Latest news with #ArchivesandSpecialCollections
North Wales Chronicle
04-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Support in fight to save archives at Bangor University 'overwhelming'
Messages have flooded in from all over the world and a petition launched recently has already achieved almost 3,000 signatures. Organisers are now hoping that more people will sign the Save Your Archives online petition or write a letter to the university to help save the Archives and Special Collections from job cuts. Currently there are two full-time and two part-time staff and it was previously proposed that three could be lost, leaving just one person to run the department. The news came after the university's vice-chancellor Professor Edmund Burke had emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of a bid to save more than £5m. MORE NEWS: Senedd Members and Members of Parliament had taken up the fight, and 46 Gwynedd councillors had also signed a document expressing their 'dismay' and pledging their support. Richard I - Royal Charter from held In Bangor University\'s Archives And Special Collections. It is one of its earliest items dated to November, 1189. (Image Courtesy Bangor University Archives and Special Collections/Elen Wyn Simpson) Politicians Siân Gwenllian MS, Liz Saville Roberts MP, and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS had met with the university's vice-chancellor to express their 'serious concerns' over impact on the 'nationally significant' resource. Last week, it was announced that the university would be re-reconsidering its proposals – although no decision has come yet. A consultation period comes to an end on Friday, June 13. Then the university's executive is expected to consider feedback from staff, students and external stakeholders. Elen Wyn Simpson, the archives and special collections manager for digital services, said: 'We've been overwhelmed by the strength of support we have received and we are grateful to everyone that's taken the time to explain the importance of the Archives and Special Collections to them. 'This is not just about jobs – it's about the future of our archival collections and of Bangor University as the custodian of our collections.' The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material, many dating back many centuries. Its earliest item is a charter issued by King Richard I at Canterbury to the Bishop of Coventry, dated November 30, 1189. 'It's quite an important document that is used in teaching sessions with our students since it's an early example of new developments in the form of the English royal charter,' Elen said. Among its extensive collection, the Archives holds items including the original manuscripts of famous Welsh poets RS Thomas and Hedd Wyn. It is also the keeper of Welsh estate papers including Penrhyn, Mostyn, Baron Hill, Bodorgan, and Plas Newydd. There are also documents relating to the Welsh who emigrated to Patagonia. Elen added: 'We are continuing to ask people to sign the petition and if people feel strongly about the cuts we are facing, we are asking them to write a letter of support. 'We don't know what will happen at the moment, nothing has been decided yet, so we hope people will still continue to support us.'
Wales Online
04-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Bangor University archive campaigners 'overwhelmed' by support
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Campaigners fighting to protect the future of a "nationally significant" archives and special collections service at Bangor University say they have been "overwhelmed" by the strength of public support. Messages have flooded in from all over the world and a petition launched recently has already achieved almost 3,000 signatures. Organisers are now hoping that more people will sign the Save Your Archives online petition or write a letter to the university to help save the Archives and Special Collections from job cuts. Currently there are two full-time and two part-time staff and it was previously proposed that three could be lost, leaving just one person to run the department. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The news came after the university's vice-chancellor Professor Edmund Burke had emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of a bid to save more than £5m. Senedd Members and Members of Parliament had taken up the fight, and 46 Gwynedd councillors had also signed a document expressing their "dismay" and pledging their support. Politicians Siân Gwenllian MS, Liz Saville Roberts MP, and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS had met with the university's vice-chancellor to express their "serious concerns" over impact on the "nationally significant" resource. Last week, it was announced that the university would be re-reconsidering its proposals - although no decision has come yet. A consultation period comes to an end on Friday, June 13. Then the university's executive is expected to consider feedback from staff, students and external stakeholders. Elen Wyn Simpson, the archives and special collections manager for digital services, said: "We've been overwhelmed by the strength of support we have received and we are grateful to everyone that's taken the time to explain the importance of the Archives and Special Collections to them. "This is not just about jobs - it's about the future of our archival collections and of Bangor University as the custodian of our collections." The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material, many dating back many centuries. Its earliest item is a charter issued by King Richard I at Canterbury to the Bishop of Coventry, dated November 30, 1189. "It's quite an important document that is used in teaching sessions with our students since it's an early example of new developments in the form of the English royal charter," Elen said. Among its extensive collection, the Archives holds items including the original manuscripts of famous Welsh poets RS Thomas and Hedd Wyn. It is also the keeper of Welsh estate papers including Penrhyn, Mostyn, Baron Hill, Bodorgan, and Plas Newydd. There are also documents relating to the Welsh who emigrated to Patagonia. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Elen added: "We are continuing to ask people to sign the petition and if people feel strongly about the cuts we are facing, we are asking them to write a letter of support. "We don't know what will happen at the moment, nothing has been decided yet, so we hope people will still continue to support us." To sign the Save Your Archives petition visit: To write a letter send to: communications@
North Wales Live
04-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Bangor University archive campaigners 'overwhelmed' by support
Campaigners fighting to protect the future of a "nationally significant" archives and special collections service at Bangor University say they have been "overwhelmed" by the strength of public support. Messages have flooded in from all over the world and a petition launched recently has already achieved almost 3,000 signatures. Organisers are now hoping that more people will sign the Save Your Archives online petition or write a letter to the university to help save the Archives and Special Collections from job cuts. Currently there are two full-time and two part-time staff and it was previously proposed that three could be lost, leaving just one person to run the department. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The news came after the university's vice-chancellor Professor Edmund Burke had emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of a bid to save more than £5m. Senedd Members and Members of Parliament had taken up the fight, and 46 Gwynedd councillors had also signed a document expressing their "dismay" and pledging their support. Politicians Siân Gwenllian MS, Liz Saville Roberts MP, and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS had met with the university's vice-chancellor to express their "serious concerns" over impact on the "nationally significant" resource. Last week, it was announced that the university would be re-reconsidering its proposals - although no decision has come yet. A consultation period comes to an end on Friday, June 13. Then the university's executive is expected to consider feedback from staff, students and external stakeholders. Elen Wyn Simpson, the archives and special collections manager for digital services, said: "We've been overwhelmed by the strength of support we have received and we are grateful to everyone that's taken the time to explain the importance of the Archives and Special Collections to them. "This is not just about jobs - it's about the future of our archival collections and of Bangor University as the custodian of our collections." The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material, many dating back many centuries. Its earliest item is a charter issued by King Richard I at Canterbury to the Bishop of Coventry, dated November 30, 1189. "It's quite an important document that is used in teaching sessions with our students since it's an early example of new developments in the form of the English royal charter," Elen said. Among its extensive collection, the Archives holds items including the original manuscripts of famous Welsh poets RS Thomas and Hedd Wyn. It is also the keeper of Welsh estate papers including Penrhyn, Mostyn, Baron Hill, Bodorgan, and Plas Newydd. There are also documents relating to the Welsh who emigrated to Patagonia. Elen added: "We are continuing to ask people to sign the petition and if people feel strongly about the cuts we are facing, we are asking them to write a letter of support. "We don't know what will happen at the moment, nothing has been decided yet, so we hope people will still continue to support us."
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Bangor University: archive job cuts ‘assault on Welsh language'
The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of its bid to save more than £5m. A consultation was recently launched to reduce staff costs equal to around 78 full-time equivalent roles within the university. A spokesperson for the university recently said: 'The university has launched a consultation regarding proposed changes as part of a broader cost-reduction strategy.' On hearing that the university was proposing to cut 75% of the staff in the Archives and Special Collections department, 46 Cyngor Gwynedd councillors joined forces by signing a letter to the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, calling for a rethink. The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material. The VC had recently emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. He had said it followed a fall in international students and the upcoming changes to national insurance by the UK Government, which would add to staffing costs. MORE NEWS: The councillors' letter reads: 'We, the Gwynedd county councillors named below, are thoroughly dismayed at Bangor University's proposed cuts to the Archives and Special Collections service, a move that would result in a 75% reduction in the Archives' staff. 'The proposed cuts are an assault on Gwynedd's heritage, on a significant part of our nation's Welsh-language heritage and on an organic Welsh-speaking workplace that has served Gwynedd's local historians for decades. 'By virtue of its history and location, the University has a moral responsibility to respect and value the part of our local heritage entrusted to its care. 'Therefore, we call on you to reconsider, to realize the extent of your error, and to shield this important service from any impending cuts.' According to the university website the Archives and Special Service's aim is 'to ensure that our resources are accessible to all researchers, free of charge'. It adds: 'We actively promote these collections as valuable research and learning tools and engage the wider community in our activities as well as the staff and students within the University.' Siân Gwenllian MS had recently raised urgent concerns in the Senedd over the significant job cuts proposed by the university. In a direct question to the Welsh Government, she had called for a statement on how the Government planned to secure long-term financial sustainability for the higher education sector, and what specific support could be offered to Bangor University in light of its current crisis. In response, Welsh Government Minister Jane Hutt had acknowledged the 'widespread pressures' facing higher education institutions across Wales, and highlighted the importance of workforce involvement and trade union engagement in the consultation process.
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
University's plan to cut archive staff 'an assault on Gwynedd's heritage'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gwynedd councillors have slammed proposals to cut Bangor University staff from its archive and special collection service as an "assault" on Welsh heritage and language. The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of its bid to save more than £5m. A consultation was recently launched to reduce staff costs equal to around 78 full-time equivalent roles within the university. A spokesperson for the university recently said: "The university has launched a consultation regarding proposed changes as part of a broader cost-reduction strategy." Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday On hearing that the university was proposing to cut 75% of the staff in the Archives and Special Collections department, 46 Cyngor Gwynedd councillors joined forces by signing a letter to the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, calling for a rethink. The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material. The VC had recently emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. He had said it followed a fall in international students and the upcoming changes to national insurance by the UK Government, which would add to staffing costs. The councillors' letter reads: "We, the Gwynedd county councillors named below, are thoroughly dismayed at Bangor University's proposed cuts to the Archives and Special Collections service, a move that would result in a 75% reduction in the Archives' staff. "The proposed cuts are an assault on Gwynedd's heritage, on a significant part of our nation's Welsh-language heritage and on an organic Welsh-speaking workplace that has served Gwynedd's local historians for decades. "By virtue of its history and location, the University has a moral responsibility to respect and value the part of our local heritage entrusted to its care. "Therefore, we call on you to reconsider, to realize the extent of your error, and to shield this important service from any impending cuts." According to the university website the Archives and Special Service's aim is "to ensure that our resources are accessible to all researchers, free of charge". It adds: "We actively promote these collections as valuable research and learning tools and engage the wider community in our activities as well as the staff and students within the University." Siân Gwenllian MS had recently raised urgent concerns in the Senedd over the significant job cuts proposed by the university. In a direct question to the Welsh Government, she had called for a statement on how the Government planned to secure long-term financial sustainability for the higher education sector, and what specific support could be offered to Bangor University in light of its current crisis. In response, Welsh Government Minister Jane Hutt had acknowledged the "widespread pressures" facing higher education institutions across Wales, and highlighted the importance of workforce involvement and trade union engagement in the consultation process. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
