The Reverend Canon Thomas Halliwell MA., Principal of Trinity College Carmarthen, is to retire from this position, which he has held with the distinction for nearly a quarter of a century.

His resignation - on the reaching of the retirement age of 65 years - was accepted with regret or by the College Council on a Thursday last, and will take effect at the end of the present academic year in August next.

Trinity College celebrated its centenary in 1948. Founded by the National Society for the training of the Masters for the teaching profession, the College has rendered distinguished service to the cause of education - particularly religious education - throughout its long history.

Extensions and renovations to meet with the modern educational requirements have brought "Trinity" to the forefront of a training colleges for teachers in the whole of England and Wales. It became co-educational eight years ago and now has 200 men and 300 women students. In November 1960 a farm was acquired to cater for the teaching of a rural science. The buildings were formally opened in December last.

It was to the credit of Canon Halliwell that during the difficult period of the last war he was able to keep the College open. Afterwards he embarked on a building programme at a total cost of nearly half a million pounds. (£25m in today's terms Ed)

Among the new buildings was a women's hostel opened by Prince is Margaret in 1957.

The pioneer in the record of progress was, of course, Canon A. W. Parry, principal of the Courage for 32 years, and who afterwards became the Dean of the St Davids Cathedral. Into this rich heritage entered the Reverend Thomas Halliwell in September 1940.

To follow on one who had laboured with conspicuous success for such a long period was no easy task, but it can truly be said that Canon Halliwell fully maintained the best traditions of the College, and its high standard of scholastic efficiency. Expansion has been his watchword and "Trinity" goes on from strength to strength.

Canon Halliwell was educated at Wigan Grammar School, University College Manchester, and Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He is an honours graduate of Manchester University and obtained a first class diploma in education.

In the first World War he was a wireless and telegraph operator on a transport ship and on demobilisation, became a un-certificated master at Wigan. After graduating at Manchester University he read theology at Ridley Hall, Cambridge.

Ordained in 1923 he became a curate of Aston, Birmingham, and two years later was appointed Chaplain and tutor at Trinity College. He was appointed Canon of St Davids Cathedral in 1946, and has held office as Treasurer since 1956.

Canon Halliwell has learnt the language of the Country of his adoption, and frequently takes part in the Welsh and services in the beautiful College chapel.

Canon Halliwell has taken an active interest in many facets of life in Carmarthen and in West Wales have generally. Like his predecessor in the principalship, the welfare of Carmarthenshire Infirmary and in later years, Glangwili hospital - has had a strong claim on his talents and service. He is at present the Chairman of the south-west Wales Hospital Management Committee.

He is a former President of the Carmarthen Rotary Club and is a c-opted member of Carmarthenshire Education Committee. He is a member of Carmarthen Arts Club and of the Carmarthen antiquarian Society. Canon Halliwell is married with three children.

Mr John H. Humphreys B.A., Deputy Principal, is also to retire at the end of the present session in August.

He has been on the staff of the College since 1928, and is the head of the education department. Soon after the last war Mr Humphreys was seconded to be the principal of the new training college in Cardiff. After establishing the base their, he returned to resume his post at "Trinity".

Mr Humphreys is a graduate of the University of South Wales and Monmouthshire Cardiff, obtained a first class honours degree in Celtic Studies.

His wife is Dr Elizabeth T. Davies Humphreys, an Assistant Medical Officer of Health under Carmarthenshire County Council.