It’s like being a student again! I turned up at the Bodleian Library in Oxford on Monday brandishing a somewhat moth eaten Library card, “well, we've not seen one of those for some time", was the amused response. “I’m afraid we have gone digital now". Well, my card was dated 1972 and not used since well back. Still, they issued me with a new plastic thing and I didn't need to take my oath again (which I did in 1972) promising not to “bring into the Library or kindle therein any fire or flame".
The Bodleian was founded in 1602 and is housed in the
most magnificent buildings. I'm sitting in the Old Bodleian looking out over to
the Radcliffe Camera, built by Wren and one of the Library reading rooms. I
wanted to get a seat in there but it was jam packed with proper students
hastily trying to cram 3 years work into a few weeks before they submit to
their examiners.
Still, I had a splendid view of same from my seat- as you
can see
I'm having a reading week in Oxford as part of my Great
Project; the history of charity. I went through the Bod's catalogue- over 900
entries come up under “history of charity" but most are histories of
individual charities or esoteric sermons and discourses. There isn't really anything
that purports to provide a broad sweep of our history since the first still
extant charity was established in 598 AD (Kings School, Canterbury). It’s
clearly an under researched subject; crying out for a Chair of Charity Studies
methinks. That's a broad hint btw. Some philanthropist (or Apple/ Starbucks now
they don't bother paying much tax) ought to fund it. I could be available; I
have my own gown.
| The Old Bodleian |
| The Radcliffe Camera |
What is particularly fascinating is the change that
occurred over the Tudor period, following the Reformation, from essentially a
religious base for charity actions to a secular form of charity and charity
trusts. And as the centuries developed, the rise of the campaigning voluntary
organisation emerges; particularly in opposition to slavery at the end of the
18th century and then the great charity movements of the early 19th century
against child and animal abuse and prison reform for example.
So we see the move from purely service provision as
effectively the arm of the State's welfare provisions to new forms of
campaigning and advocacy charity and to third sector bodies that both deliver
services and campaign for change. One thing is clear; there is precious little
material on this aspect of the work of charities so I need more help.
But I don't want you to think I'm totally immured inside
the ancient Oxford walls. I emerge to opine on the Work Programme, health and
the like.
Stephen Bubb