Umbrellas, rain macs and smiles for We Love Tamworth 2016
The sun failed to shine on this year’s We Love Tamworth festival but the pouring rain didn’t dampen the spirits of more than 50 charities, community groups and organisations which braved the terrible weather to attend the event.
Although rain macs and umbrellas were a more common sight than picnic blankets and ice-creams in Tamworth Castle Grounds on Saturday September 3, there were still plenty of smiles to be seen among those who ventured out to join the fun.
Dozens of stalls were displayed alongside a variety of games and activities, inflatables, a dog show and Tamworth’s strongest man competition, plus music from Amington Brass Band.
The stalls arena was again organised by Tamworth Lions to raise money for local causes. A variety of stalls were set up, including charities, dance groups, scouts, guides, brownies, sea cadets, gifts, toys, food and drink, pet products and more.
This year’s We Love Tamworth also included a special ceremony which saw the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag, the Red Ensign, being hoisted from the roof of Tamworth Castle as part of Merchant Navy Day celebrations.
Tamworth joined other towns up and down the country to honour the men and women who
kept Britain afloat during both World Wars and to celebrate the modern merchant seafarers responsible for 95 per cent of the UK’s imports.
The flag was raised in front of a party of sea cadets, standard bearers, civic dignitaries and Merchant Navy veterans.
Unfortunately the rain meant the event had to be closed early but Tamworth’s strongest men continued to battle it out until the winner was crowned.
Cllr Joy Goodall, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Environment & Culture, said: “We’d like to thank all the people who came out to support the event despite the terrible weather. Everyone was very positive and understanding when the rain finally got the better of us.
“We Love Tamworth will be back in 2017 and hopefully we will have more luck with the weather next time.”
