This year, Bangor celebrates a remarkable milestone: 1,500 years since Saint Deiniol founded the city in a wooded valley by the sea. To mark this momentous anniversary, Gŵyl Ban Gor – Wattle Fest 2025 invites the public to rediscover Bangor’s deep roots in woodland culture through a series of inspiring events running throughout the year.

At the heart of the festival is the ancient art of wattle – woven hazel used for building walls, fences, and enclosures. In fact, Bangor itself takes its name from the upper, binding part of such a structure. This traditional craft, once vital to daily life, remains a powerful symbol of our connection to nature and our ability to work in harmony with the land.

Spring Highlights: Celebrate with Craft, Coppice, and Community

Join us this spring as we kick off the festival with two very special events:

🌿 Hurdle Making Demonstration

Saturday 17th May | Bangor Cathedral Grounds

Experience living heritage in action as master hurdle-makers Mike Bithel (Moelyci, Tregarth) and Tim Cumine (Gors Bach, Brynrefail) demonstrate the time-honoured technique of weaving hazel into strong, beautiful panels. Set against the stunning backdrop of Bangor Cathedral, their open-air “pitch” will be located on the grassy terrace where the Cathedral Grounds meet the top of Bangor High Street. Watch, learn, and be inspired.

🌱 Cathedral Coppice Planting & Blessing Ceremony

Saturday 17th May | 12:00 PM | East Grounds of Bangor Cathedral

A living legacy is taking root. With the generous support of local woodland owners, 24 hazel saplings have been planted in the Cathedral Grounds to form a new demonstration coppice—a dynamic, regenerative way of managing woodlands that supports incredible biodiversity. This planting is not just symbolic; it represents a commitment to sustainable practices and shared stewardship of our natural heritage.

To honour the planting, Reverend Neville Naidoo will lead a Coppice Blessing Ceremony at midday. All are warmly invited to attend.

The hazel trees come from a network of cherished local woodlands, including:

  • The Woodland Trust’s Coed Cadnant, Caernarfon
  • Hazel coppice on SSSI ffridd land at Moelyci, Tregarth
  • Cae Mabon retreat centre, Fachwen
  • Coed Tan y Graig arboretum, Pentraeth, created by designer Dan Bristow

Together, these contributions form the Cathedral Coppice—a powerful symbol of unity between people, place, and planet.

Looking Ahead: A Year of Celebration

Gŵyl Ban Gor – Wattle Fest 2025 is just getting started. As Bangor celebrates its 1500th anniversary, more events and workshops will weave together history, craft, ecology, and community. Anyone keen to contribute to celebrating Bangor’s wooded landscapes and rural craft heritage is welcome to keep in touch.

Get in Touch: 07772 136851 📧 admin@sticksunlimited.com