Held at Pontio, Bangor University’s Main Arts Building, Storiel and Bangor Cathedral, the two-day festival promises a rich programme of workshops, discussions, interactive exhibitions, and guest talks, all designed to bring Bangor’s extraordinary history to life.
The daytime event on 18th October is free and open to the public, with bilingual programming in Welsh and English to reflect the city’s cultural roots.
Headline Talks with Greg Jenner and Kate Williams
A highlight of the festival’s evening programme on both days, will be two headline talks: Greg Jenner, the British public historian, best-selling author, and broadcaster, will deliver “Ask a Historian: An Evening with Greg Jenner”, bringing history to life with his trademark humour and insight, while historian, broadcaster, and best-selling author Professor Kate Williams will present “Queens, Castles and Welsh Heroines: Secrets Behind The Castle Walls”, uncovering the powerful stories and legacies of remarkable women in Welsh history. Tickets are on sale on the Pontio website, and tickets for the morning and afternoon sessions of the “Get thy Bearings!” workshop are available on the Storiel website.
The event is a collaboration between Bangor University (including Pontio), Bangor City Council, Storiel and Bangor Cathedral, with support from several key local institutions. The Bangor History Festival is more than just an event; it is a celebration of community, identity, and the stories that have shaped our past and will influence our future.
Food and drink will be on sale in Cegin café, Pontio (Level 2) between 10am and 5pm.
Check out the details of all the History festival events below, in our timetable of events for the day.
Friday 17.10.2025
6 PM - 7PM
Greg Jenner is a historian, author and broadcaster whose works include the TV series ‘Horrible Histories’, the ‘Totally Chaotic History’ book series and the ‘You’re Dead To Me’ podcast.
Join Greg as he gives his particular take on all things history!
Further information: https://www.pontio.co.uk/en/events/g%C5%B5yl-hanes-bangor
Theatre Bryn Terfel, Pontio
Standard and Senior £10
Student and child £5
Session delivered in English
Saturday 18.10.2025
All day
Enjoy activities, interactive displays and things for children on our partner stalls!
- National Trust
- Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales
- Bangor Maritime Learning Centre
- Confucius Institute
- M-SParc
- Bangor Heritage College
- Menter Iaith Bangor
- LleCHI LleNI Gwynedd Council
- Bangor University Ocean Sciences
- Bangor University Centre for Arthurian Studies
- Heneb
10am – 4pm
Enjoy the displays e.g. Medicine in north Wales, Penrhyn estate and slavery, Bangor football, education in Bangor and Kate Roberts and the Bangor College led by the Archives team. The Pontifical will also be on display as part of the Cathedral exhibition in the Council Chamber corridor.
11am-5pm
Come and visit Storiel as part of the Festival
10am - 3pm
A warm welcome to everyone to visit the Cathedral
10 AM
Welcome by Lord Dafydd Wigley. Introduction to the talk by Roland Evans, Assistant Head Economy and Community, Cyngor Gwynedd Council. Panel talk on slate history and heritage with Elin Tomos, Dr Dafydd Gwyn and Dr Dafydd Roberts .
Pontio PL5, level 5
Session with Welsh-language translation
Although we know where most shipwrecks around our coastlines are, we still know very little about what they actually are. This talk will provide insights into a decade-long survey programme by a Bangor University team aimed at identifying shipwrecks in the Irish Sea. This is a unique opportunity to discover why this research is so important in terms of helping secure our future energy needs and learn about surprising recent discoveries on connections between some of these wrecks and local history. Come and learn more about the area’s history and shipwrecks with Dr Michael Roberts, School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University
Pontio PL2, level 2
Session delivered in English
The burial place of the first Prince of Wales, the cathedral is the pre-eminent ecclesiastical establishment of Gwynedd, and has been the seat of a bishop since the 6th century. Led by Dr Shaun McGuinness, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, Bangor University, this talk, by examining original letters and other extant documents, will explore some of the dramatic events that occurred in the cathedral during the High Middle Ages, events in which the bishops played a starring role.
The Caernarfonshire Historical Society sponsors the session.
Bangor Cathedral
Session delivered in English
An introduction to translating Shakespeare into Welsh, from the 1800’s to the present, that explores the role and significance of the translations in various period and on different stages. The context will be set by looking at ‘Global Shakespeare’, before returning to the local and National context of the translations in Wales, exploring the impact of translating one of the greatest playwrights from England into a minority language like Welsh. The second half of the presentation will turn to J. T. Jones and his translations of Shakespeare in the twentieth century, and the various performances of his translations across the country. The talk will conclude with a look at the present, at history in the making, by exploring Theatr Cymru’s current bilingual production of Romeo and Juliet, using J. T. Jones’ translation. Presentation by Manon Gwynant, Creative Practitioner, School of Arts, Culture and Language, Bangor University.
The Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre, Main Arts
Session with Welsh-language translation
History of Bangor city (bilingual session)
Meeting place: Pontio reception near Deiniol Road.
Led by Rhys Mwyn, musician and archaeologist
11 AM
Welcome by Professor William Heath, Head of School, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University.
Introduction to ‘Tom Parry Jones: The inventor of the Electronic Breathalyser: Scientist, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist’ (John Brinley Jones, PPM Technology) & ‘W.E. Williams: engineer and pioneer of flight’ (Professor Iestyn Pierce, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University).
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Session with Welsh-language translation
Session on the game’s history and identity in Bangor and the north. Chaired by Dr Jonathan Ervine, School of Arts, Culture and Language, with Beth Jones, PhD researcher, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, Bangor University; Dr Glynne Roberts, Bangor football historian and supporter; and Mei Emrys, Welsh football historian.
Pontio PL2, level 2
Session with Welsh-language translation
History of Main Arts Building (Welsh session)
Meeting place: Reception near College Road.
Led by Lynette Williams, Bangor University
11.15 AM
Come and learn more about the quarries history with Dr Leona Huey and Dr Gary Robinson, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, Bangor University.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Session delivered in English
11:30 AM– 1 PM
1st Session. 11.30 - 1pm
Come and learn more about the maps of John Speed from Bangor.
Workshops combining geography with arts and crafts. Fun for the entire family, there’ll be an opportunity to create maps and compare Bangor maps of the past, present and future!
Led by Rhys Lloyd Jones, Storiel.
Morning session - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gwyl-hanes-bangor-history-festival-tirffurf-get-thy-bearings-tickets-1676153172259?aff=oddtdtcreator
Storiel
Bilingual session
12 PM
Welcome by Professor William Heath, Head of School, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University.
Come and learn more about the history of the bridge with John Cole and Gareth Jones, Menai Heritage Trust.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Bilingual session
Education has been especially important to the people of north-west Wales for many centuries, and Bangor has had a key role to play in its development since Friars School was established in 1557. Schools have been set-up in the area by Griffith Jones Llanddowror, the Anglican Church, The British School Society along with local school boards and county councils. Come and learn more about these different school systems through the stories of some of the most entertaining and interesting schoolteachers with Gwyn Ellis, Education Officer at Gwynedd Archives.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Session with Welsh-language translation
Historians have traditionally viewed the ‘anglicisation’ of the gentry as a critical feature in the social, cultural and political history of Wales since the Act of Union of 1534 and 1543. Yet there remains considerable uncertainty about when, why and to what extent this influential group lost the ability to speak Welsh. In this talk Dr Shaun Evans, Lecturer in Welsh and Early Modern History at Bangor University and Director of the Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates, explores the relationship between the gentry and the Welsh language. Notwithstanding an undeniable long-term trajectory of Welsh-language decline, he finds that several landowners retained Welsh-language abilities and affinities into the nineteenth century. The research shines a spotlight on the linguistic character of the Welsh gentry and their country houses, offers important insights into the dynamics of tenant-landowner relations on Welsh estates and the administration of justice in Welsh communities, and provides important content for history of bilingualism in Wales.
Pontio PL2, level 2
Session delivered in English
Meeting place: Reception near College Road.
Led by Helen Gwerfyl, Bangor University.
1 PM
In this talk you will find out about Nennius, the ninth-century monk historian who was probably the disciple of Elvodotus, bishop of Bangor. Nennius is better known among scholars for this work Historia Brittonum (History of the Britons), which contains, among other, the only extant list of battles said to have been fought by the legendary hero Arthur - or King Arthur of much later medieval stories.
Led by Professor Raluca Radulescu, Co-Director, Centre for Arthurian Studies, Bangor University.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Session delivered in English
Come and learn more about the relationship between locations, emotions and behaviour with the musician and archaeologist Rhys Mwyn.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Session with Welsh-language translation
Learn more with John Richard Williams, author of ‘Er Lles Llawer: Meddygon Esgyrn Môn’
Pontio PL2, level 2
Session with Welsh-language translation
2 PM
Think you know about the Jewish history of Bangor? Well, think again and come and learn more about a millennium of Jewish links, including bishops, cathedrals, princes and royalty with Professor Nathan Abrams, School of Arts, Culture and Language, Bangor University.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Session delivered in English
Come and learn more about the area’s history and take part in the celebrations with Dr Marian Gwyn and Race Council Cymru.
Pontio PL2, level 2
Session delivered in English
2nd Session. 2pm - 3.30pm
Come and learn more about the maps of John Speed from Bangor.
Workshops combining geography with arts and crafts. Fun for the entire family, there’ll be an opportunity to create maps and compare Bangor maps of the past, present and future!
Led by Rhys Lloyd Jones, Storiel
Afternoon session - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gwyl-hanes-bangor-history-festival-tirffurf-get-thy-bearings-tickets-1676253983789?aff=oddtdtcreator
Storiel
Bilingual session
3 PM
“The greatest threat to Welsh culture that’s ever been.” Evacuees, the BBC and the bombing of Maesgeirchen (Maes G).
Led by Dr Martin Hanks, City Director, Bangor City Council, this session will look at the impact of World War Two on Bangor and discuss some of the actions taken to protect its unique identity.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT), Main Arts Building
Session delivered in English
Long before Bangor got its official start in AD 525, the region was already buzzing with life, legends, and a surprising amount of archaeology. In this lively journey through time, Dr Erin Lloyd Jones will explore what came Before Bangor - from prehistoric settlements and mysterious monuments to Roman roads and artefacts that whisper stories of ancient Gwynedd and Anglesey. Think of it as “Bangor BC” - the untold prequel with fewer saints and more stones. Come for the archaeology, stay for the stories, and leave knowing Bangor’s roots go way deeper than you thought… literally.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Session delivered in English
Come and learn more about the University’s history with the historian Gari Wyn.
The focus of the talk will be on the contribution of notable individuals as well as the contribution of local residents and also an explanation on how exactly they succeeded in going from a University within a hotel to a reputable University within the walls of one of the most iconic buildings that Wales has seen.
Pontio PL2, level 2
Session with Welsh-language translation
Meeting place: Reception near College Road.
Led by Helen Gwerfyl, Bangor University.
3.30 PM
Come and learn more about Storiel’s treasures! Led by Frances Llewellyn, Friends of Storiel
Storiel
Session delivered in English
4 PM
Come and learn about the lives of Charlotte Price White and Gladys Thoday with Dr Dinah Evans, Honorary Research Associate, and Shan Robinson, Senior Special Collections Assistant, Bangor University.
Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre (MALT, Main Arts Building)
Session delivered in English
Come and listen to the experiences of individuals who have represented local constituencies. With Cllr Medwyn Hughes, Mayor of Bangor, chairing, the panel includes Sian Gwenllian MS (Plaid Cymru), Senedd Member for Arfon since 2016; Robin Millar (Conservatives), MP for Aberconwy 2019-2024; and Joanna Stallard (Labour), Senedd 2026 candidate for Bangor Conwy Môn.
Pontio PL5, level 5
Session with Welsh-language translation
Place names are important and a connection with our past. Come and learn more about the history of place-names in the Bangor area and beyond with the Emeritus Professor Hywel Wyn Owen, a founder member of the Welsh Place-Name Society, Honorary Vice-President of the English Place-Name Society and former President of the Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland.
PL2, Lefel 2, Pontio
Session with Welsh-language translation
Meeting place: Reception near College Road.
Led by Helen Gwerfyl, Bangor University.
6pm - 7pm
Professor Kate Williams is a historian, author and television presenter whose works include ‘England’s Mistress’, ‘Becoming Queen’ and ‘The Ring and the Crown: A History of Royal Weddings 1066-2011’. In the final event of the festival, join Kate for an entertaining, insightful and thought provoking journey of history.
Further information: https://www.pontio.co.uk/en/events/g%C5%B5yl-hanes-bangor
Theatre Bryn Terfel, Pontio
Standard and Senior £10
Student and child £5
Session delivered in English
Collaborators
