Tudor Coffee House Staff Dinner, January 1914

Introduction

The photograph above is possibly unique and definitely intriguing. It shows Richard Cadbury (1868-1935) alongside his wife and surrounded by the staff of his Tudor Coffee House. Furthermore it dates from January 1914 and helpfully is annotated:

Unique

We make claims to its uniqueness because it is the only known (to this author) photograph that shows Richard at the site of the Tudor Coffee House. Specifically Richard owned the museum buildings from circa 1908 to 1920. Indeed there can be no doubt that he owned the premises as there is abundant documentary evidence to confirm that as a cast iron fact. But until very recently there was no photograph of him in (or even outside) numbers 38 to 42 Friar Street, where the Coffee House was sited. As you will be aware this is where the Tudor House Museum now stands, occupying the same set of buildings a those used by Cadbury.

Intriguing

It is intriguing as it introduces us to a collection of people – his staff whose existence was previously lost – who worked for him on the site. Helpfully, the photograph has been annotated with their names too. These are (working clock-wise from the top-left corner as you look at it):

Bridge Street

Further annotations against Miss Seelhoff and Miss Holland create the real intrigue though. They are said to be from “Bridge Street”. This enigmatic comment is the first (and as far as we know only) suggestion that Cadbury also had an interest in that part of Worcester. However, what it was has yet to emerge, but given the nature of the event in the photograph it suggests another similar establishment. Indeed contemporary newspapers, trade directories, maps and deeds all fail to give any clues. For that reason it seems that nothing connects Richard Cadbury with Bridge street.

B Brooks

Of the staff named in the photograph only B Brooks was already known to us. In fact, more commonly known simply as “Bert” he worked in a number of roles for the Cadbury family in Worcester for nearly 50 years. Here he (the shorter man on the right) is as a much older man, long after Richard’s death, seen on the steps of Eveline Cadbury’s house at 7 Lark Hill. Eveline was Richard and Caroline Cadbury’s eldest daughter.

Do You Recognise Anyone?

We have yet to attempt to look into what happened to the remaining staff. But if you recognise a name or face or maybe are either related or know of relations, we would love to hear from you and any stories you may have about them.

Christmas Meal

Given that the event being photographed was the annual staff dinner and took place during the Christmas season it is quite likely that this other photograph was taken at the same time. We have had this one for some time and it shows the “best” room in Tudor House. It has been laid out for a formal meal with holly springs adorning the light fittings as decoration. Both come from the photographic studio of A & G Colwell, London Road Worcester. Actually, if you look closely at Bert Brooks you will see he has something pinned to his lapel. Could this be even more holly?

Tudor Room

And finally, this photograph – one of our favourites – is a wider view of where the assembled diners posed for the photographer. It shows the large room (which we now call the Tudor Room) set out for a public meeting at very much the same period as the staff dinner took place. The raised area at the back- with lectern, piano and flowers – is where they were gathered.

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