Enjoy the great outdoors in Tamworth this summer season

The Great Outdoors

Details of a jam-packed summer have been revealed with the launch of Tamworth Borough Council’s 2016 ‘Great Outdoors’ programme of events.

The 2016 summer line-up, put together by the council’s Arts and Events team, includes new events, more free activities and a new location, as well as the return of favourites such as the We Love Tamworth festival, summer bandstand concerts and the outdoor cinema.

Returning for a fourth time, the popular outdoor cinema event on August 13 sold out within just a couple of weeks of going on sale, with 1,300 people snapping up tickets to watch Dirty Dancing and The Lost Boys on a big screen in the Castle Grounds.

The rest of the programme gets underway on June 18 when an award-winning adaptation of The Jungle Book will be performed in the Castle Grounds by Tamworth’s own Misnomer Theatre Company and Tamworth Pantomime Company.

The evening performance at 6pm is the first instalment of outdoor theatre in this summer’s calendar and features a cast of local actors, including 10-year-old Nathan Watkins. Tickets cost £6 and £4 concessions and must be purchased in advance.

June 26 sees the return of the annual Gate Gallop charity event at Anker Valley with a fun run and a 10k road race. The event includes a barbecue, refreshments and a bouncy castle.

The second instalment of outdoor theatre will be served up in the community location of Dosthill Park with a production of Danny, the Champion of the World on July 2. The Roald Dahl classic will be brought to life by the award-winning open-air theatre company Illyria at 3pm. Tickets cost £8, £6 concessions and £25 for a family ticket.

This summer will also see a new series of Saturday Games in the Park events which will bring board and garden games to the Castle Grounds on July 30, as well as August 6, 13 and 27. Sessions are organised by Community Together CIC and are free to join. They take place between 1pm and 4pm.

The programme of Bandstand Concerts and performances begins on June 12 and will see a variety of bands, singers and clubs taking to the stage to delight audiences on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season. This year’s line-up includes some popular acts which usually perform in the Assembly Rooms, such as Tamworth Arts Club, plus new activities including a circus skills workshop and interactive storytelling session.

Other acts set to grace the bandstand stage include The City of Lichfield Concert Band, Amington Band, The Jays, Tamworth Wind Band, Brindley-Hunt, Tamworth Voices, ‘58s Blues Band, The Glamophones and Liquid Brass.

The hugely popular We Love Tamworth festival will be back on September 3 this year, featuring a jam-packed day of fun activities for the whole family including fairground rides, stalls, games, Tamworth’s strongest man competition, Amington Brass Band and the Children’s Zone. This annual event is a firm favourite in the Tamworth calendar and usually attracts thousands of people from near and far.

Summer will close with a new event in the new location of Elford Hall and Gardens. Families will be invited to enjoy an afternoon Garden Party complete with drama, dancing, live music, lawn games, hog roast, cake and refreshments.

Entertainment will be split across a main stage to be filled with drama, dancing and singing from local groups, while acoustic solo artists, bands, comedians and new talent will be invited to perform in the acoustic tent. Any artists/acts who would like to register their interest to perform on the day can contact Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts and Events team on 01827 709314 or email taroutdoorevents@tamworth.gov.uk.

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic line-up from the Arts and Events team with a packed programme of events and real variety to ensure there is something for everyone.

“It’s brilliant to see some exciting new additions, as well as popular Tamworth favourites, which together promise a summer of fun in the great outdoors. Providing a rich programme of events, both for our residents to enjoy and to attract new visitors to the town, is one of our priorities as a council and I believe this line-up definitely delivers on that. It includes plenty of free family entertainment, together with some interesting and unique events to keep people busy this summer.

“The fact the outdoor cinema sold out so quickly and more than three months ahead of the event itself is amazing and shows we are providing the right type of entertainment. I hope people also take advantage of the many other great events on offer.”

In addition to the wide variety of activities organised by Tamworth Borough Council, the Castle Grounds will also be hosting a number of events throughout the year by private hirers. More information on these, as well as the new Great Outdoors programme, is available online at www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk.
To hire the Castle Grounds for an event please email taroutdoorevents@tamworth.gov.uk.