The Rotary Club gives four benches
The Rotary Club of Hafnarfjörður has donated four benches to the town of Hafnarfjörður along the path up from Kaldárselvegur to Kaldársel. The mayor accepted the gift recently. The project has brought joy to many.
Memorial and motivational benches for walkers
The Rotary Club of Hafnarfjörður has donated four benches to the municipality of Hafnarfjörður, in addition to the six they previously gave for the walking and cycling path that leads up from Kaldárselvegur in Kaldársel. The Mayor accepted the gift recently at a meeting of the club in the Rotary Grove by the footpath where the benches are situated.
Mayor Valdimar Víðisson thanks the Rotary Club of Hafnarfjörður for the generous gift and the good cooperation. „We in Hafnarfjörður are extremely grateful for the good and strong cooperation with the Rotary Club of Hafnarfjörður. The club contributes to community projects, projects that benefit everyone. These benches certainly do.“
Benches with a story
The benches each tell their own story, allowing people walking in the countryside around Hafnarfjörður to pause, rest and enjoy memories of the past. The path they stand by is part of the Green Triangle, a collective name for a forestry and recreational area on the outskirts of the seven municipalities in the capital region. The benches are a tribute to the memory of many, and one of them contains a poem to enliven the spirit.
„The club aims to contribute to the local community, and this idea came up at a club meeting about four years ago,“ says Ingvar Geirsson, who stepped down as chairman of the club in June last year. He describes how club members wanted to adorn the footpaths in Hafnarfjörður with the benches and enlisted Jónatan Garðarsson to help them with the placement.
„He pointed out this path to us that runs up alongside Kaldárselsvegur,“ says Ingvar, adding that it was decided to put the Rotary Club's plaque on the benches and a memorial plaque underneath it. Níels Árnason of Hafnarfjarðarbíó is, for example, commemorated on the first bench. „He gave the club money and we felt it was fitting to use it for this gift.“
Ten benches in total
Two years ago, the Rotary Club first provided the City of Hafnarfjörður with six benches for the path. Now, these four have been added. The metal foundry Hella ehf. manufactures the benches, which are cast from recycled aluminium, while the seat and backrest are made from recycled plastic.
„So, in total, there are ten benches on the path itself and one by our glade, which is in the same vein. All the benches are marked as a gift to those who use the path. He describes how the decision was made to introduce a motto at Rotary meetings during his presidency.
„We decided to have a positive little description, something like: “A single smile can turn darkness into daylight.' The third shield is exactly that sort of motto, as are all of them. Words of encouragement for those who take their seat.“
A work that affected the descendants
Ingvar describes how a number of descendants of those commemorated on the benches also wished to take part in the project with a financial contribution towards the memorial plaque.
„It's such a fun and rewarding project that word got around. Many family members wanted to take part in this way and be involved in the project with us. But there has never been any obligation, and everyone has decided for themselves.“
The City of Hafnarfjörður and the Rotary Club made an agreement about the benches. „The City of Hafnarfjörður has replaced the sub-base underneath them. Then we install concrete foundations for the benches and bolt them down. The City then takes care of the finishing touches," says Ingvar. There is therefore very good cooperation on the project.
„I heard about a woman who was walking the path and said: “Now I can walk further and further because I have benches to rest on. Then the purpose of the work is achieved,'" says Ingvar Geirsson on behalf of the Rotary Club.
Where are the benches? The first one is just above the stables at Hlíðarþúfur. The next one is opposite Sörlastaðir. The third is at the turning for Hvaleyrarvatn. Then the benches are in a row towards Kaldársel.
Who are the benches dedicated to?
- bench
- Niels Árnason b. 1923, d. 2016
- Bjarni Þórðarson b. 1936, d. 2012
Every stage is the way to victory.
- bench
- Valgarð Thoroddsen b. 1906, d. 1978
- Stefán Jónsson, b. 1909, d. 2001
Experience the beauty of nature
- bench
- Guðjón Steingrímsson b. 1924, d. 1988
- Steingrímur Guðjónsson b. 1948, d. 2023
One smile can change darkness into daylight.
- bench
- Gísli Jónsson, b. 1929, d. 1999
- Skúli Þórsson b. 1943 d. 2008
Be cautious in the presence of the soul.
- bench
- Albert Kristinsson, b. 1926, d. 2016
- Sigurbjörn Kristinsson b. 1924, d. 2011
- Sigurður Kristinsson, b. 1922, d. 2005
May fortune be with you
- bench
- Trausti Ó. Lárusson b. 1929, d. 2021
- Thórður Helgason, b. 1930, d. 2018
Love is the driving force of life.
- bench
- Stefán Júíusson b. 1915, d. 2002
- Jón Bergsson b. 1931, d. 2015
May each day bring you beauty
- bench
- Guðmundur Friðrik Sigurðsson b. 1946, d. 2022
- Sigurður Þorleifsson b. 1948, d. 2018
Rejoice in a good day
- bench
- Björn Árnason, b. 1929, d. 2007
- Steinar Steinsson b. 1926 d. 2015
A kind word spoken today can bear fruit tomorrow.
- bench
- Helgi G. Þórðarson b. 1929, d. 2003
- Steingrímur Atlason b. 1919, d. 2007
Pause, enjoy the moment.
- bench
- Jón Guðmundsson b. 1929 d. 2002
- Jón Kr. Gunnarsson b. 1929, d. 2000
- Jón Vignir Karlsson b. 1946, d. 2017
Is that true?
Is it boyish?
Does it increase goodwill and friendship?
Is it for everyone's benefit?