On This Day, 11 January 1918

Birmingham Mail

Friday 11 January 1918

“UNCLE JOHN’S” CHARITIES

TEA AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE TOWN HALL FOR POOR CHILDREN

The fourteenth annual poor children’s Christmas party in connection with “Uncle John’s” Charities is being held in the Birmingham Town Hall to-day. The movement was started by the young readers of the Children’s Corner of the “Birmingham Weekly Post’’ over 13 years of age, under the leadership of “Uncle John,’’ and each year the funds raised by these young “Busy Bees” suffice to give a big Christmas party to poor children, besides sending each year about 200 sickly children recuperate in country cottages.

This year between 1,200 and 1,300 children set down to tea at five o’clock. Afterwards an entertainment was given. Councillor George Jackson, J.P., presiding, and eight of the principal members of the Alexandra Theatre pantomime taking part. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress had signified their intention of looking in some time during the evening, and to present prizes to the most successful collectors to the Fund. The proceedings were timed to finish at about 8.30, when the children as they left would receive presents from Father Christmas.

The chief collector to the fund was Master Douglas Bland, who had to his credit £100, proceeds from five picture house entertainments for the benefit of the “Uncle John” Charities, the proprietors of the houses being Messrs. Reynolds and Garfield. He therefore becomes King Bee for the year, and was invested with a gold badge. Miss Dorris James is Queen Bee, with £40 collected at two picture houses, one of which belongs to her father. She also received a gold badge, and other collectors of £2 and upwards were presented with books.

The parents of the children were present in full force as onlookers at a bright and happy gathering, which had been successfully organised by Mr. C. A. Cornish of the “Birmingham Weekly Post.”