Bournville's volunteer run Residents Association
For all in BournvilleAbout Us
During 1902, in common with the rest of the country, the small village of Bournville (then only 400 homes) decided to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII with a children’s festival which was held on 2nd July.
This first Festival was so greatly enjoyed that it was decided to make it an annual event with the Maypole being the centrepiece of the event.
The original Festival Committee was formed into the Bournville Village Council in 1903 and since that time, has organised the Bournville Village Festival which still takes place on the last Saturday in June every year.
During the First World War the festival was suspended but recommenced in 1919 and continued until 1939 when, once again, war brought it to a stop. During the Second World War performances were given on Rowheath Playing fields but, when peace came, the Festival returned to its normal home on the Cadbury Men’s Recreation Ground on Linden Road.
The village council now also help to organise other events around Bournville – including Jazz on the Green and the turning on of the Christmas Tree lights in December as part of the Bournville Christmas Festival. The village council is also responsible for the day to day management and operation of Dame Elizabeth Hall in Firbank Close which is available to hire for conferences, weddings, celebrations, meetings, workshops, groups and events.
Bournville Village Council is a non-political Residents Association formed of a group of volunteers. We act as a go between with local authorities (whether that be the Bournville Village Trust or the City Council) to help resolve issues which are of importance to local residents. The village council represents residents in Bournville and aims to help make Bournville a better place for all. Need help with an issue or have a question?
Get in touch with us and we’ll help you out, if we can’t help you then we will help you to find the right people that can.
Update from the Chair:
Dear Resident,
As the Chair of Bournville Village Council I know that we have fallen behind in holding the annual public meeting to present the financial accounts and to provide an opportunity for the local community to hear about the work of the Council and ask questions.
As a long-serving member of the Council and as the Chair, I know that I need to get us back to operating in an open and transparent way. During the previous few months, I have been working with a new Treasurer and other members of the Council to make sure that we are back on track by the end of 2024.
Bournville Village Council is an important part of community life in Bournville. We are proud of the activities at Dame Elizabeth Hall, which are well attended by people of all ages. The annual festival is a monumental task for us but one of the summer highlights for many thousands of people of Bounville.
We will be asking for nominations for members of the local community to become members of the Council. If there are more nominations than placed available then we will run an election.
We are putting all our efforts into running a successful festival in the summer and will then move onto organising the public meeting. This will take place on Wednesday, 4th September 2024 at Dame Elizabeth Hall at 7pm. At the meeting we will distribute the 2023 financial accounts, provide the results of the nominations and/or elections to the Council and provide an opportunity to answer any questions the community want to ask the Council.
I am committed to making sure the Council operates openly and effectively following a difficult period. If you would like to become a volunteer on Bournville Village Council and be part of the journey, please let me know.
Yours sincerely
Services
We Provide
advice & assistance
Need help with an issue or have a question?
Get in touch with us and we’ll help you out, if we can’t help you then we will help you to find the right people that can!
Events & fundraisers
Check out our events page for updates on events and fundraisers we’re holding throughout the year.
hall management
The management of Dame Elizabeth Hall is taken care of by Bournville Village Council. Under our about page you can find some more information about Dame Elizabeth Hall and a link to the DEH official website.