St Davids parade returns

BANGOR'S St David's Day celebrations will return once more this year with a series of events and activities set to be held in the city.

Pontio, Menter Iaith Bangor, UMCB, Penrhyn Castle, Storiel, Learn Welsh North West Wales and Bangor University have teamed up to organise a wide range of activities, as well as a special parade along the High Street on February 29.

Menter Iaith chair John Wyn Jones said: "We had a good response to the day last year, with families parading to Welsh music along Bangor streets with colourful St. David, Wales and Llywelyn the Great flags flying in the wind.”

“So this year once again, with the city celebration going from strength to strength, we invite residents and visitors to come and enjoy and promote our unique Welsh culture and identity.”

Amongst these there will be something for everyone’s taste including musical events, astronomy, cinema, cabaret, arts and crafts, a Welsh learner’s quiz, lectures and a theatre workshop along with a window dressing competition for High Street and Upper Bangor businesses.

Also, for the first time this year, two brand new competitions will be held. Firstly a St David’s Cup will be presented to the best represented school, youth or sports club in the parade and customers will decide Bangor’s best Welsh eatery.

At the end of the parade in Storiel, there will be a special performance of the fantastic family show ‘The Language journey’ by one of Bangor’s own, the actor, Llion Williams.

Llion said, “It thrills me to see Bangor celebrating one of Wales’ most important holidays, and it’s a special privilege for me to lead the parade through my hometown. Many people don’t realise that Bangor is Wales’ most Welsh speaking city in terms of percentages and we can take pride in that and indeed in its multilingualism by celebrating St. David and his message. So I urge the Bangor ayes, like me, and visitors to do the little things and come and enjoy the festival during the last two weeks of February."

Osian Gwynn, Pontio’s Arts Director added: “I’m delighted that Pontio is part of ‘Bangor celebrates St. David’s Day’ again this year. The Welsh language is central to our vision as an organisation and we are very proud of being able to work in conjunction with all the partners. It promises to be 12 full days of fun and excitement around our patron saint’s day, and I hope the celebration and partnership working continues for years to come”