| Description | Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury refers to her recent trip to London when she had attended a National Union of Women Workers' Conference after being invited by the Women's Institute 'to become more closely involved with them.' Taylor Cadbury writes that she had been involved in discussions about the Union's decision to move their offices in London.
Following her meeting, Taylor Cadbury notes that she had caught the four o'clock train to Reading where she had met her son Bertie (Egbert, born 1893) arriving from Birmingham. Taylor Cadbury's sons Laurence (Laurence John, born 1889) and Norman (George Norman, born 1890) were studying at Leighton Park in Reading, and Bertie (Egbert, born 1893) at Clayesmore. Taylor Cadbury and her son Bertie had travelled by motor car to Leighton Park to visit Laurence and Norman before driving up to Clayesmore. Taylor Cadbury remarks on the 'terrific rate' at which they had driven through Reading, covering seven miles in twenty minutes. She writes 'I much prefer the speed at which George generally drives his car. I quite expected we should kill a few people and animals on the route, but am thankful to say we arrived without slaughter.' Taylor Cadbury and her son had attended an organ recital played by the parish organist on an organ which her husband George Cadbury had donated to Clayesmore. Taylor Cadbury notes that Father Adderley had arrived during the recital, a very 'interesting and amusing' man. The organist and Father Adderley had debated Church music. She adds that she had visited Bertie's dormitory, remarking favourably on the size and good ventilation of the room which had views of Windsor. The following morning Taylor Cadbury writes that she had visited some new schoolrooms and walked in the gardens before leaving at half past ten with Father Adderley who had recently accepted a living in Birmingham and wanted to learn about the 'thought and opinions' there.
Taylor Cadbury writes that she had enjoyed lunch with her stepdaughter Eleanor and a woman called Frances Parkinson, who had recently married, becoming Mrs. Gostling. Frances was an old school friend from the North London Collegiate School and Taylor Cadbury remarks that they had seen one of their old school mistresses from the school.
Whilst in London Taylor Cadbury had been invited to call on Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). Describing her visit to Nightingale's house in South Street, Taylor Cadbury writes that she had found her 'a most charming old lady of 84' who 'looked very sweet with white shawls and beautiful lace.' She notes that Florence Nightingale had been 'most keen and interested in everything I told her.' Taylor Cadbury remarks that Nightingale had been particularly keen to hear about Bournville, writing 'she was anxious to hear all about the Village, etc., and when I tried to refer to her own great work she waived it aside and would hardly speak of it.'
Taylor Cadbury also refers to her 'large class at Severn Street' writing that she had given her women's adult class 'accounts of all the recent doings' of her family, including news of her younger sister Josephine who had established a hospital in India and her sister-in-law Elizabeth Knox Taylor and her new baby. Her letter conveys the close familial relationship which Taylor Cadbury shared with the women in her adult school class who remarked on her family's work oversees and sent their love to Taylor Cadbury's family and their children. Taylor Cadbury's family network extended to include women who had worked as her personal assistants. Her brother Wilfrid Taylor married Elizabeth Knox, one of Taylor Cadbury's secretaries, after meeting her at the Manor House on holiday earlier in 1904. Taylor Cadbury remarks that Elizabeth Knox Taylor had visited her women's class at Severn Street, reflecting the close networks of friendship established between the women.
Taylor Cadbury writes that she had also attended the first School Management Committee in Bournville earlier in the week. The committee had been established to co-ordinate the development of 'the temporary schools in the Village'. Taylor Cadbury was elected Chairman of this group overseeing plans for the schools. She notes that the committee included two District Council members, two members of the Bournville Village Council and two trustees of the Bournville Village Trust. Taylor Cadbury also describes their first meeting, writing 'we went through applications and selected a head mistress, and did a good deal of work lasting till 7 o'clock, when I came back very tired.'
Taylor Cadbury concludes her letter with remarks about family affairs, including her intention to send another 'coloured skirt' to her sister-in-law Elizabeth Knox Taylor. She also writes briefly about the difficulty of learning 'the Zooloo language'. |