A special Jamaican brunch brought people together at Penrhyn Hall recently to celebrate the first anniversary of Bangor’s One World Café and the friendship links between Bangor and Clarendon, Jamaica.
Special guest Jackie Pennant travelled from her home in Florida to join the celebrations and discussions about the future of the Building Bridges of Friendship project, which explores the shared history of the Welsh Pennant family and the community of Pennants in Clarendon.
The morning combined Jamaican hospitality with presentations marking several community milestones: one year of One World Café, two years of the Welsh Government’s Taith-funded Building Bridges of Friendship and Families Together projects, three years of civic links between Bangor and May Pen in Clarendon, and four years of Bangor’s Hot Meals Project.
Certificates were presented to recognise the dedication of the volunteers who keep One World Café running each Saturday. Thanks were also given to those who took part in exchange visits between Wales and Jamaica, helping turn shared historical interests into lasting friendships.
Congratulations were extended to The Bangor Aye on nine years of keeping the city informed through local news and information. Thanks were offered for its continuing support in sharing community stories, celebrating local achievements and helping people discover events and opportunities across Bangor.
Local councillors Dr Salamatu Fada and John Wynn Jones joined the celebration, alongside Councillor Delyth Lloyd Griffiths, Vice-Chair of Cyngor Gwynedd.
The contribution of Bangor University’s Hot Meals Project team and the societies that prepared hot meals at 3pm on Saturday afternoons to support people in need was also recognised.
During her visit to North Wales, Jackie visited local schools and Penrhyn Castle, where she met members of the North Wales Jamaica Society. The society’s summer workshops have shared stories from the Taith-funded programme, delivered in partnership with local social enterprise Learning Links International CIC.
Jackie’s surname provided a starting point for conversations about the Pennant family name, its connections with Wales and Jamaica, and the complex histories of slavery, emancipation and community identity. These discussions form part of an ongoing commitment to exploring shared history with honesty and respect.
The celebration also introduced Widening Horizons – Ehangu Gorwelion | Waadnin Wi Araizn Dem, a developing project connecting schools in the Bangor area with schools in Clarendon.
The initiative aims to help teachers and pupils in Wales and Jamaica learn together through local stories, heritage, language, music and culture. More information is available at horizons.spanglefish.org.
The morning highlighted how international exchanges can strengthen local community life, bringing fresh perspectives and opportunities to people of different ages and backgrounds.
One World Café returns on Saturday 31 October, from 10am to noon, at Penrhyn Hall, Bangor, near the bus station. Everyone is welcome to drop in for free tea or coffee, friendly conversation and information about local groups and volunteering opportunities. Local groups are also welcome to arrange a visit to share information or help run the café.
