Archive for April, 2013
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013
Highways crews tackled around 400 potholes in just one week, as part of Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council’s blitz to tackle winter road damage.
Twenty teams have been working across the county to fix the worst potholes on Staffordshire’s roads.
Ian Turner, Staffordshire County Council’s Head of Highways Operations, said, “Our highways crews are really pulling out all the stops to tackle the worst potholes caused during the winter.
“The heavy rain, ice and snow really has taken its toll on our roads, but we are doing our very best to fix as many potholes as we can, as quickly as we can. Although more potholes have been identified, we are also repairing many more than we did last year, but it is an on-going challenge and I would ask people to bear with us as we carry out these repairs.”
The county council is investing a further £500,000 to tackle pothole repairs following the winter damage.
Residents can follow where crews have been by checking out the daily location updates at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/potholes
Potholes are caused when the repeated freeze-thaw process causes road surfaces to weaken. The stress of traffic then leads to the surface rupturing and potholes forming in the road.
Extra crews will now be working on repairing the worst potholes over the coming weeks. Drivers can also help by taking extra care and passing potholes slowly until repairs can be carried out.
Saturday, April 20th, 2013
Staffordshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis attended a private meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron in Burton on Friday (19 April) to discuss wide-ranging plans for Staffordshire.
Commissioner Ellis’ proposals will be outlined in the Police and Crime Plan, which he will unveil in June.
Mr Elis said, “I was delighted to be asked by the Prime Minister to meet and was surprised to have nearly half an hour of his time talking about real business – it was sit down straight talking to understand what we are doing in Staffordshire.
“The Prime Minister was clearly knowledgeable and exceptionally complimentary about what we’re doing in Staffordshire and we had a useful talk about how the Government can help. Discussions were about different authorities working collectively behind the scenes to cut re-offending rates, provide more positive outcomes in a way that saves public money.”
The plan will be a collaborative approach from public sector to cut crime. It will also involve reviewing buildings with the future prospect of public services working together under one roof – one-stop shops wherever possible across Staffordshire, looking at the causes of crime rather than the effect to get better results.
Mr Ellis added, “The plan will be the most elaborative and most ambitious approach that has been done in the UK and aims to make a real difference to Staffordshire people.
“This was a memorable and very productive meeting. It is clear the progress we are making has reached Downing Street and I hope to progress further with officials in London next month.”
Saturday, April 20th, 2013
Prime Minister David Cameron visited Burton, on Friday (19 April), to see for himself how Staffordshire County Council, under Conservative control, is helping small businesses like Network Railways Ltd with the Staffordshire Small Business Loan supporting 9 jobs, how Burton Albion FC are doing in the promotion battle and speak to local Conservative County Council candidates.
During the meeting with Conservative candidates for Staffordshire County Council, the Prime Minister said, “The next big fight for this party is on May 2nd. Remember what we’re fighting for. Yes, we’re fighting for our councils but it’s about more than that.
“We’re rebuilding our country. Backing hard-working people. Making this a country where if you work hard and do the right thing, you will get on. We’re building a country where you put in, you get out.
“You work hard, you get rewarded. You save, you get security. And we are saying to each and every hardworking person in our country: we are on your side.”
The Prime Minister also took part in a question answer session with the candidates and answered questions from three of Tamworth’s Conservative candidates, Cllr Ben Adams, Cllr Andrew James and Cllr Jeremy Oates.
Saturday, April 13th, 2013
There are just two weeks to go until Tamworth’s spectacular St George’s Day celebrations in the Castle and the Castle Grounds, complete with a medieval joust and a friendly dragon.
The St George’s Day extravaganza is always one of the highlights in Tamworth’s events calendar. Last year’s celebrations attracted more than 8,500 visitors and in 2011, Tamworth was highlighted as one of the best places in the UK to celebrate the feast day of England’s patron saint.
Falconry, have-a-go archery and living history are just some of the events taking place during the free celebrations, which this year are being held on Saturday April 20 from noon until 5pm.
Sir Aurelious Jones and his dragon will also be making an appearance – and are set to be a hit with the crowds.
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.
Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, Cllr Robert Pritchard, said, “We know how important the free events are to the whole of Tamworth, and yet again, the St George’s Day extravaganza is the first of many this year.”
The event is completely free and will feature displays and activities including:
- Children’s workshops
- ‘Have a go’ archery (for which there will be a small charge)
- Falconer
- Foot tournament
- Medieval encampment displays
- Walkabout characters
- Face painting
A major highlight of the day will be the unveiling at Tamworth Castle of it new displays, as part of its £1.6 million refurbishment project. Visitors will be able to look at the new displays in the Castle Grounds and the Courtyard, experience the new Armoury and take part in living history and craft activities taking place throughout the Castle.
Admission to the Castle will be reduced on the day of the extravaganza to £3 for adults, £2 for children aged five and above and 50p for children aged between two and four. Children under two will be admitted free. Admission is valid for a full day, so visitors can enter and leave the castle as often as they wish on production of a valid admission ticket.
For more information, see www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk or find the Castle Grounds on Facebook.
Timetable of Events for Castle Grounds
10.00am Official opening
10.30am – 11am Meet the Medieval Falconer (Upper Lawn)
11am – 11.30am Medieval Falconry Display (Jousting Arena)
11.30am – 12noon Dragon Walkabout/Show (Upper Lawn)
12noon – 12.45pm Grand Medieval Joust (Jousting Arena)
1pm – 1.30pm Medieval Foot Arena Display (Jousting Arena)
1.30pm – 2pm Dragon Walkabout/Show (Upper Lawn)
2pm – 2.30pm Arming/Dressing the Medieval Knight (Medieval Camp)
2.30pm – 3pm Medieval Combat Arena Display (Jousting Arena)
3pm – 3.30pm Medieval Falconry Display (Jousting Arena)
3.30pm – 4pm Dragon Walkabout/Show (Upper Lawn)
4pm – 4.45pm The Grand Medieval Joust (Jousting Arena)
5pm Official finish
Timetable of Events for the Castle
10.30am Official opening
11am – 11.30am Domestic Life in the Castle (Lady De Freville, Ladies and Children)
11.30am – 12noon Mummers Play (15 minutes)
12noon – 12.20pm Dressing the Knight in the Castle
12.45pm – 1pm Arrival of the Earl of Warwick
1.30pm – 2.30pm The Knight’s Feast (Lunch in the Castle)
3pm – 3.20pm ‘The Lords Court’ – Local cases are heard
4pm – 4.30pm The Earl of Warwick and Life at Court
4.30pm – 5pm Mummers Play (15 minutes)
5pm Official finish
Throughout the day Medieval Have a Go Archery and Children’s Activities and Workshops will be ongoing within the encampments
Medieval Music will be played at various times in the Castle
Highways crews tackled around 400 potholes in just one week, as part of Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council’s blitz to tackle winter road damage.
