8th September 2026

A Glass & a Half – The History of Chocolate in Europe and the USA

The new season of indoor meetings got off to a cheerful start with a presentation by David and Pam Humphries, which focused on Cadburys and Bournville. Since retirement David and Pam have undertaken a programme of talks to interested groups, covering local history and personalities. Both of them were born in Birmingham, and for 14 years they have been volunteers at the NT’s Back to Back property.

Richard Cadbury had a draper’s business in Birmingham City Centre. Drinking chocolate had become popular as a non-alcoholic drink, favoured by the wealthy, and he decided to develop his business in that direction. His grandsons, Richard and George, became the driving force in the success of the business. The Aztecs greatly valued dried coco beans, and Samuel Pepys enjoyed drinking chocolate in the 1660s. The Cadbury family were Quakers, and a number of successful businesses were set up by Quakers, such as Barclays Bank, Lloyds Bank, Clarks Shoes and Sunlight Soap. Quakers were prominent in stopping child labour, restricting the sale of alcohol, and founding hospitals.

Henry Rowntree set up a chocolate business in York, and John Cadbury was an apprentice there. The Terry family, also in York started in business manufacturing boiled sweets, but changed to the production of chocolate. Frys was based in Bristol, where the raw materials for manufacture were brought to the port. Cadburys took over Fry’s in 1919.

The chocolate business went through difficult times, and Cadburys decided to mechanise production more. Equipment was imported from the Netherlands. There was more advertising to market chocolate as a pure, quality product. Cadbury’s market share began to grow, and coped with competition from the leading Swiss manufacturers, Nestle, Lindt and Suchard.

The confines of a city centre site were becoming a problem, and it was decided to move. The Bournville site was identified, and the land bought in June 1878. Production was moved to the purpose-built factory in 1890. Houses for the workers were built and Bournville village developed. Finished products were transported by adjacent rail and canal networks, which also enabled easy access for raw ingredients. An export market built up.

The Dairy Milk Bar was launched in 1905 but the “Glass and a Half” logo did not appear until 1928. Fruit and Nut was introduced in 1928 and Whole Nut 1933. Flake dates back to 1920, Milk Tray and Wispa were particularly successful – as were Crème Eggs.

Typhoo Tea and Schweppes were acquired as the business expanded, but they were later sold off. Cadburys itself was acquired by Kraft and subsequently by Mondelez. Members of the family are no longer involved in the running of the business, but Sir Adrian Cadbury and Sir Dominic Cadbury are remembered as prominent businessmen. The Cadbury family has a fine legacy with regard to philanthropy.

The Bournville factory continues to provide employment for many people, producing quality product which give pleasure to all ages.

12th May 2026

Shelsley Walsh – A Story of a Village

The speaker at The Centre’s May meeting was Max Hunt. He read history at university, and spent his working life in education, becoming Chief Education Officer of Stockport. In retirement his interests include local history and classic motor cars, and he is a volunteer at Shelsley Walsh Water Mill, were he had been involved since 2006.

Shelsley Walsh is Worcestershire’s smallest parish – just 500 acres. It is located on the West bank of the River Teme, an area which was a former important ironworking site. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The oldest building in the village is St. Andrew’s Church, dating back to the 13th century. The Court House was the home of the Walsh family. In 1605, Sir Richard Walsh, with 100 men on horseback, pursued Robert Catesby and a group of supporters, involved in the gunpowder plot, and arrested him at Holbeach House, near Kingswinford. Sir Richard died in 1610, the end of the family line, as there was no son to inherit the estate.

Thomas Foley (1641-1701) acquired the Shelsley Walsh estate. He was a wealthy ironmaster who made his fortune supplying arms to both sides during the civil war. He developed iron forges along the River Teme, which was a source of power and a method of communication. The water mill played a vital role in this development.

Max Hunt then referred to the hill climb. In 1901 there was a meeting of the Automobile Club at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham, and the Midland Automobile Club was formed. Herbert Austin organised competitions, and he looked for a suitable venue for a hill climb. Initially, this was held at Middle Hill House, Broadway. However, Montague Taylor of Shelsley Walsh offered part of his estate for the competition, and the first hill climb took place there on 12th August 1905.

Max Hunt then illustrated his presentation with an extensive number of images of the characters and personalities who have taken part in the hill climb over the years. The event grew in popularity attracting large crowds. The BBC presented outside broadcasts, and international drivers, such as Stirling Moss, have taken part. World War Two brought the annual event to an end, but it resumed in June 1946. The Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb remains popular and continues to attract many people.

10th March 2026

The Bow Street Runners

Dr. David Cox, lecturer at Wolverhampton University, was the speaker at the Centre’s March meeting.

The Bow Street Runners can be recorded as Britain’s first professional police force (1749-1839). Henry Fielding (1707-1754), the novelist and Chief Magistrate, and his half-brother Sir John Fielding, were instrumental in setting up the Bow Street Runners. (So called because the headquarters was at 4 Bow Street, near Covent Garden in London).

Before the establishment of a police force night watchmen and parish constables carried out duties, unpaid, and on a voluntary basis.

Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850), who was Home Secretary from 1822 until 1834, set up the Metropolitan Police in September 1829. Uniformed officers had to be at least 5ft 9 1/2in tall, and wore top hats, reinforced with cork. Their beat enclosed an area within 7 miles around Charring Cross.

The City of Glasgow Police force originated in 1804, and the Thames Marine police (fore-runner of the British Transport Police), set up to protect the London docks, was established in 1800. The Police force in Ireland dates from 1814. The 1st Earl of Dudley (1781-1833) was Police Minister during the Napoleonic war.

The Bow Street Runners pre-date all these other Police forces. They carried a tipstaff as a form of identification, as well as a cutlass and a pistol. The undertook patrols in London, but operated nationally, and also worked abroad. The were employed by individuals, mainly the gentry. Notable senior officers were Henry Goddard and John Ruthvun.

The Police Gazette reported the exploits of the Bow Street Runners. One case which received national attention related to the murder of Benjamin Robins of Dunsley, near Kinver. He was a wealthy gentleman farmer, a member of the Stourbridge local volunteer militia. The incident took place in December 1812. Mr. Robins had walked into Stoubridge on business and visited the bank. On his way home on Firs Hill Lane, he encountered a stranger who asked him for directions. It was later established that this was William Howe, a journeyman carpenter who had been working in Ombersley. As they walked together Howe shot Robins at close range, and stole his watch and cash. Robins subsequently died of his wounds on 28th December 1812. A reward of £100 was offered to find the murderer. The Robins family engaged the services of the Bow Street Runners to track down Howe. They were successful in bringing him to trial at Stafford Assizes where he was found guilty and hanged in public at Stafford Prison on the 16th March 1813.

The Robins family had Howe’s body brought back to the scene of the crime, where it was put on a gibbet. Up to this day the spot is known as Gibbet Lane.

Dr. Fox’s presentation, as always, was both interesting and informative.

10th February 2026

Annual General Meeting

The meeting was chaired by David Brown, President, who welcomed those present. He thanked members for supporting the Centre and the committee during 2025. He confirmed he was stepping down as President, and he had enjoyed his term in office, He would remain a member of the group.

The Chairman, Chris Fonteyn, presented his 36th annual report. He started by reminding members of the value and importance of the National Trust. The year under review had been another successful year for the Centre, and there were plenty of happy memories. The holiday, based at Barnstaple, was a particular highlight, The reports in the Centre’s newsletter confirm the range and variety of our activities. Fund raising is a key factor in our success, but the social aspect is also Important. It would be a big help if a member would take on the role of Social Secretary. The present membership level is rather disappointing and is being addressed. The Chairman referred to the changes going on in the N.T. with the sad and unfortunate loss of some 500 staff, some of whom worked at local properties. He acknowledged the support of the Officers and Committee during the year. Their friendship and teamwork were appreciated. He referred to the spiralling cost of postage and the poor service from the Royal Mail. In efforts to contain costs, in future the preferred method of distributing the newsletter will be electronically. However, hard copies of the newsletter will be available at meetings for members to take away if required. Members were encouraged to make the most of their N.T. membership, revisit local properties, and explore further afield. Centre membership enhances their national membership and should be promoted – it is certainly value for money. We can look forward to a varied programme which will continue to provide interest and enjoyment.

The Treasurer, Trevor Sidaway, presented the audited accounts, which showed a satisfactory and secure position. It had been possible to make donations totalling £4000 to six N.T. properties in 2025, a pleasing outcome. His work on the Centre’s website was acknowledged.

The election of the Officers and Committee resulted in some changes – Dr. Eric Carson is now President, and Mr, Adrian Cholmondeley is now Vice President. Mr. Eric Greenwood retired from the Committee after 22years of service. Presentations were made to David Brown and Eric Greenwood, who became Vice Presidents/ The death of Roy Fox was recorded – he was a Vice President and a former Membership Secretary for many years.

Long service awards were presented to Denise Carson (20 years) and Trevor Sidaway (10 years).

Aland Wood gave a presentation which outlined the programme of outings planned for 2026. The holiday will be based at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, in early June.

Marcus Halliwee, the N.T.’s General Manager South Shropshire, then gave a presentation and update of the properties within his portfolio.

The 3000-acre Dudmaston estate (which includes 2 miles of the River Severn) is restoring nature with increased access and enlarged woodlands. Mose Farm, which featured in the BBC TV’ Countryfile programme, is seeing the restoration of heathland and areas of heather, and the planting of many thousands of trees, as part of the Forest of Mercia Community Woodlands. Dudmaston’s commercial woodlands are being extended. Kinver edge/Blakeshall Common are seeing further heathland restoration, with the support for Dartford Warblers, Woodlarks and Nightjars. Longhorn Cattle are grazing these areas, helping with restoration work. Benthall Hall is seeing work in its Ash Coppice and re-instatement of its greenhouse. Working with partners, the landscape of the Shropshire Hills is being improved.

Michael Evers gave a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the meeting.

14th January 2026

Victorian & Edwardian Buildings in Birmingham and the West Midlands

The centre’s first meeting of 2026 was an impressive presentation by Tim Bridges. Tim worked at the Worcester Museum for 20 years, and then for the Victorian Society for the same period. He was the church buildings advisor for the Hereford Diocese. He is now semi-retired, but still leads church tours and town walks for local groups, and is a case worker for the Victorian Society, covering Birmingham, the Black-Country, Coventry, Warwick, Bromsgrove and Redditch. His knowledge of this area is extensive.

Tim referred to the founding of the Victorian Society in the 1960s, which was influenced by the setting up of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) by William Morris, which reflected the concern at the loss of buildings of historic or architectural interest. The SPAB was the stimulus for the founding of similar amenity societies. The Victorian Society’s Birmingham group was set up in 1967, and has been successful in saving buildings in the city, such as the Post Office in Victoria Square, Lozells school and Spring Hill Library. On a national scale Tim referred to the sad loss of the Euston Station Arch, where the fight was lost, but the big success at St. Pancras Midland Hotel in London. In Birmingham, landmark buildings, such as the Reference Library and Mason College, and Snow Hill Station were lost.

Tim referred to the  importance and quality of local architects, such as Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907) – work on various Lloyds Bank branches, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and St. Philip’s Cathedral (he was the son of a button maker) – and Philip Hardwick for his work at Curzon Street Station Terminus. There are a huge number of small factories in the Jewellry Quarter/ Hockley area with a concentration of listed buildings.

Tim listed a number of notable buildings that were now protected:

Samuel Heath and Son’s brass foundry, Cobden Works in Leopold Street.

Great Western Arcade (1874 – W.H.Ward)

122 Colmore Row  (Eagle Insurance Office (1900 – Lethaby & Ball)

Aston Council House (1880-1881)

Birmingham Children’s Hospital (1894-1897 – William Henman)

There are a number of public houses at risk:

Red Lion, Soho Road

Martin’s Arms, Newtown

 White Lion, Bristol Street

Fighting Cocks, Moseley (1898-Newton & Cheatle) building includes a clock tower, a barometer and a thermometer

Tim then took his audience on a tour highlighting several buildings of note, including:

Walsall Council House (1902), Birmingham’s Victoria Law Courts, (1887-91) University of Birmingham (1900-1909), Highbury House, Edgbaston Waterworks, Small Heath Baths and Library, Moseley Road Baths (1906-7), Hewell Grange (1884-92 former prison), Bournville Village, Tudor Grange (Solihull), St. Chads R.C. Cathedral, St. Martin’s in the Bull Ring, St. Peter’s,  Pedmore, and Methodist Central Hall, Corporation Street (1903-4)

Outstanding conservation work has been carried out at West Bromwich Town Hall, Lye and Wollescote Crematorium Chapel (1879), and the Grand Hotel in Colmore Row (1876 – Thomas Plevins). However the former Chance’s Glassworks is a major concern.

Tim’s presentation was reminder of the rich architectural heritage around us.