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.

A unique sporting event took place on Saturday, 5th April, as Bangor Cricket Club (Wales) hosted their namesake counterparts from Northern Ireland in a friendly cricket match, as part of the wider Bangor 1500th Anniversary celebrations.

Picture shows (from left to right): Dr Martin Hanks City Director Bangor City Council, Gareth Edwards (Bangor Chairman), Johnny Parker (Northern Ireland Captain), Mayor Cllr Gareth Parry, Rob Marshall (Wales Captain), Peter McIlwaine (Northern Ireland Chairman).

An Eventful Day of Cricket and Community
Despite a slight delay caused by the ferry carrying the visiting team getting stuck at Holyhead Port. The match began at 2pm, and spirits remained high both on and off the pitch.

Bangor Wales batted first and put on an impressive total of 232 for 7 off 40 overs. With Nathaniel Scott and Jamie Grimshaw’s making their Bangor debuts, the standout performances came from Nathanael Scott (63 runs) and Franco Kasner (34 runs). For the visitors, Michael Skelly was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 26 runs.

In reply, Bangor Northern Ireland were all out for 126 runs in 24 overs. Jamie Grimshaw delivered a match-winning spell for the Welsh side, taking 5 wickets for 29 runs. Batting highlights for Northern Ireland came from Johnny Parker and Michael Skelly, who both scored 34 runs.

The match ended in a convincing victory for Bangor Wales, marking a fantastic start to their cricketing season and a memorable day for everyone involved.

Celebrating Connections Across the Irish Sea
This special fixture was part of the ongoing Bangor 1500 celebrations, arranged in conjunction with the ‘Bangors Across the World’ exhibition at Storiel. The Northern Irish team spent the weekend in Bangor, Wales, further strengthening the friendly relationship between the two clubs.

The Mayor of Bangor, Cllr Gareth Parry, attended the match, welcoming the visiting players and celebrating the spirit of community and international friendship.

Robbie Marshall, Club Captain of Bangor (Wales), said: “We’ve been wanting to arrange this match for several years, and we’re delighted that it’s finally happened. It was a great game and a perfect way to kick off our season.”

Jonathan Parker, Club Captain of Bangor (Northern Ireland), said: “It’s been a fantastic experience visiting Bangor. The match was played in great spirit, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Bangor Wales to Northern Ireland next year.”

A Highlight of the Bangor 1500 Celebrations
The match was one of many events as part of Bangor 1500, marking 1,500 years since the founding of the city. Alongside cricket, the celebrations include historical exhibitions, community events, and cultural performances.

The Bangors Across the World exhibition remains open at Storiel, featuring contributions from Bangor communities worldwide including new artefacts this week from Bangor, Maine (USA).

This cricket match not only showcased sporting talent but also highlighted the strong and growing ties between global Bangors, bringing people together through sport, culture, and shared heritage.

For more information on the exhibition and the full programme of Bangor 1500 events, visit Storiel and explore the story of Bangor’s enduring legacy across the globe. For full event list visit https://bangorcitycouncil.gov.wales/Events

Action shot: Northern Ireland's Conor Cox bowling to new Bangor Wales' signing Jamie Grimshaw.

Photo of Bangor North Wales and Bangor Northern Ireland Cricket Club teams.

Photo credits to Chris Dawson

For further information please contact Lyn Parry at Bangor City Council on 01248564168.

For any media enquiries, please contact Medi Parry-Williams on 07464097587.

Picture shows Dr Euryn Roberts from Bangor University, the Reverend Canon Tracy Jones from St Deiniol’s Cathedral, Bangor, and Dr Martin Hanks, Bangor City Council City Director.

Bangor City Council held a special ceremony on Friday, 28th February, to mark a historic agreement signed by Owain Glyndŵr.

This event celebrated 620 years since the historic agreement, The Tripartite Indenture, which is thought to have been signed on 28th February 1405 in the home of the Archdeacon of Bangor. The agreement was made between Owain Glyndŵr, Edmund Mortimer, and Henry Percy to divide England and Wales in their fight against King Henry IV.

The ceremony took place in the centre of Bangor at Penrhyn Hall and was attended by local leaders, historians, academics, and community members who came to honour Owain Glyndŵr’s legacy. The plaque was unveiled by Reverend Canon Tracey Jones, showing the city’s dedication to preserving and sharing this important part of Welsh history.

The event opened with a warm welcome from Mayor Cllr Gareth Parry, who highlighted the Council's pride in honouring this significant historical moment. He emphasized the importance of celebrating Welsh history and figures like Owain Glyndŵr, whose vision continues to inspire. After the unveiling, attendees engaged in discussions, shared thoughts, and enjoyed refreshments while reflecting on the occasion's historical significance.

A highlight of the event was a speech by Dr. Euryn Roberts from Bangor University, an expert in Welsh medieval history. Dr. Roberts spoke about Owain Glyndŵr’s remarkable life, his courageous journey, and his lasting popularity. He noted Glyndŵr’s vision for an independent Wales, his military tactics, and his inspiring leadership. Dr. Roberts explained how the Tripartite Indenture marked a crucial point in Welsh history, showing Glyndŵr’s desire for self-governance and his intention to change the political landscape of his time.

The plaque will serve as a tribute to Owain Glyndŵr, ensuring that future generations can learn about his contributions to Welsh heritage. It stands as a reminder of his role as a national hero and the importance of the Tripartite Indenture in shaping Welsh history. The location of the plaque was carefully chosen to reflect its historical significance, reminding visitors of Glyndŵr’s lasting impact.

Mayor Cllr Gareth Parry said: “"It’s important that we’re recognising this occasion as part of Bangor’s rich history.

“The Tripartite Indenture was a significant moment, and Owain Glyndŵr’s legacy continues to inspire. It’s nice that we’re able to commemorate this as part of the 1500 celebrations, ensuring that this crucial part of our heritage is remembered for generations to come."

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

For more information about the history of the Tripartite Indenture and Owain Glyndŵr’s legacy, please visit the Owain Glyndŵr website. www.owain-glyndwr.wales/tripartite_intentu...

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

 We are proud to announce that Storiel the Museum of Gwynedd in Partnership with Bangor City Council’s 1500 Celebration, M Sparc , Y Pethau Bychain , EECO and  North Wales Wildlife Trust , will be working together to provide a series of activities on Tuesday  May the 27th  in preparation for  THE Herds arriving in the UK at the end of June.

 THE HERDS is public art and climate action on an unprecedented scale – an ambitious coming together of culture and climate awareness .

From April to August 2025, ever-growing herds of life-size puppet animals will stampede into cities across Africa and Europe to flee climate disaster in a public artwork on a scale never before attempted. Millions of people will follow THE HERDS online and via social media, and participate in special events and performances in person along the 20,000km route, from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle.

THE HERDS unites leading artists and organisations committed to driving change. Key stops include Kinshasa, Lagos, Dakar, Marrakesh, Casablanca, Madrid, Barcelona, Marseille, Arles, Paris, Venice, Manchester, London, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Trondheim, culminating in a final event in the Arctic Circle.

As the Herds travel through the UK  from the 27th of June to the 5th of July with the impressive life like puppets appearing in London and Manchester. Working with Art Fund UK a total of 44 museums across Great Britain will be taking part each providing workshops and activities to raise awareness on a  UK-wide level  that will respond to the climate crisis and connect local communities with museum collections and the natural world.

Storiel will have two free  workshops to create insect puppets  on Tuesday the 27th of May in a specially erected marquee on Storiel’s Lawnt . Working with M Sparc designers and artist Elin Alaw these exiting family focused workshops will merge science and art together to create a vibrant puppets.

In addition to the workshops we will have stands by Enviromental Engineering company  EECO to discuss the ideas of insects as a protein source for livestock , whilst North Wales Wildlife Trust (that currently have an exhibition at Storiel (Beyond the Boundary : A case of Garden Escapers (exhibition running until 14.06.2025) will have activities around the museum to participate in.

This event is funded by the Arts Fund  . Tickets for these events are free and can be claimed through Eventbrite. A warm welcome to all .

11.00 am session: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-herds-gweithdy-...

14.00 pm session: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-herds-gweithdy-...