The Adult School, 14, Adam Street (at left, above) was built in 1882, funded and equipped by the Quaker movement at a cost of about £644. A library and savings bank were attached to the building.
J B Braithwaite a London stockbroker had a second home in Burnham and saw a need for a place to educate local adults and so was responsible for having The Adult School built. He lived in Blencathra, in Seaview Road, now demolished and replaced by Blencathra Court, a block of flats.
The Quakers used a room at the rear of the building for their meetings until approximately 2011. Braithwaite was also involved in the construction of the Lifeboat Hotel and Coffee Tavern and the paddling pool on the beach (now demolished)
It is had a number of uses over it’s lifetime including:
1952 – 1985 The Town LIbrary
1985 – ???? Disabilty Resource Centre
???? – 2012 Somerset and Avon Carpets.
Currently it is occupied by the Co-op Funeral Directors, 2013 onwards. The Adult School was also used as an A.R.P. centre during the second World War
Read more about the Adult School
Discover the next location on the trail: 29. The Electric Theatre