This Sunday the 14th May between 0930 and 1100 the Welsh Norwegian Society will feature on the Roy Noble Show on BBC Radio Wales.
Dr Tyra Oseng-Rees from the Society will be talking to Roy about the plans for the 17th May Norwegian Constitutional Day Celebrations, the history behind the day and a little bit about the Society and our links with the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay.
The show are also interested to talk to Tyra as a Norwegian person who has chosen to settle in Wales on a professional level as an academic in Swansea College of Art, University of Wales Trinity St David and on a personal level bringing up her young family in Wales.
The Welsh Norwegian Sociey will be hosting their annual 17th May dinner at the Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay from 7pm on that day.
This traditional event follows the day time festivities which include a procession from the Wales Millenium Centre to the Norwegian Church at 10am accompanied by the Salvation Army Brass Band. See the events page for a full program of the daytime events.
The evening dinner is open to Society members and non-members and consists of a three course meal in the Norwegian Church. Main course choices include Fillet of Chicken with Leek, Carmarthen Ham and Caerphilly Sauce, Poached Salmon Fillet with Asparagus and Lemon Butter Sauce and a vegetarian option of a Mediterranean Lasagne. The cost is £21.50 for members and £24.50 for non-members.
Please e-mail contact@welshnorwegian.org for menu details and booking form by Saturday 6th May, on-line payment is available. Booking is essential as places are limited due to demand for this evening event.
On Saturday 8th April the 25th Anniversary of the Norwegian Church was celebrated by the Welsh Norwegian Society in the Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay.
We were joined by the following special guests with past connections to the Norwegian Church:
Terje Inderhaug
George & Lyndsay Bartlett – George was Company Secretary and Trustee of the Norwegian Church Preservation Trust until 2006
Mike Parkinson, representing his late father Ewart Parkinson OBE – Ewart was President of the Norwegian Church Preservation Trust until 2006
Amy Vignes & grandson Luca (proudly quarter Norwegian!) – Amy was a member of the Norwegian Church management committee. Her late husband Geoff Vignes was the first Chairman of the Norwegian Church management committee until 1995.
David & Pat Griffiths – David was the first Administrator of the Norwegian Church Arts Centre until 1997.
Neil Sinclair & sister Leslie – Neil was Chairman of the Norwegian Church management committee 1999, and is an authority on the history of Tiger Bay.
Welsh Norwegian Society member Professor John Hines, former chair of the Norwegian Church management committee, kindly gave a welcome speech for our visitors and society members in attendance.
This was followed by a short talk by Terje which warmly recalled the efforts to save the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in the 1980s, and also looked ahead to the future of the twinning links between Cardiff and Hordaland. Terje is confident the links can grow again to include wider cultural and economic development links, in addition to the strong Hordaland schools exchange link.
Following this celebration there will be further events over the summer to continue the close links enjoyed by Cardiff and Hordaland and these will be announced shortly.
On Saturday April 8th 2017 the Welsh Norwegian Society will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the saving and restoration of the Norwegian Sailor’s Church in Cardiff Bay. Crown Princess Martha Louise attended to perform the ceremonial opening of the church.
We will be celebrating the anniversary with a very ‘hyggelig’ afternoon of coffee and cakes where we will be joined by a special guest Terje Inderhaug and his wife visiting from Bergen. Terje was a student in Cardiff at the time of the fundraising appeal to save the church and took an active part in the process of finding enough money to dismantle the old and build the new church.
A trust was set up and together with the Norwegian Support Committee and Hordaland Kommune two hundred and fifty thousand pounds was raised between Norway and Wales to save the church.
Terje helped set up a link between Cardiff and Hordaland which has continued to this day. We are very proud that we were able to save the church and look forward to celebrating the 25th Anniversary of its reopening with Terje.
CoScan acts as a coordinating body for societies which work for cultural exchange between UK and Ireland on the one hand and the five Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway, on the other.
CoScan was founded in 1950 and is an autonomous non-profit making organisation funded by subscriptions from its affiliated member societies and individual members, by voluntary contributions and fund-raising activities.
CoScan comprises about 30 member societies, representing over 30,000 individuals, bringing together those with an interest or family roots in any of the five Nordic countries.
Their member societies cover a wide range of cultural and social topics, providing a network of advice, support and social contact.
Terje Inderhaug and his wife will be visiting the Welsh Norwegian Society on Saturday 8th April.
Terje played a key role in the saving and restoration of the Norwegian Church Arts Centre. Coming from Hordaland, Norway he helped secure funding of One Million Krone from the Hordaland Fylkeskommune in the late 1980’s to assist the Church in Cardiff.
Cardiff and Hordaland are now twinned and the relationship continues with ongoing support provided to the Norwegian Church Arts Centre.
The 8th April provides an opportunity for new and old members to gather at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre and enjoy some traditional Norwegian coffee and cake and meet with Terje and his family and express our thanks and continue to build the special bonds shared between Wales and Norway. Please see our events for further details.
The Welsh Norwegian Society Open to all with an interest in Norway
NEWSLETTER Winter/Spring 2006
A world-beating Norwegian-Welsh partnership visited the Norwegian Church in September 2009: Former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg and his Welsh co-driver Phil Mills brought their Subaru car to the Norwegian Church for a photocall before the start of Wales Rally GB.
Dear Members,
Although it is a little late, may I wish you a very Happy New Year. I am looking forward to seeing you all at our various monthly meetings throughout the coming year.
Averil Goldsworthy (Chairman)
A Note from Mary Allen, Newsletter Editor
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Winter/Spring Newsletter, which will be my last newsletter as Editor. After much thought, I have decided to hand over the reins to other members of the society. I am very grateful to all those who have contributed to the newsletters over the past two years. It has made my job so much easier when there has always been a selection of articles to edit.
Of course, the work would have been much more difficult without the constant help of Elizabeth Rokkan, whose superior translation skills have enabled close links with the Norwegian Church in London and events in Norway. I would also like to thank Rowan Huntley who originally formatted the newsletter for me, so patiently and well. Rowan was followed by Karen Allen, who has managed to find time, in her very busy schedule, to give the newsletter a very professional look.
I have been pleased, during my two years of office, to receive articles from Les Bailey and Stan Royden, both members of the Scandinavian Church in Liverpool. We have an item from Stan Royden in this issue. As a result of editing the newsletter, my knowledge of Norwegian affairs has greatly improved over the past two years and I look forward to reading further interesting articles in future newsletters.
Mary Allen
Please send contributions for future newsletters to: Alan Hall
A letter from Kristin Ofstad Christmas 2005
Reverend Kristin Ofstad was inducted to the Thurso Church on 3 September 2005. She is a Norwegian passport holder, with family living in Stavanger, but has not lived in Norway very much. From 1992, she lived in South Wales and was an active member of the Norwegian community in Cardiff. She nursed her husband, Tom, for thirteen months before he died in March 2005. She has sent this open letter, so that Cardiff friends can keep in touch.
Dear Friends,
Please get your atlas out and look at Scotland. The very north of Scotland. Unless, of course, you are one of those rare people who already know where Thurso is. I certainly did not have a clue when I saw the vacant pastorate on the United Reformed Church’s vacancy list last May. But here I am, living on the edge of the world, next stop the North Pole.
I do admit that some days I look out of my window at the magnificent view of Thurso, Scrabster harbour (where the ferry leaves for Orkney), the Orkney Islands, and Dunnett Head (northernmost point of mainland Britain), and I have to pinch myself.
The WOW factor is pretty substantial. Wow because I am living and working in such an amazing place, with such wonderful caring people. Wow because my life has taken such turns in the last few years and here I am starting all over again. Wow because there has been such a sense of amazing grace gently flooding my life – it seems, lately, that it’s a gift.
Tom would have loved it here. Just his sort of place! Huge house to look after, massive garden with potential, small town where he would quickly have made friends. The irony is that he would never, ever have agreed to move up here. Too far north. And too cold. Winters too long, etc. I have to admit that the weather can be spectacularly bad; we had some storms here two weeks ago that were awesome. Thurso sits right on the sea, it comes roaring straight in so the whole town is filled with the raw noise of it. Some nights, when the sea is really wild, the thunder and roar of it keeps me awake. I love it! The wind is the main bugbear, though. When severe gales are forecast, you know that going outside is going to be a challenge.
A lot of the time, the weather is great. Today (22 November 2005) we’ve got the best weather in the U.K. – clear blue sky, mild temperature, no wind. When it’s like this, the place and the landscape are stunning, especially the sky.
So: when are you coming to visit? I would love to see you! There’s loads of room in the manse and, once you arrive in Thurso, you can walk just about everywhere. I hardly use the car unless the weather is truly foul or I am very busy.
My family are coming to spend New Year with me. The town celebrates by hosting a street party on New Year’s Eve, and, if the firework display we had on 5 November is anything to go by, it will be a fun affair. My mother has been here twice now and loves it. Once New Year has come and gone, I will feel well settled and she will be spending more time here with me.
All good wishes for Christmas and the New Year!
Love, Kristin
Christmas in the Norwegian Mission to Seamen’s Church, Swansea by Lisken Jellings
Lisken and Tony Jellings were christened together, confirmed and married in the Swansea church and three of their children were christened there. Tony contributed an article for the Autumn 2005 newsletter.
We knew Christmas was coming when the big packing cases arrived from Norway in December. They contained hundreds of gaily-wrapped parcels to be given to the sailors who would be in port over the Christmas period.
Our Norwegian Church stood at the entrance to the Prince of Wales Dock in Swansea. It wasn’t very grand. It looked like a large corrugated iron shed with a small steeple, but inside was a church, a reading room, a kitchen, a billiard and games room, and a vestry. It welcomed, and was a home for, all Scandinavian sailors and it was open seven days a week. There were newspapers from every town in Norway and fresh coffee and waffles in the kitchen. It didn’t take long to put a pretty cloth on a table and serve coffee if a sailor called to ask for help or advice or just talk.
Including the minister’s family, we were five Norwegian families. We met every Sunday morning for a service but at Christmas time we had parties in the evening every time a ship came into port. Led by the minister’s wife, we would arrive in the afternoon and prepare open sandwiches and cakes. Some of us laid the tables and decorated them with candles and stars and twigs of fir tree. All the chairs from the church were placed around the tables and the Christmas tree was pulled into the middle of the church.
As is the tradition in Scandinavia, after our guests had eaten we went into the church and formed a circle around the tree. When there were many sailors, we had to have two circles and sometimes even three! It was not unheard of for us to walk around singing and occasionally changing directions, for well over an hour.
We didn’t only sing carols, but had a store of Norwegian action songs as well.
Here in Brighton when the whole family gathers on Christmas Eve, we still sing around the tree before we open our presents. Our grandchildren love the action songs.
When I was very small my parents used to put me down to sleep (halfway through the proceedings) in the pulpit. It was lined with burgundy-coloured plush and they used a few kneelers to stop me rolling down the stairs onto the floor.
After the carol singing the sailors all lined up and were given a present from the packing cases. These had been prepared by hundreds of groups of women in Norway. The presents sometimes had specific labels; e.g. ‘To the engineer’ or ‘To the sailor with the biggest hole in his socks’. We could guess what was in that present!
They appreciated the homemade presents but it seemed to me that it was the letters that accompanied them that were most precious. A hush used to fall on the room as they were read and safely stowed away in pockets.
Happy Memories.
The parties usually ended with the minister reading the Christmas story followed by a short prayer and then we rose and sang the national anthems of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark with gusto. We always left with the feeling that a good time had been had by everyone. I miss those parties every Christmas.
Lisken Jellings
The Norwegian Feeling For Real
‘Leopard VI: The Norwegian Feeling For Real’, recently published by Harvill Press, London is a collection of the most exciting and interesting short fiction being produced now and over the past four decades by Norwegian writers.
The anthology was launched by Queen Sonja of Norway at an event at Groucho Club, London, during the Norwegian Royal Visit to the UK in late October 2005. In the Queen’s speech, she highlighted the close literary ties between Norway and the United Kingdom and expressed her hope that the anthology would captivate British readers.
In a Publisher’s Note at the beginning of the book, Christopher Maclehose of Harvill Press comments: ‘In my lifetime of publishing translated literature from 34 languages‚ no ambassador has done more for his country’s authors than Norway’s former ambassador to the UK, Tarald O. Brautaset. His support for Norway’s writers, his insistence upon the seriousness of their cause, and his and his wife Elisabeth’s hospitality to them and their publishers knew no bounds. His term of duty in London will be remembered with gratitude and affection, and this work is respectfully dedicated to them both.
Royal & Political News from Norway
Wednesdays off and more sailing for King Harald
King Harald, Norway’s monarch, has reluctantly agreed to take life easier from 2006. His reduced workload is being sketched out with advisers, in consultation with his family and personal physician. King Harald will take one day off each week, probably Wednesday, and he will try to keep weekends free as much as possible. He will still lead Friday Cabinet meetings, receive formal audiences and carry out constitutional duties. The King wishes to continue certain types of weekend engagements, such as sporting events and the investiture of bishops. Aftenposten, 16th December 2005
Norway’s monarchy turns 100
In November, Norway’s monarchy celebrated 100 years since the current royal family was officially established. King Harald and son, Crown Prince Haakon gave an exclusive interview to Aftenposten to mark the occasion. A gala ball was held at the palace to mark the end of months of official events tied to Norway’s centennial year. Aftenposten, 21st November 2005
Royal birth
Crown Princess Mette-Marit , wife of Crown Prince Haakon, gave birth to a son, Prince Sverre Magnus on 3rd December. The baby, who is third in line to the throne, was carried by his mother into Asker Church, west of Oslo, for services on Christmas Eve.
The Norwegian General Election, 2005
The Norwegian General Election which took place on 12″ September resulted in a win for the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiett) led by Jens Stoltenberg, son of a former Foreign Minister, Thorvald Stoltenberg. The Labour Party did better than the Christian Democrats by only a small margin, and will have to rely on the collaboration of the Socialist Left (Sosialistisk Venstre Parti) and the Centre Party to govern. The Christian Democrat Prime Minister, Kjell Magne Bondevik resigned from politics in October after presenting his budget to the Storting.
Translated from the Norwegian press by Elizabeth Rokkan
Ibsen 2006
‘Wake the people and make them think big’
2006 will mark the 100th anniversary of the death of the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, a man whose calling was to ‘awake the people and make them think big’.
A wide range of events will take place throughout the year both in Norway and worldwide, which will highlight the importance of Ibsen’s legacy and provide opportunities for fresh interpretations of his work. It is said that during 2006 at least one of his plays will be performed on a stage somewhere in the world, every single day!
The Royal Norwegian Embassy has launched an Ibsen micro-site http://www.norway.org.uk/ibsen which will list all events taking place in Britain. For information about worldwide events, log on to the official Ibsen 2006 website http://www.ibsen.net
Simon Callow paid tribute to Ibsen in a Guardian article of September 2005, and this can be read by logging on to http://www.guardian.co.uk and searching for ‘Simon Callow, Ibsen’.
The Crown of Norway
The following passage was published in The Church Times of 25″ November 2005. It originally appeared exactly one hundred years earlier in The Church Times of 25th November 1905, the year of Norway’s independence.
Thanks to Elizabeth Rokkan for drawing the article to our attention.
It is not often that a revolution is carried out without bloodshed. Norway is one of the few favoured countries that have succeeded in doing this, and on Monday she entered on a new phase of her political life with a King of her own election to reign over her. The choice of Prince Charles of Denmark, henceforth to be known as King Haakon the Seventh, for her Sovereign-ruler has an especial interest for us, as his Consort, Queen Maud, was so long known among ourselves as the Princess Maud, the daughter of King Edward VII, and Queen Alexandra. Her marriage with Prince Charles forged a new link between England and Denmark, and now the English Royal Family is connected with a new dynasty in the Scandinavian Peninsula. The King of the Hellenes, who is still with us, is also united with our Royal House and with the new Royal House of Norway by a tie of blood, and we can well understand how the pleasure of his visit to these shores is enhanced by the occurrence of this interesting family event, in the rejoicings over which he is able to take a part. We should like to feel assured that the close kinship of so many Sovereigns tended to the peace of the world.
Church Times, 25th November 1905
News In Brief: Norwegian Nature
Little snow in the mountains
Although most parts of Norway had a white Christmas, there were reports of unusually little snow in the Norwegian mountains. There was still enough snow on the ground for good skiing conditions but snow depths were recorded as being ‘considerably’ less than normal.
Aftenposten, 22nd December 2005
WNS member Ebba Lovering has reported that heavy snow has now fallen in Oslo during February.
Glad Tidings for Tree Growers
Due to a shortage of Christmas trees on the European continent, Norwegian fir tree producers enjoyed a profitable holiday season. The brisk demand this season is expected to continue for at least eight more years. After years of over-production, Norwegian forest owners and tree growers seem only too glad to step in and fill the demand.
Aftenposten, 22nd November 2005
Angry Moose Chases Joggers in Woods
An angry and aggressive moose has been chasing residents of Molde, mostly when they are out jogging in the woods on the edge of the residential neighbourhood. The female moose has two calves that she is keen to protect. Everyone has been advised to show respect, and retreat if they meet a moose!
Aftenposten, 8th November 2005
More Whaling in 2006
The Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs has decided to increase the quota by 250 on the allowed hunting of minke whales in 2006. Next year’s cull will total 1,052 whales. The increase is due to the government’s desire to regulate the population.
Aftenposten, November 2005
News in Brief: Norwegian Heritage & Culture
Munch Robbery update
Norwegian prosecutors have handed down six indictments in connection with the theft of two of Edvard Munch’s most famous paintings, Scream and Madonna. The paintings were stolen from the walls of Oslo’s Munch Museum in August 2004. One of the men charged has told police that the two paintings were later packed in a blanket and hidden in a bus parked on his farm. Neither painting has been recovered.
Aftenposten, 19th December 2005
Tourists damage Stave Churches
Tourists are destroying Norway’s stave church in Eidsborg by stealing parts of the structure for souvenirs. Wooden pegs have been stolen from the stave and holes are now starting to appear in the structure. Other stave churches have also been affected, particularly those that have less traffic. Norway’s stave churches are designated cultural landmarks and protected by national law.
Aftenposten, 2nd January 2006
Stave Churches: Between 1100 and 1300 some 1,000 wooden stave churches were built in Norway. Today fewer than 30 remain. While archaeologists have found proof that stave churches were built all over northern Europe, they have only been preserved in southern Norway. They gained a place in the public consciousness in the 1800s through the romantic paintings of Johannes Flintoe and J.C. Dahl.
Architects then began registering and surveying churches that were under threat of being torn down. In 1844, enthusiasts founded the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments to care for significant old buildings. Today the society maintains eight stave churches. Four others are situated in open-air museums.
Astrup Art Collection donated to Bergen
Thanks to Signe and Jon Chr. Brynildsen’s interest in the artist Nikolai Astrup, their considerable collection of his valuable work has been donated to the Bergen Art Museum, and will be on display from 2007. In the meantime, the collection will be shown elsewhere in Norway. Their gift consists of 55 oils, 94 woodcuts, 52 pencil, pen and charcoal drawings and numerous juvenile works. This will be the largest donation of the work of a single artist since Edvard Munch gave his own collection to the City of Oslo in the 1930s. The Astrup Gallery in Jolster (Astrupunet) will work closely with the Bergen Art Museum.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy’s site is an excellent source of information about Norwegian culture: Www.norway.org.uk
Norwegian Anglophilia Contributed by Stan Royden
Thanks to Stan Royden, a member of the Scandinavian Church in Liverpool, who submitted this short excerpt from a book by Johan Borgen.
Johan Borgen was born in Oslo into a well-to-do family. He was a novelist, essayist, short story writer, journalist, and dramatist. He became one of the most important 20th century short story writers of Norway. This whole book is about his dogs and this episode, which must have happened in the 1930s, stars an Airedale terrier of some distinction.
This lady was exceptionally meticulous. She also had a distinctive tail. We did not have it docked, so it ended up looking rather like an ostrich feather…
Once it accompanied us on a hike along the Sognefjord. At the end of it we boarded a local boat bound for Bergen. All our fellow passengers were English, or British. After a while an elderly couple came over and asked us about our dog. It must have been the tail, but they were far too polite to mention that. The husband took out his wallet and showed us a picture. Of a dog, of course. Another Airedale. My, my, what a small world. Others joined in with photos of their own dogs. Soon the whole company had forgotten the mountains and the fjord. It was patently obvious that meeting our dog had triggered serious homesickness. They cosseted her, tempted her with all kinds of treats. She needed no encouragement; swanned around, strutted her stuff. Then suddenly her attitude changed: discomfort. Distress even. The cause was obvious; she needed a wee. Great concern among the passengers. ‘SSSSSSSSSS,’ they said in chorus. No effect. Down to the very bowels of the vessel with water lapping everywhere. But this was a very meticulous lady. Any luck? No, sorry.
By the time Bergen hove into view, every single passenger was tripping from one foot to the other. I always knew the English liked their dogs, but still … Our boat was late. All our fellow passengers were due to catch the ‘Venus’ bound for Newcastle. ‘Venus’ was tied up further along, tooting impatiently – time to leave! At last we tied up and the gangplank was lowered. Now everyone could rush off and catch the ‘Venus’. We had underestimated our English friends. ‘The dog‚ get the dog off first!‚’ they roared in unison. And we were literally pushed off down the gangplank with the dog. As soon as she hit the shore, she let it go. Time passed and more time passed. ‘Venus’ hooted and hooted. No ambassador in the whole world has a bladder with a greater capacity. And the passengers? They stood on the decks and cheered. Is it any wonder I have a certain enthusiasm for the English?
News in Brief: News from London & Cardiff
News from St. Olav’s Church, London
At St. Olav’s Church, Rotherhithe, Torbjorn Holt has taken over from Helge Pettersson. On October 29″, the Church collaborated with the Swedish Church in London to hold a service of thanksgiving at Southwark Cathedral to mark the Centenary of the dissolution of the Union. The Church held its annual bazaar on 18-19th November.
The 4th number of Månedsbladet, the newsletter of St. Olavs Church, has a biographical article about Bjarne Lindstrom, the newly appointed Norwegian Ambassador to London; and a description of the action taken by St. Olav’s staff to be in readiness after the crisis of 7th July, with reminders of the role played by the seamen’s churches in the wake of the tsunami and the New Orleans disaster.
Translations from Månedsbladet by Elizabeth Rokkan
Roald Dahl Centre for Cardiff
The Roald Dahl Visitor Centre is earmarked for Cardiff and is being supported by the local council. Roald Dahl, of course, was born in Cardiff to Norwegian parents. The Roald Dahl Arts Project Trust, which has the author’s widow, Felicity, as its president, is behind a feasibility study into the project. Cardiff Council has now approached the developer of the International Sports Village about the possibility of incorporating the Roald Dahl Centre within the site.
Western Mail, November 2005
New Year’s Honours
Congratulations to Welsh Norwegian Society member Margaret Butler, who has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List, for services to tourism. Margaret has spent the last 17 years showing visitors around the Welsh capital as an official tour guide. Margaret will now take a trip to the palace to receive her MBE.
Recommended Reading
Audrey Beatty, writing in the Anglo-Norse Review, recommends the following book: Per Egi Hegge and Leif Arne Ulland, Det var i 1905, published by Andersen and Butenschgn, Oslo 2004. An illustrated story of Norwegian Independence.
Learning and Practising Norwegian
Those with Internet links can now join Norskklassen. It is a Yahoo Group and there is no membership charge.
10th anniversary of the opening of the Red Cross Nordic United World College, Flekke, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway
Contributed by Alan Hall
The Røde Kors Nordisk United World College celebrated the 10″ anniversary of its opening on 30th September 2005. H.M. Queen Sonja (the College’s Patron), three Government Ministers, the Chairman of the Storting’s Education Committee, and members of the Storting from Sogn og Fjordane were among the 450 people present.
Congratulations and good wishes for the future were expressed by the guests, and the students presented a splendid cultural programme, with participants from overall the world. The guests themselves took part in various activities.
The College is the youngest but one of ten United World Colleges. The oldest, the United World College of the Atlantic at St Donat’s Castle here in Wales, opened in 1962, and has had strong Norwegian representation and support from its beginning.
The 16-19-year-old students in the Colleges (from more than 80 different countries) study for the International Baccalaureate Examination (which is recognised worldwide as a university entrance qualification and has its Examinations Office in St Mellon’s.
All the Colleges require students to participate in community service and international activities; in the Nordic UWC the particular emphases are on Nordic studies, the environment, resource management, democracy and human rights.
The student intake is financed by scholarships, and no student is turned away for lack of financial support. The Nordic UWC is a cooperative project supported by the governments of all Nordic countries.
PRESSEMELDNG
Røde Kors Nordisk United World College feirar sitt 10 års jubileum den 30. september 2005.
Røde Kors Nordisk United World College er ei nordisk samarbeidsprosjekt med 200 studentar frå ca 80 land. 1/3 frå Norden, 1/3 frå industrialiserte land, 1/3 frå utviklingsland og konfliktområde.
RKNUWC gjev eksamen i International Baccalauriate og fokuserer på nordiske studier, demokrati, miljø, ressursforvalting og menneskerettar.
Programmet varer frå kl 1000 til ca kl 1600.
Festen blir pa RKNUWC i Fjaler, med 450 deltakarar fra inn- og utland.
HM. Dronning Sonja skulens hage beskyttar kjem til feiringa.
Utviklingsminister Hilde Frafjord Johnson, Kulturminister Valgerd Svarstad Haugland og Fiskeriminister/nordisk samarbeidsminister Svein Ludvigsen. Formann i Stortingets undervisningskomité Rolf Reikvam og stortingsrepr. fra Sogn og Fjordane Utviklingsminister Hilde Frafjord Johnson held det faglege innlegg. Det vert mange helsingar og sjølvsagt eit flott kulturprogramm ved eigne studentar og tilsette frå heile verda.
Gjestene får i løpet av dagen synfaringar til ulike aktivitetar og program på skolen.
Festprogrammet i auditoriet tek til kl 1215 og varer til kl 1420. Lett servering på føremiddagen og ein meir formell lunch fra kl 1430.
Vi minner om akkreditering hos fylkesmannen.
Media far delta under heile dagens program – eige presseprogram for HM Dronning Sonja er utarbeidt og administrert av fylkesmannen.
A regular report from the Norwegian Church Cultural Centre by Karen Allen
Looking back at Norway 2005 Norway 2005 & Cardiff 2005: A Celebration of Two Centenaries
The following list gives an overview of the activities that linked Wales and Norway in 2005:
The Norwegian Church Cultural Centre presented a series of concerts, celebrating the music of Norway and other Scandinavian countries.
The concerts were recorded and we hope to produce a commemorative CD that will raise funds for the centre.
We were proud to host a talk by the legendary Norwegian World War II hero Joachim Rønneberg, the leader of the daring raid on the heavy water plant in Telemark.
A world-beating Norwegian-Welsh partnership visited the Norwegian Church at the start of this year’s Wales Rally GB in September: Former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg and his Welsh co-driver Phil Mills brought their Subaru car to the Norwegian Church for a photocall.
The Viking Influence, a group exhibition of artwork based on the theme of the Vikings was shown at the Norwegian Church in October, including work by David Petersen (Wales’ most famous Viking}).
The Norwegian Church hosted the second annual Scandinavian Dance & Music Weekend, with tutors from Norway and Sweden.
The Welsh Norwegian Society organised events throughout the year, including a special centenary celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day on 17th May (Syttende Mai). The Society also celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2005.
Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan marked the 10th anniversary of the Schools Exchange Programme that brings a group of sixth form pupils from Hordaland to study here each year.
The pupils of Porthcawl Primary School had been working on a school project about Norway during 2004 and the results were exhibited at the Norwegian Church Cultural Centre in February 2009.
Cwmni Dawns Werin Caerdydd invited a traditional dance group from Hordaland to join them for the annual Gwyl Ifan Festival in June 2005.
Oriel Myrddin in Carmarthen hosted a touring exhibition of Norwegian art and craft.
Highlights of Norway 2005
Heroes of Telemark: Joachim Rønneberg’s visit to Cardiff
Undoubtedly the highlight of the Norwegian Church’s series of events to mark the Norwegian centenary was the visit by Joachim Rønneberg, who gave a talk about his role in the daring raid on the heavy water plant in Telemark during World War 2. All those who attended the talk will have been struck by his quiet, unassuming manner.
I think it is fitting to quote from the closing pages of ‘The Real Heroes of Telemark’ by Ray Mears, who brilliantly sums up the modesty of all who took part in the raid:
‘In all the dozens of interviews they have given on the subject, not once do you read or hear any of them talking up their achievement. On the contrary, they give the impression that what they achieved was perfectly unremarkable. To read their accounts of what happened or listen to them talk about it today is to be given a lesson in modesty and understatement. Their humility, as a group and as individuals, astonishes. The eleven men involved in the Vemork raid are heroes in Norway, but you get sharply rebuked if you dare suggest that to them … Whether that is the way of the Norwegian and/or the soldier, or whether their modesty is something peculiar to them, is difficult to say.’
Ray Mears’ book ‘The Real Heroes of Telemark’ is available in paperback and an abridged version, read by Ray Mears, is available on audio cassette and CD.
Other highlights of Norway 2005
Norwegian Royal Visit: In October, I was extremely honoured to be invited to the Norwegian Ambassador’s residence in Kensington, London, to represent the Norwegian Church Cultural Centre at a reception in the presence of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway. The event was part of their official Royal Visit to the UK to mark Norway’s centenary.
In December I was invited to attend the Norwegian Voices concert at the Barbican, an evening of contemporary Norwegian music concert organised by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in partnership with Serious, as a climax to the year of Norway 2005 centenary celebrations.
I arrived at the Barbican feeling jaded after driving right across the centre of London – the first time I’d ever attempted this, and in the dark too! – and even though the concert was over four hours long, I left feeling totally uplifted and enthused with a love of Norway.
The line-up for the concert featured many of Norway’s top contemporary musicians and although a chance to see so many outstanding musicians in a single concert programme doesn’t come around every day, I was proud to note that four of the musicians taking part had previously appeared at the Norwegian Church.
Norwegian Voices was hosted by Fiona Talkington, who presents Radio 3’s Late Junction and is a well-known exponent of Norwegian contemporary music. It was recorded for broadcast on Radio 3’s Late Junction in January 2006.
Joachim & Liv Ranneberg celebrated their wedding anniversary during their stay in Cardiff.
Looking ahead to 2006
In 2005, I wrote about a proposal for a history project inspired by Trygve Sgrvaag’s Shetland Bus project, and I’m pleased to say that the funding is in place. We can now begin the process of collecting information and old photographs from people in Wales and in Norway who have memories of visiting the Norwegian Seamen’s Churches in Cardiff and Swansea.
Images
Above: The stunningly simple Norway 2005 logo that was widely used to mark the centenary year.
Below left: Nils Økland, Hardanger fiddler, who performed at the Norwegian Church twice during 2005; in February with Mike Adcock, and in September as part of the Christian Wallumred Quartet.
Below right: Karl Seglem, saxophonist and goat horn player, who appeared at the Norwegian Church with his Quartet in July 2005. Karl also took part in the Norwegian Voices concert at the Barbican Centre in December, an event that brought the official Norway 2005 celebrations in the UK to a close.
The Welsh Norwegian Society Open to all with an interest in Norway
NEWSLETTER Autumn 2005
Norway: 100 years as an independent nation Cardiff: 100 years as a city Cardiff: 50 years as the capital of Wales Welsh Norwegian Society: 10 years old
Photo: 10th Anniversary Cake served at the Midsummer Garden Party
Dear Members,
We all know of the importance of the year 2005 in the Norwegian calendar and we all wanted to make this year’s 17th May an extra special day.
When we learnt that three Norwegian ladies were coming from Norway to be with us for these celebrations, we were all delighted. It was like ‘putting the icing on the cake’. The ladies, Edith, Signe and Sissel, all had strong connections with the original Seamen’s Church in the West Dock and it was with special pleasure that members such as Peter Persen, Ellen Wayne and Ebba Lovering could once again be reunited with friends from the past (see the photograph on the back cover).
A little bit of history: On 11th December 1930, Erling Stray married Edith at the Norwegian Church, Cardiff. Both were from Kristiansand. A few years later, identical twins, Edith and Signe, were born to them and were baptized at the Church. Edith and Signe as small children were with their mother in Norway visiting family when the war started. They remained there throughout the German occupation. Their father was still in Cardiff. By the 17th May 1946, the girls were once again reunited as a family and again regularly attended the Cardiff Norwegian Church. If you still have the Summer 2002 Newsletter, you will see a photograph of them, also Sissel and her little sister Inge.
We were neighbours and playmates as children and have kept in touch all our lives. We share a strong friendship.
Sissel Skalpe and her sister Inge were the daughters of Pastor and Mrs Rasmussen, also from Kristiansand. The family lived in the Church House, Prestegården‚ Cathedral Road. Their father Rolf did wonderful work during the war looking after the needs of the many Norwegian seamen, giving them care and support as they were unable to get back home: He and his wife provided ‘open house’ to many of these men, old and young. Cardiff became their second home.
After the war, Rolf Rasmussen was given a gold medal by the King of Norway in person, for his work with the seamen.
For three years, Sissel attended Howells School before finally returning to Norway. We made a nostalgic visit to the school and took some souvenir photographs this summer.
As a society, we send them our best wishes, and hope that they can visit us again one day.
Averil Goldsworthy (Chairman)
Welsh Norwegian Society Dates for your Diary
Wednesday 19th October: A Film about the Vikings Wednesday 16th November: A talk by The Polar People (Arctic travel company) Saturday 10th December: WNS Christmas Party
For other events at the Norwegian Church, see ‘Notes From A Small Cupboard’ (page 10)
News from London contributed by Elizabeth Rokkan
Farewell to Helge
On Sunday, 22″ May, 300 parishioners attended Helge Pettersson’s last service at the Norwegian Church in Rotherhithe, and many speeches were made at the Church coffee held afterwards to say farewell. Among many tributes, Helge’s pioneering work for ecumenism was emphasised, borne out by the presence of his fellow clergy, representing not only the Scandinavian churches, but also the Roman Catholics and the Church of England. He had served at St. Olav’s since 1988.
If anyone wishes to write to Solveig and Helge Pettersson, this is their new address in Spain: Sjomannskirken i Torrevieja, Calle Ravel 4, Urb. La Siesta, 03180 Torrevieja, Spain. _
Tarald Brautaset leaves London
The Norwegian Ambassador Tarald Brautaset and his wife are also leaving London for Norway, after a five-year tour of duty. They will be greatly missed, especially for their hospitality at the Residence in Palace Green, where they have hosted many receptions and dinners. Ambassador Brautaset has previously worked in Paris and Brussels, as well as at the Foreign Office in Oslo, where he will now return. His successor will be Ambassador Bjarne Lindstrom.
New Seamen’s Chaplain
On Sunday, 5th June, Torbjorn Holt was installed as Seamen’s Chaplain in charge of the Seamen’s Church in London. Holt was also licensed to serve in the Church of England by Archdeacon Michael Ipgrave. Representatives of the other Nordic churches were present, as well as of Southwark Cathedral.
Grand Gala to celebrate Norwegian Centenary
A Grand Gala Dinner Dance at the SAS Portman Hotel in London celebrated the Centenary of the Dissolution of the Union with Sweden in 1905. Ambassador Brautaset gave a speech and a Norwegian band was flown in for the occasion.
Newsletter Contributions
Please send items for the Newsletter to Mary Allen [address redacted]
Ail items will be considered for publication, but it may be necessary to edit articles on occasions.
The Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre
The £4million Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre opened to the public on Saturday, 11th June 2005 in Great Missenden High Street.
An old coaching inn and yard has been transformed into a series of galleries that immerse visitors in the world of Roald Dahl.
The galleries tell the story of Dahl’s life and work through film, objects and interactive displays.
Dahl was determined that all his papers – manuscripts, photographs, ‘Ideas Book’, business and personal correspondence – should stay together, and they are able to disclose amazing facts, including the news that Dahl was a fervent Cardiff City fan!
The Museum promises to serve a dual purpose, firstly as an interactive playground where young people will be able to play while learning and, secondly, as a research tool where visitors will have access to an unparalleled documentation of Dahl’s life and work. ,
The museum opens with a temporary exhibition of recently discovered family photographs taken in the early 1940s by Dahl himself, while a permanent exhibition includes over 900 letters written between Dahl and his mother, from his school days until his death.
The Story Centre gallery houses a replica of Dahl’s legendary garden shed, where he wrote undisturbed. The original shed stands at nearby Gipsy Hill, where Dahl lived until his death in 1990. His granddaughter, Sophie, was allowed occasionally into the hut and she recalls how sacred the place felt, almost like a church.
A series of writers-in-residence will be on hand to work with visiting groups to develop creative writing ideas, and the Education Officer will liaise with teachers to provide tailor-made school sessions. The museum is open for school and private visits six days a week (not Mondays).
For further information phone 01494 892192 or email [address redacted] or visit the website http://www.roalddahlmuseum.com
Mary Allen
News from Norway
Articles translated by Elizabeth Rokkan
Under the headline ‘Majestic Opening of Bridge between Sister Nations’, Bergens Tidende (11th June 2005) reports the ceremony at the new bridge on the Norwegian-Swedish border at Svinesund. King Carl Gustav of Sweden and King Harald of Norway congratulated each other, while the north wind whipped up the water below them and threatened royal headgear. Over the years Svinesund has attracted shoppers on both sides of the border at times of shortage or of high prices on the one side or the other.
This year’s Centenary in Norway has given rise to extended debate about the Constitution. On June 6th the University of Bergen Faculty of Law hosted a Seminar on the Storting and how it functions. No concrete suggestions for alterations were made, but the participants agreed that a thorough debate was necessary on political accountability and the Constitution. Professor Frank Aarebrot of the Department of Comparative Politics pointed out that in a parliamentary system areas of responsibility should be made clear, and this was not the case at present; for example, general debate had come to be initiated by the media and not by members of the Storting. Associated Professor Karl Sevig of the Law Faculty asserted that the Constitution lacked references to internationally recognised individual rights or rights to social security.
Another event, to be arranged in Bergen’s Grieg Hall in November, is a Constitutional Conference, backed by the University, the Trades Union Congress (LO), representatives of business (NHO), the Norwegian Business University, and Sparebanken Vest. Questions to be debated are: ‘What significance does European integration and the expansion of the European Union have in relation to Norwegian sovereignty?’; and ‘How should political and administrative accountability be shared between national, regional and local levels of government?’
The result of an opinion poll carried out by Norsk Respons from May 30th to June 1st was that a large majority of the Norwegian population believed that the Storting was contravening the Constitution by having incorporated all EU directives into Norwegian law since 1994.
Reported in På Høyden (On the hill), University of Bergen (6 June 2005)
In a recent interview the Swedish political scientist Olov Ruin (a friend of assassinated Prime Minister Olov Palme), who has studied Swedish politics for more than 50 years, decried the fact that the solidarity that had existed in the 60’s between the Nordic countries had declined. At that time Nordic cooperation had been practised on all levels. He considers that cooperation has been more recently confined to the Nordic members of the EU, but that the celebration of the Centenary of the Norwegian Constitution has again drawn attention to the old links between Sweden and Norway. He finds it somewhat absurd that Sweden has now decided to make June 6th a public holiday for the first time in its history, perhaps imitating Norway’s 17th of May. It is a paradox that a country that has never been particularly interested in the question of national identity should suddenly start to celebrate itself. He concluded by remarking how sad it was that Norway was not a member of the EU.
Reported in På Høyden (the week of 6th June 2005)
“Snug and Cozy”
That is what seamen say about the reading room in Cardiff.
Translated by Professor John Greve, from an article written by Pastor Skoglund in April 1957, probably featured in the Seaman’s Mission Magazine.
“Away from home, we have a home here,” wrote a seaman in the church’s guest book. This phrase would also stand for the feelings of the many here. Thanks to the church’s Women’s Union, the reading room has acquired a more homely touch than before. It has a new carpet that covers just about all the floor, new curtains and door drapes, all in attractive colors. Pot plants hang in the windows, and there are flowers and flags on the tables. While much of the interior is old and a mixture and much-used, the overall impression is still, as many have expressed it, pleasant.
Snug and cozy is the total effect when the seamen have settled into comfortable chairs, found the newspapers, and sit absorbed in them or play games such as Kurong and Chinese Jacks, which were received as Christmas presents from Honnefoss Seaman’s Mission.
When the coffee tables are set with nice cups, which were a gift from the church’s Women’s Union, and the seamen are invited to have a good cup of coffee, a warm mood is created.
After coffee, it frequently happens that some of the seamen start washing up, which is done swiftly and with good humor in the newly painted kitchen. The kitchen was modernized last year, also paid for by the church’s Women’s Union. Additionally, the reading room passageways and toilets were painted free of charge last autumn by four seamen, using paint given by a ship. This shows the goodwill and consideration that the church enjoys here.
The church’s Women’s Union has about 20 members, mostly Norwegian, but there are also some British women, so English is just as likely to be spoken as Norwegian. The association meets regularly every fortnight in the Prestegården (The Manse), but in the run-up to the annual sale of work, they meet every week.
At the meetings, the members work diligently on articles or prizes for the sale. All the women are interested and are totally committed to the Women’s Union, which supports the church.
The association elects a new chairman every year. In 1955, Mrs. Greve was chairman. She and her husband are now moving to Liverpool, where Mr. Greve is to take over the Hiring office. In 1956, Mrs. Gerd was chairman, and for 1957, Mrs. Gerd Raper has been elected.
There are always plenty of tasks for the association, especially in connection with the church and the premises. So, when the grand sale in November is over, the church will certainly reap the benefits of the association’s input and efforts.
The Norwegian Seaman’s Church
by Harry ‘Shipmate’ Cooke
Steepled, white, and filled with God, the church upon the quay sits dreaming of its yester years, of sailors, of the sea, of blue-eyed maids, of flaxen braids; and folk from Northern lands and tales of wind-swept oceans, and distant, foreign sands.
Pious congregations, who worshipped year by year, Norwegian, Dane and Lutheran, heads bowed in Viking prayer.
Winter days and snowballs, children’s shouts of glee Christmas time and strudel, pretzels round the tree.
News of distant shipwrecks, vigils through the night. Pastors and their sermons, candles…brides in white.
The choir’s voice has faded now, the organ’s voice is stilled, and silence fills the empty pews, once sailors’ families filled.
So dream your dreams of bygone days whilst cuddled to the shore, and when the world is young again, we shall live it all once more.
Harry ‘Shipmate’ Cooke, was born in Liverpool in 1921 and has lived for some 60 years in Cardiff docklands. He went to sea at the age of 14 and spent 20 eventful years in the merchant navy. Although he settled down to life ashore, working in the Cardiff Dry Docks, the sea is his first love and writing is his second love.
His book ‘How I Saw It’ is part of a series of community histories and life stories, written by local residents, and published by Butetown History and Arts Centre in Cardiff Bay.
On a rare visit to Swansea in 2004 to attend the funeral of the last surviving elder of the Norwegian Seaman’s Church – 97 year old Mrs Astri Slaymaker – my sister, who still lives in the city, showed me a number of newspaper cuttings from the Evening Post relating to the conservation and resiting of this grade two listed church.
My mother and my wife’s parents were all Norwegian and settled in Swansea in the late 1920s. My wife and I were christened together as new-born babies in 1932 in the Norwegian Church, were confirmed there together in 1949 and married there in 1960. Three of our children, on home leave from Africa, where I was working, were also christened there.
When, in the 1960s, the decision was taken at the head office of the Norwegian Mission to Seamen in Bergen to close the church, because shipping traffic into the port of Swansea had been reduced to a trickle, members of the Norwegian colony appealed to the powers that be in Norway and it was agreed that they might rent the church for a peppercorn rent.
My father-in-law, Eric Benneche, a lay preacher, was authorised by the Bishop of Bergen to conduct communion services, christenings and funerals and was supported by my own father, who became secretary of the church steering committee.
So, my own and my wife’s connections with the tiny church are strong and our memories vivid.
[I remember one Christmas time during the Second World War, when we were young children, how the church used to heave with what seemed like hundreds of Scandinavian merchant seamen on shore leave. It was a haven from the perils of the North Atlantic convoys, where they enjoyed the friendship, comfort and warmth of an evening in the church’s large reading room or billiards room, being served by members of the congregation with waffles, and being provided with entertainment by the younger members, who were persuaded and cajoled into singing or reciting – myself included.
I remember the huge Christmas tree around which we linked arms and walked, singing Norwegian Christmas carols. I remember the presents, organised by the Mission, being opened by each sailor with a kind of wonderment and often tears in their eyes.
I remember the clanking and hissing of the lumbering steam locomotives, as they hauled their wagons along the rickety railway lines immediately outside the church and down into the docks, emerging from the smoke and gloom of the blackout like dark and threatening monsters.
I remember the regular air raids, with the docks as the prime target of the Nazi bombers.
I remember the ladies of the night slinking and sidling into the entrance of the church reading room, with scarlet fingernails beckoning and enticing the sailors to join them for a different kind of entertainment.
Alongside these memories, I remember clearly the special occasions during the year, like the celebration of Norway’s National Day of Independence on 17th May, when the church was decorated with freshly picked, newly sprouting, birch tree branches and, seemingly, a myriad Norwegian flags. We sang patriotic songs, ate party food, listened to loyal speeches to King and country by some of the elders, and when a great time was had by young and old alike, the ladies resplendent in their colourful national costumes and the men in their smartest Sunday-go-to-church best.
I remember the frantic annual church bazaars, which our mothers and other ladies of the colony, at their weekly sewing classes, had worked towards during the year, knitting, sewing, painting and embroidering to raise funds for the church.
And, finally, I remember the simplicity and peace of the Lutheran services themselves, accompanied always by the out of tune, creaking and ancient organ and the eagerness of the seamen to be welcomed into the Christian family to receive a blessing and, where sought, forgiveness from the resident pastor.
The church was no architectural masterpiece, with its original corrugated iron cladding, latterly rendered with cement, and with its crazily tilting steeple about to topple onto the ground level.
But it was a special gathering place for the Norwegian community in Swansea and for the thousands of Scandinavian seamen who, over the years, passed through its doors to worship and socialise.
It was a very special place.
Tony Jellings has very kindly given permission for this article, which was originally published in the South Wales Echo, to be reproduced in our newsletter.
His son recently visited the Norwegian Church in Cardiff and gave Karen information about his father.
Tony Jellings lived in Swansea for 23 years, studying for his Honours degree at Swansea University, where he was President of the Students Union for a year. He worked overseas for many years as a member of a multi-national company, and was subsequently based in London, where he was appointed head of human resources.
Tony is now retired and lives in Brighton with his wife Lisken.
News in Brief
Royal News
King Harald has returned to official duties after heart surgery. His first day back in June coincided with the country’s celebration of its Centennial. Royalists broke out in Spontaneous applause as his open car rolled down Oslo’s main boulevard on the way to Parliament.
Palace officials have announced that Norway’s ‘crown couple’ is expecting a new royal heir in December. The first authorized biography of crown princess Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby will be published in 2006.
Norwegian gossip weekly Se Og Her claims that Princess Martha Louise and husband Ari Behn are expecting their third child. Princess Martha Louise gave birth to the couple’s second daughter, Leah [sadora, five months ago. Newspaper Dagbladet’s web site reports that the palace has refused to verify the story. (Source: Aftenposten)
A-ha to play Cardiff
They have sold 25 million albums, have been in the top ten eight times, and are still touring internationally. A-ha, the 1980s pop idols from Norway, are appearing in the Cardiff International Arena on Sunday, 1 1″ December. The group has a huge following and their hits include ‘Take On Me’.
Sophie Dahl’s RSPCA T-shirt
Sophie Dahl is among a list of celebrities selected to design exclusive T-shirts to show their support for the RSPCA. Sophie’s T-shirt features the words ‘When I was a little girl I had a goat called Lily who I loved’. The T-shirts are available exclusively from http://www.moreTvicar.com priced at £20, with £10 from each sale going to the RSPCA.
Exciting exhibition of Welsh Landscapes
WNS member and artist Rowan Huntley has been exhibiting her new work in Cardiff throughout August and in Llanberis in September. This colourful exhibition has been staged specifically to benefit the Council for National Parks, the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales and areas that merit National Park status. ‘Eternal Landscape’ is a stunning collection of paintings featuring the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia and the Pembrokeshire Coast.
Sir Chris Bonington, an honorary life vice president of the CNP said ‘This exhibition is an exciting and innovative way to highlight the importance of our National Parks and the vital work of CNP. Visually captivating, Eternal Landscape celebrates the diversity and beauty of the Welsh National Parks and uniquely demonstrates the essential need for the continued protection of these and other areas.’ (Cardiff Post, August 2005)
Notes From A Small Cupboard
A regular report from the Norwegian Church Cultural Centre by Karen Allen, Centre Manager
World Raily Champions visit Norwegian Church
Norwegian Petter Solberg, and his Welsh co-driver Phil Mills, former World Rally Champions (2003), and winners of Wales Rally GB in 2002, 2003 and 2004, paid a visit to the Norwegian Church on 15″ September before heading off to the Millennium Stadium for the Official start of this year’s Wales Rally GB. As a world-beating Norwegian-Welsh partnership, Petter and Phil seemed the perfect people to invite to the Norwegian Church during our year of celebratory events to mark Norway’s centenary. We were delighted that the Subaru team agreed to fit us into their tight schedule and even arranged to bring one of the Subaru rally cars to the Norwegian Church. Both drivers seemed to genuinely enjoy their visit to our little bit of Norway in Wales. Photographs will be on the Subaru website http://www.swrt.com and we hope that we will also feature in a documentary being made about Petter Solberg; to be broadcast on Norwegian TV. .
An Audience with Joachim Rønneberg
At the time of writing this, final preparations are being made for Joachim Rønneberg’s visit to the Norwegian Church. Joachim Rønneberg is one of the most celebrated heroes of the Second World War and we are truly honoured that such a great man has agreed to come and talk about his involvement in the daring secret mission to sabotage Hitler’s atomic bomb programme. His visit will be one of only two public appearances in the UK, the other being organised by the North East branch of the Norwegian British Chamber of Commerce. This is a good opportunity to thank Magne Haugseng of the NBCC for all his help in organising Joachim Rønneberg’s visit to Britain and also Norsk Hydro for their generous sponsorship.
Forthcoming Events
Tuesday 27th September 8pm
CHRISTIAN WALLUMRØD ENSEMBLE
Christian Wallumrød piano Nils Økland fiddle & Hardanger fiddle Arve Henriksen trumpet Per Oddvar Johansen drums ‘About as near to perfection as you are likely to hear’ Jazzwise
Tickets £12 (concessions ¬£10) from BBC NOW 0870 013 1812
Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd October SCANDINAVIAN DANCE & MUSIC WEEKEND Presented in partnership with Pentreffest. Beginners & improvers welcome – great fun!
Contact [email redacted]
Sunday 30th October 8pm
SWAP
Hugely popular Anglo-Swedish quartet, returning for a fifth appearance at the Norwegian Church. Tickets £12 (concessions £10) from BBC NOW 0870 013 1812
Sunday 27th November CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Oswald Sidney Eide 12th April 1924 – 19th May 2005
Sid, as he was known to us all, died in May. He had been in failing health for some time and, after his last stay in hospital, he was transferred to Holme Towers, Penarth, for terminal care.
Sid had been a stalwart member of the Norwegian community for many years. His father was a Norwegian sailor, who married a Welsh girl and settled here in Cardiff.
I had known Sid since the early 1950s. He and Muriel, who was to become his wife, attended the old Seamen’s Church. After the Church was rebuilt, Sid enjoyed attending the Welsh Norwegian Society monthly meetings and the monthly coffee afternoons, as did Muriel until her untimely death in 1996.
After Muriel died, Sid appeared lost without her and, shortly afterwards, his health started to deteriorate, yet he managed to lead a full life. He belonged to a Rambling club and he did voluntary work in a Charity shop and the Beulah Church coffee shop. He also had a couple of holidays in Norway, visiting relatives there. The last one was taken last year, when he bought himself a new pair of gloves. (I had repaired his old ones for him until there were more darns than the original gloves!).
I am sure that we will all miss seeing him at our various meetings and events.
Muriel and Sid only had one son, Phillip, but they loved children and become foster parents to many needy children. So it was good that Sid lived long enough to see his new baby granddaughter, Cathryn.
Sid’s funeral service was held on Friday, May27th 2005 at the Beulah United Reform Church, Rhiwbina and his committal service at Thornhill Crematorium.
R.I.P. Sid Contributed by Ellen Wayne
Alice Myrtle Jarman (nee Lindseth) 15th July 1905 – 27th August 2005
The death occurred in August of Alice Jarman, mother of WNS member Andrea Jarman. Alice celebrated her hundredth birthday in July in Lakeside House Nursing Home in Cardiff, where she had moved in February from the family home in Cyncoed.
She was the youngest of three children born to Swedish parents, who had emigrated from Sweden in the 1890s and had met and married in the USA. She attended the Swedish Lutheran Church in Cleveland, Ohio in her youth and she always regretted not speaking more Swedish with her parents to keep it up. She met her British husband-to-be in Cleveland, where he was working in the Cleveland Clinic on a research fellowship. She, herself, graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1930 with a B.A.
Alice sailed to Southampton in 1939 on the maiden voyage of The Normandie and she was married at Merthyr Mawr Church. Alice brought up three children in South Wales, moving to Cardiff in 1964.
Andrea recalls how she maintained some of the Swedish Christmas traditions by baking ‘pepparkakor’ biscuits (now available in IKEA!) and nut loaf, and decorating the table with Dalarna horses. She cooked waffles in Hengoed in the 1950s on her American waffle iron.
She led a very active live and travelled widely throughout her life. She even travelled to Jamaica when she was nearly ninety and stilf held a current passport on her death.
Some WNS members may recall meeting Alice at one of Ebba’s garden parties in recent years.
A RECIPE FOR PEPPERKAKER (PEPPERKAKOR IN SWEDEN)
Ingredients 5 fl oz syrup 11 oz sugar 8? oz butter 3 eggs 1 tsp baking soda 1? tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground gloves Approx 26 oz flour
Method Bring to a boil: sugar, syrup and butter, let cool until lukewarm. Sift baking soda, flour and spices into the syrup mixture. Work the dough thoroughly – if needed add a little more flour (dough must not get too dry). Cover well and let cool in fridge overnight. Roll out the dough and cut out shapes. You can also use this dough to make a “Pepperkakehus” (a gingerbread house). Bake at 200C until light brown – be careful not to let the dough get burned – time varies from oven to oven.
Norway 1905-2005: 100 Years of Independence
To understand the significance of the centenary celebrations in Norway this year, we need to look back almost two hundred years to the time when Norway was in a union with Denmark.
For centuries Norway, Denmark and Sweden had been in and out of various political unions, and in 1807, during the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark sided with France against the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom had been Norway’s chief trading partner, but now the British ended the trade. British warships blockaded Norway’s trade with other countries, and many Norwegians starved. Norway was cut off from Denmark by the British blockade and began to manage its own affairs. The Norwegians secretly began to trade with the British again.
Denmark was defeated in 1813 by Sweden, an ally of the United Kingdom against France. In 1814, in the Treaty of Kiel, Denmark gave Norway to Sweden. Denmark kept Norway’s island colonies: Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
The. Norwegians did not recognise the Treaty of Kiel. Later in 1814, they elected an assembly to draw up a constitution for an independent Norway. The constitution was adopted on May 17″, but Sweden refused to grant Norway independence. Swedish forces attacked Norwegian troops and quickly defeated them. In November 1814, the Norwegian parliament accepted King Charles XIII of Sweden as Norway’s ruler as well. Charles promised to respect the Norwegian constitution. In 1884, after a long struggle, the parliament won the right to force the Cabinet to resign. Until that time, the Cabinet had been responsible only to the King of Sweden.
During the 1890s, Norway’s merchant fleet was one of the largest in the world, but the Swedish Foreign Service handled Norway’s shipping affairs in overseas trading centres. Norway demanded its own foreign service, but Sweden refused. In May 1905, the Norwegian parliament passed a law creating a foreign service, but the Swedish king vetoed it. On June 7″, the parliament ended the union with Sweden.
Sweden nearly went to war against Norway. However, Sweden had to recognise Norway’s independence in September 1905, after a majority of Norwegians (except 184!) voted for independence. In November, the people approved a Danish prince as their King. He became Haakon VIL.
On 7th June this year, a celebratory concert was held at the Norwegian Church Cultural Centre and a number of WNS members attended. The evening began with a special reception and a talk by Alan Hall on the historical significance of the anniversary event. There followed a concert of music by four very talented young musicians, associated with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, including Mai-Britt Wagnild from Norway, accompanied by Alison Bowring, and also Hannah Gill on piano and Stephen Biggs on guitar, in a programme of international music, including Grieg.
Contributed by Peter Persen
Syttende Mai 2005
[picture]
Procession from the Wales Millennium Centre to the Norwegian Church, with Stan Wayne leading the way. Karen Allen, Ellen Wayne, Ebba Lovering & Betty Persen serving hot dogs and waffles in the Norwegian Church
Friends Reunited: Sissel Skalpe (nee Rasmussen), Averil Goldsworthy, Peter Persen, Ellen Wayne, Edith & Signe Stray outside the Norwegian Church.
Welsh Norwegian Society 