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
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)
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
