A procession along the promenade to kick the bar will be held on Friday to mark the day Aberystwyth University first opened its doors back in 1872.

Staff, students, alumni and members of the local community will take part in the Founders’ Day walk from Old College to the foot of Constitution Hill.

The procession will be led by the university’s chancellor Lord Thomas of Cwmgïedd and vice-chancellor Prof Elizabeth Treasure.

Special guest at this year’s Founders’ Day will be Sioned Wiliam - an honorary fellow and Aberystwyth drama graduate who is now commissioning editor for comedy at BBC Radio 4.

Sioned is also a novelist, who in May 2018 published her third novel, Cicio’r Bar – a light-hearted tale of the trials and tribulations of three students at Aberystwyth University in the 1980s.

Sioned said: “I’m really looking forward to returning to Aberystwyth. My time at the university was very happy. I was fortunate to have been taught by geniuses in the drama department, Prof Elan Closs Stephens and the late Emily Davies. I’m also looking forward to a reunion with some of the close friends I made during those happy years.

“And of course, I cannot think of a better way to celebrate than a walk along the prom to kick the bar!”

Prof Treasure said: “There was huge excitement on 16 October, 1872 when Old College welcomed its very first students.

“Founders’ Day is our way of remembering the ambition, vision and passion of those involved in establishing the first University College in Wales here in Aberystwyth. We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.”

The procession to kick the bar will start at 8am from the Old College, where breakfast will later be served, just as it was in 1872.

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