Tamworth Blog

An exciting and innovative theatre production, which will be the biggest community arts project ever staged in Tamworth, is looking for people of all ages, talents and abilities to get involved.

The Wall is a contemporary re-imagining of the Pink Floyd rock opus. It is being staged at Tamworth Assembly Rooms in June by Arts Connects and Fired Up Theatre, by kind permission of Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters and Mark Fenwick Management.

Using Pink Floyd’s classic music, with a new narrative brought bang up to date by Simon Quinn, The Wall is set on a fictitious housing estate somewhere in the West Midlands and explores contemporary themes including anti-social behaviour unemployment, social deprivation, peer pressure and racism.

The vision for the project is that it will involve people from all ages and communities across Tamworth and will involve groups of people who would not normally work together.

Some groups are already creating art which will form part of The Wall project, including Tamworth’s Young At Art group who are in the process of working with a number of students from schools across the town to create a fantastic arts exhibition to run alongside the production.

Fired Up Theatre and Arts Connects are now calling on people with any kind of talent to get involved with The Wall, either on stage or behind the scenes. Skills which are being sought include acting, mime, storytelling, dance, poetry, rapping, graffiti art, puppetry, music, stage fighting, film, projection, costumes, set design and props.

Anyone who is interested in getting involved or who would like to know more is invited to the launch event at Tamworth Assembly Rooms on Saturday January 28 from 10am to 3pm. There will be a series of workshops in the morning and auditions in the afternoon.

The performance dates for The Wall are June 5,6,7,and 8. The project is being funded and supported by Fired Up Theatre, Arts Connects, Staffordshire Community Wellbeing Fund, Tamworth Arts Grants Scheme, Tamworth Community Safety Partnership, Staffordshire Local Community Fund and Staffordshire County Council’s Arts Grants Scheme.

More information can also be obtained by calling 01827 709581.

The Stop HS2 campaign is making an appeal for information to take forward a legal challenge against HS2. Various organisations including councils, environmental groups and action groups are investigating the possibility of a Judicial Review following Justine Greenings decision to proceed with the highly controversial project. The campaign is also launching an appeal for funds for a challenge, which would have to be launched by April.

Stop HS2 Campaign Co-ordinator Joe Rukin said;

“A Judicial Review can be launched under three different grounds, that the decision to proceed was illegal, irrational or the procedure itself was flawed. We obviously believe that the consultation process was completely flawed and the decision to go ahead was totally irrational and are certain there are thousands of people who share those views. However, to be able to prove either of those facts in a court of law, we need evidence. Obviously the campaign and the other organisations have collected a lot of evidence, but we want to make sure no stone is left unturned.”

“All people are different, have different interests and different ways of looking at things. As such, we want to make sure we have looked down every avenue, so we want the public to lets us know about anything they think was wrong with the process, especially concerning their dealings with HS2 Ltd.”

“The other sad fact is that challenging the obvious democratic deficit via the courts will not come cheap. Although some organisations have set money aside for the legal challenge, we cannot afford to fall short as we dig in, so we are appealing for donations from the public.”

People wishing to provide information should email challenge@stophs2.org or write to Stop HS2, 129 Warwick Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1HY. This is also the address to send cheques to ‘Stop HS2’ to. People can also pay directly into our account at Lloyds-TSB, Sort Code 30-94-93, Account no, 34934760.

Come down to Strykers Bowl Tamworth on a Monday to Friday 3pm until 6pm in term time and the kids and Bowl, eat and drink for only £4.95 per child!
Strykers Bowl in it’s 20th year is based in the Castle Grounds, Tamworth and forms part of the leisure complex – Namco Station.
There’s fun for all the family at Strykers Bowl and Kids Kingdom soft play, come Rain or Shine. Open 364 days of the year, with Disabled facilities.
We pride ourselves, with 26 Professional Bowling lanes, which are some of the best in the country, 2 Great Bars, A Wimpy Restaurant and the best Video Machines in the world.
For Bowling, Bumpers and Ramps can be provided so even the smallest can compete.
Opening Times:-
Strykers:- Weekdays 10am – late, Weekends 9am till late
Kids Kingdom:- Weekdays 9.30am – 6pm, Weekends 9am till 7pm

Drayton Manor Theme Park’s newest restaurant, The Grill Inn, has expanded its culinary offering by serving a mouth-watering Sunday lunch menu.

With a sophisticated twist on the traditional meat and two veg meal, the restaurant serves either sirloin of beef, loin of pork or chicken supreme with a choice of duck fat roast potatoes, creamed potato, or potato gratin and a tasty jus on the side. There’s also a fish and vegetarian option available.

For those with a hearty appetite there’s a varied selection of starters to choose from, as well as an extensive choice of dessert for those with a sweet tooth. A two-course meal costs £13.95 and a three-course meal is £15.95.

The Grill Inn is open to local residents as well as those visiting the theme park or staying at the Drayton Manor Hotel.

Making, drawing, sticking and colouring are just a few of the fun activities on offer at a series of drop-in art and craft sessions aimed at pre-school children and their parents.

The Let’s Get Creative sessions run at Tamworth Assembly Rooms every Monday from 10am to 11.30 and are open to all children of pre-school age.

The sessions will give tots and parents the chance to make arts and crafts together, learn new skills and make new friends.

The cost of joining in the fun is £2 per session, which includes refreshments and snacks. More information is available from the Tamworth Assembly Rooms box office on 01827 709618.

Staffordshire’s highways chief has today announced plans for an extra £20 million to be invested into improving the county’s highways network.

Cabinet member for Highways and Transport Mike Maryon said the major cash injection into preventative work on roads and footpaths would lead to long term savings for taxpayers.

The money would be invested over two years but residents would reap the benefits for decades.

The council’s ruling Cabinet will consider the proposals for the £20 million investment on February 1 as part of its recommendations for the budget for the year from April 2012.

The cash boost would come on top of the additional £30 million that the county council’s administration has already ploughed into keeping roads repaired, safe and accessible since it came into power in June 2009.

The new cash shows a significant commitment by Staffordshire at a time when many other councils are cutting services and reducing investment overall.

Money for the investment has been released through the county council’s transformation programme, which includes savings made by closing down a number of council offices across Staffordshire and the move to a more cost – effective HQ at Staffordshire Place.

Staffordshire sees highways as an important quality of life issue but also one which is at the centre of its commitment to bring jobs and prosperity to the county. Money can also be saved by maintaining roads now to prevent trouble later.

It comes after residents told the council it should prioritise road maintenance and deal with potholes.

The money would be spent over two years from April 2012 in twomain areas:

Increasing preventative maintenance of roads to ensure that there is less need for emergency or large scale repairs as the highways deteriorate

More cash for the maintenance of rural roads, to be spent in consultation with local communities and their councillors

The previous investment has already meant that there are fewer than 700 potholes currently outstanding in the 4000 miles of highways. The initial £30 million funding has had a dramatic impact in reducing the numbers.

This number is expected to continue to fall with the new funding boost making the problem more manageable in future as the material state of the highways is significantly improved.

County Councillor Mike Maryon, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said:

“Local people have made it very clear to us that keeping Staffordshire roads properly maintained is their big issue. That’s why we earmarked £30 million two years ago and why we are again making this our top priority for the next two years.

“When we came in to power in 2009 we inherited an under investment in the highways network that meant it had deteriorated to a large extent and was on the brink of major decline. We know that the initial investment has paid off in terms of better roads and a more efficient repairs service but that was only a stop gap measure as more had to be done. This new money would make sure the good work continues into the foreseeable future.

“Investing now makes real financial sense to avoid more costly repairs later on, but it is also important to have a top class transport network for the county economy to thrive and residents to get good jobs. This is particularly important in our rural areas which play a vital part in job creation activities such as tourism. This is why we are including rural roads of local concern into the programme this time.

“The proposal is in line with our approach to running the council, which is to invest in new ways of doing things to ultimately save money for the under-pressure taxpayer. Using savings from money that we have created from not doing silly things like having too many buildings, being more innovative and efficient in how we work with and reinvesting it in to Staffordshire is common sense.”

The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile is back – and it’s coming to Tamworth. The town is set to host its Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday 25th March, and needs local people to come together and show their support by entering now at www.sportrelief.com.

As one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives – so it’s time to dust off those trainers and enter right now.

The Tamworth Mile will set off from the Castle Grounds and is set to be an incredible event. Entrants don’t have to be sporty to take part, but can choose to complete one, three or six miles knowing that all the money raised will help to change the lives of people living unimaginably tough lives right here on our doorstep, across the rest of the UK and in some the world’s poorest countries.

Cllr Steve Claymore, Cabinet member for Economic Development, said:

“The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile is back in Tamworth and it’s your time to shine. From teeny-tots with their mums and dads, to super sprinters up against the clock, there’s something for everyone on the big day. Last year, the Tamworth Castle Mile had more than 800 participants and raised a staggering £19,887.

“ This year we want to make the day even bigger and better – but we need your help to do that. So pull up your Sport Relief socks, enter the Mile and do something amazing!”

Sport Relief has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to rise to the challenge. Last September, David Walliams started Sport Relief off with an epic splash when he completed The BT Sport Relief Challenge: Walliams vs The Thames. Despite battling a nasty bacterial bug and bitingly cold water, David swam a staggering 140 miles and has so far raised over £1million for Sport Relief. And that’s not all; there will be even more amazing celebrity challenges to get the whole nation geared up for the Sport Relief weekend!

Tamworth Blog was at the last Sport Relief Mile and this is some footage from then.

Celtic Dream has been created to bring one of the most original & authentic shows in the world to UK audiences and this Spring sees the show embarking on a 5 month tour of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Embodying the true spirit of Ireland, this production is a breathtaking myriad of brilliant dance, phenomenal vocals, astounding musicianship and glittering costumes.

With a selection of the finest dancers, vocalists and musicians from around Ireland, Celtic Dream will enchant and take audiences on an uplifting journey of song and dance with a kaleidoscope of colour against a backdrop of highly infectious, powerful and spirit invoking music.

The Celtic Dream show is the perfect blend of traditional Irish music alongside modern songs. Heartwarming performances feature astoundingly choreographed dance routines and a touch of the old Irish ‘Craic’.

Celtic Dream will leave audiences mesmerised and wanting more and more of the ultimate Irish experience.

Audiences will be delighted with time honoured tunes like ‘Danny Boy’ and ‘Carrickfergus’ to the haunting modern day classics of Sarah McLachlan’s ‘In the Arms of the Angels’.

To experience Celtic Dream is to experience the genuine heart and soul of Ireland.

The Celtic Dream show is coming to town soon and we are offering one lucky winner the opportunity to win a pair of tickets for the Tamworth Assembly Rooms show on 27th February 2012.

A Monster In Paris 3D (U)
1hr55m
Fri-Thu 14:00 18:35

A Monster In Paris 2D (U)
1hr55m Digital
Fri 16:20
Sat-Sun 11:40 16:20
Mon-Thu 16:20

Alvin And The Chipmunks:Chipwrecked (U)
1hr50m Digital
Fri 14:30 16:40
Sat-Sun 12:10 14:30 16:40
Mon-Thu 14:30 16:40

Chronicle (12A)
1hr55m
Advanced Screenings
Wed-Thu 14:45 17:00 19:10 21:30

Haywire (15)
1hr55m Digital
Fri-Thu 21:05

J Edgar (15)
2hr40m Digital
Sat-Sun 13:00

Like Crazy (PG)
1hr55m Digital
Fri 16:25 18:40 21:00
Sat-Sun 13:50 16:25 18:40 21:00
Mon-Thu 16:25 18:40 21:00

Mission Impossible:Ghost Protocol (12A)
2hr35m Contains moderate action violence Digital
Fri-Tue 18:30

Puss In Boots 3D (U)
1hr55m
Fri-Tue 14:00 16:15

Puss In Boots 2D (U)
1hr55m Digital
Sat-Sun 11:30

Rise And Shine: TheJay DeMerit Story (U)
1hr50m Digital
Sun 13:00

Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows (12A)
2hr35m Contains moderate violence Digital
Fri 14:20 17:20 20:10
Sat 11:20 14:20 17:20 20:10
Sun 17:20 20:10
Mon-Thu 14:20 17:20 20:10

The Descendants (15)
2hr20m Digital
Fri 15:20 18:00 20:40
Sat-Sun 12:40 15:20 18:00 20:40
Mon-Thu 15:20 18:00 20:40
Subtitled Screenings
Sun 18:00
Mon 15:20

The Grey (15)
2hr25m Digital
Fri 15:35 18:20 21:10
Sat-Sun 12:50 15:35 18:20 21:10
Mon-Thu 15:35 18:20 21:10

The Intruders (15)
2hr05m Digital
Fri-Thu 18:50 21:30

The Iron Lady (12A)
2hr10m Contains real images of moderate violence, injury detail and brief nudity Digital
Fri 14:50 17:50 20:20
Sat-Sun 12:20 14:50 17:50 20:20
Mon-Thu 14:50 17:50 20:20

The Sitter (15)
1hr50m Digital
Fri-Tue 21:20

Underworld 3D (18)
1hr55m
Fri-Thu 16:00 18:10 20:50

War Horse (12A)
2hr55m Contains infrequent moderate battle violence Digital
Fri-Thu 14:10 17:15 20:30
Subtitled Screenings
Sun 14:10
Thu 20:30

Cars 2D (PG)
1hr50m ODEON Kids
Sat-Sun 11:00

BOX OFFICE OPENS
Fri 13:45
Sat-Sun 10:45
Mon-Thu 13:45

All running times are approximate and include adverts and trailers

As part of its ongoing commitment to working with the community, John Lewis at home Tamworth teamed up with the local Contact the Elderly group to host a tea party in its café.

Six guests of the Tamworth Contact the Elderly group and their volunteer drivers attended the tea party on Sunday 15th January for an afternoon of tasty cakes, hot drinks and laughter.

A member of the Contact the Elderly group commented, “We really enjoyed our afternoon at John Lewis, it makes a nice change to come out somewhere for our tea party rather than staying at one of our houses. It was also great to be able to have a look around the shop.”

Christina Simpson, department manager, John Lewis at home Tamworth, said:

“We really enjoyed hosting a party for the Contact the Elderly group. It’s a fantastic charity that makes a huge difference to the lives of its older members. The John Lewis at home Tamworth team is keen to be involved in the local community as much as possible and hope to builder stronger relationships with charities this year.”

Established in 1965, Contact the Elderly is the only national charity solely focused on tackling loneliness and isolation amongst the rapidly ageing UK population. The charity provides a regular and vital friendship link for older people aged 75 and above who live alone through its monthly tea parties.

Pamela Walker, Midlands Development Officer at Contact the Elderly, said:

“We are delighted that John Lewis at home Tamworth has been able to host a tea party for the local Contact the Elderly group. All the guests and volunteers had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, tucking into a wonderful spread and chatting to the John Lewis Partners.”

“The charity is committed to offering a lifeline of friendship to the older people in Tamworth. But to continue extending our reach to even more isolated, older people, we need more volunteer hosts who can hold tea parties in their homes twice a year and volunteer drivers who can collect the older guests from their homes and accompany them to the gatherings one Sunday afternoon each month.”

In addition to its involvement with Contact the Elderly, John Lewis at home Tamworth runs a Community Matters scheme, which is part of John Lewis’s ongoing commitment to supporting the communities in which it trades. Every three months, Community Matters donates a percentage of £3,000 to three local community groups. The share of the £3,000 available to the good causes will be proportionate to the customer votes, meaning an organisation with 31% of the vote would receive a £930 donation.

For more information on local volunteering opportunities with Contact the Elderly, please contact Pamela Walker, Midlands Development Officer, on 0121 603 1331 or email pamela.walker@contact-the-elderly.org.uk