2017 hasn’t been the easiest year, with continued austerity, many have found this year difficult financially and as a community we have also been saddened by the death of loved ones and inspirational local people, such as cancer campaigner Irfon Williams and community leader Paul Hockaday.

The one thing that’s kept us together during a difficult year is the great sense of community spirit we have in Bangor, families coming together and the community supporting each other in times of difficulty, helping out neighbours and helping the homeless.

The community spirit was clearly demonstrated recently when people came together to help a young Bangor mother, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, move into her new house with her husband and three children just before Christmas.

Volunteering is a big part of our community, and groups across Bangor work tirelessly to give our children opportunities and enjoyment. This hard work was recognised recently when Maesgeirchen Boxing Club were given a £2,500 community award to buy new equipment and Bangor Gymnastics club were awarded the title of ‘Welsh Gymnastics Club of the Year.’

The Bangor Community Group organised two fantastic events during 2017, during the summer Bangor Carnival, which this year moved to the High Street and also celebrated the 50th anniversary of The Beatles visit to Bangor. More recently the Community Group stepped in at the last minute to organise the Bangor Christmas Cracker, plans are already underway for next summer’s carnival.

The opening of the new primary school in Maesgeirchen was a huge boost for the community and the commencement of the Bangor Pier restoration project, which will secure the stability and safety of the Pier for future generations to enjoy, was fantastic news.

Local primary and secondary schools continue to flourish and Bangor University was awarded the ‘Gold standard’ in the UK Government’s new Teaching Excellence Framework, the only University in Wales to achieve this standard.

A number of local sports people continue to excel, in particular Bangor weightlifter Catrin Jones, who has been selected to represent Wales at next year’s Commonwealth Games and was awarded the Wales’ Young Sportswoman of the year Award.

Above all it is with the great sense of community spirit that we can look forward to 2018 with optimism.