G A R Y WA L S H F R O M C A N D L E S TO D O O R WAY N U M B E R S
From Candles to Doorway Numbers: Erik’s Unconventional Birthday Celebration
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This strory recounts the heartwarming story of Erik Feddersen, a man who has a unique birthday tradition. Instead of adding another candle to his cake, Erik walks up Norton High Street in search of the house number that matches his age. In 2019, the BIPP member Gary Walsh met Erik by No81 and offered to take his annual birthday photo. They struck up a conversation, and the author posted the picture on social media, which went viral with many positive comments. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Erik and the author continued their tradition in subsequent years. The article concludes by sharing more about Erik’s life and his connection to Denmark.
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ost people on their birthday add another candle to their cake. Erik, however, heads further up Norton High Street to find the next house number that matches his age. I bumped into him in 2019 as he stood by No81 ready to take his annual selfie. We stood and chatted for a while, and he told me how this had become a bit of a tradition whilst his family continued to metaphorically shake their heads in unison at him. As luck, or fate, would have it, I was returning from an early morning meeting at a local school, and I happened to have my camera fitted with a 16mm lens in my hand. I asked him if I could take this year’s pic, and it would 24 the PHOTOGRAPHER / 2023 / Issue Two
be my gift to him. It was a beautiful morning and the light was perfect. I couldn’t get too close to him for fear of too much distortion, who knew that the following year, 2020, I wouldn’t be allowed to go near him. This is my only reference to covid. I asked Erik if I was ok to post No81 on social media. He agreed and told me he would pass this on to his family. Hundreds of likes later and he was going viral with lots of positive comments too. ‘He’s a straight up legend and the most bad ass grandad.’ ‘A great story accompanied by a great photo.’ ‘Unreal! What a great idea.’ ‘He’s my boyfriend, but don’t tell his wife.’ ‘Such a lovely fellow.’ (a selection of social media comments).
xperiencing happiness in simple pleasures and knowing that everything is going to be ok”
I wished him happy birthday, he shook my hand and thanked me. My reply was, ‘same time, different doorway next year.’ Sadly, No82 didn’t happen (see previous covid comment). Thankfully, No83, No84 and No85 have all been a joy for the both of us. I see Erik out and about in the village, but our 15 minutes together on the morning of the 28th March has become a special tradition for both of us. I keep telling him we’re going to keep this going until we get to the butchers on the green. Thankfully for the 2 of us, this is No122. I love a personal project. No client brief and all of the creative ideas are formed in the 15 mins that we’re together. Thank You Erik… Images © Gary Walsh
Here’s a bit more about wonderful Erik Feddersen. In 1959, hairstylist Erik came to work in the UK to learn how to speak English. He then had to return to Denmark to do 2 years national service in the Danish Royal Navy. Following this, he settled in the North East of England where he opened a chain of successful salons, met and married his wife and had 3 beautiful daughters. Smoking a pipe in Denmark in 1956 was quite a cool thing to do. 67 years later and it’s still one of his guilty pleasures. In one of the images, you’ll notice he’s holding the book Hygge this keeps him in touch with the Danish way of life, “experiencing happiness in simple pleasures and knowing that everything is going to be ok”. Issue Two / 2023 / the PHOTOGRAPHER 25
