Town to celebrate illustrious past

By gtoulson

CELEBRATING Tamworth's history is the theme for a series of fun events for all the family being held in the town this Bank Holiday weekend.

Various locations will host festivities from Saturday until Monday to mark a number of important anniversaries for the town.

The events have been organised by Tamworth Borough Council.

Rob Mitchell, assistant director for partnerships and community development, said: "We are proud to be offering a wide range of activities this Bank Holiday weekend.

"Come along to the anniversary event taking place in and around the town. We have a soup kitchen at the Assembly Rooms, costumed guided tours at the Castle, an historical display in the Town Hall and many more activities.

"We pride ourselves on delivering fun and enjoyable events for people to do and this Bank Holiday is no exception."

Here's a run down of what is going on throughout the weekend.

On Saturday, walkabout characters Dynamo Man and Medieval Princess will be around the town to celebrate Tamworth having electricity for 85 years.

There will be entertainment under the Canopy in St Editha's Square, with performances by a local theatre group.

Photographs of Tamworth's past will be displayed in the Assembly Rooms to celebrate 120 years since it was built.

A historical exhibition of Tamworth is being held in the Town Hall from 11am until 4pm.

And police officers will also be out and about to celebrate the formation of the Metropolitan Police in 1829.

On Sunday, the Stafford Knot Staffordshire Regiment Museum, in Whittington, will be celebrating its 500th anniversary, between 10am and 4pm.

Costume guided tours of Tamworth Castle will take place from noon until 5.15pm to celebrate 110 years open to the public. Prices are £2 per adult and £1 concession.

The Peel Society has organised a Victorian Garden party on Sunday, at the home of the unique Peel Collection at Middleton Hall, from 11 am until 5pm.

There will be entertainment, games and the opportunity to see the famous Walled Garden coming into its early summer colours.

The Assembly Rooms will be open again, and a heritage guided walk by a blue badge guide will take place through Tamworth, starting at 3pm. Tickets are available through the Tamworth Information Centre.

On Monday, the Stafford Knot Staffordshire Regiment Museum will continue its celebrations from 10am to 4pm.

Costumed guided tours of Tamworth Castle will continue from noon until 5.15pm, while there will be a Reliant Robin Display in St Editha's Square, and entertainment will be on under the Canopy.

Family activities will be on in the Castle Grounds from 11am until 4pm.

The Tamworth Historical Exhibition continues at the Town Hall from 11am until 4pm.

A mobile museum will explore the Olympic games throughout the ages.

Local bobbies will be out and about again, and people are encouraged to go along to the Bandstand in the Castle Grounds to make a tile for Tamworth's commemorative mosaic celebrating the town's history

Events run from Saturday, May 23 until Monday, May 25. The castle is open and is £2 for adults and £1 concessions.

For more information on all outdoor events you can log onto www.whatsontamworth.co.uk