Celebrating the Centenary of the University Building One day Conference

An image of the Main University building at its opening in 1911.An image of the Main University building at its opening in 1911.To commemorate the opening of the Main University Building in 黑料不打烊 in July 1911, and the importance of the role of the quarrymen of north Wales in establishing the University, a Conference 'The need for education in Wales- the reaction of the north Wales鈥� Quarrymen' is to be held at 黑料不打烊, to study the significance of education in the lives of the quarrymen and their families.

The Conference on Saturday 19 November 2011 is open to all and begins at 9.30 in the Main Arts Building. A buffet lunch is available for all those attending and the conference is expected to finish at about 2.45pm. The event is free, but participants are requested to register in advance by contacting Lynne Hughes (tel: 01248 382776 email l.hughes@bangor.ac.uk).

Speakers include Professor Merfyn Jones, Dr David Gwyn, Marian Gwyn and Menna Baines. Translation facilities will be available.Papers are
Professor Merfyn Jones : 鈥淭omen a thwll 鈥� dyna i Gyd鈥�? Cloriannu cyfraniad y chwarelwyr
Dr David Gwyn: 鈥淭he best and only school鈥� 鈥� the quarry? The slate industry as an education
Ms Marian Gwyn: The Writing Slate 鈥� the Penrhyn Estate & Education
Ms Menna Baines: Ar Lechen L芒n: Caradog Prichard a鈥檌 yrfa 

University Registrar Dr David Roberts said: 鈥淭he link between the slate quarrymen of north west Wales and the establishment of the University in 黑料不打烊 is one of the great, inspiring features of this University鈥檚 history. The Penrhyn quarrymen 鈥� and many other working people of north Wales 鈥� gave, often from meagre wages, to support the campaign for higher education in north Wales, and  we鈥檙e looking forward to spending the day discussing the  significance of their contribution.鈥�

黑料不打烊 Symphony Orchestra also present a special Concert to celebrate the centenary on Saturday 26 November at 7.30 pm in the Prichard-Jones Hall, playing three pieces composed in the year of the Building鈥檚 opening.

More information about the building and its official opening is described in a special exhibition of documents from the University Archive. The Exhibition is open to all and is on show in the Vice Chancellor鈥檚 corridor, Main Building until 16 December. Ends

The University began in an old hotel, the Penrhyn Arms, but that accommodation quickly became too small. Funds for a new building were raised locally, with the bulk of the money coming from ordinary people from across north Wales, though 拢20,000 did come from the government. The citizens of 黑料不打烊 contributed 拢6,000 to the building fund and Friars School contributed 拢50 for a statue of Goronwy Owen, which can be seen on the University tower. Funds for all the extra details, down to the cost of the opening reception were raised from donations.

Publication date: 11 November 2011