A couple who met at Bangor University in the 1990s have a bench dedicated to them on Bangor Pier, after finally marrying twenty years and three children later.
Pete Insole and Ruth Myers attended Bangor University between 1990-1993 and were always good friends throughout their time at Uni, before ‘succumbing to the inevitable’ on their last day in Bangor.
To celebrate their life together and their time in Bangor, friends of the couple decided to dedicate a bench to them on Bangor Pier as a wedding gift, when the couple finally tied the knot in 2013.
The couple are still regular visitors to the pier, where they can reminisce, enjoy the views and of course check-up on their bench.
Pete said: “We moved to Bristol to start our new life together but have always been drawn back to North Wales. In January 2002 we moved back with our then 2 year old daughter, Esther to Aberffraw and our second child, Jojo was born in Bangor that April.
“Before leaving again for Bristol we had a party celebrating 10 years of failing to get married at Hendre Hall. We did have some gatecrashers who asked Ruth if she was celebrating not getting married to anyone in particular. It was a good line for that time of night so we let them stay.
“In 2006 we had our third child, Reuben and in 2013 finally decided to get hitched. Our wedding rings were designed by a friend and feature the circular journey we have been making together between the Welsh mountains and the iconic houses on the hill in Bristol.
“The wedding took place at Beeches Farm campsite in South Wales and marking our 20th anniversary chose to have a 1920s theme with even the Humanist celebrant dressed of the era. We told all our wedding guests that after 2 decades together and 3 kids and all the stuff we have accumulated along the way that we didn’t need presents, just their presence.
“However, friends from our student days at Bangor, headed up by Sarah Ryan who still lives in the area, found an opportune moment at the wedding to present us with what at first appeared to be a photo of Bangor Pier, but on closer inspection we realised featured a bench that had been designated to us. It was such a beautiful, meaningful, inspired gift and we make sure that we return regularly to enjoy our bench on the pier.”
