Yser Houck

Yser Houck is a heritage preservation association based in Volckerinckhove, in the French-Flemish Westhoek region of northern France. Founded in 1989 by six residents of Volckerinckhove, the organisation takes its name from a locality at the border of Bollezeele, Rubrouck and Volckerinckhove, near the IJzer (Yser) river. Its mission covers all aspects of local heritage: nature, history, monuments and folk traditions. The association is active in ten villages of the French-Flemish Westhoek: Volckerinckhove, Broxeele, Millam, Wulverdinghe, Lederzeele, Rubrouck, Bollezeele, Nieurlet, Merckeghem and Noordpeene. It publishes a quarterly magazine and operates tourist information services in Rubrouck (since 1996) and Volckerinckhove (since August 2007). The association also organises events, guided walks, and group purchases of plants, and offers membership for €32 per year with tax deduction benefits. Its headquarters are located at 13 Rue de l'ancienne gare, 59470 Volckerinckhove.

Yser Houck was founded in 1989 when six residents of Volckerinckhove met to create an association aimed at protecting the natural and historical heritage of their region. They named the new association after a locality on the border of Bollezeele, Rubrouck and Volckerinckhove, situated by the IJzer river. The association's name reflects its deep roots in the Flemish cultural landscape of the Westhoek, a territory spanning parts of French and Belgian Flanders. Since its founding, Yser Houck has expanded its activities to ten villages in the French-Flemish Westhoek: Volckerinckhove, Broxeele, Millam, Wulverdinghe, Lederzeele, Rubrouck, Bollezeele, Nieurlet, Merckeghem and Noordpeene. It publishes a quarterly magazine and has operated a tourist information service in Rubrouck since 1996, and in Volckerinckhove since August 2007. The association is involved in restoration projects, such as the Ferme Capoen (also known as Ferme du château), and organises events like the Fête des Vergers. It also runs a group purchase of plants that has been held annually for over 30 years. The organisation is based at 13 Rue de l'ancienne gare in Volckerinckhove and maintains a website at yserhouck.org.

• 2007

  Tourist information service opened in Volckerinckhove in August.

• 1996

  Tourist information service opened in Rubrouck.

• 1989

  Founded by six residents of Volckerinckhove.

Non-profit heritage association focused on preserving Flemish cultural and natural heritage in French Flanders.

• Quarterly magazine (Revue)

  A quarterly publication covering heritage topics; issue number 139 is the latest.

• Guided walks

  Organised walks to discover local heritage.

• Group purchase of plants

  Annual group purchase of trees, shrubs, fruit trees, bulbs and nest boxes, running for over 30 years.

1. 1YSER HOUCK - Pour le patrimoine flamandyserhouck.org
2. 2Histoire de Flandre - YSER HOUCKyserhouck.org
3. 3Histoire Locale - YSER HOUCKyserhouck.org
4. 4QUELQUES VILLAGES D'HISTOIRE - YSER HOUCKyserhouck.org
5. 5Yser Houck - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Yser Houck - Wikipedia (Dutch)nl.wikipedia.org