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Cadbury Barn

Thanks Ell. I'd never heard of the place until today, despite having lived fairly nearby in Kings Norton and Bournville. And an interesting building too. This organic wooden decoration seems to have been very popular, my grandparents had a 1920s bungalow with that mock rustic decoration all around it, complete with arches. (In no way understated!) I expect it was influenced by the ideas of the arts and crafts movement.

Finding a good use for these buildings in parks seems to be tricky such as the Golden Lion in Cannon Hill Park. But at least this one isn't in danger of failing down. Viv.


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As a youngster in the 1950s I often went to Manor House lake fishing, but I now regret not having noticed the lovely barn. As kids things like this are not on the radar.
 
That's true Anvil Man, not something you take much notice of when young.

It's occurred to me, that like so many of these projects, you need lots of hard facts about who uses the park in the first place, average numbers, footfall, what are their local interests, who's the audience etc. They need proper market research otherwise it's risking early failure.

This barn originally had a philanthropic purpose; to give inner city children the chance to experience the countryside. Must have been wonderful for them. I wonder if it's practical for the theme to be continued, but with a modern twist e.g. a place to encourage relaxation, meditation, well being, healthy lifestyle, back to nature, encouraging traditional/disappearing skills, connecting with our natural world etc. Basically a place to take time out, ponder and admire. All depends of course on who the audience is. Viv.


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No won't happen with teenagers but could work with adults/older people/young families. Was thinking it might give local people an opportunity for relaxation and diversion in a relaxed environment. At the same time they might learn something about eliminating stress from their lives and improving their current lifestyles.

Originally the Cadbury'sv hoped the children would enjoy a day in the countryside, probably because there was cleaner air, open space and a little freedom from the hustle and bustle of city living. But even today many of us city dwellers still crave a day in the countryside, albeit often travelling further afield to find that countryside. So what's the attraction; Peace? Solitude? A chance to reflect? Get back to nature? Whatever the reason, maybe we could all benefit from occasionally switching off the mobile/laptop etc and spend time just doing nothing. Now off back to my tent from this ageing hippie!
 
Thanks Ell, although think it's a good case for some very pro-active promotional work about the place. I've mentioned this in my reply to the survey. If these places aren't promoted properly then they've no chance of success. Viv.


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Awful News -I have just seen a report saying that Northfield Manor house is on fire - 21.15pm Wednesday 30th July 2014.
 
Hi Alan again
My old Dutchess as just shouted up to me regarding the fire that is very sad to hear of that I am just wondering what caused it
It will be very interested to learn about the cause of the fire it seems there is alotof these fires going on around in brum
I am interested to find out more about it did it still belong to cadburys or was it sold on to someone else
The news media says its been empty for seven years so there would not be any powers ofele tric there surely not
I will watch this one with great Intrest beast wishes astonian,,,,,
 
Hi Alan and friends
What a sad day for Birmingham's history to near and see pics of there home going up in flames and being destroyed
Bournville lane bournvill. Since 1889
Before the cadbury family started there chocolate factory locally in 1879. This district was. A green field. Site in kings Norton. And
Northfield ,Worcestershire,
The name bournville was. Chosen. For the new works because of bourn rook which ran through the locality ,and because. ,,ville. Suggested a
French town'. And French chocolate. Was regarded. As the best. In those days
The cadbury factory. Face on to. A lane , which became known as bournville. Lane
Most of the other streets locally. Raised. Up woodland scenes. For example, with elm road, sycamore road ,and willow road,,,
Bournbrook road bournville. Rising in Quinton the bourn rook runs along the northern boundary of the district of bourn rook,
Seperating from edgbaston, the early English used the word burna. Bourne for a stream. Which was large and which had gravel beds
And clear water. With submerged plants. Thus bournbrook. Means the brook , brook,best wishes again astonian,,,,,,,,,,,
 
Owned by the university but I notice one of those development companies has had its eye on it fot 125 homes (https://b31.org.uk/2012/08/development-plans-for-northfield-manor-house/) I think the house wasn't in too good a condition, so it was probably in the way of the development. I'm sure when it was bequeathed to the university t was thought that the university would use and maintain it for the good of students, not for the profit of some development company who would put up either expensive little boxes or very expensive big boxes for people who likely as not have never done anything useful in their life . Their development certainly won't be following in the steps of Bournville
 
Hi mike
Many thanks for coming back on this thread and giving us all more info, most appreciated so is in the planning department to decide now
It seems to me like a patteren of these old building of high rate gets torched especial when a builders and property deals are given out
Like they obtain a property and get time to hang on to it and they say the have to put a roof on or some think of the other
And it never materilzes and before you know its knocked down by unscruples of property tycoons
I will of course watch this very. Closely and would be very interested how the fire started
Many thanks astonian,,,,,,
 
unfortunately this is what can happen when our historical buildings are left empty and unattended...very sad indeed

lyn
 
A talk about Cadbury Barn at Weoley Hill United Reformed Church, Selly Oak on 24 Sept @7.45 pm. A chance to have a say in it's future. Talk will also illustrate its past and present. Viv.


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There's an evening meeting to look at the options appraisal for the Barn on 16 March. Viv.
 
Reminder that the meeting to discuss the 3 options for the Barn's future use is tomorrow night. Details below. Viv.

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Just read that arsonists have burnt the barn down.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/historic-cadbury-barn-torched-arsonists-13412390

An historic 120-year-old barn, once owned by the Cadbury family, has been razed to the ground by arsonists.

Firefighters were called to deal with the blaze at the Cadbury Barn , Manor Farm Park, just off Bristol Road South, at around 3am yesterday.

The fire happened three years to the day after the Cadbury Manor House – on the same site – was destroyed by arsonists.

On Monday, West Midlands fire Service received 60 calls from concerned members of the public. In all, 23 firefighters battled until 10am to bring the fire under control.

The timber barn, built in 1895 for George and Elizabeth Cadbury on their estate, was totally destroyed.

Northfield Fire Station tweeted: “Red Watch currently at last night’s six engine fire in Manor Farm Park, 200 years of history gone in a few hours.”

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: “We sent six fire engines to the scene and 23 firefighters tackled the blaze, but unfortunately the barn was totally destroyed.

“It is very sad as it was of historical value. We believe it was an arson attack and police have been notified.”

The barn was of architectural and historical significance, particularly through its association with the Quaker/Cadbury philanthropy.

It was built specifically to host large parties, mainly for children from deprived areas of Birmingham and the Black Country.
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Went back to Manor Farm Park yesterday. After exiting via Manor House Drive, I still wanted to check out what happened to the site of the barn.

It is now a car park!



Think the edge would have been on the right here.

 
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