THE people of Bangor enjoyed a celebration of its ancient history at the weekend.
A medieval fair set up in the Cathedral grounds included colourful yellow/green tents, displays of swordsmanship and fighting skills, a hog roast manned by fair maidens and a jolly Friar Tuck, local craft workshops, juggling and circus skills by Syrcas Circus.
The Deiniol procession all in colourful medieval costume led by the Medieval Dragons band playing ancient instruments, wound their way along Bangor High Street with a pair of giants accompanying a 15ft effigy of St Deiniol.
Deiniol was a monk from Pembrokeshire who came to Bangor in 525 AD to build a church in what was then a wild and rural settlement in a valley below Bangor Mountain. As the community grew, Deiniol ordered the settlement to be surrounded by a high and strong wattle fence to protect inhabitants from wild animals and unfriendly marauders.
The procession made its way to the Cathedral grounds where Deiniol was ceremonially secured in his wattle enclosure, looking outwards at his Bangor city. The enclosure was built with traditional skills by David Chapman of Ancient Arts.