Remembering Trondheim
Article written by: Frank Connelly
Last year in 2025 the 80th anniversary took place of one of the oldest twinning arrangement in Europe promoting friendship and cultural exchange, the foundations of which were laid down during the Second World War. Representatives of all youth organisations in Dunfermline met as the war drew to a close and decided to adopt a town that had been under German occupation. Trondheim in Norway was chosen due to its many similarities with Dunfermline. Both had been ancient capitals, both had churches dating back to the 12th century and both had a population of around 55,000 people.
The 'Adoption Ceremony' was held in the Regal cinema on Dunfermline High Street on the 6th May 1945 with 900 representatives of various youth organisations in attendance. In July 1945 the British Red Cross collected six cartons of knitted blankets, clothing for men, women and children, bandages etc, and ships from the Royal Navy delivered these to Trondheim along with a Scout Flag from the Scouts of Dunfermline.
The Mayor of Trondheim acknowledged the receipt of a ‘Bond of Friendship’ between Dunfermline and Trondheim: “Commander Phipps of the Royal Navy has by a solemn act in my office, brought me the message from you and the Provost of Dunfermline, Mr Kennedy, that the youth organisations of Dunfermline have resolved to adopt the youth of Trondheim. On behalf of the town of Trondheim, especially on behalf of the youth of the town, I ask you to receive my sincere thanks for this resolution. I consider it as proof of the friendly temper of the Scottish youth and that they want to strengthen and deepen friendship and co-operation. By this co-operation we have the opportunity of learning each other’s people and country and to take part in each other’s achievements in all domains of life.”
Our first photograph shows a party of young people from Trondheim with their Dunfermline hosts in 1946 on the steps of the Glen Pavilion in Pittencrieff Park. A return visit was made in 1948 when Miss Nettie Dick, Carnegie Youth Centre leader, accompanied 20 members of the Youth Centre to Trondheim.
The next photograph shows her being presented with the King Olav Medal which had been awarded to her by the King of Norway in 1970 for the work she had done in promoting and maintaining the link.
Two streets in Dunfermline were named in recognition of the links and the next image from around 1960 shows flats in Trondheim Parkway on the Abbeyview housing estate.
The final photograph shows a party of 20 young people returning from a trip to Trondheim in 1948 wearing red tammies which had been a symbol of the Norwegian Resistance Movement during the war.
