I am a Hirael man born and bred and have lived in Bangor all my life. I started work as a telegram boy at the age of 15, then became a postman driver, then in 1967 I became a professional fireman serving in Bangor for 32 years retiring at 55 years of age. I then worked in Coleg Menai as a risk assessor for three years, then worked with the North Wales probation service, as a community service supervisor until I retired at 65 years of age. I also worked for Gwynedd County Council during local and national elections as a presiding officer in my local area of Hirael. The last ten years I have been the mace bearer for the city of Bangor having served ten different Mayors. The pier has always been a part of my life from a young age learning to swim off the jetty, with many dances taking part on the pier in my teenage years. It’s four years since I became a pier volunteer doing two shifts a week and I have trained so many volunteers.
John Chamberlain
