Christopher Pincher MP and Phil Vickery

Member of Parliament for Tamworth, Christopher Pincher, has given his backing to the “Big Jubilee Lunch” campaign to get local people to join together to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in the spirit of neighbourliness.

The Big Jubilee Lunch was launched at Westminster this week by England rugby legend Phil Vickery who was capped 73 times for his country in a playing career of over fifteen years.  Mr. Vickery said he was proud of his country, proud to be part of the Jubilee celebrations and proud too to be part of an effort to encourage neighbours to get to know one another.

As announced by Buckingham Palace, The Big Lunch will be part of the main programme of events over the Diamond Jubilee weekend in June.  Holding a Big Jubilee Lunch is a great way to bring neighbours together for an afternoon of food, friendship and fun and a record number of people are expected to take to the streets on Sunday 3^rd June.

In 1977 some 10million people came out to street parties to celebrate the Silver Jubilee and organisers expect the same level of excitement in 2012.

Mr. Pincher said: “The Big Jubilee Lunch is an excellent initiative that I hope will be supported by the council, churches and charities.  I encourage local residents and local groups to get involved and organise community lunches.  It is a great way to make contact with your neighbours and check up on frail and vulnerable people that they are OK and also involved in the party. In the past people have been concerned about all the bureaucracy of holding street parties and some local authorities have been confused about the rules.  That is why I have asked Transport Minister Mike Penning to write to all councils explaining how to close a road for a street party and to ensure everything is made simple.  He has agreed to contact all councils as soon as possible.”

Actress Barbara Windsor, a Big Lunch Ambassador, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to champion The Big Jubilee Lunch.  To once again see communities and neighbours work together to create such special occasions is heart warming and just what we need.  I am so excited to be involved in what promises to be an exciting and historic year.”

For more information about The Big Lunch and how local residents can get involved call for a pack on 0845 850 8181, email info@thebiglunch.com or visit the website www.thebiglunch.com

Queens Diamond Jubliee Logo

Saturday June 2^nd 2012 see Lynn and Stonnall holding their Diamons jubliee celebrations.

11.30am sees a parade along Main Street featuring the Chase Royals Marching Band, 3 decorated floats, the Brownies and “Cheerleaders”

Fun and games start at 1pm on Stonnall Playing Field

• Assorted bouncy castles and other amusements for children
• Dog training demonstration. Falconry display
• Line dancing demonstration. Meccano demonstration and “have a go”
• Children’s field activities – races and penalty shoot out
• Tug of Wars. Plus many other entertainments
• Final Raffle Draw – £100 first prize
• Pig roast and BBQ provided by the Scouts
• Tea and cakes served by the W.I.
• Beer tent run by the Swan
• Music by “Cadenza”

There is also St. Peter’s Church Flower Festival from 2.00pm, with tea & cakes, and a nostalgic film show at the Village Hall followed by tea & cakes.

From 7pm there is music at the Swan, entertainment by assorted bands and local D.J  The whole day is rouded off with a fireworks display from 10pm.

Every one welcome. No entrance fee, all rides and amusements free.

NB. MAIN STREET & ROADS LEADING INTO MAIN STREET CLOSED FROM 11.30AM TO 1.30PM.

Queens Diamond Jubliee Logo

To celebrate the 60th accession of Queen Elizabeth’s to the throne the Museum is holding a jubilee picnic on Saturday 30th June.

Museum staff and volunteers’ will be present in 1950′s period dress and visitors attending are encouraged to do likewise.

Everyone is invited to the party and attendees are asked to bring their own BBQ.

There will be traditional games and activities.

All children attending will recieve a free pack with a hat/crown, flag, snack and drink.

Admission Prices are adults £3.00, All concessions (Children under 16, Full time students, Senior citizens) £2.00 and Family ticket (up to 2 adults and 3 children) £6.00.

The event runs from 12pm till 4pm.

The museum is located at Whittington Barracks, Whittington, just past Hopwas and the post code is WS14 9PY.

To launch the project, a drop in session is taking place this Friday (May 18) from 10am until 2pm at Marmion House. The aim is to give people more information about the benefits of the scheme.

The project includes refurbishing properties up to a reasonable letting standard. Waterloo will then lease the property from the owner and manage and maintain the property. The three organisations involved are now looking to identify empty homes in Tamworth which could benefit from the scheme.

People taking part in the scheme will receive a guaranteed monthly rent for five years. Following this, the home will be returned to the owner in its improved condition.

Waterloo Housing Group is one of a number of organisations which successfully bid for a share of the £70 million funding from the Homes and Community Agency. It has received £758,000 to invest across five local authority areas, with £154,000 earmarked for Tamworth.

Tamworth Borough Council is also investing £90,000 into the project, which has come from the Coalfields Regeneration funds. The County Council is also investing £90,000.

Working together, all three organisations will be aiming to bring 20 empty properties back into use in Tamworth as affordable housing.

The estimated cost of building 20 new units of affordable housing is £2million, whereas this project will see the same result for a fraction of that cost.

It is estimated there are approximately 250 empty homes in Tamworth, which could be used to provide vital housing for people currently seeking a home in the borough, at a time when available council properties are limited.

Evidence shows that people living in decent housing generally have a better standard of health, and improving health is one of the borough council’s key objectives

The project is aimed specifically at people who may have been left property as a legacy and can’t afford to maintain it, homeowners with no savings or people who have not been able to upkeep the home, either while ill or living elsewhere.

Councillor Michael Greatorex, Cabinet member for Housing, said:

“This project could see empty homes being brought back into use, and provide good quality housing for people who need it.

“In addition, people who have struggled to maintain a property can see it being brought up to a good standard and receive a rental income from it. We are keen to work with property owners and I would urge anyone to get in touch to see if we can take this forward.”

“Nationally – and locally – there is a shortage of affordable accommodation and this is one way to help to bridge the gap.”

The ‘remote court service’ offers support and guidance to those who may be facing financial difficulties. It is provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau and funded by Tamworth Borough Council.
Launched last October, the service is available every Monday between 10am and 2pm. It is held at the CAB offices at the Philip Dix Centre, Corporation Street.

The idea behind the service is to help advice and support to those who have received legal notification of possession or eviction. Dedicated staff will also be able to offer help to complete paperwork related to any court action.

Previously, a similar service was provided at Tamworth Magistrates Court until its closure last year. The ‘Tamworth Court Desk Service’ helped residents avoid repossessions and evictions through advice and practical help.

The service can be accessed via a referral from the Council’s Housing Advice Team (01827e 709 459). Alternatively people can arrange a self referral by telephoning the CAB for an appointment on 01827 305952.

Denise Wilson, Bureau Service Manager, Tamworth CAB said:

“With homelessness levels rising nationally and locally, Tamworth Borough Council and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) are working together to prevent homelessness by increasing help available to residents, in financial and housing difficulties.

“Facing the prospect of repossession or eviction can be frightening, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone.”

An additional debt and money advice surgery for residents takes place every Friday between 10am and 2pm. This will also run from the CAB offices and will provide comprehensive debt and money advice, to help residents out of financial difficulties and prevent people from losing their homes.

For further details please contact the CAB on 01827 305950.

‘Making History’ is being broadcast at 3pm tomorrow and will feature archaeologist and heritage consultant Marion Blockley talking about the important role that Tamworth Castle played in Saxon society.

The programme will also be available on the BBC iPlayer after the broadcast, so everyone will get a chance to listen.

Tamworth Borough Council’s Director of Communities, Planning and Partnerships, Rob Mitchell, said:

“The huge success of last year’s Staffordshire Hoard exhibition underlined the importance of Tamworth in Saxon times as the ancient capital of the kingdom of Mercia.

“We are delighted that Radio 4 has chosen to feature Tamworth Castle as part of its ‘Making History’ programme and I hope it will remind visitors of the fabulous asset we have here in Tamworth.”

This Saturday 19th May at 12pm, Drayton Manor aims to set a Guinness World Record for the most number of people wearing morphsuits gathered in any one place at the same time.

Made from stretchy spandex, morphsuits cover the entire body from head to toe and are specially designed to allow the wearer to see out, but people can’t see in.

As part of Drayton Manor’s Morphsuit Mayhem, the park is offering free entry to anyone who wears red, blue or yellow suits, the colours of the park’s logo. People who wear different coloured costumes will receive discount entry, paying just £5.

At least 250 people will be needed to don the all-in-one outfits in order to set new a record. This will be the second year that Drayton Manor has held the event. Last year’s effort was thwarted by heavy rain, but 114 morphs still braved the elements and turned out providing some excellent entertainment for park visitors.

Colin Bryan, the park’s managing director, said:

“People wear these morphsuits for all sorts of occasions, from sporting events and music festivals to nights out, so the sight of a theme park full of people wearing these suits will be a real spectacle. We hope people will back our attempt and come out in force for what should be a memorable and record breaking day.”

To receive free entry, or £5 discount, participants must wear their suits on arrival at the park, though their faces must not be covered. Following the record attempt, the morphs will be able to spend the rest of the day in the park.

Visit http://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/park-guide.php?sub=world-record-attempts for further details about the event or register your attendance on the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/draytonmanorpark

Drayton Manor would love to hear from any members of the public who would like to use the park as a venue for their own world record attempt. Please email sundeep@gough.co.uk with your proposal.

Re-turfing works to the Upper Lawn and the planting of the Bandstand flower beds are currently being carried out. Barriers have been installed around the Upper Lawn and the beds, and these will remain in place until the new turf and the plants have become established.

Work has also started this week on repairs to the footpath and bridge next to the Ankerside Centre, which also means that access will be limited until the works have been completed.

Only the areas under repair will be cordoned off and members of the public will still have full access to the rest of the Castle Grounds.

The litter pick will form part of a day of environmental works at Belgrave Lakes, which will also see council Street Scene staff clearing rubbish from the lake using grappling hooks and ropes.

Bushes around the site have already been cut back, while Community Payback teams will be carrying out minor pruning works on the day. Street wardens, PCSOs, Fire and Rescue Service and members of Tamworth BMX Club will also be taking part.

The tidy-up day and litter pick is part of a series of ongoing works to improve the wildlife habitat in and around the lake and make it an even more attractive environment.

A call has now gone out to volunteers of all ages to go along between 10am and 2pm on Saturday May 26 and join in the litter pick.

One of the aims of the day is not only to clean up the lake but also to get the community involved and set up a Friends group to look after the Belgrave Lakes site and help to keep it tidy.

Anyone who would like to go along to take part in the litter pick or volunteer to get involved in a Friends group is asked to meet at the Belgrave Studio of Dance in Bird’s Bush Road at 10am for a safety run-though. The litter pick will run until 2pm.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Anyone taking part is asked to wear suitable clothing. Litter picking equipment and drinks will be provided for volunteers.

The men, described as having Irish accents and of average height, claimed to be trading standards officers. They said they had come to search the house for fake tobacco and were carrying walky-talky radios, which were switched off. Neither had any form of identification or paperwork.

After being let into the house, the men went into the kitchen before leaving. Nothing was stolen and they then left in a small white van. The incident took place in the early afternoon last Wednesday, May 9.

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for communities Pat Corfield said:

“We want people in the Tamworth area to be vigilant as these men could well try to con their way into someone else’s home and steal property.

“Any county council employee, from trading standards or any other service, would identify themselves straight away with identification.

“Trading standards do not search people’s properties – they will only go round in response to people’s calls.

“People should be wary of any cold callers. Ask for identification and if in any doubt, close the door and call the police.”

Staffordshire Police are appealing for anyone who has information about the crime to ring them on 101 or, to report a crime in progress, ring 999. Alternatively, they can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.