The origins of Goolderheide
In ancient times, the area was swampy and wet, full of magic and mysticism. A wonderful environment for children. Indeed, the story goes that a swamp fairy lived there, listening to the name Heide. She wanted to turn the swamp into a beautiful place where Goleriens, the original inhabitants of the swamp, could live carefree.
However, the spell backfired: Heather is still without a trace; leaving the Goleriens sad. Ricfried, an experienced adventurer, took the fate of the inhabitants to heart and, together with Godart the Frog and Gozewijn the Swamp Man, fulfilled the wish of the swamp fairy Heide. Today, Goolderheide is a wonderful place where there is plenty to do and experience.
Regularly you still come across them: Godart, Gozewijn and Ricfried. Wherever they show up, there is always something to do. And who knows: maybe you will find swamp fairy Heather and the Goleriens? That would be wonderful.
Ricfried
He began by scaring off foul monsters that had been making life miserable for the Goleriens for centuries. Once he had driven out these beasts, he could begin to refurbish a dirty, neglected area. After all, the inhabitants had been hiding in cottages underground for years because of the monsters. The monsters looted their food stores and destroyed all their possessions. But this was now a thing of the past.Ricfried, our Belgian adventurer, was just passing through Bocholt when he discovered the sad Goleriens. He felt so sorry for these inhabitants that he could not leave them behind. He promised to help them and turn the dangerous swampy area into a home.
Ricfried built new cottages for the Goleriens. He hammered and hammered until he had enough cottages for all the inhabitants. Even new people from all over Belgium wanted to come and live in this beautiful area. He had made it such a cozy park that he himself really never wanted to leave.
You can still often spot Ricfried at the campsite. In high season, he regularly walks around the campground and you can tell him your very best adventures.
Godart
Godart the Frog, was found by adventurer Ricfried in the swampy area where he had been abandoned. Godart was Heather's best friend, but when she disappeared without a trace, he was left lonely and alone. Fairy Heide had turned Godart into a talking frog. So when Ricfried found him, he was also very surprised. Together they decided to grant Heide her wish.
He went in search of the best frogs in the entire swamp kingdom to work together to make something for both the Goleriens and himself. In no time they built 3 fantastic pools for the inhabitants of the swamp. And to enjoy themselves, they dug a gigantic pool, better known as the lake with a sandy beach. If you look carefully in the lake, you may even see Godart's friends jumping around.
Gozewijn
Everyone knew him, Gozewijn the swamp man. He lived with the Goleriens in Bocholt. He was not very talkative, but a beloved person among the inhabitants. He took care of the animals and plants in the area. So when Ricfried approached him to ask if he wanted to help turn the swamp into a beautiful park, he did not hesitate.
Each was given a specific task. Gozewijn's task was to turn the swamp into a beautiful wooded area. He planted countless trees and made sure everything was beautifully landscaped. The dirty, smelly pools disappeared. There were beautiful walkways for the inhabitants so that the little Goleriens would no longer trip over loose branches and stones.
From the broken branches he made wooden play equipment for the children. From swings to playhouses and from slides to benches for the parents. Of course he did not forget the little animals. These were given a real paradise. Rabbits, chickens, turkeys, guinea pigs ... they were all allowed to live together in the petting zoo. Every day they were pampered by the Goleriens.
And so his task was over. The swamp man went back to live deep in the forest. Maybe you will meet him on a walk in the Goolder woods.
Golerien
A Golerien is actually a former inhabitant of the marshlands. This Golerien does have a very nice story to tell.
'Long ago, when Ricfried came to help us fulfill Heath's spell, I lived underground in a little cozy house. I called it my Hobbit cottage. I was so attached to it that Ricfried helped me dig it up again. Somewhere on Goolderheide you can find my little house. It is incredibly unique! I like to tell our story to as many people as possible. You can even spend a few nights in this original Hobbit cottage.'
'I am so glad that Heide's spell was finally fulfilled by Ricfried, Godart and Gozewijn. Without them, I would still be living underground, afraid of the monsters that plagued our village. They are real heroes. Of course, I also wanted to give something back. That's why in the summer I occasionally come to play with the children. They can then take a nice picture with me or give me a high five.'
Heide
Heather, the beautiful swamp fairy. All she wanted was to help the Goleriens, but when she said her spell, she disappeared. No one knows where she is or if she will ever return.
We did hear rumors that she is being held by the banished monsters. Ricfried and Godart have already gone looking for her several times, but without success. Together with Gozewijn, they are now devising a plan to free her.
Hopefully we will see her flying around Goolderheide again soon. How surprised she will be that her spell came true after all!
