Trinity College Carmarthen

The Principalship of Canon Thomas Halliwell

The 1960 Appeal

The Appeal Brochure was prefaced by the College's Armorial Arms which were explained thus:

The Armorial Bearings of Trinity College Carmarthen, were granted on 1st May, I953, and given by the sisters of the late Dr. A. W. Parry, in his memory. Dean Parry was Principal of the College from 1909 - 1940 and, Dean of St. David's from 1940 - 1950.

The Blazon is as follows:

Azure a Penner, and Ink-Horn Argent garnished and tied with a cord or on a chief of the last three Cinquefoils Sable, and for the Crest on a wreath or and Azure Issuant from a Celestial Crown or a Demi Dragon Gules holding two Keys addorsed wards upwards gold surmounted by a Plate charged with a Cross cottised also gules thereon an open Book proper to be borne and used for ever for Trinity College Carmarthen, on Seals, Shields or otherwise according to the Laws of Arms.

The significance of the Emblems is as follows: -

The Crest contains a Welsh Dragon symbolising the National Life" of Wales rising from a Celestial Crown symbolising Religion. The Dragon is holding a St. George Cross on which there is an open Bible. This is taken from the Arms of the National Society of the Church of England who were the founders and are still the Trustees of the College. The Shield contains a Penner and Ink-Horn, symbolising a College of Education, on a blue background, taken from the episcopal Arms of Llandaff Diocese. The gold stars on the black background are from the Arms of St. Davids Diocese. The Dragon is also holding St. Peter's Keys, the College at its foundation being in the Parish of St. Peter, Carmarthen.

Princess Margaret descends from the Royal Train at Carmarthen to be met by the Lord Lieutenant Sir Grismond Phillips for her journey to Trinity College to open the new Ladies Hotel - Neuadd Non in July 1957

When considering the sums the College Council set about raising in 1960 it is important to translate the currency into modern terms - which I have done. As a Voluntary College the College itself was required to raise half the costs of new buildings - a formidable task in any era.

This Artist's Sketch of the proposed new buildings - was exhibited in the Royal Academy in 1960 it shows the new theatre complex (now the Halliwell Theatre) to the lower right, the new student accommodation lower left, and the tower block accommodation behind the original College buildings. Click on picture to enlarge.

The Tower block provides student accommodation - initially intended for men -its design was ahead of its time and maintenance proved problematic - however it provides a distinct landmark on the Carmarthen skyline as the town is approached from the M4 - and is a symbol of the upwards and onwards philosophy of the College.

Principal and Mrs Kay Halliwell with Paula Nona and Tom - after Sunday Chapel circa 1955

Appeal for £100,000 

(Equivalent to £5m in 2005 terms)

In September, 1957, when the College became coeducational, an appeal was made for £10,000 (£1/2m) to complete the new accommodation which had been provided at a cost of some £95,000. (£4.75m).  Thanks to a generous response to this Appeal and to the College's own efforts, all debts incurred in connection with the new buildings were paid off. It was hoped that there would then be a period of quiet consolidation and that no further appeals would have to be made for some time.

In the Autumn of 1958, however, the Minister of Education announced a vast expansion programme for Training Colleges in connection with the lengthening of the course to three years in 1960. It became clear that if the College was to continue to play a part in the future training of teachers it would have to be enlarged to accommodate at least 400 to 450 students.

In England the responsibility for bringing the Church Colleges up to the required standard and for building a new college at Canterbury was accepted by the Church of England through the Church Assembly who are able to raise the necessary loan of some £1,250,000. (£62.5m). The Governing Body of the Church in Wales, while anxious to see its two colleges (Trinity College, Carmarthen, and St. Mary's College, Bangor) continue, has no resources comparable to those of the Church of England, and the burden must necessarily fall in Wales on the colleges themselves. So far as this college is concerned, it is anticipated that the total expenditure will be not less than £320,000. (£16m in today's money - Ed) It is almost certain that this figure will be exceeded. The Ministry of Education will give a grant of 75% of this cost, but this will leave a sum of at least £80,000 (£4m) to be raised by the College. To meet this challenge and to pay off a mortgage of £8000 (£400,000) on staff houses, an appeal is being launched for £100,000 (£5m). This will be sufficient only if it can be raised within the next two years. If a very substantial sum has to be borrowed, the ultimate cost will, of course, be considerably greater.

Plans for this expansion of the College have been prepared and it is hoped building operations will begin in November of this year. In order to accommodate the increased number of students, everything must be completed by the Summer of 1962.

Included in the increased provision to be built, special facilities are to be provided for the teaching of Science (Rural and Physical), Mathematics, Woodwork and Metalwork, and a special appeal is being made to industry for help in connection with these projects for the training of teachers of science. Other additions will include new dining halls, kitchens, assembly hall, hostel accommodation for some I70 students, and generally increased teaching accommodation. As is now well known, the College is one of two bilingual colleges in Wales (the other being Bangor Normal College), where students, who so desire, may receive instruction in all subjects through the medium of Welsh.

Primarily, however, the College exists to proclaim the need for a Christian basis for all true education. At the heart of the College buildings stands the Chapel which will need to be considerably enlarged, and we believe that it is the Chapel and its Services which make the most enduring impression on the minds of all the students and have the warmest place in their affections. The College seeks to foster in its students a sense of vocation and of Christian discipleship to our Lord Jesus Christ through the fellowship and membership of His Church and this aim is constantly in our minds as the main reason for our continued existence.

The College has a very honourable history and the Council feels confident that it would be the wish not only of the church people in Wales, but of all those who care for a Christian ideal of education that the College should survive, and the Council is unanimous in making this Appeal to well-wishers in Wales, and, indeed, beyond the borders of Wales.

At the present time, the College has in hand in its Foundation Account some £20,000 (£1m) as a starting figure. This has been raised partly by the sale of land, partly from residential courses, partly by the efforts of students and staff, and by donations already received from many friends and from Breconshire, Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire, Glamorganshire, Monmouthshire and Pembrokeshire County Councils from their Welsh Church Acts Funds. A similar donation was received from Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council. We are particularly grateful to Glamorgan County Council who have more recently and in the light of the new situation, promise an additional £1000 (£50,000) per annum for the next five years. The College has already received 51 covenants for which the Council is deeply grateful. This will bring in some £220 (£11,000) each year for seven years. The Representative Body of the Church in Wales has promised a donation of £1000. (£50,000).

In conclusion, it may be stated that since the War, the College has previously raised from its own resources some £75,000 ( £3.75m) towards a total expenditure of nearly £140,000 (£7m). To attempt to do this all over again is, of course, a somewhat daunting project. May we commend it to your sympathetic consideration.

Chairman of the Council.

John St Davids

Principal and Secretary

of the Council.

T. Halliwell

August, 1960