The Bourneville Village Trust

Bournville Village Trust is one of the largest housing trusts in the country. Founded in 1900 by George Cadbury, the chocolate manufacturer, the Trust now looks after some 8,000 mixed-tenure properties in Bournville, inner-city Birmingham, Shropshire and elsewhere in the Midlands.

Bournville Village is home to 25,000 people and today, the Bournville Village Trust continues to thrive, always working to George Cadbury’s ideals.

Development has continued with research into new building methods and amenities. Special needs housing for the elderly, single people, unsupported mothers, children in care and the mentally handicapped is included in the planning mix.

Today there are twelve different types of special needs schemes on the estate, from bungalows for the elderly to sheltered housing schemes, and from a hostel for people with learning difficulties to 90 shared-ownership homes for first time buyers and self-contained flats for single people.

There are even 400 homes built through self-build co-partnerships – where practically all the work is done by the membership under the direction of an experienced foreman.

Over a hundred years since the first house in the Bournville Village estate was built, the Bournville Village Trust continues with the aims of its founder George Cadbury. The mission statement promises to:

• Promote social housing of good quality which enhances the environment
• Manage all their housing and estates to the highest standards for all residents
• Encourage residents to share in decisions affecting their communities.

Today the Bournville Estate covers 1,000 acres, and of its 7,600 dwellings 3,861 are secure or assured tenancies; 50 are co-ownership dwellings; 2,234 leasehold properties; and 1,466 freehold homes. There’s still an emphasis on parks and open spaces, and plenty of flowerbeds, borders and trees bring the countryside almost to the front door of the houses.

The Trust also manages 400 houses and flats in Telford, Shropshire, and has been involved in many other housing, planning and environmentally related projects, all aimed at improving housing conditions in the UK.

In recent years, major redevelopment at Bournville (2003+) shows the Trust’s continuing commitment to the area.

If you have any questions about all the other initiatives Cadbury are part of let us know, we'd love to hear from you.

A Journey Through Accra

We've become quite fascinated by stories about traveling round Ghana. the buses, tro-tros and departures on African time, it all sounds so vibrant.

Jonathan Rivers' has written a really interesting post about his journey to Mole National Park with friends. By the third paragraph of his post, Jonathan was already on to Plan C of his journey options. Very funny and definitely worth a read.

And in Loren Price's post about her journey back to Ghana from Timbuktu you can really feel her exhaustion after three days without showering, lots of waiting and many, many crossed wires. 

Kelly with a couple of her pupils

Inspired by all of this, we wondered about the less epic journeys in Ghana - what is traveling like for your average commuter? Luckily, Kelly Avery was there to answer this for us. Kelly has been volunteering in Ghana for almost six weeks as a Teaching Assistant at a Street Academy in Accra for disadvantaged children who can't afford to attend school. Kelly's going to be in Ghana for another six weeks, so if there's anything else you'd like to know about Accra, other parts of Ghana, culture, climate, the fantastic food on offer or the wonderful kids she works with, feel free to ask in the comments section of this post.

To start with though, here's what she told us about a journey through Accra:

As I approach the long line of tro-tros, I listen out for the familiar frantic cry of Accra-cra-cra-cra-cra’. I peer at the windows of the various vehicles, looking out for the one branded ‘GOD IS GOOD’ that I know travels to where I wish to go.

Kelly's tro-tro

After a fifteen minute walk in the drenching humidity, I squeeze my way through people and seats hoping to get a spot by the window as I embark on the second leg of my journey to work.

Getting cosy with the people of Nima

Sitting shoulder to shoulder, knee to back with the people of Nima (woman in elaborately patterned dresses with matching head wraps and babies strapped to their backs, elderly gentlemen in floor-length white gowns, and business men in shirts and ties), I wonder how they manage to remain looking so pristine in an environment already approaching 80 degrees.

The GOD IS GOOD store Kelly drives past

As we tear through the streets, we pass the ‘Divine Touch Barbering Salon’ and ‘God is Good Fashion Design Store’. Many Ghanaians like to name their businesses after religious slogans so to promote their faith in Christianity. Other tro-tros we pass are named ‘Who knows tomorrow?’ and ‘In His own time’.

My twenty minute journey is a snip at the equivalent of just 15 pence (or 30 Ghanaian pesewas). I hand my 50 pesewas coin to the person sat in front of me and it’s passed from person to person until it reaches the mate (driver’s assistant); my change travels back along the same sea of hands. The mate is also responsible for making sure the ‘tro stops to let passengers on and off, but to successfully alight at the right place, you must yell out the word ‘mate’ as you approach your destination. My pronounciation of the word mate however, an almost Cockney version with the emphasis on the ‘a’, usually tends to fall on deaf ears. As I journey home, I often have to rely on other passengers who sensing my frustration, will kindly shout ‘mate’ in their distinct Ghanaian tone so that I can get off at the right stop.

 

Plantain chips? Anyone?

By far the best way to attract anyone’s attention here however is to hiss at them! (It’s a perfectly acceptable way of alerting somebody of your presence!). It’s particularly useful when the ‘tro is at a standstill and you suddenly realise you need some pure water (filtered water sold in nifty little plastic bags), or more likely in my case, a bag of plantain chips. After a short sharp ‘sssttt’ followed by declaring what it is you wish to buy, the correct vendor will come to your window and remove the goods from a container perfectly propped upon their head. What one can but from the (relative) comfort of their seat never fails to amaze or amuse me. The abundance of goods I’ve seen for sale includes: chocolate, some of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted, footballs, superglue, toilet paper, puppies (?!) and my favourite to date, a large electronic keyboard. I had been hoping to buy a keyboard before I left the UK, but I am not yet well versed enough in the bartering system to secure a bargain of such an item in the time it takes the lights to change.

As I reach my destination, and jump of the ‘tro into the equally colourful, chaotic and claustrophobic environment of Tema Station, I am greeted by a passer by with a friendly ‘Welcome. How are you?’. Accra may be an imposing and manic city, but its people never fail to be kind and hospitable.

David Croft on Cadbury, cocoa and sustainability

For those of you who didn't manage to catch David Croft, Cadbury's Sustainability Director at the Business Fights Poverty discussion about "Putting market access into practice: reaching the bottom billion through corporate supply and distribution chains", here's the footage captured on the night.

Tom Bamber - Fairtrade's mainstream evolution

Fairtrade has been a part of my life since I was a child. In a funny way, I guess I've grown with it and it with me. Over the course of my lifetime (or thereabouts anyway) there are three things that I reckon show signs of Fairtrade's mainstream evolution better than any others:

1. People know what I'm on about

When I started campaigning for Fairtrade a few years ago it was often necessary to explain to most people the concept of Fairtrade.  People often thought of it as charity or just simply didn’t understand that people were being exploited for the goods they produce.

2. There are lots of products to choose from

The Fairtrade shift from the niche market means there are now thousands of products to choose from. 

3. In more places

And ultimately, because there were fewer, more niche products, they were only sold in a few, niche places. Now though, we don't have to go out of our way to buy way to buy Fairtrade products. This is important because it allows a larger section of society to become aware of Fairtrade while they do their regular shopping trips.

It's been brilliant to watch over the years and I look forward to seeing where Fairtrade goes in the future.

Tom Bamber - My first trip to Ghana

Fairtrade has been a big part of my life - for pretty much my whole life.

In fact, my first memory of Fairtrade is dressing up as a box of Fairtrade tea in a local procession! I must have been about 7! You can see a picture of the procession over here. I’m the kid on the left.

So, as you can imagine, I was really, really, really excited about my first trip to Ghana, which I did in 2006.

I went out to help set up a computer and ICT link between my hometown of Garstang, the World’s First Fairtrade Town, and our twin town called New Koforidua. Thanks to the work we did out there, we’re now able to video conference between the schools in New Koforidua and the schools in Garstang, which is very exciting!

Ghanaians are hugely hospitable, friendly and welcoming people with so much to offer us in terms of friendship and culture! So I had lots of fun, learning how the cocoa is grown and farmed. The thing I value most though is having the chance to see and experience cultural differences and similarities: at the end of the day, all anybody wants is to be able to provide one’s family with what they need.

Written by Tom Bamber

Pic by Tom Bamber

Get voting

Interesting stuff. According to findings in our polls, readers of this blog think they know quite a bit about Fairtrade (as you'll see in the poll results above). However, they're not so convinced they can say the same about everyone else.

When we asked: "Do you think most people understand what the FAIRTRADE Mark on a product actually stands for?" So far, a sweeping 67% of respondents said no.

Do you have more faith in other folks' knowledge of the Fairtrade Movement? Get voting.

The Bottom Billion - tune in live

Free tomorrow night? Wanna know how some of the world's biggest brands are using business to fight poverty?

Then tune in at 17.30 to watch the Business Fights Poverty discussion about "Putting market access into practice: reaching the bottom billion through corporate supply and distribution chains"

This event is part of the 2009 Event Series, "Harnessing the Power of Business for Development Impact", from the Overseas Development Institute, the UK Department for International Development and Business Action for Africa. 

Speakers include:

Andy Wales, Head of Sustainable Development, SABMiller
David Croft, Sustainability Director, Cadbury
Euan Wilmshurst, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, The Coca-Cola Company 

David will be talking about all things Fairtrade and cocoa, so be sure to tune in and post any questions you have.

Viennese Whirls

 

Preparation Time  20 mins
Cooking Time   20 mins
Serves     8-10.

 

Ingredients:

150g Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate
350g (12oz) margarine
75g (3oz) icing sugar
5ml (1 tsp) vanilla essence
60ml (3 tbs) milk
350g (12oz) plain flour
175g (6oz) cornflour
2.5ml (1/2 tsp) baking powder

 

To complete:
284ml (1/2 pint) double cream
150g carton thick and creamy strawberry yogurt
225g (8oz) strawberries
2 kiwi fruits

 

You will also need:
A large piping bag fitted with a star nozzle
Two baking trays lined with parchment paper

 

Instructions:

Melt the chocolate. Cream the margarine and sugar until very pale, then add the melted chocolate, essence and milk.

Beat in the dry ingredients, beating until the mixture is really light.

 

Fill the piping bag then pipe quite deep whirls into a circle measuring 20-22.5cm (8-9 inches) on a baking tray.

Pipe extra whirls on another tray, allowing room to spread.

 

Bake at Gas Mark 5, 190°C, 380°F for 15-20 minutes until cooked.

 

Leave to harden before lifting off. Freeze for up to 3 months if required, packing carefully.

 

Whisk cream and yogurt together and pipe onto the biscuit base. Decorate with slices of fruit.

Meet Tom Bamber - next week's guest blogger

My name is Tom Bamber (I'm the guy in the middle of the picture above - feeling the Ghanain love). I’m doing a two week work placement as part of my Film & Television course at the Fairtrade Foundation, working as Digital Media Volunteer.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Lancashire in the small town of Garstang, which is the World’s First Fairtrade Town.

What do you do?

I am now coming up to the end of my second year at York St John University studying a Creative Industries and Technologies Foundation Degree in Film & Television Production. Next year I’ll be moving on to study the third year of the full degree course.

You're obviously passionate about Fairtrade, what do you wish people knew about the accreditation?

I think many people now do know about Fairtrade. Last summer, I visited a town in Ghana called New Koforidua, which is one of the Kuapa Kokoo Fairtrade cocoa farming communities.

It is not until you meet the people who grow the cocoa that you realise the impact it is having on their lives. I think there should be more opportunities for people to visit Fairtrade cooperatives and see for themselves.

What are you hoping to learn during your time at Fairtrade headquarters?

As this is my first experience of a real work placement, I am interested in how an organisation like the Fairtrade Foundation runs. Even though I am studying Film & Television, I am also interested in all aspects of media, so while I am here I am going to be helping out on the Creative Services team so that will involve things like updating the website, photographing products as well as some research.

What do you think about Cadbury Dairy Milk going Fairtrade this year?

I think this is excellent news and was so excited to hear it! Fairtrade is definitely growing and this is a big sign of things to come.

Tell us a bit about Garstang.

Garstang is the World’s First Fairtrade Town and because of that there are now 430 Fairtrade Towns in the UK and similar initiatives are running or are starting up in 18 other countries.

What are people surprised to learn about you?

I find it strange, but people are often surprised when they find out I don’t drink alcohol. I guess being a student, it’s usually seen as a requirement...

Next week I'm going to be blogging about my adventures in the Fairtrade office, so add a comment if you have any questions about life at Fairtrade HQ.

Pretty, pretty pictures

We've had days spent flicking through great, big old books in the Cadbury archives.

We've donned wellies and headed into the countryside. Met the loveliest famers and prettiest cows.

We've snuck a peek into pictures taken yonks ago of Cadbury staff doing their thing at work and play.

And now we are sharing all of these visual delights with you right over here.

Enjoy and let us know what you think.