Wednesday's Eisteddfod Activities - History, Music and a Reunion for former students and staff

The University Yesterday & Today

Coleg Bangor, Normal College, University College of North Wales.. do any of these names conjure up memories of your college days?  If yes, then the School of History, Welsh History & Archaeology at Bangor University would like to hear your memories at the National Eisteddfod between 12.00- 1.00 on Wednesday 7 August.  

Dr Mari Elin Wiliam, lecturer in Modern History said:

“We are keen to bring the past to life by collecting a store of stories about studying, socialising and perhaps protesting at Bangor through the decades.
For example, were you one of the few females studying on your course? Were you part of the protesting at Bangor during the 1960s and 1970s?   Perhaps you were a member of a popular band or on the Cymric Committee?   Did you write for the student magazines Ffenics or Bronco?   Perhaps you were among the first to live in a Welsh Hall of Residence or the first from your family to study at university?  

If you have photos or documents from your College days we’d love to see them.”

Lois Owens, an undergraduate student who is studying History with Journalism, will be pleased to share your memories. Lois is about to embark on the task of researching an extended essay on the language protests in Bangor during the 70’s.

She said: “I was inspired by an exhibition by Bangor University Archive, ‘Tynged yr Iaith’ in 2012, which illustrated the contribution made by Bangor University students to the national agitation and protests of the twentieth century.   
I hope the Eisteddfod will provide a good opportunity for me to come into contact with former students who were part of the ferment of the language campaigns within the College.  In the coming months I would like to arrange to meet and speak with the people who call in at the Eisteddfod, so that I can paint a vivid picture of Bangor in the 1970s in my essay.”

According to Dr Andrew Edwards, Dean of the College or Arts & Humanities, and author of Labour’s Crisis [2011]:
“As a historian who has specialised in the use of oral history while researching devolution and Welsh politics, I feel strongly that individual memories are essential to fill the obvious gaps in our understanding of modern Wales.  

I would therefore encourage former students of Bangor to call in at the University’s stand at the Eisteddfod to give their viewpoint on college life in the past.  This will assist in throwing new light on research areas that are of interest to myself and my colleagues, such as the history of campaigning and political activism, nationalism and social change in Wales.”

Members of staff from the School of History will be on the stand between 12.00 and 1.00 on Wednesday, 7 August, so call by for a chat before the Alumni reunion which begins at 2.00.

Also happening on Wednesday:

Reunion

A ‘new tradition’ has established iteslf at the Eisteddfod in recent years. Some of the universities hold reunions  for their former students visiting the Eisteddfod the Maes on the Wednesday, and that’s the case again this year.

Former staff and students can call in at Bangor University’s stand after 2.00 on Wednesday to meet old friemds and share memories with contemporaries.

Music:  Our nation’s Third language?

Ensemble Cymru and the University’s School of Music  ar hosting a public debate at 10.30 Music:  Our nation’s Third language? (in Welsh with translation facilities).  All are welcome to attend and voice their opinions about music in Wales.

Publication date: 2 August 2013