On This Day, 27 December 1916

Birmingham Daily Post

Wednesday 27 December 1916

BOXING DAY IN BIRMINGHAM.

A QUIET HOLIDAY.

Boxing Day in Birmingham was one of the quietest bank holidays on record. The weather was cold and damp, but not sufficiently misty to prevent people getting about and enjoying themselves, although there was apparently little to do beyond taking a walk and meditating on the cares of life. There was no bustle and excitement such as usually marks the day after Christmas, and the orderly conduct of the public generally was a remarkable testimony to the changed conditions brought about by the war. At the police court there were only six prisoners for trial, and of these but three were charged with drunkenness, a very creditable return when it is remembered that the normal population of the city is nearly nine hundred thousand. There was apparently very little travelling on the railways. The service of trains was materially curtailed, but large numbers of people took short journeys into the neighbouring districts, and those who did not care to go far contented themselves with a trip to the parks, or patronised the tramcars and omnibuses into the suburbs, and then enjoyed a ramble in the country. As the day wore on a considerable number of people came into the central districts of the city and promenaded the principal thoroughfares, and others attended the football match at St. Andrew’s, while the matinees at all the places of amusement were well attended. In the evening large crowds visited the pantomimes, and the music halls, and picture theatres were also full of holiday makers.