Latest news with #Bangor
BBC News
6 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Bangor: Calls for safeguarding inquiry into cathedral
Two priests from a north Wales cathedral have called for an independent inquiry after two critical reports highlighted safeguarding concerns and misbehaviour reports highlighted complaints about a "culture in which sexual boundaries seemed blurred" at Bangor Cathedral, along with inappropriate language being used and alcohol consumed Dr John Prysor-Jones and the Very Rev Professor Gordon McPhate, from Bangor Cathedral, said the reports were "unsatisfactory" and with conclusions "based on impressions" rather than facts.A Church in Wales spokesperson said: "The matters raised in this correspondence will be carefully considered". Dr Prysor-Jones and Prof McPhate have written to Church in Wales bishops to complain that the summaries of the two reports published in May were "unsatisfactory".They said these summaries were "limited by narrow terms of reference... and did not make findings of fact, instead reaching conclusions based on impressions".The full reports have not been Prysor-Jones and Prof McPhate, who do preaching and pastoral work at the cathedral, have called for a formal inquiry into the diocese of Bangor and its cathedral since said the inquiry should be "assisted by advisers in organisational management, canon law, civil law, and criminal law".The Church in Wales has acknowledged safeguarding weaknesses, management practices lacking in rigour and transparency, and misconduct relating to alcohol use and sexual behaviour at Bangor calls for his resignation were made, the Most Rev Andrew John, who is both Archbishop of Wales and Bishop of Bangor, offered his "most heartfelt apology to any members of the cathedral community who have been hurt or who feel I have let them down".The Church in Wales said it had created an implementation group to ensure the issues are addressed. BBC-produced Newyddion S4C has been sent other letters by Church in Wales members outlining concerns about the situation at Bangor diocese and Cathedral, with one describing the situation in the Cathedral as "desperate" and another as "terrible".One member of the Bangor Cathedral congregation has called for the Archbishop of Wales to have his position as lead bishop for safeguarding revoked immediately due to the safeguarding failures acknowledged by the S4C requested an interview with the Archbishop of Wales to discuss the contents of, and reaction to the letters. A Church in Wales spokesperson said they were not conducting a short statement, they said: "We can confirm that letters have been received by the Bishops of the other dioceses of the Church in Wales regarding the Diocese of Bangor and its cathedral and that the matters raised in this correspondence will be carefully considered."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Northern Ireland's green shoots: How to save native woodlands one seed at a time
When it comes to protecting the future of one of Northern Ireland's only native woodlands, a surprising amount of demolition work has to happen before you can really see the wood for the trees. That's why a huge project - that could span decades into the future - has been digging, scything and excavating to keep invasive alien species at bay along a crucial woodland corridor stretching from Belfast to Bangor. Museums NI and the Woodland Trust have teamed up to remove 1,200 tonnes - the equivalent of 700 cars - of aggressive invasive species like rhododendron and cherry laurel, a thick shrub with poisonous cyanide-laced leaves, from a site near the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Thousands of native trees are now being planted to replace them. It's part of an effort to preserve one of the few areas of native woodland in Northern Ireland. As the least wooded corner of Europe, Northern Ireland has only about 8% forest cover, compared to the 40% European less than 0.5% of Northern Ireland's forest cover is made up of native woodland, which is why the aim of this project is to plant more than 2,500 native trees at the site. What's the threat to Northern Ireland's woodland? Jerry Hawe, from the Woodland Trust, told BBC News NI that "so much of our semi-natural woodland is vastly depleted". "It's less than half a percent of our land area and, unfortunately, the remaining woodlands face a whole range of challenges. "Probably first among these would be the challenge from invasive exotic species."Over the last few decades, the woodland at the folk museum has suffered a "heavy infestation" of cherry laurel and rhododendron - both "very aggressive" invasive species. The scale of the infestation means native species aren't able to naturally regenerate, meaning the future of the forest is "by no means secure"."In order for these woodlands to support the full range of associated species, flora and fauna, then the more native we can make them, the better."The Woodland Trust will provide advice to Museums NI on how to manage and maintain the woodland as it matures to ensure natives such as hazel, birch and oak are prioritised. Clearing all the invasive species from the site at the folk museum began in clearance resulted in 1,290 tonnes of green waste, which was then converted to renewable energy through biomass to help fund the planting of more than 2,500 trees at the site over the next few years. The first phase of this is already underway, with 550 trees planted in an area larger than four football pitches.A single oak tree can support thousands of species, and is effectively an ecosystem in and of itself, "so you can imagine what happens then when you amplify that", said Niamh Carmichael from the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR). Project success 'could take 120 years' Ms Carmichael described the woodland at the folk museum as a "really important ecological corridor", adding that invasive species are a "significant cause of biodiversity loss globally". Ms Carmichael said many invasive species were brought here during the Victorian era, when there was a "particular fascination" with the natural world but much less understanding of it. "New species were accidently or deliberately introduced to habitats with conditions not really built for them."The majority of them tend not to do terribly well, but there are, unfortunately, some that are nearly a wee bit too good at surviving."She said it could take about 120 years for the woodland to fully mature and for the ecosystem to rebalance. However, making sure that happens is a huge, long-term job."With the invasives, you have to keep at it, because you could clear all of the invasive species off the site, but they could then come back in accidentally on a tyre track, or some of the wildlife could accidentally bring it in."It's our responsibility to make sure those invasives never take hold again." Green shoots for Northern Ireland's trees While this project offers a glimmer of hope through the trees, there is still a long way to go to hit climate targets for tree planting. Under the Forests for our Future scheme launched in 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) committed to planting 18 million trees over 10 years, meaning 10 trees would be planted for every person living in Northern five years later, the department's afforestation programme has planted about 4.5 million trees or 2,300 hectares. In a statement, the department said it recognised that "the annual tree planting rates needed to increase incrementally over the decade from the 200 hectares per year, when the programme launched, to achieve the 9,000 hectare target".Similarly, a recent Belfast City Council meeting revealed a lack of progress on the One Million Trees project – which started strong, but is now 220,000 trees behind schedule. Nevertheless, Ms Carmichael said that "in the face of the biodiversity and climate crisis", the early signs of recovery at this project is "a reminder that nature can bounce back, when given the chance". "It's a hopeful sign of what's still possible."
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
North Down survive Bangor scare to book Quarter-Final slot in NCU Challenge Cup
North Down survived an early scare to see off Section One neighbours Bangor and reach the Quarter-Finals of the NCU Challenge Cup. Christopher Pyper reduced the Premier League side to 75 for four, bowling Mickey Copeland and Alistair Shields with successive balls, but Ryan Haire, with his first 50 for six years, and Kian Hilton's 82 from 55 balls (five fours and six sixes) hauled them up to 253 for eight in their 39 overs.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Sharpened focus' for Market Hall as owners to sell Welsh shopping centre
THE new owners of Carlisle's Market Hall are set to sell a shopping centre in North Wales in a move they say will help 'sharpen focus' on other active regeneration schemes. The Menai Centre, owned by Bearmont Capital, will go to auction with Savills on June 17 with a guide price of £4.2m. Bearmont Capital, the leaseholder that took over Carlisle's Market Hall in December last year amid concerns about the historic site's future, has a portfolio focused on "rejuvenating undervalued shopping centres, enhancing footfall and tenant mix to create sustainable retail spaces." Carlisle's Market Hall first opened in 1889 (Image: Stuart Walker) The Llandudno-based company took on The Menai Centre in Bangor in 2023. Rob Lloyd, CEO of Bearmont Group and former Channel 4 Secret Millionaire, said the decision to sell marks the natural conclusion of the company's original investment programme for the site. "The Menai Centre was always a longer-term investment, and we're incredibly proud of the progress made since acquiring it in 2023," he said. "At that time, the 130,000 sq ft building was approximately 80 per cent vacant, having lost major tenants like Debenhams and H&M during the pandemic. "Since then, Bearmont Capital has invested significantly in breathing new life into the site - attracting new occupiers, securing long-term tenancies, and working closely with partners to support a key regeneration scheme in Bangor. "Today, the centre is virtually fully occupied, playing a renewed role in the local economy," he said. Among the 'significant milestones' at the site is said to be the transformation of the former Debenhams unit into a health and wellbeing hub, developed in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd and the Betsi Cadwaladr health board, and backed by Welsh Government funding. "We've successfully delivered on everyone's wants, needs and aspirations in bringing that hub to life, and it stands as a great example of how we want to work: in true partnership with local authorities to drive real community value," Rob said. "That same collaborative approach is exactly what we're looking forward to continuing with Cumberland Council." In Carlisle, the Bearmont Group has so far completed external restoration efforts to the covered market , which first opened in 1889, and yesterday (May 30), welcomed B&M into the 20,487sq ft vacant space which was formerly occupied by Wilko. "Since purchasing The Market Hall, we've already completed phases one to three of investment and welcomed B&M this morning into a fully refurbished, bright, and impressive new store. B&M moves into former Wilko unit in Carlisle (Image: NQ) "A second new retailer is due to open in Units 5 and 6 next week. "It's an exciting time with real momentum behind the scheme, and we remain committed to delivering long-term, sustainable improvements across all our sites," Rob said. Phase four of investment into the site, which includes refurbishing the old toilet block, is currently ongoing with Bearmont working with local contractor Cubby Construction.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bangor University to reconsider cuts to archive service
Some of the planned cuts at a Welsh university where dozens of jobs are at risk will be reconsidered after "serious concerns" were cuts to the archive and special collection service at Bangor University were part of a university cost-saving plan which threatens 78 prompted politicians to intervene, with Plaid Cymru MSs Siân Gwenllian, Liz Saville Roberts and Rhun ap Iorwerth meeting with the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund officials have now confirmed that the proposal to cut three archive staff roles is "under review". Gwenllian, who represents the Arfon constituency, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Members of staff and students have approached me with concerns about different aspects of the proposals, and I was able to convey them directly to the vice-chancellor and senior representatives."I'm glad they have listened to the strength of feeling and are now reconsidering the proposed archive cuts."We will now continue to make a case for a halt to compulsory redundancies and for the in-year support provided by the Welsh government to be used to reduce job losses."We will continue to make the case for the government to step in with more support."Saville Roberts added the archives at Bangor were "of national significance"."Ensuring continued public access to this vital historical resource is essential for our understanding of Welsh history, identity, and culture. I welcome the university's decision to pause and reconsider."
