Staff and volunteers at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre recently celebrated its 110th birthday.

Woodbrooke’s catering staff marked the occasion by baking a Tottenham cake, which as the BBC’s “Great British Bake Off” recently explained, was invented by Quaker baker Henry Chalkley.

Woodbrooke was founded in 1903. John Wilhelm Rowntree (1868-1905) had previously led a campaign within the Religious Society of Friends (also known as Quakers) for a permanent settlement for religious and social study. George Cadbury (1839-1922), the local chocolate maker and Friend, was inspired to offer his former home for the purpose. Today, Woodbrooke is Europe’s only Quaker study centre and forms part of their legacy to future generations, based on a vision of our actions creating a better world.

Though the building has been modernized and developed since the days the Cadbury family called it home Woodbrooke’s educational aims haven’t changed since 1903.

“This October we celebrate that Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre has been a place of learning, of community and of transformation for the last 110 years. Whether visitors are here to attend one of own courses, for a conference, or to stay as a bed and breakfast guest, they can all be nurtured by the warm hospitality that Woodbrooke thrives on providing. Visitors can also enjoy the inspiring surroundings of our ten acres of organically managed gardens,” explains Woodbrooke Director, Sandra Berry.

If Woodbrooke’s walls could speak, they would tell tales of countless individuals seeking to deepen their faith and equip themselves for lives of service, including Gandhi, who stayed at Woodbrooke in 1931.

Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre offers a wide range of short courses designed around exploring faith and spirituality, as well as being a great bed and breakfast option for visitors to the city centre. Woodbrooke is currently ranked as Birmingham second-best bed and breakfast according to Trip Advisor.

More information about Woodbrooke Quake Study Centre can be found on the website www.woodbrooke.org.uk