Tourism and experience

Folding sofa in Anna Jacobapolder

At the place where the ferry to Zijpe used to leave, there is a modern version of the old folding bench in Anna Jacobapolder. A couch to rest for a while and to enjoy stories. People can take a seat on the folding sofa, choose one of the four stories at the push of a button, after which the story plays itself.

Stories

Anyone who sits down on the modern folding sofa in Anna Jacobapolder will hear stories about the surroundings of Anna Jacobapolder and Tholen through speakers in the back of the sofa. Thanks to the built-in sound installations, stories about the surroundings of Anna Jacobapolder and Tholen can be read and listened to. There are four stories to listen to, each lasting about three minutes. Four themes have been chosen. Life on the salt marsh, around 1487, the Spanish troops through the Zijpe from 1575, Tram and ferry with a story about the period around 1900 and the German attack of 1945.

Compositions

The folding bench that is now in Anna Jacobapolder consists of three linked benches on which twenty people can sit. “The materials used for the folding bench are durable, low-maintenance and vandal-resistant,” the municipality of Tholen said. “The folding bench is an initiative of Erfgoed Zeeland, which installs a total of 10 folding benches, spread throughout Zeeland. The bank is designed to make the cultural heritage in Zeeland more visible. Moreover, the folding bench contributes to the experiential value of the tourist product in Tholen. The bank is part of the network of anchorages that will be realized in the period 2014-2019 as part of the provincial program Zeeland Anchors.”

Walking and cycling

The municipality of Tholen is happy with the placement. “The folding bench fits perfectly within the principles of Tholen's tourist policy. The experience is central to this. Visitors today want to really get to know the area by hearing stories about the place. We are also focusing on better facilities for walking and cycling. The folding bench is of great added value for both aspects”, according to the Municipal Executive. The municipality, in collaboration with Erik Moerland of Restaurant 't Veerhuis and Heemkundekring Philippuslandt, is responsible for the maintenance of the bank.

The anchorage in Anna Jacobapolder is the eighth in a series of ten anchorages in Zeeland. There are already benches in it: Yerseke, Dreischor, Borssele, Kamperland, Sas van Gent, Hulst and Burgh. In October 2019, banks will be realized in Aardenburg and Middelburg.