THE town’s shopping centre will be continuing its summer of garden-themed fun next week as Stay & Play returns for free seed planting, crafts and games.
Ankerside Shopping Centre’s monthly Stay & Play morning will return on Thursday, 31 August, where little ones will have the chance to plant their very own cress seeds and take them home to see how they grow.
Alongside all the gardening fun, children along with mums, dads and grandparents will also be able to enjoy inflatables, a bubble machine and a visit from Ankerside’s colourful monster between 9.30am and 11.30am.
Jeff Wigley, Ankerside Shopping Centre manager, said he is looking forward to bringing Ankerside in Bloom to the centre’s monthly Stay & Play. “The response to our garden-themed summer events have been brilliant, so we can’t wait to continue the fun at our next Stay & Play morning,” he said.
“Throughout the morning, little ones will be learning all about planting seeds and then receive their very own plant pot of seeds to take home. They will then be asked to take photos and record how their cress has grown in the coming weeks.
“Thursday is also a chance for children to fill in their learning books that they bring along to each event and it’s a great little memento for parents, especially for those who are going off to school in early September.
“We hope everyone has a lovely time at our Stay & Play morning next week and we can’t wait to see the how the children’s cress plants grow over the next few weeks.”
The Stay & Play fun takes place from 9.30am to 11.30am in Druckers Café on the last Thursday of each month and is free for anyone looking after children to attend with the little ones.
POLICE in Tamworth will be throwing open their gates to the public for their annual Police Station open day in September.
This year’s open day will be taking place slightly later than other years, on Saturday 2 September.
Tamworth Police Station will be opening it’s doors between 11am and 3pm.
As in previous years, members of the public will be able to visit the custody suite and see the cells, experience having their fingerprints taken, see inside our range of vehicles and try on Police uniform and kit.
There will also be Police dogs and a mobile speed camera unit present as well as a mock crime scene and displays from the Fire and Rescue Service and the Staffordshie Police Cadets.
Children and fun-loving adults can have their faces painted and the kind people from Community Together CIC will be providing refreshments with a BBQ for which there will be a small fee. We’re hoping for sunshine and as such have arranged for an ice cream van to attend too.
THIS weekend the Historic Moat House on Lichfield Street is hosting Tamworth Round Table Beer and Cider Festival but let them introduce the event…
We were there ourselves for the opening night and we had a great time! Here you can see our report on the exciting first night. You will also see our competition winners Sarah and Luke Yates from Coton Green pulling the first and second pint.
At the event you will be able to sample from 36 beers and a minimum of 12 ciders.
Admission is £10 which includes entry, a glass and £5 worth of beer tokens to spend. You only pay admission once, so if you go on one night you’re welcome to return on another night without having to pay again. Just bring your glass with you!
Friday 11th August - Live Music; Midday-11PM
We have great live music lined up in the evening with various bands.
Saturday - Family Fun Day; Midday until 11pm.
On Saturday you will find summer fun; games and inflatables in the beautiful garden.
Kids are admitted free if they are accompanied by adults that have paid the admission price to the festival. Admission is £10 per adult which includes entry, a beer glass and £5 worth of beer tokens.
While the beer festival continues for the adults, the kids will get to enjoy things such as:
Magical mystery obstacle course slide
Giant bouncy castle
Free face painting
Other things to be announced.
As the afternoon turns to evening the games and inflatables will finish but the fun will continue for the adults with the beer festival going on into the night until 11pm.
Sunday 13 August - Midday until the beer runs out.
MOVIE lovers enjoyed watching their favourite films under the stars in Tamworth’s Castle Grounds last weekend, on Saturday 5 August.
The lower lawn in the Castle Grounds hosted the fifth outdoor cinema event, which was organised by Tamworth Borough Council.
Following on from the success of last year, the 2017 event on was also a sell-out. All of the tickets to this year’s screening of Pretty Woman and The Goonies were snapped up by film fans.
Despite terrible weather earlier in the day, the skies brightened in time for the 9.15pm showing of Pretty Woman and the midnight screening of The Goonies. Audiences enjoyed watching the classic movies on a big screen in the great outdoors.
Wood-fired pizza from the Artisan Street Food Company and drinks from Corey’s Bar, including themed cocktails were on offer.
Feedback
The event, organised by Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team, has again received some great positive feedback across social media and customer satisfaction surveys.
Commenting on Facebook, Wendy Crook said: “Great night as always. Look forward to next year.”
Clare Bretherton said: “Loved it. Second time I’ve attended, looking forward to finding out what’s on next year.”
Julie Stokes said: “Fabulous night. Want to do it again soon”. Bev Cross added simply: “It was brilliant.”
These comments were echoed throughout the customer feedback surveys which also welcomed the additions of the wood fired pizza and the quality and selection of the reasonably priced drinks provided by Corey’s.
The annual Outdoor Cinema has become a firm favourite on the Council’s programme of outdoor events.
For the last two years, the film selection choice has been put to a public vote. More than 1,100 votes were cast this year, with Pretty Woman and The Goonies taking the top spots.
Cllr Joy Goodall, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Environment and Culture, said: “I’m delighted to hear that the Outdoor Cinema organised by the Arts & Events team was a roaring success again with more than 1,300 people enjoying a summer evening in the park, watching some fantastic movies on the big screen.
“Feedback has been amazing and it seems the addition of the quality food and drink took the experience to an even higher level.
“We’ll be looking forward to continuing this success and I would encourage anyone who missed out this year to keep an eye out for news on the 2018 event next spring.”
A UNIQUE classic blues band, an acoustic guitar-playing duo and a popular 11- piece brass and percussion ensemble.
That is who you will find providing the musical backdrop to a summer’s afternoon over the next two weekends as the ‘Music Outside’ summer programme of free concerts in the Castle Grounds continues.
Audiences can enjoy relaxing in the park to the sounds of 58 Blues Band on Saturday August 12. This will be followed by Brindley Hunt on Saturday August 19 and Liquid Brass on Sunday August 20.
58 Blues Band play their own versions of classic blues tracks in their own spontaneous way. Inspired by artists from both past and present, they are one of the most exciting and gritty blues bands around.
Brindley Hunt is an acoustic duo featuring two very experienced musicians with sparkling harmonies and high-class accompaniment on acoustic guitars. They enjoy singing harmonies in the style of The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Crowded House and other vocal bands. They perform covers of the best songs from the past five decades as well as their own finely-crafted songs.
Their performance will be followed by something altogether different on Sunday August 20 when Liquid Brass takes to the bandstand for a guaranteed mix of traditional instrumentation with technological wizardry making an entirely original type of sound.
The band perform a range of musical styles to suit all tastes including swing, pop, rock, classical and more, creating a unique party atmosphere to brighten even a grey day.
Performances
All artists will be performing regularly on the day, between 1pm and 4pm. Please check the website for any changes to the programme at: www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk.
Organised by Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team, the annual Bandstand Concerts tradition has seen the historic stage coming to life throughout the season with music and entertainment for all tastes.
This year’s programme has been brought under the Music Outside element of the Arts in Unusual Spaces initiative. To maximise opportunities for people to entertain and be entertained, the initiative is support by Arts Council England.
So far, the programme has been popular with both young and old, showcasing crowd-pleasing bands and vocalists. Don’t miss out on these last three acts for August.
All performances are free of charge and subject to weather conditions.
Businesses in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are set to benefit as Europe’s largest multisport festival for business returns to the region for a second year.
The UK Corporate games, which will take place from 21 to 24 June 2018 is expected to attract thousands of amateur athletes from top UK companies and boost the local economy while showcasing the area’s growing economic opportunities.
This year’s Games held in Nottingham in July attracted over 5,000 competitors and generated an estimated £3.8m for the local economy.
The Games will feature 24 sports on the packed weekend programme, as well as a host of celebrations including a Grand Parade of Athletes, the Great Games Party and the SuperCentre Celebration.
Sports will include, hockey, cricket, badminton, netball, football, go karting, golf, volleyball, tennis, basketball, running and dragon boat racing. Venues include Keele and Staffordshire Universities, Fenton Manor Sports Centre, Newcastle College and Trentham Gardens.
The joint Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent approach was selected by the Games organisers ahead of several other bids following the success of the inaugural games in 2015.
Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at Staffordshire County Council, said that hosting the games again would be great for the county and provide yet another real powerful opportunity to show off what Staffordshire has to offer.
He said: “The last games were a huge success giving thousands of people from top UK companies the chance to visit and see the huge economic opportunities available in the area. We already know what a great place it is to live, work and invest in and this is another opportunity to let the rest of the country know. Local businesses took part in the previous Games with opportunities to meet new customers and make new contacts and I hope to see even more local firms taking part again.”
Councillor Anthony Munday, cabinet member for greener city, development and leisure at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We’re excited to be bringing this very popular and successful event back to the city for the second time. More than 3,000 competitors took part when we hosted the event in 2015 and we are hoping to see even more people involved this year, especially businesses based here in the city. It is an event which attracts businesses from all over the UK and gives us not only fantastic exposure but a unique opportunity to sell Stoke-on-Trent from a tourism, business and leisure point of view.”
Paul Farmer Managing Director at Wade Ceramics, Michelle Vorel-Adams Commercial Director at UK Corporate Games, Cllr Anthony Munday and Cllr Mark Winnington.
Games Director for the UK Corporate Games, Ben Sedgemore said: “The Games has been staged annually in the UK since 1992 but our experience in 2015 in the region was certainly one of the best. Stoke-On-Trent and Staffordshire is blessed with some fantastic facilities and a great central location and everyone enjoyed their involvement in the Games. We had some great interest from other strong destinations for 2018 but the positive experience enjoyed by the competing organisations and ourselves last time ensured we were very keen to return. We can’t wait now.
Another good supporter is England Legend Gordon Banks OBE who is Sport Patron for the Games again.
Gordon said, “The Corporate Games will attract thousands of amateur sportsmen and women from the UK’s biggest companies to Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire over the next 18 months. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase not only the region’s economic opportunities but also our fantastic sporting facilities.
“We can be truly proud of venues like Newcastle College, Keele and Staffordshire Universities, Fenton Manor and Trentham Gardens. I would encourage business of all size and kind to get behind these events and make the most of the tremendous opportunities that they will create. I know you will all enjoy them too.”
Businesses Invited To Take Part
Businesses interested in taking part are invited to a special celebration launch event on 4 October at Keele Hall from 6.30pm. Companies can register or find out more at www.corporate-games.com or by calling 01733 380 888. People Can also keep up with the latest on Twitter @corpgamesuk or on the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ukcorpgames
Paul Farmer, Managing Director at Wade Ceramics and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership board member said: “It’s fantastic news that Wade Ceramics as a local business with international connections will be supporting the Games as a key partner as well as making this part of a triple commitment with signing up to the Games plus two other corporate cup events in 2017/18, the World Corporate Cup of Dragon Boat Racing and the World Corporate Cup of Triathlon. Wade are not only showing that they are truly committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of their employees but also really helping the city to prosper and bring investment in through the visitor economy and profiling the area.”
Businesses that want to find out more about how they could participate can visit www.corporate-games.com or call 01733 380 888
THE countdown is on to this summer’s fundraising FamilyFest Charity and Community Festival, bringing wall-to-wall music, entertainment and fun for all the family to Sutton Coldfield.
The hugely popular event is back for 2017 and following two successful years at Buzzards Valley Vineyard, it has this year moved to a bigger venue at Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club.
FamilyFest will span two days packed full of live music, activities, games, shows, food and entertainment on Friday, August 11 and Saturday, August 12 – with two nights of camping available for those who want to make a weekend of it.
The fun gets underway at 7pm on Friday (gates open at 5pm) with the ‘after work’ get together beer festival and prosecco tent, featuring live music from local bands, including former Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Andy Bennett.
This will be a nice warm up to Saturday’s FamilyFest bonanza which includes a fun fair, inflatables, zorb balls, a climbing wall, face painting, Chase from Paw Patrol, dog show, dad dancing competition, donkeys from the Donkey Sanctuary in Sutton Park, Sutton Street Food Festival and Sutton Beer Festival and Prosecco Tent.
Coaches from Aston Villa FC will also be on hand to deliver fun activities and challenging competitions throughout the day, together with a Belfry Golf School, Sutton Netball, a touch rugby competition with Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club and much more.
For something slightly different, youngsters will also be able to take part in special Jedi Training sessions. There will be two sessions (3pm and 4.30pm), which are limited to 30 spaces each and must be booked in advance via the FamilyFest Facebook page, after purchasing FamilyFest tickets.
Gates open at 12pm on the Saturday with lots of activities for younger children, before developing a more adult theme into the evening with the Sutton Coldfield Beer Festival and Prosecco tent and live music from three local bands, finishing at 10.30pm.
FamilyFest is completely not for profit with all proceeds being donated to charity. The event has raised a total of £17,500 for local good causes over the last two years and this year all proceeds will be donated to the Midlands Air Ambulance.
FamilyFest came to life in 2015 when a group of business networkers from Sutton Coldfield decided to organise a family picnic - which quickly snowballed into a major fundraising event.
Event organiser and keen networker, Anthony Levelle, owner of property and garden maintenance company, Curb Appeal, said: “We’ve been amazed by the success of FamilyFest to date. We really just wanted to create a fun day out for the whole family, with high quality entertainment and reasonably priced activities.
“It is very well supported by the business community and we’ve been amazed by how much money we have raised for charity.
“We’re at our new, bigger venue this year with weekend camping and so much to do for everyone, so it should be another great event. We’d love to see lots of people coming along to join the fun.”
Tickets are priced at £5 for Friday’s after work music and beer festival, which takes place between 7pm and 10.30pm, and £10 for Saturday’s 12pm to 10.30pm extravaganza. Weekend camping is available for just £10. Under 14s are free of charge all weekend but still need to book a ticket. To secure your place please visit https://www.fatsoma.com/familyfest.
VISITORS to Drayton Manor Park earned their stripes on Saturday 29th July in aid of International Tiger Day
A young guest enjoys International Tiger Day at Drayton Manor Park
The visitor took part in lots of fundraising activities including having their faces painted to raise funds for conservation charity, 21st Century Tiger.
Throughout the day, hundreds of people had their faces painted orange and black, creating a sea of tiger faces, and took part in tiger themed activities, tombolas and raffles to raise £700.00 for the charity, which channels money raised by the public, international zoo community and corporate supporters to carefully chosen wild tiger conservation projects around the world.
Drayton Manor Zoo is home to over 750 animals of 130 different species from all over the world, including a pair of critically endangered Sumatran Tigers, Dua and Dora.
Chris Mitchell, Drayton Manor Zoo’s Manager, said: “100 years ago, 100,000 wild tigers roamed throughout Asia, now there could be as few as 3,200 – a reduction in population of 93%, with 40% of that having happened in the last ten years. It’s devastating that tigers are on the brink of extinction and International Tiger Day aims to raise awareness of their plight and try to halt their decline.”
Many factors have caused their numbers to fall, including habitat loss, climate change, hunting and poaching. In order to save them, their habitats must be protected and expanded and awareness of the desperate need for conservation needs to be increased.
Dua a 11 year male Samatran Tiger and Dora a 4 year old female Samatran Tiger cool down in the water at Drayton Manor Theme Park, as the UK weather hits its hottest day of the year.
Chris continues: “We’ve worked with this wonderful charity for 16 years and, so far, have raised almost £10,000 towards the important work that they do. We’ve held talks and feeds throughout the day at the zoo to educate our visitors about these beautiful and majestic big cats and what is being done to protect them around the world.
“We’d like to thank everybody for embracing their inner tiger and wearing their stripes with pride by taking part in the face painting challenge. The money raised will now go straight to 21st Century Tiger to help fund their vital work.”
Visitors can spot animals big or small, including the majestic Sumatran Tigers, Dua and Dora, at the 15-acre Drayton Manor Zoo, set in the heart of Staffordshire.
The zoo is actively involved in a number of conservation projects both locally and internationally and also provides educational workshops for children, plus research opportunities and work experience for students.
To book tickets, or for more information about the park, visit www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call 0844 472 1950.
AUDIENCES are preparing to enjoy cinema under the stars in Tamworth’s Castle Grounds this weekend as the popular outdoor event returns on Saturday August 5 with two cult classic films.
This year’s film selections of Pretty Woman and The Goonies have once again been chosen by a public vote. The Goonies midnight show and the 9.15pm film of Pretty Woman sold out within days of tickets going on sale.
Cinema goers are invited to bring warm blankets and a picnic, although ‘Woodfired pizza’ will be on sale this year provided by Artisan Street Food Company and Corey’s will be running a bar providing a wide selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, including some themed cocktails.
Wood Fired Pizza Company who will be present at the event.
No glass, gazebos or alcohol are permitted on site. Bag checks will be carried out on arrival to the event.
Gates open 45 minutes prior to Pretty woman and 15 minutes before The Goonies.
Entrance is by ticket only and ID may be requested for both movies. Cinema goers are advised to arrive early with tickets at the ready.
Now in its fifth year, the outdoor cinema, organised by Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team, has become a popular feature on the town’s annual events calendar. Over 1,300 people attend the event for a summer evening of fun and entertainment in the castle grounds.
Cllr Joy Goodall, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Environment & Culture, said: “The summer outdoor cinema has been a real hit since it was launched five years ago. The response for tickets is always incredible, selling out in less than a week. We hope that the added addition of ‘Woodfired pizza’ and Corey’s bar selection will be a real hit and provide a perfect setting for the evening.”
OVER the past ten years, Drayton Manor Park has given more than half a million visitors 280 days of Magical Christmas memories, including 159,600 Father Christmas meet and greets and endless magical moments.
This year, the festive celebration is set to be bigger, better and more magical than ever before as the popular family attraction celebrates a decade of fantastic festive fun, and tickets are now on sale!
Starting on Saturday 18th November and running on selected dates throughout the Christmas period*, families can dig out their favourite woolly hat and gloves and immerse themselves in the ultimate magical experience.
Visitors of all ages are invited to delight as Europe’s only Thomas Land™ once again becomes the ultimate winter wonderland, with guaranteed snow showers up to three times a day. Not to mention sparkling decorations as far as the eye can see, plus live shows and magical festive music, sure to get all the family feeling very merry!
In celebration of ten years of Magical Christmas, Drayton Manor Park will be serving up fantastic festive delights. With sweet treats for everyone including candy canes, mince pies and Christmas cake, and delicious mulled wine sure to warm mum and dad up on even the chilliest of days.
Of course, no Christmas would be complete without meeting the main man himself and little ones can do just that as they enter the enchanted Castle of Dreams where they’ll be greeted by playful helpers and the sugar plum fairy, before meeting Father Christmas in his Grotto. And with Christmas being the time for giving, each child will receive a gift and a Golden Ticket to return for the new season in 2018**.
The magical makeover continues throughout the park, with an enchanting 30 foot lightshow Christmas tree taking centre stage and playing festive music throughout the day.
Magical Christmas at Drayton Manor Park
Those looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the park can visit the 15-acre Zoo, home to over 750 animals of 130 different species from all over the world. Visitors can learn all about the exciting conservation projects that the Zoo is actively involved in and meet new arrivals, Kit and Leo, twin baby Cotton-Top Tamarins, Red Pandas, Tika and Pema and the baby Tapir, Obie!
Each day of Magical Christmas will end with an abundance of colour, thanks to a dazzling fireworks display that the whole family is sure to love and will even get the biggest scrooge in the festive spirit!
Those looking to turn their festive day out into a magical trip can enjoy a relaxing stay at the 4 Star Drayton Manor Hotel. Set in the grounds of the park, the 148 room hotel has a selection of packages available over the Christmas period including Thomas & Friends themed rooms with Thomas goody bag and Character Breakfast***. For more information, please visit, www.draytonmanorhotel.co.uk
To book tickets, or for more information about the park, visit www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call 0844 472 1950. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance. For regular updates and news about Drayton Manor Park join it on Twitter www.twitter.com/Draytonmanor and Facebook www.facebook.com/DraytonManorPark
