A FARMER from the Bangor area is the new mayor of Bangor and his deputy is an archaeology student.

Councillor John Wyn Williams has been announced as mayor for 2019/20 and the deputy mayor is Councillor Owen J Hurcum.

John has lived in the Bangor area for most of his life and farming in the area. He attended Faenol and Friars schools before studying agriculture in Scotland. He has been an Arfon councillor from mid eighties until the formation of Gwynedd in 1996.

John was a member of Gwynedd Council until the last election when he stood down. Has been Chairman of various committees, board member and a cabinet member.

John has served as a school governor at Friars, Tryfan and Faenol. He was also a board member at CCG and Chairman of Faenol Cyf on behalf of the council.

He currently represents the Dewi Ward and is a governor on Ysgol Garnedd and Chair of Penrhos football club.

Cllr Williams is “looking forward to the coming year representing the people of Bangor and City Council,” although conscious of the many challenges such as funding for the pier but also the “very exciting possibilities” for developing the High Street

Deputy mayor Owen has been a student at Bangor University since September 2016. He grew up in London to a Welsh family. His grandfather was a councillor on the Oxford County Council in the 1970’s. He joined Plaid Cymru on his 18th birthday, in 2015. He was co-opted to BCC via the vacant Seat in Glydyr Ward on the June 26, 2017.

Owen says he would like to help the city “become greener” both in terms of energy usage and public spaces.

He also hopes to continue working alongside “amazing community groups” in the city, be involved in local archaeology and is looking forward to supporting the mayor in the coming year.