A message from the Head of Development and Alumni Relations
"Welcome to the alumni e-newsletter under its new name, Bangoriad Bach!
Many of you may remember our printed alumni magazine ‘Bangoriad’ and we’re pleased to reintroduce the name to our e-newsletter, with “Bach” being the Welsh word for “Little”.
The first edition of ‘Bangoriad’ appeared in 1929, then called 'The Old Bangorian,' and was regularly published (with a few gaps, notably during WW2) right through to the 2010s. The name changed to 'Y Bangoriad' in 1968 and then 'Bangoriad' from 2001. The name still resonates with many of our alumni so we’re happy to bring it back!
I hope that you enjoy reading the latest from the University.
Wishing you all the very best for 2026,"
Emma Marshall
Head of Development and Alumni Relations
BANGOR UNIVERSITY NEWS
New Year's Honours for Bangor alumni
Huge congratulations to Bangor alumni whose hard work and achievements have been recognised in King Charles III’s 2026 New Year’s Honours list. They are:
Mark Williams PLY (North Wales Business Academy, 2021, and Honorary Degree recipient, 2024) – OBE for services to Prosthetics
Helen Glencross (Medieval and Early Modern History, 2003) — MBE for services to heritage in Guernsey
Sheena Harrison (Teacher Training, 1990, Social Policy, 1993, Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Social Work, 1997) — BEM for services to Young People in Foster Care
William Johnston (Theology, 2003) — MBE for services to the Rail Workforce
John Towers (History, 1991) — MBE for services to Education
Katy Woodington (Marine Biology, 1998) — MBE for services to the Charitable and Energy Sector
Also honoured with an MBE was Professor Julia Jones, a Bangor alumna and Professor of Conservation Science in our School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, who is widely recognised for her work on improving the effectiveness of nature conservation through developing and applying methods to evaluate the impact of conservation policies and practices. Professor Jones was invited onto BBC Radio Wales to discuss the honour and was surprised by a recorded message from former student and Strictly Come Dancing winner Hamza Yassin, who offered his congratulations!
£1.4m investment to futureproof Brambell Building
As part of a major rollout of energy efficiency projects funded through the Welsh Government’s Digarbon programme, the University has secured nearly £1.4 million to upgrade the Brambell Building.
Completed in 1971, the Grade II-listed Brambell Building is a notable example of brutalist architecture, designed by Welsh practice Sir Percy Thomas and Son. The building is named after Francis W. R. Brambell, Bangor University’s Head of Zoology from 1930 until his death in the 1960s. The new investment will fund a full roof replacement, upgraded mechanical and electrical systems and the installation of a modern building management system designed to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
Bringing Communities Together with the Bangor Fund
The Bringing Communities Together project has transformed student life in the School of Arts, Culture and Language. With support from the Bangor Fund – which is made up of donations from our alumni - students have enjoyed opportunities that enrich their studies, strengthen employability, and create lasting memories.
At the heart of the initiative are professional masterclasses across creative fields such as filmmaking, music composition, and TV directing. These sessions gave students direct access to industry experts, offering insights far beyond the classroom.
University museum collection gains full museum accreditation
The University’s museum collections have been awarded full museum accreditation. The Accreditation Scheme is the UK industry standard for museums and galleries. Achieving accreditation ensures that museums and galleries are managed to the nationally recognised standard, giving funders, lenders, donors and other stakeholders confidence that the museum has a solid foundation.
The University accredited collections include art, ceramics, zoology, geology, musical instruments, timber and damaged wood. These important museum collections were formed since the University was established in 1884. Bangor University is also the custodian of The Welsh Antiquities Collection (furniture, archaeology, textiles and social history) which is now held at Storiel, also an accredited museum.
Young Conservation Leaders
Bangor University, in partnership with the Conservation Foundation, is delighted to announce that three MSc students have been chosen to receive the Young Conservation Leaders Award. The awards support candidates with a demonstrable track-record of local innovation in conservation. These awards are designed to support short research projects, field studies or work experience and have been established to enable more young people to take up learning and development opportunities irrespective of their financial circumstances.
New scholarship to document Jewish medical contributions in Wales
A new postgraduate scholarship, the Goodwin Memorial Scholarship, has been launched to explore and record the achievements of Jewish medical practitioners in Wales. The initiative is jointly established by the University and the Jewish History Association of Wales and is funded through an endowment from the family of Gerald Goodwin, a refugee from Germany who practised as a dentist in the South Wales valleys.
Following a competitive selection process, Laura Henley-Harrison, postgraduate research student in Media has been awarded the scholarship. Laura will be supervised by Professor Nathan Abrams from the School of Arts, Culture, and Language.
Making the unbearable bearable: Reflections on the film "Joy"
Bangor Heritage College launches to inspire local young people
Bangor Heritage College was officially launched in November, marking the start of an exciting new project celebrating the city’s rich history.
Funded by Bangor City Council and led by Bangor University with support from external partners, the initiative blends online learning with real-world exploration. It offers children and residents of Bangor the chance to discover local stories, landmarks and people, learning alongside friends, family and their wider community to strengthen their sense of belonging and connection to the city. Participants can earn credits and certificates as they progress, with a graduation ceremony at the end of the year upon completion.
University partners with new investment bank
Bangor University is pleased to announce a new working partnership with CCLA, an investment bank that specialises in managing investments for charities, religious organisations and the public sector.
As a registered charity, Bangor University’s decision to work with CCLA will ensure that the University’s investments are handled responsibly with a bank who understand our financial needs. CCLA’s approach, which stems in heritage and mutual ownership, reflects Bangor University’s background and values and will ensure that donations from our generous alumni through the Bangor Fund and individual donations are handled in the best way.
For more information on how you can donate to the University, click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS - YOU'RE INVITED
Holocaust Memorial Day Service
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
10.30 - 11.30am
Powis Hall, Main Arts Building, College Road, Bangor, LL57 2DG
A service to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 will be held at Bangor University. The service will feature music and readings from local schools, members of the local community and council, the Students' Union, The Chaplaincy Team, and University Staff.
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2026, 'Bridging Generations', is a call-to-action. Bridging Generations highlights the crucial role of the next generation in preserving the memory of the Holocaust and carrying it forward. It highlights the power of intergenerational dialogue, of listening to those who came before us and of sharing those stories with those who come after. In doing so, we don’t just preserve memory, we connect it to the present. Generations invites us to honour each life, and honour those who left no family to carry their legacy.
This a free event, but please register your attendance in advance here.
Menai Suspension Bridge Bicentenary History Day
Bangor University and the Menai Bridge Community Heritage Trust are hosting a History Day marking the bicentenary of the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge on Saturday 31 January 2026.
The day will feature a series of engaging talks delivered by Bangor University academics and volunteer historians from the Trust. Together, they will explore the fascinating story of the Bridge—from its conception before 1826 through its 200-year evolution—highlighting the engineering triumphs and challenges faced along the way.
Brambell Natural History Museum Open Day
Bangor University's Brambell Natural History museum will be open on Saturday 14th February 11am to 3pm for a free, family friendly event.
This will be an opportunity to visit the University’s Natural History Museum, which is not usually accessible to the public, to learn more about the specimens on display. There will be a chance to ask questions of the students and there will be an activities corner for children of all ages.
The event is free, but please register your interest in advance here.
David Cousins Celebration Concert
Saturday 28 February, 7pm
Prichard-Jones Hall, Bangor University
Join us for a special concert honouring David Cousins, the visionary singer-songwriter and founding member of Strawbs. Very special guests Blue Weaver (Amen Corner, Strawbs, the Bee Gees), Cathryn Craig (the Righteous Brothers) and Brian Willoughby (Strawbs, Mary Hopkin) will join the Bangor University Symphony Orchestra and the Bangor University Chamber Choir to celebrate David’s timeless songs that helped define British folk-rock.
All proceeds from the concert will support the David Cousins Music Scholarship at Bangor University.
Tickets cost £20 (£10 Students and Under 18s) are available here.
Concert celebrating 200th birthday of Menai Bridge
On Saturday 7th March the University Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will join with Cantorion Menai to perform a concert celebrating the 200th Birthday of the Menai Bridge.
The two groups rehearse on opposing sides of the Menai Strait and are able to join forces thanks to Thomas Telford's impressive feat of engineering.
Programme:
Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage - Mendelssohn (Who came to sketch the Bridge in 1829)
Celtic Dances - Mathias (Resident of Menai Bridge)
A Sea Symphony - Vaughan Williams
Contact: joe.cooper@bangor.ac.uk
