The Leug'npompe - Heino

On the village square in the middle of Heino stands the old village pump. The pump has become the icon of Heino: it appears on postcards, the village festival is called the ‘Heinose Pompdagen’ and several local associations have incorporated ‘pump’ into their names. There is even a pump on Heino's municipal coat of arms!

Until 1931, residents swilled their drinking water from this pump. In that year, water pipes were also installed in Heino and people could no longer use the pump. The current pump was built in the 1950s and is a reconstruction in the style of the pump from the 18th century.

Besides supplying water, the pump also had a social function: it was also a central meeting place for exchanging the latest village gossip. There is still an old folk tale, for instance, to which the pump most probably owes its name.

Hundreds of years ago, a coachman with a horse and cart once entered the village. He wanted to water his horse, but no matter what he tried, the pump did not give a drop. The other innkeepers were astonished. The village pump had never refused service before! One of the bystanders made an attempt, and yes, a full flow of water. When the coachman had left Heino the next day, it was discovered that the carriage had been full of stolen goods. Since then, the story goes that the pump gives water only to people with a clear conscience and bears the name ‘De Leug'npompe’.