Photo shows from left to right, Byd Bach Events Co-Founder Ceri Bostock, Dr Martin Hanks from Bangor City Council, Sion Eifion Jones from Adra Tai Cyf and Byd Bach Events Co-Founder Chloe Ellis.

Byd Bach Events is thrilled to announce its inaugural Community Interest Project, the Wales Dance Awards Competition 2025, which will take place on Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 11am at the renowned Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Bangor.

This exciting event is a proud part of the Bangor 1500 anniversary celebrations, highlighting the city’s rich cultural heritage through the power of dance.

Thanks to the generous support of Bangor City Council, Pontio, and Adra Tai Cyf, Byd Bach Events is able to bring this long-held dream to life, providing an incredible platform for up to 500 young dancers from across Wales to showcase their talent.

Schools and dance groups are invited to take part in this spectacular competition, offering a perfect day out for pupils, their families, teachers, and friends. The event includes:

Medals for every child participating
Trophies awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place
Separate categories for mainstream schools and dance schools/groups

With limited spaces available, early registration is encouraged. Schools can secure their place with a low deposit and register by emailing bydbachcic@hotmail.com or sending a direct message.

Participation is just £10 per dancer, making this an affordable opportunity for young performers to experience the thrill of performing on a professional stage.

Co-Founders of Byd Bach Events Ceri Bostock and Chloe Ellis said: “We are incredibly proud and grateful to be arranging this event.

“This has been a dream of ours for years, and we are honoured to have it included in the Bangor 1500 celebrations. This is just the beginning of many community-driven projects that will bring arts and culture to the heart of our city.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to celebrate dance, creativity, and community spirit in Bangor. Register your place now by Thursday 20th February!!’’

Dr Martin Hanks, Director at Bangor City Council shared ‘we are extremely proud to be supporting this fantastic event for young dancers whilst creating something unique for Bangor as part of the 1500 celebrations this year’.

For further information, please contact:

Byd Bach Events via email at bydbachcic@hotmail.com or follow the Facebook Event Page: https://fb.me/e/3WMjXQy33

Bangors Around the World: A Global Journey Comes to Storiel in 2025
The city of Bangor is about to embark on a groundbreaking journey—one that spans continents, cultures, and centuries. The "Bangors Around the World" exhibition will officially launch at the Storiel Gallery in Bangor, Gwynedd, on 21st January 2025, celebrating the shared history and unique identities of every Bangor across the globe.

This unique small exhibition, housed in Storiel’s Community Exhibition Cabinet, bridges vast distances, uniting Bangors from all corners of the world in one intimate space. Visitors can explore over a dozen Bangors, from the rolling hills of Wales to the vibrant coasts of the United States, the scenic plains of Canada, and the rugged landscapes of Australia. The exhibit will feature photographs, historical accounts, and personal stories from Bangors far and wide.

An Ever-Changing Experience
The exhibition has been designed to evolve throughout the year, with new Bangors being showcased every month. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the unique stories behind each Bangor and explore how these communities—spread across the globe—share both a name and a sense of pride. Alongside the visual displays, a comprehensive write-up for each Bangor will be available in a file situated next to the exhibit. Visitors can also take home free handouts, allowing them to delve further into the history of these fascinating places.

A Journey of Discovery
The creation of this exhibition has been nothing short of an adventure. In assembling this unique collection, Bangor City Councillor, Eirian Williams Roberts, spent countless hours researching, contacting, and collaborating with residents, historical societies, teachers, and even government officials from Bangors in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

"It’s been such an incredible journey," Cllr Williams Roberts shares. "I’ve learned so much, not just about the other Bangors, but also about the people who call them home. The stories, the histories, and even the day-to-day lives of people in these Bangors are so fascinating. It’s a privilege to be able to bring all this together in one place for others to enjoy."

"One of the questions people often ask is, ‘How many other Bangors are there, and where are they?’ It’s been so rewarding to finally be able to answer that question—and to share the stories of these unique places with the people of our own Bangor here in Gwynedd."

The research process also led to many personal connections. "Everyone I spoke to shared a deep sense of pride in their Bangor," Eirian explains. "Whether they live in Bangor, Gwynedd, or Bangor, Maine, the connection to the name and its history unites us in a way that transcends borders. I’ve made new friends along the way, and their passion for celebrating their own communities has been truly inspiring."

A Celebration of Shared Identity
This small but powerful exhibition isn’t just about geography—it’s about connection. Each Bangor tells a unique story of resilience, progress, and community spirit, yet all share common threads of pride and identity. From the Welsh settlers who carried the name Bangor to new worlds, to modern-day Bangorians celebrating their shared heritage, this exhibition is a tribute to the enduring legacy of the name.

"It’s been a lot of hard work pulling everything together but seeing it all come to life in this exhibition has been worth every moment," says Eirian. "I’m really proud of what has been achieved, and I hope that people enjoy exploring the stories of these Bangors as much as I’ve enjoyed discovering them."

A Warm Welcome to All
The Bangors Around the World Exhibition is open to all and will run throughout 2025. With its ever-changing displays, it’s the perfect excuse to visit Storiel more than once and follow this global journey across the year.

Come celebrate the spirit of Bangor—wherever in the world it may be—and experience how one small exhibition can bring together stories from across the globe.

Location: Storiel Gallery, Bangor, Gwynedd
Dates: Throughout 2025
Opening Times: 11-5, Tuesday – Saturday

For more information, contact Storiel:

Phone: 01248 353 368
Email: storiel@gwynedd.gov.uk
Website: www.storiel.org

Event: Garth Pier’s Birthday Party
Join us on the pier on Sunday May 18th for Bangor Garth Pier’s Birthday Party!
Live music - Food and drink stalls - Kiddies fun

Date: Sunday 18th May
Time: 12pm to 5pm
Location: Bangor Garth Pier
Cost: Adults £2 children £1 entry

A spectacular military parade will take place in Bangor on Thursday, May 29, as a key highlight of the city’s 1500th Anniversary Celebrations, marking one of the most ambitious and significant civic events in recent memory.

The parade will begin at 11.30 am at the War Memorial, Glanrafon, proceed down the high street and Dean Street and will include a formal salute at 12 noon by the town clock, before ending back at the Storiel playing fields at 12.30 pm.

Among those marching will be just under 200 serving soldiers and airmen from RAF Valley, joined by veterans and cadets, some travelling from bases in London, Catterick, and Cardiff. Their presence reflects not only military excellence but also a spirit of national unity and pride.

A planned low-pass over the high street to coincide with a Mayoral from RAF Valley, weather permitting, will add a dramatic aerial element to the events. Adding to the spectacle, the Royal Welsh and Regimental Goat will lead the parade followed by the elite of military musicians, the Army Band travelling from Catterick, Yorkshire. The Welsh Guards were granted the Freedom of the City of Bangor in 2014, further deepening their historic connection with the city and the Royal Welsh and RAF Valley in subsequent years.

The parade has been two years in the planning, coordinated in collaboration with numerous organisations to ensure its scale and significance reflect the importance of Bangor’s 1500-year milestone.

Following the parade, the celebrations will continue with a Family Fun Day at Tal y Fynwent and outside Storiel, offering entertainment and activities for all ages.

Organisers have also confirmed that Wrexham Lager is proudly supporting the event as the main sponsor.

Welsh Guards Regimental Adjutant Lt. Col. Guy Bartle-Jones said yesterday: ‘What Bangor City Council has achieved in pulling together such a grand military salute to the City’s 1,500-year anniversary is quite unique and highly commendable.

“Three of the marching units, the Welsh Guards, Royal Welsh and RAF Valley are already proud to be Freemen of the City, but others parading are equally delighted to have been invited not least the Army Band from Catterick who will be standing in for our own Welsh Guards Band so sadly diverted to other ceremonial duties.

This parade has been two years in the planning and Bangor has demonstrated amazing fortitude in overcoming many unforeseen changes to plan during that period. But what’s so pleasing to me is that the few minor gaps in the order of march will be filled with an amazing number of Army and Air cadets from across North Wales who are so full of enthusiasm to be part of it.’’

He added: “On a personal level, I really look forward to travelling back up to Bangor where the Welsh Guards along with the Royal Welsh have a very strong and proud family of Veterans and affiliation of the City of Bangor. Both our Regiments have Colours laid up in the Cathedral.

A contingent of 60 officers and Guardsmen of The Welsh Guards will travel to Bangor for the event along with a small contingent from their Wellington Barracks Regimental headquarters in London.

Last year, the newly repaired Bangor City Mace was paraded and saluted outside Buckingham Palace by the Welsh Guards.’’

Dr Martin Hanks, City Director at Bangor City Council added;

‘We are immensely proud to see Bangor host such a meaningful and significant event. The time, effort and dedication shown by key partners have been fantastic and for that we are extremely grateful. The Parade is not just a celebration of service, but a reflection of the deep respect and unity within our city. Join us for this historic occasion as Bangor honours its past and looks forward to its future’.

Picture shows Welsh Guards in Bangor, 2017.
Photo credits: Dawn Hughes

For further information please contact Lyn Parry at Bangor City Council on 01248564168.
For any media enquiries, please contact Medi Parry-Williams on 07464097587.

Tickets

Medievel festival showcasing three time periods, each of which has a significance to the city. 1190 on the Cathedral grounds, 1400 on Storiel grounds and 1640 in Tan y Fynwent. Heneb will be involved discussing excavations around the Bishop’s Palace as well as others in and around Bangor.

Date: 20 - 21 June

Self-defence exhibition in the marquee by Gwynedd a Mon Budosai, including a taster session for children of all ages.

Date: 26 July

Gwyl Haf
Bangor Summer Festival 2025
Date: 16 August
Location: Bangor City Centre
FREE entry

Get ready for the biggest, boldest, most feel-good day of the year. Bangor Summer Festival isn’t just another event — it’s a full-blown celebration of our city, our community, and everything that makes Bangor brilliant right now.

From the bustle of a sprawling street market to the buzz of thrill rides, from laugh-out-loud family shows to unforgettable live music — this is a festival that transforms the entire city centre into a playground of colour, sound, and non-stop entertainment.

Expect jaw-dropping walkabout characters, magical performances, hands-on fun for kids, mouth-watering street food, and a main stage packed with energy from midday ‘til late. There are joyful surprises around every corner — and best of all, most of it won’t cost you a penny.

Whether you’re three, thirty, or just young at heart, this is your invitation to step out, join in, and make the kind of memories that Bangor will be buzzing about for years to come.

If you only do one thing in Bangor this summer – make it this.

Event: City of Refuge - Theatre Production

Date: Friday 29th & Saturday 30th August

Location: Bangor Cathedral

Event: St Deiniol's Day

Date: Thursday 11th September

Location: Bangor Cathedral

Event: Live Worship on Radio 4

Date: Sunday 14th September

Location: Bangor Cathedral

Event: Diocesan Celebration and Conference

Date: Saturday 4th October

Location: Bangor Cathedral

Date: 17 - 18 October
Location: Pontio and University

Date: 5 November
Location: TBC