Tamworth Blog

Kingsbury Water Park - Photo: CmdrGravy

Tamworth sailing club which is an RYA Approved training centre at Kingsbury Water Park are offering you the chance to learn to sail.  The ‘Learn to Sail’ courses run every year and are for both adults and children

The next course for juniors is taking place on July 29th, with the next scheduled for October 17th.

Dinghy sailing, is a great sport for all ages and these courses allow the whole family to learn something new whilst having fun together and get the whole family’s adrenaline rushing

Members of the club are entitled to a free annual pass for the water park and are able to use the various club boats, that normally have a daily charge.

For more information call 01827 – 712963 or visit their homepage www.tamworthsc.co.uk.

National Arboretum Alrewas - Photo: Paul Reynolds

October last year saw the first ever annual Ride to the Wall (RTTW), which is a memorial ride through Tamworth for fallen British Troops.  The event organisers have recently presented a cheque for £10,400 to the National Arboretum.

The RTTW saw more than 2,500 motorcyclists congregate at the M42 services at Junction 10, just outside Tamworth, then ride in convoy to the memorial in Alrewas.  All the money raised by this event will go towards the site’s upkeep.

All the money raised will go towards the site’s upkeep.

Martin Dickinson, RTTW founder and chairman of the organising committee told the Tamworth Herald;

“The response to the first RTTW was beyond anything I could have ever have dreamed,

“At no time in the planning stage did I ever believe it would be supported so magnificently.

“Initial estimates suggested 350 people may attend, but it soon became apparent that figure would easily be surpassed at an early stage.

“By the time the first bikes started leaving the meeting point at Tamworth Services more than 2,000 people had registered.

“The service and dignity shown by all was truly wonderful, with memories flooding back to many of those present,”

Despite the amount of money raised and the number of bikers who participated, Martin is keen to remember the main aim of the day, which was to remember those who have dies since WWII and to raise money to help with the up of the National Arboretum.

Martin added;

“The amount raised was staggering, I think that both of the aims were achieved and surpassed quite considerably.

“This is the only event of its kind which gives motorcyclists in this country the opportunity to show the respect that the members of the Armed Forces deserve, as well as raising funds for the upkeep of the stunning stone memorial.”

Sadly the monument in Alrewas has the names of more than 16,000 Service men and women killed on duty or by terrorist action since the end of the Second World War engraved around its walls and serves as timely memorial and reminder of the sacrifices made for us by our armed forces.

The next RTTW will take place on October 10 this year.  For more information or to register go to www.rttw.org

The T4 Stage at Weston-Super-Mare before the crowds and rain - Photo: Chilli Head

A 17 year old Tamworth Girl was taken to hospital on Sunday after suffering in the crowding at the T4 On The Beach Party in Weston-super-Mare.

Karina Burton, a 17 year old student from Tamworth was taken to hospital after suffering a panic attack and complaining of chest pains.  Karina told This is Somerset:

“It was horrible, I kept being pushed and I was frightened as I started having chest pains but I couldn’t get out the crowd.”

The St John Ambulance Service said it was a busy day with just short of 200 patients who were suffering from the reported over crowding at the event.  Many being treated for panic attacks, hyperventilating and crying and shaking from the conditions.

Drayton Manor are providing the ultimate birthday party package for any child who is a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

The birthday boy or girl can party either in the Fat Controller’s Office above Knapford Station or in Emily’s indoor play area.  Either option they will be guaranteed plenty of Thomas the Tank Engine themed fun, with time dedicated to enjoying the 12 rides that make up Thomas Land, including Crankys Drop Tower, The Troublesome Trucks Rollercoaster and Harold’s Heli Tours.

There are three packages available, Bronze, Silver and Gold.  All packages provide access to the rides, a dedicated party host, invitations and 15 minutes exclusive play in Emily’s indoor play area, along with pizza or burger to eat.

Prices start from as little as £7.50 and the birthday child goes free of charge.  For more information, visit Drayton Manors website or contact them on 0844 472 1950.

Woodhouse High School

The summer holidays may be here for the children of Tamworth, but the fate of the towns secondary schools is still causing tension between the County Council and the Teachers Unions.

Last week the County Council announced that the changes to the towns school provision would become more open and accountable with one of the steps of creating a new Post 16 Stakeholder group to oversee the changes and monitor them as well as ensuring teaching jobs are made available to local teachers effected.

County Councillor Ian Parry, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:

“I realise very clearly that BSF has aroused the passions of very many people, but we would be foolish to turn our back on £100 million of investment on the grounds that it has made some people angry. It was notable that campaigners who wanted to scrap BSF stood in every ward in the recent county council elections and attracted very few votes.

“I now hope everyone can agree to work together to ensure that this opportunity delivers the best results for Tamworth’s youth.”

These proposed changes though haven’t gone far enough with the Nation Union of Teachers (NUT) and Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) announcing a new strike of members on Wednesday 16 September, in the new school term.  Fears are that the change will result in job losses when the remaining high schools loose there sixth provision when Landau-Forte opens it’s sixth form centre on the site of Woodhouse High School.

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said;

“Our members’ determination to continue their fight against the Council’s proposals is to be applauded. This is a dispute about education provision for the community of Tamworth and ensuring that every community has a good local school. The case against the plans is overwhelming; students, parents and teachers are vehemently opposed to Tamworth’s family of schools being broken up in this way”

The changes would see Tamworth’s High Schools loosing their sixth form provision with a new Sixth Form College opening on the site of Woodhouse High School (which would close).  This would see an investment of £100m in the towns local schools and a change to the way in which secondary education is provided throughout the town.

HOTS who have been campaigning against the changes since the conception of the BSF were outraged at the County Councillors comments about the election and their results.

Carolyn Lang, activist and spokesperson for HOTS stated:

“We feel utterly insulted and betrayed. Parents with high school aged children account for 10% of Tamworth’s eligible electorate and HOTS alone achieved 10% of the entire Tamworth vote, sending a significant message of opposition to the BSF proposals that the Tamworth Conservative candidates certainly took on board. We welcomed the review but it seems that the County level Conservatives have betrayed even their own Tamworth supporters by doing a complete U-turn on their pre-election policy to keep sixth form provision within local authority control. The Council are foolish to take it on faith that Landau Forte will collaborate and be accountable to the local authority. The truth is that Landau Forte, as an independent school, will call its own shots. That is the whole point of academies. Indeed Landau Forte belongs to the Independent Academies Association which is campaigning against further local authority interference. The Council’s decision flies in the face of democracy and makes a mockery of diversity and choice. We want BSF funding but not with these strings attached”.

Tensions are running high throughout the town about this proposed changes to the schooling provision.  What are your feelings towards the changes?