Institute for Welsh Estates at Bangor University

Plans are underway to develop a research centre based in Bangor University which will focus on a variety of aspects relating to estates in Wales.  The Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates (ISWE) will aim to support research on land estates in Wales, to collaboratw on inter-disciplinary research projects, to organise conferences and workshops, as well as working with the heritage sector, schools and history groups and societies across Wales. 
 
On Friday 15 November a dinner was held for families who have donated estate papers to Bangor University Archives.  Following a welcome by Nia Powell, lecturer in Welsh History, with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Hughes launching the new Institution.Professor John Hughes (Vice-Chancellor), Einion Thomas (University Archivist and Welsh Librarian) drew attention to a selection of documents found amongst the fifty or so collections of estate papers housed in the University Archives.  Nia Powell (Lecturer in Welsh History) talked about the main aims of the institute and discussed the history of several estates in north Wales, whilst Dr Lowri Ann Rees (Lecturer in Modern History) presented an over view of the nature of estates in south Wales. 

According to Dr Rees:
“The research centre will not be limited to exploring local estates, but will also focus on the general picture across Wales and beyond.  We look forward to working with community groups and historians who have specialist knowledge of their local estates.”
 
For further information about the research centre, please contact iswe@bangor.ac.uk.  A photo gallery of the dinner is available here.

Publication date: 19 December 2013