Re-Opening Of Town Hall

A late post tonight as I have been to the opening concert at Birmingham's refurbished Town Hall - a historic Birmingham occasion. The evening started with a reception in the Council House, then we all walked across to the Town Hall (on a red carpet laid across a flower filled Victoria Square!!). After the concert it was back to the Council House for supper with the Lord Mayor.

The Town Hall (refurbished at a cost of £35 million) looks wonderful and the Lord Mayor reminded the audience of some of the highlights of its history. Designed by Joseph Hamsom (who invented the Hansom Cab), and opened in 1834, Johann Strauss and Franz Listz appeared there in the early days. In 1853 Charles Dickins performed a reading of A Christmas Carol. Later that century Joseph Chamberlain held his wedding reception there, and in 1901 an appearance by Lloyd George caused a riot which resulted in Lloyd George having to be smuggled out of the Town Hall disguised as a policeman.

More recently Buddy Holly played at Birmingham's Town Hall, as did The Beatles - but only as the supporting group at a Roy Orbison concert, and Margaret Thatcher made one of her last speeches before becoming Prime Minister.

The Town Hall has been closed since 1996. Now that it's open again who knows what historic events will happen there in the future?