Author: Charlotte Parker

Two youths have been arrested by police continuing their investigation of the fire which damaged a classroom at a local primary school. The boys, aged 12 and 14, live locally and were bailed following questioning to allow officers time to complete their investigations. Investigation Officer DC Gerallt Davies said: “Despite arrests having been made this inquiry is still in its infancy with a number of outstanding enquiries to still be fully investigated and completed. “I would like to hear from any potential witnesses who were in the area of the school during the afternoon or early evening of Friday, February…

A local couple have discovered a dead animal in a packet of Kettle Chips. The small mole-like mammal was at first believed to be a mouse, however an investigation proved otherwise, proving that the animal was actually a shrew.The finding was made by husband and wife, John and Elinor Hughes from Conwy Valley. Mr Hughes contacted Kettle Foods UK and was asked to take a photography of the “foreign body” and to put it in an envelope and send it to them. Upon following these instructions, Mr Hughes received a call explaining that they had received his photograph…

 Gwynedd childhood sweethearts have said ‘I do’ in an Intensive Care Unit. Hayley Ann Thomas, 26, married her fiancée David Clarke after spending the last six months at Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital. Hayley, from Bethel, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2005 and underwent an emergency operation last August. Complications led to her permanent stay in Intensive Care. The couple had already planned most of their wedding when Hayley’s condition turned extremely severe. The staff at Bangor’s hospital helped the couple to prepare Hayley’s room for the ceremony. A small group of friends and family gathered for the intimate service, and…

A new local dairy produce has been created in an attempt to put North Wales ‘on the map’. Cheeses, cream and yoghurts have been made by staff at Coleg Menai’s Food Technology Centre, Anglesey, to show just what can be done with locally produced milk. Cadwyn Clwyd, a regeneration agency, have been working closely with the staff in order to try to create ‘a thriving and diverse dairy industry’. Robert Price, Cadwyn Clwyd’s Food Project Officer, spoke of how he believes there is a great opportunity to develop further dairy produce. He said, “This area is one of the UK’s…

Travellers who have been living on a grass verge have been ordered to move their vehicles by a judge. The group, which includes three young children, were ordered to leave their spot on Hendrewen Road after having already moved from the grounds of the old hospital at Minffordd. Two caravans and a car had been permanently parked on the verge for over three weeks. Gwynedd Council officers served orders upon the group to move but they failed to do so, District Judge Gwyn Jones heard at Caernarfon magistrates’ court. The hearing, which took place on Monday 17th March, was…

North Wales Police have released CCTV stills of an attack on a soldier, hoping to appeal to witnesses. Welsh Guardsman Harry Edwards was brutally attacked in October and suffered horrific injuries after a night out in Bangor. The 19 year old was leaving Peep Nightclub at around 3am on 24th October when another ‘club goer’ punched him repeatedly in the jaw and face. The incident happened close by to the steps of the club however the witness statements are very vague. The injuries that Edwards sustained were so severe that he may miss out on his regiments posting to the Falklands…

Dr Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and former Archbishop of Canterbury, will be visiting Bangor University on Wednesday December 11th. Whilst here he will be delivering a lecture entitled, ‘R.S. Thomas, Christianity and Buddhism’. The lecture, which will be free for anyone is attend, has been arranged in conjunction with the University’s R.S Thomas Research Centre. Dr Williams will be addressing the 2013 Annual Archives and Special Collections Lecture. 2013 sees the centenary of the birth of R.S Thomas (1913-2000). Whilst having a strong passion for the Welsh language, Thomas could only express his poetry in English, his…

Three thugs, who mugged a hospital worker as he waited for his bus, have been found guilty of assault and theft. The jury heard of how the attackers cornered the victim in a bus shelter and began to taunt him for his phone. Prosecuting barrister Sion ap Mihangel told of how the victim, Mark Monserrate, had been working a full shift and was waiting to get his bus home when the robbery occurred. Two of the attackers, James Thomas Brown and Jamie Hughes, both 20 years old, were each sentenced to 28 months youth detention. The third mugger, Jordan Jones,…

Olympic hero shares his life story at Bangor University Lord Sebastian Coe visited Bangor’s new sporting facility last week. Coe, whose work included making London 2012 the huge success it was, opened the new indoor tennis and netball facility at Bangor University’s Sport Centre. The new area was to be used in next year’s Varsity weekend; however this has now been moved to Aberystwyth University. The University will have many other refurbishments throughout the next year. The Bubble structure is costing just over £500,000 and welcomes two full size netball and tennis courts. Sport Wales have contributed £80,000 towards the…

Laptop  files used as evidence A 52 year old man has been convicted of sexual offences in Llandudno. The hotel porter was facing seven charges of child pornography on Friday 18th October. Christopher Holt of Trinity Avenue, failed to appear at his hearing despite previously denying all offences. He was found guilty in his absence and will be sentenced at a later date. The offences including six counts of downloading indecent images of a child and one of possessing 168 indecent photographs of a child. After investigations, Holt told the police “it’s absolute nothing to do with me”, and…

Experienced walker David March falls 330 to his death Climber loses leg as stone block crushes him A man, who fell from a well known mountain spot in Snowdonia, has been confirmed as a BBC Studio Manager. David March, 36, had been working for the BBC for 15 years in the World Service Department. On 12th October, he was out on a walk as he often did, when he fell 330ft from Devil’s Kitchen in the Ogwen Valley. The alarm was raised by fellow walkers who saw a walker fall into their path. The group of five called the Mountain…

Talks are underway to reopen the connecting rail line between Bangor and Caernarfon. Filling in this gap would bring many more visitors to the town, and would result in shorter journeys. In a 90 mile circle around North Wales – including through Snowdonia – this is the only line that is not active. Rail enthusiasts say that it makes no sense to have this area cut off, and that many would benefit from the station. Caernarfon Railway closed in 1970 a short time after Prince Charles’ Investiture at Caernarfon Castle. Some of the original features, however, are still in place.…

Bangor High Street is to see the return of their weekly Markets. Around 30 stalls are to be set up in the City over the next few weeks. The return started on Friday 18th October, seeing around 15 stalls. There will be an additional 15 in the upcoming weeks. Market Superintendent, Emyr Owen described how the market will bring only a good healthy competition to the shops on the High Street. The improvements have been made to ensure that Bangor is one of the best cities in North Wales. The stalls will be set up every Friday on the run…

Residents of Bangor have aired their fears that the city is turning into a ‘student ghetto’. A meeting was conducted by the Garth residents to discuss their anger on the plans for a 64 student development on Garth Road. Local residents believe the proportion of student accommodation to that of family homes is growing out of control. Lionel Gardner, a Bangor resident, said: “What concerns me is that Bangor is being submerged more and more by student accommodation”. “There’s an unhealthy balance between university students and the population of Bangor – 12,000 students in a city of 13,000 is totally…

Bangor University Students have secured a place in the next round of University Challenge after beating rivals, Aberystwyth University. The team of four sailed through to the next round with an impressive score of 230. After last year’s success in the popular BBC 2 Quiz, hosted by Jeremy Paxman, Bangor were favourites to win this round. They also had the help of old time favourite, Rhodri the dragon, the lucky mascot brought by last year’s hopefuls. The contestants showed substantial knowledge in all subject areas, reflected in the drastic difference in score. Aberystwyth only managing 110. This year’s team members…

Bats of Bangor are to get a new home specially designed and built for them. The ‘bat house’ has been planned and designed by Bangor University and will be placed at the old St Mary’s Halls; it is thought to be costing tens of thousands of pounds. The main building was built in 1895, and new research that was conducted by the University showed that the building, empty since 2008, has been used by bats. To make way for the new home, the university has to demolish the former halls. Despite needing a new building for their plans, disturbing any…