| Description | The Severn Street camps were started in August 1890 by the teachers of the Junior Division of Friends' Severn Street Adult School who wanted 'to provide a good outdoors holiday' for the young men in their classes. In the late 19th century, annual holidays were something to be enjoyed by the middle classes, and few members of the working classes had the opportunity for a holiday. The Quaker teachers of the adult schools would have been aware of the health problems caused by the housing conditions in which many of their members lived, and would have shared a belief in the need for healthy recreational activities and time spent outdoors.
With the exception of the years during World War One, Severn Street camps were held each year until 1929. Each summer, members from the adult schools paid a modest sum (in 1898 it was 13 shillings and 6 pence) for up to a week away. The locations varied and included Shrawley, South Littleton, Nafford, Harvington, all in Worcestershire and Fairbourne, Towyn, and Llanbedr in Wales. In 1902, 106 members participated in the camping trip, while in 1903, this increased to 149, with members coming from 12 adult schools, an increase which was attributed to the seaside location of the campsite at Fairbourne.
Each campsite consisted of one or more large marquees, and a number of bell tents which were set up by an advance party. The main body of campers arrived throughout Saturday with timing being dependent on the vagaries of holiday traffic and train times. Each person was required to bring a fork, knife and spoon, and it was advised that they should pack an overcoat or mackintosh, a towel, spare trousers and socks, a brush and comb and toiletries. Tents, groundsheets and blankets were provided.
There was a strict routine with meals times being announced by bugle call, and a roll call at 9.15pm. Breakfast at 7.30am consisted of porridge, bread, butter and tea; hot or cold meat, potatoes and pudding was served for dinner at 1pm; there was tea consisting of bread, butter or jam and tea at 6pm; and cocoa was provided for supper at 9.15pm. Lights had to be out at 10.30 and no smoking was allowed in the tents.
Despite it being a holiday, adult school classes took place as usual at 9.30 on Sunday morning and hymns were sung in the evening. Other activities throughout the holiday consisted of an excursion to a nearby town or place of interest, walks, cricket and football matches, bathing, fishing and athletics. A sports day was held and included races such as the 100 yard and 440 yard dash, high jump, one mile walk, throwing a cricket ball, potato race, for which prizes were given. There were also prizes for the greatest number of varieties of wild flowers collected, and the prettiest and best flower arrangements. |