Builder in the spotlight #3: Iwan Vervoort
In the run-up to Bricktopia World, we will be introducing some of the exhibitors to you. For this ‘Builder in the Spotlight’, we asked the participant a number of questions and took photos of the LEGO® creation that will be on display at the MECC on 17 and 18 May.
This way you'll get a taste of all the beauty that will be on show. Curious to see this MOC (My Own Creation) and more? Then buy your tickets for Bricktopia World online in advance for a better price. See the ‘Visitors page for more info and link to the ticket shop.
The ‘Builder in the Spotlight’ this time is Iwan Vervoort with the theme ‘The Bascule Bridge of Boskoop’.
The Creation of the Boskoop Lego Swing Bridge / Miniature Parade
‘It's impossible!’ said pride.
‘It’s risky!’ said experience.
‘It's pointless!’, said reason.
‘Try it,’ whispered the heart!
In 2021, as a result of an unnamed pandemic, an alternative carnival was established in Boskoop. One of the initiators of C.V. de Krooshappers was Iwan Vervoort. In collaboration with studio Alphen, radio and TV broadcasts were produced over a weekend. The TV broadcast also featured a miniature parade. This Miniature Parade then consisted of all sorts of floats (Lego, wood, papier-mâché, etc.). Due to the positive reaction, Iwan thought it would be fun to organise a miniature parade made of LEGO®. This wasn't entirely new as Lego® parades had also been organised elsewhere in the country by various carnival associations.
In March 2021, Iwan dug out his LEGO® collection again and set about enthusiastically building his LEGO® Modular buildings to create a substantial street. During this period, Boskoop's 800th anniversary also came into view. Iwan decided to register as an event. But what's a miniature parade without Boskoop's icon? How fantastic would it be if the Boskoop Bascule Bridge were part of the street scene. He requested the construction drawings for the Bascule Bridge from the province of Zuid-Holland. These arrived digitally very quickly. But how do you translate this into LEGO®…
Initially, Iwan wanted to build the bridge himself and looked for someone who could create a LEGO® building plan. After some research and requesting quotes, it turned out to be a rather costly affair. Don't give up was the motto!
Contact was made with Bouwsteentjes, a LEGO® fan and news website, and after some detours, Iwan ended up with Erwin Govaerts. Erwin saw potential in building the LEGO® Bascule Bridge. After studying the building plans, he submitted a quote. To raise all this money, Iwan started a crowdfunding campaign himself. Entrepreneurs could buy a tile with their logo on it, and donations could be made via Tikkie. Many people from Boskoop saw the merit in this wonderful initiative, and within a few weeks, the money was raised.
In August 2021, Erwin started the construction of the Hefbrug and, as he himself says, sometimes you take three steps forward and then two steps back. Erwin has managed to rebuild everything as well as possible and even travelled to Boskoop once to admire the real Hefbrug again (Erwin lives in Terneuzen).
By the end of November 2021, the bridge was more or less finished. Well ahead of the January 2022 deadline, as the filming of the miniature parade was scheduled for early February 2022.
By now, Omroep West (via Studio Alphen) had also caught wind of what was going to happen and made a really great report about it, which was broadcast by them and even made it to the national Jeugdjournaal. During that time, the first contacts were also made with SBS6 Hart van Nederland; they visited on the recording day in February and also featured it in their programme. The newspapers also regularly published an article about the miniature parade.
On 5th February 2022, the filming of the miniature parade took place. The C.V. de Krooshappers' headquarters was converted into a studio. The now over 6-metre-long street served as the backdrop for 21 entries of miniature Lego carnival floats. The result of this broadcast can still be viewed via YouTube.
On February 12, 2022, the LEGO® Swing Bridge was officially unveiled by Mayor Spies and Children's Mayor Safae and Councillor Simone.
