It has been a busy period at Bangor university, with preparations underway for the graduation ceremonies, a highlight in the university calendar taking place between 6-10 July. Congratulations to those who will soon graduate!
In May, three projects were awarded funding by the university’s Community Fund. The fund, established in 2023, helps to strengthen partnerships or kickstart collaborations between university staff and external partners. The three new projects involve colleagues from the Albert Gubay Business School to bring together regional stakeholders and SMEs to consider emerging economic and job creation opportunities; Dr Perpetua Ifiemor (School of Environmental and Natural Sciences) to host an international workshop in Caernarfon to bring together community food groups, redistribution practitioners and academics to look at food security and distribution; and Lois McGrath (Quality and Standards, Professional Services) to hold a ‘Community Learning and Progression Pathways’ celebration event on 2nd July to recognise the achievements of community and lifelong learners.
The university had a very successful week in the National Urdd Eisteddfod, held on Ynys Môn/Anglesey on 23-29 May. The university stand was busy throughout the week, with a programme including a panel session for Welsh learners; performances by the bands Connemara and Ella Wedyn and the JMJ Choir; a visit by Pontio’s famous therapy dog Sion Telor; a drop-in session by the Gwynedd-Ynys Môn Public Services Board; a session on accents and identity in minority languages; a literacy day run in partnership with CAL:ON Cymru (a national bilingual literacy initiative); Caffi Babis sessions for young ones; regular use of the stand piano by school groups; and plenty of fun and educational activities for children and young people. University staff were supported on the stand by first year Childhood and Youth Studies students, as part of their Enterprise and Innovation module.
The university stand also welcomed the new First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth MS; Anna Brychan MS, the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language; and Cefin Campbell MS, the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education. Colleagues from the university’s academic schools, including the School of Psychology and Sport Science, North Wales Medical School, M-SParc, School of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Health Sciences and School of Ocean Sciences, were also based in GwyddonLe, the science stand run by Swansea University.
Bangor alumni Katie Baddiley won the Bobi Jones Medal for Welsh learners aged 19 to 25, whilst current Bangor student Aeron Dafydd won the under 25 poetry competition. The university and North Wales Medical School sponsored the Eisteddfod’s Medical Essay, which was won by Nanw MacIntyre Huws, Ysgol Brynrefail. The Eisteddfod Chair was designed by Rhiannon Williams of DEWIS Architecture, a longstanding tenant company in M-SParc. A very successful week with lovely sunshine throughout, and congratulations to all competitors and the organisers, particularly Dr Manon Wyn Williams (School of Welsh) as Chair of the Working Committee, for ensuring a well-run and successful Eisteddfod.
‘Ar Geinioga’, the Theatr Bara Caws drama (written by Dr Manon Wyn Williams) on the life of Sir Harry Reichel, the first principal of the University College of North Wales, took place between 26th May and 6th June and was performed at the university, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Pwllheli and Denbigh.
On 30-31 May, the university hosted a Community Sports Series event. The Canolfan Brailsford event, organised by Help for Heroes, gave veterans and their families the chance to try adaptive sports including wheelchair basketball, boccia and walking football.
In June, a new arrangement began between the university and the Royal British Legion (RBL) branch in Bangor. Following a query from the RBL to open up the North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch on a more regular basis, the university has arranged for the Arch to be open once a month on Saturday afternoons. The new arrangement allows the public to visit the Arch, which commemorates over 8500 soldiers, sailors and airmen from the counties of north Wales and Powys who died in the First World War.
In June, one project was awarded funding by the Bangor student bursary scheme. The scheme, launched in 2025, is funded by Bangor City Council and provides students with the opportunity to undertake research on themes that align with the City Council’s priorities and ambitions. With four projects supported in 2025, the project supported in 2026 focuses on the regeneration of Bangor city centre, led by Eliana Caragia.
The university is also working with Bangor City Council on the next edition of the Bangor Science Festival. The festival will be held on 19-21 November with further details to follow.
Undeb Bangor, Bangor Students’ Union, continues to work with Bangor City Council on the Hot Meals Volunteering Project. The student-led project, held every Saturday afternoon in Penrhyn Hall (Bangor City Council), began in September 2023 and continues to support anyone who needs a hot, nutritious meal.
The latest Brambell Natural History Museum Open Day took place on 13th June. The event provided an opportunity for the public to visit the museum and learn more about the specimens on display. The next Open Day is scheduled for 12th September.
Pontio continues to be a busy hub for the community. ‘BLAS‘, Pontio’s arts participation initiative, has many projects on the go including a session in Uned Heulwen at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Chat a Chill for young people, and the BLAS drama classes members performed their annual show – called, Cysgodion, in Theatr Bryn Terfel in April. In May, Pontio welcomed the first Craidd production, a partnership between Pontio, Theatr Clwyd, Torch Theatre and Sherman Theatre to tour fully accessible productions across Wales. Theatr Clwyd’s Under Milk Wood, had eight performances across two weeks and was enjoyed by hundreds in Theatr Bryn Terfel – the last stop of the hugely successful tour.
In June, two north Wales films were on the big screen with special previews of both Madfabulous and Effi o Blaena. On 3rd June a preview of Madfabulous was held, a film about the life of the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, with a Q&A session with the director Celyn Jones. On 18th June a preview of Effi o Blaena was held. Gary Owen’s acclaimed monodrama Iphigenia in Splott, ‘Effi o Blaenau’ is Marc Evans’ cinematic adaptation set in north Wales starring Leisa Gwenllian followed by a Q&A with director Mark Owen.
Looking ahead, the Theatr Cymru/Theatr Arad Goch production for children, ‘Dosbarth Miss Prydderch a Lleidr y Llesiau’, will take place on 2-4 July; the annual RhythmAYE, a day of free events on 18th July; and the Maes-G ShowZone ‘Our Big Variety Show: Step in Time’ will take place on 25-26 July.
M-SParc also continues to be a hive of exciting developments, activities, and events. On 4th June, M-SParc hosted the official launch of the North Wales Patent Library. The new service provides practical support and guidance on Intellectual Property Rights to SMEs, innovators and researchers.
Clwb Sparci continues to provide opportunities for local school pupils: the ‘Island Energy: The Superhero Energies’ workshop took place on 11th June. M-SParc’s On Tour sites also continue to provide opportunities for local people: the Digital Illustration Essentials workshop took place in Bangor on 16th June, whilst the Canva for Marketing (beginners) workshop takes place on 30th June.
Looking ahead, M-SParc will host SparcX, the careers and networking event for students, employers, job seekers, graduates and companies, on 16th July.
On 26th June, local Year 11 and 12 school pupils were invited to participate in the Investment Challenge 2026. Hosted by the Albert Gubay Business School, pupils were invited to test their decision-making skills by taking part in a virtual stock market challenge.
Spring and early summer have been a busy and vibrant time at Treborth Botanic Garden, with the garden looking particularly beautiful as the collections, woodland and meadows have burst into colour. The Garden has welcomed visitors to a wide range of events and activities over recent months. Public guided walks have been very popular, including a Welsh-language nature walk, while ecologist Anna Williams led a fascinating wildflower walk exploring Treborth’s rich meadow flora. The Garden has also hosted a variety of workshops, including regular botanical art classes, a plant photography workshop, and the North Wales Alpine Garden Show.
The Friends of Treborth Botanic Garden have continued to organise an excellent programme of events, including the Len Beer Memorial Lecture, moss walks and workshops, garden visits, and the famous Spring Plant Sales. The plant sales were a great success, raising valuable funds to support the Friends and the work of the garden.
Nature Keen has also been making the most of Treborth’s calming spaces, hosting a range of wellness walks and foraging sessions that have encouraged participants to connect with nature and improve their wellbeing.
Meanwhile, the Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) project is entering its final phase ahead of completion at the end of June. Final works include the installation of new forest bathing seating areas and the restoration of the historic Victorian cascade, originally designed by Sir Joseph Paxton.
The university is supporting the 2026 UEFA men’s European Under 19 Championship, taking place in north Wales between 28 June – 11 July. With games taking place at the Bangor City Stadium in Nantporth, the Ukraine team are using the university’s sports facilities at Treborth to prepare.
Looking ahead, the university will be attending the National Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire on 1-8 August. The university stand will have activities, talks, presentations and more: a warm welcome to all if you’re visiting! The university will also support the Bangor Summer Festival on 15th August, with the university’s Dean Street car park part of the festival layout. The next university Open Days will take place on 4th July and 16th August.
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.
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