The small village of Stompetoren was filled with curious audiences two years after German troops invaded the Netherlands. There were many photographers at the Schermer on that April 26th, 1942 (some say 80!), and even reporters from the Polygon news were there. Geertje Elisabeth Helder, 23, and Piet Korver, 24, were married in the old school building where the municipal secretariat was temporarily located.
It was not a typical wedding because the ceremony was conducted according to the old West Frisian tradition at the initiative of the mayor of Oterleek, Jacob Posch. There were costumes, old carriages, and traditional customs. The couple was born and raised in Schermer and came from cattle ranching families. Like many guests, the bridal couple wore an original West Frisian costume. The bride’s golden iron made her stand out. The groom wore the traditional black wedding suit, with long white stockings. There was an original silver sheath knife from 1780 in the pocket and an old-fashioned pipe.
