Key Points
- Jamaican Brunch was organized at Penrhyn Hall in Bangor to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the One World Café.
- The event was sponsored by the North Wales Jamaica Society and Learning Links International CIC.
- Food items for the Jamaican feast were supplied by Geoff Miller from Cegin Caribi, Holyhead.
- Among the guests present at the brunch was Jackie Pennant, a member of the North Wales Jamaica Society residing in Florida.
- The event was celebrated to highlight four important years; first, the completion of one year of the One World Café, second, two years of exchange visits for Welsh-Jamaican Taith, third, three years of Bangor-May Pen civic relations, and fourth, four years of Bangor University’s Hot Meals Project.
- An initiative for new school project named Widening Horizons/Ehangu Gorwelion was also presented as a means to connect schools of Bangor and Clarendon in Jamaica.
- The organizers mentioned that the café will provide an opportunity for the residents, students, volunteers, and community organizations to get together.
Bangor (Wales Times) October 29, 2026 – One World Café marked its first anniversary with a Jamaican brunch at Penrhyn Hall, bringing together community members, volunteers and supporters to celebrate friendships between uk/local/bangor/">Bangor and Jamaica. As reported by The Bangor Aye, the event took place from 10.30am to 12 noon at Penrhyn Hall / Civic Hall on Ffordd y Gwynedd.
The brunch was supported by the North Wales Jamaica Society and Learning Links International CIC. According to The Bangor Aye, the gathering was intended to bring together people who live, work and study in Bangor, alongside community organisations, to build friendships and support volunteer-led projects across the city.
Who provided the Jamaican brunch?
Geoff Miller, a member of the North Wales Jamaica Society, prepared the food through Cegin Caribi, which he runs from his home in Holyhead. The Bangor Aye reported that Miller aimed to provide “a real taste of Jamaica,” bringing memories of his home country to Bangor.
The brunch was served at 10.30am. It was followed by welcomes and introductions at 11am, with updates and presentations running from 11.15am until noon.
Which guests attended the celebration?
Jackie Pennant, an active member of the North Wales Jamaica Society who lives in Florida, travelled to Wales for the occasion. As reported by The Bangor Aye, Pennant was due to share news of her work in Pennants, Clarendon, Jamaica, where she has been helping to address challenges facing schools and the wider community.
Local civic representatives were invited, but organisers also encouraged residents, students, volunteers and community groups to attend. The Bangor Aye stated that people interested in supporting One World Café were particularly welcome.
Which milestones did the event recognise?
The anniversary gathering recognised four separate milestones. The Bangor Aye reported that these were:
- One year of One World Café.
- Two years of the Building Bridges of Friendship and Families Together exchanges, funded through the Welsh Government’s Taith programme.
- Three years of civic links between Bangor and May Pen in Clarendon, Jamaica.
- Four years of Bangor University’s Hot Meals Project.
According to The Bangor Aye, the projects connect international friendship with practical community action, from sharing experiences across countries to helping people closer to home.
What is the new Widening Horizons project?
The event also introduced Widening Horizons / Ehangu Gorwelion, a new project linking schools in the Bangor area with schools in Clarendon, Jamaica. The Bangor Aye reported that the initiative aims to build friendships between pupils, teachers and their communities through shared learning and activities.
The project adds to the existing links between Bangor and Clarendon, which include civic connections and Welsh Government-funded exchange programmes.
What is One World Café’s purpose?
One World Café operates at Penrhyn Hall on Saturday mornings. The Bangor Aye previously reported that the café was launched as a weekly gathering, generally open from 10am to 12pm when the venue is available.
The café’s stated local ambition is to connect people across Bangor’s communities and support volunteer-led projects. The Bangor Aye described the anniversary as an opportunity to give that ambition fresh momentum, welcome new attendees and explore what people can achieve together.
Background of the development
One World Café has developed alongside wider Wales–Jamaica community links in Bangor. The North Wales Jamaica Society has previously used the café at Penrhyn Hall for events including Windrush commemorations and Emancipendence activities marking Jamaica’s Emancipation Day and Independence Day.
The café is also connected to the work of community volunteers in Bangor. The North Wales Jamaica Society has said that members Garrick and Derek have helped keep the One World Café running on Saturday mornings while reviewing plans and decisions related to the Jamaica Appeal.
The anniversary event followed earlier reporting by The Bangor Aye on 5 October 2026, which set out the plans for the brunch, the participation of Geoff Miller and Jackie Pennant, and the four community milestones being celebrated.
Prediction: What could this mean for Bangor residents?
For Bangor residents, students and community groups, the anniversary may help broaden participation in local volunteering and international friendship projects. The introduction of Widening Horizons / Ehangu Gorwelion could create further opportunities for schools, pupils and teachers in Bangor to work with counterparts in Clarendon, Jamaica.
For existing supporters, the event may strengthen the network around One World Café by bringing together civic representatives, volunteers, families and community organisations. The café’s continued Saturday morning presence at Penrhyn Hall could provide a regular space for residents to meet, share information and become involved in future projects.
