Tamworth Blog

BP Garage Cordoned Off Yesterday - Pic: Debbie

The two males arrested regarding the suspect package found in Tamworth on Monday have been charged.

Jonathan Cunningham (dob 27/7/82) of Greenheart, Tamworth, and a 16-year-old boy from Tamworth have both been charged with possessing an explosive substance in suspicious circumstances.

They remain in police custody and are due to appear before magistrates in Tamworth this morning (Wed).

Inspector Emma Griffiths, from Tamworth police, said:

“We’d like to re-iterate our thanks to local residents and business for their patience and co-operation. Incidents like this are extremely rare but we’d always encourage anyone who witnesses anything suspicious to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

MICHAEL CERA as Nick Twisp and PORTIA DOUBLEDAY as Sheeni Saunders in YOUTH IN REVOLT.

OK, so we are a day late this week, and the competition is being published on a Saturday. But, thanks to our friends at Odeon Tamworth we have another two tickets to give away to a lucky reader of Tamworth Blog.

For your chance to win the pair of cinema tickets (to any film), simply read the below review and answer the simple question at the end of the post. It’s that easy…. This weeks review is the new film Revolt, this weeks new comedy.

YOUTH IN REVOLT (15)

Who´s in it?

Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta

What´s the plot?
Comedy starring Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Steve Buscemi and Ray Liotta; ‘Youth In Revolt’ tells the story of sex obsessed teenager Nick Twisp (Michael Cera).

On a family vacation, Nick falls in love with the beautiful free-spirited Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday). However, Sheeni’s family and jealous ex-lovers try everything they can to keep Nick away.

Undaunted, Nick creates a tough alter ego, Francois, who will stop at nothing to be with Sheeni. But as Francois takes over, Nick gets taken on a path of destruction with disastrous consequences.

For a chance to win tickets to ODEON Tamworth just answer the following question:

Who Does Nick fall in love with?

To enter the competition, email odeoncompetition@tamworthblog.co.uk the correct answer and your name and address. The competition closes at 11.59pm on Wednesday February 10. Winners will be picked out of a hat and announced on the Tamworth Blog website.

Odeon Tamworth

The Film times for Odeon Tamworth this week. Films running from Friday February 5 through to Thursday February 11.

Alvin and the Chipmunks (U)
1hr50m
Fri 15:20 17:20
Sat-Sun 13:10 15:20 17:20
Mon-Thu 15:20 17:20

Astro Boys (PG)
2hr00m
Fri 16:30 18:50
Sat-Sun 11:40 14:00 16:30 18:50
Mon-Thu 16:30 18:50

Avatar 3D (12A)
2hr55m Contains moderate violence and intense battle scene
Fri 16:20 20:00
Sat-Sun 12:40 16:20 20:00
Mon-Thu 16:20 20:00

Avatar 2D (12A)
2hr55m Contains moderate violence and intense battle scene
Fri 15:50 19:00
Sat-Sun 12:30 15:50 19:00
Mon-Tue 15:50 19:00

Daybreakers (15)
1hr55m
Fri-Thu 20:10

It’s Complicated (15)
2hr15m
Fri 15:10 18:10 21:10
Sat-Sun 12:20 15:10 18:10 21:10
Mon-Thu 1510 18:10 21:10

Sex& Drugs & Rock & Roll (15)
2hr20m
Fri-Mon 21:20

Sherlock Holmes (12A)
2hr25m Contains moderate violence
Fri 15:10 18:00 21:00
Sat-Sun 12:10 15:10 18:00 21:00
Mon-Thu 15:10 18:00 21:00

The Edge Of Darkness (15)
2hr20m
Fri 15:00 17:40 20:50
Sat-Sun 12:00 15:00 17:40 20:50
Mon-Thu 15:00 17:40 20:50

The Princess And The Frog (U)
2hr00m
No Guest Passes
Fri 15:40 16:10 18:00 20:20
Sat-Sun 11:30 13:00 13:50 15:40 16:10 18:00 20:20
Mon-Thu 15:40 16:10 18:00 20:20

The Wolfman (15)
2hr05m
No Guest Passes
Advanced Screenings
Wed-Thu 15:00 17:50 18:40 20:30 21:30 Read the rest of this entry »

As Valentines Day approaches the Community Safety Partnership will be hosting a couple special personal safety event on Tuesday 9 February.

Where advice will be offered on general personal safety issues and free personal safety packs will be available including an attack alarm.
Personal safety is about reducing the chance of becoming a victim of crime, aggression and violence.

The event will run from 10am to 4pm from the old Works shop in Ankerside and free information and guidance will be given out. Information packs will be available for parents especially relating to young people and the dangers of the internet.

Councillor Mary Oates said:

“Valentines day is of course a day for celebrating and finding love but unfortunately that is not always the reality

“We do not want to put people off dating but just to remind them that they should always take precautions and to remember to follow their instincts.

That also goes for those who are in relationships as a majority of attacks which take place both on men and women are carried out by people who know them.

I would urge people to attend the event and speak to the experts about having fun but staying safe at the same time.”

The Fire and Rescue service, a crime prevention officer, Trading standards and victim support will also be on hand.

For more information contact Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7BZ Phone: 01827 709709

River Anker - Pic: Paulette Sedgwick.

Multi Agency River Clean up of Tamworth Town Centre Water Ways involving Tamworth Borough Council, Sea scouts, Fire Service, Police,Street Wardens (TBC), Street Scene(TBC),Environment Agency, The Angling Trust, HSBC Volunteers, Staffordshire Youth Service and more.

Anyone wishing to volunteer for the day meet at Holloway Car Park 9.30am for registration and health and safety brief.

Main activities will include litter picking, helping collate items recovered from the river, scrub clearance, information awareness on litter, fly tipping and pollution plus more plenty for everyone.
It will be a good day drinks provided, people are asked to dress appropriatley.

BP Garage Cordoned Off Yesterday - Pic: Debbie

The police press office have stated that searches have now finished in Glascote Road and the police cordon has been lifted. The two men arrested last night remain in custody.

SCC TV

Staffordshire County Council are broadcasting their debate as they decide on this years council tax increase this Wednesday (February 3) and next (February 10).

It is expected that Staffordshire County Council will pass a lower than inflation increase this year.  The 1.9% increase will be the lowest implemented since the Council Tax was introduced in 1993.  A family living in a band D property will pay an extra 39p a week for their services.

Leader Philip Atkins said:

“Our manifesto pledge at the elections in June was to improve services in key areas while keeping council tax as low as possible, which is why I am making this recommendation.

“We have consulted extensively on what our budget priorities should be and I believe 1.9 per cent strikes the right balance. A below inflation rise means council tax should not unduly add to the strain on the budgets of most families, including the elderly and vulnerable groups.

“I am aware that we are still struggling with the affects of the economic slump. But to reduce council tax further would mean we could not keep our manifesto promise to raise standards in schools, improve care for the elderly and invest in roads.”

The County Council have identified over £21m of savings for next year by becoming more innovative in the way in which the council is run.

Atkins added:

“We are committed to sensible long-term financial planning, not panic measures or quick fixes. That is why we have committed to an additional £30m in highways programmes and other investments such as the Tipping Street development and the Building Schools for the Future programme for Tamworth and Rugeley. Both represent initial outlay that will pay dividends for many years to come. It is responsible budgeting.”

The debate will be broadcast online on SCC TV from 10am Wednesday morning (Feb 3 and 10).  You can watch it afterwards as well by downloading the meeting.  To access it simply go to the Staffordshire County Council Website and click the SCC TV icon.

Future football stars are being welcomed to join Tamworth FC’s Soccer School.

The two day course takes place at Tamworth College on Tuesday, February 16 and Wednesday, February 17.

The course, for six-14-year-olds, runs from 10am-3pm both days and costs £20.

Family discounts are available and there are 80 places up for grabs.

Youngsters who sign up also get matchday tickets, take part in a penalty shoot-out and get to meet some of the Tamworth players.

More details are available from Jay Edwards on 07545 550477 or by emailing community@thelambs.co.uk.

Police Tape - Photo: Andrew Rickman

Officers from Staffordshire Police were handed a suspect package at approximately 4.30pm yesterday (Monday) by a member of the public in Tamworth.

The package had been found in Glascote Road and was taken to the police station in Spinning School Lane.

The police station was cordoned off while the package was examined and deemed safe. No member of the public was at risk at any time and the station was re-opened last night.

Officers have also cordoned off an area in Glascote Road while further searches are carried out this morning (Tues) to ensure the safety of the public and gather evidence from the scene.

A 27-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both from Tamworth, were arrested last night in connection with the incident. They remained in custody overnight and will be questioned today.

Inspector Emma Griffiths, from Tamworth police, said:

“We’d like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience and co-operation while we investigate this unusual incident.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal for anyone with information to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455, quoting incident number 472 of February 1, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Members of the public show their support for Sport Relief by wearing his Sport Relief Socks and taking part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile; you can sign up at sportrelief.com.

Come on down to beautiful Tamworth Castle and take part in your Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile with hundreds of other local people. Pull on your running or walking shoes and complete your Mile in this picturesque setting. Tamworth will be hosting group warm-ups and you can also join in with a host of other activities all in aid of a good cause.
Enter the Mile, get sponsored and make a real day of it.

Sport Relief is back, and this time it’s from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March. The whole of the UK will come together to get active, raise cash and change lives.

It has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to make a difference – from David Walliams’ swim across the English Channel, to Eddie Izzard’s amazing marathon a day around the UK.

All the money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief
to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people,
both at home and across the world’s poorest countries.

The Sport Relief weekend is winging its way to you from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March – so get ready for three days of energy, entertainment and events including:

# A Friday of fundraising fun – the perfect excuse for a break from work or school to raise bags of cash.
# A Friday night of superb Sport Relief telly – and even more top TV across the whole weekend.
# Let’s Dance for Sport Relief – back on the TV by popular demand!
# The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile – with events across the country on Sunday 21st March
# A mountain of special celebrity challenges to inspire the nation to rise to the challenge too.

All the money you raise for Sport Relief is spent by Comic Relief to help disadvantaged people, both at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries, to turn their lives around.

Your fundraising cash might be spent helping kids in Africa get into primary school or supporting an isolated older person in the UK to meet other people so they feel less lonely. But one thing’s for sure – the money you raise will help to make the world of difference to people’s lives.

For Sport Relief 2010, there highlighting three of the many issues your cash will help to tackle – children who live on the streets or work in dangerous conditions, people affected by malaria and local UK projects.

There’s loads of incredibly simple ways to have fun, raise cash and change lives for Sport Relief.

By far the easiest way to get involved is to do the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile. You can even choose your distance – 1, 3 or 6 miles – whichever’s a challenge for you.

To enter go to http://www.sportrelief.com/the-mile/find-a-mile
So be a part of it… Rise to the challenge for Sport Relief!