Book launch: "Norway's War" by Robert Ferguson

Norway’s War: A People’s Struggle against Nazi Tyranny, 1940-1945 (by Robert Ferguson) is being published on 8 April to coincide with the anniversary of the German invasion of Norway on 9 April, 1940.

The author will give a presentation about the book and the personal stories of the Norwegian citizens recounted in it, before a Q&A with the audience.

Robert Ferguson is an English author who has settled in Oslo and writes books on Scandinavian culture. He has written biographies of Ibsen and Hamsun, as well as translations of Hamsun's short stories, and more general books on Scandinavians, Viking history and Norwegian cabin culture!

Cost: free, light refreshments will be available for a contribution.

Date: Tuesday 01 April 2025, 7pm /strong>

Location: 1 St Olav’s Square, Albion Street, SE16 7JB

Nearest stations: Rotherhithe (Overground), Canada Water (Overground & Jubilee)

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Talk by Noa Ben-David - Jewish integration in post-war Norway

ANS will host a talk by Noa Ben-David, a PhD candidate at UCL whose research is funded by the London Arts and Humanities Partnership.

Noa's dissertation explores Jewish identifications and minority integration in post-war Norway, as well as reactions to anti-semitism. Previously published articles of hers include “Building Something That Lasts: Jewish Reactions to Persistent Nazi Antisemitism in Norway, 1945-1978” and “Bombed back to the pre-war period: Jewish Reactions to Anti-Zionism in Norway, 1967-1982”.

Refreshments will be available to purchase between 16:15 and 17:00. Kindly return the booking slip (with payment, where appropriate) or email the required details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and pay, including the names of any guests.

Cost: £8

Date: Tuesday 11 February 2025, 16:15 for 17:00

Location: Room 104, 21 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0AW.

Nearest stations: Euston Square (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan) and Warren Street (Northern & Victoria). Numerous buses stop nearby

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Gulosten – The gangster who became the King’s friend (2015)

An NRK documentary film about Johannes Andersen (1898-1970), known as “Gulosten”, who was Norway’s most well-known criminal between the two world wars. During World War 2 he served in Kompani Linge and in London became friendly with King Haakon VII. The meeting with The King had decisive consequences for Gulosten, who had murdered two German officers after the war had ended. Shown by kind permission of the film’s director, Fredrik Horn Akselsen (who also directed the film shown last year called “Nordlands Jeanne D’Arc”). The documentary is in Norwegian with English subtitles.

Refreshments will be available to purchase between 14:15 and 15:00. Kindly return the booking slip (with payment, where appropriate) or email the required details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and pay, including the names of any guests.

Cost: Free to members. Non-members/guests of individual members: £10

Date: Tuesday 21 January 2025, 14:15 for 15:00

Location: St Anne's Church (Allen Room), 55 Dean Street, London W1D 6AF. The Church entrance is on the corner of Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue and is clearly marked by a neon sign.

Nearest stations: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Tottenham Court Road. Buses 14, 19, 24, 38 and 176 all stop nearby.

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2024 musical event at Amesbury House: tenor Edvard Adde

One month ago, Norwegian tenor Edvard Adde treated members of the Anglo-Norse Society and their guests to an impressive set of 15 songs sung in 6 different languages. The recital, with ANS Chairman Paul Gobey at the piano, took place at Amesbury House, the residence of the Norwegian Ambassador in the UK, on the 2nd of October.

One of the magnificent town houses of Kensington Palace Green, Amesbury House is also the residence of the Norwegian Royals when visiting London and a trove of Norwegian artworks.

We'd like to thank you again the diplomatic mission of Norway in the UK for the venue and counsellor for Culture and Communication Lars-Erik Hauge for the support. A video of Grieg's "Våren" Op. 33, nº 2 can be seen by clicking here.

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Talk by David Wheeler, Senior Decorative Arts Conservator, Royal Collection

Gifts between the Royal Houses of Great Britain and Norway have been given both officially and unofficially since the re-establishment of the Norwegian Royal Family. Our member, Mr David Wheeler, will look at this tradition through some of the Norwegian objects that now form part of the Royal Collection.
The Royal Collection of the British royal family is the largest private art collection in the world. Spread among 13 royal residences in the United Kingdom, the collection is owned by King Charles III and overseen by the Royal Collection Trust.

Refreshments will be available to purchase between 14:15 and 15:00. Kindly return the booking slip (with payment, where appropriate) or email the required details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and pay, including the names of any guests.

Cost: Free to members. Non-members/guests of individual members: £10

Date: Tuesday 5 November 2024, 14:15 for 15:00

Location: St Anne's Church (Allen Room), 55 Dean Street, London W1D 6AF. The Church entrance is on the corner of Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue and is clearly marked by a neon sign.

Nearest stations: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Tottenham Court Road. Buses 14, 19, 24, 38 and 176 all stop nearby.

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Harp recital with Susan Scarbrough Syverson and lunch with Kvinneforening

The Kvinneforening is hosting lunch at the Norwegian Seamen's Church in Rotherhite. The American/Swedish harpist Susan Scarbrough Syverson will give a short recital and presentation. With roots in Valdres (Norway) and living in Lund (Sweden), where she has a harp teaching position, Ms Syverson performs primarily Norwegian and Swedish traditional music. She also plays regularly with chamber and symphony orchestras and with the Vindonia Trio.

Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and pay, including the names of any guests.

Cost: £10 per member (unless already a member of Kvinneforening), £15 for guests and all others

Date: Thursday 19 September 2024, 12:00pm

Location: 1 St Olav’s Square, Albion Street, SE16 7JB

Nearest stations: Rotherhithe (Overground), Canada Water (Overground & Jubilee)

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Mr Rolf Christophersen DFC, our Honorary VP, passes away at 102 

We share the news that Rolf Christophersen left us at the end of August. His passing will be a huge gap in the Anglo-Norwegian community, with which he was so involved and for whom he did so much.
Rolf was in fact largely responsible for reviving the Anglo-Norse Society after the WW2 and for putting it on a sound footing in the 1970s. He was Vice-Chairman for many years and was later made our first (and only) Honorary Vice-President. He played a key role in the Society’s Centenary celebrations in 2018, attended by both our Royal Patrons at the time (HM Queen Elizabeth II and HM King Harald V).

During the Second World War, Rolf flew with the 24th Squadron (the ‘VIP’ wing of the RAF), flying Churchill’s entourage to Yalta (for the famous meeting with Stalin and Roosevelt) and the British judges to the Nuremberg trials in 1945. He was deservedly awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross).

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Tour of Apsley House and Wellington Arch

Also known as No.1 London, Apsley House was originally built by Robert Adam and re-modelled for the 1st Duke of Wellington in the 1820s, following his victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. The house remains the London residence of the Dukes of Wellington.

As well as an internationally important collection of paintings, silver and porcelain, a new exhibition at Apsley House displays objects that belonged to Wellington. After a guided tour of Apsley House we shall cross to visit Wellington Arch, which was built as an original entrance to Buckingham Palace, later becoming a victory arch proclaiming Wellington's defeat of Napoleon.

Crowned by the largest bronze sculpture in Europe, it depicts the Angel of Peace descending on the 'Quadriga' - or four-horsed chariot - of War. Following an introduction from our guide, we shall see an interesting exhibition and wonderful views from its balconies (accessible by lift). Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and pay, including the names of any guests and for information about accessibility.

Cost: Adults £28, Students/Over 65s £25, English Heritage members £7

Date: Wednesday 10 July 2024, 12:00

Location: 149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, W1J 7NT

Nearest stations: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line) 

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Dr Cat Jarman becomes an Honorary Member of ANS 

Our Chairman, Mr Paul Gobey, welcomed the distinguished bioarchaeologist Dr Cat Jarman as an Honorary Member of the Anglo-Norse Society at the Norwegian Ambassador’s Residence last on May 28.

Author of the best-selling “River Kings” (about Viking movements from Scandinavia to the Middle East), Cat was also awarded “International Nordic Person of the Year” by the Confederation of Scandinavian Societies, following an excellent seminar into new Viking research, which was attended, among others, by Earl Spencer (Princess Diana’s brother)

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Anglo-Norse Society AGM and illustrated talk about the Valdres district 

On Thursday May 30 the AGM will take place at the Norwegian Church from 6pm. The event is open to all but only members may vote.
Following the AGM, an illustrated talk titled “A Year in Valdres: a 30-year Retrospective” will be given by our Chairman, Paul Gobey.
The talk will feature photos taken by Paul across all seasons between 1993–1994 while he was an organist in the beautiful Valdres valley in the county of Oppland, an area unfamiliar even to many Norwegians.

Date: Thursday 30 May 2024, 18:00

Location: St. Olav's Norwegian Church, 1 St. Olav's Square, Albion Street, SE16 7JB London

Nearest stations: Rotherhithe (Overground), Canada Water (Overground & Jubilee) 

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HM King Charles III confirms royal patronage of our society  

It is with great pleasure that we can announce that Buckingham Palace has just confirmed that HM King Charles III will succeed Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as our Patron.

The Principal Private Secretary to The King & Queen communicated that “Following the thorough analysis of over one thousand organisations, I am pleased to confirm that His Majesty would be delighted to accept the Patronage of the Anglo-Norse Society”.

This is a great honour for the Society and an indication of the enduringly strong ties between Norway and the United Kingdom.

Tour of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon  

This 90-minute tour of the historic Wimbledon grounds will show us the facilities used by the world’s best tennis players, how Wimbledon’s distinctive grass is cared for and how the site has changed and improved each year.
The history and traditions of The Championships can then be experienced in the Museum. Interactive galleries include famous trophies, the bench used by Roger Federer in the Gentlemen's Dressing Room and fabrics of tennis fashions from the Victorian period.
The Museum and Museum Shop has step-free access, while the tour has a step-free route available on request. Comfortable footwear and appropriate dress are recommended as tours run in all weathers.
Also, keep in mind that there are no facilities to leave bags or coats whilst on the tour.

Early booking is recommended as numbers are strictly limited 20. .
Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and pay, including the names of any guests.

Date: Tuesday April 16 2024, 13:45 for 14:00

Location: Gate 4, Church Road, Wimbledon, SW19 5AG.

Nearest stations: Wimbledon (South West Trains, District Line & Tram), Southfields (District Line). Bus 493 connects both stations and stops outside.  

Parking: only Blue Badge holders may park on a first-come, first-served basis. Please let me know if you need this facility. 

Tour of The College of Arms and Reception with wine and canapés  

The College of Arms was founded by Royal Charter in 1484 and is the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Commonwealth countries of which HM The King is Sovereign.

Thomas Johnston, Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms, will speak about the history of heraldry, the role of the heralds and the architecture of the building (over a glass of wine) and then spend an hour in the Record Room showing us a fascinating selection of heraldic and genealogical records dating back to the fourteenth century.

The visit continues with a reception with canapés and further drinks, during which further questions may be posed informally, and will conclude around 8.45pm.

Early booking is recommended as numbers are strictly limited to 20. .
Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance and pay, including the names of any guests.

Date: Tuesday February 20 2024, 18:00 for 18:15

Location: 130 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4BT.

Nearest stations: Blackfriars (District and Circle), and St Paul's (Central). Buses 4, 11, 15, 17, 23, 76 and 172 all stop nearby. . 

Movie projection: The Joan of Arc of the North  

The 2021 film tells the story of Liv Grannes from Mosjøen who became Norway’s highest decorated woman after World War II. Her achievements (and Stalin and Churchill’s false flag operation in Helgeland) largely disappeared into history and her history was never revealed – until now. Our thanks to Council member Mr Kenneth Skaarbrevik for securing the rights from the producers to show the film, which lasts 65 minutes and is in Norwegian (with English subtitles).
A trailer may be viewed by clicking here.
Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance, including the names of any guests.

Date: Tuesday 30 January 2024, 14:15 for 15:00

Location: St Anne's Church (Community Hall), 55 Dean Street, London W1D 6AF. The Church entrance is on the corner of Dean Street and Shaftesbury Avenue and is clearly marked by a neon sign.

Nearest stations: Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Tottenham Court Road. Buses 14, 19, 24, 38 and 176 all stop nearby. 

Christmas Carol Service at the Norwegian Church  

The annual and much-loved service of carols and readings returns this year to the Norwegian Church in Rotherhithe and will be followed by traditional refreshments. The service will be led jointly by Rev’d Dag Magnus Hopstock Havgar and Rev’d Canon Arani Sen. The service is free to attend (with a small charge on the day to cover catering costs). Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to confirm your attendance.

Date: Thursday 14 December 2023, 18:00

Location: St. Olav's Norwegian Church, 1 St. Olav's Square, Albion Street, SE16 7JB London

Nearest stations: Rotherhithe (Overground), Canada Water (Overground & Jubilee) 

Guided tour of the Royal Albert Hall  

One of the events of this autumn will be a guided tour of the Royal Albert Hall, the iconic venue inaugurated in 1871 by Queen Victoria and dedicated to the memory of the prematurely departed Albert, Prince Consort. The tour will be followed by an afternoon tea.

Date: Wednesday 8 November 2023, 12:45

Location: the Royal Albert Hall, south entrance, door 12, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP

Nearest stations: South Kensington (District, Circle and Piccadilly) 

Grieg Society piano concert at the Norwegian Church  

All Anglo-Norse members are invited to attend a recital by the Malaysian-born pianist Bobby Chen, who will perform a programme of music by Grieg, Liszt and Schumann. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. directly if you wish to attend.

Date: Saturday 28 October 2023, 15:00

Location: St. Olav's Norwegian Church, 1 St. Olav's Square, Albion Street, London SE16 7JBLondon

Nearest stations: Rotherhithe (Overground), Canada Water (Overground & Jubilee)  

Guided tour to the Leighton House museum in Kensington  

From its construction in the 1860s until shortly before Leighton’s death, his studio house was a constant pre-occupation and combined spaces for living, working, entertaining and the display of Leighton’s collections.

Leighton House was recently re-opened by HM King Charles III, following a multi-million pound restoration. We shall enjoy a guided tour lasting 90 minutes and taking us through the lavish interiors, including the magnificent Arab Hall and the recently restored Winter Studio, offering fascinating insights into the life and career of Frederic Leighton and the history of the house itself.

Date: Thursday July 6 2023, 14:00

Location: Leighton House museum, 12 Holland Park Rd, W14 8LZ, London

Nearest stations: High Street Kensington and Kensington Olympia 

"Celebrating Grieg" - piano recital with Thormod Rønning Kvam at the National Liberal Club  

Acclaimed pianist and musical director Thormod Rønning Kvam will perform on the day of Edvard Grieg's 180th birthday.
The piano recital, organised by Kettner Concerts in collaboration with the Grieg Society of Great Britain, will feature a selection of works by the Norwegian composer, including the Holberg Suite, Peasant Dances and Grieg's own piano transcription of the Peer Gynt suite.

Date: Thursday June 15 2023, 7pm
Venue: The National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2HE
Tickets: purchasable at this link

Private viewing of the UCL exhibition "Not Just Words: Learning Languages through Art and Objects"  

"Not Just Words" presents an innovative approach to language learning at UCL that takes artworks and objects as a starting point. The private viewing for Anglo-Norse Society members will include:

• a short introduction to the exhibition by co-curator and Anglo-Norse Council member, Dr Elettra Carbone

• a viewing and introduction to seven engravings of Norwegian landscapes that are part of UCL’s Art Collections

Date:  Monday May 15, 14:00. The visit will conclude with tea, coffee and mini-pastries (payable on the day)
Address: UCL, 23-25 Gower Street, London. WC1E 6BT
Nearest stations: Euston Square (Circle, Hammersmith, Metropolitan Lines), Warren Street (Northern, Victoria Lines)

Anglo-Norse Society AGM and "Cello Recital" by Erlend Vestby 

On Thursday 25 May (6pm for 6.45pm) the AGM will take place. The event is open to all but only members may vote.

From 7.15pm, we will be treated to a "cello recital" by Erlend Vestby, recipient of the Anglo-Norse Scholarship at the Royal College of Music, accompanied by Paul Gobey (Chairman of The Anglo-Norse Society).
The programme will include works by J. S. Bach, Edvard Grieg, David Monrad Johansen, Edward Elgar and Frederick Delius. 


Venue: The Norwegian Church, 1 St Olav’s Square, SE16 7JB, London.
Attendence is free. Refreshments will be available before the AGM (please pay on the day)
Nearest stations: Canada Water, Rotherhithe

Sue Prideaux's presentation on the graphic works of Edvard Munch 

On the evening of March 7, the Anglo-Norse Society hosted a reception at the residence of the Norwegian Ambassador, His Excellency Wegger Chr. Strømmen. The participants were treated to a presentation and analysis of the Munch's prints present in the residence's library by Anglo-Norwegian art scholar Sue Prideaux. 

Carol Service at St Olave, Hart Street, London EC3R 7NB 

Thursday 15th December at 6.00pm  EC3R 7NB   The service will be followed by refreshments for which there will be a small charge.

Flammen over Jølster, a movie about the Norwegian painter Nicolai Astrup.  

"Venue: the Norwegian Embassy, 25 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QD

Time: Thursday 29 September, 18:30 for refreshments

19:15 for the film, which lasts 1 hour 20 minutes, and is in Norwegian with English subtitles. Of the film, the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten wrote "en fascinerende film som gir god kunnskap".

Talk by Dr Olav Orheim: "Comparing the polar heroes - as leaders and as men" 

Dr Orheim, a former director of the Norwegian Polar Institute, will focus on Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton. In the light of the recent discovery of Shackleton's ship "Endurance", this talk is particularly relevant.

Time: Thursday 26 May 6.00 for 6.45

Place: The Norwegian Church, St Olav's Church, Rotherhithe, SE 16 7JB.

Nearest station: Canada Water (Jubilee Line and Overground).

Refreshments will be available; to assist with catering, please e-mail your intention to attend to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The film, 'The King's Choice' (original title 'Kongens nei')

will be shown at 7.00 pm on Thursday 28 November at the Norwegian Seamen's Church, 1,St Olav's Square, Albion Street, London SE16 7JB  

Jon Seal will present his film,'TheTeacher's Protest'

on Thursday 31 October at 5.00pm in the Lecture Theatre G022 of the Pearson Building at UCL, (University College London) Gower Street, London WC1E 6 BT 

Tea/coffee and sandwiches will be available in the South Cloisters from 4.00pm. At 5.00 pm those wishing to see the film will cross the court diagonlly to the Pearson Building (step free access), where Jon Seal will introduce the showing of his film. After the showing drinks and nibbles will be available in the adjacent room where there will be a chances to talk to Jon. Cost of the event £10.00.

Non-members of the Anglo-Norse Society welcome and should contact the organiser at the event in order to pay.

Lars Saaby Christensen in Conversation at the British Library

Monday 7th October 2019, 19.15-2030 in Ithe Knowledge Centre. 

Tickets from: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,  or ring 01937 546546.  Members £11.00, Full Price £11.00 Seniors £9.50 and students £5.50 

Best-known in the UK for his bestselling novel The Half Brother, Norway’s Lars Saabye Christensen speaks to Georgina Godwin in a rare UK appearance about his latest novel in translation, Echoes of the City, which traces an Oslo community’s slow recovery from a period of crippling austerity following World War Two..

Group Visit to the Middle Temple, London 

Thursday 3rd October 2019

The visit will begin at 10.30 with coffee/tea and biscuits before the guided tour which starts at 11.00 and lasts about one hour - cost £12.00. The Group is then invited to a 3-course lunch in the magnificent Elizabethan hall -cost £35.  Sir Richard Dales will lead the group and will stay for lunch. If you would like to attend, please see the Anglo-Norse Newsletter when it is sent                                                          out at the end of July.                                                              

AGM and talk by the recently appointed Norwegian Ambassador H.E. Wegger Strømmen.

Thursday 23rd May at the Norwegian Church Rotherhithe

Refreshments (coffee, tea, the Norwegian Church's famous waffles and wine) will be served from 5.30 pm

                                                                The AGM will be at 6.30 and the Ambassador's talk at 7.30pm   

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Visit to the British Museum to see the Exhibition: Munch: Love and Angst.

Thursday 2nd May. Cost £28, which includes:

10.30 Coffe In Clore Education Centre Foyer, under the Great Court, accessible by lifts and stairs.   

 11.00 Lecture by the curator of the Exhibition Giulia  Bartrum

12.00 Lunch Break. ( Lunch not included in the price of the ticket).

 13.30 Admission to the exhibition on Level 1, Room 35.  

If you would like to attend, please send a cheque to Angela Christophersen, 19 Hamilton House, Vicarage Gate, London W8 4HL.

The cheque to be made out to The Anglo-Norse Society. Please also supply your e-mail address and telephone number.

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Programme of Vera Lynn songs sung by Sybil Richardson accompanied by Paul Gobey at the Norwegian Church, Rotherhithe

Thursday 7 March 2019 at 7.00pm, with refreshments beforehand from 6.00pm

Sybil Richardson is well-known in Norway. Supported by the Norwegian Cultural Council, she has toured the country with her programme 'We'll Meet Again'  for more than 15 years. She has travelled from Melbu in the north to Trondheim, Bergen, Stavanger and Farsund in the south, playing in large concert halls and  intimate venues.  We are now fortunate to have her singing for us here in Rotherhithe.

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