Holland House

1046 Bristol Road, Birmingham, B29 6LJ

Navigate via Google Maps via GPS Coordinates (52.431630, -1.948551 site entrance. 52.431288, -1.94712 building)

Holland House (currently managed by VPS Guardians) is located on part of the Woodbrooke Centre site after the Woodbrooke organisation moved.

When navigating to the site you will enter via 1046 Bristol Road, B29 6LJ and follow the road round to the left, under the building (restricted vehicle size approx 3.4m high & 2.75m wide) and Holland House is on the right.

Please park considerately

A map showing the entry via the road, forward under a building, along a track and illustrating parking in fount of the building.

About the Site

Part of the Bournville Village Trust (BTV) portfolio the site comprises of a number of buildings. Some buildings house local businesses and some are undergoing works. This is part of BVP’s long term asset management.

2007 – Woodbrooke in Wider Context: The Enduring Thread of Adult Education by Pam Lunn

Abstract
The usual story told of Woodbrooke’s history is an entirely Quaker-centric account, focused on the currents in the Religious Society of Friends in Britain in the mid-nineteenth century, the 1895 Manchester Conference, and its aftermath. However, the currents affecting the religious concern for the education of adults stretch back through all denominations into the eighteenth century, and the Quaker activities were characteristic of the era. Similarly, the fortunes of Woodbrooke in the twentieth century are within the mainstream of other adult education provision and are affected, even though not directly controlled, by the cultural changes creating and created by state-funded adult education. This article traces the threads to situate Woodbrooke within a wider narrative, both influenced by and influencing the trajectory of adult education provision in Britain.

2003 – Voices from Woodbrooke by Brian Lewis, Barry Wilsher
1982 – Historic England: Grade II Listed

…Part of Woodbrooke College. A late Regency modest 2 storey stucco country house built in 1830 by Sir Josiah Mason. Later in the century acquired by George Cadbury who made the house over to the Quaker Settlement in 1903. Considerable alterations and enlargements 1908-10 and subsequently have nevertheless remained in keeping. As built the entrance front had a recessed centre flanked by projecting wings dressed with giant order of Corinthian quoin pilasters. It is now much altered with later wings and entrance but retaining one of the original wings with a pediment added, all the alterations in a matching stucco style of 1908-10. The garden elevation to south remains unaltered but extended. As built of 5 bays with a shallow pedimented centre break of 3 bays, all articulated by a giant order of Corinthian pilasters on moulded bases rising from plinth. First floor sill course, deep frieze and dentil cornice, parapet. Windows have shallow architrave surrounds, glazing bar sashes intact to first floor. Slate roof. In 1908-10 five bays were added to the west in matching style with the subsequent addition of an attic storey. The 3 bay west return has the order returned supporting a pediment. The original east return retains 2 similar bays divided by a pair of giant pilasters. The interior was much altered in 1908-10, but the main staircase appears to be original, rising in a rectangular well, open string with cast iron bannisters.

1982 – Woodbrooke, 1953-1978 : a documentary account of Woodbrooke’s third 25 years by Barlow, F. Ralph
The Future of the Woodbrooke Centre – Trustee Statement (28/02/23, updated 24/03/24), from Woodbrooke (Organisation)

In its 120-year history Woodbrooke has grown and changed to meet the changing needs of Quakers both in Britain and further afield. From its initial conception as a one-year experiment, Woodbrooke has enabled thousands of Quakers to learn together as part of a much-valued Quaker community, supported by a dedicated team of staff, associate tutors and volunteers.

After careful discernment Woodbrooke Trustees have decided the time is now right for a new chapter in Woodbrooke’s history. Our intention is to allow Woodbrooke to focus on its founding purpose of fostering the vital ministry of Friends and transition responsibility for the buildings and grounds of The Woodbrooke Centre to our trusted partners at Bournville Village Trust.

Background

In the late 1990s a decision was made to end the traditional model of term-long programmes of learning and move towards a much broader offering of shorter courses, while at the same time continuing to accommodate Quaker bodies, such as Quaker Life Representative Council and Meeting for Sufferings and other Quaker committees.

Throughout its existence Woodbrooke has struggled financially. The aim of offering courses that Quakers felt they could afford has always conflicted with the costs of running, upgrading and maintaining a grade 2 listed building. Over the years, numbers attending courses began to decline, and in 2019 trustees commissioned a survey as to why this was.

The main reasons were cost, time and travel. Other factors also came into play, including raising the retirement age to 66, multi-generational family commitments, and an unwillingness to contribute to climate change through travel. As a result Woodbrooke had begun to move some of its provision on-line, making it more affordable and more accessible.

The emergence of the devastating Covid 19 pandemic in early 2020 had a huge impact on the Woodbrooke Centre. Across the country the hospitality industry came to a complete halt, and all courses and conferences at Woodbrooke had to be cancelled with the ensuing impact on income. The decision was taken to furlough the hospitality staff and move all course provision swiftly on-line. Learning staff have continued to work delivering online courses and offering opportunities to worship online as meeting houses were closed.

The response to on-line learning was very positive and has continued as the pandemic wanes. Unfortunately, the demand for in-person events, Quaker and non-Quaker, has not returned. The huge increase in the cost of living, fuel prices, train strikes and other socio-economic factors continue to have an impact and we also need to accept that the way people meet has changed. Furthermore the closure of both The Beeches hotel and, Wallis House Baptist Mission residential centre, long-used by Woodbrooke as overflow accommodation, has meant that larger Quaker groups such as Quaker Life Representative Council would not be able to be accommodated at Woodbrooke.

Our provision for guests with requirements for accessible facilities at the Woodbrooke Centre is not as inclusive as we need it to be. An old building requires not only maintenance but upgrading, and we do not have the capital to do this. We have been made aware that the cost of bringing the existing buildings up to a good, environmentally sustainable, accessible standard would be in excess of £6 million, and to expand the site in order for it to become profitable would require a similar level of investment.

 Bournville, Cadbury and Woodbrooke

Over the last three years staff and trustees have worked tirelessly to look for alternative solutions for the Woodbrooke Centre, while at the same time focusing on developing the learning and research work which we see as our core charitable purpose. Our efforts with regard to the Centre have been limited by uncertainty over the wording of the founding document, which appears to suggest that if Woodbrooke were no longer to operate from the site then the trustees would no longer have a right to use it or dispose of it. It has taken until February this year to achieve clarity on this.

The Bournville Village Trust’s position is that Woodbrooke should revert to their care if it is no longer to be used as a centre for Quaker learning. Quakers are called to work collaboratively, and we are mindful of what might have been behind George Cadbury’s thinking when he included this clause in the founding document in 1903, and his desire to protect the stewardship of the Bournville Estate. In light this we have focused on working constructively with the Bournville Village Trust to ensure the best possible outcome for the site and believe that such a course of action is also in the best interests of the Woodbrooke charity.

 Pete Richmond, Chief Executive of Bournville Village Trust, has said:

 “The Woodbrooke Centre has been an important part of the Bournville community for 120 years and thanks to our shared Quaker values, we have had a successful and much-valued relationship with the Centre and its dedicated team of staff for many years. Whilst the Centre will be sorely missed, we fully support Woodbrooke’s new chapter in its history and its renewed focus on its founding purpose. We will be actively working alongside the Trustees of Woodbrooke to secure the best future for the site, recognising its importance to the Bournville and Quaker communities, its heritage, and the role it has played in the wider Quaker landscape in Birmingham.”

The Centre’s Future

Woodbrooke trustees have considered in depth our current financial position and the level of bookings for 2023. In the light of this, trustees have decided that the Woodbrooke Centre shall close to the public by 31 October 2023.

This has been a difficult process and we want to be as transparent as we can with everyone as we work through the challenges ahead. Publishing this statement and our minute well ahead of October is part of this process. We do not know the full consequences of the transition of the Woodbrooke Centre to this next phase in its history,  but we will continue working with staff throughout to be clear about the impact on them and will be holding a formal consultation  with them when appropriate.

We are aware that this decision will be met with sadness by the many Friends whose lives have been enriched spiritually, educationally and socially by the opportunities offered at Woodbrooke. However, we would like Friends and local communities to be able to celebrate all that has been possible at the Woodbrooke Centre. Woodbrooke Trustees will be working with the Director, Sandra Berry, to make arrangements for marking the Woodbrooke Centre’s history through opportunities and events that will be publicised in the coming months.

Woodbrooke’s Future

We believe that the decision to close the Woodbrooke Centre will best enable Woodbrooke learning and research to continue to thrive. The vision of our charity is to be a “learning organisation which supports and informs Quakers, as individuals and as a community, to enable our work in the world and in local communities from a place of understanding and spiritual renewal”.

As well as continuing our programme of learning we have agreed with the University of Birmingham Special Collections to transfer significant parts of Woodbrooke’s Library collections on a permanent loan basis. This will ensure they will be accessible for research and learning in the future – including by Friends conducting their own research as well as our students who are part of our joint PhD programme with the University of Birmingham.

We are grateful for funding from Britain Yearly Meeting, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and other funders who support our growing learning and research activities. We are also thankful for the many Friends who support Woodbrooke financially, as well as by giving their time and prayerful support to our work.

The world has changed radically in the last 120 years. We are confident that Woodbrooke’s value and purpose remain vital to Quakers today and that its founders’ vision is met through our programme of online learning, as well as a growing number of in-person learning activities delivered through-out Britain Yearly Meeting and beyond.

We thank Friends who have upheld us through difficult times and in making hard decisions. We have felt your love and care as we have explored all possibilities and we hope you will uphold all those affected as we continue to move forward together. Woodbrooke Trustees and Senior staff will be holding Woodbrooke Future sessions around Britain Yearly Meeting in April, as we have over the past three years to listen to Friends and answer questions.

Update 24 March 2023
Woodbrooke: An anthology of memories

The sad news that the Woodbrooke Centre is to close by the end of October 2023 marks the end of an era. Whilst, there will be a new chapter for Woodbrooke Learning and Research as it continues and develops, for many of us physically being at Woodbrooke has been an important part of our spiritual development. Time spent at the Woodbrooke Centre, for whatever reason, has been significant and inspiring.

We are aware that it is important to note and share these experiences for ourselves and all who have appreciated and contributed to the Woodbrooke experience. We are, therefore, planning to produce an anthology of people’s memories which will give us the opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge those experiences. We are inviting people to share their memories, and extracts from these contributions will be included in the anthology.

We would appreciate contributions by 1st June 2023, ideally as concise as you can manage, as then we will be able to include more contributions.

Please submit via email to being@woodbrooke.org.uk

Notes:

  • You can contact Trustees on Trustees@Woodbrooke.org.uk
  • Woodbrooke was founded in 1903 and was the vision of George Cadbury and John Wilhelm Rowntree who saw a need amongst Friends for a ‘permanent settlement’ with a mission to ‘foster a vital Friends’ ministry’.
  • In 2022 there were over 4,200 engagements with our learning through courses, sessions and delivery directly to meetings.
  • In 2022 participation in our online worship was 17,822 total attendances.
  • Woodbrooke delivers its activity to Meetings through its’ Woodbrooke Where You Are programme and its’ Woodbrooke Where You Are Working with Meetings initiative.
    https://www.woodbrooke.org.uk/learn/learning-for-communities/
  • The Woodbrooke Centre will be closed to the public by 31 October 2023. This is not a notice of staff redundancy as the precise detail of work needed beyond this date is not yet known.
  • You can view Woodbrooke’s accounts on the Charity Commission website:
    https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/313816/financial-history
  • For information about Bournville Village Trust and their contact details see: https://www.bvt.org.uk/contact/
  • The minute on the Woodbrooke Centre in full:

Minute 2023:19  The Woodbrooke Centre

“In its 120 year history Woodbrooke has grown and changed to meet the changing needs of Quakers both in Britain and further afield. From its initial conception as a one year experiment, Woodbrooke has enabled thousands of Quakers to learn together as part of a much-valued Quaker community, supported by a dedicated team of staff, associate tutors and volunteers.

In the late 1990s a decision was made to give up the traditional model of term-long programmes of learning and move towards a much broader offering of shorter courses, while at the same time continuing to accommodate Quaker bodies, such as Quaker Life Representative Council and Meeting for Sufferings and other Quaker committees.

Throughout its existence Woodbrooke has struggled financially. The aim of offering courses that Quakers felt they could afford has always conflicted with the costs of running, upgrading and maintaining a grade 2 listed building. Over the years, numbers attending courses began to decline, and in 2019 trustees commissioned a survey as to why this was the case.

The main reasons were cost, time and travel. Other demographic factors also came into play, including raising the retirement age to 66, multi-generational family commitments, and an unwillingness to contribute to climate change through travel. As a result Woodbrooke had begun to move some of its provision on-line, making it more affordable and more accessible.

The emergence of the devastating Covid 19 pandemic in early 2020 had a huge impact on the Woodbrooke Centre. Across the country the hospitality industry came to a complete halt, and all courses and conferences at Woodbrooke had to be cancelled with the ensuing impact on income. The decision was taken to furlough the hospitality staff while retaining the teaching and learning staff on full pay. All course provision moved swiftly on-line, together with opportunities for on-line worship, as meeting houses were also closed. The response to on-line learning was very positive and has continued as the pandemic wanes. Unfortunately, the demand for in-person events, Quaker and non-Quaker, has not returned. The huge increase in the cost of living, fuel prices, train strikes and other socio-economic factors continue to have an impact and we also need to accept that the way people meet has changed.

Furthermore the closure of both The Beeches and the Baptist residential centre, long-used by Woodbrooke as overflow accommodation, has meant that larger Quaker groups such as Quaker Life Representative Council would not be able to be accommodated at Woodbrooke, were these to return to in-person gatherings.

We are also aware that our provision for guests with requirements for accessible facilities is not as inclusive as we need it to be . An old building requires not only maintenance but upgrading, and we do not have the capital to do this. We have been made aware that the cost of bringing the existing buildings up to a good, environmentally-sustainable standard would be in excess of £6 million, and to expand the site in order for it to become profitable would require at least the same amount again.

Over the last three years staff and trustees have worked tirelessly to look for alternative solutions for the Woodbrooke Centre, while at the same time focusing on developing the learning and research work which we see as our core charitable purpose. Our efforts with regard to the Centre have been limited by uncertainty over the wording of the founding document, which appears to suggest that if Woodbrooke were no longer to operate from the site then the trustees would no longer have a right to use it or dispose of it. It has taken until February this year to achieve clarity on this.

The Bournville Village Trust’s position is that Woodbrooke should revert to their care if it is no longer to be used as a centre for Quaker learning. We recognise that challenging this position in the courts would be a risky strategy, and would be likely to be very costly even in the event that we were successful. We are also mindful of what might have been behind George Cadbury’s thinking when he included this clause in the founding document in 1903, and his desire to protect the stewardship of the Bournville Estate. We would much prefer to work constructively with the Bournville Village Trust to ensure the best possible outcome for the site and believe that such a course of action would be more likely to be in the best interests of the Woodbrooke charity.

Having considered in depth our current financial position and the level of bookings for 2023, trustees have decided that the Woodbrooke Centre shall close to the public by 31 October 2023, subject to a staff consultation.

We are already in the process of exploring options for transferring key collections from the Woodbrooke Library so that they will remain accessible for research and learning, including private research.

We need to inform our trading subsidiary of this plan and we ask Sandra Berry and Kevin Smith to seek appropriate advice and work with the Directors as required.

We wish to thank all of those who have been involved in this long and painful process, in particular our director, Sandra Berry, who has been ably supported by Kevin Smith, our finance director.

We are aware that this decision will be met with sadness by the many Friends whose lives have been enriched spiritually, educationally and socially by the opportunities offered at Woodbrooke. However, we would like Friends and local communities to be able to celebrate all that has been possible at the Woodbrooke Centre, and we ask Peter Allen-Williams, Val Brittin and Catrin Davies to work with Sandra to draw up a programme of events.

We ask our Finance and Compliance committee to work with staff on the closure of the site and disposal of artefacts, and transfer of ownership, once any future arrangements are agreed with the Bournville Village Trust.

We believe that the decision to close the Woodbrooke Centre will best enable Woodbrooke learning and research to continue to thrive. The vision of our charity is to be a “learning organisation which supports and informs Quakers, as individuals and as a community, to enable our work in the world and in local communities from a place of understanding and spiritual renewal”. We are grateful for funding from Britain Yearly Meeting, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and other funders who support our growing learning and research activities. We are also thankful for the many Friends who support Woodbrooke financially, as well as by giving their time and prayerful support to our work.

We are confident that we can continue to meet the core aims of Woodbrooke and its founders through our programme of online learning, as well as Woodbrooke Where You Are and Woodbrooke Places.”

28/02/23, updated 24/03/24, accessed AUG 2024 from woodbrooke.org.uk/woodbrooke-centre-statement-feb-23

The Woodbrooke Centre (Last updated 14/03/24),
from Woodbrooke (Organisation)

In its 120-year history Woodbrooke has grown and changed to meet the changing needs of Quakers both in Britain and further afield. From its initial conception as a one-year experiment, Woodbrooke has enabled thousands of Quakers to learn together as part of a much-valued Quaker community, supported by a dedicated team of staff, associate tutors and volunteers.

The Woodbrooke Centre in Birmingham played an important role in this work but after careful discernment, Woodbrooke Trustees announced in February 2023, that the time was right for a new chapter in Woodbrooke’s history.

“Our intention is to allow Woodbrooke to focus on its founding purpose of fostering the vital ministry of Friends and transition responsibility for the buildings and grounds of The Woodbrooke Centre to our trusted partners at Bournville Village Trust.” – Statement February 2023

As of December 2023, responsibility for The Woodbrooke Centre in Selly Oak has passed to Bournville Village Trust and both the building and it’s future are no longer in the hands of Woodbrooke (Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre). If you have any enquiries about the Centre please follow the link below to the Bournville Village Trust website. 

You can now purchase a copy of the Memories of Woodbrooke anthology from The Quaker Bookshop using the link below. This anthology reflects how much the Woodbrooke Centre has meant over the last 120 years. Stories of deep learning and spiritual depth run alongside reminiscences of cocoa, and boating on the lake; food friendship, welcome.

bookshop.quaker.org.uk/Memories-of-Woodbrooke_9781739226015

Last updated 14/03/24 (Accessed AUG 2024) from woodbrooke.org.uk/the-woodbrooke-centre

Update on Woodbrooke Study Centre (14/02/24),
from Bournville Village Trust (BVT)

In late December 2023, the Woodbrooke Study Centre in Bournville reverted to Bournville Village Trust’s (BVT) care following a decision by the Centre’s trustees to close.

This decision was made because Woodbrooke wishes to focus on its founding purpose, but also due to the challenge of falling visitor numbers and high building maintenance costs.

Pete Richmond, Chief Executive of BVT, said: “BVT has had a successful relationship with the Centre and its dedicated team of staff for many years. Whilst the Centre will be sorely missed, we have fully supported Woodbrooke’s new chapter and its renewed focus on its founding purpose.

“The Centre has been a valued part of the Bournville community for 120 years and we’re committed to securing the best future for the Centre for the benefit of the whole community, whilst recognising its importance to the Quaker community, its heritage and the role it has played in the Quaker landscape in Birmingham.”

The Grade 2-listed building on Bristol Road South needs significant investment of around £6m to bring it up to a good environmentally sustainable and accessible standard.

BVT’s current priority is to invest in improving its existing homes and buildings, including spending £7.3m this year on its socially-rented homes.

The Centre will therefore become part of BVT’s long-term asset management and development strategy for the Bournville Estate.

In the immediate future, the building will be actively managed by BVT’s Assets department, which will focus on ensuring it is well managed, safe and secure.

We appreciate it may be disappointing that we are not able to bring the building back into community use sooner. However, we are committed to ensuring it remains a valued part of the Bournville community.

We will continue to share updates on the Centre as they become available.

14/02/24, accessed AUG 2024 from bvt.org.uk/news-and-events/update-on-woodbrook-study-centre

Woodbrooke to continue to serve community (18/04/24),
from Bournville Village Trust (BVT)

Parts of the former Woodbrooke Study Centre in Bournville are set to be made available for use by local businesses, health services and community groups.

In late December 2023, Woodbrooke reverted to the care of Bournville Village Trust’s (BVT) following a decision by the Centre’s trustees to close.

Its trustees wished to focus on the centre’s founding purpose and there were also concerns about falling visitor numbers and high building maintenance costs.

Whilst the Grade 2-listed building needs significant investment to bring it up to a good standard, BVT has been able to make spaces available for use.

It is in talks with several small businesses, health services and community groups on how they could use the building for office space and to provide services from.

Victoria Burnett-Rogers, Commercial Property Manager at BVT, said: “Woodbrooke has been an important part of the community for 120 years and we remain committed to securing the best future for it for the benefit of the whole community.

“Whilst we’re not in a position to refurbish and re-open all of Woodbrooke, we have been able to make spaces available for use and are in discussions with a number of organisations that could provide services from there.”

The Grade 2-listed building on Bristol Road South needs millions of pounds of investment to bring it up to a good environmentally sustainable and accessible standard. BVT’s current priority is to invest in improving its existing homes and buildings, including spending £7.3m this year on its socially rented homes.

We are pleased to see Woodbrooke serving the local community until such a time that we can develop a long-term plan and investment. We will continue to share updates on Woodbrooke as they become available.

18/04/24 (accessed AUG 2024) from bvt.org.uk/news-and-events/woodbrooke-to-continue-to-serve-community

Woodbrooke to offer accommodation to key workers (04/06/24),
from Bournville Village Trust (BVT)

Accommodation at Woodbrooke is to provide much-needed homes for people such as key workers as part of wider plans to ensure the building continues to serve the community.

Woodbrooke in Bournville came back into the care of Bournville Village Trust (BVT) last year following a decision by the Centre’s trustees to close it.

Since then, Bournville Village Trust (BVT) has committed to securing the best future for Woodbrooke, on Bristol Road South, for the benefit of the whole community.

It has made spaces available in the building for local businesses, health services and community groups to use. And now it will open some of Woodbrooke’s existing accommodation, including 21 ensuite rooms, under a guardianship model.

This model provides security by occupation, taking unused buildings and transforming them into homes for working people looking for short term accommodation. These include people like key workers (for example nurses and teachers) students and self-employed tradespeople.

Victoria Burnett-Rogers, Commercial Property Manager at BVT, said: “We are really pleased to be working with VPS Guardians to open some accommodation at Woodbrooke.

“With two large hospitals and two Universities on Woodbrooke’s doorstep, this accommodation could play a vital role in housing key workers and other working professionals.

“Due to the housing crisis and cost-of-living crisis there are lots more key workers and those on lower wages looking for affordable homes, and guardianship is an excellent way of providing them. It will also make sure that Woodbrooke continues to serve the local community.”

Joelle Nixon, Business Development Manager at VPS Guardians, said: “We are really pleased to be able to support BVT with their plans to make best use of the Woodbrooke site.

“VPS Guardians will keep the site secure and reside on a flexible, temporary basis which is ideal for key workers. Generating social value in the area is something both VPS Guardians and BVT share a passion for as we enable local people to benefit from this kind of affordable accommodation at a time when living costs are at an all-time high and we are navigating a housing crisis.”

Woodbrooke came back into BVT’s care in late December last year following a decision by the Centre’s trustees to close it. Trustees wanted to focus on the Centre’s founding purpose and there were also concerns about falling visitor numbers and high building maintenance costs.

Woodbrooke needs millions of pounds of investment to bring it up to an environmentally sustainable and accessible standard and BVT’s current priority is to invest in improving its existing homes and buildings. This includes spending £7.3m this year on its socially rented homes.

The charity is pleased to see Woodbrooke serving the local community until it can finalise a long-term investment plan. BVT will continue to share updates on Woodbrooke as they become available.

If you are interested in living at Woodbrooke, please contact Shane Walters from VPS Guardians on 07709 514 992.

Bournville Village Trust was founded by George Cadbury in 1900 and is one of the Midlands longest-serving independent trusts and manages estates, provides homes, delivers community-support services and commercial activities.

04/06/24 (accessed AUG 2024) from bvt.org.uk/news-and-events/woodbrooke-to-offer-accommodation-to-key-workers