Bangor university students get their acts together for Conwy Festival

Bangor University Students’ Union’s societies turned out in force to take part and strut their stuff in the extremely popular Conwy Feast Festival. Bangor University Medieval Re-enactment Society, Bangor English Dramatic Society (BEDS) and Cadi Ha Morris Dancing Troupe were all invited to the festival after the highly successful Medieval Day Out in Beaumaris at the end of the last academic year.

There were a wide range of activities and things to see and do throughout the weekend, and aside from the university society’s participation, there were many other dance, music, performance and re-enactment groups providing entertainment and education for all. Not forgetting of course, the plethora of food stalls selling great food and drink from local and far and wide which really seemed to usher in the warming winter feeling.

Bangor University Medieval Re-Enactment Society set up a living history camp inside Conwy Castle and lived for the weekend in authentic 15th century style. From dressing in period fashions, to cooking authentic recipes, there was no shortage of educational displays to get the public involved and teleport them back in time. On top of the living history, there were of course, the battle and combat demonstrations, which fuelled the atmosphere with adrenaline and allowed the public to see re-enacted battle situations and tournament fighting.

BEDS were street performing at the festival had an array of acts going on throughout the town, and were dressed in true fairytale style and were as dramatic as ever. From telling jokes to selling relics they lightened up the spirit and brought a laugh to the festival.

Anthony Butcher, one of the students involved in organising the SU’s contribution to the festival, said: "After an amazing inter-society event in Beuamaris last May, we were personally invited to take part in the Conwy Feast - a massive food festival that takes over Conwy for a weekend, drawing in up to 30,000 people." He also commented about BEDS saying "All of the actors have done an amazing job, weaving a tale of misdeeds, entertaining families, and selling relics."

Daniel Goodall the Captain of the Medieval Re-enactment societysaid: “Our guys have done amazingly well and CADW officials were extremely impressed with our displays and educational entertainment at the castle”.

Overall the event was hailed a huge success for Bangor SU societies and the level of community partnership between students and the local population of north Wales only continues to rise.

Publication date: 26 October 2011