SERC Students and Staff Take Part in the Sea Bangor Festival

The Sea Bangor Festival is a family-friendly, annual maritime event organised by North Down and Ards Borough Council with support from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) and Bangor Marina. This year’s event took place on the weekend of 3 and 4 June with thousands of people in attendance, soaking up the sun and enjoying the atmosphere. During the event, SERC students and staff participated in several activities, including operating the SERC food truck, organising and participating in a rowing race and cookery demonstrations.

Rachel Dunne and Kobi Galbraith, both first year students studying for the Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services, formed part of the SERC rowing team along with their tutor Irwin Pryce and SERC’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Emmett. The rowing race was organised by SERC students Lea Nickell, Anabel McNutt and Jessica Chapman, all studying for the UU Foundation Degree in Hospitality and Tourism, who ensured the event ran smoothly.   

The SERC rowing crew battled it out against teams from Bangor Rugby Club, The Royal Navy, Ballyholme Beach Football Club and Bangor Sea Cadets, along with the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas.  With fantastic weather on their side, the SERC team were cheered on by spectators watching from the pier. Ultimately, Bangor Rugby Club were successful in winning the cup, but the SERC team enjoyed being part of the festivities and are looking forward to returning to the water in 2024!

Staff from SERC’s School of Hospitality, Management, Tourism and Languages, Brian Magill, Paul Mercer, Tom McCluney and Fritz Machala were also at the festival, showing off their catering skills during the cookery demonstrations, and also participating in omelette and pancake challenges. Festival goers didn’t go hungry, with the SERC food truck serving up 300kg of chips over 2 days!

If you missed the fun at Sea Bangor, SERC’s Hospitality and Catering team will also be participating in the upcoming Comber Earlies Food Festival on Saturday 24 June.