The School of Environmental and Natural Sciences was delighted to host a gathering of many wonderful forestry alumni, former staff, current staff and students to the University to celebrate this momentous occasion, coinciding with the 140th anniversary of Bangor University.
Graduates from every one of the last seven decades attended, ranging from 1968 to 2023. Guests were warmly welcomed to the Thoday building – the ‘home’ of forestry since 1954. The programme included presentations by
- Shireen Chambers MBE FICFor (Honorary Fellow 2015; BSc Forestry and Soil Science, 1985)
- Geraint Richards MVO FICFor (BSc Forestry 1992).
- Morag Mcdonald, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Science & Engineering / Head of College / Professor of Ecology and Catchment Management
- John Healey, Professor of Forest Sciences
Guests were also able to gain insights into what studies are like for current students and recent graduates, through a round table discussion which was hosted by Michael Cresswell, FICFor, and which featured panelists Lamorna Richards (BSc Forestry 2022); Tonthoza Uganja (MSc Tropical Forestry 2019) and current PhD student; Jamie Pengilley, President of Bangor Forestry Students' Association (2024-25).
Attendees also enjoyed an exhibition of rare archive materials, a speech from the Vice Chancellor followed by an evening meal in Reichel hall and a visit to the spectacular Treborth Botanic Gardens hosted by the Curator, Natalie Chivers.
A total of 53 guests participated in the two-day event. We received lots of lovely messages shortly afterwards, including:
"It was a lovely atmosphere and the sights and sounds were so evocative and brought back many happy memories."
"I enjoyed the visit to Treborth enormously, it was so good to catch up with so many forestry friends!"
"What a hugely successful event you put on for. Everything worked out well and even the sun shone!! I particularly appreciated the student input and also the compliments the Vice Chancellor paid to forestry (and natural resources) on the terrace at Reichel. I’m sure we will have all left Bangor feeling that forestry is not only in good heart but in safe hands."
