Support in fight to save archives at Bangor University 'overwhelming'
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economist
an hour ago
- Economist
'Comrade' is making a comeback in China
DURING THE decades when Mao Zedong ruled China, it was common for people to address each other as tongzhi: 'comrade'. Like its English equivalent, the word has an egalitarian ring, as well as a hint of revolutionary fervour. But after Mao's death in 1976, and the market reforms that followed, the term tongzhi started to feel a little dated. Less ideological greetings took its place: like xiansheng ('mister'), meinu ('beautiful woman') and laoban ('boss').
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
Free bus pass: update on UK senior and OAP bus passes age
A national push is growing to bring England in line with the rest of the UK on over-60s travel 🚌 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Local councils in England can offer free bus passes to over-60s if they fund it themselves Labour government confirms councils hold the power to lower the age threshold Currently, free bus travel in England starts at state pension age (66), unlike devolved nations A petition calling for national parity with Scotland and Wales has gained over 101,000 signatures Campaigners argue the current system is unfair and outdated for older people outside London Calls for fairer travel perks for England's over-60s are growing louder, as the Labour government confirmed local councils already have the power to lower the age threshold for free bus passes — if they can afford to. Currently, people in England qualify for free off-peak bus travel only once they reach state pension age — currently 66. But in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, residents enjoy this benefit from the age of 60. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In response to a parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP Dr Al Pinkerton, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood confirmed that English councils can choose to offer additional local concessions, such as earlier eligibility for free bus passes — but must fund them themselves. (Photo:) | Getty Images 'The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) costs around £700 million annually,' Lightwood said. 'Any changes to the statutory obligations… would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme's financial sustainability.' But the revelation that councils already have this power has given fresh energy to campaigners. A petition calling for the ENCTS to be expanded nationally to include all over-60s in England — not just those in London — has now surpassed 101,000 signatures. The petition argues the current rules are outdated and unfair. It says: 'As people get older, some over 60s drive less and less. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We believe we need equality on public transport. It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.' What does this mean for you? If you're aged between 60 and 66 in England and wondering when you'll be eligible for free bus travel, the answer may depend on where you live. While there's no national plan yet to lower the threshold, your local council can introduce an over-60s scheme — if there's the political will and the budget to do so. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whether that happens may now come down to public pressure and local campaigning. With confirmed government backing for local flexibility, some councils could act — especially if residents make their voices heard. Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Caldicot's 'head from hell' Alun Ebenezer is 'never dull'
Will McLean was responding to a question over comments made by Caldicot headteacher Alun Ebenezer to the Argus in which he complained of a 'flawed culture' in Welsh schools. Mr Ebenezer hit the headlines when he took over at Caldicot in summer 2024 and introduced a uniform crackdown that saw girls sent home over make up and the length of their skirts. An Estyn inspection report this year said the school, that was hit by strike action in 2023 over claims of violence and abuse from pupils, is in overall need of improvement but noted an upturn in behaviour and staff moral. Before taking over at Caldicot Mr Ebenezer had been labelled 'the head from hell' by the tabloid press over his strict uniform standards at schools in England. Monmouthshire council's director of education, Mr McLean, told county councillors: 'I would say it is never dull working with the headteacher at Caldicot School.' Caldicot Castle councillor Rachel Garrick, who had raised concerns about the uniform crackdown in 2024 impacting female pupils and previous concerns over the school's management before Mr Ebenezer's appointment, raised the newspaper article that featured a 'Monmouthshire headteacher' when Mr McLean presented his annual director's report to the full council. The Labour member said the head had claimed the 'Welsh education system is failing not due to a lack of resources but its culture'. With Monmouthshire schools holding a combined £4 million deficit Cllr Garrick said 'I infer that to be a resource issue.' She asked if Mr McLean agreed schools were 'failing' and asked when the council had agreed to 'divert' from the child centred approach in the Welsh curriculum. Mr McLean said he had described education as 'flourishing' in Monmouthshire as he presented the conclusion of his report and said: 'I don't believe our education system is failing, I believe it a successful education system with areas we need to focus on and improve still further.' He also defended Mr Ebenezer who he said had made 'an immediate impact' at Caldicot. He said: 'He has attracted attention with his thinking about what school discipline looks like and what school culture could be. What we've found when we've spoken with Alun, Mr Ebenezer, is within his approach is a child centred approach. 'I know looking in it can sometimes seem this is a 'my way' approach to school discipline but I know colleagues have really welcomed they way he has reached out to bring changes to the way school works and the treatment, and support, of additional learning needs and develop a culture that supports all learners.' Mr McLean said he felt it is a 'strength' that Monmouthshire's four secondaries have their own 'unique approaches' but said through a partnership of the four schools 'we will see greater commonality and we will see shared standards and aspirations across the four schools.' He added: 'I think the work that the headteacher in Caldicot is doing at the moment is galvanising the school staff and providing them with a structure and a basis for which they will hopefully make improvements they need to move from their Estyn categorisation. 'I would say it's never dull working with the headteacher at Caldicot School.' The head of the council's education service also said heads often hog the headlines, and cited Monmouth Comprehensive headteacher Hugo Hutchinson. 'We see attention on heads all the time. The headteacher in Monmouth was in the press and the BBC for his approach to mobile phones.'
