Choc-full Gill’s collection now a Cadbury showpiece
AWOMAN from Gloucestershire has had her extensive chocolate memorabilia collection displayed at Cadbury World.
Gill Cocks, from Winchcombe, who has been dilligently hoarding Cadbury’s memorabilia for 40 years, was able to unveil ‘The Gill Cocks Collection’ herself at Cadbury World.
She decided last October that it was finally time to share the collection with the world.
Calling it her “lifelong passion”, the collection has been gifted to Cadbury World and the Cadbury Archives in Bournville.
Gill has been working alongside members of Cadbury World’s archive team to create a replica of her living room, which served as her collection’s showroom for many years.
The replica displays more than 400 items of memorabilia.
An artificial Cotswold stone fireplace, and French doors showing a garden scene, as well as ceiling roses and cabinets, have all been inspired by Gill’s living room.
As a gesture of thanks for the collection, The Cadbury Foundation made a £5,000 donation to Gill’s chosen charity, We All Matter – a Winchcombebased voluntary organisation aimed at building and strengthening relationships in Gloucestershire.
Key pieces in the collection include Richard Tapper Cadbury’s bible from the 1800s, traditional wooden chocolate boxes, framed advertisements dating back to 1890s and royal souvenir tins and boxes.
Additional cabinets can also be found outside of the living room display, which showcase a further 1,200 items.
Vintage Cadbury mugs, biscuit tins, seasonal items, glass milk bottles, jigsaws, and cocoa and drinking chocolate tins, are available for guests to view across 10 full cabinets.
Gill said of the display: “I am so pleased to know that my lifelong passion for collecting all things Cadbury is now on display for visitors at Cadbury World and future generations can enjoy the collection as much as I have over the past 40 years.”
Sarah Foden, Cadbury archivist at Mondelez International, said: “From early 1800s memorabilia to pre-war packaging and gift mugs from the 1980s and 1990s, Gill painstakingly assembled the most impressive collection I have ever come across.”
Diane Mitchell, marketing manager at Cadbury World, said: “We are delighted to be the new home to Gill’s incredible Cadbury memorabilia, which is a very valuable addition to our chocolatey attraction. We are looking forward to seeing the reaction of our guests now that it’s officially open.”
Visitors to Cadbury World in Bourneville will be able to see ‘The Gill Cocks Collection’ within their standard admission fee. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.cadburyworld.co.uk.
I am so pleased to know that my lifelong passion for collecting all things Cadbury is on display Gill Cocks