3-017-208 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Entertainment to four thousand school children at Dudley, 1865. 'Mr. Frederick Smith, of The Priory, was unanimously elected first Mayor. To mark his appreciation of the honour conferred upon him, Mr. Smith issued a separate card of invitation to every day-scholar and teacher in the borough (numbering 4000) to come to The Priory...to partake of tea and plumcake and enjoy games of various kinds...in front of the Priory floated a red ensign - the largest ever used in the British Navy - and near it a boiler, capable of holding tea for 4000 guests, was ready to distribute its contents through as many taps as there were schools...The whole population of Dudley turned out to see this unusual sight, and 4000 children stood up to sing their grace, after which the tea and plumcake was distributed to all around. A balloon was sent up by the Mayor, bearing, inscribed in large letters, "Welcome, all of you".' From "Illustrated London News", 1865.