Friday Photo: Rowheath Pavilion
Today’s Friday photo was taken within the grounds of Rowheath Pavilion in Bournville. George Cadburys plan for Bournville Village stipulated that one tenth of the total area was to be reserved for parks, recreation grounds and other open spaces. This was intended to preserve rural character and provide a healthy environment for the inhabitants, while actively encouraging outdoor pursuits. As the estate itself grew, the land at Rowheath was purchased by Cadbury in the early 1920s. The site originally opened in July 1924; providing playing fields for sports, a bowling green, a fishing lake and a lido (which was closed in the 1970s). True to its original intentions the pavilion and its grounds were full of people enjoying the outdoors with the promise of warmer weather on the way.
Rowheath Pavillion is still thriving now, giving the local community a place to hold family functions, where daytime activities for both adults and children take place as well as being the base for a local church. Some events take place outside, including the monthly farmers market and then during the summer months the Food and Beer festivals. A thriving and growing centre for everyone.