Bangor Heritage College is a community-education initiative ran by Bangor University and Bangor City Council. It offers children and residents of Bangor the chance to explore the history, heritage and environment of Bangor through modular activities. Participants can earn credits and certificates as they progress, with a graduation ceremony at the end of the year upon completion.
Funded by Bangor City Council and led by Bangor University with support from external partners, the initiative blends online learning with real-world exploration. Pupils will 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.
More than 30 pupils from seven Bangor-area schools attended the launch event in the University’s historic Powis Hall. Dr Martin Hanks, City Director, and Cllr Medwyn Hughes, Mayor of Bangor, gave the official welcome, before project leads Nia Young, senior lecturer in education and counselling at Bangor University, and Mervyn Jones, who developed the Cybi Heritage College with the Holy Island Landscape Partnerships, introduced pupils to the programme.
As part of the launch, pupils enjoyed a guided tour of Bangor University’s Main University Building with Dr Leona Huey, lecturer in heritage. They also shared ideas on how the project could be developed to encourage more young people to take part.
In the New Year, The Heritage College team from Bangor University will visit local schools to continue conversations and support pupils as they begin working through the modules.
The initiative builds on the success of the Holy Island Landscape Partnership, launched in Holyhead in 2016, which has strengthened environmental stewardship, restored historic sites, and raised local heritage awareness. Bangor Heritage College aims to inspire the same sense of community ownership and pride among Bangor residents.
Dr Nia Young, senior lecturer in education and counselling at Bangor University, said, “We are delighted to launch the Bangor Heritage College. The Cybi Heritage College was inspirational, and we’re thrilled to bring the concept to Bangor, especially in a year where the city is celebrating its 1500th anniversary. We’re very pleased with the response from Bangor schools and look forward to working with them over the coming months. We look forward to developing more fascinating modules as these are invaluable in connecting local school pupils with Bangor’s rich history and heritage.”
Dr Martin Hanks, Bangor City Director, added, “As Wales’ oldest city, Bangor has a wealth of history, and this project will increase knowledge and understanding amongst our local school population. From landmarks and notable buildings to key individuals and important milestones, the Heritage College will no doubt inspire school pupils to learn more about Bangor’s past.
“The project adds to the 1500th anniversary celebrations this year, complementing the Bangor History Festival and other events in 2025. We look forward to working with our partners and seeing pupils graduate after their hard work.”
Further information about the Bangor Heritage College is available by clicking this link.
