Meldal is a former municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. The municipality existed from 1838 until its dissolution in 2020 when it joined Orkland Municipality. It was part of the Orkdalen region. The administrative centre of the municipality was the village of Meldal. Other villages included Løkken Verk, Bjørnli, Å, and Storås.

Meldal Municipality
Meldal kommune
Meldalen herred  (historic name)
View of the lake Frilsjøen
View of the lake Frilsjøen
Trøndelag within Norway
Trøndelag within Norway
Meldal within Trøndelag
Meldal within Trøndelag
Coordinates: 63°03′04″N 09°44′14″E / 63.05111°N 9.73722°E / 63.05111; 9.73722
CountryNorway
CountyTrøndelag
DistrictOrkdalen
Established1 Jan 1838
 • Created asFormannskapsdistrikt
Disestablished1 Jan 2020
 • Succeeded byOrkland Municipality
Administrative centreMeldal
Government
 • Mayor (2011)Are Hilstad (Sp)
Area
 (upon dissolution)
 • Total
613.37 km2 (236.82 sq mi)
 • Land592.97 km2 (228.95 sq mi)
 • Water20.40 km2 (7.88 sq mi)  3.3%
 • Rank#184 in Norway
Population
 (2018)
 • Total
3,930
 • Rank#233 in Norway
 • Density6.6/km2 (17/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
Increase +1.5%
DemonymMeldaling[1]
Official language
 • Norwegian formNeutral
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-5023[3]
WebsiteOfficial website

The municipality was most renowned for its mining activities at Løkken Verk, being the birthplace of the Orkla mining company, now Orkla Group. It was also home to the annual Storåsfestivalen music festival.

At the time of its dissolution in 2020, the 613-square-kilometre (237 sq mi) municipality was the 184th largest by area out of the 422 municipalities in Norway. Meldal was also the 233rd most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 3,930. The municipality's population density was 6.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (17/sq mi) and its population had increased by 1.5% over the previous decade.[4][5]

General information

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The area of the Storås Festival in Meldal

The prestegjeld of Meldal was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law). In 1839, the southern district of Meldal was separated to form the new Rennebu Municipality.[6]

On 1 January 2018, the municipality switched from the old Sør-Trøndelag county to the new Trøndelag county.

On 1 January 2020, the municipalities of Agdenes, Orkdal, and Meldal along with the majority of Snillfjord were merged to form the new municipality of Orkland.[7]

Name

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The municipality (originally the parish) is named Meldal (Old Norse: Meðaldalr) after its location in the Orkdalen valley. The first element is meðal which means "middle". The last element is dalr which means "valley" or "dale". Thus the name means "the middle of the valley".[8] Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled Meldalen. On 3 November 1917, a royal resolution changed the spelling of the name of the municipality to Meldal, removing the definite form ending -en.[9]

Coat of arms

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The coat of arms was granted on 5 February 1985 and it was in use until 1 January 2020 when the municipality was dissolved. The official blazon is "Gules, an ear of corn in a roundel voided embattled Or" (Norwegian: I rød, et gull kornaks i tannhjul). This means the arms have a red field (background) and the charge is the top of an ear of corn inside a gear-shaped circular ring. The charge has a tincture of Or which means it is commonly colored yellow, but if it is made out of metal, then gold is used. The design was chosen to symbolize the importance of local industry and agriculture. The arms were designed by Harald Ekseth.[10][11]

Churches

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The Church of Norway had two parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Meldal. It is part of the Gauldal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

Churches in Meldal
Parish (sokn) Church name Location of the church Year built
Løkken Løkken Church Bjørnli 1929
Meldal Meldal Church Meldal 1988

Geography

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The municipality of Meldal was located along the Orkla River in the middle of the Orkdalen valley. The lakes Hostovatnet and Svorksjøen were located along the northern border of the municipality.

There were five municipalities that bordered Meldal: Rindal to the west, Rennebu to the south, Midtre Gauldal and Melhus to the east, and Orkdal to the north.

The Løkken Station was the terminal station on the historic Thamshavn Line railway that used to travel through the municipality.

Government

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While it existed, this municipality was responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. During its existence, this municipality was governed by a municipal council of elected representatives, which in turn elected a mayor.[12] The municipality fell under the Trøndelag District Court and the Frostating Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

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The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Meldal is made up of 19 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the final municipal council was as follows:

Meldal kommunestyre 2016–2019 [13]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Joint list of the Liberal Party (Venstre) and Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
Total number of members:19
Meldal kommunestyre 2012–2015 [14]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
Total number of members:19
Meldal kommunestyre 2008–2011 [13]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 9
  Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre) and the Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:19
Meldal kommunestyre 2004–2007 [13]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 10
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
 Meldal List (Meldalslista)2
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 2000–2003 [13]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), and Liberal Party (Venstre) 5
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 1996–1999 [15]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 7
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 1992–1995 [16]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 8
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 2
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 1988–1991 [17]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Joint list of the Conservative Party (Høyre), Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti), Liberal People's Party (Liberale Folkepartiet), and Liberal Party (Venstre) 6
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 1984–1987 [18]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Liberal People's Party (Liberale Folkepartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 1980–1983 [19]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Liberal People's Party (Liberale Folkepartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 1976–1979 [20]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  New People's Party (Nye Folkepartiet) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) 1
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 1
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 1972–1975 [21]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 5
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 1968–1971 [22]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 1
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:25
Meldal kommunestyre 1964–1967 [23]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 16
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 2
Total number of members:25
Meldal herredsstyre 1960–1963 [24]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Centre Party (Senterpartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:25
Meldal herredsstyre 1956–1959 [25]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 15
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:25
Meldal herredsstyre 1952–1955 [26]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 14
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 3
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:24
Meldal herredsstyre 1948–1951 [27]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 12
  Conservative Party (Høyre) 1
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 1
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 4
Total number of members:24
Meldal herredsstyre 1945–1947 [28]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti) 2
  Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) 2
  Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet) 4
  Liberal Party (Venstre) 3
Total number of members:24
Meldal herredsstyre 1938–1941* [29]  
Party name (in Norwegian) Number of
representatives
  Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet) 13
  Joint List(s) of Non-Socialist Parties (Borgerlige Felleslister) 11
Total number of members:24
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

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The mayors of Meldal:[30][31]

  • 1838–1843: Ole Olsen Rigstad
  • 1844–1849: Christian Rambech
  • 1850–1853: Ole Olsen Rigstad
  • 1854–1859: Erik Torgersen Loe
  • 1860–1863: Johannes Ring
  • 1864–1875: Ole Ellefsen
  • 1876–1877: Rasmus Dombu
  • 1878–1879: Ole O. Steien
  • 1880–1883: Johannes Ring (H)
  • 1884–1895: Ole O. Steien (V)
  • 1896–1897: Rasmus Dombu (H)
  • 1898–1904: Ole O. Steien (V)
  • 1905–1907: Rasmus Hoel (H)
  • 1908–1910: Anders O. Grut (H)
  • 1911–1913: Rasmus Hoel (H)
  • 1914–1919: J.E. Grefstad (V)
  • 1920–1922: E.L. Staveli (V)
  • 1923–1925: Gunnar Ree (Bp)
  • 1926–1928: E.L. Staveli (V)
  • 1929–1934: Gunnar Ree (Bp)
  • 1935–1937: Ingvald Svinsås-Lo (V)
  • 1938–1941: Johannes Togstad (Ap)
  • 1941–1945: Thorleif Eie (NS)
  • 1945–1951: Johannes Togstad (Ap)
  • 1952–1956: Anders Kokkvoll (Ap)
  • 1956–1967: Johan L. Strand (Ap)
  • 1968–1973: Ivar Bolme (Ap)
  • 1974–1980: John Akselsen (Ap)
  • 1980–2005: Arne L. Haugen (Ap)
  • 2005–2007: Ingrid Skarstein (Ap)
  • 2007–2011: Ivar Syrstad (Sp)
  • 2011–2019: Are Hilstad (Ap)


See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. ^ "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. ^ Bolstad, Erik; Thorsnæs, Geir, eds. (2023-01-26). "Kommunenummer". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget.
  4. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå (2018). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-03-17.
  5. ^ Statistisk sentralbyrå. "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2019-03-17.
  6. ^ Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  7. ^ "Nye Orkland: Kommunene" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  8. ^ Rygh, Oluf (1901). Norske gaardnavne: Søndre Trondhjems amt (in Norwegian) (14 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 149.
  9. ^ "Norsk Lovtidende. 2den Afdeling. 1917. Samling af Love, Resolutioner m.m". Norsk Lovtidend (in Norwegian). Kristiania, Norge: Grøndahl og Søns Boktrykkeri: 1057–1065. 1917.
  10. ^ "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  11. ^ "Meldal kommune, våpen". Digitalarkivet (in Norwegian). Arkivverket. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  12. ^ Hansen, Tore; Vabo, Signy Irene, eds. (2022-09-20). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  13. ^ a b c d "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  14. ^ "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Sør-Trøndelag". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-20.
  15. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  16. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  17. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  18. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  19. ^ "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  20. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  21. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  22. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  23. ^ "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  24. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  25. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  26. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  27. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  28. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  29. ^ "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  30. ^ Grefstad, Ola (1937). Meldal heradstyre 1837–1937 (in Norwegian). Meldal kommune. pp. 54–56.
  31. ^ Havdal, Olaf, ed. (1972). Meldal bygdebok, bd. II. Bygdesoga frå ikring 1700 til våre dagar (in Norwegian). Meldal kommune.
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