To kick off, some little things about the host city of Stavanger, the 2008 European Capital of Culture…

1. Stavanger used to be called the ‘Herring Capital of Norway’

2. It is home to the NATO Joint Warfare Centre

3. It has the longest growing season in Norway of 220 days

4. It is home to the Norwegian Oil Museum

5. It’s name derives from the Norwegian for ‘Stick inlet’ – Stafangr

6. The 1084 meter Kjeragbolten rock is a favourite jumping off point for BASE jumpers.

Less plausible is that it is also twinned with Harlow in England, Massawa in Eritrea, Antsirabe in Madagasgar, Esteli in Nicaragua and Nablus in the Palestinian territories4BR

7. The local footy team is called Viking FK and they are currently managed by Manchester City old boy Uwe Rosler.

8. The main Stavanger Cathedral was built under the patronage of an English bishop called Reinald between 1100 and 1125 – not a bad job just before lunch then…

9. Stavanger University is home to 8,000 fun loving students who we are told, enjoy a very colourful night life…

10. Being a major oil city, Stavanger is twinned with Galveston and Houston in Texas and Aberdeen in Scotland.

Less plausible (and possibly with an eye on a nice all expenses trip away for the local bigwigs) is that it is also twinned with Harlow in England, Massawa in Eritrea, Antsirabe in Madagasgar, Esteli in Nicaragua and Nablus in the Palestinian territories.