George North joins anniversary celebrations at Llandovery College

Saturday 4 November marked the inauguration of Llandovery College’s 170-year anniversary celebrations – and it could not have been a more spectacular launch. 

From the annual gathering of a large number of members of the Old Llandoverian Society, the premiere of two DVDs relating to the College, a photographic exhibition, an historic rugby match and a gala dinner, it was a memorable weekend.

Award winning filmmaker and former pupil David Wyn-Jones has been collating and cataloguing photographs of the College dating back to 1867 and, together with images spanning the whole life of the College, has brought these together for the first time and made them available in digital format. 

Mr Wyn-Jones has also produced a film capturing the recollections of Llandovery College legend Mr Dai Gealy whose association with the school goes back to his time firstly as a pupil from 1949 and then as master until 1997.

During the afternoon another piece of history was created when the College’s 1^st XV played against Millfield School in what was the 50^th anniversary of the first rugby match ever played between the two sides. 

A spectacular triumph for the home team set the scene for the formal evening dinner made even more special when Wales International and British and Irish Lion George North, himself a former pupil, joined in the celebrations at his old school.

Llandovery College was founded by surgeon Thomas Phillips and first opened with a handful of boys on St David’s Day 1848. Many changes have been witnessed since then and today with 300 pupils, both girls and boys, the College goes from strength to strength. 

Grounded in a rich tradition and history but not constrained by it, respecting a special heritage without ever taking its eyes off the challenges of the future, Llandovery College is a unique establishment.

The weekend was an opportunity for reunions and recollections, sharing of memories and stories between former and current pupils and to celebrate the first 170 years of Llandovery College. It was also the opportunity to look to the future and as part of continuing developments and investments at the College to launch its 170^th fundraising initiative to refurbish the Science Centre. An exciting year ahead for the College!

Warden of the College, Guy Ayling was delighted with the weekend. He said: “Celebrating our history reminds us of who we are and the responsibilities we have to ensure this great school continues to provide an outstanding education for the next 170 years!”