The association thought that the pieces could be considered lost. Still, the scores were not thrown away. Dirix and a number of colleagues went in search of advice on how to save them. She found that advice from restorer Saskia Hendriks, who came up with the advice to freeze the pieces.
Dirix found an old slaughterhouse that provided a large number of empty freezers. All scores were placed in it. This morning restorer Hendriks saw the first results and she is positive. “Freezing removes the moisture. The ice crystals are converted into gas and that gas is removed, with the result that the papers look like they used to,” says Hendriks.
According to the restorer, the technique may also save paper pieces belonging to many private individuals. Due to the flood, many people were damaged and personal belongings such as wedding certificates or baby photos got wet. According to the restorer, much damage can still be repaired by freezing the items.
The frozen tracks are now dried leaf by leaf. Saving the scores turns out to be a painstaking task. Volunteers from various associations have already offered to help the Valkenburg harmony.
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