IT WAS a special day for Bangor’s heroic Denise Chambers when her distinguished British Empire Medal for bravery was exhibited at the Somme Heritage Centre this week. For 96 year old Denise Chambers, nee Forster, has the prestigious title of being the first woman in Northern Ireland to be presented with the British Empire Medal for…
‘Our Donations’ exhibition puts on show memories of Bangor’s world in wartime
BANGOR’S popular North Down Museum saw the official opening of the ‘Our Donations’ exhibition last week. The exhibition features various objects that have been donated to the museum from local people including photographs of Bangor from the 1930-1950s, donated medals including an MBE, sports memorabilia and a second world war gas mask. Leanne Briggs, museum…
Paddy plummets at door of own pub
THIS Bangor bar owner says the town’s public realm roadworks caused him to fall at the first hurdle – the front door of his own pub. Paddy Smith runs the Winning Post on King Street, which is currently one of the areas being revamped as part of the £8m facelift of Bangor town centre. Workmen…
Royal Hotel goes up for sale
BANGOR seafront’s landmark Royal Hotel and Windsor Bar has gone on the market, just three months after it closed its doors. The historic Quay Street hotel called time just last October, and has been placed on the open market with offers invited in the region of £950,000. Situated in a commanding location over-looking Bangor’s award…
It’s full steam ahead for railway’s anniversary
IT IS full steam ahead for Bangor railway’s 150th anniversary celebrations, thanks to North Down Museum. Getting on the right track is Clare Ablett, community engagement trainee at the museum, who is organising the anniversary exhibition ‘En-gauge with the past - 150 years of the Bangor Railway’. At one time considered the busiest railway line in Ireland,…
Backspindle at the top of its game - with help from Mexican dice
THERE are not too many board game publishing companies in Ireland, however local company Backspindle Games has just had an amazing year in 2014. It was topped it off by winning the prestigious award for Best New Family Game for the board game Mexican Wrestling Dice at the UK Games Expo, an event held in…
Sleuth tackles crime in Helen’s Bay
IN the finest theatrical traditions, Helen’s Bay Players will provide North Down with what is believed to be a local premier production of Inspector Drake and the Perfekt Crime. The show will be performed on four nights from 14 to 17 January, in St John’s Church Hall, Helen’s Bay. The comedy thriller (with the deliberate…
Festival opens doors with a bang - and a clap of thunder
RAIN failed to dampen Bangor’s spirits as the town’s own boutique arts festival kicked off over the weekend.