Bosses rush for seats at Mail's lunch; CHARITY TRUST: Chinn speech attracts corporate interest.

Byline: By Chris Henwood

BIRMINGHAM businesses have snapped up nearly a third of tickets for the first Birmingham Mail Charity Trust luncheon.

Corporate interest saw six tables - with ten seats at each - booked within days of the event being publicised.

Birmingham's top historian, Dr Carl Chinn, will be speaker at the three-course meal on Friday, May 23.

The high-profile luncheon, which takes place in the grand surroundings of the Council House banqueting suite, has been set up with a view to becoming one of the key dates in the city's calendar of events.

Organiser Gordon Creese, the charity trust's fund-raising manager, said tables were continuing to draw bookings.

"We had a brilliant start with six tables booked just days after the lunch was announced," he said.

"Clearly, business leaders can see the corporate boost that can be generated by treating clients and employees to our plush event.

"The promise of an interesting talk from Dr Chinn and a slap-up three-course meal in the grand setting of the Council House is obviously touching a chord.

"And, not forgetting, it's all in the name of a good cause, so people can treat themselves and feel good about it at the same time."

In his first official function as newly-appointed patron of the charity trust, Dr Chinn promises to give another of his fascinating insights into the city life of days gone by, and particularly into the trust's history.

Dr Chinn, a popular Birmingham Mail columnist and local historian whose public speaking appointments regularly sell out, said: "I jumped at the chance of doing this.

"I'm very much looking forward top the luncheon and will be talking about Birmingham and the important role the Birmingham Mail plays as a focal point for the city 's self-expression."

Tickets for the inaugural Birmingham Mail Charity Trust luncheon, from 11.45am-3pm, are still available at pounds 80 each.

Sponsorship deals for the event, which will be covered in the pages of the Mail, range from pounds 1,500 to pounds 5,000, and come with a number of tickets.

For more details, call Gordon Creese on 0121 234 5639 or 07766 757264 or e-mail [e-mail].

CAPTION(S):

PRIDE OF PLACE.. historian Dr Carl Chinn will be guest speaker at the Council House banqueting suite on May 23.