About

A History of the Trust

Christopher and Hannah Taylor established their charitable trust in 1964 when Christopher retired from Cadbury Schweppes, to enable them to support causes in which they were interested.

Both came from Quaker families and their membership of the Religious Society of Friends informed their lives and hence their charitable giving.

As a young man Christopher moved with his family from London to Birmingham where they had close family links. After studying Economics at Birmingham University he worked for many years in the sales department at the Cadbury factory in Bournville. His job took him all over the United Kingdom and to factories overseas.

In 1931 he married Hannah, eldest daughter of William Cadbury and granddaughter of Richard Cadbury. 

His experience as a Conscientious Objector in the Second World War helped shape his priorities. In 1943 he was sent to India for eighteen months where he worked for the Friends Relief Service, distributing food and medical aid during the famine and cholera epidemic in Bengal.

For over thirty years he was Honorary Treasurer of the Friends Service Council, (Quaker work overseas) and travelled widely. With Hannah he entertained many visitors at their home in Bournville. Hannah supported his international work, caring for Quaker workers returning to the UK.

Hannah had a particular interest in Madagascar, where her mother had lived as a child; she was a gifted artist and a disciplined botanist. She supported the Girl Guide movement throughout her life and was particularly committed to ensuring their activities were available to disabled children. 

Amongst his many voluntary jobs Christopher was keenly interested in the provision of good social housing and was a Trustee of the Bournville Village Trust and COPEC, a housing association.

After Christopher died, Hannah took over the responsibility of the newly formed CB and HH Taylor 1984 Trust, with their five children as Trustees.

In line with Christopher and Hannah's wishes, Quaker work receives a substantial proportion of the money allocated and reflects their many concerns.

Since Hannah died in 1999 it has continued as a family trust drawing new trustees from the next generations of Hannah and Christopher's descendants.