George Cadbury's Contribution to Sport

Abstract

George Cadbury lived from 1839-1922. With his brother Richard he is best known for the development of his family business which moved under the brothers’ leadership from Bull St. to Bournville. He was also a teacher, a politician, a newspaper proprietor and the founder of the Bournville Village Trust. In fact he was “a national figure” 1 I shall show that throughout his life he was a very keen sportsman and that he had a lot of influence both in the sporting ethos of the Cadbury Firm and in the flowering of sport at Bournville, Rowheath and the Lickeys. His love of sport was within the context of his Christian discipleship and Quaker beliefs. He was once asked by a journalist “What are the two most influential books in your life”? and George replied Thomas a Kempis “The Imitation of Christ” and William Law “A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life”. “He loved games for themselves, but he loved them still more as a physical training necessary to keep one fit for the real business of life” 2 . In addition to his participation in cricket, golf, football and swimming “he remained a lifelong devotee of outdoor pursuits like walking, cycling and riding” 3 . There are three parts to George Cadbury’s contribution to sport. Firstly there is his own play. Secondly there is what he did for sport in providing sports facilities for the Cadbury company’s employees and his own participation in this. Thirdly there is what may loosely be described as the sporting legacy left by him and his brother Richard. Firstly let’s consider his own play. George’s enthusiasm for sport and games came from his home. “His childhood was spent in a loving and deeply religious, but somewhat Spartan atmosphere...A carriage was considered too luxurious, however two ponies were kept for the boys to ride, but they had to look after them entirely themselves” 4 .