The Normal College, Bangor () was an independent teacher training college, founded in 1858. It was created through the efforts of the

British and Foreign School Society The British and Foreign School Society (BFSS) was founded in the early 19th century to support free and non-denominational British Schools in England and Wales. These schools competed with the National schools run by the National Society for Promo ...

and the educator Sir Hugh Owen, and was funded by £11,000 raised through subscription and £2,000 of Government money. Teaching began on temporary premises in January 1858 and the College opened on its permanent site in 1862. In 1979 it changed its name to ''Y Coleg Normal, Bangor'' or in English: The Normal College, Bangor. In 1996 it became part of University College of North Wales (now

Bangor University Bangor University () is a Public university, public Research university, research university in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. It was established by Royal charter, Royal Charter in 1885 as the University College of North Wales (UCNW; ), and in 1893 ...

History

The term " normal school" originated in the early 16th century from the French ''école normale''. The French concept of an "école normale" was to provide a model school with model classrooms to teach model teaching practices to its student teachers, thus acting as a teacher training institute. The Normal College in Bangor was originally set up through the efforts of the local community and Sir Hugh Owen to the tune of £11,000 and £2,000 of government money. The former campus is situated on the shores of the

Menai Strait The Menai Strait () is a strait which separates the island of Anglesey from Gwynedd, on the mainland of Wales. It is situated between Caernarfon Bay in the south-west and Conwy Bay in the north-east, which are both inlets of the Irish Sea. The s ...

next to the School of Education and School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences and the closest residences to the School of Ocean Sciences in

Menai Bridge Menai Bridge (; usually referred to colloquially as ''Y Borth'') is a town and community on the Isle of Anglesey in north-west Wales. It overlooks the Menai Strait and lies by the Menai Suspension Bridge, built in 1826 by Thomas Telford, j ...

. The site has two self-catered halls or residence: Neuadd Seiriol and Neuadd Arfon. In the 1960s one of the first pro-Welsh language campaigns in Wales was by 20 of the college lecturers for Welsh salary cheques, led by Owain Owain. The campaign was successful. In 1967, the college was the venue for lectures on Transcendental Meditation by the

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (born Mahesh Prasad Varma, 12 January 191? – 5 February 2008) was the creator of Transcendental Meditation (TM) and leader of the worldwide organization that has been characterized in multiple ways, including as a new ...

, at which

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

heard of the death of their manager,

Brian Epstein Brian Samuel Epstein ( ; 19 September 1934 – 27 August 1967) was an English music entrepreneur who managed the Beatles from 1961 until his death in 1967. Epstein was born into a family of successful retailers in Liverpool, who put hi ...

. The college was integrated into University College of North Wales (now

) in 1996.

Staff and alumni

Notable students and lecturers include: * Owen Prys * Gerallt Lloyd Owen * John Lasarus Williams * Owain Owain * Selwyn Griffith (Selwyn Iolen), Archdruid and crowned poet * Hafina Clwyd, journalist *

Windsor Davies Windsor Davies (28 August 1930 – 17 January 2019) was a British actor. He is best remembered for playing Battery Sergeant Major Williams in the sitcom '' It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' (1974–1981) over its entire run. The show's popularity resulted ...

, teacher who became an actor *

Ryan Davies Ryan Davies (22 January 1937 – 22 April 1977) was a Welsh comedian, actor, musician, singer, and songwriter. Though his career lasted just 11 years, he became widely known in Wales through his work with Ronnie Williams as the comedic double ...

, Welsh comedian, entertainer and musician.

References

External links

{{Coord, 53.2298, -4.1313, display=title University of Wales Bangor University Teacher training colleges in the United Kingdom Grade II listed buildings in Gwynedd 1858 establishments in the United Kingdom