Talkback Summer 2011

Summer 2011

talkbacknews, information and events for the people of Tamworth

Plus Saxon Festival Funsee page 8

Countdown to Hoardhomecoming

see page 7 for more

Tamworth

2 www.tamworth.gov.uktalkback

In this issueTo create opportunitiesYour Councillors 4New vision for Tamworth 5Grant for young kickboxer 14

To be safer and healthierFree home insulation for everyone 6Simple check to improve your health 6Glascote Heath tidy up 8Graffiti removal machine 13New community safety hub 15

Live life to the fullNews in Brief 3Hoard special 7Saxon Festival11 9Castle’s cash bid success 11What’s On 12

Published by Tamworth Borough Council, Communications Team, Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth B79 7BZ.

No part of this publication may be reproducedin whole or part, or stored in a retrieval system,or transmitted in any form without the writtenpermission of the publisher. While every care istaken, the publishers cannot be held legally responsible for any errors in articles or listings.

Any leaflets delivered with this magazine are notendorsed by Tamworth Borough Council.

To discuss editorial matters, please contact:The Talkback Team on01827 709571, email: [email protected] drop us a line at: Talkback Team, Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth,Staffs B79 7BZ.

The judges have visited and now Tamworth is waiting with fingerscrossed to learn whether it has reached the gold standard in thisyear’s In Bloom campaign.

Last year, the borough impressed the judges so much that Tamworth was awardedGold in the Small City category of the Heart of England in Bloom campaign.

Now Tamworth is awaiting the verdict of the In Bloom judges, who toured theborough on July 19. They saw some of the 42,000 bedding plants, 321 hangingbaskets and 179 floral troughs used in this year’s Tamworth In Bloom campaign,which had the theme ‘Saxons and the Hoard’ to mark the visit of the StaffordshireHoard exhibition to the Castle.

They were also shown the famous Tamworth Two – the pigs made completely out offlowers which stand outside the railway station – a huge floral Staffordshire knot onthe roundabout in Lichfield Street and a larger-than-lifesize Saxon warrior at thebottom of the Castle slope.

Chairman of Tamworth In Bloom, Cllr John Garner, said: “The whole borough lookedspectacular when the judges visited and we put on a really good show for them.

“We could not have done it without the hard work and support of the Tamworthcommunity, who put so much time and effort into making the areas where they live andwork look superb. We hope that we are awarded gold again this year, but with thatmuch support from the people of Tamworth, we know that we are winners anyway.”

Will Tamworth retain its In Bloom gold?

”

“ We could nothave done itwithout the hardwork and supportof the Tamworthcommunity, whoput so much timeand effort intomaking the areaswhere they live andwork look superb.Cllr John Garner

www.tamworth.gov.uk 3talkback

Big increase in recyclingThanks to the amazing efforts of all our residents,since the introduction of the new waste andrecycling collection service just over a year ago,we have recycled nearly 49% of everything wethrow away as waste.

This is an astonishing increase of almost fiveper cent (approx 740 tonnes) from this time last year and is

equivalent to 211 African elephants.

Collectively we have also reduced the amount of un-recyclable waste thatcurrently ends up in landfill by nearly 59 kilograms per household – that’smore than the weight of a large sack of spuds!

New TIC isbigger andbetter The brand new bigger andbetter Tamworth InformationCentre has seen an increase inthe number of visitors comingthrough its doors since itmoved to the Philip Dix Centrein Corporation Street at thebeginning of April.

Since the move from the oldpremises in Market Street, shopsales are up 54% comparedwith the same time last year,and enquiries are up by 33%.

Councillor Pritchard, DeputyLeader of Tamworth BoroughCouncil, said: “The TIC isessential for us to showcaseTamworth and everything thetown has to offer. We simplydid not have the space at theMarket Street venue to grow.We want to make sure we arepromoting Tamworth to thebest of our abilities; theopening of our new venue willallow us to do just that.

“We are very pleased with thenew TIC and the publicresponse to it. We think that thefigures bear out our belief that itallows us to offer an evenbetter service to a largernumber of people thanpreviously.”

Pond dipping kitsmake a splashPupils at three Tamworth primary schools cannow take a closer look at the flora and faunathat live in our waterways, after they weregiven pond dipping kits.

The kits – which include specimen pots,magnifying glasses and sampling nets –

were give to Hanbury Farm, Lakeside and Oakhillschools by the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership.

They will allow pupils from the schools to use the nearby Lakeside lake as anoutdoor classroom. A pond dipping platform has also been installed next tothe bridge at the lake.

The funding from the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership has providedkits for each of the schools and one for Tamworth Borough Council’s streetwarden teams.

Hanbury Farm pupils Shauna

Baggallay, Chyna Cole, Corey

Jones and Lewis Hart.

News in brief

Town market given a new lease of lifeTamworth market has been given a new lease of life anda makeover, after a new operator took over its day-to-day running.

Stourbridge-based LSD Promotions is now workingwith Tamworth Borough Council to improve the marketfor existing traders, as well as working to improve whatis currently on offer for the town’s shoppers.

Currently more than 80 traders run market stalls everyTuesday and Saturday, selling a range of productsincluding jewellery, fresh fish, flowers and toys.

LSD is working to put on specialist markets and eventsthroughout the year.

Dermot McGillicuddy from LSD Promotions said: “We are very pleased to beundertaking the management of Tamworth Street Market, which has alwaysbeen considered to be one of the Midland's finest.”

Recycling is on the u

p

Fish stall holder MartinBowater is lookingforward to the new erafor Tamworth market.

Our Councillors


Cllr John GarnerConservative 01827 310280 [email protected]

Cllr Evelyn RoweConservative 01827 [email protected]

Cllr Michelle ThurgoodConservative [email protected]

Amington Ward

Cllr Steven ClaymoreConservative01827 [email protected]

Cllr Alan LeesConservative 01827 704821 [email protected]

Cllr Allan LunnConservative 01827 [email protected]

Castle Ward

Cllr David FosterLabour01827 [email protected]

Cllr Robert PritchardConservative [email protected]

Belgrave Ward

Cllr Chris CookeIndependent 01827 735900chris-cooke@ tamworth.gov.uk

Dr Simon PeapleLabour 01827 [email protected]

Cllr Nicola [email protected]

Glascote Ward

Cllr John FaulknerLabour 01827 703253 [email protected]

Cllr Ken NorchiLabour 01827 [email protected]

Cllr Peter SeekingsLabour 01827 [email protected]

Bolehall Ward

Cllr Michael GreatorexConservative 01827 [email protected]

Cllr Andrew [email protected]

Cllr Sam MunnConservative 01827 [email protected]

Mercian Ward

Cllr Ron CookConservative 01827 280893/07732 762144 [email protected]

Cllr Ken GantConservative 01827 51328 [email protected]

Cllr Maureen GantConservative 01827 51328 [email protected]

Spital Ward

Cllr Danny [email protected]

Cllr Steven PritchardConservative [email protected]

Stonydelph Ward

Cllr Jeremy OatesConservative [email protected]

Cllr Lee BatesConservative 01827 [email protected]

Cllr Gerald PinnerConservative 01827 [email protected]

Trinity Ward

Cllr Tina ClementsConservative 01827 [email protected]

Cllr Brian BealeConservative 01827 [email protected]

Cllr Mary OatesConservative [email protected]

Wilnecote Ward

Cllr Stephen [email protected]

Tamworth Borough Council has 30 members with Conservative in control.23 Conservative, 6 Labour, 1 Independent representing 10 local wards.

Cllr Richard McDermidLabour 01827 [email protected]

One Tamworth, perfectly placed

www.tamworth.gov.uk 5

They should havegone to Specsavers

talkback

Less than a year ago, this may have been good advice for thepublic and voluntary sector partners working across Tamworth.

Why? Because each and every one ofthem had a different ‘vision’ for whatTamworth might be like as a result oftheir good work. Let’s be clear(excuse the pun) here; there was nodoubting the effort, energy, resources,skills and passion… it was thepurpose of it all that lacked clarity.

The effort, energy, resources, skillsand passion remain – only now, it isall focused upon the big issues facingTamworth the place and Tamworththe community.

Our ‘Vision’ is for one prosperous,healthy and strong community that isideally placed to face the challengesand take the opportunities ahead….

“One Tamworth, Perfectly Placed”

Our focus will be upon working withour partners to:

1 – Aspire and prosper inTamworth

In other words, to create and sustaina thriving local economy and makeTamworth a more aspirational andcompetitive place to do business.

To achieve this, we will:

• Raise the aspiration and attainmentlevels of young people;

• Create opportunities for businessgrowth through developing andusing skills and talent;

• Promote private sector growth andcreate quality employment locally;

• Brand and market “Tamworth” as agreat place to “live life to the full”;and

• Create the technological andphysical infrastructure necessaryto support the achievement of thisprimary outcome.

2 – Be healthier and safer inTamworth

In simple terms, to create a safeenvironment in which local peoplecan reach their full potential and livelonger, healthier lives.

To achieve this, we will:

• Address the causes of poor healthin children and young people;

• Improve the health and well beingof older people by supporting themto live active, independent lives;

• Reduce the harm and widerconsequences of alcohol abuse onindividuals, families and society;

• Implement ‘Total Place’ solutions totackling crime and ASB indesignated localities;

• Develop innovative earlyinterventions to tackle youth crimeand ASB; and

• Create an integrated approach toprotecting those most vulnerable inour local communities.

We believe that by working together,channelling our efforts and resourcestowards our priorities we can reallymake a difference.

Yes, there are major changes andreforms taking place; yes, we have alot less money to work with; yes, thepublic sector will be smaller in thecoming months and years and, yes,we do believe that Tamworth is agreat place to live, work and raiseyour family.

Anthony E GoodwinChief Executive

New chiefexecutive forTamworthBorough Council

A new chief executive hasbeen appointed at TamworthBorough Council.

Tony Goodwin has taken overthe top job at the authority,following the retirement ofDavid Weatherly in March.Tony has been with theauthority for 14 years and waspreviously the authority’sdeputy chief executive.

Tony said: “One aspect of therole which is very important tome is promoting ‘Tamworththe place’. It is a wonderfultown with lots to offer, and isperfectly placed for peoplewho live, work and visit thearea. I want to make sure wecontinue to improve Tamworthand make it a place to beproud of.”

New chief executive ofTamworth Borough Council,Anthony E Goodwin

”

“I want to make surewe continue toimprove Tamworthand make it a placeto be proud of.

Free home insulation foreveryone in TamworthEvery single resident living inTamworth is being offered afantastic energy savingopportunity – free loft andcavity wall insulation.

Whether you’re a homeowner orrenting your property, if you live inthe Tamworth Borough Council area,then you can get loft and cavity wallinsulation installed completely freeof charge. The offer is open toeveryone living in the borough,regardless of age or income.

The free insulation measures –which can help residents staywarmer at home in the winter andcooler in the summer, while keepingfuel bills down – are being madeavailable through the HEATfreephone line.

Anyone living in Tamworth whowould like free loft and cavity wall

insulation should call HEAT on 0800043 2815. The offer is time limitedand work must be booked with theinsulation contractor by August 31,although the work can be carriedout after this date.

The offer is open to everyone livingin Tamworth, but only where there isno existing insulation. The insulationmeasures are free for homes wherethe cavity is up to 120 squaremetres or 90 square metres for theloft. If a home is bigger, then thehouseholder will have to pay thedifference.

Cllr Mary Oates, Cabinet member forQuality of Life, said: “This is a greatoffer which will benefit every singlehousehold in Tamworth. Installingenergy efficiency measures is aneffective way of reducing heatingbills, as well as being good for theenvironment.

Be healthier and safer

6 talkback

Dave Malone from Ro

ckwarm

Insulation and home

energy

advisor Peter Lovell m

an the HEAT

stall on Tamworth M

arket.

Simple check to help improve your healthAn online health initiative aimed at giving people advice to help them improve theirhealth and wellbeing has been launched by Tamworth Borough Council in partnershipwith South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust.Life Check is an online self-assessment whichprovides answers to questions on topics includingstress, weight, smoking, healthy eating, emotionalwellbeing and physical exercise.

This Life Check questionnaire extends and combinesprevious life check tools such as baby, teen andmidlife check, which were launched last year. Now thequestionnaire covers all ages of the population. It is afree service and takes only a few minutes to complete.

Answer a few simple questions and Life Check willgive you results tailored to your age, gender andlifestyle.

The four simple steps are:

• Answer simple questions about your health

• Get results and see how your health is.

• Use online lifestyle assessment to planimprovements

• Advice and links to support services.

Life Check does not replace the need to see your GPor health professionals, but gives you additionalinformation and current advice on how and where tofind the best help for your concerns.

The Life Check can be found on line atwww.nhs.uk/lifecheck

If you don’t have a computer at home or work youcan use one at the library, community centre or a UKonline centre.

If you would like further information please contactSandra Gunn Public Health Officer on 01827 709438or e-mail [email protected]

A few moments now couldadd years to your life.

www.tamworth.gov.uk

live life to the full


Excitement mounts forHoard exhibition

talkback

Final preparations are beingmade for the opening of theStaffordshire Hoardexhibition – a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Tamworthresidents to see glitteringitems from the world’slargest find of Anglo Saxongold on display at TamworthCastle.

From August 27 until September 18,a selection of more than 40 of thebest items from the pricelessStaffordshire Hoard will be on showin a free exhibition.

The Hoard has already wowed thecrowds at the Shire Hall in Staffordand Lichfield Cathedral. Its arrival inTamworth is especially fitting, asTamworth was the ancient capital ofthe ancient Saxon Kingdom of

Mercia. Many of the itemsdiscovered as part of the Hoard aremilitary in nature, and may well havebeen part of the Royal treasure storeof the Mercian kings.

This summer’s exhibition is the lastchance to see the Hoard in the UK,before it is shipped off across theAtlantic to be put on show inWashington DC.

Entry to the exhibition is free, butvisitors will need to obtain a timedticket from the Tamworth InformationCentre, based in the Philip DixCentre in Corporation Street.Telephone 01827 709581/618 oremail [email protected]

Councillor Steve Claymore,Tamworth Borough Council’sCabinet Member for EconomicDevelopment, said: “As the ancientcapital of Mercia, I am delighted

Tamworthis includedin the touringexhibition. The displaysin the Castle will allow people livingin and around Tamworth to see theHoard - one of the most excitingfinds in recent history. It will alsomean lots of people will get to findout more about Tamworth’s excitingAnglo Saxon history, and our town’shistoric links to the story of thehoard.”

Anyone planning to visit theStaffordshire Hoardexhibition can get a previewonline, where key items fromthe most valuable treasureever found in the UK arebeing shown in breathtakingclose-up detail.

Stunning photographs, videofootage and a wealth of historic andeducational information about theStaffordshire Hoard have beenpulled together for the first time atwww.staffordshirehoard.org.uk

Sections of the site also exploreconservation and researchprocesses being used on the Hoard,

including introductions to theexperts who are examining it.

Councillor Steve Claymore said: “Asthe ancient capital of Mercia,Tamworth plays a very importantpart in the Hoard’s story. We arenow counting down the days untilthe Hoard arrives in Tamworth; thiswebsite means residents andvisitors can find out more in depthinformation about the find, ahead oftheir visit to the castle.”

• The Hoard comprises of more than3,700 gold and silver artefacts

• The find dates back to the seventhcentury

• The Hoard was found by a metaldetector enthusiast in a farmer’s

field, and is thought to be the‘high-status booty’ of an Anglo-Saxon battle

• It includes exquisitely designedsword pommels, helmet fragmentsand several bejewelled crosses.

Take a closer look at Hoard online

Aspire and prosper


The centrepiece of the three-daySaxon Festival is TamworthCarnival, which this year takesplace on Sunday August 28th.

The event will kick off with thetraditional Carnival processionwhich starts at 11am and winds itsway through the town centre to theCastle Grounds, where there willbe a host of stalls with localproducts on sale, a dog show,dancers and many moreperformances. The parade will beheaded by Tamworth’s Saxon royalfamily – King Offa, QueenEthelflaeda, Prince Alfred andPrincess Eadgyth.

Last year’s parade saw some 25floats and 200 people take to thestreets and it is hoped that thisyear’s parade will be bigger andbetter, with a marching band,

walking models, jugglers, stiltwalkers, unicyclists and manymore.

Dog owners have the opportunityto put their pets in the spotlight bytaking part in the dog show.Entries can be made on the dayand a large share of the moneyraised from the dog show will goto support Hounds For Heroes – acharity which provides specially-trained assistance dogs fordisabled servicemen and women.

The Activity Centre in the CastleGrounds will be transformed into aSaxon-themed children’s activityzone, where young carnival visitorscan take part in a number of funworkshops, including crown andsword making, face painting and aSaxon treasure trail.

Glittering tours of the Staffordshire Hoard

For anyone who would like tomake their visit to theStaffordshire Hoardexhibition that little bit moreexclusive, night-time toursaround the Castle, completewith a costumed guide and acheese and wine supper, areavailable.

The evening tours are set to takeplace during the three weeks theHoard is on display (August 27th –September 18th) in TamworthCastle, before the treasure heads offto Washington DC, America.

Groups of up to 30 people can takepart in the guided evening events,which last between one and twohours, depending which option ischosen. Up to four tours a night willtake place.

The guided visits are aimed atgroups who would like to see theHoard as part of a wider socialevent, but anyone can come alongand enjoy the evening.

Councillor Steve Claymore, CabinetMember for Economic Development,said: “These evening tours are agreat opportunity for social groups,organisations and friends to enjoy anight out, while getting to see theamazing Staffordshire Hoard.

“People attending the event canenjoy supper at our historic townhall, before seeing the castle at night- guided by one of our experts -before being among the last in theUK to see the Hoard before it headsoff to America.”

The tours are aimed at groups andare broken down into three differentoptions:

• Costumed tour guide of TamworthCastle lasting 45 minutes and aviewing of the Staffordshire Hoard- £10

• Costumed guide of TamworthCastle, viewing the Hoard and tea,coffee and cookies - £12.50

• Cheese and wine supper, includinglocally sourced food at the TownHall, before being escorted over tothe castle for the tour and Hoard –£20

Tickets to see the StaffordshireHoard during the day are stillavailable, free of charge, from theTamworth Information Centre, basedin the Philip Dix Centre. Anyoneinterested in the guided tours shouldalso contact the TIC. Telephone01827 709581/618 or [email protected]

It’s Carnival time



Tamworth Saxon FestivalTo celebrate the Staffordshire Hoardarriving at Tamworth Castle, theCastle Grounds will be taken overby a full-scale Saxon Festival. Joinus and have your imaginationcaptured by a bustling Saxonencampment as Tamworth againbecomes the Ancient Capital ofMercia. Step back to the 8th centuryand re-live the historical importanceof Tamworth as you watch thewarriors battling, try out hands-onactivities and soak up Saxon day-to-day life.

On Sunday 28th August theSummer Festival will join in theSaxon fun, as the Carnivalprocession returns with a Saxontheme. The Carnival floats willparade through the town centre, sowatch closely and try to spot yourfavourite local organisations as theydisguise themselves as Saxontownsfolk! The Summer Festival willhave stalls with local products onsale, a dog show, displays andmany more performances.

It’s a weekend not to be missed!

Saturday 27th – Monday 29th August

• Anglo-Saxonstorytelling• Anglo-Saxon toysand games• Anglo-Saxon potterymaking workshops• Early Saxon burialrites• Saxon and Vikingencampmentdemonstrations• Anglo-Saxonmounted warriors

FREEEVENT

Evidence fromsigned charters

shows that theMercian Royal families stayed atTamworth far more than their otherpalaces and were regularly here forfestivals of Christmas and Easterbetween 751 and 857 A.D. The mostwell known Mercian Kings are Penda(625 –655), Wulfhere (657-674),Aethelred (674-704), Aethelbald (716-757) and Offa (757-796).

Tamworth is also known to havebeen important within Mercia,because it had a water mill whichground grain for food for thesettlement and its livestock. The millis believed to be the earliest (postRoman) watermill found in Britain. Itwas powered by the River Anker andused mill stones traded to King Offafrom the French King Charlemagne,in exchange for English woollencloaks. Mercian power began todecline after the death of King Offaand by the 10th century it lost itsindependence, becoming part of theKingdom of Wessex to create theKingdom of England.

The Staffordshire HoardToday, Mercia continues to heraldits importance with the discovery ofthe Staffordshire Hoard, the largestdiscovery of Saxon gold ever.

Found not far from the Capital ofMercia, and very close to the OldRoman Road of Watling Street a fewmiles to the west of Tamworth, thehoard appears to date from around

590 A.D. to 750 A.D. We may neverknow why it was buried or who itbelonged to but it will hopefully, intime, unlock some of the secrets ofthe Saxon age, and Anglo-SaxonTamworth.

Interesting FactsMercia (Mierce) meaning boundaryor ‘boundary folk’ took their namefrom the belt of high landconnecting the hills of CannockChase with the Forest of Arden.

One of the new Anglo-Saxon tribesbecame known as the Tomsaetan,from its settlement in the Tame valley.

Tamworth is not likely to have beenurban in form until the time ofAethelstan in the 10th century, whenit had a mint and would have beenconsidered a town, as only townswere allowed to have mints. Thefirst penny minted originated fromTamworth and was the only effectivecurrency in England up to the 14thCentury.

The King’s Ditch known as ‘Offa’sDyke’ was constructed in the late780’s as a demonstration of Mercianpower. This was not just an agreedboundary but a fortified barrier.

Tamworth, whichwas the only townin the county of

Staffordshireat the timeof theDanish

invasions, has two streets withDanish names; Aldergate (Ellergate)and Gungate (Gumpegate).

A valuable item such as a sword,drinking cup or a piece of jewellerymay also have an even greatersymbolic value, ‘maddum’. This isthe stored-up history of the objectwhich gives it its power, e.g.Excalibur.

The sword was the warrior’s mostimportant and trusted weapon. Theywere sometimes asked to swearmighty oaths on their sword andbelieved that if the oath was broken,then so would the sword at thecrucial moment. Many of the Hoardpieces are believed to be fromweapons of war, especially swords.

There is a Saxon tradition of thebride being given her wedding ringon a sword, which meant that thewarrior was pledging his loyalty tohis word. Some swords have beenfound with small rings incorporatedinto the handle. Oaths were swornon these rings, and rings were givenas gifts, a tradition which providedfor the influence for Lord of theRings trilogy by J R R Tolkien, whowas a scholar of Anglo-Saxon.

Aspire and prosper


The Ancient Capital of Mercia

Tamworth was the heartland of the Mercian Kingdom, whichhad a royal church at Repton, a religious centre at Lichfield andthe King’s main residence at Tamworth. Certainly the MercianKings spent more time at Tamworth than anywhere else.

There is believed to have been a royal palace atTamworth by the end of the 7th century, on the siteclose to St. Editha’s Church. Originally it would havebeen a timber hall with chapel and somewhere forhorses to be stabled.



As the castle gears up tohost the Hoard, Tamworthhas received yet morefantastic news; more than£1 million is set to beinvested in TamworthCastle.

The £1.1 million project is beingfunded to the tune of £876,200(75%) by the Heritage Lottery Fund(HLF), while the remainder will bemet by Tamworth Borough Council.

A big part of the project will beimproving the 900 year-old motte,making the Castle much easier forpeople to visit, providing morehands-on activities and enhancingthe displays.

The project will also see more livinghistory events taking place, whichwill include exploring the linkbetween the Castle’s early medieval

development and its impact on thetown.

Councillor Steve Claymore, CabinetMember for EconomicDevelopment, said: “Whatabsolutely great news forTamworth. To receive this news justweeks before the StaffordshireHoard arrives at our Castle is yetmore fantastic news for our town.

“We have always been committedto the Castle as it is our finestattraction, with more than 30,000people flocking to visit it every year.

“This funding will make sure theCastle continues to thrive, whilekeeping it fresh and exciting forvisitors through hands-on activitiesand living history. To see thisamount of investment shows howmuch confidence a nationalorganisation has in our Castle.”

Councillor Claymore also thankedstaff for putting the bid together,which has been the culmination ofmonths of hard work.

• The £275,000 council investmentwas approved by the Council in2009

• For more information visit:www.hlf.org.uk

• The first castle was a woodenstructure build around 1070AD

• The herringbone wall is built as itis to give it strength

• In 1897, the Castle waspurchased by public subscriptionfor £3,000 and given to residents.Two years later it opened as amuseum

£1 million boost for Tamworth Castle

More than 9,000 people flocked to Tamworth for the StGeorge’s Day Celebrations in April, when the Castle Grounds

and Town Hall played host toknights, falconers and medievalencampments.

The extravaganza had a medieval theme,with an emphasis on performance andparticipation.

Medieval workshops, have-a-go archery,falconry, battle re-enactments and swordswallowers thrilled the crowds, while thecentrepiece of the day was a spectacularjousting show featuring St George, theBlack Knight and the Earl of Tamworth.

St George’s Day funpulls in the crowds

Live life to the full


Events this Summer/Autumnat Tamworth Assembly Roomsand Tamworth Castleinclude a variety ofentertaining activities.

How to book:

Call Tamworth Box Office on01827 709618

or visit:

Tamworth Information CentrePhilip Dix CentreCorporation Street Tamworth, Staffs. B79 7LR

Opening hours:Monday - Friday: 9am - 7pmSaturday: 9am - 5pm

or book online at Ticketweb

Please check performancedetails and tickets carefullywhen booking as we are unableto offer refunds on tickets sold.

Be the first to know!

If you would like to join ourmailing list, give us a call or popinto Tamworth InformationCentre (details above.)

Tamworth Borough Council isregistered with the DataProtection Registrar.

To find out what other eventsare planned visitwww.whatsontamworth.co.uk

Tickets are now on sale at the TIC for the two-day UltraSound MusicFestival, taking place in Tamworth’s Castle Grounds.

The Ultrasound Festival is set to take place on Saturday September 3 andSunday September 4. Tinie Tempah, Alexis Jordan, Six-D, Chipmunk andExample are just some of the award-winning artists performing at the two-day event. Last year the Midlands Music Festival saw more than 20,000people flock to the Castle Grounds to see acts including Westlife, PeterAndre, Billy Ocean, the Sugarbabes and the Saturdays.

Tickets are on sale from the TIC, in the Philip Dix Centre. There will be a £2booking fee. For more information on the tickets or the festival, pleasecontact the TIC by dropping in, calling 01827 709581 or 709618.

Tinie Tempah, Alexis Jordan, Six-D, Chipmunk and Example are just someof the award winning artists performing at the two-day event. More are setto be announced.

Prices (Please note, there is a £2 booking fee per ticket.)General admission - day ticket: £34Gold Circle - day ticket: £52Group - day ticket (max 4 people): £120Car Parking - day ticket: £8Weekend ticket: £60Gold Circle Weekend ticket: £90Car Parking - day ticket: £12

Children under 6 are free but will require a ticket to enter the festival.

Music festival back in town

What’s On atwww.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk

3 - Band Night 8-10 - Tamworth Beer Festival 16 - The Pinch & Friends– Charity Concert17 - Julian Smith 23 - An Evening with the Heroes of Fun24 - Whole Lotta Lead 25 - Tamworth Ladies Choir 27 - A Night of Musicals30 - The Comedy Club

5-8 - Tamworth Arts Club Presents Jesus Christ Superstar11 - Paul Daniels 13 - Paul Zerdin15 - Dominic Kirwan 19 - Tamworth Rotary Club 21 - Brit Pop 22 - D-Day Darlings27 - High School Glee28 - Limehouse Lizzy 29 - Thunderslam Wrestling

September

October

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Community pullstogether for BigGlascote Heath Tidy-Up

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More than 100 people took tothe streets of Glascote Heathto tidy up the neighbourhoodand learn more about thepart they could play inhelping to make the area abetter place to live.

The sun shone all day on the BigGlascote Heath Tidy-Up, which wasorganised by the Glascote HeathPACT (Partners and CommunitiesTogether) group and funded byTamworth Borough Council and theTamworth Community SafetyPartnership.

The tidy-up saw more than 100people of all ages take part in litterpicks around Glascote Heath, aswell as presentations onenvironmental issues and funactivities for children.

Street wardens, Street Scene staff,the council’s caretaking teams,housing officers, the police,community development andvolunteers from Glascote ARCH,Fire and Rescue Service, Sure Startand Neighbourhood Watch all tookpart in the tidy-up, which is part of a

year-long project to clean upstreets, footpaths and green areas,as well as educating residents onlooking after the neighbourhood.

PC Dave Kelly is looking forsuggestions and ideas for otherinitiatives for the benefit of thecommunity.

Suggestions so far include bulbplanting, the installation of newbenches and bins, tree planting and mural painting.

Anyone who would like to make asuggestion is asked to contact PC Kelly on 07854 774798 or email him [email protected]

Graffiti removalmachine takesto the streetsA machine which can cleangraffiti off walls in just a fewminutes is Tamworth BoroughCouncil’s newest weapon in thewar on vandals.

The machine uses a combinationof sand-like material and waterunder very high pressure to blastaway graffiti in minutes and isused to tackle daubings andspray paintings on estates andother council propertythroughout the borough. Tenantsliving in social housing and theirlandlords can also make use ofthe service for a fee.

The £6,000 cost of buying themachine, training councilcaretakers on how to use it anda year’s supply of materials hasbeen paid for by the TamworthCommunity Safety Partnership,with funding from the HomeOffice.

The machine is also being usedto carry out deep cleaning ofstairwells, walls and sharedareas in council housing acrossthe borough.

Anyone who sees rubbish beingdumped in and around theTinkers Green flats is beingurged to call the council inconfidence on 01827 707709 andreport it.

Graffiti can be reported online atwww.tamworth.gov.uk/online_forms/report_it_online.aspx or bytelephoning 01827 709709.

A new waste bin has been provided to helpdog owners clean up after their pets.

Tamworth Borough Council installed the bin on openspace opposite the Riftswood pub in Comberford Road,following requests from dog owners.

The extra bin was requested to complement existing dogwaste bins nearby at the Fountain junction in Wigginton Roadand on Comberford Road, close to the pub.

New dog waste bininstalled following requests


The lettings scheme which gives people looking for ahome a lot more choice over where they live has beenhailed as a success, just over a year since its launch.

Tamworth Borough Council’s Finding a Home schemebegan in May last year and means people looking for a council home areable to bid for properties they are interested in, rather than having a homeallocated by the authority.

People registered with Tamworth Borough Council are told which band theyfall into and which properties are available to them, instead of the oldpoints-based waiting list system. They can then express an interest in – or‘bid’ for - up to three properties a week, with homes allocated based onhousing need and length of time an applicant has been registered.

For more information on Finding a Home, contact 01827 709459, [email protected] or visit www.findingahometamworth.co.uk

Finding a Home scheme is a success

Live life to the full

Council backsyoung kickboxingchampionYoung kickboxer Ellis Blake is just 14,but he already has a number of world, European andBritish titles under his belt.

The young fighter – who trains at Tamworth Kickboxing Academy and isnicknamed ‘The Assassin’ – recently fought in front of a packed home crowdto become the WRSA British Full Contact Champion. Last year, he won twoGrand Champion titles and is the reigning Irish Open Champion, WKA WorldChampion and WAKO World silver medallist.

And they are just a taste of Ellis’s titles – the trophy shelves at his home arecrammed with silverware from all of kickboxing’s governing bodies.

Ellis has been kickboxing for four years and trains four days a week, whilespending most of his weekends fighting in tournaments. He took upkickboxing four years ago, after starting his martial arts career in karate, andis also an assistant instructor at Tamworth Kickboxing Academy.

Through a scheme established to support local talent, Tamworth BoroughCouncil has awarded Ellis a grant of £1,000. He will use the money to attendthe World Kickboxing Academy World Championships in Germany in August,followed by the WFKA championships in Italy in October.

Cllr Steve Claymore, Cabinet member for Economic Development andEnterprise, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Ellis and help him tocompete at such a high level in his chosen sport.

“Ellis is a shining example of what young people are able to achieve if theyare given the opportunity. Sport plays a vital role in improving health andTamworth Borough Council is keen to play its part in making sport moreaccessible to everyone.”

We’re here to helpprivate tenants

Tenants living in sharedaccommodation are beingreassured that they do not haveto put up with sub-standardhousing and that help is athand.

Landlords who rent out Housesin Multiple Occupation (HMO),have to be registered withTamworth Borough Council andare subject to randominspections.

If the homes are not clean andwell-maintained, the councilwill prosecute the landlord.

The most recent prosecutionsaw a landlord ordered to payalmost £5,000 for failing tomaintain his property andallowing it to fall into poorcondition.

Darren Harrison, fromStaffordshire Lettings, based atGrange Lane in Lichfield,pleaded guilty to breaching fourregulations relating to HMOswhen he appeared at BurtonMagistrates Court in June. Hewas fined £4,965 and orderedto pay prosecution costs of£2,400, plus a £15 victimsurcharge.

Cllr Mary Oates, Cabinetmember for Quality of Life,said: “This court case sends avery clear message to landlordsthat they have to maintain theirproperties to an acceptablestandard and, if they fail to doso, we will take action againstthem.”

Tenants who may haveconcerns about the standard oftheir rented accommodation,can contact the BoroughCouncil on 01827 709439 oremail:[email protected]



Neighbourhoodcops continue to putcommunities first

It’s ‘business as usual’ forneighbourhood officers inTamworth, despite majorchanges to policing inStaffordshire.

The force’s Communities Firstprogramme has transformedpolicing in a bid to maintainservices while becoming moreaffordable.

But neighbourhood teams –the bedrock of policing in thecounty – will be protected.

Chief Superintendent JonDrake, who is responsible forlocal policing teams acrossthe county area, said: “We areabsolutely committed toprotecting neighbourhoodofficer numbers and deliveringhigh quality policing to ourcommunities.

“Tamworth residents willcontinue to have namedlocally-based officers focusedon dealing with the issues thatmatter to local people.”

For more information visitwww.staffordshire.police.uk orfollow us on Twitter.

People looking for help and information abouthealth, debt management, caring, careers orhousing advice can now find it all in one place.

‘TamCAN’ has launched its new directory, which lists awide range of organisations offering different types ofhelp and advice.

The borough council has joined forces with more than20 organisations to produce the new booklet, whichmeans people can easily find out how to contactdifferent groups, without having to spend timesearching for them.

The brochures are available from the library, Tamworth Borough Council, theTIC, TamCAN shop in King Street, CVS in the Carnegie Centre and the ARCHcommunity centres in Belgrave, Amington, Stonydelph and Glascote.

The Tamworth Community Advice Network provides free advice and supportto local residents concerned about issues such as managing debt, dealingwith unemployment and the threat of homelessness.

• TamworthCAN is being is supported by organisations including Homestart;Citizens Advice Bureau; Christians Against Poverty; Tamworth BoroughCouncil and Tamworth CVS.

• The TamworthCan shop, which offers free and friendly advice on moneymanagement, to employment and health is open on the corner of ChurchStreet and King Street from 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

• There are additional sessions available on Tuesdays from 5pm to 7pm andSaturdays from 10am to 12noon.

New communitysafety hubWorking more closely together than everbefore to keep your town safer - that’sthe message from the new communitysafety hub.

Council community safety staff, including the headstreet warden, anti-social behaviour co-ordinator and victim support staff, arenow all working from Tamworth police station.

By working under one roof, the hub makes it easier for organisations to shareinformation, with the ultimate goal of reducing crime and making people saferacross the borough.

The hub should also give the community a single point of contact for issuesinvolving community safety.

Chief SuperintendantJon Drake

Tamworth CAN playingits part in ‘Big Society’


Telephone Payments ....................................................................0845 2307709Online Payments ..............................................................www.tamworth.gov.uk

Housing Repairs 24 hours a day 7 days a week ....................................0800 1830044Street Lighting ......................................................0300 111 8000 / 0800 232323Recycling/Refuse/Bulky Item Collections ....................................0845 002 0022

Tamworth Borough Council

Marmion House Customer ServicesMonday to Thursday8.45am to 5.10pmFriday 8.45am to 5.05pm

If you require thisinformation in anotherformat or language pleasecall (01827) 709709 or [email protected]

Councilopeningtimes

Council Enquiries: .............. 01827 709709Email Enquiries: [email protected]

Out of hours emergency enquiries: ................................01827 59708

Council Website: www.tamworth.gov.uk

Losing a loved one is hard enough. Research shows that a bereaved familycontacts government agencies on average seven or eight times to shareinformation. Tell Us Once aims to ease this burden by allowing you to tellmultiple government agencies about a death, at the same time.

If you suffer a bereavement,you only need to Tell Us Once

Pay it

Report it

Contact Us

Other Useful ContactsCitizens Advice Bureau ............................................................................305950Environment Agency 24hr Flood Line ..........................................0845 9881188Police ............................................................................................0300 1234455Social Services (Adults)............................................................................475506Social Services (Children) ........................................................................475555

Soon, local authorities acrossStaffordshire will be introducing thisnational service, meaning that youcan just tell us once and in turn, onyour behalf, the following services andorganisations could be notified:

Tamworth Borough Council andStaffordshire County Council• Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit.• Council Tax• Blue Badges • Adult Services• Children's Services• Collection of payments for CouncilServices

• Electoral services • Housing Services• Library services

Identity and Passport Service• Passport Cancellation.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency• Driving Licence Cancellation.

Department for Work and Pensions• Pension, Disability and CarersService

• Jobcentre Plus• Overseas Health Team

Ministry of Defence, ServicePersonnel and Veterans Agency• War Pensions Scheme

HM Revenue and Customs• Child Benefit• Child Tax Credit and Working TaxCredit

• Personal Taxation

How does it work?When you make an appointment toregister a death, the Tell Us Onceservice will be offered to you so thatyou can decide whether you wouldlike to use it.

Documents

Talkback Summer 2011