In 1937, G.H. Rots described in a series of articles how things were done in Aalten in former times. Among other things, he wrote about the customs when a farmer moved:
“On the rare occasion that a farmer moved, this took place on ‘Saint Peter’s Day,’ February 22nd. All belongings were loaded onto the neighbors’ wagons, and the entire procession moved from the old house to the new or different farmstead. The neighbor women had already gone ahead to the new home, had cleaned it, and had lit the fire. In the local dialect, this was called ‘vuur beün’ (preparing the fire).”
When the new residents arrived, the coffee had already been brewed, and the newcomers could immediately refresh themselves with a nice cup of coffee. The neighbors helped that day; one person would put something here, another there—it was a scene of immense activity. To top it all off, the ‘housewarming meal’ followed later, where there was certainly no shortage of spirited drinks.”
Source
- ‘From Aalten’s verleden’, by G.H. Rots, Aaltensche Courant, 12 & 19 November 1937 (via Delpher: part IV)