Birmingham was home to George Cadbury and his ‘model village’ at Bourneville. Joseph Rowntree did something similar at York, but Gloucestershire’s closest equivalent was Smiths Aerospace, and the nearby ‘Model Village’ of Bishops Cleeve. What was it like to work in such a cosy paternalistic environment? What was it like when those days came to an end? What was it like to live on the Smiths estate? In particular, behind the rather unassuming front door of 8 Minetts Avenue, where life pitched from one crisis to another?
Dave Roberts thought his problems were over when he was offered an apprenticeship at Smiths and later a house within the ‘Model Village’. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Alternatively moving and comical, ‘Thirty Years’ is a heart-felt autobiographical slice of life in late twentieth century Britain. Ultimately redeeming, it paints a picture of a way of life now fast disappearing. ‘Thirty Years’ is always entertaining, packed full of anecdotes and wry observation.
Dave Roberts thought his problems were over when he was offered an apprenticeship at Smiths and later a house within the ‘Model Village’. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Alternatively moving and comical, ‘Thirty Years’ is a heart-felt autobiographical slice of life in late twentieth century Britain. Ultimately redeeming, it paints a picture of a way of life now fast disappearing. ‘Thirty Years’ is always entertaining, packed full of anecdotes and wry observation.
