Chamberlain descendants gather at former home

Joseph Chamberlain is credited as the first MP to print and hand out propaganda leaflets, like today's election flyers

Descendants of Joseph Chamberlain have met for a historical gathering, amid hopes of transforming his former mansion in Birmingham into a visitor attraction.

The event was held to mark 150 years since he was elected mayor of Birmingham and saw family members arrive at Highbury Hall in Moseley from across the world, with some meeting for the first time.

Birmingham was transformed during his time as mayor, with swimming pools, libraries and schools being built.

The family was also updated on plans to transform the Grade II listed hall, which was commissioned by Mr Chamberlain as his Birmingham residence in the 1870s.

Highbury Hall is a Grade II listed building which was commissioned by Mr Chamberlain as his Birmingham residence in the 1870s

Parts of the historic building continue to be used for private functions, but there is generally no public access to the house and its heritage.

Mr Chamberlain was once described as the man "who made the weather" - a figure who shaped the political agenda when the British Empire stood at the height of its power.

He was the father of the former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Austen Chamberlain, who became chancellor of the exchequer.

Dozens of his relatives and family members gathered at the hall on 21 April.

Amanda Tinsley, his great-great granddaughter, helped to organise the gathering and said she hoped the connections with the house and the family would continue.

“I know most of our side, the Austen side, of the family but the Neville side of the family tree I know less well,” she said.

“We were thrilled – it was a really positive response.

“The younger generation will meet and hopefully continue the Chamberlain family connections with Highbury going forward”

Her husband Mark Tinsley, a patron at the Chamberlain Highbury Trust, said their family tree dates back to the 1600s.

Mr Chamberlain would always wear a monocle, and an orchid in his buttonhole

“The day was a great success with 66 Chamberlain family members coming from around the world and across the UK to meet and reconnect at Highbury, near Kings Heath and Moseley, in the Birmingham sunshine,” he said.

• Who was Theresa May's political hero Joseph Chamberlain?

“In addition to the direct descendants of Joe Chamberlain, there were descendants of Chamberlain’s wider family, many of whom also served as Mayor of Birmingham.”

“The renowned Birmingham historian and author Andrew Reekes gave a speech about Joe Chamberlain’s achievements as Mayor which led to Birmingham being known as the ‘best governed city in the world’,” he added.

The Chamberlain Highbury Trust has said it wanted to make Highbury Hall fully accessible to everyone and regain its place in Birmingham’s historical and cultural landscape.

Mr Tinsey said the trust has a plan to restore Highbury and its 25-acre gardens to their “former glory”, and to manage the estate as a multi-purpose visitor attraction.

“A significant proportion of the £12m funding has already been raised from a variety of sources,” he said.

“The Chamberlain Highbury Trust is in discussions with Birmingham City Council as partner in the project to provide their support and allow the restoration work to proceed.”

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.