Cadbury is synonymous with chocolate and has been a household name for many years. The firm is celebrating its 200 years this year.
In 1824 John Cadbury opened his grocery shop in Birmingham, which sold tea, coffee and cocoa. The Cadbury business went into decline following the death of his wife, and then two of his sons, Richard and George, took over the firm. The Cadbury brothers struggled to make a profit for the first few years. Each brother contemplated career moves but eventually, with the successful developments surrounding chocolate manufacturing, the business flourished.
The Cadburys were Quakers and their Quaker principles impacted the way the workers were treated and various initiatives were created for their welfare. The development of the Bournville village for its workers was one such example. Each workday in the factory started with prayers and Bible reading. One of Richard’s great interests was the establishment of an Institute for Adult Education for the provision of education and Sunday School. Sunday School meant, in its truest sense, education on a Sunday when the workers weren’t employed, using the means of teaching and reading of the Bible.
