Best, Netherlands
Best (Dutch pronunciation: [bɛst] ⓘ) is a municipality and a village in the southern Netherlands. It is situated northwest of the city Eindhoven, and is also part of the agglomeration of this city.
Best | |
|---|---|
Chapel in Best | |
Flag Coat of arms | |
Location in North Brabant | |
| Coordinates: 51°31′N 5°24′E / 51.517°N 5.400°E | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | North Brabant |
| Government | |
| • Body | Municipal council |
| • Mayor | Hans Ubachs (acting) (D66) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 35.10 km2 (13.55 sq mi) |
| • Land | 34.30 km2 (13.24 sq mi) |
| • Water | 0.80 km2 (0.31 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Population (January 2021)[4] | |
| • Total | 30,216 |
| • Density | 881/km2 (2,280/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Bestenaar |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postcode | 5680–5685 |
| Area code | 0499 |
| Website | gemeentebest |
The headquarters of one of Europe's largest meat processors, Vion NV, are located in Best, as are Philips Healthcare and the Bata Corporation's "Bata Protective" operations (B2B).
History edit
The village used to be a part of Oirschot, a nearby town. But as Best was situated on the state road from Amsterdam to Maastricht, this often created difficulties. Each time the military wanted to quarter troops in Best, they had to request to be stationed in Oirschot, 10 km away, for this to be allowed. Because of this difficulty, the government decided to separate Best from Oirschot in 1819.[citation needed]
Archaeological excavations around the village suggest settlement in the area dating back to the Roman era. The Armenhoef is a monumental farm on the Oirschotseweg 117 in Best. This stable is the oldest still in use within Western Europe. Historical building research in 2009 showed that the wooden frame of the stable dates back to 1263. The residential part of the farm itself was built in recent times, in 1640 at the earliest, but probably around 1680. The farm is an official monument.[5] The first written text about Best dates back to 1421.[6]
The village itself, however, did not exist until the 19th century. There were three small villages: Naastenbest in the west, Wilhelminadorp in the south and Verrenbest where Oranjestraat is located. They grew together, and formed the village with the name Best.[citation needed]
Best received a train station on the line Rotterdam – Breda – Boxtel – Helmond – Venlo – Maastricht. The line had only one track, but traffic congestion necessitated another track, so it was made double-tracked. In the 1980s, congestion once again became a problem so two more tracks were added in 2002. It is now possible to travel to Best from Utrecht or Eindhoven by train.[citation needed]
The spoken language is North Meierijs (an East Brabantian dialect, which is very similar to colloquial Dutch).[7]
Population centres edit
- Aarle
- Batadorp
- De Vleut
- Dijkstraten
- Heikant
- Heivelden
- Heuveleind
- Hoge Akker
- Kantonnier
- Koekoeksbos
- Naastenbest
- Oud-Best
- Salderes
- Speelheide
- Steegsche velden (Construction)
- Wilhelminadorp
Events edit
- Lake Dance – at Aqua Best, 25 June 2011
- Extrema Outdoor – at Aqua Best, 16 July 2011
- Sneakerz Festival – at Aqua Best, 18 September 2010
Politics edit
| Parties | Seats 2002-2006 | Seats 2006-2010 | Seats 2010-2014 | Seats 2014-2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDA | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| D66 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| VVD | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Best Open | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| PvdA | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Youth Party JO | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Local Interests | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| ChristianUnion | - | - | - | 1 |
| Local Best | - | - | - | 1 |
| Total | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Transport edit
For train transport, see Best railway station.
One can take bus number 9 from the Eindhoven central station to Best, or bus numbers 141/142 from the Tilburg central station to Best.[citation needed]
Notable people edit
- José Hoebee (born 1954 in Best) a Dutch pop singer and member of girl group Luv'[8]
- Rob Kemps (born 1985 in Best) cabaret artist and artist of Snollebollekes[9][10]
- Ralf Mackenbach (born 1995 in Best) a Dutch singer and dancer, winner of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Sport edit
- Eric Swinkels (born 1949 in Best) sports shooter and silver medallist at the 1976 Summer Olympics
- Hans Stacey (born 1958 in Best) a Dutch rally driver
- Peter Aerts (born 1970) a Dutch semi-retired super heavyweight kickboxer, trained in Best
- Jesse Mahieu (born 1978 in Best) field hockey defender and team silver medallist at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Dennis Retera (born 1986 in Best) a Dutch racing driver
- Roel van de Sande (born 1987 in Best) a Dutch professional footballer with 250 club caps
Gallery edit
-
Station Best stationsgebouw
-
Armenhoef, Best
-
Historia Park, Best
-
Best - Schots gedenkteken
References edit
- ^ "Anton van Aert" (in Dutch). Gemeente Best. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Postcodetool for 5683EA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "Monumenten – Gemeente Best".
- ^ "Databank bedevaart en bedevaartplaatsen in Nederland". Meertens.knaw.nl. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
- ^ Jos & Cor Swanenberg: Taal in stad en land: Oost-Brabants, ISBN 9012090105
- ^ IMDb Database retrieved 22 December 2019
- ^ IMDb Database retrieved 22 December 2019
- ^ Dutch Wiki, Rob Kemps
External links edit
- Official website