The Bournville Village Trust
The Bournville Village Trust's Statement of Purpose is:
"To provide high quality housing developments, distinctive in architecture, landscape and environment, in socially mixed communities, using best management practices to promote ways to improve the quality of life for those living in such communities."
The Trust was the creation of George Cadbury and not the company: its existence is separate from that of Cadbury Limited. Trustees were originally all members of the Founder's family, and later extended to include participation by the City of Birmingham, the University of Birmingham and the Society of Friends.
When George Cadbury died in 1922, his widow Dame Elizabeth Cadbury succeeded him as Chairman. When she died in 1935 George Cadbury Junior became Chairman. One of the original trustees, he played a leading role in developing the Trust for 50 years until his younger half-brother Laurence succeeded him in the Chairman's role in 1954. There is still a strong Cadbury family link with the Trust and several members of the family are trustees.
The creation of a community was foremost in the mind of George Cadbury and the Deed of Foundation provided for both land and buildings for community purposes, covering a wide and specific number and range of activities - not only spiritual welfare but also physical and educational needs. Parks and open spaces were also of prime importance in the Bournville planning scheme.
To George Cadbury's delight, improvements in living conditions did enhance public health, much. Figures published in 1915 show that the general death rate and infant mortality for Bournville was significantly lower than that for Birmingham as a whole compared over a five-year period.
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