To all WNS members & friends,

Summer is here and we should have been celebrating St Hans this past Sunday with our annual midsummer BBQ garden party on Gower. Unfortunately, as with so many other events, this tradition had to be suspended for 2020.

That does not mean WNS is dormant. Virtual May 17th celebrations were a great success and we are planning more virtual meetups in the near future, the first one on July 8th. The work to save the Norwegian Church in Cardiff is gathering momentum following a successful funding campaign. Our online AGM is coming up, with important decisions to make that will dictate the future of our organisation.

May 17th / Syttende mai

Covid19 and social distancing has put a stick in the wheels of WNS activities just as much as everyone else, to the point we have had to be innovative and clever with how we engage with members, especially our annual event Syttende Mai / May 17th. 

As a committee we came to the collective idea that we could utilise Zoom and our online presence to offer something to all in some form of celebration and I think we can say that it was a complete success. It was a lot of hard work to figure out the logistics, but everyone who took part to plan and partake made it a short but entertaining evening where we were able to have people all over the country join from the comfort of their own homes, including several new members. In total about 40 members tuned in and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, showing that there is a thirst for WNS events, even when they are confined to a virtual experience.

Zoom social meetup.

Virtual coffee and cake, Wednesday July 8th at 7PM

After the resounding success of the virtual May 17th gathering, WNS wishes to continue using Zoom until we once again are safe to meet up in person. Limitations force innovation, also for WNS.

On Wednesday July 8th at 7PM we welcome all members to a virtual social meetup on Zoom. Like last time we have created an Eventbrite event for you to sign up. A Zoom link will be sent out per email before the event for you to join. But please remember to get a free “ticket” on Eventbrite as this is a necessary step for us to protect members’ privacy and you will not be able to take part otherwise.

Eventbrite link:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtual-coffee-and-cake-on-zoom-tickets-111414257042

We do realise that meeting online can exclude some members or make it more challenging for them to take part. Unfortunately that is a challenge we face a lot these days. If you have any questions on how to install and use Zoom, please follow these instructions that we made for the May 17th event: INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

AGM Sunday Sept 20th at 2PM

Due to the uncertain situation and travel restrictions, the committee has that decided that this year’s AGM will also be held on Zoom, on Sunday September 20th at 2PM. This will give all our members the opportunity to take part, from near and far. Agenda will follow. As with the 17th of May and July 8th Social Zoom, an Eventbrite link with password will be sent out to members to join the AGM Zoom.

The use of Zoom has been a great success so far, allowing the WNS committee to remain functional and effective despite lockdown restrictions. We have decided to keep committee meetings on Zoom beyond lockdown and Covid19, to allow members from all over Wales to take an active role in the committee.

Annual Booklet 2020

As is tradition we have started compiling and designing the WNS 2020 Annual Booklet for our members. We e wish to invite all of you to share photos and personal stories relating to Norway, your connection to Norway, May 17th or other contributions you think may be suitable for our members to enjoy.

More info on this will be presented by our chair Tyra Oseng-Rees during the July 8th social Zoom. If you are unable to join us then, but have questions regarding this, please email us here: contact@welshnorwegian.org

 

 

Please make the most of your membership by taking an active part in Welsh Norwegian Society.

Welsh Norwegian Society (WNS) works to promote continuing close links between Wales and Norway. The Society organises special events and social functions with a Norwegian flavour. It encourages participation in cultural skills and activities related to Norwegian heritage. Without member contributions the Society would not be able to offer the range of activities it does – Syttende Mai, Juletrefest and St Hans celebrations. As a paying member you will be invited to attend these events, gain access to a vast library of Norwegian literature and receive regular news updates. Anyone with an interest in any aspect of Norwegian life, culture or heritage will be warmly welcomed.