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University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Ystrad Meurig Grammar School (St. John's College) Archive
Reference code(s): GB 1953 YMS
Held at:
Title: Ystrad Meurig Grammar School (St. John's College) Archive
Short title: Ystrad Meurig Grammar School (St John's College) archive
Dates of creation: 1909-1961
Level of description: Fonds
Extent and medium: 0.014 cubic metres
Name of creator(s): Ystrad Meurig School
CONTEXT
Administrative and biographical history: Ystrad Meurig School was established c.1734 by Edward Richard of Ystrad Meurig, who began teaching local boys in the parish church. By 1759, he had over 50 pupils. In 1757, the school was legally established and endowed as a grammar school, and in 1774 was declared open to boys from Cardiganshire, offering a free education in Latin and the principles of the Church of England. Edward Richard died in 1777, and the Rev. John Williams took over as headmaster. Under Williams, Ystrad Meurig School established and maintained a reputation for classical scholarship. By 1812, a separate school building had been erected in the parish churchyard, and between 1803 and 1827 Ystrad Meurig became the main institution for the training of ordinands in the St. David's diocese. At one point during this period, the school was attended by 150 pupils, and distinguished alumni included Dr David Davis, physician to William IV and Queen Victoria, and John Williams, first warden of Llandovery College. But most pupils went on to become clergy of the Church of England within Wales. Numbers at Ystrad Meurig School fell after the opening of St. David's College at nearby Lampeter in 1827. The curriculum became more like that of a secondary school, and it developed into a preparatory institution for pupils who wished to go on to study at St. David's College, or at the University of Wales. It continued to provide education for local boys, and after both world wars accepted men whose education had been disrupted by war, prior to their advancement to university. From the 1950s, the school gradually declined. By this time it had taken on the name of St. John's College, although the exact date of, and reasons for this are unknown. Its main role became the provision of O-level and A-level courses for potential students of theology at Lampeter. The last headmaster resigned in 1973. The school library has since been moved to St David's College, Lampeter, and the school itself is now used as a village hall.
CONTENT
Scope and content: The archive contains correspondence relating to entry to Ystrad Meurig School, and from Ystrad Meurig School to St. David's College, Lampeter; financial papers; photographs of the college; copies of the college magazine and other miscellaneous items.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/script: English
System of arrangement: No information available
Conditions governing access: The papers may be consulted through application to Dr. John Morgan-Guy, Archivist, University of Wales Lampeter, Lampeter, Ceredigion, SA48 7ED, Tel: 01570 424772, E-mail: founderslibrary@lamp.ac.uk .
Conditions governing reproduction: Usual copyright regulations apply.
Finding aids: Basic finding aid available at the University of Wales, Lampeter.
Detailed catalogue
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Immediate source of acquisition: No information available
ALLIED MATERIALS
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Description compiled by Rhian Phillips, Archives Hub project archivist. ANW version created by Seri Crawley for the ANW Project from data on the Archive Hub website.
Date(s) of description: No information available
INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Schools | Wales | Ceredigion | Archives
Ystrad Meurig Grammar School (Ystradmeurig, Wales) | Archives
Personal names
Corporate names
St. John's College (Ystradmeurig, Wales)
Ystrad Meurig Grammar School (Ystradmeurig, Wales)
