Bournville Model Boat Club, Funded by the Cadbury Family and Built by 64 Local Unemployed Men is Listed
Charming 1930s model boat club and boating lake built for Cadbury workers is Listed at Grade II
Bournville Radio Sailing and Model Boat Club Boathouse and Boating Lake in Birmingham has been granted Grade II listed status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the advice of Historic England.
Bournville Model Yachting Club, now known as Bournville Radio Sailing and Model Boat Club, was founded in 1923 and initially based at nearby Rowheath recreation ground. Prior to the construction of the boathouse and lake in 1933, the land was an undeveloped, tree-filled, boggy area.
Famed local chocolatiers the Cadbury family, known for their philanthropy and concern for employee welfare, hired 64 men who were ineligible for state benefit due to the length of their unemployment, to carry out the build of the boathouse and boating lake.
The men worked on the project 4 days a week and on the remaining day of the working week they were to attend an occupational class such as carpentry or gardening under the supervision of the Bournville works Education Department. The aim was to provide the men with work whilst they sought long-term employment.
The Bournville Model Yachting Club boathouse opened on 19th August 1933 and originally also included a boat repair shop, a model railway, and a flag station.
Legend has it that the irregular shape of the pool was chosen by Edward Cadbury’s wife, who disliked the original plans for a rectangular pool in favour of a more abstract shape.
The building was constructed to act as storage for the model boats, and as a place where members could relax and enjoy refreshments. Clad in tarred rustic elm weatherboarding, it was carefully designed with high ceilings and tall doors to be able to facilitate the movement of a fully rigged model yacht.
You can add your memories, photos and videos of the Club Boathouse and Boating Lake to the Missing Pieces Project.
This tranquil boating oasis, tucked away in the iconic model village of Bournville, has provided entertainment and relaxation for the local community for nearly a century. The rustic charm of the boathouse and the elegant curves of the boating lake make it fully deserving of the recognition of Grade II listed status, and the inspirational story of how it was built makes it all the more remarkable.
The Boathouse and its facilities have hosted a wide range events over the years from National Championships to community activities. The building is a focal point for park users who admire its design and see it as major asset for the area. The club makes use of this unique building seven days a week and welcomes many visitors to view the wide range of yachts and boats.
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