Tamworth Blog

Brian Jenkins, Tamworth MP

Tamworth MP Brian Jenkins today (Wednesday November 11) asked Prime Minister, Gordon Brown for his support to bring the Staffordshire Hoard to Tamworth on a permanent basis.

Mr Jenkins got his chance to ask the Prime Minister if he could give his support to the Hoard, discovered in Staffordshire earlier this year, being put on display in Tamworth.

Mr Jenkins asked the Primer Minister during Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons:

“(If he) would back to the Tamworth Herald campaign to bring the Gold to be displayed in the Ancient capital of the Kingdom of Mercia, Tamworth?”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, whilst not offering his back said:

“(He) makes a very strong case for the Gold going to Tamworth.  But I think the British Museum is concerned to make sure it remains in the West Midlands to see or use.”

Brian Jenkins and the councillors have Tamworth are both keen to see the Staffordshire Hoard on display in Tamworth.  The Tamworth Herald have also been heavily campaigning to bring the Gold to Tamworth (see their campaign page here).

However, people outside Tamworth haven’t reacted to kindly to Mr Jenkins questions today in London.  A quick search on Twitter and comments include:

“Actually finding it really irritating thinking tamworth could actually budge in on Lichfield’s hoard. #pmqs #goawaytamworth”

“Oi Jenkins the gold was found in Lichfield and Lichfield it shall remain! Tamworth can do one #pmqs”

Mayor of Tamworth waving of the Fund-raisers at Whittington Barracks

This morning (Wednesday November 11) if you travel between Tamworth and Lichfield along the A51 you may well have seen a group of 17 students all in their first year public services course, pulling an army truck towards Tamworth.

The event which was organised by Kurt Bartlett, Daniel Jones and Ryan Take all from Tamworth and Lichfield College to raise as much money as possible for the Help the Heroes charity.  To raise money they decided that Armistice Day was the right day to do it and what better than to pull an army truck from Whittington Barracks, along the A51 to St Editha’s Square.

The Mayor of Tamworth, Councillor Gerry Pinner met up with the 17 students from Tamworth and Lichfield College at 7am at Whittington Barracks to see the students begin their 3 hour big pull.  He said:

“Following an early start it was appreciated that members from the college organised the pulling of a large military vehicle to Tamworth in aid of Help for Heroes.

“The inception was completely that of the college students which gives me much pleasure seeing young people putting back into society. I am grateful to the Army for helping us in all aspects and the use of one of their front line vehicles.”

Help the Heroes is also one of the Mayors Charities this year.

Mayor of Tamworth in Bad Laasphe

Mayor of Tamworth, Councillor Gerry Pinner travelled to Bad Laasphe in Germany recently to visit our twinned town and cement the links between the two towns.  His trip included a trip to a traditional German beer festival and the naming of a train in the honour of the town.

The train was stopped mid route for the Mayor of Tamworth Cllr Gerry Pinner and the Bugermeister of Bad Laasphe Robert Cravelmier to board. The train was named after the town and the ceremony was attended by a large crowd of visitors.

The Mayor was also present at the retirement of the current Burgomaster for the town and the installation of the new Bugermeister Dr Torsten Spillmann.

Councillor Gerry Pinner, Mayor of Tamworth said:

“It was a great experience to visit Bad Laasphe and to we received warm hospitality from our German friends.

“I look forward to returning the hospitality next year when we can show case all that Tamworth has to offer. The visit next year will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the twinning arrangements between our great towns.”

Black Swan Story – Athlete – (43 mins) from Richard Edkins on Vimeo.

Tamworth film Makers Richard Edkins and Karen Bristoll have made the full version of the Documentary Black Swan Song available on Armistice Day.

Athlete will today sing Black Swan at the Remembrance Service in London and the documentary follows Joel Pott to Arnhem where he learns about his Grandfather and his units plight during the 2nd world war.

Today is a day to remember those who fought to give us the freedom we enjoy today. Remember at 11am, take two minutes out to remember those who have fought or are fighting today.

Flax Hill Primary School Receiving their Award

Schools in Tamworth have been recognised for being Dyslexia friendly after receiving a Level 1 Renewed Dyslexia Friendly Status at a special ceremony in Stafford earlier this week.

A host of schools in the Tamworth area were awarded the Level 1 Renewed Dyslexia Friendly Status, which recognises the work the schools do to assist those with Dyslexia.  The Tamworth schools awarded during the cermony in Stafford were:

• Flax Hill Community Junior School
• Florendine Primary School
• Greenacres Primary School
• Glascote Heath Primary School
• Heathfields Infants School
• Wilnecote High School
• Wilnecote Junior School
• Dosthill Primary School
• Woodlands Primary School

All the schools went through a rigorous process which involved an audit of current practice, self assessment, staff training and development of an action plan to improve practice.

County Councillor Veronica Downes, Cabinet Member for Schools said:

“This is an excellent achievement and I would like to congratulate everyone involved and thank them all for their hard work towards achieving this award. This is another step forward to develop fully inclusive links for pupils with dyslexia within Staffordshire’s schools.”

Woodhouse High School

A Tamworth Teacher at Woodhouse High School has been suspended after students claimed he had forged their coursework so they could gain better marks.

The teacher has been suspended after every member of an A’Level English Class complained that their coursework had been changed to boost grades and pass rates.

The teacher who hasn’t yet been identified is accused of rewriting some students coursework and forged their signatures to earn them better marks after they handed in their 2,000 word Shakespeare assignment earlier in the month.

The students complained to the headteacher that the assignments were no longer their own work.  The teacher was then suspended whilst an exam board investigate the claims.  Meanwhile, during the investigation the students may have to re-write their assignment on a different topic.

Headteacher Jill Hislopp told the Birmingham Post:

“There has been an allegation of malpractice made by every member of the English group against one or more of their English teachers.

“This allegation is that the work submitted is not entirely that of the student and that in many cases the student’s signature was forged.

“We will do everything that we can to have the situation sorted out as quickly as possible.”