I was sifting through my photos trying to find something to share that wasn’t of the kids or the cats and having very little luck. Then I spotted this photo I took from the car while, in very slow moving traffic, on the way home from the hospital.
Admittedly it’s not the best of photographs, but I think it means a lot to me. This factory was where a few members of my family have been employed. I mostly remember my auntie working there and she had a special pass for the shop which she would share with my Mum. At Easter, my Mum would go along and buy a load of yummy Easter Eggs at a much cheaper price than in the shops.
Every summer, there is a fete held on the grounds in front of the factory. They have a big fairground and fireworks in the evening. We’ve been many times, particularly when my older kids were younger as it always seemed to fall around my daughter’s birthday. What a great treat for her.
About 30 years ago, they opened a brand new visitor centre right next door which is very popular with people far and wide. It actually took me around 25 years to visit it, but we’ve been several times since and experienced it in both summer and winter time.
Also, around 12 years ago we spent a whole afternoon looking for a geocache which was hidden in a tree near here. (Just right of the photograph.) I learned so much more about the area on that visit, including that all the trees are numbered! When we found the tree we were looking for I was keen to be the one to retrieve the geocache. So, I put my hand into the hole of the tree and straight on top of a frog who was guarding the little box of treasure.
The factory was the first in its chain and its produce is known in many countries around the world. The whole area around it was built by the factory for it’s workers and is still very much unchanged. When you pull into the local train station everything is painted in purple.
Do you know what factory it is yet? One last clue, it smells divine!
It’s the Cadbury factory in Bournville, Birmingham.
It certainly goes well with your surname, Anne!?
‘Sweet like Chocolate’ 🙂
Oh yes, I guessed immediately. It’s far too pretty to be a normal factory. How interesting that members of your family have worked there. My husband learned about Bournville for GCSE geography in 1991!
Oh I never knew it was part of a GCSE, I’m useless at geography but I’d pass anything related to Bournville, I’ve lived here 50+ years now!
What a lovely building full of character X #Sundaysnap
The Cadbury family built a beautiful ’empire’ in a very dark and dismal time.
I think it’s a lovely photo and perfect that it has a story behind it x #MySundaySnapshot
Ahh! I guessed straight away! It sounds like it has so many memories for you x
I guessed! We had a fabulous day at Cadbury World several years ago. They have just introduced Cadbury to the market here and I am delighted! Great photo #MMBC
We loved finding out about the history of the factory when we visited a few years ago
I can understand the sentiment of this shot. I too look fondly at places where my family have worked. Thanks for linking up and joining in with #mysundaysnapshot xxx
I’ve never been there but I find these towns built for the workers quite fascinating.
What a lovely photo and such lovely memories and sentiment behind it. I think it’s fascinating to find these things out x
Since there were Easter Eggs involved, I assume it has to do with chocolate!!
How wonderful that you have such great memories. I remember (65 years ago!) when my mom worked at Hallmark in KCMO and we got chocolate milk while we waited for her to get off work.