Thirty members gathered in the Gower for the society’s annual St Hans celebration of midsummer. After four weeks without rain leading to tinder-dry ground conditions (and in contrast to last summer’s washout), it was too risky to light a bonfire, but we were able to fire up the barbeques and enjoy food and fine company al fresco. Janet Neilson’s lovely pictures also show the indoor entertainment kindly led by Torill. Many thanks to her and Anne Kirsti for organising everything and to Sol and her family for so kindly hosting.
It was wonderful to see so many of you at the 17th May events in Cardiff last week. It feels like we are slowly but surely returning to a kind of normality. Now our second big event of the year is almost upon us – the St Hans Midsummer barbecue and party in the Gower on Saturday 24th June between 5 and 10.30 pm.
Please save the date – and get your tickets as soon as possible, as places are limited. Early booking also really helps our hosts and small team of volunteers get things ready.
The occasion
Norway is, of course, the Land of the Midnight Sun, and along with the rest of Scandinavia, throws a big party on or around the summer solstice, typically 21st June. In Norway the celebrations are named after ‘St Hans’, who is known in English as John the Baptist, and usually held on the evening of 23rd June, St Hans’ Eve, with bonfires (often on the beach), eating, drinking, and making music.
There is a religious dimension to the festival, but it is also a celebration of summer, the solstice, the turning of the year, the forthcoming harvest – and fertility. It is also the Night of the Witches – so bonfires are lit to drive them away. A typical mishmash of elements of Christian, pre-Christian, and modern traditions.
Our venue
Our venue is a private garden in south-west Gower, kindly made available for our use by a member. The address and directions will be shared with members after booking. Please park carefully outside the venue to allow others freedom to leave at any point.
What to bring
Please bring your food and all crockery and cutlery for your personal use, including cups or mugs for drinks.
We welcome you to bring music instruments if you play any.
We will arrange for barbeques, provide wood for the bonfire and charcoal for the barbeques, and tea, coffee, squash and home-made cakes.
Accommodation
There is space on the grounds for three tents to pitch. Please reserve a space when booking. There is an outside toilet, but no shower facilities. There are of course many other accommodation options on the Gower.
Weather
We all hope for and expect good weather in late June – but this is Wales! We had to postpone last year’s event because of heavy rain. If we are again hit by bad weather, we will let you know as soon as we can, and postpone our party until the following weekend.
Booking
Tickets cost £7 per adult and £4 per child, which goes to cover the cost of wood and charcoal, refreshments, and liability insurance cover for the private home.
There is no additional charge to camp, but please reserve a space when you book.
This is a members-only event, so please ensure at least one of your party is a paid-up member of WNS. You can take out or renew membership (£10/year) on the booking form.
Welsh Norwegian Society 