Welsh Journals

Search over 450 titles and 1.2 million pages

ABERYSTWYTH. This is a term of resuscitation the men back from the Army are enthusiastically seeking out and reviving old College institutions dropped since the war. Rugby football is once more being played on the Athletic field, and the Fabian Society has been revived. At the same time the chief societies are as popular as ever, especially the Debating Society, which boasts an attendance of about four hundred students every Friday evening. On January 31st the house decided, after a good debate, by a majority of 303 votes to 95 that the League of Nations is not im- practicable." The standard of the opening speeches especially was very high. On February 14th, the Freshers' Debate was held. On February 5th, Professor Atkins delivered a splendid lecture on Francis Thompson to a large and appreciative audience, and the Celtic Society has held debates and a very enjoyable Ymgomwest." Professor Fieure's open- ing lecture to the Scientific Society on Types of Cities," was a great success, and the Chemical and Physical Societies are active. At the same time sports are more popular than ever; the Rugby, Association and Hockey (Men's and Women's) teams are strenouusly training for their encounters with Cardiff and Bangor. But the chief topic of conversation is the coming Inter-Collegiate week (February 24th to March 1st). This week is devoted every Session to intercourse between the three Colleges of the University, and this year promises to be a greater success than ever. On the Monday evening M. Cortot the world famous French pianist is to give a recital on the following Tuesday a Men's Fancy Dress Procession will parade the town, and in the evening the Welsh University Inter-Varsity debate is held, the subject being That the true aim of life should be the cultivation of the aesthetic sense." Delegates from the chief English Universities will take part. Wednesday and Thursday are being devoted to various matches; on Thursday night a Fancy Dress Ball will be held for the women students, and a smoking concert for the men. Friday is the day of the S.R.C Soiree, the chief social function of the evening, comprising two plays in Welsh and English, and a miscellaneous concert. On Saturday, March 1st, the College Eisteddfod takes place this has been dropped for three years, and great interest is being tzken in the various competitions. In fact this term is proving a greater success even than was anticipated this is only natural when we consider that the number of students has now reached 560, showing an advance of 156 over the numbers of last term. A. 0. R. The United Theological Colleges. Aberystwyth and Bala (C.M.) Officers President-Philip J. Jones, B.A. (a). Secrdary- T. J. Williams (b). Secretary of Finance Committee-E. H. Morris, BA. (b). President Ct/Capt. Watcyn Williams, M.C. (a). Secretary C.U.-F. T. Davies (a). The general activities of the theological students at Aberystwyth have been much enlivened by the continued presence of their comrades from Bala. This amalgamation of North and South is not without its advan- tages, and should do much in later years to bridge the gulf existing between the two. On the other hand we have yet to return to the College itself, which is in the hands of the Red Cross authorities. Only a churl, however, would grumble at that, for the loss of comfort, and of the social life of a residential institution is as nothing compared with that sustained by the gallant fellows there. Quietly, men are returning from the Army, and it was a bright day in the term when we welcomed back Mr. Griffith Rees, BA., after his cruel captivity in Germany. The Christian Union, alive to the responsibilities the Church has to our returning soldiers, has been running a strong social study circle, using as a general basis for discussion, Herbert Grays As Tommy sees us every page of this book is a live wire. What is said there has been supplemented, as well as confirmed or criticised, by delightful chats from Professor David Williams on his experiences in Palestine, and Professor Owen Thomas on his experience with the Y.M.C.A. in France. Another excellent feature of the Session was, the visit of Miss Huntley of the Sunday School Union. Her keen psychological insight, and her wide experience of teaching in many lands, made her lecture, and the subsequent conference, a real education. AT THE COLLEGES It is hoped that next Session we shall return to the College itself, and that our numbers will by then have increased considerably. Possibly it is not for students themselves to say what are the require- ments of the Church during this troubled period in our history, but I would venture one suggestion-an increase of interest in the needs and difficulties of students might lead to greater enthusiasm and consequently ­I use the words advisedly-efficiency in the finished product. The Churches, and the general public, would do well seriously to consider this. WAT. BANGOR. College Officials Presidmt-Mr. H. Roberts. Vice-President-Miss H. E. Cathrall. BA Treasurer-Miss K. M. Hughes, B.A. Hon. Secretaries-Miss T. A. Bowyer, B.A. Mr. Emlyn Jones. The Universities have reawakened. Once more they pulse with life and activity, and it is almost with a feeling of satisfaction that one writes the programme of College life. During the last half term the whole College aspect has changed, and now after four years of restraint and economy the cry is no longer how little can we carry on with, but how much can we do. We feel that 1919 marks the Renascence of the University. The most vital effect so far has been produced in the sphere of the men's sports. Association and Hockey have already made good progress, and before long we expect to have a Rugby team in the field. Everyone too, is eagerly anticipating the Inter-Collegiate matches to be played with Aberystwyth. It is hoped that we shall be able to have an Athletic Sports' Day early next term. The Literary and Debating Society is gradually widening its activities. Bangor has decided to hold an Inter-University Debate each Session instead of once in three years, and we are looking forward with great interest to the Debate on February 28th, at which Cardiff, Aberystwyth, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Sheffield will be represented. In turn, we are sending delegates to these Univer- sities and these meetings are valuable not only from the debating point of view, but for the interchanging of ideas which takes place on most matters which affect student life. During the last two Sessions a further attempt also has been made to establish a closer connection between the University of Wales and the English Provincial Universities. In February, 1918, an informal meeting of representatives from the various Universities was held at Liverpool to discuss the possibility of establishing a body which would represent the English University and the University of Wales, and which might discuss matters relevant to all these Universities. The first formal meeting took place on February 8th, 1919, and many ways of bringing the various Universities together were discussed. We hail with national pride the revival of Celtic activities in our College. During the war the greater part of the Celtic programme has been sus- pended, but St. David's Day will be celebrated this year more as it should be than has been possible on the last two occasions. The Cymric Society has undertaken to produce Myfanwy at the Welsh Conversazione on March 1st, and for the Thursday previous the Society has been vigorously organising an Eisteddfod which will be open to all the Colleges in Bangor, and to past as well as present students. The proceeds will be in aid of the North Wales Heroes Memorial. Dr. Caradog Roberts is working vigorously with the Choral Society, to produce Elgar's The Banner of St. George early next term. The Society was extremely interested in the visit paid by Dr. Walford Davies, who conducted a meeting of the Society early in the term. CARDIFF The College has been much occupied in receiving and providing for the large number of demobilised soldier-students. Including a few whose entry was delayed owing to the War, the new students admitted to the College this term number over 140. Naturally the provision of special instruction for men who have entered College classes so late in the Session is a matter of difficulty, especially as the College Staff is still considerably under normal strength. But in every Department in which students have entered, arrangements have been made for special help to returning students, in order that, so far as is possible, they may cover substantially a session's work.