| AdminHistory | The Birmingham Horse Parade Committee was formed in May 1934, under the chairmanship of Alderman Sir Frederick Smith, with Mr Brennan de Vine, the city’s Chief Veterinary Officer, appointed Honorary Secretary. The committee’s function was to arrange a combined horse parade through the streets of Birmingham each May Day. The new committee was responsible for the the routing of the parade; organising publicity; liaising with the Local Authority, the police and other bodies with regard to traffic regulation and stewarding; and fundraising and budgetary duties, with particular regard to the trophies, cups, rosettes and cash prizes for the winning entrants.
The purpose of the parade was not simply to support the May-Day festivities but, as the committee reports and publicity stated, ‘to create a general enthusiasm among horse lovers and employees of firms who still use horses’, particularly with the increase use of motor vehicles both domestically and commercially. Various city trades and riding schools took part in the parade and judged by a panel in predetermined categories. The parade provided a source of advertising for city tradespeople and businesses which still used horse power, and was generally well attended, particularly during the period 1934 - 1939. The annual parades ceased during the years 1940 - 1947 as a result of wartime restrictions, but in 1948 the committee re-formed, this time with Councillor H. Gurden as chairman and Mr C.G. Allen, the new Chief Veterinary Officer, as Honorary General Secretary.
Although popular with the public the number of parade entrants dropped steadily during the late 1940s. In May 1948 there were 194 entries, but by 1950 there were just 160, only half of what the parade could muster in 1934. There was a brief resurgence in feeling amongst some tradesmen that they might revert back to horse power, frustrated by the increasing cost of petrol and motor taxation during the immediate post-war period, and the 1951 parade that coincided with the Festival of Britain celebrations was a success. However, when the committee met on 5 February 1952 it was decided not to organise another parade whilst the committee's financial situation remained relatively solvent. A farewell dinner was held to mark the disbandment of the committee on 16 April 1952, appropriately enough at the White Horse Hotel. |