| Description | This undated poem is written on paper headed with the address of the Manor House, Northfield, indicating that it was written following the Cadbury family's move to this house from their first home, Woodbrooke in Selly Oak, in 1894.
The poem, which is written in the form of a song with three verses and a chorus, promotes the work of the Severn Street Adult School. The poem portrays how involvement with the adult school had brought an end to 'sad years' of 'squandered' hours in 'a dark & gloomy alley' for many men, appealing to those who attended the school to encourage others to join by 'telling what its done for you'. The second verse of the poem refers directly to the classes held for men on Sunday mornings and 'the wives' class on Monday afternoon', emphasising the value of the school in offering friendship and 'mending' lives. The third verse of the poem focuses on the school's work to promote temperance by providing an alternative recreation to the public house. The associated clubs which developed through the school, such as 'the Savings clubs' are also mentioned. Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury concludes her poem by emphasising the centrality of spiritual guidance in the work of the Severn Street School, writing:
'But best of all we've learnt to love Him,
Who for all doth care
Who us from sin & sorrow rescued
And with you this joy we would share.' |
| AdminHistory | Established in Birmingham by Quaker philanthropist Joseph Sturge (1793-1859), the Severn Street Adult School was intended to provide healthy recreation and spiritual guidance for Birmingham's working class population. Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury's husband George Cadbury was involved with the school which was originally called Severn Street First-Day School from 1859, teaching a class of men at the school from 1863 until his death in 1922. Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury was involved with adult school work in Bunhill Fields in East London before her marriage during the 1870s and 1880s, volunteering as a teacher at the adult classes for women organized by Mrs. George Gillet. Following her marriage to George Cadbury in 1888, Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury established a class for the wives of the men who attended her husband's class at the Severn Street Adult School which she oversaw throughout her life. |