42nd UK Convention in Birmingham 2024

Convention England

Written By: John Ullah

Published: 05/05/2023

Event Date: 03/05/2024 - 06/05/2024

FULLY BOOKED

SONS OF THE DESERT - 42ND UK CONVENTION

The Laughing Gravy Tent of Birmingham would once again like to welcome you to our city

THE HISTORY

After visiting Ireland in 1953, the Boys made their way across the water for their third and final tour of the UK. In May 1954, they played for a week at the Aston Hippodrome, Birmingham. Sadly, the theatre no longer stands. But, 70 years on, we invite you to join us for a meet up in Charlie Hall's hometown.

THE ITINERARY
The convention will be based at the Strathallan Hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham B16 9RY.

The opening night will be a tropical, pineapple themed welcome, where we will be entertained by local steel pan legend, The Mighty Jamma.

On the Saturday we will head to Birmingham City Centre, where we will take you to the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre. The Boys performed here in 1947, 52 and 53. And of course, it was here that they met a young American student called John McCabe, which led to the birth of our worldwide organisation. Hopefully, we will be able to go inside the theatre, and view the beautiful auditorium and the stage where the Boys once stood. A few hundred yards away is the Old Rep Theatre, site of a number of scenes in the 2019 film 'Stan & Ollie'. There will be plenty of free time in Brum-you can have a wander along our many canals, cross the Black Sabbath Bridge, get a close up look at the stunning Raging Bull that appeared at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, visit our famous Bull Ring Market, walk some of the same streets as the real Peaky Blinders and take in the Peaky Blinders mural, or just sample some of our many hostelries.

The weekend will include all the usual favourites - Games, Trivia Quiz, Memorabilia Sales. Charity Raffle, Fancy Dress and Sons Entertain. As a special treat, Grand Sheik and author, John Ullah, will give a fascinating talk charting Laurel and Hardy's connections with Birmingham. And we will see the return of our Brummie awards, 'The Charlies'.

On the last night we will step back in time, as our Function Room becomes the Garrison Pub, where you are cordially invited for dinner by the Shelby family. We hope you will be suitably attired for a Peaky Blinders themed evening. After dinner, we will dance the night away with the fantastic band The Pinch, back by popular demand.

Birmingham 2024 - By order of the Peaky Blinders (and little Laughing Gravy)

THE COST
Convention Fee is £290 per person
Based on two people sharing (Single room supplement £10 per night)


PLEASE NOTE: The convention can accommodate 120 delegates. So PLEASE book early to avoid disappointment

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