Well... here goes...
Bluebird toffees used to be made at Hunnungton, which is about 1.5 miles outside Halesowen on the road to the Clent hills...
Unfortunately, all their production was moved overseas, and the company I used to work for before Sainsburys, Messrs Gibbs-Palmer ltd. Garden centre suppliers moved into half of the premises.The other half was just a warehouse for the imported sweets. When Bluebird finally closed about 3 years ago, Gibbs took over all the factory site, and is still there under the name of Solus.
I dont even think the name Bluebird Toffee exists now (which is a real shame, as I used to frequent their factory shop on the "odd" occasion). and pass the savings onto family and freinds.
On a very more slightly interesting topic, the origional chimney is a listed building, and cannot be removed/modified for any purpose, so you can still see it from the M5 as you pass Frankley services (southbound its on your left, and northbound on the right- I hope...LOL)
Before anyone says it, I know, totally boring, but a tale of british industry going down the drain..
Still, they did make lovely toffees..
See yawl soon,
RolfyD
ps... Murt, I am still not taking my Bluebird across lake Coniston at 400mph for anything less than a 22000litre tanker of Caffreys........LOL