Holiday fun for youngsters

FREE holiday activities for young people aged 11 to 16 will be on offer at Tamworth Rugby Club this winter.

A partnership between Koala Klubs Multi Activity Camps and the Union Jax foundation will see JAGTAG rolled out as part of Staffordshire’s Holiday and food program (HAF) this winter.

The JAGTAG program, backed by NFL side Jacksonville Jaguars, includes all the throwing, catching, evading and defending of the traditional American football game but does not require the bulky kit professional players use.

Tamara Tare, JAGTAG coordinator for Koala Klubs, said: “This program is being delivered in Tamworth with the aim of fostering a love for the game and promoting an active lifestyle among the youth in the community.

“JAGTAG will provide children aged 11-16 with the opportunity to learn and develop fundamental skills, build camaraderie, and most importantly, have a blast on the field.

“The program, which will be delivered January 2 – 5, 2024 at Tamworth Rugby Club is free to eligible children and will be led by experienced coaches who are dedicated to creating a positive and supportive learning environment for all participants.

“Through a series of structured sessions, children will be guided through age-appropriate drills, games and activities that emphasise teamwork.”

For more information or to book a space visit www. jagtag.co.uk or email Tamara at jagtag@koalaklubs.net.

SARAH EDWARDS, TAMWORTH MP:

I KNOW many will be counting down the days to Christmas as you look forward to spending time with loved ones.

Christmas is a special time for me and my family, especially after a whirlwind couple of months since I was elected your MP.

As I reflect on the past year, I continue to be filled with gratitude for the kindness and warmth you have shown me.

I made a promise to be an active visible MP and as I have criss-crossed the constituency, meeting as many of you as I can, I have an even greater appreciation for the vibrant and diverse community, businesses and voluntary organisations that make me so proud to call this constituency home.

However, for many, it has been another year of struggle and worry as the Conservative government continues to fail to address the cost of living crisis. It’s alarming to think a combination of rising costs at the pump, food price increases, rising mortgage rates and spiralling energy prices mean households in Tamworth are over £3,500 worse off this year. As we enter 2024, the year of a likely General Election, I will be relentless in my determination to speak up and push for action on critical issues you have told me matter to you.

Not just on measures to support local people through the cost-of-living crisis, but improving access to dentists and GPS, more urgency to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, to fix roads and protect green spaces and investment to support high streets and local businesses.

As we prepare to enjoy the festive period, I will also be taking time to thank those giving up their time to look after others and keep us safe over the Christmas period, in particular emergency service workers for whom this is a very busy period. In the new year, as my new constituency office opens, I will be undertaking a series of coffee mornings and roving surgeries, so you always have the opportunity to share with me issues that are impacting you.

I wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Remember, if I can be assistance, please contact me via sarah.edwards.mp@parliament.uk.

MAYOR OF TAMWORTH, JOHN HARPER:

AS we approach Christmas 2023, I think it’s important we reflect on the

New Tamworth MP Sarah Edwards has thanked those who look after others over Christmas

past year, but also look to the future. It has been a memorable year. We have welcomed a new King to the throne and staged some amazing local events including concerts in the Castle Grounds, St George’s Day, We Love Tamworth and a fabulous fireworks event and Christmas lights switch-on. I thank you all for your continual support.

Since being given the honour of becoming Mayor of Tamworth I have met so many truly wonderful people from our community groups. We are fortunate indeed to have so many caring people among us who commit their time freely and selflessly to help those in need.

I thank every one of you for the fantastic work you have done and are continuing to do; you are amazing. As for the future, there is no denying we have some tough months ahead, especially with the current cost of living crisis but I am confident we have a great and supportive community that will help those in need, doing what we do best when times are hard.

We have seen our town centre enter its regeneration stage and although this also brings some disruption to the town, I am confident the creation of an attractive town centre based around core principles of hospitality, leisure and heritage will be widely welcomed. Tamworth is a fantastic town and our amazing past can play a significant role in creating future prosperity. I thank all our businesses and residents for their ongoing support.

I look forward to seeing positive progress in 2024 and, along with my incredibly supportive wife Maureen, wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous New

New council leader Thomas Jay believes there are many reasons to be optimistic this Christmas and New Year Year. THOMAS JAY, LEADER OF TAMWORTH BOROUGH COUNCIL: FIRSTLY I would like to take this opportunity to wish all residents a very Happy Christmas and a fantastic 2024. The last year has been a difficult one for many in Tamworth and across the country, as we have all suffered from the increased cost of living. Families have felt it, businesses have felt it and it looks like this may be the new normal for some years yet. Families who were already on the breadline will have felt it the most and a time like Christmas brings it all home even more. What should be a time of celebration becomes a time of worry and pressure. We are very lucky in Tamworth to have so many community and third sector organisations who provide a safety net around such families and individuals. I want to make a special mention to these groups and thank them for the invaluable work they do in our town. We have many reasons to be optimistic about Tamworth’s future and the fantastic opportunities ahead. Tangible action is now visible in the town centre, as part of the Future High Streets Fund project, with the new college build started, rebuild work of the Peel Café site to bring this back into use and demolition due to start on buildings with hoardings up. We have a crane in the centre of town for the first time in decades and 2024 will see these buildings finished. While some neighbouring authorities are having financial difficulties, our continued robust management means we are about to approve a balanced three-year budget for our town. It also provides for more events celebrating the best of what we have in Tamworth, an increased workforce in key areas to help keep our town tidy and looks to support the most vulnerable through a fairer council tax reduction scheme and increased third sector grants. We should be proud of this. We’ve just delivered the most organised fireworks event to date, with new people and traffic management in place to make it a smooth experience for all. Then we’ve finished the year by giving Tamworth a Winter Wonderland event with a nutcracker trail, Santa’s grotto and an outdoor ice rink, a first for Tamworth. Next year will no doubt bring challenges, as every year does, but with so much lined up to announce in 2024 already, I am confident residents, businesses and visitors alike will see Tamworth as the positive place to be next year. Enjoy your festive period, recharge your batteries and let’s give it everything for our town in 2024! REVEREND ANDREW LYTHALL, VICAR OF TAMWORTH: THIS Christmas will be a particularly special one for me as it is our first in Tamworth, my family and I having moved here in March. What a fantastic community it is. It has been such a joy to work as Vicar of Tamworth over the last few months; we have met some incredible people and can’t wait to celebrate Christmas and see what the New Year has in store. It is such a privilege to be here, particularly in this time of renewal and redevelopment in the town. 2024 promises to be an exciting time for