We live in a model UK village… it’s picturesque and we love it – but there’s a big drawback
LOCALS who live in a model UK village say it’s picturesque and they love it – but there is quite a drawback.
The Bournville estate, on the outskirts of Birmingham, was created in 1893 to house employees who worked in the Cadbury factory.
Still home to hundreds of locals today, the prim village almost feels like something out of a film.
With visitors filing through on their way to Cadbury World and lorries driving past to deliver chocolate, the quiet area still has its old charm.
Diane, who has lived in Bournville since 1985, told BirminghamLive: “It’s brilliant place to live. There are lots of friendly people, a cafe, festivals, activities.
“I’m a poet and I have published two books. It’s a holiday atmosphere.
“I often have a coffee here or at the garden centre.”
Lorraine Hawkes, who has lived opposite Cadbury Recreation for nine years, said it’s a “lovely area”.
She said: “Bournville is a lovely area, it’s very quiet with no trouble.
“It is an active community, you’ve got to give it to Bournville.”
However, there is a slight drawback for locals who still have to follow rules to maintain the village’s character.
Founded by Quakers over 120 years ago, it was decided the village would be a “dry” one.
Due to their faith, the founders decided to ban alcohol from being sold.
This is still in place today with no pubs or off-licenses in the village.
Diane added: “It’s a lovely community is Bournville, it’s partly managed by the Bournville Trust.
“Although there’s fewer Quakers in charge. I think I’m very privileged to live here.”
Director of communities, Arthur Tsang, at Bournville Trust said the estate has changed massively since it was first built – making it more modern.
However, Mr Tsang said they work with residents to “enhance and maintain the estate for everyone to enjoy”.
It comes after residents in a village in the Peak District fumed when holiday homes started taking over their area.
Locals in Longnor say it became famous after it was used as the fictitious town of Lambton for the BBC‘s adaptation of the Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice, which Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle starred in.
And people in Iford, in Wiltshire, feared they were being overshadowed by nearby Bradford-on-Avon – a much bigger town.