MP Celebrates Academy Application Acceptance

Yesterday during the Business of the House debate in the House of Commons Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, celebrated the news that Belgrave High School’s application to become an academy has been accepted.

Mr Pincher said. “Earlier this week, Belgrave high school in Tamworth received the welcome news that its application to become an academy has been given the go-ahead by the Department for Education, affording its students, who suffer some challenging backgrounds, a real opportunity to succeed.

“I echo warmly the call of my hon. Friend Gavin Barwell for a debate on the opportunities afforded by academies, focusing particularly on the benefit of vertical integration between primary and secondary academies.”

George Young (Leader of the House of Commons) replied, “My hon. Friend raises an interesting angle in the academy debate by drawing the House’s attention to the links between primary and secondary education. As I said earlier, GCSE records indicate faster improvement among schools that have become academies than in the rest of the school population.

“I hope that other schools in his constituency will follow the example of the one to which he has referred and go for academy status, with the benefits and freedoms that go with it.”

Local County Councillor Praises Staffordshire Based Manufacturer

Cllr Ben Adams

Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Enterprise, Ben Adams (Perrycrofts Division), has said record profits announced by Staffordshire-based firm JCB have added to the county’s reputation as a global manufacturing leader.

Ben said, “The news from JCB is great news for the UK and another success story for Staffordshire.  It further enhances our global reputation as a prime location for engineering.

“JCB is a leader in construction equipment manufacturing.  It is well known as a Staffordshire firm with a proud history and strong future ahead.

“It is also a key employer in Staffordshire, with its world headquarters in Rocester and a plant at Rugeley.  This is in addition to the JCB academy, where tomorrow’s engineers are learning their career skills.

“In the south of the county, we are preparing the i54 South Staffordshire site for Jaguar Land Rover to move onto in the summer.  Our commitment to attracting world leading manufacturers to Staffordshire demonstrates our priority to increase prosperity.  This is clearly an exciting time for UK manufacturing and it is being led right here in Staffordshire.”

JCB’s turnover in 2011 increased by 37 per cent compared with the previous year to £2.75bn.  It sold 69,100 machines last year, compared to 51,600 in 2010.

Christopher Pincher Backs British Legion Beanie Knitters

Christopher Pincher, has been putting his knitting skills to the test whilst launching beanie hat knitting campaign for our soldiers in Afghanistan.

The knitting pattern, supplied by the Royal British Legion, is available to anyone who wants to help knit the hats, which are worn beneath soldiers’ Kevlar helmets.  The helmets can be uncomfortable in either extreme cold or heat so the hats provided by local people are a real help.

Mr. Pincher joined members of his local Conservative Association who are knitting “Hats for Heroes.”

Mr Pincher said, “Our troops in Afghanistan can feel reassured by all the hard work being undertaken by the knitting circle.  I hope it helps them to know that we are thinking of them back at home.

”It gets very cold in the desert at night, and these hats help make the night warmer.  It is important that our serving troops know they are being supported back home.  While they are putting their lives on the line we need to support them 100 per cent.”

Councillor Mary Oates, who is helping to knit beanies, said, “I will be encouraging my craft club to get involved too – it is a wonderful idea allowing all of us to play a small part in supporting British troops abroad.”

Fazeley Town Councillor, Jean Dann, added, “I hope my local “knit and natter” club will also be able to help out.  I have my needles at the ready but the more of us who take them up, the better!”

There are many across the country knitting for the troops.  Anyone who would like the knitting pattern to be sent to them free of charge as well as details of how to send the woollen inserts to British troops, should telephone Mr Pincher’s office on 01827 312 778 or e-mail christopher.pincher.mp@parliament.uk.

Christopher Pincher Visits New Semi-Professional Boxing Club

Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Tamworth, has welcomed the launch of a new semi-pro boxing opportunity in Glascote that offers the chance of focus and discipline to young people in and around the town.

MFA, run by Tamworth man Simon Pearson, operates on a shoestring out of a small makeshift gym in the Bancroft Centre.  However, it is already working with 15 club members providing them with a safe and disciplined environment when they are perhaps unable to get into other amateur clubs.  MFA trains and promotes semi pro boxing matches and hopes to find the next Ricky Hatton somewhere in Tamworth.

All of MFA boxers are advised to have a full medical carried out by their GP, and to take out personal sports insurance that MFA also can organise.  All fights are weight categorized to Pro standards and take into account age and fight experience.

MFA also provide a fully qualified gym instructor (Registered with R.E.Ps) who has a background in boxing.

MFA already has one star sportsman, Luke Cookson, who agrees that the discipline and training semi pro boxing has given him is helping him turn his life around.

Mr Pincher said after visiting the Bancroft Centre, “Some of these lads have had a difficult start in life.  Properly equipped and regulated groups or companies can give them discipline and a sense of purpose where the amateur route is not for them.  Together they can develop a positive camaraderie that is good for them and the community in which they live.  ”

For more information on the semi pro boxing industry got to www.mfa-management.co.uk.

Countdown to Tamworth’s St George’s Day Extravaganza

Tamworth’s spectacular St George’s Day celebrations – the start of the Tamworth 2012 Year of Events programme – are now less than three weeks away.

A spectacular medieval joust is again at the centre of the festive extravaganza taking place in Tamworth Castle and the Castle Grounds on Saturday April 21.

Falconry, archery and living history are just some of the events taking place during the day to celebrate the festival of England’s patron saint.

The free St George’s Day celebrations run from 10am to 5pm in the Castle Grounds and bring together a host of activities for all the family.

The hugely popular Medieval Joust returns again this year, when the Black Knight and Sir Robert Marmion will once again do battle for the honour of Tamworth.

The St George’sDay fun is completely free and will feature displays and activities including:

• Children’s medieval workshops
• Medieval toys and games
• Medieval pottery-making workshop
• ‘Have a go’ archery
• Falconer
• George the Dragon puppet show
• Medieval music wagon
• Medieval encampment displays
• How to dress a knight: discuss amour and period clothing
• The Grand Medieval Joust – see a tournament by knights with squires and retinue
• Walkabout characters, including St George and a medieval maiden on stilts
• Street magic
• Face painting

Activities taking place in the Castle will include:

• Meet and greet with Castle ‘characters’ including guards and doorkeepers
• Talks about weapons
• Mock combat and demonstration of fighting techniques
• Surgery and medieval medicine
• Children’s spear drill, including a chance to get dressed up and have a go with a spear
• Food and herbs
• Talks about the Castle and its history

Last year’s St George’s Day celebrations attracted more than 9,000 visitors and it is hoped that this year’s extravaganza will be even bigger and better.

Organisers are hoping to see thousands of people, from Tamworth and further afield, filling the Castle Grounds and joining in the St George’s Day fun, which promises to be a fantastic day for everyone.

For more information, see www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk  or find the Castle Grounds on Facebook.

Christopher Pincher Backs Business Leaders on Apprenticeships

Member of Parliament for Tamworth, Christopher Pincher, has congratulated a bevy of business leaders for speaking up for the Government’s Apprenticeship programme in a letter to a national newspaper.

John Hayes MP, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, is championing efforts to develop high quality Apprenticeships that can provide strivers of any age with a first class route to jobs and promotion.

The letter to the Daily Telegraph, signed by over 50 of the country’s biggest apprenticeship providers, welcomes “the Government’s focus on Apprenticeships and its efforts to guarantee the quality of Apprenticeships.”  The full text of the letter is reproduced below.

Commenting Mr. Pincher said, “Here in Tamworth we can benefit from this renewed focus on high quality on-the-job training.  Since the crash four years ago, we have seen tragically high levels of youth unemployment.

“Yet long term unemployment has fallen as the government focuses on re-balancing the economy and getting people back to work.  The Apprenticeship programme is an important component in that strategy of developing quality skills for a modern economy.

“We want to back local strivers and I am pleased Britain’s business leaders want to do the same.  I hope all local business people, and job seekers, will look carefully and this programme and give it their support.”

Tamworth’s Bid For Portas Pilot Funding

Cllr Ron Cook Bids Farewell to Tamworth Borough Council

At tonight’s meeting of the full council former Mayor of Tamworth, Cllr Ron Cook, announced his retirement from front line politics in Tamworth 47 years after he was first elected to Tamworth Borough Council.

At the beginning of the last meeting of the full council before the local elections, Cllr Cook, who represents the Conservative Party in Spital ward, asked the current Mayor, Cllr Jeremy Oates, if he could make an announcement, the Mayor said yes and Cllr Cook then informed a packed chamber that he would not be seeking re-election at the upcoming local elections.

Cllr Ron Cook said he has contested many elections, and lost a few but won many more, since he was first elected in 1965.  Ron also informed the chamber the first committee he sat on was the town’s sewerage works committee.  He also said that, although, he is stepping down from the Borough Council he will still attend meetings, sitting in the public gallery, to make sure the councillors continue to do a good job.

Cllr Cook’s speech was greeted with a round of applause and a standing ovation from the whole of the chamber and then councillors from both sides of the political divide paid tribute to Ron’s long years of service to Tamworth.

Cllr Cook was first elected in 1965 as a member of the Labour Party and stayed a member until 1986 when, disillusioned with the party, he crossed the floor and joined the Conservative Party.  After a few years off the council, Ron was re-elected in May 1999 for the Spital ward and was leader of the Conservative party opposition group until 2004 when the party retook control of the council and he was elected Leader of the council.

He was Mayor of Tamworth in 1977/78 and was made a Freeman of the Borough in 2007.

2012 Torch Route Through Tamworth Revealed

The Olympic Torch is not only coming through Tamworth – it is also making a stop-off at the huge sporting event taking place in the Castle Grounds.

Take a look at Tamworths Olympic Torch website for more details. The full route can be seen here.

As the Torch makes it way across the country, it’s Tamworth’s turn for this once in a lifetime opportunity on Saturday June 30.

The Torch will come from Hopwas, with Tamworth’s leg of the relay starting at approximately 10am.  The relay will pass through Tamworth as it journeys between Derby and Birmingham.

The iconic flame will then be carried by a number of Torch bearers down Lichfield Road, onto Lichfield Street, Silver Street and then into the Castle Grounds.

Some 10 runners will carry the Torch through Tamworth’s leg of the relay.  A full list of Torch bearers running through Tamworth will be announced nearer to the event. Each bearer carries the Torch for 300 metres.

Residents are being encouraged to turn out and line the streets to celebrate this historic moment.  There will be viewing points along the route, showing people where they can get the best view of the Torch.

The Castle Grounds is also hosting an Olympic Festival, including an opening ceremony with choirs and hundreds of school children taking part to welcome the Torch.  There will be events throughout the day and a closing ceremony.

Cllr Robert Pritchard Said, “this will be a day to remember, Tamworth is very pleased to have the torch. Many other towns were not so lucky. So come and be a part of local history!”

Outdoor Events for 2012 in Tamworth

More than 100,000 people are expected to come to Tamworth to attend one or more of the spectacular outdoor events being staged this year.

The arts and events team has unveiled a packed programme for 2012, which includes the return of crowd-pulling favourites such as the St George’s Day celebrations, the Children’s Festival and Fireworks Night, alongside showpiece events to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Festival.

In 2011, more than 100,000 visitors took part in or attended outdoor events in Tamworth, and spent almost
£2 million in the local economy.  The highlights of last year’s calendar were:

• St George’s Day, which attracted 9,000 visitors and generated £67,700 for the Tamworth economy
• Saxon Festival – 17,000 visitors, £425,000 for local economy
• Stars and Stripes line dancing event – 4,000 participants, £83,600 for local economy
  Fireworks – 25,000 visitors, £420,000 for local economy
• Christmas lights switch-on – 6,000 visitors, £146,000 for local economy

In addition, the Staffordshire Hoard exhibition drew 14,000 visitors from near and far in the three weeks it was on show at Tamworth Castle, and generated an estimated £358,000 for the economy of Tamworth.

Now the arts and events team are gearing up for an even bigger 2012 and are expecting even more visitors to flock to this year’s events.

The events programme for 2012, which is sponsored by Ankerside, includes:

• Sport Relief – Sunday March 25
• St George’s Day Event – Saturday April 21
• Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend – Saturday June 2 to Tuesday June 5
• Olympic Event – Saturday June 30
• Gate Gallop – Sunday July 1
• Children’s Festival – Wednesday July 25 to Sunday August 5
• Bandstand Concerts – Every weekend from July to September
• Tamworth Royal Pageant to select Tamworth’s Royal Family for 2012 – Saturday August 4
• Heritage Weekend Event, incorporating the Saxon Festival which was such a hit last year – Saturday
  September 1 and Sunday September 2
• Stars & Stripes – Saturday September 15
• Fireworks – Saturday November 3
• Christmas Lights Switch-On – Saturday November 17

The Saxon Festival, which last year attracted more than 17,000 visitors, returns this year in a slightly different format, as part of the Heritage Weekend on September 1 and Visitors will be able to experience life in Saxon times through a host of events and displays, including the recreation of a Saxon village in the Castle Grounds, living history
displays, Saxon battle re-enactments and two replica Saxon boats.  There will also be discounted admission to the Castle throughout the weekend.

The Diamond Jubilee weekend will feature a number of street parties and community events throughout Tamworth,
with the council giving support to communities to host their own events.  A free street party information pack is available to groups, as well as support and information from the arts and events team.

Anyone interested in doing their bit to help celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee should contact the arts
and events team on 01827 709314 or email TAROutdoorevents@tamworth.gov.uk.

The team is also on hand to help and support groups and organisations which want to run any kind of event in the borough, but do not know how.  The team can guide organisers through the process and support them to find funding.

Cllr Steve Claymore, Cabinet member for Economic Development and Enterprise, said, “Tamworth’s events programme is the envy of the Midlands, as it not only generates millions of pounds for the local economy but also attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from Tamworth and further afield. This year’s programme is set to be even bigger and better and there is something for everyone to enjoy. Our arts and events team is also offering help and support to groups wanting to host their own events, which will a huge boost to community pride, especially
in this diamond jubilee year when all eyes will be on Tamworth as it welcomes the Olympic Torch.”

For more on Tamworth’s Year of Events, please see tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk or join the Facebook group Castle Grounds.