Harry Vincent grew up in Evesham but by 1895 he had moved to Birmingham to set up a confectionary business, ‘Harvino Toffees’ with a partner, Benjamin Blanchard. By 1918 he had purchased the greenfield site that was to become home to the factory and village, and had re-branded the confectionary as Blue Bird Toffees.

Throughout his life Harry gave to good causes, and was a particularly generous benefactor of Birmingham’s hospitals and university, for which he was awarded a knighthood in 1939.  By the time of his death in 1952 his son Eric had become the chairman and managing director of Blue Bird Toffees.

The Blue Bird Toffee Factory continued as a major employer in the district until its closure in 1998. After some years of occupation by a garden products wholesaler, it stood empty. In December 2021 permission was granted for the part demolition of the former factory site and conversion of the remaining Grade II listed building into apartments. The rest of the site will also be used for housing.

With grateful thanks to Julian Hunt, Romsley & Hunnington History Society.