#Tamworth

Singers, bands, artists and creative individuals of all genres are invited to be part of a brand new online arts service which is being designed to highlight the talent on offer in Tamworth.

The web-based feature is being set up by Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts and Events team as part of a new Tamworth Arts Network which aims to raise the profile of and increase opportunities for artists and creative groups which want to work in the town.

A free project designed to help young musicians take their talents to the next level will get underway in Tamworth soon – and there’s another chance for people to get involved.

Tamworth Jam is an exciting new project aimed at 12 to 19-year-olds who love to ‘jam’ but are not sure how to make the leap from their bedrooms into the limelight.

During a series of weekly workshops, the six-month project will see participants working with a team of highly experienced and professional mentors to develop their song writing, musicianship, performance and promoting skills.

The rain didn’t dampen the festive mood as thousands of people enjoyed an afternoon of festive entertainment for the whole family as Tamworth’s festive season got underway with the switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights on Sunday.

The yuletide season was kicked off in style with a Christmas market which had more than 30 stalls, live music, fairground rides, treasure hunt, a live nativity in George Street near the Town Hall by members of St Francis Church, walkabout characters, dance performances and personal appearances from Paw Patrol’s Chase and Marshall.

Tears were shed and flags waved as hundreds of people enjoyed an evening of remembrance which saw Tamworth’s choirs coming together to perform under one magnificent roof in the first instalment of a new two-year arts project.

Organised by Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts and Events team, We Will Remember saw 200 choir members performing in St Editha’s Church alongside talented young singer Matilda Pratt and Staffordshire’s first ever Poet Laureate Mal Dewhirst.

There’s plenty of festive entertainment in store for audiences this December as Tamworth Assembly Rooms goes ‘on tour’ with popular events being taken out into the community while the theatre is closed for refurbishment.

Prime retail space in Tamworth town centre is being offered as part of an initiative to support creative individuals who would like to take their talents to the next level and set up shop in time for Christmas.

Tamworth Castle Grounds was packed on Bonfire Night (November 5) for what organisers believe was the town’s biggest free fireworks event to date, with estimated crowds of more than 28,000 people joining the fun.

Audiences will be given the unique opportunity to see Tamworth’s choirs performing together under one magnificent roof in a special concert of remembrance this November to mark the centenary of World War One.

Almost 200 choir members will take part in We Will Remember at St Editha’s Church on November 12, together with a talented young singer and Staffordshire’s first ever Poet Laureate. As well as commemorating the centenary, the event will also raise money towards the repair of the clock on St Editha’s Church.