Archive for April 3rd, 2012

Countdown to Tamworth’s St George’s Day Extravaganza

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

Tamworth’s spectacular St George’s Day celebrations – the start of the Tamworth 2012 Year of Events programme – are now less than three weeks away.

A spectacular medieval joust is again at the centre of the festive extravaganza taking place in Tamworth Castle and the Castle Grounds on Saturday April 21.

Falconry, archery and living history are just some of the events taking place during the day to celebrate the festival of England’s patron saint.

The free St George’s Day celebrations run from 10am to 5pm in the Castle Grounds and bring together a host of activities for all the family.

The hugely popular Medieval Joust returns again this year, when the Black Knight and Sir Robert Marmion will once again do battle for the honour of Tamworth.

The St George’sDay fun is completely free and will feature displays and activities including:

  • Children’s medieval workshops
  • Medieval toys and games
  • Medieval pottery-making workshop
  • ‘Have a go’ archery
  • Falconer
  • George the Dragon puppet show
  • Medieval music wagon
  • Medieval encampment displays
  • How to dress a knight: discuss amour and period clothing
  • The Grand Medieval Joust – see a tournament by knights with squires and retinue
  • Walkabout characters, including St George and a medieval maiden on stilts
  • Street magic
  • Face painting

Activities taking place in the Castle will include:

  • Meet and greet with Castle ‘characters’ including guards and doorkeepers
  • Talks about weapons
  • Mock combat and demonstration of fighting techniques
  • Surgery and medieval medicine
  • Children’s spear drill, including a chance to get dressed up and have a go with a spear
  • Food and herbs
  • Talks about the Castle and its history

Last year’s St George’s Day celebrations attracted more than 9,000 visitors and it is hoped that this year’s extravaganza will be even bigger and better.

Organisers are hoping to see thousands of people, from Tamworth and further afield, filling the Castle Grounds and joining in the St George’s Day fun, which promises to be a fantastic day for everyone.

For more information, see www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk  or find the Castle Grounds on Facebook.