Trinity Saint David marked its establishment 193 years ago with Founders’ Day – a day of events and celebrations focused on the Lampeter campus.

The university – or St David’s College, Lampeter as it was originally known — was established by Bishop Thomas Burgess, of St Davids, in 1822 to provide a liberal education to members of the clergy and it was his birthday that the university celebrated on Wednesday of last week.

It is the oldest degree-awarding institution in England and Wales after the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and last week’s events included a public lecture given by Prof Mike Scott at the Old Hall.

Bishop Burgess has been honoured as the principal founder and benefactor of what was to become St David’s College, Lampeter.

The university’s creation seems to have been largely his idea, but over the years until 1822 when the foundation stone was laid, he gained the backing of some 130 other donors to bring that idea to fruition, including the support of the reigning monarch George IV.