The Bangor Union Society is the oldest debating society in Wales, founded in 1849 - that's 35 years before the university itself!

Our founding

Long before Bangor University was founded, the town was alive with debate. The first Bangor Debating Society, established in 1849, quickly became a centre of civic life where argument and oratory were both entertainment and education. By around 1870 it had merged with the local mock parliament to form the Bangor Literary & Debating Society, fostering a culture of lively discussion and critical thought that would later inspire the university’s own debating tradition.

By the mid-19th century, Bangor was already an intellectual hub, home to the Normal College (founded in 1849) and the Theological College. Both institutions had their own debating societies, making the town a lively centre of ideas and argument long before the university’s doors opened.

When the University College of North Wales (UCNW) was established in 1884, the Literary & Debating Society joined the new college community. Students and staff met regularly to exchange ideas and debate pressing issues such as religion and science, Welsh nationalism, women’s education, and the future of Britain’s empire. Meetings were sometimes bilingual, reflecting Bangor’s dual linguistic identity, and reports of debates appeared in local papers and student magazines. The first varsity debating competition between Bangor, Aberystwyth, and Cardiff took place in 1904.

The growth of competitive debating

From the 1960s through the 1990s, university debating became increasingly competitive across the UK. Bangor students joined national tournaments, hosted events, and adopted new formats such as British Parliamentary style. Over time, the society became known simply as the Debating Society, and by the 1950s, the Wranglers’ and Political Societies had merged to form a Debating Union.

Today, that legacy continues through the Bangor Union — the university’s oldest and largest non-subject society. For generations, it has served as a training ground for argument, leadership, and civic engagement, helping students develop confidence, clarity, and communication skills that carry into every field of life.

Where we are today

The Bangor Union continues to balance three aims: providing a welcoming space to learn public speaking and critical thinking, supporting competitive teams on the national and international stage, and running public debates that engage both the university and the wider community. As public discourse evolves, the society’s commitment to reasoned, inclusive debate remains as vital as ever.