Tamworth Blog

(From L to R) Leader of Staffordshire County Council Philip Atkins, Martin Landau and Deputy Leader Ian Parry agreeing to a new collaborative way of working earlier this year.

The changes to Tamworth’s Secondary School provision has come a step closer after the Government have signed an agreement to fund the day to day running costs of the school, making the Academy an Official legal institution.

Todays’ news means that the Landau Forte Academy Tamworth will replace Woodhouse Business and Enterprise College from September 2010 (next school year), then in September 2011, moving to two new buildings with the existing school provision (11-16 years old) staying in the old school building.  Town wide Post 16 education will be hosted within Queens Elizabeth Mercian School.

All pupils and staff currently at Woodhouse will transfer to the new academy and the 11-16 provision will continue to serve the current Woodhouse catchment area.

Tamworth was selected as an ‘Early Entry Bid’ due to the schools in the area needing massive investment, investment that has been bought about through the Building Schools for the Future.  Giving the schools much needed investment.  The plans released by Staffordshire County Council caused some controversy with some parents in the town setting up the ‘Hands of Tamworth Schools’ group and teachers going on strikes throughout the towns secondary schools.

This is a massive step though and speaking after the contract was signed, Deputy County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Ian Parry said:

“This is fantastic news, the funding agreement marks an important development for education in Tamworth and helps increase the diversity of secondary schools across the town. The Academy is part of our wider vision for Tamworth and we are delighted to be working in partnership with the Landau Forte Trust to develop this new school.

“This is an exciting time for secondary education as a whole in the area. As well as the Academy developments, the four BSF secondary schools are working together to shape their school visions and developing how the BSF investment will provide a catalyst for raising standards and aspirations.”

Margaret Bell, Landau Forte Charitable Trust Trustee and Chair of the Project Steering Group, added:

“I am delighted that the Funding Agreement has been signed. This will allow us to work more closely with the people of Tamworth involving them in shaping the new academy; both the 11 – 16 site and the Post 16 Centre. This exciting and innovative project will bring new opportunities both for the students of Woodhouse School and for students across the town. This step presents an opportunity for the wider community of Tamworth with the development of multi million pound facilities which we intend should be extensively used by the people of Tamworth.”

We have asked members of the Hands of Tamworth Schools group their opinion, but at the time of publishing we have no comment.

Whilst at the launch of TCR FM on Saturday October 31 (read story and see photos here), we had chance to grab the joint Managing Directors, Dan Hoult and Martin Summers and ask them about how the launch went and the future of the station.

Marmion House, Tamworth Borough Council

Ever wondered what happens within the Council chambers of Tamworth Borough Council?  Below is a list of the meetings scheduled through November along with start times.

Tuesday 3rd November – The Licensing Committee – starts 6pm

Wednesday 11th November – Corporate Scrutiny Committee in  room 6 – starts 6pm

Wednesday 18th November – The Planning Committee – starts 6pm

Thursday 19th November – Cabinet – starts 6pm

Wednesday 25th November – Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee – starts 6pm

All meetings unless stated, will take place at Marmion House, Tamworth, in Committe Room 1.

If you would like more information about council meetings please contact a member of the Democratic Services on – 01827 709267

Drayton Manor Park lit up by spectacular fireworks

Tamworth skies were lit up this weekend (Saturday October 31 and Sunday November 1) as Drayton Manor bought a spectacular close to it’s 2009 season and marked the launch of their Diamond Jubilee celebrations with a massive firework and laser displays.

The weather on Saturday was perfect, and Sunday morning’s gale force winds caused a little concern, but the fireworks went ahead as scheduled and wowed thousands of visitors to the Theme Park just outside Tamworth.

The entire display was set around the parks history, with Managing Director, Colin Bryan beamed onto huge water fountains (the biggest the UK has ever seen), to tell the story of the much loved park.  The fireworks were set to the story around some of the parks most iconic rides, the big climax being based around the 4D Cinema attraction and it’s pirate movie.

A quick scan on You Tube and you can find footage from the event, some of which has been added below.

So the Holiday Inn Express is nearing it’s completion and has changed the skyline in Tamworth again.  Situated next to the Snowdome, it has bought mixed feelings from the residents of Tamworth.  Barring the parking issue, which is something completely different it is one of those discussions that may go on for some time.

The hotel itself is clearly visible from the A5 dual carriageway which runs through the heart of the town.  Whilst many people have said it’s another eye sore, it will provide much needed hotel rooms in the town centre area, which can only be good for the continued growth of Tamworth.

So what are your thoughts about the newest addition to Tamworth’s skyline?

Colin Bryan, Drayton Manor's MD (right), receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award from Tourism West Midlands chairman Brian Summers

2009 has been an unbelievable year for Drayton Manor Theme Park and last week it was rewarded yet again for it’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tourism’ in honour of it’s contribution to the areas Tourism trade.

This latest award goes alongside other awards won this year including the Best UK attraction for children and Apocalypse being named the UK’s scariest ride by Channel 5’s Gadget Show.

Colin Bryan, Managing Director of Drayton Manor was at the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards hosted at the International Convention Centre on Thursday October 30 to receive the prestigious accolade.

Although the park won the Outstanding Contribution award, the popular theme park which plays host to Thomas Land also got awarded three Silver awards in Large Visitor Attraction, Best Tourism Experience categories and Best Day out (which was voted for by the public). They also were Highly Commended in the Business Tourism (Best Exhibition Venue) category.

Mr Bryan said:

“I am truly overjoyed and thrilled to have received this recognition from the Heart of England. This award has added significance as this weekend, (31st Oct & 1st Nov), the park will officially launch the 60th Anniversary Celebrations with two nights of spectacular firework and laser displays.

“I would first and foremost like to pay credit to the founders of Drayton Manor Theme Park, my parents, George and Vera Bryan. They bought the site in 1949 and began the back-breaking work to create Drayton Manor. It took them six months but their hard work paid off when the park first opened to the public in 1950.

“I would also like to thank everyone who has worked at the park in the past 60 years. The goal of Drayton Manor Theme Park has always been to provide families with first class rides and attractions for the best possible day out.”

TCR FM

TCR FM launched on Saturday night (October 31) at 5pm on 106.8FM and online, marking the full time launch of Tamworth’s Community radio station.

As you would expect the first night was a bit of a celebration after being granted their full time license from Ofcom and the necessary funding to get the radio on the air.  Going live at 5pm joint Managing Directors and presenters, Martin Summers and Dan Hoult introduced listeners to the station, the first song played out being Republica, Ready to Go…

The majority of the presenters were at the launch and were each introduced to the listeners, explaining how they got to be involved with the community radio station whilst playing two of their favourite songs.  Broadcasting live from their studios for the first time since the month long broadcast in 2007.

The party moved from the studio’s over to Trinity Night Club which opened early to celebrate both the launch of TCR FM and Halloween where DJ Little Matt (Sunday nights from 10pm) played a live launch party to involve listeners around Tamworth and as far afield as central Birmingham.

Watch out later today for a video interview with Joint Managing Directors Martin Summers and Dan Hoult.

Also, listen to the shows, with Tamworth news broadcast throughout the day, all from us here at Tamworth Blog.