Alexandra Burke made it into most of the national press - Pic: Tamworth Blog

Exhausted organisers of the Midlands Music Festival have declared the event a huge success with almost 30,000 descending on the festival in the Castle Grounds.

The two day event which was held in aid of the Just 1 Life charity saw chart superstars from the 80’s right through to the modern day descend on the huge stage erected on the grounds, in front of Tamworth Castle, with pop megastars, Westlife closing the gig on Sunday evening to a capacity crowd.

Sunday saw press from all over the country descend on Tamworth, which fortunately stayed sunny for the duration of the festival, in hopes of capturing the perfect moment from the superstars that were around.  They weren’t disappointed, with Alexandra Burke (opposite) making most of the tabloids on Monday morning with her risky outfit.

Whilst last years lineup was great, this years was a lot stronger.  Throughout the Saturday, 80’s legends like Level 42, Sister Sledge, Hot Chocolate and Billy Ocean played to a crowd, reliving their younger years (me included).  Even with the wait for Billy Ocean (caused by equipment issues), they were in good spirit, chanting the names of the stars.  Whilst Saturday was a late night for many in Tamworth, many of the people I spoke too, didn’t mind hearing Billy Ocean late into the evening. (See Saturdays photos here)

Sunday was a whole different affair. Over 20,000 descended on the Castle Grounds to take in the A List lineup including, The Saturdays, Alexandra Burke, Peter Andre, Scouting for Girls and Westlife.  You could hearing the screaming fans walking through the town centre.  The lineup didn’t disappoint.  The arena was heaving, as was the press area and back stage.  (See Sundays photos here)

Hopefully Tamworth sold it’s self to the crowd. Many of whom travelled across the country to come to Tamworth. Speaking to the crowd (See crowd photos here), some had spent the entire evening camping on Saturday night, to get front row for Westlife.

Director of Communications Damien Sanders was exhausted and delighted at the end of Westlife’s barn-storming performance as top of the bill on Sunday:

“Not only was the Festival a musical inspiration but to see almost 30,000 people over 2 days having such a fantastic time was an exciting and exhilarating experience. The artists on both days could not have been more accommodating and working with them was a dream!

“Every performer was committed to the show. On Saturday Level 42 put on a storming set while Sister Sledge and Alexander O’Neal added that funky twist. Billy Ocean, in the end, delivered a sensational set providing exactly what you expect from such a seasoned performer.

Just One Life logo

“Sunday just went from strength to strength with every artist getting a tremendous response. Scouting For Girls have that contemporary, across the board appeal, while Peter Andre is a legend in his own reality show – and his involvement in the Tamworth event was filmed for the forthcoming TV series!

“Westlife stormed away with the climax of the Festival and the audience didn’t want them to leave – it was standing room only for just over 22,000.”

Of course, this wasn’t just about the music.  The serious underlying reason for the festival was raising money for Just 1 Life, the Tamworth based charity that raise money to help babies born prematurely.  Jem Sanders, founder of Just 1 Life said:

“I started the charity to raise funds for premature babies after my personal experience. I never thought we’d get to this level – giving people a great deal of joy and pleasure while helping tiny babies in need! Who knows what we can do next after this storming success?”

Last years Stars and Stripes Event

Tamworth once again comes alive as cowboy boots all join in for line dancing fun and competitions for the Stars and Stripes on the Tamworth Castle grounds.

Each year smiles and fun can be found on a dry day in September.

Gemma Fairweather, The Weston Line and DJ Max bring the crowds in from up and down the country for the American show.
Lucky Stars started way back in 1996 and has always been about friendship and enjoyment.

You don’t need a partner with line dancing, it’s open for all ages.

There’s motorbikes and big American cars with many of those taking part, dressing for the occasion, but the main event is focused on line dancing, which is led by Luckystars Linedancing club, run by Maxine Beck, who is a qualified instructor.

Prior to starting Luckystars Max has had an illustrious dancing career.  Max was dancing from the age of 8 at the June Weaver Dance School before progressing under the tutelage of Ricky and Molly Williams.

Max then went on to become both a Bluecoat and a Havenmate then when she was old enough she got a visa to work abroad.  Max danced in shows in places such as, New York, Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, and Japan, to name but a few!

So on leaving the live shows around the Globe and returning home to have her family after a few years the dance bug got her again and Max got her teacher qualification and started her first class in July 1996 at a local sports centre.

Luckystars is not just about the dancing they try to do our bit for others in the form of raising money over the years for Staffordshire County Air Ambulance, Dordon Ambulance Station, T.A.M.E., Birmingham Dogs Home, Birmingham Childrens Hospital, Premature Baby Unit, Rape Victims in Sarajevo, a local Childrens Home, Grendon Cats Home, Samaritans Purse, Macmillans Cancer Support, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, British Liver Trust, and many more…

There main charity that they have supported for a few years now is Macmillan Cancer Support which they do there free afternoon festival for annually in September is the Stars and Stripes. This is a great afternoon of entertainment for the whole family and you get to meet lovely people who come from far and wide to join.

You can get practise in before the event and join a class in Tamworth or even join to make friends.
Monday
Coton & Hopwas Social Club
School Lane
Hopwas
Tamworth
Staffs
B78 3AD
7:30 – 9:45pm Improvers / Easy Intermediate

Wednesday
Two Gates Club
6 Dosthill Road
Two Gates
Tamworth
Staffs
B77 1HU
6:30 – 8:00pm Beginners
8:00 – 10:15pm Intermediates

Thursday
Glascote Social Club
Glascote Road
Glascote
Tamworth
Staffs
B77 2BS
7:30 – 10:30pm Improvers / Easy Intermediate

For more information to join http://www.luckystarsuk.com/stars-stripes.php

In the event of bad weather Stars and Stripes will be held in Tamworth Assembly Rooms in Corportation Street, Tamworth, B79 7ND.

This years Starts and Stripes is Saturday 18th September 2010
For more information call Max 07977 06812
or Email: Info@Luckystarsuk.com

JLS on stage

Ready for a weekend of sunshine, smiles, entertainment, music and lot’s fun for another Music Festival in Tamworth… ???

The event will take place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July at Tamworth Castle Pleasure grounds, Tamworth, situated just 15 minutes from Birmingham City Centre. 

Saturday will see some of the biggest chart topping acts from the 80s on the festival stage and Sunday will play host to many of today’s biggest chart stars.

Damien Sanders, Communications Director of The Midlands Music Festival says;

“We were thrilled with the success of last year’s festival but this year is going to truly blow everyone away. We were really lucky to secure some extraordinary acts last year like Blue, JLS and The Sugababes but I can promise you that this year’s line up is even bigger and better.

“Following the overwhelmingly positive reaction from everyone involved, we have expanded the festival to two days this year and increased the capacity by 7,000 each day and as a result have managed to keep ticket prices low and give great value to festival goers as well as great entertainment.

“I am sure with our amazing line up and a very attractive ticket price, The Midlands Music Festival will be seen as THE value for money event of the year and one definitely not to miss.”

Tickets go on sale Friday the 30th April at 9AM on a first come, first served basis.

All proceeds from the event will once again go to Just 1 Life, the premature baby charity, helping mothers and babies affected by premature birth across the West Midlands.

Saturday the 17th sees some of the biggest stars from the 80’s taking to the festival stage for eight hours of pure musical heaven.  On Sunday the 18th July, you can join in for a day of massive hits and the biggest and best chart stars around performing live on the festival stage.

It’s gonna be a truly amazing festival this year and YOU can be part of all the action, so grab your tickets, get your dancing shoes on and your whistles at the ready, it’s one not to miss.

“Back to the 80’s”- Sat 17 July

• Billy Ocean
• Hot Chocolate

“The Biggest Chart Acts”- Sun 18 July

• The Saturdays
• Scouting For Girls
• Alexandra Burke

Tickets are available online now and are priced at £32 for each day. You can buy them now here.

The Midlands Music Festival is now on Facebook, and also on Twitter! 

This year will be strick rules to remember making the day fun and enjoyable for you and everyone there for this fun festival.
- Strictly No entry into the festival grounds without a valid ticket
- Children under 6 are admitted free if accompanied by a paying adult.
- Children 14 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult
- There is no right of exit and re-entry this year, once you’re in, you’re in!
- You are permitted to bring picnics into the festival site
- You are permitted to bring Water and Soft Drinks into the festival site but they must be in collapsible plastic, foil or cardboard containers of not more than 1 litre in size
- STRICTLY no alcohol is permitted to be brought into the festival grounds, this policy will be strictly enforced, your bags may be searched on entry and prohibited items confiscated or entry refused
- There will be numerous catering outlets available for you on site together with licensed bars selling a range of alcoholic and soft drinks
- No chairs, stools or stepladders are permitted onto festival grounds
- They have special facilities for disabled guests including a designated entry point and a designated viewing platform

There are ample car parking facilities available close to the festival site.  Car park passes are available to purchase online through this site or one of the ticketing partners at an advanced price of £ 5.00 (price on the day £ 8.00) You need to purchase a separate car park pass for each day of the festival that you are attending.  Disabled car parking is available free of charge on the festival site, but must be booked in advance.

Sport Relief Mile

Sunday March 21, possibly the first day of 2010 where we have all been able to enjoy the sunshine was the day of the first event in the Castle Grounds of 2010.

The Sainsbury’s support Sport Relief Mile took place with 4 different races, in all aid of the BBC’s Sport Relief fundraising earlier in the weekend.

Hundreds turned out to run either the 6, 3 or 1 mile runs with many others standing on the side watching as the competitors ran around the Castle Grounds 1/2 mile course to complete their allotted times.  Tamworth Blog was there for the start of the 3 mile (12pm) and 1 mile races (2pm).  Below are videos from the start, if you took part can you see yourself go past our camera man?

3 mile race – Start at 12pm

Start of the 3 mile run for Sport Relief from Warren Free on Vimeo.

2pm Sport Relief Mile

Sport Relief Mile – 2pm start from Warren Free on Vimeo.

Circus Starr arrives in Tamworth on Bank Holiday Sunday 2nd May 2010 to raise both smiles and money for St Giles Hospice.

The circus is a magical mix of top flight acrobatics, breathtaking balancing and non-stop comedy.

It’s laughter all the way with the hilarious antics of Duo Delbosq whose infectious style of physical comedy knows no boundaries of language or age when it comes to pure entertainment.

The outstanding Argentinean Gaucho, as featured on the Paul O’Grady Show, with the famed Bolas Dance of Courage set to wow any audience.

The Julio Troupe from Bulgaria once again returns with their thrilling acrobatics. Their springboard acrobatics will have people on the edge of their seats with excitement and the Russian Swing seems to enable them to defy gravity.
In addition Tracy Jones brings grace, skill and sheer beauty to the world class line up with her international acclaimed Corde Lisse act.

Circus Starr occupies a unique position in British circus by raising thousands of pounds for local charities with the advance sales of show tickets to local businesses.

The donations from those sales go towards specialised equipment for hospitals and hospices.
Since proudly taking to the road 23 years ago, Circus Starr has raised more than £2 million for local charities.

The circus will be in Tamworth, Castle Pleasure Grounds, with two shows at 2pm and 5pm.

Sport Relief Mile

It’s that time of year again, Sport Relief is just around the corner and the Sainsbury’s sponsored Sport Relief Mile is back at the Castle Grounds.

On Sunday March 21 the Castle Grounds will play host to a 6, 3 and 1 mile run all in aid of the Sport Relief charity.  The 6 mile run will begin at 11am with the 3 mile run starting at 12 noon and the 1 mile runs starting at 1pm and 2pm.  The event is part of the Sport Relief weekend which takes place the weekend of 19 March thru to March 21.

Councillor Jeremy Oates said:

“The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in Tamworth is here and it’s your time to shine.  From teeny-tots with their mums and dads, to super sprinters up against the clock there’s something for everyone on the big day – whether you do 1, 3 or 6 miles.  Best of all, the money you raise by getting sponsored will be used to transform lives forever.  So come on Tamworth, rise to the challenge!”

The money raised by the events off the weekend will be used to help those who are poor abnd vulnerable both in the UK and abroad.  To register for the Sport Relief mile simply visit the Sport Relief website and ensure to register for the Tamworth Mile.

Work on the Skate Park

Skateboarders of Tamworth are eagerly awaiting the completion of their new Skate Park which is now taking shape on the Castle Grounds in Tamworth.

The Skate park will be moving from it’s current home between the Strykers Car park and the river to a new home on one of the old Tennis courts.

The move has been facilitated by a group of enthusiasts who along with the Council are now seeing their plans take shape.

The old skatepark is located on a flood plain and in the (all to often) event of heavy rain, it regularly floods.  It is also hidden away, out of the way of the towns CCTV footage, which has led to the park attracting some unwanted visitors who don’t want to skate, simply want to use the facilities for hanging around.  This lead to many parents not allowing those who wanted to skate to use the facility.

The new site will have many benefits for those who like their wheeled sports.  Not only will it be safer as it’s in a highly visible location with coverage from the towns CCTV system, but it is allowing the park to use concrete which provides a better skating surface.

Michael Dryburgh, speaking to us at Tamworth Blog said:

“Two of the main reasons for us moving was location and safety.  The existing park which regularly floods meant when it was built it was built with materials that could withstand that much water.  Ideally the park would be built from Concrete, but that doesn’t deal with lots of water to well.

“The new park is being built on the old tennis courts, thanks to the Council who suggested the location. We can now use concrete to build the features as well as provide peace of mind to users.

“The old park was blighted with non desirables who used it as an area to drink and cause nuisance due to it being well hidden from CCTV and passers by.  Many days boarders couldn’t use it because of glass on the ground.

“The new park will open early next year, with a grand opening in the summer.”

Michael has been keeping users up to date with the building progress on the Facebook Page, this week he also recorded a video showing the progress.  (A little warning that there is a little bit of swearing in the video)

Michael will also be providing updates through the Blog as the project progresses.

Christmas Toys at Market - Pic: Patrick Lauke

St Giles Hospice are holding their first festive Plod in the Castle Grounds this Christmas, giving families the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy some festive fun whilst raising much needed cash for the hospice.

The Christmas Pudding Plod is suitable for all ages and takes place in the Castle Grounds on Sunday December 20, starting at 10.30am.  Whilst the emphasis will be on enjoying time as a family and enjoying it, entrants will be able to complete the 2.5 mile course at the pace they wish.  With Christmas only being 5 days away, there will be prizes for the best seasonal fancy dress costume.

Everyone who takes part will receive a Christmas Pudding, getting them in the festive spirit.

Helen Relihan, Head of Fundraising for St Giles Hospice, says:

“Taking part in the Christmas Pudding Plod is the perfect way to get some fresh air and exercise and have some fun with the family this Christmas.

“It’s also a great way to raise money for a really good cause and every penny we collect will go directly towards caring for local people with cancer and serious illnesses.

“So bring your family and friends to Castle Gardens on the last Sunday before Christmas and help spread some seasonal cheer. The more the merrier!”

For those who feel a little more energetic and want to pre-empt running of the Christmas Turkey, there is the 5 mile Ruddolph Run, which takes place on the same course but begins at 9am on the same day.

Those looking to take part in the event should register with St Giles Hospice by giving them a call on 01543 432 538.  Entry is £10 for adults and £5 for children under 16.  All those who take part are encouraged to raise additional money through sponsorship.

Tamworth Blog will be there to get some pictures of the festivities.

We here at Tamworth Blog have done some searching to see how many people got their phones out and recorded some of the fireworks events from Saturday (November 7) from the Castle Grounds.

One of our friends from Lichfield Blog was in the crowd and even live Streamed a huge portion of the display, his results are below:

Other Tamworthians who attended the event have throughout the past two days been uploading their videos to YouTube, a selection of which can be found by clicking here and going to the Event Page on Facebook.

Did you attend the fireworks this weekend in Castle Grounds?  If you did then your Tamworth Blog needs you…

We were busy filming the event so you guys could watch it back (click here to watch our video), but, because we were videoing it, we were unable to take any photos.

We have seen plenty of photos on the Castle Grounds and Fireworks Spectacular Event Page on Facebook and we would like to share them with the world and our hundreds of daily readers here on Tamworth Blog.

We have setup a Tamworth Firework Spectacular Group on FlickR (which is free to sign up to and share your photos).  Simply add your photos to our group and they will be shown in the slideshow above. There are some great photos out there and we would love for you to share them with the rest of the community.

If you have any questions on how to upload them and share them then please email us at blog@tamworthblog.co.uk.