Tamworth Blog

Did you know Tamworth has its very own semi-professional football club, playing in what amounts to the fifth division of English football? Do you care? Do you go to their games? Do you follow their results or, indeed, know where to find them? The results, that is, not the ground; that’s in the town centre near the Snowdome.

I’m interested because I am one of the small minority of Tammies who can answer ‘yes’ to all those questions. It’s partly because I used to report on the Lambs (named after The Lamb pub that used to stand in front of the ground) as a journalist; partly because I live across the road from their ground and partly because I have always been interested in non-league football.

But for as long as I have lived in Tamworth, going back nearly 25 years, Tamworth Football Club have struggled to raise their profile and their gates above a certain level.

In 1989, they won the FA Vase, the national competition for the very smallest non-league clubs; gates rose to over 1,000 for a few years thereafter. Yet here we are 20 years later, TFC are playing five divisions higher in the pyramid – and still only getting gates of just over 1,000.

Plenty of people will tell you that the reason is because almost everyone in Tamworth is either an Aston Villa or Birmingham City fan and, to an extent, I can understand that. But I do get annoyed by the number of people who ask me as I walk back into town on a Saturday afternoon after a game: “How did they get on?”

It’s only because I’m a reasonable bloke that I resist the temptation to tell them, quite rudely, to spend £12, go to a game and find out.

So here’s a question to football fans who read Tamworth Blog. If you don’t follow Gary Mills’ red and white army…why not?

The Red Postman

Green Party Logo

This week see’s the official launch of the Tamworth Greens a new political party for Tamworth.

The Tamworth Greens will be in Tamworth Town Centre on Saturday November 21 gathering the views of Tamworth people on what our town really needs.

The group that is lead by local Community Officer, Garry Jones and local Primary School Teacher, Lisa Crane, aim to give local people a real choice when it comes to election time some point during 2010.  The group will be promoting social and environmental justice through campaigns, direct action and the electoral process.

Garry Jones said:

“Whilst there are good politicians in Tamworth there are also some who have just become the same old suspects and others who see it simply as a career opportunity. The result is that most people don’t even bother to vote, because they think it makes no difference. Tamworth Greens are real people with a stake in the local community, not just as politicians. We will offer people a real and fair choice. ”

The Tamworth Greens are keen to hear from you about what matters to you.  If you can’t make it to Tamworth to visit their stall on Saturday November 21, there will be an evening session at the Phil Dix Centre on Wednesday December 9 at 7.30pm.

Lakeside Primary School – Marrick Axford and Olivia Barker

Two Tamworth Primary Schools have been awarded for their commitment to be healthy.  Lakeside Community Primary School and Fulford Primary School have been awarded by Staffordshire County Council, recognising their efforts to be healthy.

The special award ceremony held to honour the schools commitment to be healthy was held at Staffords Historic County Buildings where pupils from both schools were presented the prestigious Healthy Schools status by County Councillor Janet Eagland, Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee.

County Councillor Veronica Downes, Cabinet Member for schools said:

“Congratulations to everyone involved. This is a wonderful achievement. These schools have shown that they have invested in being healthy and are dedicated to ongoing improvement and development in this area, equipping pupils with the skills and attitudes to help them make informed decisions about their health. “

Speed Sign - Pic: Craig Rodway

A Primary School in Drayton Bassett is in the second phase of an ambitious trial of a safety scheme that encourages drivers to slow down.

Manor County Primary School on Drayton Lane are using new Electronic speed activated signs throughout November and December.  As drivers drive past the sign, their speed is displayed in Green lights if it is between 10mph and 20mph and in red above 21mph and 40mph.

During the trial speed surveys will be carried out and parents will be asked their thoughts on the new signs in the new year.

Manor County Primary School is one of four schools throughout Staffordshire taking part in the second phase of trials after the County Council announced in July that they planned to reduce speeds to 20mph around school gates.

Local County Councillor Matthew Ellis said:

“Keeping children safe on Staffordshire’s roads is a top priority for the county council, and one that is strongly supported by the community. It is all too often that motorists don’t slow down near schools despite the fact that there are young children walking around. This device will flag up the importance of careful driving around schools.”

Police Car - Photo: John Kilpatrick

M42 Warwickshire – Was closed at morning rush hour on Thursday November 17 after an accident happened at 7-30am.

Severe delays of 45 minutes were reported,  stationary traffic and Main carriageway were closed southbound due to overturned vehicle and recovery work at J9,   Curdworth, congestion to J10,   Tamworth.

Diversion were in operation – All traffic was  being taken up the exit slip and back onto the motorway along the entry slip.   There is currently no official estimated time of re-opening.  The accident  involved several vehicles.

There is no further news on this incident at the moment.  The latest traffic news from the BBC says that there are still severe delays.

Santa Clause is at the end of the Ice Cave trail

Twycross Zoo are this year introducing a Fantasy Ice Cave to get visitors into the Christmas spirit by meeting Santa at the end.

The Christmas dream begins as the children enter the Ice Cave and follow the avenue of seasonal covered trees to meet Santa Clause who will be sitting there waiting to learn what the children want for Christmas.

All children who visit Santa will receive a small gift as long as they have been good.  Remember, Santa has eyes everywhere and has a live video link to his helpers to see if the boys and girls have been good.

Alongside the Ice Cave there will also be a Snow Shy and Tombola and Santa will also be bringing his land train to Twycross Zoo which travels through the centre of the Zoo.  There will also be real life Reindeer at at Pets at Twycross along with their nativity scene.

There is a small charge for children to see Santa.