Bittersweet Cadbury

Today, Britain lost another iconic company to international competition, when chocolate giant Cadbury was sold to the US company Kraft. There has been much lament and concern here in Birmingham with the implications of this takeover.
Cadbury began over 130 years ago in this city and has been well respected as a company that cares for its workers. The philanthropic Cadbury's were Quakers and, many many years since the family sold its share of the company, the area remains a dry area, with no pubs. In 2007, residents mounted a campaign to prevent Tesco from selling alcohol here.

The model village of Bournville, walking distance to King Edward School, was built to house the factory workers. This large factory dominates life in the local area, just like Ford's close links to Geelong and Broadmeadows. The company still maintains its paternalistic approach to its community, with a trust offering affordable homes to families in need. By 1915, the village mortality rate was significantly lower than the rest of the city.
Cadbury was one of the first companies to introduce a pension scheme, and gave workers the opportunity to buy shares. This bred much respect and loyalty from the community. Each Christmas Eve, there is a carols by candlelight-type event, attended by about 7000 people, as the carillon plays 'O Come, All Ye Faithful'.
Driving past the gates of Cadbury brings back images of Willie Wonka.

There is much concern as to what the long-term impact will be on the local area. Will Cadbury go the way of other British icons and be closed, in favour of overseas factories with cheaper labour and production costs? There is evidence that this has happened in the past. The Jaguar-Rover plant was only a few miles away, as well as HP Sauce and Dunlop factories. After being sold to international interest, the plants were closed, and Birmingham's people bore the brunt of the losses.
The English do make a point of telling us that local chocolate is far superior to the Aussie version. This has something to do with thickeners in the Aussie version to prevent the chocolate melting in the heat - but also preventing it melt in the mouth. On our list of things-to-do list was to visit the famous Cadbury World and test this theory. Maybe we should do it sooner rather than later - before it is too late.