Call for Old College memorabilia as part of Founders’ Day 2024

During the early stages of clearing the South Seddon section of Old College, workers came across a piece of wood hidden in one of the walls with the words “Home Rule for Ireland” written on it in black ink.

Members of the public are invited to bring along any Old College memorabilia they may have to the Bandstand in Aberystwyth on Friday afternoon 11 October, as part of Aberystwyth University’s Founders’ Day celebrations.

The University’s archive team and researchers working on the Old College project would be delighted to see old photographs, programmes and other memorabilia connected to the University.

Based at the Bandstand on the Prom between 12pm and 4pm, they will be able to scan and return any photographs or documents but would also be happy to discuss donations to the archive.

The event forms part of a day-long programme to mark the anniversary of the opening of the University in October 1872 when the Registrar-Librarian Thomas Charles Edwards welcomed twenty-five students to the converted hotel, and which would become “the people’s University”.

The event is being hosted by the University’s Development and Alumni Relations team, DARO.

DARO Director, Lyndsey Stokes, said: “We are delighted to be hosting our Founders Day celebrations this year and look forward to welcoming everyone to join us as we mark our appreciation of those whose vision transformed an old unfinished hotel into Wales very first University College, and laid the foundations for an institution that has opened doors for generations of young people from all corners of the world for over 150 years.”

“The ambitious project to breathe new life into Old College has revealed much of its history, including remains of the great fire that gutted the northern part of the building in July 1885. We look forward to telling the University’s story, from the early years to the current day, in the World of Knowledge zone and it would be wonderful to see if there is anything that may have been passed down over the generations locally here in Aberystwyth that we could add to the fascinating history of this wonderful building.”

“Home Rule for Ireland”

During the early stages of clearing the South Seddon section of Old College, workers came across a piece of wood hidden in one of the walls with the words “Home Rule for Ireland” written on it in black ink. The reverse side is signed by a John Williams, the address 8 Market Street and dated “February 1888”.

An initial search by Faye Thompson, Collections Coordinator on the Old College project has revealed that John Williams’ name appears in the University’s Building Committee minutes from 1888, and he worked as the college carpenter from 1888 until 1892.

Faye said: “John Williams is one of the very many people who have worked on the Old College over the past century and a half and contributed to its development. The piece of wood which bears his name give us a glimpse into the past, who he was, where he lived, what he did and what he believed in, but it would be great to learn more about him.”

“Equally, we would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to share items that are related to the Old College and the University in some way, and which would enable us to add to the fantastic history of this institution and the town.”

As part of the day, members of the project team will be on hand to share progress on the Old College project and there will also be an opportunity to hear how Alumni can get involved with the University, through the Old Students Association (OSA) or by volunteering.

There will also be an opportunity to understand how researchers at the University are working with light and colour on ExoMars, the European Space Agency’s mission to Mars, and to meet representatives from Cardigan-based youth charity Area 43 who are collaborating on the development of Aberystwyth’s first permanent bilingual youth-led space for young people which will feature in the newly redeveloped Old College.

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