Osterwald

Osterwald is a community and part of the Joint Community of Neuenhaus in the district of Grafschaft Bentheim in Lower Saxony. The community consists of the centres of Osterwald, Alte Piccardie and Hohenkörben .In Osterwald are found two brooks: the Soermannsbecke and the Böltbecke, which later empty into the LeeNeighbouring communitiesOsterwald’s neighbours are Veldhausen, Neuenhaus, Grasdorf, Georgsdorf, Esche, Hohenkörben and Bimolten.HistoryThe name Osterwald first crops up in 14th-century documents.PoliticsThe honorary mayor is Johann Diekjakobs.EconomyOsterwald’s economic mainstay is agriculture, and its next most important source of livelihood is the petroleum industry. Moreover, many smaller businesses are to be found, such as carpenter’s shops, a driving school and a shoe shop. Once, the petroleum industry was the community’s greatest economic factor. Also built in this time was the swimming pool, whose ceiling fell in; since that time, it has not been used.SportBesides a football field used by BCO n.e.V.(Bolz Club Osterwald), there is also a sport hall, where volleyball, handball, basketball and football are played.PopulationSome of the people among those locally born, mostly older people, still speak Low German.