the carnival in 1996. In June all tickets where sold so the most important thing was the weather now. The present people undoubtedly still do know it. It was raining all day, but after 19.00 it was dry completely. The program went over 3 stages and covered appearances of Tuddo Bem, the Juggets, a group of Limbo dancers De Cocadinha´s and the unforgettable performance of Johnny O. Moreover completed with several driving forces who supported the whole evening. It was bingo. A fantastic party. But honest is honest, we had to learn too. That's why we started Summer carnival in 1997 with the picked up knowledge. This time we choosed for a very extended program that from begin to end, from one big stage, should be filled without pauses. On the program stood, besides a booming opening, De Deurzakkers, Rossa Nova and orchestra Squala. Filled up with appearances of Liesbeth Oosterling and of course The Böllekes. At last de Deurzakkers could not come, but there was a replacement. No one else then Koos Alberts. With a spectacular opening we started at 21.00 the South-American spectacle. The program was was filled indeed until the little hours. Everyone agreed: "this is it". It was a top party like Summer carnival should be. The next day we discovered that not only the visitors had a great evening, but also some people who lived in the neighborhood. After a internal discussion we decided not to organize a third edition of the Summer carnival. Very very pity, because it was marvelous.

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Böllekes bus excursions.

A peak during the annual carnival days is always the Böllekes bus excursion. In imitation of the excursions with department carnival of Trappaf, The Böllekes rented a bus each year on carnival Monday evening and made an excursion, together with a large crowd of Böllekes fans. The last years we went always with two full buses, so over 100 partygangers. Beside these adults excursion a number of years ago the kids bus has been arisen. A bus excursion too, but then on Monday afternoon. All Böllekes children could in the bus and visited a number of carnival occasions. The parents could in the bus, if there was still place, otherwise they had to follow them with their own transport. The children amused themselves greatly. A good preparation for the evening bus excursion.

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Böllekes breakfast.

During the carnival days, on Sunday morning, the preparations for the parade are still busy then, we have many years enjoyed (with our fans) a real Böllekes breakfast. Each year a healthy interruption of five days folly. Also real Böllekes event.

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May walk.

Tradition at many associations in Oisterwijks is the annual foot excursion to Moergestel. In former years we left very early, but like many events also this one was adapted to the modern time. Fixed puncture, on Ascension Day, we leave around 9.00 from 't Oude Nest and make a walk along the several local pubs to return in Oisterwijk at noon. Each year a sociable, musical happening.

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25-year anniversary.

In November 1999 we have celebrated our silver jubilee. Two very busy visited days in 't Oude Nest. On Saturday a reception with an eveningparty for members, old-menbers and of course our fixed followers. On Sunday there was a brass band festival with a karaoke match. This all was finished by a fantastic performance of 'other André'.

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Blèrkonkoers.

Another peak in Döllekesgat. The yearly songcontest in Oisterwijk organised by the FOD (Federation of Oisterwijkse Dweilorkesten). The Böllekes could win this festival frequently already.

Prikbord Blèrkonkoers

An overview of our blèrkonkoershits:

1980: Piet plezier
1983: Dichter bij mekaar
1985: Dè moet toch kunne
1986: Dölleke dölleke
1987: Döllekesgatse gat
1989: Hoe hiette gij
1992: Döllekesgats 06
1994: Pieregat
1995: carnival Mundial
1997: Ons tante Nel
2000: Als de vogeltjes gaan fluiten
2007: Speuledessekunne

In 2007, the Böllekes win all prices and put Tiliander upside down. A real carnival jubilee with all horns and bells and kilos confetti. During the Blèrkonkoers The Böllekes celebrated their 33rd birthday party, and put the joint upside down like traditionally. That produced a deserved presentation award. But that was not all, because also the main award, the Will Pol-goblet, was for the band whose birthday it was. The award is shared with the rushing talents of the Buitenbintjes, which gained the equal number of points (69).

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