Bangor by the Sea, Bangor, Bangor (2025)

10/09/2025

𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕
𝟲𝟬 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚!♟️
After a 4-month summer break, the local chess community is buzzing with excitement as Bangor Chess Club reopens its doors on:-
📅 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟭 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
⏰ 𝟳𝗽𝗺 – 𝟭𝟬𝗽𝗺
📍 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝟯𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

✨ 𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲
2025/26 is no ordinary season as it’s the run-up to the club’s 60th anniversary in early 2026, making Bangor Chess Club the longest continuously running chess club in Northern Ireland!

From just 20 members a few years ago, the club has now grown to over 80 members, half of whom are children and teenagers. This special cross-generational mix allows younger players to learn from adults and pensioners every single week.

🌍 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀
What makes Bangor Chess Club truly unique? Every Thursday, its tournaments are FIDE-rated (officially recognised by the International Chess Federation), attracting players from India, Kazakhstan, France, Poland, Hungary, Canada, the USA and more. The atmosphere in the hall is electric!

💷 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹
The club is run by volunteers and keeps fees low:
• £40 per season (adults)
• £30 per season (U18s, students, unemployed)
That’s about £1 a night for 3 hours of chess!

🙌 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲
If you know how the pieces move, you’re welcome to come along, sample the atmosphere, and if you enjoy it, you can join the following week.

Thanks to National Lottery Community Funding, chess events will also be spreading across Ards & North Down over the next 2 years.

🌐 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 & 𝘂𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁:
👉 www.bangorchess.com
👉https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087990948193

♟️ Come along and be part of Northern Ireland’s biggest chess club – and one of the biggest in the UK!

10/09/2025

⛵𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔⛵
𝗔𝗟𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗘
Two more eye-catching visitors have berthed in Bangor Marina:

🇺🇸 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀
👉 A 20-metre motor yacht sailing under the US flag (Navada), broad and stylish with plenty of presence.

🇫🇷 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗮
👉 A sleek 23-metre French-flagged pleasure craft with lovely classic lines.

⚡ On top of that, three Artemis Technologies foiling vessels are also in port, futuristic boats we’ve featured before and always a thrill to see up close.

💙 This is what makes Bangor Marina so special, you never quite know what you’ll find when you head down for a wander. From international yachts to cutting-edge innovation, it’s a constant showcase.

🌊 And looking ahead, the 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 & 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 redevelopment will only add to it. It's only a matter of time before visitors stepping off these yachts walk straight into a vibrant new seafront filled with cafés, shops, and open spaces. Bangor’s waterfront is shaping up to be a jewel in the crown of Irish destinations.

👋 A big Bangor welcome to 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 and 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗮, and here’s to many more fascinating vessels calling in.

09/09/2025

JUST PUTTING UP HOARDINGS …they said😂

08/09/2025

🚶‍♀️🚴‍♀️𝗣𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗘? 🚶‍♀️
An interesting idea has been floated by a Queens University campaign group; why not make 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻-𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗲 as part of the wider redevelopment?

"𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜."✨

👉 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗿:
✅ A 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲, 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 for walkers & cyclists
✅ A 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 to shops, cafés & Marine Gardens
✅ A chance to 𝗺𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲’𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝘀 and Belfast’s new ETP zone
✅ Bangor 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 as a people-friendly destination

With 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘀 watching with interest, this is a conversation Bangor needs to have.

💬 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄?
Would pedestrianising Queens Parade be a bold leap forward, or would it create new challenges ⚠️?

07/09/2025

𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗥:
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘?
Here’s an old concept image from a few years back, it's a villa-style apartment block that was talked about with planners but never moved forward. The site is the small council-owned car park opposite the Abbey.
We're using this old image it to spark a fresh, constructive discussion on two things: the architecture and the best use of the land.

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻

Do the proportions, roofline, balconies and windows feel right for this street?

Would you prefer something more contemporary, or is this restrained/classical look a good fit?

Thoughts on materials (light render, stone wall, hedging) and height/mass?

💬 Tell us what you’d change: height, detailing, colour, landscaping, entrances, etc.

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮: 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱

Should the Council sell this small plot to a private developer for homes like this, or hold it for another use?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂?

🧱Street character & heritage

🏠Housing need & affordability

🌳Greenery & boundary treatment

🚶‍♀️Parking, access & safety 🚲🚌

💷Long-term value for the city

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲. Specific, design-focused comments help everyone, residents, council and future developers.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥: This is an historic concept image used to open discussion. It’s not a live application. Image shown for illustration only.

07/09/2025

MARINE GARDENS WORK UNDERWAY
🧩FIRST PIECE OF THE JIGSAW 🏗️
Work has now officially started on the £10m Marine Gardens, the very first piece of the wider regeneration that will transform Queen’s Parade and restore Bangor as a premier maritime destination.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and while it will bring huge benefits, there will naturally be some short-term disruption for local residents. Bangor Marine (the developer) is keen to keep people informed and has issued the following letter, reproduced in full below.

ℹ️ Meet the Developer: Bangor Marine will host two drop-in sessions at The Court House, Bangor, on Wednesday 1st October at either 6.30pm or 7.30pm. A chance to meet the project team and ask questions.

📞 Concerns during site hours? The contractor (MSM Contracts Ltd) can be contacted directly by phone or email – details are included in the letter.

𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:

Dear Resident,

We want to let you know that work to deliver the long-awaited transformation of the Bangor seafront is now underway. Bangor Marine is pleased to have finally overcome the delays of the past and to move forward to recreate Marine Gardens and regenerate Queen’s Parade.

While we all agree this is a positive step forward, it may bring some temporary disruption for those living nearby, however minimal and we want to keep you informed. Residents of Gray’s Hill may experience some impacts during the works, including:

Traffic: Construction vehicles will access the site via both Gray’s Hill and Queen’s Parade, so the street may be busier than usual. Most deliveries will be scheduled for early morning where possible, but please be aware that during concreting works, deliveries may take place throughout the day.

Noise: As with any large-scale construction project, some noise will be unavoidable during operating hours. We will work closely with contractors to minimise disturbance.

Operating times: The site will operate from 7:20am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. If required, works may also take place on Saturdays from 7:30am - 2:30pm. There will be no work on Sundays.

The Project will be registered under the Considerate Constructors Scheme. The Works will be carried out by MSM Contracts Ltd who are registered Considerate Constructors.

Their Contact Details are;
Email: info@msmcontracts.co.uk

Telephone: 028 90687431

Bangor Marine will be holding sessions for local residents on Wednesday 1st October at The Courthouse from 6:30 - 7:30pm and 7:30 - 8:30pm, where you can meet the project team and ask any questions.

In addition, we are developing a website at www.bangormarine.com
where regular updates on the progress of the works will be shared. This will be ready within the next week.

If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at info@bangormarine.com

We appreciate your patience and understanding as this long-anticipated project gets underway, and we will at all times work with the construction team to ensure that any inconvenience is kept to a minimum.

Kind regards,
Bangor Marine

06/09/2025

✨A SPECTACULAR DAY IN BANGOR ✨

Today Bangor was treated to a colourful display of pageantry and history.

🎺 On the Streets
The Band, Pipes and Drums of the Irish Guards marched proudly through our city. Thousands lined the streets to cheer them on.

Adding to the spectacle, a Lancaster Bomber flew over Bangor, thrilling crowds as it roared across the city skyline.

💙 Bangor came alive today, with people, and pageantry.

06/09/2025

🎶 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘: 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐁𝐁𝐄𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑!
📀 Thousands of vinyl records & CDs under one roof, from rare gems to timeless classics. Whether you’re crate-digging for that elusive album or just browsing for some Saturday tunes, this is Bangor’s big music day!

📍 Where: Bangor Abbey, Abbey Street
📅 When: Saturday, September 6, 2025 (𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘)
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
💷 Admission: £1

🚆 Just a 5-minute walk from Bangor Train & Bus Station – perfect for anyone travelling in.

✨ Hosted by the Belfast Record Fair and is always a great day for collectors, music lovers & anyone who just enjoys the buzz of vinyl culture.

👉 Who’s heading over for a dig through the crates today? Drop us a comment if you’re going! 🎶

05/09/2025

𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗫𝗢𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗦
Ballyholme service station is set to be modernised and extended. The Spar/Maxol service station changes will be a real boost for local customers.

✨ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴?
• 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿, 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 – the store is being extended to give shoppers more choice of groceries and essentials.
• 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 – a bright new glazed frontage with updated signage will make the station far more welcoming.
• 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 – redesigned entrances will make it easier for everyone to get in and out.
• 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 – the building will get updated finishes and a pitched roof, bringing it up to modern standards.
• 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹 – more space, more products, and a more comfortable shopping experience.

👥 The upgrades will make the service station “a much nicer place to shop and refuel” and is a positive step for all its customers.

05/09/2025

RED ARROWS Flypast for RAF Town Show.
Now on, Today and Tomorrow at Ward Park, Bangor!
Photographs taken from the Valentine Playing Fields.

05/09/2025

✈️ STARTS TODAY
𝐑𝐀𝐅 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖
🗓️ 5th & 6th September 2025 (09:00-16:30)
📍 Ward Park, Bangor
🎟️ FREE ENTRY – all welcome

✨ What to expect:
• 🔴 Red Arrows flypast (Friday only 15:04)
• 🛩️ An RAF aircraft on show – step inside and explore.
• 💪 Agility challenges & interactive workshops.
• 🚑 Life-saving skills demonstrations.
• 🎶 Live performance from the RAF Band.
• 👨‍🔧 Explore RAF careers in engineering, logistics, medical & more.
• 👧👦 Youth activities to inspire the next generation.
• 🎉 Fun, family atmosphere in the heart of Bangor.

💙 Whether you’re an aviation fan, history buff, or just looking for a family day out, this promises a fun day for all the family

📸 Don’t forget your camera:- the Red Arrows over Ward Park is a moment you’ll want to capture!
Transit Route Shown below.

03/09/2025

✈️ 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐅𝐋𝐘𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐑!✈️
This weekend, Ward Park comes alive for the 𝐑𝐀𝐅 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖 and topping it all is a spectacular Red Arrows flypast on Friday afternoon (5 Sept)! 🔴⚪🔵

𝐑𝐀𝐅 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖
🗓️ 5th & 6th September 2025 (09:00-16:30)
📍 Ward Park, Bangor
🎟️ FREE ENTRY – all welcome

✨ What to expect:
• 🔴 Red Arrows flypast (Friday only 15:04)
• 🛩️ An RAF aircraft on show – step inside and explore.
• 💪 Agility challenges & interactive workshops.
• 🚑 Life-saving skills demonstrations.
• 🎶 Live performance from the RAF Band.
• 👨‍🔧 Explore RAF careers in engineering, logistics, medical & more.
• 👧👦 Youth activities to inspire the next generation.
• 🎉 Fun, family atmosphere in the heart of Bangor.

💙 Whether you’re an aviation fan, history buff, or just looking for a family day out, this promises a fun day for all the family

📸 Don’t forget your camera:- the Red Arrows over Ward Park is a moment you’ll want to capture!
Transit Route Shown below.

Bangor by the Sea

10/09/2025

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03/09/2025

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