Tamworth Blog

Police Car - Photo: John Kilpatrick

Drivers and passengers who risk their and others’ safety by not belting up now face a heavier fine.

From today (Tues 30 June) they will get a £60 fixed penalty ticket rather than the £30 ticket previously issued. Staffordshire Police officers will be handing out the tickets following the national changes to improve road safety.

The increase will affect drivers, who are also legally responsible for any child passengers aged 13 or younger. Passengers aged 14 and over are personally responsible for ensuring they are wearing a seatbelt and are also subject to the revised fines.

Motorists with illegal number plates will also now be liable to a £60 ticket rather than £30 as previously.

Between April 2008 and March 2009, 2,863 people were issued with £30 fixed penalty tickets for not wearing a seatbelt in Staffordshire. Meanwhile, 460 received £30 tickets for number plate offences.

Les Dyble, the force’s traffic management officer, said:

“Thousands of lives are saved every year by seatbelts, yet some people still think they are above the law – placing their own and other road users’ lives at risk.

“Most motorists realise it’s sensible to wear a seatbelt. We hope the increased fines will act as a deterrent to the minority who don’t and help us in our ongoing efforts, with our partners, to reduce the number of those killed or seriously injured on Staffordshire’s roads.

“It is believed that people connected to serious crime are more likely to have illegal plates, so it’s crucial that members of the public help us catch serious offenders by making sure their own plates are legal.”

Road fatalities in Staffordshire fell by 28 per cent, from 75 to 54, in 2008/09 compared to 2007/08, while the number of people who were badly hurt went down from 316 to 266 (16 per cent).

After another storming night, Club 90’s returns again with another 5 hour extravaganza ranging from Indie to Hip and Pop to Trance and Euphoric Club Classics!

Club 90s has  taken up residency at Bullit and will run their 90’s revival on the FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH!!

Did you make the last one? If so – tell your friends about how we take over Bullit for the entire evening!!

Every gig we install – Lighting – Lasers – Strobes – Smoke – Giving the venue the ULTIMATE Dance floor experience with our dedicated Lighting & Sound Engineers.

STROBES – SMOKE – LASERS – DANCE!

Doors Open at 8pm

8-10pm – Free Entry
10-12am – £3
12-3am – £5

£1 Drinks ALL NIGHT!!

10-12am All Request DJ Set
12-3am Trance-House-Acid-Euphoric

There is no better place to be on Friday!

Get there early to take advantage of the cheap entry and super cheap bar!!

• 241 COCKTAILS ALL NIGHT

• £1 SELECTED BOTTLES ALL NIGHT

• £1 VODKA & ENERGY or £1.50 FOR A DOUBLE VODKA & ENERGY

• HAVE A DOUBLE SPIRIT FOR AN EXTRA £1

• £2.50 VK & SELECTED BEERS

• £2.50 SELECTED DRAUGHT

• £8 BTL OF WINE

• £8 COCKTAIL PITCHERS

• 5 SHOTS FOR £4

• £10 FOR 6 JAEGER-BOMBS or BULL RUSH’s … THEY ARE HERE !

Building work at Ventura Park

Building work has begun at Ventura Park within the car park opposite KFC.

This site has been touted for many different uses, last year talk was off a Pizza Hut, but now many are suggesting that the site will become a Costa Coffee.  At the moment though we don’t have confirmed details on the new units operators.

The building work which has closed off a good portion of the car park close to KFC has cleared the car park and begun ground work.

One question that needs to be asked is the effect on the car park facilities when the shopping park is busy?  At Christmas the car park is full to brimming and surely the reduction in spaces will cause this situation to only get worst?

The new Tamworth Kit is launched with new sponsor, The Snowdome - Pic:Tolputt Keeton

The Lambs have announced a new 3 year shirt sponsorship agreement with neighbours the Snowdome.  As well as the title sponsorship, The Lambs also announced that Admiral would supply their new kits for the return to the Blue Square Premier League.  Automotive Solutions have also agreed a one year short sponsorship deal.

Nick Lunn, Tamworth FC Commercial Manager, said on the Lambs website:

“We already had excellent links with the SnowDome and this now takes it to the next level, it seems a natural synergy for both parties to go forward with this sponsorship and importantly, this sponsorship will also significantly enhance their brand recognition by bringing them television, local and national press coverage.”

Now that the Lambs are in the Blue Square Premier, sponsors can expect more televison exposure, although the current TV agreement with Setanta is in question after the firm went into Adminstration last week.

However, the new sponsorhsip agreement is a great coup for the Snowdome and Automotive Solutions, both local companies.

SnowDome Managing Director Martin Smith said of the new sponsorship agreement:

“We are thrilled to be shirt sponsor for the next three years. A town’s football club is often at the very heart of the community and our long-established, widely used venue is also a significant provider of community facilities and employs widely from the local community. For the Lambs and SnowDome to be partners seemed a very logical, mutually beneficial fit.”

The new kit goes on sale at the Lamb and the Town centre outlet on July 11, in time for the Lambs first friendly.

Fire Engine - Photo: SaltGeorge

Firefighters in Tamworth are encouraging parents and guardians to talk to their children about fire safety.

This week is National Child Safety Week, organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust. Staffordshire fire and rescue service is taking part, as part of its role in reducing fire risk to children.

Ian Sloss, head of risk reduction at the service, said:

“It’s important that mums and dads talk to their children about fire safety and set a good example to help them stay safer together.

“Already this year we’ve had house fires caused by children playing with matches and lighters because they have not been educated about the dangers.

Green Peppers - Photo: Nate Steiner

Ankermoor County Primary School have received a Very good rating from a recent Food safety investigation.

The Rate My Place scheme that is run across Staffordshire allows users to view the results of any audits carried out on food establishments in the area.

Although currently the report isn’t available on the website, the school received only 5 hazard points on structure and cleaning and confidence in the management.

This is a good score though and the team at Ankermoor should congratulate themselves for the high score.

If you enjoy musical theatre then get along to the Assembly Rooms this week to see the ‘Deja-Vu’ Youth Group. They will be performing a Malachi production called ‘The Way it’s Meant to be’.

The show features 9 original songs and is about a character called Debbie who travels back in time with an angel to guide her. On her travels, she meets Noah and his family and learns some valuable lessons about life and love.
The ‘Deja-Vu’ Youth Group is made up of talented young people from Tamworth who will be ably supported by choirs from Millfield Junior School, St.Gabriels RC School and the Malachi Kids choir.

The show is on at Tamworth Assembly Rooms at 7pm on Tues 30th June and Wed 1st July. Tickets are £7.50 per adult and £5.50 per child or senior citizen.

Sir Robert Peel Hospital - Pic: Angella Streluk

There is to be a public meeting on Tuesday 30 June to discuss the proposed closure of a ward at the towns Sir Robert Peel Hospital.  The proposed closure would mean the loss of  24 beds at our local hospital. (Read the original report here).

The meeting, being hosted by Tamworth Borough  Councils Community and Well Being Scrutiny committee with the council inviting representatives from the hospital and the public of Tamworth are invited to discuss these proposed changes.

Councillor Lee Bates, Chair of the Community and Well Being committee said:

“The Sir Robert Peek hospital is a vitally important facility for Tamworth residents, particularly as it is the only hospital in the local area

“We could potentially loose 24-beds if this ward is to close and we want members of the public to be able to voice their questions. However we also want to give those responsible for making the decisions a chance to explain what they intend to do and why, and the opportunity to address some of the concerns residents and councillors may have.”

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 30 June at 7pm and is being held at Marmion House (Tamworth Borough Council offices) in the town centre.  If the public wish to ask questions, they are asked to send them via email to Lee Bates via email before 5pm Monday 29 June.

Members of Tamworths Pennymoor Community Association have been celebrating receiving a £5,000 grant. The organisation received the money from Staffordshire Community Foundation.

Jacky Butcher, Chair-women of the association said:

”This money will make a huge difference to the services we are able to provide for our local residents”

Tamworth MP, Brian Jenkins joined the celebration and congratulated members on their success. He said:

“The work that takes place at the centre and the support for the local community an
is vital. I am pleased to see their efforts being rewarded by a grant of £5,000”.

Brian Jenkins MP

The news has been full of talk about MPs expenses in recent weeks, with some high profile names being in the news with their moats and cleaners being part of their expenses.  As part of this scandal, the government have taken the action of publishing the expenses of MPs online and available for all to see, providing some transparency.

Because of the personal nature of the receipts, there are blacked out areas, but the amount they have claimed are visible for constituents to view.

Mr Jenkins, the MP for Tamworth claimed a total of £131, 554 (source TheyWorkForYou) during the 2007/2008 financial year.  His Additional Cost Allowance, Communication Allowance and Incidental Expenses Provision/Staff allowance detail where these expenses were incurred.

Mr Jenkins, although some information in the receipts is sketchy is 518th out of 645 MPs.  When we spoke to Mr Jenkins with regards to his £200 additional expenses, he explained that these were associated costs with running a residence in London such as insurance and maintenance of the property.

When looking at the MPs expenses it is important to remember that living in London isn’t cheap, if you think of stopping in a hotel, you won’t be looking at much less than £100 per night.  As part of his job, Mr Jenkins is expected to work in both London and Tamworth, so some cost is inevitable, especially higher in the capital.

Tamworth Blog spoke to Mr Jenkins about his expenses last week, he said:

“I try to keep my costs as low as possible and give value to the tax payer and residents of Tamworth.

“Working is London is very expensive and a necessity as an MP.  My expenses for my time in London come to less than £60 per day, a lot less than if I lived in a hotel room, however, if anyone could show me how to live in London cheaper, I would be happy to listen.”