Ramnes Municipality

Ramnes Municipality
Ramnes kommune
Former municipality
Ramnes herred  (historic name)
Historic Ramnes Church
Historic Ramnes Church
Flag of Ramnes Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms of Ramnes Municipality
Coat of arms
Vestfold within Norway
Vestfold within Norway
Ramnes within Vestfold
Ramnes within Vestfold
Coordinates: 59°20′50″N 10°15′07″E / 59.34716°N 10.25208°E / 59.34716; 10.25208
CountryNorway
CountyVestfold
DistrictJarlsberg
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Disestablished1 Jan 2002
 • Succeeded byRe Municipality
Administrative centreRamnes
Government
 • Mayor (1995–2001)Aasta Kari Holm (Sp)
Area
 (upon dissolution)
 • Total
139.3 km2 (53.8 sq mi)
 • Rank#366 in Norway
Highest elevation
(Snippane)
399.97 m (1,312.2 ft)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total
3,790
 • Rank#239 in Norway
 • Density27.2/km2 (70/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +7.9%
DemonymRamnessokning
Official language
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-0718

Ramnes (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈrɑ̀mːnəs]; locally [ˈrɑ̀mːnæs]) is a former municipality in Vestfold county, Norway. The 139.3-square-kilometre (53.8 sq mi) municipality existed from 1838 until its dissolution in 2002. The area is now part of Tønsberg Municipality in the traditional district of Jarlsberg. The administrative centre was the village of Ramnes (sometimes called Tingvoll). Other villages in Ramnes included Vivestad, Fon, Bergsåsen, and Linnestad.

Prior to its dissolution in 2002, the 139.3-square-kilometre (53.8 sq mi) municipality was the 366th largest by area out of the 435 municipalities in Norway. Ramnes Municipality was the 239th most populous municipality in Norway with a population of about 3,790. The municipality's population density was 27.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (70/sq mi) and its population had increased by 7.9% over the previous 10-year period.

General information

View of the Fon area
View of northern Ramnes

Administrative history

The formannskapsdistrikt law of 1837 created a system of local government in Norway by establishing each town (ladested or kjøpstad) and each Church of Norway prestegjeld as a civil municipality. On 1 January 1838, Ramnes prestegjeld was established as Ramnes Municipality. On 16 July 1873, a royal resolution approved transferring an uninhabited area of Vaale Municipality to the neighboring Ramnes Municipality.

On 1 January 2002, Ramnes Municipality (population: 3,790) was merged with the neighboring Våle Municipality (population: 4,248) to form the new Re Municipality. Re Municipality became part of Tønsberg Municipality on 1 January 2020.

Name

The municipality is named after the old Ramnes prestegjeld. The prestegjeld was named after the old Ramnes farm (Old Norse: Rafnnes) since the first Ramnes Church was built there. The first element is hrafn which means "raven". The last element is nes which means "headland", which is likely referring to the area between two rivers.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 30 January 1976. The official blazon is "Argent, a raven passant wings elevated sable" (Norwegian: I sølv en svart ravn). This means the arms have a field (background) has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used. The charge is a raven passant with its wings elevated. They are canting arms since the name of the municipality is derived from the word "raven". The arms were designed by Sven Sköld. The municipal flag has the same design as the coat of arms.

Churches

The Church of Norway had three parishes (sokn) within Ramnes Municipality. It is part of the Nord-Jarlsberg prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Tunsberg.

Churches in Ramnes Municipality
Parish (sokn)Church nameLocation of the churchYear built
FonFon ChurchFonc. 1100
RamnesRamnes ChurchRamnesc. 1100
VivestadVivestad ChurchVivestad1914

Geography

The landscape of Ramnes Municipality was dominated by the wide valleys of the river Aulielva. Around the village of Ramnes, the valley widens out into a large, cultivated plain known as Ramnessletta. Between the larger and smaller valley which generally went north-south are low, wooded hills. The hills are sparely covered with grass and trees, exposing weathered soil. The valleys are filled with a rich clay that is used for agriculture. The highest point in the municipality was the 399.97-metre (1,312.2 ft) tall mountain Snippane, located on the western border with Lardal Municipality.

Holmestrand Municipality was located to the north, Våle Municipality was located to the east, Tønsberg Municipality was located to the southeast, Stokke Municipality was located to the south, Andebu Municipality was located to the southwest, Lardal Municipality was located to the west, and Hof Municipality was located to the northwest.

Government

While it existed, Ramnes Municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities. The municipality was governed by a municipal council of directly elected representatives. The mayor was indirectly elected by a vote of the municipal council. The municipality was under the jurisdiction of the Horten District Court and the Agder Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Ramnes Municipality was made up of 25 representatives that were elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.

Ramnes kommunestyre 1999–2001   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 3
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Note: On 1 January 2002, Ramnes Municipality became part of Re Municipality.
Ramnes kommunestyre 1995–1999   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 3
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 10
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
Total number of members:25
Ramnes kommunestyre 1991–1995   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 2
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 5
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 10
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Total number of members:25
Ramnes kommunestyre 1987–1991   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Ramnes kommunestyre 1983–1987   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 7
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Ramnes kommunestyre 1979–1983   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 8
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Ramnes kommunestyre 1975–1979   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
Total number of members:21
Ramnes kommunestyre 1971–1975   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 3
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 10
Total number of members:21
Ramnes kommunestyre 1967–1971   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 8
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
Total number of members:21
Ramnes kommunestyre 1963–1967   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
Total number of members:21
Ramnes herredsstyre 1959–1963   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 9
Total number of members:21
Ramnes herredsstyre 1955–1959   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 7
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 9
Total number of members:21
Ramnes herredsstyre 1951–1955   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 4
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 9
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:20
Ramnes herredsstyre 1947–1951   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 4
  Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Radical People's Party (Radikale Folkepartiet) 1
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 11
  Local List(s) (Lokale lister) 4
Total number of members:20
Ramnes herredsstyre 1945–1947   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 6
  Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Radical People's Party (Radikale Folkepartiet) 1
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 13
Total number of members:20
Ramnes herredsstyre 1937–1941*   
Party name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 7
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 6
Total number of members:20
Note: Due to the German occupation of Norway during World War II, no elections were held for new municipal councils until after the war ended in 1945.

Mayors

The mayor (Norwegian: ordfører) of Ramnes Municipality was the political leader of the municipality and the chairperson of the municipal council. The following people have held this position:

  • 1838–1839: Tønnes Taralsen
  • 1840–1843: Georg Taylor Faye
  • 1844–1849: Frederik Ingier
  • 1850–1851: Hans Morten Thrane Esmark
  • 1852–1855: Hans A. Holdt
  • 1856–1863: Hans Moss
  • 1864–1865: Jørgen Forum
  • 1866–1869: Christen Hansen Ramnæs
  • 1870–1877: Ole Larsen Ramnæs
  • 1878–1887: Hans Knudsen Horn
  • 1888–1893: Karl M. Linnestad
  • 1894–1898: Even Flaatten
  • 1899–1913: Øystein Gåsland
  • 1914–1920: Anders H. Teien
  • 1920–1931: Hans Flåtten (Sp)
  • 1932–1934: Lars J. Bjune
  • 1935–1937: Thorvald O. Vivestad
  • 1938–1940: Ole M. Gran (Sp)
  • 1945–1945: Ole M. Gran (Sp)
  • 1946–1947: Asbjørn Sviland (Sp)
  • 1948–1951: Johan Borge (Sp)
  • 1952–1967: Lars Melbostad (Sp)
  • 1968–1987: Torstein Håland (Sp)
  • 1988–1993: Eva Lian (Sp)
  • 1993–1995: Johan Christian Haugen (Sp)
  • 1995–2001: Aasta Kari Holm (Sp)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Høgaste fjelltopp i kvar kommune: Tønsberg" (in Norwegian). Kartverket. 16 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "Norsk Lovtidende. 2den Afdeling. 1932. Samling af Love, Resolutioner m.m". Norsk Lovtidend (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norway: Grøndahl og Søns Boktrykkeri: 453–471. 1932.
  3. ↑ Helland, Amund (1915). "Ramnes herred". VII. Jarlsberg og Larvik Amt. Tredje del. Norges land og folk (in Norwegian). Kristiania, Norway: H. Aschehoug & Company. p. 393. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  4. 1 2 Thorsnæs, Geir; Lundbo, Sten; Mæhlum, Lars, eds. (13 July 2026). "Ramnes". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 23 October 2026.
  5. ↑ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  6. ↑ Statistisk sentralbyrå (1 January 1951). Norges Sivile, Geistlige, Rettslige og Militære Inndeling 1. Januar 1951 (PDF). Norges Offisielle Statistikk (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: H. Aschehoug & Co.
  7. ↑ Vabo, Signy Irene, ed. (4 February 2026). "formannskapslovene". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Jukvam, Dag (1999). Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå. ISBN 9788253746845.
  9. ↑ "Sammenslåing av kommuner, Ramnes og Våle kommuner, Vestfold". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges Kommunal- og regionaldepartementet. 1 January 2002. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  10. ↑ "Forskrift om sammenslåing av Tønsberg kommune og Re kommune til Tønsberg kommune, Vestfold". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges Kommunal- og moderniseringsdepartemente. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  11. ↑ Rygh, Oluf (1907). Norske gaardnavne: Jarlsberg og Larviks amt (in Norwegian) (6 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. pp. 129 and 135.
  12. ↑ "Civic heraldry of Norway – Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "Re, Vestfold (Norway)". Flags of the World. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "Godkjenning av våpen og flagg". Lovdata.no (in Norwegian). Norges kommunal- og arbeidsdepartementet. 30 January 1976. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  15. ↑ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (25 November 2024). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Foreningen Store norske leksikon. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  16. ↑ "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  17. ↑ Kommunestyrevalget 1999 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 2000. ISBN 8253748531. ISSN 0332-8023.
  18. ↑ Kommunestyrevalget 1995 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. ISBN 8253743351. ISSN 0332-8023.
  19. ↑ Kommunestyrevalget 1991 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. ISBN 8253737939. ISSN 0332-8023.
  20. ↑ Kommunestyrevalget 1987 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. ISBN 8253726325. ISSN 0332-8023.
  21. ↑ Kommunestyrevalget 1983 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. ISBN 8253720378. ISSN 0332-8023.
  22. ↑ Kommunestyrevalget 1979 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. ISBN 8253710836. ISSN 0332-8023.
  23. ↑ Kommunevalgene 1975 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. ISBN 8253705646.
  24. ↑ Kommunevalgene 1972 (PDF) (in Norwegian). Vol. I. Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. ISBN 8253701144.
  25. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967.
  26. ↑ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964.
  27. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960.
  28. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo, Norge: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957.
  29. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952.
  30. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948.
  31. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947.
  32. ↑ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938.
  33. ↑ Fiva, Jon H; Sørensen, Rune J.; Vøllo, Reidar, eds. (2024). "Local Candidate Dataset" (PDF).
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Ramnes Bygdebok (in Norwegian). Vol. 2–1. Ramnes kommune. 1970. pp. 28–30, 94, 172, 289, 361–362, 401, 445, 483–484, 561, & 663.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 Ramnes Bygdebok (in Norwegian). Vol. 2–2. Ramnes kommune. 1970. pp. 907, 915, 920–921, 1091.