10 JUNE 1949, Page 4

The recent report of the Pilgrim Trust draws public attention

to a project which has been quietly taking shape for something like two years. The essential sentence in the report runs, "The Trustees made a new departure in policy by voting a grant of £to,000 to St. Catherine's, Cumberland Lodge, Windsor Great Park, which is being established as a college based on the Christian faith and philosophy of life for the use of University graduates, under- graduates and others," and it is explained later that " they were influenced in this decision by the courageous lead given to the scheme by Their Majesties the King and Queen. Not only did the King himself make a grant of Cumberland Lodge to the foundation, but by the loan of furniture and by their constant personal interest in many ways Their Majesties have done much to enable the founders to give practical effect to their plans." Since then the King, I understand, has still further, demonstrated his interest in the scheme by providing Sir Walter Moberly, who becomes first Principal of the College on relinquishing his post of chairman of the University Grants Committee, with a residence in one of the towers of Windsor Castle. This is a peculiarly happy turn of events for the organisers of the scheme, among whom Lord Halifax is the leading figure, for they 'were seriously at a loss for a home for the college when the original plan, that it should occupy the greater part of Hatfield House, fell through.

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