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
This year, 2025, Bangor Cathedral and the City of Bangor is celebrating 1500 years since St Deiniol arrived in Bangor and made his home on the site where Bangor Cathedral now stands. This is a really important anniversary.
One of the ways in which we are going to celebrate is with a musical production called ‘Dinas Noddfa / City of Refuge’, which is being led by Ysgol Glanaethwy and their Artistic Director, Cefin Roberts.
The production will be in Welsh and will be performed at the Cathedral during the last week of August 2025.
We hope to form a choir from the communities around Bangor especially for this production and there is an open invitation to anyone to join the choir. Experience of having sung in a group or choir is desirable but not necessary. Dedication will be the most important thing asked of you!
Please do come and be with us and so be part of important celebrations in the history of our City and Cathedral, as we celebrate and look forward to the future.
We will be holding an open meeting for anyone who is interested in Bangor Cathedral on Sunday 26th January at 4.30pm. All are welcome.
For more details contact Robert Townsend: 07789 940049 or roberttownsend@churchinwales.org.uk
Thank you
Cefin Roberts (Artistic Director of Ysgol Glanaethwy and Dinas Noddfa / City of Refuge)
Event: Atgyfodiad Concert.
Date: 14 February
Time: 7pm
Location: Bangor Cathedral
Free Concert at Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral in Bangor
The musical tradition at Saint Deiniol’s Cathedral goes back hundreds of years. But in 1972, the building rocked to a new type of music – Christian rock, in the Welsh language. And over half a century later, it’s about to happen again on the 14th of February at 7pm as a free concert .
The old saying “the devil has all the best tunes” actually dates back as far as 1773, but it came back into the public conscious in the 1950s with the boom of rock ‘n roll music. In North Wales, however, four young people from Anglesey were determined to prove that rock music could also be dedicated to God, and could even be performed in the sacred space of Bangor Cathedral.
They were Arfon Wyn on guitar, Charli Goodhall on bass, drummer Maldwyn Huws and Dafydd Slade on organ. Together, they were “The Resurrection”, later changing their name to the Welsh equivalent, “Yr Atgyfodiad”.
Having gone through various name changes such as “The Swamp” and “Archimedes Principal”, The Ressurection became innovators not only in Christian rock but also Welsh language rock. They were ahead of their time – in the early 1970s, better known Welsh language rock bands like “Edward H Dafis” were yet to be formed, but The Resurrection were already bringing their unique blend of Christian teachings and heady progressive sounds to the youth of Wales.
They became one of the first Welsh language bands to be on the front page of Y Cymro newspaper, and played many memorable rock events such as Gwallt yn y Gwynt (Ap Sachlian a Lludw) at the National Eisteddfod in Haverfordwest in 1972. And they made history by becoming the first rock band to play in Bangor Cathedral.
The night was organised by the local branch of the Welsh YMCA. Lead guitarist Arfon Wyn recalls that the cathedral was brimming with the student and hippie element of Bangor at the time. Thankfully, both groups mixed well and enjoyed a set that comprised of melodic harmony based folk rock as well as more experimental progressive music.
The band’s performance was so energetic that they managed to blow one of their amps. Near disaster was averted when Arfon Wyn thought on his feet and asked if anyone had a spare. Miraculously, a long haired member of the audience dashed out of the building and brought a replacement from his van that was parked nearby. Maybe God approved of this music after all!
Following the success of the cathedral gig, the band’s fluid line up changed with Charli and Dafydd forming the band Children ,whilst Nia Edwards and Geraint Tudur joining the ranks of Yr Atgyfodiad that continued to gain a strong following with their energetic live set.
Their ambitious and catchy songs caught the ear of Dafydd Iwan and Huw Jones whose now legendary record label Recordiau Sain Records was in its infancy. The number of members also grew with people joining from other Welsh rock bands.
Former members of Tywyn band “Y Buarth”, Gwyndaf Roberts and the late Keith Snellgrove, came on board as the rhythm section along with Gwyndaf’s brother Dafydd on flute. Bethesda Born guitarist and former member of “Y Llwch” John Gwyn also joined the original quartet.
A trip followed to Monmouthshire's famous Rockfield Studio – later used as a recording venue by the Manchester band Oasis – where Yr Atgyfodiad recorded their sole EP, produced by ther Welsh singer-songwriter Dave Edmunds, known for the band “Love Sculpture” and the 1970 Christmas number one “I Hear You Knocking”.
Sadly, delays at the pressing plant and the fact that many of the songs were over three minutes meant that all important radio airplay was minimal. The rest of the band departed to form the progressive rock band Brân, while Arfon Wyn continued to blend progressive and folk rock with the band Pererin, winning the Can i Gymry competition in 1979.
As part of the Bangor 1500 celebrations as well as Dydd Miwsig Cymru (Welsh language music day), Arfon Wyn and a series of special guests will perform Yr Atgyfodiad and Pererin’s back catalogue at Bangor Cathedral on 14 Febuary at 7pm.
Download: poster
The concert is free, but please reserve a ticket in advance through: www.storiel.cymru
The band assure us that there’s no need to bring them a spare amp! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dathliadau-bangor-1...
The commencement of the St David’s Day celebrations when 18,000 native daffodils start to bloom in and around Bangor to mark each month since Bangor was founded in 525AD. 1st February (until 3rd March)
Event: St David’s Day Parade
Date: Friday 21 February
Time: Starting at 12pm. Parade at 1pm.
Location: starting from Storiel, High Street, Cathedral.
Activities for an hour, around Storiel, Pontio, and M-Spar and Neuadd Penrhyn, related to Dewi and Deiniol, start parading at 13:00 from Storiel around the cathedral, down the High street, stop to sing near the clock, then back through the Deiniol Centre back to the cathedral to sing some more.
Date: 28 February
Location: Council Hall
Event: St David's Day celebrations
Live music, Food & drink, Kiddies fun, Book Fair
Date: 1 March
Time: 1-7pm, Fireworks at 7pm
Location: Bangor Garth Pier
Event: Cathedral Choir CD of New Welsh Church Music
Date: Saturday 1st March
Location: Bangor Cathedral
Dance competition hosted by Gwobrau Dawns Cymru Awards in Pontio.
Date: 6 April
Location
Event: Artisan Market
Date: Sunday 18th May
Location: Bangor High Street
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
Date: 16 August
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
