# Bemmel

Bemmel is a town in the eastern Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland. It is located in the Betuwe region, and falls under the municipality of Lingewaard. The town is situated between the major cities of Arnhem and Nijmegen, and is bordered by the Waal river in the south. Bemmel has a population of 12,161 (as of 1 January 2020).

## History

The former municipality of Bemmel merged in 2001 with the former municipalities Huissen and Gendt. In 2003 this merged municipality was renamed Lingewaard. The municipal building of Lingewaard is located in Bemmel.
From 1990 to 2006, Bemmel was considerably expanded with three new housing estates: Klaverkamp, Klein Rome, and Essenpas. The hamlets of Doornik and De Pas are also included with Bemmel. The hamlet of Vossenpels is partly included with Bemmel and partly included with Lent; which became part of the municipality of Nijmegen in 1998.

## Landscape

Bemmel is located within the catchment area of the rivers Waal and Linge. It contains mainly fertile soils of nutrient-rich river deposits. The area is well suited for horticulture; it features many greenhouses and orchards.
In the south of Bemmel (outside the dykes) lies Dutch rewilding area the Gelderse Poort, which is managed by Staatsbosbeheer. The area contains typical habitats of the Dutch riverscapes, including: kolks, riparian forests and grasslands. There is a mining company located in the area, which extracts sand and gravel out of the ground.
Along and through the most western part of Bemmel runs Park Lingezegen. This is a Dutch landscape park, located between the cities of Arnhem and Nijmegen. The most notable part of Park Lingezegen that runs through Bemmel is the estate of Doornik. It is an important area for rare Dutch meadow birds, including the grey partridge, yellowhammer, and Eurasian skylark.

## Annual festivals

Notable annual festivals and events in Bemmel include:
* International Four Days Marches Nijmegen - A multiple day marching event in mid-July, which comes through Bemmel. Depending on the edition, it will be on the first or the fourth day.
* Bemmelse Dweildag - An international festival for marching bands in Bemmel, on the second Sunday in June.
* Horse Days of Bemmel (Dutch: Bemmelse Paardendagen) - The annual pony market and horserace of the town, around the second Sunday in August.

## Notable people

Notable residents in Bemmel include:
* Joop Puntman (1934–2013), Dutch ceramist and sculptor
* Cayfano Latupeirissa (born 1991), Dutch professional football player
* Jesse Schuurman (born 1998), Dutch professional football player

## Photo gallery

* The Linge river at Park Lingezegen, Bemmel
* New housing estate the Essenpas, Bemmel
* The Waaldike of Bemmel during springtime
* The Ressensestraat during autumn
* Dijkmagazijn Bemmel, visitor center for nature
* Protestant church of Bemmel (12th century)

## Education

The following educational institutions are located in Bemmel:
| Name | Type of institution |
| Over Betuwe College | High school |
| Pro College Bemmel | Vocational school |
| Pius X | Primary school |
| Borgwal | Primary school |
| Regenboog | Primary school |
| Donatushof | Primary school |
| De Vlinderboom | Primary school |

## Sport

Yoast United is a professional basketball team located in Bemmel, playing in the national highest level Dutch Basketball League. The following sport facilities are located in Bemmel:
| Name | Type of sport |
| Yoast United | Basketball |
| SC Bemmel | Football |
| MHC Bemmel | Hockey |
| BV Batouwe | Basketball |
| Tennisclub Bemmel | Tennis |
| De Schaapskooi | Physical fitness |
| TWC 't Verzetje | Cycle sport |
| Vereniging Kidang | Volleyball |
| BC Bemmel 72 | Badminton |
| Rugbyclub Betuwe | Rugby football |
| Ki-Aikido Bemmel | Aikido |

## Trivia

* Bemmel is often called "Bemmely Hills" by its younger residents. This nickname for the town is often used on social media and is probably derived from the name of the American city Beverly Hills.
* The alternative name of Bemmel during carnaval is: 't Kaokelnest (English: The Cackle Nest)