Woodbrooke expansion
Expansion of the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre well under way
Building is well under way for a new lounge extension at the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre in Birmingham. It is expected to be in use by May.
The lounge is being built on to the back of the dining room, where the veranda was previously found. It will provide space for around forty people to relax or socialise. The positioning will allow occupants to look out on Woodbrooke’s much-admired grounds and lake, frequented at certain times of year by Canada geese.
Woodbrooke’s managers believe that the new structure will greatly improve access for people with mobility impairments.
There has been no sizeable designated social area at Woodbrooke since the Cadbury Room at the front of the building was changed from a lounge into the Centre’s largest teaching and conference space. The development is expected to cost £440,000. Over half of this has been provided by the Edward Cadbury Trust. It has been supplemented by £50,000 from Woodbrooke reserves and donations from Meetings and individuals. A fundraising appeal is under way to repay an interest-free loan from an Area Meeting.
The Centre’s director, Sandra Berry, said the project ‘will help to secure Woodbrooke’s financial viability for the future. On sunny days it’s exhilarating to see people congregating around the tables outside, talking, sharing, learning, and listening. ‘We want to enable this to be possible all year round’. When announcing the plans, Woodbrooke quoted Advices & queries 26. It speaks of homes in which ‘all who live or visit may find the peace and refreshment of God’s presence’.
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