UWA Old Photos

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23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

BBC Homepage Wales Home UWA Old Photos more from this section Last updated: 07 April 2006 Aber Now Click through a selection of old photos charting the history of Clubs and Societies the University Of Wales Aberystwyth. The research for the Food and Drink In Pictures captions was carried out by Rachel Dean in March 2006 Music when she was a second year Drama and History student. People BBC Local Photographs courtesy of the UWA. Sport and Leisure Mid Wales Student Life Things to do What's on Your Say People & Places Nature & Outdoors Aber Then History Aber Connections Religion & Ethics A shop's century A stroll around the harbour Arts & Culture Aber Prom Music Ceredigion Museum TV & Radio Ghosts on the prom Great Storm of 1938 Local BBC Sites Holiday Memories News House Detective Sport Jackie 'The Monster' Jenkins King's Hall Memories Weather Martin's Memories Travel North Parade 1905-1926 Pendinas Neighbouring Sites Plas Tan y Bwlch North East Wales Prom Days North West Wales RAF at The Belle Vue South East Wales Salford Lads and Girls' club South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme Related BBC Sites University photos Wales The Old College 1872 Ukraine's Unsung Hero WW2 stories Cymru 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 What's in a name Canolbarth "In 1854, leading members of public life in Wales - including related www links Hugh Owen (head of the Poor Law Commission), Samuel Roberts and Dr Lewis Edwards - held a meeting to discuss University Of Wales Aberystwyth the possibility of establishing a University in the seaside town of Aberystwyth. Money was raised for the building of a University by locals and miners from across Wales who saw the potential future in a University and the need for an education system for their children." Rachel Dean your comments

Nick Groves, Norwich Fascinating stuff! I was an undergraduate at UCW, Aber 1974-77, when Old Coll was still an important part of life. The Penglais bell tower was always known as the 'Stanley Knife'. I am not sure that picture 3 is a graduation picture, as none of them are wearing hoods. The men are wearing undegrad gowns, and I think this may well be simply a group picture of students and teaching staff. (I have seen it somewhere else, but cannot recall where!) Mon Jan 4 09:43:44 2010

Michael Belham from Frome In 1887 my great grandfather's company - S. Belham & Co. was given the contract to rebuild the College after the fire. Sun Jun 7 20:21:41 2009

sally payne My great great grandfather was one of the three men who died in the fire. His name was Samuel Morgan Jones. Sun Aug 31 13:50:47 2008

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South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme The entrance to the Old College 1872 Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "In 1867, with the money raised and from donations that had been made, Hugh Owen and his collaborators purchased related www links a half-finished hotel in Aberystwyth overlooking the sea front. Designed by J P Seddon, the building which had begun University Of Wales Aberystwyth life as a hotel was transformed into the University of Wales Aberystwyth. On the 15th October 1872, the day before the college opened, a public holiday was declared so that people could join in the celebrations. Businesses within the town shut down for the day and the next day, people enjoyed a public breakfast as the University opened, followed by a day of public meetings and lectures. This building is known today as 'the Old College'." Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme Graduation photo taken in the 1890s Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "In 1884, Aberystwyth began to enrol female students. Cardiff and Bangor already took in female students and it related www links was felt that Aberystwyth needed to follow suit in order to keep up with the changing times. Graduation, also known as University Of Wales Aberystwyth 'capping day' involved a large ceremony where students received their degrees. Many of the students were known to sing songs and chants as people went onto the stage to receive their degrees and often caused much disruption!" Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme College Fire 1885 Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "On the night of 8th/9th July 1885, a fire broke out in one of the chemistry laboratories in the college building. Locals related www links came to see if they could help, rescuing books from the library and artefacts from the museum." University Of Wales Aberystwyth Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme College Fire 1885 Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "Much of the building was destroyed by the fire but the south wing and the Principal's house were saved by a related www links change in the direction of the wind." Rachel Dean University Of Wales Aberystwyth 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme The Old College building after the fire Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "The college building suffered extensive smoke damage from the fire, many of the local volunteers were injured and three related www links local men sadly died in the blaze." Rachel Dean University Of Wales Aberystwyth 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme Old College Corridor, 1889-1890 Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "From 1889-1890, the college underwent major building work. An ornamental inner roof was constructed in the related www links college's main corridor with money donated by W.T. Jones from Melbourne Australia." University Of Wales Aberystwyth Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme The 'Quad' Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "The main foyer in the Old Colleg became known as 'The Quad'. Male and female students - who had separate related www links lectures and living spaces - were separated in the communal area of the quad by a row of museum cases." University Of Wales Aberystwyth Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories HRH The Prince Of Wales becomes University Chancellor The Dinner Scheme Related BBC Sites 1896 University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "On the 28th June 1896, the Prince of Wales arrived in Aberystwyth by Royal train to receive the title of Chancellor related www links of the University. The ceremony was carried out outside the town hall, where a colourfully decorated pavilion had been University Of Wales Aberystwyth erected especially for the occasion. The Prince - dressed in a black satin robe, which had gold embroidery and the Welsh dragon on it - received the key of the University, the seal and the charter of statues from the Senior Deputy Chancellor, Isambard Owen. The Prince then addressed the crowd in Welsh before participating in the day's ceremony and celebrations." Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme The Old College library decorated for a soireé Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "As the University began to flourish, so too did its programme of social activities and societies for students. related www links Concerts, fancy dress parties, balls and soirees were all organised. Soirees included recitations, the performing of University Of Wales Aberystwyth plays and the singing of solos or duets, these events could last up to six hours!" Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme The Christian Union during the 1880s Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "Clubs also began to spring up within the University departments. Societies established included the Music related www links Society, Drama Society, Debating Society, Celtic Society and The Christian Union. University Of Wales Aberystwyth Today, the University has an eclectic mix of societies, ranging from the Darts Society to Juggling and Circus Skills as well as various sports and other societies." Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme The Old College library Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "In 1873, just a year after the university had opened, a new campaign began for the establishment of a National Welsh related www links Library in Aberystwyth. Large numbers of books were accumulated; many were also pledged to the University. University Of Wales Aberystwyth However, an appropriate building needed to be found to house these books. This came with the original purchase of land on Penglais hill with views overlooking the sea. The National Library Of Wales serves as a useful research tool for locals and students alike." Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme The women's rowing team Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "With the fresh sea air as a bonus, the University encouraged sport and physical exercise to introduce their related www links students to a healthy standard of living. Teams were established in all areas of sport and would compete with the University Of Wales Aberystwyth teams from the other Welsh Universities. Women also enjoyed participating in sport, particularly rowing and hockey. However, the restrictions on women's dress at the time often meant that they looked ridiculously over dressed for their sport and the clothes often hindered their participation." Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme Building work on the Penglais campus during the 1960s Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "The ever expanding University rapidly began to outgrow its seafront site and more room was needed to accommodate related www links the large number of students enrolling each year. The Penglais site, part of which had been purchased during the University Of Wales Aberystwyth 19th century, was allocated as the new University campus. D. Alban Davies, a milk merchant from London donated land to the university, as did Joseph Davies Bryan, a former student of the University." Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme Building work on the Penglais campus during the 1960s Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "Architects Percy Thomas & Son were enlisted to prepare an extensive and detailed survey of the land and to draw up related www links building plans for the new campus. These plans were laid out but building work was delayed as a result of the Second University Of Wales Aberystwyth World War and subsequently did not begin to take place until the 1960s. The new Penglais site housed various buildings including, the Biology, Physical Sciences, Cwrt Mawr Hall of Residence and an Arts Block, with these departments: European Languages, English Literature, History and Welsh History and Law. This building was aptly named after Sir Hugh Owen, one of the founders of the University. In 2006, building work was still taking place on the Penglais Campus with a new International Politics building." Rachel Dean 23 April 2012 Accessibility help Text only

South West Wales Sea Stories The Dinner Scheme The Bell Tower Related BBC Sites University photos Wales 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Ukraine's Unsung Hero Cymru WW2 stories What's in a name Canolbarth "The bell tower on the University Campus is certainly a landmark, the closer it looks the less distance you have to related www links walk up the hill! David Henderson from the Estates Department of The University Of Wales Aberystwyth, gave University Of Wales Aberystwyth me the following information on the bell tower which forms part of the Aberystwyth Arts Centre complex on the Penglais site. "The tower was designed by Sir Percy Thomas and Sons, Architects, of Cardiff and built in 1970. It was designed to serve two purposes. Firstly, as a boiler flue chimney stack for the boilers located in the Students Union boiler house, which provide heating for the Students Union, the Arts Centre and the Hugh Owen Building and secondly, as a bell tower. Until recent times, the bell was rung on Graduation Days tosignal the end of each Graduation Ceremony. For technical reasons this has not happened recently." This slideshow was compiled by Rachel Dean in March 2006 when she was a second year History & Drama student at UWA.