Chemistry tower coming down

A few years ago, the University had decided that there wasn't enough enthusiasm for chemistry in Bangor, so that they would close the chemistry department. Quite a rigourous decision! A university without chemistry? But I suppose it does have to make financial sense.

Chemistry had its own building; the chemistry tower. It was a building with a strong 60s feel to it. And the University had been wondering about its future for a while. I had heard rumours that they might want to turn it into a student accommodation, but that of course would require a change in planning permission. And because no one really knew what to do with it, it wasn't really getting a lot of maintenance. And one day, one of the slabs that covers the concrete came down in strong wind. I didn't hit anyone, but one person was close enough to tell University management that that building couldn't maintain the way it was. It had to either be safe, or not be at all! And we just had got a new VC, and he made the decision. It had to come down.

The building after things started falling off

You don't just tear down a tower. Some preparation goes into that! But the work has now started. The area has been fenced off for months, and now the whole building has been packaged in plastic to avoid dust becoming a nuisance. I trust it will become smaller and smaller now! My last lecture in that building has long been. I hope the empty space will be it to good use…

What it looks like now