| Description | Records accumulated by Leonard Elmhirst primarily relating to the promotion of higher education among adults in rural areas, principally Devon and Cornwall. The records document Leonard's association with the Workers Educational Association (WEA); the University College of the South West of England, Exeter (UCSW) later to be known as the University of Exeter; and the Board of Education (Local Education Authority, or LEA) in the planning and provision of a Rural Extension Scheme. This scheme was to be achieved by the extension of university teaching to create courses in response to local need, in partnership with local community groups and organisations. There are also records regarding Provincial Agricultural Economics Service (PAES) and the transfer of responsibility to Exeter University from Bristol University for the administration of PAES in the South West service centre, at Newton Abbot under S Morris. Leading to the eventual integration of the Newton Abbot Centre into Exeter University.
The records consist of correspondence accumulated by Leonard Elmhirst through his various roles as chairman, president and vice-president of committees and associations. Included are letters between Leonard Elmhirst and: the Joint Committee for Tutorial Classes; LEA; Social Services; F G Thomas; J Murray, principal and Sir J Cook, Vice-Chancellor of the University College of the South West of England, Exeter (UCSW); K Murray, Grants Committee; Workers' Educational Association, Devon area (WEA); World Association for Adult Education (WAAE) and chairman, Albert Mansbridge; Henry Morris; Professor R H Tawney; W E Williams; Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts; R Briggs; Mary Kelly; and Sir William Holford.
Subjects include finance; the Rural Extension Scheme; Joint Committee for Tutorial Classes; Extra-Mural Work; Newton Abbot Peoples' Service Centre; the development of the University College of the South West of England into Exeter University; Exeter University development programme, student welfare and amenities, the Social Studies Building, Agricultural Economics, Music. Dartington Arts Department; and the Trustees Advisory Education Committee.
Additional materials include: reports; memoranda; minutes; a minute book; plans; photographs; press cuttings; pamphlets; publications; lectures; telegrams; prospectus; and programmes. |