Cadbury world

Today was another trip that had been organised by Headway South Staffs. This time we were going to Cadbury World in Birmingham. 

Anne Marie announced the trip to the group and looked puzzled as the blank attendance sheet she was pinning to the notice board had my name already written on it by the time she put it up on the wall. She then reached into her pocket to find a crisp £10 note to book my place. 

To say I was excited for this was an understatement. You could say I have a slight chocolate addiction but you'd be wrong...I have a big addiction.

8:28

I catch the number nine bus ran by Select Bus Services which isn't particularly reliable. Regularly busses don't turn up, so when a bus does turn up it has all of the passengers that were meant to be on the previous bus. It does keep time pretty well though, when it turns up, it's usually on time. It's never early though, except for this occasion.

8:48

I checked the My Trip app and saw that the bus was early and was already at the next stop. Typical. I waited for another twenty minutes and caught the next bus. It normally takes me ten minutes to get into town, but the mini bus was due to leave at 9:00am. I texted Anne Marie with tears in my eyes, hoping she could tell my text was merely what I thought I should say, but I in no way meant it. The undertone of my message was "DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT ME!"

9:00

I got to town and could see the mini bus was still there. My bus goes past Headway South Staffs before it reaches its stop

9:03

I get off the bus by bouncing off the sides like a pin ball. Regular passengers must think I'm a dreadful driver...well to be fair, they've got to the right conclusion but for the wrong reason. You see the aisle is a few centimeters wider than my wheelchair, and the joystick is so sensitive, the slightest gust of wind from my hand moving near it is the equivalent of pushing the joystick hard. Pushing it in the other direction means you immediately run into the opposite wall.

I arrive and immediately head towards the back of the bus where the wheelchair lift is as I thought everybody would be waiting to depart.

"Tom...Tom! TOM!

I turn around and head back to the front of the bus

"Where are you going? They're waiting inside for you"

I head down the path at full power - all 4mph of the mighty iM.4 Elite is unleashed.

The gate is ajar but not fully opened!

There is plenty of room to get through the gate, but I'm in a rush! I don't have the time to slow down.

So I ram into it.

My entrance doesn't prompt any shouts of "what's that?" Or a startled inquisitive look, the crash of my arrival had merely told everyone the idiot they were waiting for was here. Anne Marie popped her head out: "Here he is, turn around we need you on the bus". 

9:17

I drove to the back of the bus where Richard (the driver) had set up the lift. When the lift reached the height of the bus, Richard took over the controls and drove the chair into the position he needed, my reputation has preceded me I thought. I could have been slightly offended, but I was actually slightly impressed, he'd managed to get into position without running into things, I didn't realise that was possible! He strapped me in so tight I think if we drove off a cliff I'd still be alright.

Cadbury World

We arrived, and, well I didn't see what I expected. I had watched the Inside Cadbury:Chocolate secrets unwrapped on Netflix. As you can see from the video there are shots of the Cadbury and Bournville Factories, what it doesn't show you is that directly to the left of the old looking factory is a very new looking building with glass from floor to ceiling. I was helped off the bus and rather than head towards what looked a gift shop at an amusement park, I headed for the factory. I was immediately told I was going the wrong way and to head for the shiny new building. If I wasn't sure which way to go I just had to head for the building that a line of primary school children had entered.

Access was pretty good though, the car park surrounded the building, there seemed to be plenty of disabled parking spaces and it was a short trip from the bus to the entrance. It started to rain as soon as I entered the not particularly busy building, there were a few people here but it wasn't bustling.

 

We were told the tour would take about 2 hours, which having watched the documentary would be quite an interesting 2 hours I thought and there would be plenty of opportunities to try the chocolate before it's made into the confectionary it's intended for. As the tour starts we go past a lady who hands us three chocolate bars - Wispa, Dairy Milk and Caramel. They were full size bars as well, none of your fun size rubbish, which definitely is not fun. 

These aren't fun size, they're pointless size. 

First is a walk around some displays they've made to explain how chocolate came to Europe. Well that's what I learnt from the interactive screens. There was nobody with us to tell us what we were looking at, nobody had told me what to expect. I'm sure somebody in our group was told, but if you're expecting your customers to make their own way around, you should make sure they know. 

I've learnt since that we were on the self guided tour. They don't seem to offer any other kind of tour, the self guided tour is all that's mentioned on the website.

Then we went through a doorway as if we were changing zones on The Crystal Maze and emerged on a set similar to The Muppet Christmas Carol. There were dozens of
people here, most of which weren't from our group, not only were we giving ourselves a tour, but we had joined other groups. We were in the middle of an old English high street, there was somebody here who briefly explained this is like the high street where John Cadbury had a small shop before founding Cadbury. A short dramatised video from the founder John Cadbury was going to play. We turned our attention to the screen to see a man in a wig wearing clothes of the period speaking in a very proper English accent. Just before the video finished the person re-appeared and beckoned me over to some double doors, the next part of this tour was in the small theater next door. There was another short video of this fellah in a wig, sorry, John Cadbury. Next it was through to another small theatre next door, but this one was 4D. I was told however that I wouldn't feel the benefits as I need to be sitting on the seating provided to feel it shake. I can't say I was particularly disappointed to be excluded from this experience, I wanted to stay in my chair, it's got a comfy cushion, the benches looked hard and uncomfortable. I sat in the theater watching as a floating head of John Cadbury appeared on a small screen above our heads and his son appeared on the screen at the side of the stage. They spoke to each other as if they were in the same room.

Next we stood in a corridor for about ten minutes, I didn't know why at the time but I know why now. 

We were queueing to see a live demonstration. 

I could hear that there was a video playing on a TV, I don't know what was playing as I couldn't see. I could barely hear it either and there weren't any speakers for people further down the line, basically you couldn't see or hear it unless you were near it in the queue.

I know now that this queue was because there was a live demonstration going on up ahead. They were obviously only going to do this once, and the people who weren't fortunate enough to see it, could watch on the television...you see where I'm going? This demonstration is basically in a corridor, so the amount of people who will be able to see it is minimal and the amount who will be able to watch on the TV is minimal.

By the time we got to the demonstration area, there was nobody there, we just walked past it, giving it a glance as it looked fairly modern and not at all interesting. 

Rather than continue in my relentless assassination of Cadbury World I decided to have a look around the Internet and see what other people are saying.

What Others Say

A Google search for "Cadbury World reviews"

*--------------------------------*

It appears I'm not the only one with a negative review, although to be fair there do seem to be quite a lot of 4 or 5 star reviews and just about every review mentions whether their children enjoyed it or not. I would admit it's an attraction for small children, a demographic I aged out of in the 80s. 

Disabled Toilets?

The first set of toilets we came to didn't have disabled facilities. I was told by another customer in the queue that the toilets are very narrow, so that may be the reason. I looked for somebody to ask where the nearest disabled toilets were, but as we were on the self guided tour there didn't seem to be anyone around. I might be being a bit harsh there, there may well have been people around but I couldn't get to them as I WAS QUEUING IN A NARROW FREAKING CORRIDOR!

Is It Required By Law To Have A Disabled Toilet

How the chocolate is made

Next we went into a room where you could see into production rooms to see the chocolate being made. They were currently making footballs and football boots for Father's Day. The production of the balls/boots had already been done and the workers were basically piping a message onto the balls. Not particularly interesting, but that's the luck of the draw and depends on what's being made at the time.

As we got past the window to view the various choc balls and shoes, there was a sign that said choose your toppings. Toppings to what? There was nobody around to ask. I picked a topping of white buttons and sour patch kids, although I still didn't know what they'd be a topping for, I figured that would become clear. Jo went to get whatever it was, she returned with a small plastic cup of white and chocolate buttons and 1 sour patch kid. I've since learnt that the cup was meant to be filled with melted chocolate topped by my 2 choices.

The 4D cinema

Next was the 4D cinema. We took an elevator down to the cinema. The roof of the elevator is a large screen, with a view of the elevator shaft that has a troublesome parrot pulling on the falling elevator so it's falling unevenly. It was fun and would be a hit with small children. The lift feels like it's falling quickly, I imagine if you're a small child it would feel quite convincing.

The 4D cinema is easily the highlight, although far too short. You sit in a purple leather recliner and wear 3D glasses. I was able to transfer into the recliner, although I couldn't see in 3D, which I expected but it didn't really impact on my enjoyment. The enjoyment was to be had with the fun roller coaster ride, the chair dips and raises and tilts as you hurtle around Cadbury World. You go up in a hot air balloon and feel the air blowing in your face.

Adverts

There have been hundreds of famous Cadbury adverts that stick in the memory. The Cadbury Milk Tray man, all of the Cadbury Flake adverts, the Cadbury's caramel bunny voiced by Miriam Margolyes, the blue car and the red car had a race Double Decker advert and the iconic gorilla playing the drums along to In The Air Tonight. I'm not sure how this was done, whether it be CGI, puppetry, a guy in a suit... But if you're going to recreate it, you've got to make it exactly the same as the advert or at least close to it. The advert was brilliant because it looked so real, it moved like a gorilla/human. What they showed at Cadbury World was embarrassing. It probably cost them a lot to make and all it does is show up the fact that it's a very unconvincing animatronic whose limbs can only move in a specific direction. It was as convincing as those toy monkeys that bang two cymbals together.

End of tour

Well, it was for us anyway. I'm not sure if the tour was meant to stop there, but as nobody was giving the tour...We finished at the gift shop which was by far the best bit in my eyes. Although I expected there to be lots of different flavours or fillings of chocolate bars that you don't find elsewhere, there wasn't. Everything available you'll find in supermarkets and likely for less money. Everything was under one roof though and Cadbury chocolate is the best chocolate in my opinion, so I was happy.

In conclusion

I was very disappointed. I think that was largely my fault as I was expecting to see what I saw in the Inside Cadbury:Chocolate secrets unwrapped on Netflix, and as I found out, that documentary is filmed in the factory, not the building we were in. However if I hadn't gone in with any expectations I still don't think I would have enjoyed it. For the amount of money they charge I think it's ridiculous they don't conduct the tour. The queues are incredibly annoying and you are joined with other tours to get as many people through the doors as possible.

The wheelchair facilities are woeful and in one case non existent.

I am not the demographic though, young children are and I can see they would love it. There appears to be a whole outside playground, with picnic tables and booths selling hot and cold food that I can't comment on as we didn't go there.

@fatpigeonsbook

@fatpigeonsbook

Walking? Sure, I Can Do That...

When I first came home from hospital, I would walk the length of my bedroom on a daily basis, with a Zimmer Frame to keep me upright and my Dad always walking beside me and grabbing the Zimmer when it started to tip from the weight I was putting through it. I know now that I was only using my legs when I was stepping, I was constantly putting weight through my arms - so rigid and tense, afraid that I was going to fall - making the Zimmer tip onto it's two right/left feet, and the likelihood I would follow unless my Dad grabbed me and the Zimmer. 

Dad was coming down everyday and I was getting tired of the fact I could only walk the same few meters, indoors, on a flat floor, with a frame that couldn't support me and a chaperone. What was the point in walking if I couldn't do it independently? The more determined of you would probably have a bit of patience and think "I'll get better with practice." 

I didn't. 

Having patience is something I can never be accused of. I said "sod this" and retreated to the safety of my wheelchair. I haven't walked with a walking frame since.

Many times over the years Dad has said to me
"you should give walking with a Zimmer a go again, I think you'd be much better now."
"Nah," I'd reply "It's too light, if you sneezed near it, it would tip. I wouldn't feel safe using it on my own so I'd rather use the wheelchair."

Does it have to be a Zimmer Frame?

I had noticed that when I caught the bus to Headway South Staffs I was frequently seeing people with walking aids, and they were never Zimmer Frames. They appeared to be heftier and they had handbrakes. I was looking at them and thinking "I think I could walk safely on my own with that."

1. The frame wouldn't run away as I moved it forwards. I could put the brakes on as and when I needed.
2. I could put the brakes on while I'm stepping forward which hopefully meant it wouldn't tip so easily.
3. I would take big steps meaning the frame was so far in front of me I was practically horizontal trying to keep my feet on the floor and hold onto the Zimmer.

However every single person I'd seen was able to walk as if their walking frame wasn't necessary. They weren't using the brakes. They were walking in one continuous motion. I wanted to do that. I was fairly sure I wouldn't be able too, I would have to use the brakes so often I think there would be permanent dents in the wheels. I could use it around the house though.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Paul Briggs from Rollz - who I'd met at Naidex - came to Headway South Staffs with a few models for me to try. Just from the look of it I could see it was heavier than a Zimmer Frame. Paul showed me that it had drag brakes. He could see my look of confusion. Can you only use the brakes if you're wearing a sparkly frock? Drag brakes are permanent fixtures attached to the back wheels. I could set how much resistance the drag brakes offer, apply constant friction to the wheels to slow down the rollator and prevent it from running away.

The first frame I tried was lighter than the second frame but it had drag brakes fitted to it, so it was harder to move. I put the handbrakes on, pushed up from the wheelchair - this is important as the alternative was to pull on the frame, and, well it would struggle to aid me when all four legs aren't on the floor. 

Paul was stood in front of the frame in case I needed rescuing, which I'm pleased to say I didn't. I wasn't entirely comfortable with the width of it. I felt I couldn't have my legs as far apart as I wanted. My balance is atrocious and the narrowness meant I was probably relying on my arms for balance more than I should. The frame didn't tip though, I don't know if that's because I wasn't putting as much weight through my arms nowadays, or because the frame was sturdy.

I was right about not being able to walk in one continuous motion, I was so slow they were locking up the building by the time I finished, and the meeting started at 10am.

The second frame was about 1kg heavier, but didn't have drag brakes, it was wider though. I could have my legs as wide as I needed so I wasn't putting any weight through my arms.

I walked the length of the carpeted area, slightly quicker than the other frame. I don't know this for a fact, but the shadow the sun was casting in the room didn't move.

Most of Headway South Staffs is carpeted, but there are a couple of areas covered by lino, so I tried it on here to see if the none friction lino made frame harder to control. I didn't notice any difference, Paul stood in front of me but again I didn't need rescuing. 

How Much?

This had confirmed what I had suspected for a long time. I was more than capable of walking with a walking frame. If I hadn't been so impatient when I was younger and just stuck at it I could be one of the speed walkers, walking in one continuous motion. But, better late than never. I was sold and ready to start using these pipe cleaners for legs for transport. As it turned out, there was a sticking point. It would cost a price that was too rich for my blood. Anne Marie (yes Anne Marie I mentioned you again) told me about Ableworld a mobility store that was around the corner - they're a store supplying mobility products including wheelchairs, walking aids, scooters, beds & lifts for baths & stairs.

I knew what I was after now and I knew the price I needed to beat - I didn't know if the price I'd been quoted was typical.

Ableworld is vast, I would recommend it to anyone in the Stafford area. Although I do feel loyal to Easy Living Mobility as well, as that is where I bought my trustee steed (iM4.Elite). Easy Living Mobility have quite a large store and excellent customer service, although the store's not quite as large as Ableworld, but then some football stadia aren't as large.

Lighter Isn't Better

There are many carbon fibre wheelchairs on a raised plinth to grab your attention as you enter. This isn't a criticism of Ableworld but is merely some advice when purchasing an electric wheelchair from any establishment. Some of these extra light wheelchairs are around ten kg and can set you back between £2500-£3000, but a light wheelchair is only going to be suitable to take you around the shops on a nice flat and smooth floor. As soon as you go out into the car park where the terrain won't be perfectly flat, you'll find the direction of your wheelchair being dictated by any dips or slight cambers. You will try and steer in the opposite direction but your wheelchair won't be able to go in the direction you're telling it. The wheels are often small, shiny, plastic things that are barely capable of travelling indoors on smooth floors, outdoors it might encounter a piece of gravel that will be like an immovable object.

My wheelchair is 26kg, quite heavy for some to load into the boot of a car. However it's still too light when travelling past some drop curbs. The dip of the path takes away your control.

Walking Frames Galore

Ableworld had rows and rows of walking frames, and they were all for less than I'd been quoted. I tried a number of different frames, all had hand functioning brakes, none had the drag brakes but it was something I didn't really notice as I would move the frame, put the breaks on and step into it. 

However, I said earlier I was fairly sure I wasn't going to be able to walk in one continuous motion. And I was right! There was a silver lining though technology had improved to aid my inadequacies.

I don't want to brag, but it turns out I'm brilliant at standing up and holding onto a walking frame all on my own. I'm probably the best to have ever done it. On this video the brakes are on so that the frame doesn't move as I stand up. Well guess what? I can don't need the brakes off now. The frame is free to roll away, it never does though. Impressed? Remember, not all heroes wear capes.

The last walking frame I tried was about five feet tall. It was the Peter Crouch of the walking frame world and as it was a lot taller than your typical walking frame. I didn't expect much from it, but I thought I'd give it a go as it was there. It was a clearance item so it was cheaper than the others. It felt quite strange at first as my arms weren't reaching down, instead there were two arms at shoulder height with grips to hold onto - like a joystick. The frame felt a bit flimsy as the top half would lean towards me when I pulled on the grips to take a step...I shouldn't have been pulling on it though. I'm supposed to just hold the grips and put any weight through my legs.

Well Reader, I Bought It

I decided to take a punt on it. It was cheaper than all the other frames I tried. It was a bit of a strange contraption, but nobody would see me using it. The wheels are shiny, plastic things, meaning - as I said above with the carbon fibre wheelchairs - it's only suitable for indoors. Which is fine, it takes an awful long time to get anywhere by foot and it's quite tiring walking indoors let alone outdoors.

What's the point in walking if I couldn't do it independently?

In answer to my younger impatient self's question, I would answer, simply exercise. My younger self didn't want to face the realities he wouldn't be able to walk again. Unless he was able to do it as well as before, there was no point. Nowadays I realise there is a point, the goal isn't to walk around with the speed and confidence I used to.

@fatpigeonsbook

@fatpigeonsbook