WNS Committee, 2022-23

ANNE KIRSTI KIRBY

I was brought up on a farm in Rygge, near Moss. I came to the UK in 1972 to study Occupational Therapy, met and married my husband and settled in the Gower. I joined WNS after attending the 17 May celebrations in 2016 and served three years on the committee then. Post-pandemic, I hope we can continue to organise a programme of Norwegian cultural and social events.

Johan BUTENSCHØN SKRE

I live in Swansea with my family and Frida the dog. I work for the Swansea Bay University Health Board as Arts on Prescription Manager and am an experienced freelance photographer. My hobbies are baking, surfing, and hiking.

Thomas Alexander Husøy-Ciaccia

thomas Husøy-CIACCIA

I am from Møre og Romsdal in Norway and have lived in the UK since 2011. I recently completed my PhD studies in Ancient History at Swansea University. I now live with my finance and cat in Swansea and work as the Heritage Officer at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff, where I have been researching the history of the Norwegian community in Wales.

KEVIN BURDEN

I first travelled to Sandnes in south-western Norway on a school exchange trip when I was 14 years old. It made an amazing impression on me and I’ve been returning to Norway regularly ever since. I went on to study Norwegian and started my career as a journalist on a Norwegian newspaper. I now help out with the society’s website and social media and am taking on the role of treasurer until the AGM in September 2023.

TORILL HEAVENS

I’m from Stavanger in south-west Norway. I came to the UK as an au pair in 1984 and have been here ever since. I now work for a law firm in Cardiff. I was at the re-opening of the Norwegian Church in 1992 and have been involved with the society for longer than I care to remember!

Craig WILLIAMS

I was born and bred in South Wales but have a huge interest in both Norwegian and Welsh history and culture. This has led me to support the WNS and join the committee to help its mission in keeping strong friendship and links between the two nations and importantly, the iconic arts centre church that sits in the bay.