- now the Halliwell Theatre

on the 15th June 1963

Lady Marion - speech extract

Principal Canon Halliwell

College Hymn based on the Black Book of Carmarthen

Photogallery

COLLEGE KEEPS EXPANDING

'New Buildings Opened At 'Trinity'

This was the headline in the Carmarthen Journal on whose report I have drawn for the basis of this text. (TMH).

TRINITY COLLEGE, Carmarthen, is now (in 1963) 115 years old, but still retains the elixir of youth. Another milestone in its long and honoured history was passed on Saturday last, when new buildings part of an extension scheme costing £500,000, (25m in today's terms) were officially opened in the presence of a distinguished gathering, of educationists, local government leaders, present and past students and friends of the College from a wide area.

Performing the opening ceremony was Lady Marion Philipps, wife of Sir Hanning Philipps, Picton Castle, Haverfordwest, Lord Lieutenant of Pembrokeshire, a county which has been among the foremost supporters of the College over, the past few decades.

The Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Education (Welsh Department) who was among the speakers at the opening ceremony, paid high tribute to the contribution which Trinity College and Bangor Normal College, made towards Welsh education.

It was ‘Open Day’ at ‘Trinity’ and hundreds of guests moved freely in the various departments gaining a glimpse of some of the work carried on at the College.

A highlight of the proceedings was the brief service at the College Chapel - the focal point and inspiration of this time honoured institution - which provided a fitting ending to a memorable day.

FROM BLACK BOOK OF CARMARTHEN

A warm welcome to the gathering was extended by the Bishop of St Davids (President of the Council) who presided. Dr Richards was supported on the platform by Sir Grismond Philipps (Lord Lieutenant of Pembrokeshire) and Lady Marion Philipps, the Mayor and Mayoress of Carmarthen (Alderman and Mrs Ellis J. Powell); the Borough Sheriff (Counsellor C.W. Griffiths); the Town Clerk of Carmarthen Mr W John Owen; Alderman Edgar Lewis Chairman of Carmarthenshire Education Committee); Alderman Llewellyn Heycock (Chairman of the Glamorganshire Education Committee);

The Archbishop of Wales (Dr. Edwin Morris), the Vice-Chancellor of the University - of Wales (Dr. Thomas Parry), the Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Education, Welsh Department (Mr. Wynne LI. Lloyd), the Dean of St. Davids (Very Rev. T. E. Jenkins), Colonel G T. Kelway (Deputy Lieutenant of Pembrokeshire), Ald. J. R. Williams (Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council), Mr. George Trant (Registrar of the Diocese of St. Davids), Prof Jac L. Williams, Prof. Emrys B. Bowen and Emeritus Prof. Lily Newton (representing the University College of Wales. Aberystwyth), Mr. E. Bertram Rees, Carmarthen, Mr. Idrys Davies, Talley, Mr. Aneurin Davies (Secretary of the University of Wales School of Education); the Chief Constable of Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire (Mr. J Ronald Jones); Mr. 0. P. L. Edwards (chairman), Mr. Dick Jones (secretary), and Mr. J.H Edwards (treasurer), District 115, Rotary, Derrick G. Childs (secretary of the Church in Wales Council for Education (also representing the National Society), Mr. Aneurin Talfan Davies, B.B.C., Cardiff, Mr John H Humphreys and Miss Irene M. James (Vice-Principals, Trinity College), and the Rev. W. S. Moss (College Chaplain).

After the Bidding Prayer had been recited by the College Chaplain (Revd.W. Stanley Moss) the Bishop conducted a dedicatory service in which one of the hymns sung by the College Choir was: "Gogonedog Arglwydd, henffycht well!" taken from the Black of Carmarthen.

Introducing Lady Marion-Philipps, the Bishop said it was her ladyship’s first visit to to the College. He also welcomed Sir Hanning Phillips said they were much, indebted to Pembrokeshire County Council for the help they had given Trinity College. " It is one of the counties of South Wales which has helped us enormously," said Dr Richards.

AN INSPIRATION

Lady Marion Philipps said it was not until recently she had had the privilege of going round "this great College" it was inspiration to appreciate all that had gone in the erection of the College, which owed much to the foresight of the Council in the past and even more so to those who guided its destinies at the present.

The Principal said Lady Marion, had already given most valued service for the past 23 years and during this time much of the modern growth of the College had taken place. It was the most important college in South Wales rum by the Church, It was broad-minded and students of all denominations could enter it.

TOLERANCE

Lady Marion said the College’s open-minded background was just what a modern generation of parents needed for their children’s education. Speaking as a member of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Lady Marion said that such tolerance was deeply important. Recently the College had received recognition from the Ministry of Education by way of financial backing towards part of the cost of the extensions and, as well as contributions form certain county councils, there had been commendable voluntary efforts by the public and by the students themselves. "We must be grateful to the people who have done so much," said Lady Marion, "but they have their reward in looking round the College today and seeing what is being done in various spheres of education. I congratulate the architect responsible for a very original design which has had the honour of being exhibited at the Royal Academy.

BOUQUETS

Lady Marion then declared the new buildings open and wished every success to all who worked therein. Her Ladyship unveiled two plaques on the theatre, one in English and the other in Welsh commemorating the occasion.

She was presented with a choice bouquet of flowers by Miss Dawn Rees (a student from Pontypridd) and with a book of Elizabethan poems by Miss Ann Britton (a student from Cardiff), whilst the Mayoress (Mrs Ellis Powell) received a bouquet from Miss Anthea Davies (a student from Ammanford).

FREINDLINESS

The President of the Students' Union (Mr Brian Francis Seven Sisters, Neath) said the buildings were symbolic of the progress in education today. But, speaking as a student, he said that however fine the buildings might be, they were secondary to the atmosphere or spirit that existed in any place of learning

'Although the College had changed outwardly, almost. beyond recognition, in the past three years, the tradition of friendliness has been retained,' said Mr. Francis. "We have a happy relationship with the staff, while maintaining a healthy degree of independency as a student body. For this we thank the Reverend Principal Canon Halliwell. The facilities that are now available at our College will compete with any, but. I doubt if there are others who can claim as satisfactory a social and educational environment.

£1,000 FROM STUDENTS

'We realise, however, that bricks and mortar must be paid for, and over the last academic year more than a thousand pounds has been collected by the students to aid the Building Fund. Our Rag realised almost £800 while a 10/- donation by each student amounted. to over £200.

'We like to think that this shows the fallacy of a contention that younger generations are apathetic and do not appreciate the work of their elders. And so I would like to present the Reverend Principal with a statement for the sum of £1,000 from the students.'

ASSOCIATION OF 43 YEARS

The Archbishop of Wales spoke of his long association with Trinity College, which went back 43 - years when, as a student of St. David’s College, Lampeter, be played football and cricket against "Trinity." Many former students of "Trinity" were doing good work for the Church in addition to their duty as teachers. One of his sons had been trained there for the teaching profession, and always spoke of his three years at the College with great appreciation.

Dr. Morris said he first met Canon Halliwell in 1920, when they were both connected with the Boy Scout Movement. He had watched the Principal’s work down the years with increasing admiration. In spite of his length of service his mind was fresh, his ideas were forward-looking all the time, and among the changes he had brought about was to turn "Trinity" into a mixed college. It was a venture of faith on his part, which revealed his courage - a venture that was proving a decided success. 'This room we are now in, and the other buildings will remain for all time as a monument to his skill, persistence, courage, perseverance, vision, and all those qualities which he displays in such abundance.'

Canon Halliwell was a man of immense ability which he hid as modestly as possible. He had a pleasing manner in wheedling money out of people!

CLOSER TO UNIVERSITY

Principal Dr. Thomas Parry said he conveyed greetings from the staff, students and council of the University College of Wales to all concerned with the development of Trinity College in its period of expansion which, Dr. Parry hoped, would be the forerunner of more expansion In the future. The Vice-Chancellor said he would like to see the relationship between Trinity College with the other training colleges in Wales and the Welsh University develop more closely through the University Board and the University’s Faculty of Education.

"In some respects training colleges are almost part of the university as are the four constituent co1leges and we look forward to the Robinson Report to see whether training colleges will become nearer to the university than they are even now." said Dr. Parry. "if that be the case we, at Aberystwyth, will very much welcome such a development."

WORTHWHILE ENTERPRISE

Other colleges of the University of Wales had two or three training colleges within their area. 'Trinity' was the only college within the orbit of the University College at Aberystwyth and the relationship between them was one of very close friendship. Although their type of work differed they all had a common purpose and it was an important and worthwhile enterprise.

The new buildings opened that afternoon had greatly enlarged the facilities available at Trinity College with infinite possibilities. He hoped full advantage would be taken by the students of the facilities and that they would be encouraged in their activities which could only take place in a college. Thus, the reputation which "Trinity" enjoyed would be enhanced. Dr. Parry wished the College all future success and prosperity.

MINISTER’S GOOD WISHES

Mr. Wynne Ll, Lloyd conveyed the good wishes of the Minister of Education (Sir Edward Boyle) Sir Ben. Bowen Thomas, Secretary of the Welsh Department of the Ministry of Education. He said the Minister was interested in training colleges because they represented the public will as expressed in central and local Government.

'It is an expression of your will and your interest, and here I feel deeply the honour of expressing the regard of the community for this great College at Carmarthen," said Mr. Wynne Lloyd, who declared, "I was here two months ago and was impressed by the changes that have come about. I think that you and ourselves in the Ministry have been greatly impressed, excited and thrilled by he work that has been done and is being done in this College. ‘Trinity’ and Bangor Normal College are performing a most important function for Welsh education. Their students have inspired the work in the schools and the communities in which they live. May I hope that these and other colleges will help to meet the call of our time for matured and well, trained teachers, whose intellectual training and ability are so greatly needed, but are not always so greatly appreciated and rewarded."

PRINCIPAL’S GRATITUDE

Canon Thomas Halliwell recalled the challenge the College faced three years ago when the Ministry had said that more money had to be raised for expansion plans and he expressed his deep gratitude to the various authorities and organisations for their generous support in the past and promise of continued aid in the future. He also spoke of his indebtedness to the students, the staff and the Council of the College for their assistance in what he described as "a fantastic task."

They had not had much help from industry yet. Swansea University had got in first, but he hoped industry would send them something later on. Canon Halliwell said that education in itself was not enough. "What is it that we want education, for?"  "Education in itself is not enough, education will only make a clever rogue a much cleverer rogue:  'You taught me language, Caliban said to Prospero, and my profit on it is that I know how to curse.' Science is a wonderful thing - but if it is only going to devote itself to human destruction - the less we have of it the better."

 Education only means giving people the tools - but what are they going to do with the tools when they've got them? "Unless people are going to use them in the service of God they would be better off without them," declared the Principal, who concluded, "Our motto in College is taken from the first few words of the hymn, ‘God is our strength and stay,’ in Welsh, ‘Duw ein porth a'n cynorthwy'.

COLLEGE CHAPEL SERVICE

The College chapel was filled to overflowing for a service which followed tea. After lessons had been read by members of the staff, Rev. Dr. A. G McWilliams (English) and Mr. J. H. Humphreys (Welsh) the College choir under the able conductorship of Mrs. ‘Ceridwen Lloyd Davies (music tutor), gave a colourful rendering of Schubert’s Mass in G. The voices of four parts blended beautifully with the result that the chorus and solo work left nothing to be desired. The soloists were Phyllis Richards, Nellian Davies, Gwyneth Jones, Alan Fewster, Huw Willlarns and J. Glyn Evans.

Two hymns were sung, followed by the Blessing, pronounced by the Archbishop. An inspiring service ended on a ‘note of triumph and thanksgiving' with the organist, Peter Carder, playing Widor's Toccata in F.

Tom Halliwell March 2005