BANGOR’S multi-million development of Beach Road with its new flood-defence promenade and tourist track took another step towards completion this week with unveiling of another historic-lectern explaining the bygone story of Hirael.
The latest to be installed gives the story of the remarkable vision of former Bangor Mayor and businessman, Isidore Wartski, to almost level the entire area of rat-infested and slum-inhabited Hirael in the 1930’s and rebuild from scratch.
Other lecterns tell the stories of Port Penrhyn’s importance to Bangor’s economy and world demand for Penrhyn Quarry slate and how Beach Road was requisitioned during WWII as military encampment for US troops prior to the D-Day ‘Overlord’ invasion of Normandy. Among the US servicemen billeted to Hirael was American world boxing champion Joe Louis. A fourth lectern explains need for flood defences at Bangor’s seashore and how the engineering was put together.
Bangor City and Hirael Ward councillor Mark Roberts (pictured right with Professor Nathan Abrams of Bangor University) explained: “Beach Road will still look like a massive construction site until the end of this year … but behind the fencing, cement silos and cranes there’s a lot going on to make it a delightful area for visitors, cyclists, walkers and even casual strollers to enjoy. These lecterns just add to the appeal. They’re fascinating.
“When Gwynedd Council’s YGC first opened consultation as to what stories and old photos ought to be depicted, I only had slim hopes that a former Bangor City Mayor’s visionary and certainly daring plan for the total redevelopment of Hirael would win through. But it did.
“Mayor Wartski for umpteen reasons is so much part of Bangor’s past and present. But his decision to relocate an entire swathe of men, women, the elderly, some sick and infirm, children and infants out of their homes to temporary housing while he levelled Hirael was audacious and brave indeed.”
Contributing to Cllr. Roberts effort, Bangor University professor Nathan Abrams also worked on the research.
He said: “Isidore Wartski came from a family of impoverished Prussian refugees who developed his father’s business who are now world famous in jewellery and fine art. The lectern only gives a snap-shot of his daring as a city councillor. To demolish an entire quarter of Bangor’s residential area to remove it from Victorian squalor took courage.”
Cllr Roberts added: “It’s perhaps ironic that this tribute to Mr. Wartski comes in a week when the world has ridiculed President Trump for suggesting much the same, but on larger scale in Gaza, Palestine.
“Evacuate the population as refugees to other areas of Bangor while I crack on and re-build your land. The difference is that even in the 1930’s Mr. Wartski did exactly that … moved an entire population of Bangor out, brought in the bulldozers and re-built it!”
Last year, the London-based Wartski firm generously spent close to £8,000 to repair Bangor City Council’s badly damaged 140 year old silver ceremonial city mace and this year have made large donations to both Bangor University and to restoring and re-creating a tourist-trail at the former Wartski Field which the family donated to the City and which now homes the Nantporth sports facilities.
Cllr. Roberts added: “Many in Bangor might have long forgotten the name ‘Wartski’ but it’s wonderful that ‘Wartski’ hasn’t forgotten us.”
