Description:Page 41 of 'Drake Hall - A War-Time Hostel', a souvenir book produced for staff and residents at the Swynnerton Royal Ordinance Factory hostel at Drake Hall, produced in 1945. Describing the work of the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) at Drake Hall:
"Education: From the beginnings of the Hostels it has been the policy of the W.T.A. to encourage educational activities. Thanks to the co-operation of the University of Oxford Tutorial Classes Committee, in the summer of 1942, Miss B. L. Smith, M.A., took up residence in the Hostels to explore what could be done in the way of education. This experiment proved so successful that in the autumn of the same year Miss Beryl Morgan, B.A., was appointed by the Oxford Committee to live in the Hostels and work with the W.E.A. District in promoting education there.
Soon, from these small beginnings, discussions and talks were arranged in most of the houses in Drake Hall. In the Social Centre special talks were arranged and a dramatic group started. Amongst visiting speakers were Mrs. L. K. Elmhurst, Miss Maggie Jordan and President Ruthven of Michigan University. An exhibition of Czechoslovak art, regular visits to a Pottery Factory and to a Nursery School have been among the activities arranged.
Great interest was shown by the girls in handicrafts, dressmaking and other such subjects. Classes in these were arranged through the co-operation of the Staffordshire Local Education Authority, with Miss Morgan acting as its representative in the Hostels. To help this work Miss Mavis Riding was appointed by the Local Authority to live in the Hostel and take classes. These have been very successful and are held in all Houses in Drake Hall.
In this way there has been built up a considerable volume of educational work. The groups are not large but they are keen: without the opportunities provided and the encouragement given, many of these people would never have known the satisfaction of classes and discussions. The possibilities of universal adult education have been revealed, together with its difficulties and the need for experiment. The work in the Hostels has . been in keeping with that among the Forces and Civil Defense workers: but it also means that these girls have taken part in the great movement which has its roots before the last war and, which, we hope, will widen and become strengthened in the post-war years. The North Staffordshire District of the Workers' Educational Association thank the W.T.A. very sincerely for making this experience possible and hope that the promise of new life which this work has brought to many Hostel residents will be fulfilled.
Beryl Morgan, B.A., Barbara Smith, M.A.,
Resident Tutors in the Hostels.
Gladys Malbon, M.A.,
Secretary of the North Staffordshire District of the Workers' Educational Association."