It has been a busy period in at Bangor University, with preparations underway for the graduation ceremonies, taking place between 10-14 July. Congratulations to those who will soon graduate, including the singer and politician Dafydd Iwan and Trauma Surgeon Dr Pauline Cutting, who has been working at the Emergency Department at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor for many years, both will receive an honorary degree.
The second call of the University’s new Community Collaboration Fund closed in May. The fund has been established to encourage civic engagement activities with external partners. Eleven proposals in total have been supported, and some of the projects have taken place already e.g. an end of life / palliative care conference in the University, and a football themed visit to the University by over thirty displaced citizens from Manchester, organised in partnership with North Wales Dragons. North Wales schools are invited to consultation events on “Spaces for children and young people in the community” in Pontio on 18th July (primary) and 20th July (secondary). We look forward to seeing how the other proposals develop over the coming months.
On 5th July, another meeting of the University’s Community Board took place. A range of matters were discussed of relevance to the University and external partners in Bangor and beyond. The developments to improve College Park continue, with a public engagement event taking place in Pontio on 1st August: a warm welcome to everyone to come along and learn more about the plans.
The Pontio programme for the community continues with monthly Caffi Babis, and weekly yoga sessions, and dance workshops for individuals living with Parkinson’s.
A busy summer programme engaging with local schools and colleges continues. In May, the ‘Codi’r To’ performance included Ysgol Maesincla (Caernarfon) and Ysgol Glancegin (Bangor).
In June, Coleg Menai produced a movie showcase, and Ysgol Friars put on a performance of ‘Matilda’. Looking ahead to July, Ysgol David Hughes, Ysgol Glanaethwy and the Maes-G Showzone will perform on different dates, with RhythmAYE, a festival for families taking place on 22nd July. Pontio will also be supporting the Bangor Summer Festival, taking place on 19th August.
The M-SParc ‘On Tour’ location on Bangor High Street continues to thrive, with the site a popular place for students and locals to call by and take advantage of the working spaces, use the Ffiws Maker Space and attend workshops e.g. Repair Café for bikes, sewing machines or computers. ‘On Tour’ has now expanded to a Pwllheli site ahead of the National Eisteddfod. ‘Egni 2023’, an event to discuss the region’s strategic energy projects with an emphasis on engaging with local young people, was held in M-SParc in May. In June, an Open House event was held, providing local people with an opportunity to visit M-SParc and learn more about the exciting expansion plans.
Treborth Botanic Garden was busy and lively recently for the Draig Beats Festival, which took place on 10th June. On a lovely summer’s day, families and people of all ages took part in a range of activities and workshops and enjoyed the entertainment, with money raised for Dr Sophie Williams (former Bangor University staff member now living in care).
At the National Societies and Volunteering Awards 2023, Bangor University’s ‘The Tea Party’ was awarded second place in the Events category. The project connects student volunteers with older people in the local community, and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022.
The University took part in the Civic Mission Showcase event in the Senedd in Cardiff on 27th June. The event was an opportunity to show how Welsh Universities help improve the wellbeing of our communities, and focused on Universities work in the field of tackling poverty. The University’s work on food poverty and helping individuals via Bwyd Da Môn/Bangor was included in the agenda, and presented by Dr Eifiona Lane and Dr Rebecca Jones.
In late June, representatives from the University, including those from the Students Union, Business School, School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering and Civic Engagement Team, met with colleagues from Bangor and Gwynedd Councils to discuss ideas and opportunities to work together on the regeneration of Bangor city centre. In the context of the new Bangor Placemaking Plan, led by Gwynedd Council, the group will meet again to discuss the next steps.
The University has been active in a number of festivals, including a popular and lively stall at the Caernarfon Food Festival and Urdd National Eisteddfod. Looking ahead, preparations are underway for the University’s participation in the Tafwyl festival in Cardiff in mid-July, the Anglesey Show in mid-August and also the National Eisteddfod in Boduan in August. There’ll be a warm welcome to all to call by the University stall and have conversations with our staff. At its main stand the University will showcase a diverse range of activities, talks, panel discussions, and live podcasts, alongside our regular features such as the Alumni Event and Prosecco Afternoon with Llareggub Brass Band. Additionally, the University is the main sponsor of the Science & Tech Village at the Eisteddfod, where visitors can take part in a wide variety of activities from our science subjects and hear talks on local, national and global impacting research. A welcome to all to attend our ‘Bangor University and the community’ panel event on the main stand on Friday 11th August at 10-30am.
Preparations have also begun for the University’s first ever Community Day, taking place in the University on Saturday 14th October. This will be a free event and will have fun, educational and interactive activities, workshops and performances for children, families and people of all ages. Further information will follow, and please save the date: a warm welcome to all!
Ahead of the summer break, the University would like to wish everyone well for the summer holidays, and we look forward to updating you on the University’s work and relevant developments in the autumn.
