The Bramble couple from the UK had lived in the Netherlands for nine years and their children were on their way to adulthood. Julia had signaled that she was ready for something new. Her husband Iain saw a job ad and said “this is you”. The job was at Stegra in Boden. This is where they are now building their new life and dream home.
With authentic English Yorkshire tea at the large oak table from Holland, next to the painting that the whole family has painted together, everyday life starts for Julia and Iain Bramble. Their two dogs, Amiee and Georgia, skip with light steps out into the garden and towards the English Channel. But yes, this is in Boden. More precisely in Hedsvedjan, along a dead end road that is not even on google maps. Here, by the last streetlights, the Bramble couple have found their dream place in the middle of life.
They spent a few years as Brits in the Netherlands, where their children, now aged 20 and 22, grew up. Julia has worked in the steel industry all her professional life. Iain is an architect but stopped working when the children were young and took on the role of stay-at-home parent. Quite natural in Sweden but perhaps not in Europe 20 years ago. He is also a ceramic artist. And now, when the children are grown and Julia and Iain have a new large house of 172 square meters with a planned new garage that frees up new living spaces, he will fulfill his dream. A studio of his own, holding courses and eventually exhibiting his art.
THIS IS HOME
As their life story unfolds, a desire to travel and experience, support each other and be open to the new emerges. Let each thing have its time. Have a plan, but also seize new opportunities and dreams and make the most of life.
An entire wall upstairs, now undergoing a complete renovation, is filled with the family’s travel memories. New rooms are also being created for both children to make them feel at home when they visit. For Julia and Iain, this is definitely home already.
– Yes, this is really what feels like home now. When we visited where we come from and where we have lived before, we just felt that oh how nice to come home again when we were on our way home to Boden, says Julia.
THE DREAM HOUSE WAS WAITING
They have now lived here for six months. An intense one. Julia went straight to work at Stegra and Iain followed by car and moving van. Initially, they lived in an apartment in central Boden. But the plan was always to move here for good and find something of their own. The first thing they did was look for a plot of land to build their dream house. In their search for the right place, they stumbled upon an existing potential dream house already waiting for them.
– We were actually interested in the plot opposite. The same owner also had this house for sale, so we wanted to go upstairs to see what the view was of the plot we wanted. When we walked in, we felt that this is the house we should have,” says Iain.
The house dates from the 1930s and the couple have tried to restore some parts to their original state, but also built a new entrance, repainted and wallpapered. They are currently renovating the bathroom and will soon have a new garage in place. Before they have checked off the whole list of ideas, there will also be a renovation with a relaxation area in the basement and more work in the garden.
Until mid-October, Julia has been cycling to work at Stegra. Ten to 12 kilometers, one way, depending on whether she is going to be at Boden Industrial Park in Norra Svartbyn or at Boden Business Park in Sävast.
– In the Netherlands, I drove a car and if I took the highway it could take up to an hour. Every day I had to check the traffic situation to plan my route for the day. It’s wonderful not to have to do this,” says Julia.
Iain adds that if Bodenians think there is a lot of traffic now that Boden is growing, it is absolutely nothing.
ENJOYING LOCAL LIFE
His days are full of renovating the house, walking the dogs and juggling handyman visits with what he doesn’t do himself. And he’s also enjoying his new neighborhood life waiting on his doorstep.
– I like to run, and have been to several forts around Boden,” says Iain, who still runs in shorts in October.
– What, you get hot when you run, he says with a laugh.
The cold doesn’t scare him. However, they did raise a few eyebrows when the neighbors started bringing in the garden furniture in September in anticipation of the first snow.
HERE AND NOW MEETS HISTORY
One of the favorite places the couple often goes to with their dogs is nothing less than what is known as the English Channel, just a stone’s throw from their house. The place is a memory of Boden’s bygone days, when in the 19th century a British company would dig a canal to transport ore through Norrbotten. Today, it is instead green steel that is planned to be produced here in Boden. A completely different time and industry. But this time, too, history is being written, in a time that Julia and Iain experience as a new Greenfield, in the spirit of creating something new.
BREAKING NEW GROUND
Julia describes the difference here, compared to companies that have been around for a long time, as all parts of the new thing being created working together, for the same goal – “first coil”. The first green steel, breaking new ground, not just in Sweden and Europe but worldwide.
Being part of the new thing that is being built was the great attraction of taking the step to move here for a new chapter in life.
Julia’s role includes creating the new sales team, with the title of head of delivery and business process optimization. By the time production starts in 2026, she will have shaped the operational team and supply chain that both she and Stegra will need.
NEW TARGETS
Now the Brambles are looking forward to getting the house ready to celebrate their first Christmas here with their children who are studying in the UK. They will also continue to explore the area.
– We’ve never been this close to being able to ski slalom. We’re looking forward to being able to do it just 30 minutes away. And we want to learn cross-country skiing.
Iain is excited about his new studio and already has people interested in taking classes with him.
When asked if they feel this is where they will grow old together, the answer is “not impossible”.
TEXT: ANNA BERGSTRÖM
