• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Cadbury's Bournville Factory

paul stacey said:
Yes Lyn , those treats were a God send, for us kids in those days, as we did't have much!!
Click to expand...
too right paul...we also used to do well with our other auntie who was manageress on a fruit farm...when she visited from evesham she came with a big box of lovely apples...happy days

lyn
 
star43 said:
That‘s interesting as it was my dad who worked at Parkside and his dad was an engine driver on the Cadbury’s railway line. If you do have any photos that would be fantastic.
Click to expand...
Love the family connection to the Cadbury Railway; my Great Grandfather (Jack Stanford) was the Cadbury railway foreman from 1907 to 1944; I am working on a book presently on the family railway history and obviously the railway around the factory will feature heavily. Would love to hear any recollections you may have. Paul
 
In 1904 Bournbrook Hall (entrance gates on the right of the postcard image) would still have been used as a lodging for those female workers who lived a distance from Bournville.
 
Seems to be all closed off now Mike, at least I couldn't spot that entrance and its quite grown over. But I spotted this ghost sign (?) where parts of a Cadbury building are crumbling (from March 2021 Streetview). No idea what it says.

Screenshot_20240423_131428_Maps.jpg
 
Last edited:
Viv
There has never been an entrance there since I knew the place. I think it was closed off when the Hall was demolished and the whole area became the Girls Grounds . This would have been, I think, around 1910. The building you show would be the old Cadbury club, which was burnt down about 2 years ago. Possibly Paul Cadbury's ghost had a hand in that, as, after the club got a licence, when he was visiting the site and was walking back to the bus (a truly egalitarian man) he always insisted on crossing the road when passing it, so he did not have to go too close)
 
mikejee said:
Viv
There has never been an entrance there since I knew the place. I think it was closed off when the Hall was demolished and the whole area became the Girls Grounds . This would have been, I think, around 1910. The building you show would be the old Cadbury club, which was burnt down about 2 years ago. Possibly Paul Cadbury's ghost had a hand in that, as, after the club got a licence, when he was visiting the site and was walking back to the bus (a truly egalitarian man) he always insisted on crossing the road when passing it, so he did not have to go too close)
Click to expand...
in slightly better condition in 2008 mike


www.google.com

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
www.google.com www.google.com
 
Sad to read that the Girl's Grounds are no more, my wife had her leaving do in there when she left Cadbury's. Must have been 1973. Club house was licenced at that time.
 
The Girls grounds are still there. It is the old club that had the fire that is a ruin. This is all owned by the village trust, not Cadburys, and, while the old responsible company would have helped out in a repair and rebuild, the American owners are not particularly helpful , as I understand it
 
MY¡ Greataunt and uncle Florrie and Bill Finch lived in Highbury Road and both worked at Cadburys , she was a Choclate Wrapper (Self Expranatilly) my greatuncle worked as a Leather Worker where and what was done in Cadburys as a Leather Worker ¿
 
At one time there were all sorts of tradespeople working there. Most things that could be done in house was done in house. Once much of the machinery was powered by belt drives in the 1960s some older parts of the factory still had the spindles and other paraphrenalia present below the ceiling I would guess that probably the belts were leather and had to be maintained and replaced
 
mikejee said:
At one time there were all sorts of tradespeople working there. Most things that could be done in house was done in house. Once much of the machinery was powered by belt drives in the 1960s some older parts of the factory still had the spindles and other paraphrenalia present below the ceiling I would guess that probably the belts were leather and had to be maintained and replaced
Click to expand...
The belts were leather and maintenance was important, if a belt failed during work hours it was a severe safety issue. When I left Brooke Tool Automation in November 1962, 30% of the machines were still belt driven.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top