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Brian Charnley (Arts, 1969) & Foster Edwards (Agriculture, 1971)

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Brian Charnley (Arts, 1969) & Foster Edwards (Agriculture, 1971)

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Athletic Union Rugby Championship programme, March 1970

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Brian Charnley (Arts, 1969) & Foster Edwards (Agriculture, 1971)

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Brian Charnley (Arts, 1969) & Foster Edwards (Agriculture, 1971)

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Rugby match to celebrate the National Eisteddfod programme, May 1971

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Jeff Wakefield (Zoology with Marine Zoology, 1977)

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Jeff Wakefield (Zoology with Marine Zoology, 1977)

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"I recently started reading my diaries from my time at Bangor and they make fascinating reading 50 years on.

Here are my notes from what became quite an infamous party. Some events at UCNW Bangor in the 70’s are best forgotten. The Christmas party at the Colonel’s Glyn Garth Court flat is one of them! It was one of those events that didn't really go in the right direction but at the end of the day there was no harm done!"

Monday 13th December 1976

By 10.10pm the Gazelle was packed- everybody was going to our party!  I opened the door at 10.15pm. By 10.50pm it was packed and we had our first complaint. By 11.00pm the Colonel was here - music off, and by 11.10pm (approx) the police arrived, when I was stuck in the lift going down. The car park was absolutely packed. Cars were parked all the way back to the road. Some idiot pressed the fire bell so the fire brigade came, and went as did most of the people. About twenty stayed. The party continued until about 3.00am.

Friday 7th January 1977

I went into Bangor to buy some paper, then up to the accommodation office to see what they’d got.  They hadn’t got much.

Sunday 9th January 1977

Ken came round at about 3.30pm. While he was here we got the visit to the Colonel over with. He was fine about the whole thing - he was still holding on to the rest of the deposit though.

Monday 10th January 1977

I packed my stuff up as I was moving into a bedsit at Llanddeiniolen.

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David Bibby (History / Archaeology, 1979)

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David Bibby (History / Archaeology, 1979)

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"Bangor Morris 1977. Not much to say about this band of renegades except that it was great fun and a great privilege to be part of them and that the folk scene in the 1970's mostly based around the university was strong and vital and, I suppose influenced my life up until this day! I'm the one in the photo being pointed at by the red arrow. I wonder who else will recognize themselves on the photo?"

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Neuadd Reichel Soccer Team 1974-5 (Chris Holmes, Left)

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With a group of friends from Emrys Evans at the Union pub we noticed light in the sky. The Britannia bridge was on fire and we got up there quickly. Dave Brown took the only photo of the burning bridge and I did put a copy of it on the website a while ago. It was simply an astonishing sight.

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With a group of friends from Emrys Evans at the Union pub we noticed light in the sky. The Britannia bridge was on fire and we got up there quickly. Dave Brown took the only photo of the burning bridge and I did put a copy of it on the website a while ago. It was simply an astonishing sight.

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Paul Biancardi 1971 Economics

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Robin Ingham (Agricultural Botany, 1979)

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Robin Ingham (Agricultural Botany, 1979)

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Great years. Thankfully the hair has been cut since then (still got it!) and the windowpane cheque suit is no more!

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Llun tua 1972 – Clwb Pel-Droed Cefn: Jones, John Jones, Bryn Jones, Aplayer, Hardy, Ian Gray Blaen: Paul Landing, Rawlins, White, Clare

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“Enillais radd Economeg a chwaraeais lot fawr o bêl-droed.

Yn gyntaf, y pêl-droed.  Y Clwb Pêl-droed - roeddwn yn aelod o'r tîm a adenillodd y 'Cwpan Woolie' ym 1973, gan guro’r ffefrynnau mawr, y Coleg Normal, mewn buddugoliaeth enwog o 1-0.     Dyfarnodd Llywydd Undeb y Myfyrwyr, C.T. Burke, aelodaeth er anrhydedd am oes o Undeb y Myfyrwyr i’r tîm, ond does gen i ddim prawf, oherwydd i gyn-wraig rwygo fy ngherdyn aelodaeth.

Es ymlaen i ddilyn gyrfa bêl-droed ddi-nod, gan chwarae i Warrington Town am ychydig wythnosau, yr holl ffordd i lawr i Adran 5 Cynghrair Sul Swindon. Ond yna daeth atgyfodiad yng Nghaliffornia yn chwarae i dimau dros 35 oed, yna timau dros 50 oed. Fy llwyddiannau nodedig olaf oedd i'r Britannia Arms, Cupertino. Bu i mi ymddeol o bêl-droed ar ôl 50 mlynedd o chwarae.

Trwy’r Clwb Pêl-droed, câi moeseg tîm, cyfeillgarwch a theyrngarwch eu hybu; hefyd, dysgodd wers i mi o ran bywyd a gyrfa, sef pa mor werthfawr yw cael fy amgylchynu gan bobl sy'n fwy medrus na mi, a'r hyn y gallwn ei gyflawni gyda'n gilydd.

Yn y dyddiau hynny roeddem yn rhedeg 6 tîm, felly gwyddom am ostyngeiddrwydd, ac yn gwybod byth i gymryd ein hunain ormod o ddifrif. Y canlyniad pwysicaf oedd i brofiadau ar y cyd greu perthnasau cryf; i minnau, gyda Paul Landing, Bryn Jones a (Syr) John Jones - rydym yn dal i gwrdd yn rheolaidd ar Zoom, a, coeliwch fi, does yr un ohonom yn cael ei gymryd ei hun ormod o ddifrif.

Deuthum yn ôl i 3 o fy 5 Hen Sêr cyntaf mae’n debyg (1974-79), un yn ~ 2002, a fy un olaf yn 2017.

Gyda llaw, rwy'n meddwl mai teulu fy ngwraig Americanaidd yw'r unig bobl yn y byd sy'n credu y gallaf ynganu 'Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch' yn gywir.”

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TÂN AR BONT BRITANNIA A'R SEREMONI ARWISGO

“Yn y byd ‘go iawn’ roedd dau ddigwyddiad mawr yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw.  Y cyntaf oedd pan roddodd dau lanc ifanc Bont Diwb Britannia ar dân yn ddamweiniol.  Y stori a glywsom ni oedd eu bod yn hela colomennod gyda gwn fflamau?!  Roedd yn rhyfedd iawn cerdded ar hyd Ffordd Ffriddoedd gan edrych i lawr ar y rheilffordd a gweld yr iard yn llawn trenau (roeddech yn gallu edrych i lawr ar yr orsaf yn y dyddiau hynny).  Er mwyn cynnal gwasanaeth, rhoddodd Rheilffordd Prydain wasanaeth bysys ar waith i Lanfair Pwllgwyngyll.  Yr unig broblem oedd bod Rheilffordd Prydain wedi cau a dymchwel Gorsaf Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll beth amser cyn hynny.  Bu'n rhaid iddynt adeiladu grisiau gyda hen drawstiau rheilffordd, ac roedd yn rhaid i yrwyr y trenau stopio yn yr union le iawn er mwyn i deithwyr fynd ar y trên ac oddi ar y trên.

Yr ail ddigwyddiad oedd seremoni arwisgo’r Tywysog Siarl yn Dywysog Cymru yng Nghaernarfon.  Roedd yna gryn awyrgylch wrth i’r digwyddiad agosáu, ond fe gynhaliwyd y seremoni ar ôl i’r tymor ddod i ben, a oedd braidd yn llechwraidd yn ein barn ni.”

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A small hall of residence (linked to the Church of England?), 1970

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Some recollections of my few years at Bangor (1968 – 72)...

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“ I saw the bands Stackridge and Man at Bangor (if you’ve ever heard of them) and I’m convinced we saw Billy Connolly at Folk Club!”

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Huw Sayer (Classical Studies and History, 1979)

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Huw Sayer (Classical Studies and History, 1979)

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“From Dafydd Iwan to The Stranglers, the Curved Rec' provided us with a fantastic range of entertainment. Very happy days!!”

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“I remember the incredible string band in the curved lounge and Jo Cocker in PJ Hall. The weekly dances in PJ and JP Hall over the road.”

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“Stranglers, Mott the Hoople, Annie Nightingale, Guinness nights…. The good times just kept coming!”

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“I had my wedding reception in the Curved Lounge on July 28th, 1973. Catering was fantastic as well as the venue.”

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“1975-78 Guinness nights in the Union Bar - Hockey teams vs Rugby teams - was close for us Hockey types, but we lost! I know I stumbled back to Plas Gwynn after 14 pints! (Maybe 15-17p a pint).”

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Alice Harvey (Botany and Marine Botany, 1975)

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Alice Harvey (Botany and Marine Botany, 1975)

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“We virtually lived in the Curved Lounge, 71 - 75, always with our dog, Crosby. Then egg, chips and beans in the canteen. Happy times.”

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CURVED LOUNGE MEMORIES

“Had a brilliant time. I ran discos with the great Alun Hughes, over the years we played in almost every room in Union from Refec to Curved Lounge to the Main Bar to the Table Footie room to the Music Room in the basement. Dennis the Barman was security. The three porters were great fun even Dick the D**k. Also played in college bands we supported among others Sutherland Brothers and The Troggs. Very fond memories.”

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Ann Beynon OBE (Cymraeg, 1974 a Chymrawd er Anrhydedd, 2000)

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Ann Beynon OBE (Cymraeg, 1974 a Chymrawd er Anrhydedd, 2000)

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GWLEIDYDDIAETH YN Y 70AU

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Mike and Allison Schofield's Bangor memories

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Mike Schofield (History, 1975) met his late wife, Allison (nee Bradley) who was a (Biochemistry, 1975) when they were students in Bangor. They married in 1976 and sadly Allison passed away in 2019 after 42 years of marriage.

Allison had kept a diary from the start of 1973 and after her death Mike went back through all her diary entries and photographs, putting together two books about their lives together.

Here, Mike shares some of their memories and entries from Allison’s diaries.

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All three of us pictured went on to become Professors in different universities, but, of course, Fergus Lowe (standing) did particularly well at Bangor, serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Acting Vice-Chancellor before his untimely death in 2014.

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Usha Jesudasan (nee Emmanuel) (Education/Philosophy), 1972

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Usha Jesudasan (nee Emmanuel) (Education/Philosophy), 1972

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REMEMBERING PROFESSOR C.W.K. MUNDLE, PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY

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USHA JESUDASAN 1972 remembering a mentor

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Robert Akello (Electronic Engineering PhD, 1978)

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Robert Akello (Electronic Engineering PhD, 1978)

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"Having been accepted as a Commonwealth Scholar, I flew out of Kenya by British Airways on 30th September 1974 and after landing Heathrow, I went to Euston Station by tube, boarded the Bangor train. As was in my itinerary letter, I was received by a Mrs. Jones, the North Wales’s British Council Representative who drove me to Rathbone Hall for temporary accommodation. After settling for a short while, the room phone rang and in line was a lady who introduced herself as the School Secretary, Ms. Gabrielle Barwell. She gave me words of welcome to Bangor and said I was expected the following morning at 9am and she would pick me from the hostel at 8.30am. On that following day, she picked me to The School of Electronic Engineering Science at Dean Street, where I met Prof. Ian Stephenson and Mr. Brian Easter and Dr. Anan Gopinath, the Microwave Engineering Team.

May I thank the Alumni Office for regular updates. Me and my daughter Laurie, who was born while I was a student there, hope to return to visit before I fully retire. All the best to all and, kindly call when in Kenya.”

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Mike Riley (Electronic Engineering, 1975)

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Mike Riley (Electronic Engineering, 1975)

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RAG Pandemonium magazine 1975

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Photo circa 1972 – Soccer Club Back: Jones, John Jones, Bryn Jones, Aplayer, Hardy, Ian Gray Front: Paul Landing, Rawlins, White, Clare

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SOCCER CLUB MEMORIES

“I gained an Economics degree and played a lot of football.

First, the football. Soccer Club – I was a member of the team which regained the ‘Woolie Cup’ in 1973, beating overwhelming favourites, Coleg Normal, in a famous 1-0 victory. Student Union President C.T. Burke awarded the team honorary life-time membership of the Students’ Union, but I have no proof, as an ex-wife shredded my membership card. I went on to have an unremarkable soccer career, passing through Warrington Town for a few weeks, all the way down to Div 5 of the Swindon Sunday League. Only for a resurrection in California playing for over-35, then over-50 teams, my last notable achievements being for the Britannia Arms, Cupertino.  I retired from soccer after 50 years of playing.

Through Soccer Club, team ethic, camaraderie and loyalty were reinforced; further, it taught me a life and career lesson in the value of being surrounded by people more skilled than I, and what can be achieved together. In those days we ran 6 teams, so we all knew humility, never to take oneself too seriously. The most important outcome was that shared experiences forged strong bonds; for me, with Paul Landing, Bryn Jones and (Sir) John Jones – we still have regular Zoom calls, and, believe me, none of us is allowed to take ourselves too seriously.

I made it back to probably 3 of my first 5 Old Stars (1974-79), one in ~2002, and my last in 2017.

Incidentally, my American wife’s family are the only people in the world who believe I can accurately pronounce ‘Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch’.”

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"Being a Music student at Bangor was a treat with lots of opportunities to perform and be involved in all sorts of events on top of the normal curriculum.

Being involved in both the drama and music departments was wonderful, though it posed challenges in time management. The drama department was very strong, with the mercurial Sam McCready in charge of some amazing students – I remember John Sessions, Danny Boyle and Frances Barber, all of whom went on to make their mark.

Musically, the faculty was led by William Mathias, an outstanding composer, he led a very strong department which put on an impressive array of performances over my three years there. I even had the chance to try my hand at conducting, with a performance of Beethoven’s 8th Symphony and, most memorably, Orff’s Carmina Burana – it gave me a first hand insight into how seductive the sense of power is, standing in front of a big symphony orchestra; it also made me realise that I didn’t have all the extraordinary range of gifts that being a first class conductor requires!”

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Mike Ryan (Electronic Engineering, 1972)

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Mike Ryan (Electronic Engineering, 1972)

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ELECTRICITY RATIONS

“During the miners’ strikes of early 1972 electricity supplies were rationed. Pubs could not open until supplies were restored. Queues would begin to form half an hour or so before the notified opening time.

Meanwhile, living across the road and being friends with the landlord’s son, we would be sitting inside the BV enjoying a few beers. It always came as a surprise to the first in line to find us already there.”

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Christine Watters (History / Welsh History, 1977)

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Christine Watters (History / Welsh History, 1977)

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SIT-INS

“I was in the ‘sit in’, can’t remember which year, but sometime during 75-77. I remember scrambling out of a window onto a ledge and up a ladder to get in. My daughters would be surprised to learn that their very straight-laced Mum did anything so naughty. It’s amazing what you’ll do when you are young and foolish and just want to fit in.”

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Les Sayers (1978, Mathematics & Physical Oceanography)

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Les Sayers (1978, Mathematics & Physical Oceanography)

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SNOWDONIA SNOW DAYS

“I attended Bangor University from 1975 through to 1978 and graduated in Mathematics & Physical Oceanography; the School of Ocean Sciences with its worldwide reputation was the standout reason for me choosing Bangor above all other universities.

I had a wonderful time at Bangor, with its small town feel, unique history and the magnificent Welsh countryside as a backdrop it was an inspiring place to live and learn.

As an 18 year old city kid (from Liverpool) to have Snowdonia on our doorstep, (I lived in Gerlan just outside Bethesda and was "snowed in" our rural cottage for 4 days!!!) was a terrific advantage and adventure, without a doubt Bangor helped me to grow up and gave me a lot of confidence for the future. I often look back and wonder how I got to where I am and reflect on the enormous help the staff and students gave me when I was at Bangor.”

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WELSH NATIONALIST PROTESTS

“The heady days of the 1970s were ones in which the Welsh nationalists were quite militant during my time at what was once called the University College of North Wales.

As a history student, I remember vividly incidents involving the Dean of the Arts Faculty Professor Keith Robbins literally fighting with one of the Welsh Nationalists. This incident was outside the Library in the courtyard of the old building. A scrap ensued as Professor Robbins tried to stop the graffiti being sprayed on to the windows and walls. There were also smoke bombs in the library too.

Unfortunately, during the 1970s there was the tragic death of the medieval history lecturer Mr Usher. His lectures were always very entertaining, and amusing which kept us students almost perched on the edge of our seats at times, as he portrayed Henry II's reforms. There was also John Illsley whose much lower key presentation at lectures made a sharp contrast, but none the less efficient and effective.

The University was much smaller in those days in terms of student numbers and everyone seemed to know everyone which made for a good community spirit overall.”

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Barry Morgan (Electronic Engineering, 1975)

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Barry Morgan (Electronic Engineering, 1975)

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The 'inmates' of Neuadd Reichel in 1973 (I’m second row 6th from left in dark brown jacket)

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Barry Morgan (Electronic Engineering, 1975) 

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Barry Morgan (Electronic Engineering, 1975) 

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Me at the Reichel Ball with the Head of Reichel (Aled?)

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Barry Morgan (Electronic Engineering, 1975) 

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Barry Morgan (Electronic Engineering, 1975) 

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Picture taken from the Morning Star of a grants Demo in London.  I’m the one on the right hand side, the banner bearer was the Student Union General Sec., Jock

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Gordon Dickins (English Literature, 1971)

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Gordon Dickins (English Literature, 1971)

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UCNW HARRIERS CLUB FIXTURE LIST 1970 - 71

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Gordon Dickins (English Literature, 1971)

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Gordon Dickins (English Literature, 1971)

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UCNW Harriers Club fixture list 1970 - 71

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Our team members, from left to right: Frank Seville, Bob Joiner, Gordon Dickins (Captain), John Beatty, Mike Cannaway, Piers Chapman, Jon Pierce, Hugh de Lacy, Dave Leece, Vic Dewsbury, Pete Jagan (former Captain and our best runner).

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Gordon Dickins (English Literature, 1971)

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Gordon Dickins (English Literature, 1971)

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UCNW HARRIERS CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM

“I have a small contribution by way of the UCNW Harriers Club (cross-country team). I believe they are no longer called the Harriers but are part of the overall athletics club.

Here’s a photo of the team from February 1971 .... and a shambolic looking bunch of runners we were. However, we had just finished in third place overall in the North Wales League and were very pleased with ourselves as in previous years we were usually well behind Shrewsbury, Aberystwyth and others. I also ran for Shrewsbury, my home club, out of term times. As for looking shambolic, well we didn't have the flashy running gear that runners have now but we took our running seriously and ran most days in training. As well as the North Wales League we entered races such as the British University Championship, the University of Wales event, the Hyde Park Relay etc. and our own Beaumaris to Bangor road race which we organised ourselves and attracted top class athletes.”

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FIRE ON BRITANNIA BRIDGE AND THE INVESTITURE

"In the ‘real’ world there were two major events during this period.  The first was when two young lads accidentally set fire to the Britannia Tubular Bridge.  The story we heard was that they were chasing pigeons with a very pistol?!  It was very strange walking along Ffriddoedd Road looking down on the railway and seeing the yard absolutely full of trains (you could look down on the station in those days).  In order to maintain a service BR instituted a “bustitution” to LlanfairPG.  The only problem was that BR had closed and demolished LlanfairPG Station some time before.  They had to build up some steps using old sleepers and the train drivers had to stop in exactly the right place so that passengers could get on and off.

The second event was the Investiture of Charles Prince of Wales at Caernarfon.  There was quite an atmosphere in the build up but, rather sneakily we thought, they held the event after term had ended."

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MUSIC, RAG AND DINNERS

"Like so many students at Bangor we both gravitated towards the music department and the various musical activities, G&S, C&O or Music Society as it became, the various concerts and recitals.  Some years later we actually met Professor Matthias again when singing with the Bach Choir in London.  He obviously found our faces familiar but couldn’t place us and we had explain that we were some of the many non-music students who performed in Bangor.

I was a member of Cantorion Seiriol, the Seiriol Singers, conducted by John Hywel and Sebastian Forbes, for three years, performing all over North Wales.  On one memorable occasion we went down to the BBC at Llandaff to record Vivaldi’s Gloria with the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra for transmission on TV at Christmas 1970. On another we performed at the London Festival of Contemporary Music in 1971.

I spent 4 very happy years sailing from the Gazelle on the Menai Strait, I navigated for a friend in Motor Club rallies all over Gwynedd, joined Folk Club, Bridge Club and even got elected to the Union Council one year.  Most of this was unspectacular but fun.  One year I volunteered with the Rag Committee when the theme was “Pandamonium” with the emblem of a giant Panda.  Some of the team drove down to the Salisbury Plain one night and left the face of a panda outlined in chalk on the downs.  This even made the back page of The Times.

Then there were the formal ‘Dinners’, society dinners, hall dinners, the Union dinner.  I think the highlight might have been the Emrys dinner which took place in Penrhyn Castle no less.  In the early 90s we joined the National Trust and went round Penrhyn Castle.  The volunteers were surprised to hear about our previous visit."

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"Looking back I consider I was actually very lucky to have been at Bangor or UCNW (as it was then) as a student for 4 years (I did prelims).  It is one of the best places I could imagine to be a student.  Memories there are aplenty, such as sitting at my desk in Neuadd Emrys Evans with line of sight to the summit of Snowdon (weather permitting!).  Talking of weather I stayed in Bangor after Finals until the Graduation Ceremony, thinking of 4 weeks with nothing to do but enjoy myself.  It rained practically the whole time and I got to the beach once.

On a very personal level Bangor has continued to feature in my life.  I met my future wife, Glenys, there, our younger daughter, Augusta, also went there and we were astonished to discover later that our daughter-in-law, Nicola, had been a near contemporary of Augusta’s at Bangor."