How it all started …

In 1971 in Tuilt (Kuringen-Belgium) a group of neighbours came together to build a vehicle, that could ride in a procession that would ride out at the occasion of the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Grosemans-Feytons.  When the carnival group “De Fluiters” ( of the neighbour city of Kermt )  had insufficient vehicles for their own carnival procession that year, they asked the builders of the vehicles of the golden wedding procession to ride along .Everybody immediately agreed to take part of that procession and the group 

“De Orde van de Tutters” was born!

How it continued …

In 1973, again at the occasion of a golden wedding, this time by Mr. and Mrs.Buntinx – Nijs the neighbours wanted to be built a new vehicle. The profession of Mr. Buntinx was railroad worker, so the motive for the new vehicle to build was evident: it had to be a steam locomotive! As only this golden wedding procession was planned, the builders had chosen to make it out of sturdy cardboard , the necessary wood for the construction was provided by the Sarma (now Carrefour), that was then in building.  The train harvested much success and it was the president of “Valero and the riding bicycles clowns” from Hasselt that then suggested:”That train must not be destroyed!  I will deliver addresses so you can make contacts with organisers of carnival processions so you can participate….

And than the carnival season '73 began…

The first contract for participation at a carnival procession was singed!  The trip went to Lommel (about 40 km away from our hometown), that was quite far for a cardboard train!  After some calculations, reckoning the distance and the possible speed of the train (max...15 km per hour) the first trip began.  Torn by the truck of Chairman Isidoor Nickmans and accompanied by two vehicles with some people to regulate the traffic, the maiden trip started. At noon the train arrived in Lommel, in time for the procession that would start at 3 PM … That year the train of the Tutters also did ride along in the procession in Hasselt, the capitol city of our region.  At the occasion of a jubilee, the organisers wanted all available vehicles to make their cortege something beautiful and uniquely. 

But the cardboard train could not ride out in bad weather, rain or snow. In 1974 we decided to replace the cardboard through weather resistant panels.  Since that time our group and our steam train travelled a lot. Here are some places we have been: Gent (Belgium), Duisburg (Germany), Menen (France) Den Haag (the Netherlands), and Amsterdam (the Netherlands) Oostende,  Raeren and Butgenbach (in the Oostkantons) Antwerp, Genk, Charleroi, and so on……In the light procession (November '89) the group gained a beautiful second price!  In the years 2002 and 2003 we participated successfully the Christmas light processions (in Kermt)

Since different years our association puts our train at the disposal of the cares home MPI “Ter Heide” at Boxberg (Genk) for their annual Procession.  Even the heaviest handicapped children with their own wheelchair can find a place in our train and so, in their own manner, they can enjoy this annual event!  Thanks to the voluntary work and no charges asked by many of other carnival associations these children can enjoy the carnival! 

10 January 2004: 3 x 11 years!

Annually “De Orde van de Tutters” organises a grandiose Dance of the Prince! 

The ball took place on 10 January 2004, in the Kermeta (Kermt).  This time it became a particular ball as we celebrated 33jarig existence of our group!  With much “missing persons” searching to do, we used the paper and the local radio, we succeeded to find the addresses of many of our old-members  It was evident that we invited those old members to celebrate together with us this joyful event. It was a great surprise that so much of our old-members reacted on our invitation and we could welcome a large group of old friends. We can report that since then our association has many new members because several of our old members decided to join again! A large delegation of FEN-Flanders took part of this festive event!  Princess Josee (2003), Prince Udo (2004) and all the Tutters can look back on a very successful celebration! 

For the surveys list of our Princes and Princesses, I refer to the page Princes. 

Season 2010-2011

It was a difficult decision for our society , but as the technical condition off our truck , a Bedford , build in 1942 , was becoming worse and worse we had to decide to take him off the road and look for an other solution to take part in the multiply parades .
After long deliberations we decided to take part as Gipsy’s at the different parades . Off course all the members of our Group got new outfits .
We do hope to take part at different parades all over the region of Limburg .

Our vehicle is the whole year through available for processions, bars journeys and such.

For information, you can contact the secretariat Georgette Herkenrath, send an e-mail to Tutters@telenet.be