History of Lampeter

Lampeter is home to the oldest University in Wales, and the oldest in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge, founded by the Bishop of Saint David's so that Welsh scholars did not have to travel to Oxford to gain an education. The first steps to the creation of the College were taken in 1804, when Bishop Burgess of St. David's called a meeting at his palace in Abergwili, but the site was not chosen until 1820. The original intention had been to construct the college at Llanddewi Brefi, but when J. S. Harford, Falcondale, offered the land in Lampeter, Bishop Burgess decided to follow this option. The foundation stone of the Old Building (now called St. David's Building) was laid by Bishop Burgess on August 12th 1822, and construction, led by architect C. R. Cockerel commenced. The building was based on an Oxford College, with its quadrangle, cloisters, library and chapel. Fittingly, on St. David's Day, March 1st 1827, the University, then named Saint David's College, was declared open, and on August 21st, Bishop Jenkinson, who had taken over at St. David's consecrated the College Chapel.

In 1852, a charter for granting the Batchelor of Divinity was granted, and there were moves afoot between 1853 and 1855 to move the College to Brecon, but nothing came of these proposals. The latter half of the nineteenth century was a time of growth for the college. The chapel was refurbished and re-opened in 1880, the college became affiliated to Cambridge in 1883, and in 1887 the college was extended with the opening of the Canterbury Building. Unfortunately, due to subsidence, the building had to be pulled down and replaced in the 1970's Recent years have seen construction of a new library, lecture rooms and halls, along with student accommodation and a purpose built Student Union.

The Great War had a devastating effect on the college. As young men answered the call to arms, student numbers dropped to 28, but began to slowly recover after the war. The Second World War had an even more drastic effect, as numbers fell to 19, and Principal Archdall lost both sons in the conflict. By 1953, when Lloyd Thomas was appointed principal, the college was in dire financial trouble, and in serious danger of closing. He instigated a number of reforms, which led to sponsorship by Cardiff University in 1961, and joining the Federal University of Wales in 1967. At the same time, the name was changed to St. David's University College. Students who did not intend to take Holy Orders had been allowed to Study at Lampeter since 1896, but it was not until 1965 that female students were to attend. These changes, not only saved the college from closure, but again enabled expansion. Under Lloyd Thomas, more student accommodation was opened, along with a new sports and leisure hall. On his retirement in 1975, he was granted the Freedom of the Borough in recognition of saving the college. He died in 1984.

Developments at the college have continued, with a further change of name to University of Wales, Lampeter in 1996. A new Student's Union has been built, and the University, while developing its traditional subjects has been at the forefront of new technology, including interactive learning over the internet.

The University is still one of the smallest in Europe with around 1,300 students, but this enables smaller classes, and this is one of its strengths. The grounds are open to the public, and you are welcome to visit the restored chapel and Founders library. further details can be found at the University website www.lamp.ac.uk