Build your own Sustainable Village Community
October 09 2007
Visitors to a new tourist attraction which has recently opened at Cadbury World in Birmingham will have the opportunity to create their own computerised village community guided by the one hundred year old values of the Cadbury brothers.
'Build to Last' is an interactive table game played by four people. The technical brief for the game was provided by Alan Shrimpton of Bournville Village Trust, which manages one of the greatest examples of a model village anywhere in the world. Players are asked questions about different kinds of housing, amenities and which type of energy should be provided in their towns. Everytime the player makes a decision; he or she is given feedback on their choice.
All choices are related to a budget which depletes as certain options are chosen. Once all the questions have been asked the computer projects an image of what the community will look like in twenty years. It will explain whether the town will be a thriving sustainable development or a failure and why.
'Build to Last' is part of 'The Bournville Experience' exhibition which celebrates both the founding of the Cadbury factory and the Bournville village, by George and Richard Cadbury, and the way their values are embodied in it right to the present day. Entry to the exhibition which is free of charge, and designed to appeal to all ages, gives an exciting and interactive picture of the shaping of the village on Quaker principles, and the growth of the company into the world's largest confectionery business.
The brothers gave all new residents of the Bournville village a list of 'Suggested Rules of Health', a set of rules and advice designed to help residents get the best out of the fresh air and open spaces. It is interesting to see how many of the concerns about 21st century life existed in the brothers' minds over one hundred years ago. There's even the opportunity to write your own rules for healthy living!
A virtual reality conversation between Cadbury Schweppes CEO Todd Stitzer and George Cadbury shows how the company's community spirit has remained strong through the years, and will do so in future.
Historical artefacts that have never been seen in public will be displayed for the first time, including the original pestle and mortar used by John Cadbury to create Cadbury's original drinking chocolate in 1824. There will also be the original umbrella that Richard used to protect his 'angels' as they made their way out of work in the very earliest days.
A cavalcade of iconic Cadbury products past and present, from the original packaging of Dairy Milk to Roses and Creme Egg, will go on display in a replica shop front. Visitors will have the chance to create their very own packaging design for the classic brands of Flake and Milk Tray and even have it displayed in the shop window.
Alastair Flint, Director of Corporate Services for Bournville Village Trust, said: "Bournville is one of the greatest examples of a model village anywhere in the world, so to celebrate our fascinating history with a major exhibition at Cadbury World is fantastic. The Bournville Experience is a great way to record the unique evolution of the village and the factory. The values of the Cadbury founding fathers remain as relevant today as they were over one hundred years ago. These values still underpin Bournville Village Trust's new developments today, such as the eco-friendly urban village at Lightmoor in Telford, Shropshire."
