| AdminHistory | The Chamberlain Banquet Committee was appointed in November 1902 to organise a banquet in honour of Birmingham's Member of Parliament and former Lord Mayor, Joseph Chamberlain, prior to his departure on a state visit to South Africa. Chamberlain was at that time Colonial Secretary in the Conservative Government, and had presided over imperial affairs during the Boer War (1899 - 1902). The banquet was scheduled for 17 November 1902, with the committee dealing with ticket sales, advertising and promotional work, seating arrangements, decoration, refreshments and costs. The banquet was to take place on Monday 17 November 1902 at 6.30 pm at the Town Hall.
The ceremony itself was to presided over by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, during which Chamberlain would be greeted at the Town Hall by a reception committee that included both veterans of both the Crimean War of 1854 - 1856 and the Indian Mutiny of 1859. Following an address by the mayor, Joseph Chamberlain made a speech, during which he remarked with gratitude that both he and his family 'shall cherish for the rest of our lives the memory of so striking an instance of generous appreciation'. It met only met twice prior to the banquet, on the 4 and 7 November 1902, convening one final time after the banquet on 28 November 1902 to wrap up outstanding business, after which the committee was disbanded. |