Tamworth, Staffordshire
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox settlement
Tamworth (Template:IPAc-en, Template:IPAc-en) is a market town and borough in Staffordshire, England, Template:Convert north-east of Birmingham. The town borders North Warwickshire to the east and south, Lichfield to the north, south-west and west. The town takes its name from the River Tame, which flows through it. The population of Tamworth borough (Template:English statistics year) was Template:English district population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The wider urban area had a population of 81,964.
Tamworth was the principal centre of royal power of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Mercia during the 8th and 9th centuries. It hosts a simple but elevated 12th century castle, a well-preserved medieval church (the Church of St Editha) and a Moat House. Tamworth was historically divided between Warwickshire and Staffordshire until 1889, when the town was placed entirely in Staffordshire.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The town's industries include logistics, engineering, clothing, brick, tile and paper manufacture. Until 2001 one of its factories was Reliant, which produced the Reliant Robin three-wheeler car and the Reliant Scimitar sports car.
The Snowdome, a prototype real-snow indoor ski slope is in Tamworth and Template:Convert south is Drayton Manor Theme Park and one of the many marinas serving the Coventry Canal and Birmingham and Fazeley Canal which combine south of the town.
History
[edit]Romans
[edit]When the Romans arrived in Britain, (43–409 CE) the Trent Valley was home to the British Coritani tribe. Evidence of Roman activity in the area of Tamworth consists of fragments of Roman building materials found near Bolebridge Street.<ref name=Pollington/> Tamworth was near the Roman road, Watling Street and a few miles from the Roman town of Letocetum.Template:Citation needed
Anglo-Saxon
[edit]Following the end of Roman rule, the area around the Tame valley was occupied by Anglo-Saxons from northern Germany and Jutland. Stephen Pollington states that the settlers that reached Tamworth were Angles, who left their homelands after rising sea levels flooded much of the land. Britain offered an attractive option as its landscape was similar to their homelands, but was more fertile and had a more moderate climate. The Angles arrived from the north, navigating inland via the River Humber, River Trent and the River Tame.<ref name=Pollington/>
The settlers established themselves in "an open meadow by the Tame" which they called "Tomworðig". Nearby they established an "enclosed estate" called "Tomtun" – Tame-town – fortified with a palisade wall. These people called themselves the "Tomsaete": Tame-settlers. Tomtun was initially "not much more than a fortified manor". The settlement straddled the River Anker and contained a "large hall for public gatherings" as well as individual homes and agricultural buildings such as stables and granaries. The Lords of Tame-Settlers quickly became wealthy and Tamworth was thus able to be fortified further.<ref name=Pollington>Template:Cite book</ref>
The Tomsaete were a military tribe; however, soldiers eventually reached an age where they retired from military duty and were then allotted parcels of land to farm, manage and defend. Fertile lands surrounding the rivers were allotted first, then the hill lands; this land spreading further and further, spreading the power and influence of the tribes. The Tomsaete were one of countless tribes "all vying for power and influence", however the Lords of the Tomsaete came to control and to "dominate" the area known as English Midlands. The tribes initially ruled through unions and alliances of leading families and there is evidence of contact with families across England and also back in the Anglo-Saxon homelands. However, this "warlord" form of government developed and the Tomsaete's lands became a Kingdom with a single leader.<ref name=Pollington/>
Mercian 'capital'
[edit]The Tomsaete lived in the heartland of what by the late 6th century had become the Kingdom of Mercia, the largest of the kingdoms in what is now England. A fortress built by King Creoda would later, under King Penda in the 7th century, become the most powerful. The King was not static and would not have a single residence; instead he travelled round his territories "to be seen by his people, to give legal judgments, to reward loyalty and to try offenders". Tamworth was likely a stopping place on the royal circuit, becoming a royal vill from the seventh century, with an early minster church and river crossing.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was fortified as a burh in the late 8th century, with an earthen rampart and timber palisade surrounded by a ditch.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=Pollington/>Template:Sfn
By the end of the 8th century it had been established by King Offa of Mercia (757–796) as the stable centre of royal power for his expanding political ambitions – more like a capital than had previously been seen anywhere in Anglo-Saxon England.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> One of the earliest surviving written records mentioning Tamworth dates from Offa's reign; a grant of land to monks at Worcester dating from 781, signed by Offa, King of Mercia, addressed from his royal palace at Tamworthie.Template:Sfn Offa built what was described as a Royal palace at Tamworth, however this was almost certainly a timber and thatch construction (as were most buildings in Anglo-Saxon England) which left little physical trace, and so the location of Offa's palace has never been identified, although excavations north of Bolebridge Street in 1968 revealed what appeared to be the outline of a large Saxon building.Template:Sfn
Between 790 and 850 Tamworth was the main location for the signature of Mercian royal charters. In 868 the Great Heathen Army invaded England and in 874 they drove out King Burgred, who fled to Rome. Tamworth was then a frontier town between Viking ruled east Mercia and Anglo-Saxon ruled west Mercia until 913, when Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, made Tamworth her capital, and re-fortified the town against Viking attacks.<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia Template:ODNBsub</ref>Template:Efn Æthelflæd led a successful military campaign to win back territory from the Danes, driving them back to their stronghold at Derby which was then captured. She died at Tamworth on 6 June 918.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia Template:ODNBsub</ref>
During the reign of Æthelstan (924–939) the Kingdom enjoyed a period of relative peace and prosperity. In Tamworth church in 926, a sister of King Æthelstan, perhaps Saint Edith of Polesworth, was married to Sitric Cáech, the squint-eyed Norse King of York and Dublin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was during this period that a mint was established at Tamworth producing silver coins, many stamped with the name of a local moneyer called Manna. Many coins produced in Tamworth during this period have appeared in Scandinavian museums, as much of it was used to pay Danegeld, a tribute paid in an attempt to buy off invading Vikings. This however proved fruitless, as following Æthelstan's death in 939, Tamworth was again plundered and devastated by Viking invaders led by Sitric's son Olaf (later called Amlaíb Cuarán). It was soon recovered and rebuilt by Æthelstan's successors, but Tamworth never regained its pre-eminence as a Royal centre.Template:Sfn<ref>Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, version D, s.a. 943, perhaps misdated.</ref>
In the early 10th century the new shires of Staffordshire and Warwickshire were created, and Tamworth was divided between them, with the county border running through the town centre along the streets of Gungate, Church Street, Silver Street and Holloway, with the castle on the Warwickshire side of the border. The reason for this division was likely so that the town would be divided between the two separately administered Hundreds of Offlow and Hemlingford to ensure that sufficient manpower would be available to man the town's defences.Template:Sfn
Norman and Medieval
[edit]
Following the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century, the Normans built a large motte and bailey castle, the forerunner of the present Tamworth Castle, partly on the site of the Saxon fort which still stands to this day. Unusually Tamworth wasn't mentioned in the Domesday Book; this may have been due to its division between two counties confusing the surveyors.Template:Sfn
From around 1093, the Marmion family became lords of the manor, and eight generations of Marmions inhabited Tamworth Castle until 1294. It was the Marmions who were largely responsible for building the present sandstone fort at Tamworth Castle, replacing the original wooden Norman structure. During the period of The Anarchy in the 12th century, Robert Marmion supported King Steven in his fight with Empress Matilda. In the ensuing struggle, Tamworth Castle was taken and occupied by the forces of Matilda, but was returned to the Marmions when Steven finally prevailed in the war. In 1215 King John threatened to have Tamworth Castle destroyed, in revenge for the 3rd Baron Marmion's support for the baronial revolt against the King. However, this threat was not carried out.Template:Sfn
In the Middle Ages Tamworth was a small market town. However, the king gave it charters in 1319. In 1337 Tamworth was granted the right to hold two annual fairs. In the Middle Ages fairs were like markets but they were held only once a year and they attracted buyers and sellers from great distances.Template:Sfn In 1345 Tamworth suffered a disastrous fire, and much of the town burned. This was followed by the Black Death which arrived in England from 1348, which reduced the population by at least a third. However, the town eventually recovered from these disasters.Template:Sfn
In 1877 a hoard of silver pennies of William I and William II was found during construction of the town's board school. Many were minted in Tamworth.<ref name="Keary">Template:Cite Q</ref><ref name="Clarson">Template:Cite Q</ref> 294 coins were recovered, approximately four or five having been sold by the finder before the hoard's significance was realised.<ref name="Keary" /> Many of the coins are now in the British Museum.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
16th and 17th centuries
[edit]Queen Elizabeth I granted Tamworth another charter in 1560 confirming the town's existing rights and privileges, and incorporating it as a unified borough with a single municipal corporation. Prior to this there had been separate corporations for the Warwickshire and Staffordshire sides of the town. The charter enabled Tamworth to elect a representative to Parliament. Another charter was granted in 1588, further consolidating the town's rights of self-government.Template:Sfn
Tamworth suffered from outbreaks of plague in 1563, 1579, 1606, and 1626. Many died but each time the population recovered.<ref name="TTH">Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Sfn
James I, the first Stuart king of England, visited Tamworth on three occasions, with his first visit in 1619, and was accommodated by Sir John Ferrers at Tamworth Castle. The king was accompanied by Prince Charles (the future king Charles I), who was entertained by William Comberford at the Moat House.Template:Sfn
During the English Civil War from 1642, Tamworth Castle was initially garrisoned for the Royalists under William Comberford, however in June 1643 it was captured by a detachment of Parliamentarian forces under the command of William Purefoy after a short two-day siege, and remained in Parliamentarian hands for the remainder of the conflict, despite unsuccessful attempts by Royalists who controlled nearby Lichfield to recapture it. In 1646, a large Parliamentarian force, backed by soldiers from Tamworth captured Lichfield after a four-month siege. After the conflict was over, the castle was again threatened with destruction, when an order was issued for it to be destroyed, but again this was not carried out.Template:Sfn
Tamworth continued to grow and remained one of the most populous towns in the Midlands by 1670, when the combined hearth tax returns from Warwickshire and Birmingham list a total of some 320 households. Its strategic trade advantage lay with control of the two vital packhorse bridges across the Anker and the Tame on the route from London to Chester. As today, a market town,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> it did a brisk trade providing travellers with at least staple bread, ale and accommodation, maintaining trading links as far afield as Bristol. Charles II's reconfirmation of its borough's privileges in 1663 gave the town an added boost, as confirmed by Richard Blome'sTemplate:Who description of its celebrated market, well served with corn, provisions and lean cattle.Template:Citation needed
18th and 19th centuries
[edit]The town grew rapidly in the 18th and 19th centuries during the Industrial Revolution, benefiting from the surrounding coal mines. It also became connected to the canal network, with the Coventry Canal being built through the town. The late 18th century saw further improvements in the local transport infrastructure, and the beginnings of industrialisation: In 1770 the Tamworth Turnpike trust was established, which set about making improvements to the roads in and around the town. In 1777 the Trent and Mersey Canal was completed, running to within a few miles of Tamworth. In 1790 the Coventry Canal was completed through Tamworth, linking Tamworth to the growing national canal network, a junction was soon made between this and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.Template:Sfn
Influence of the Peel family
[edit]
Robert 'Parsley' Peel (1723–1795) a Lancashire cotton mill owner was the first member of the Peel family to become established in the area. Peel had become well known for producing textiles with a parsley leaf design, this led him to becoming known as 'Parsley' Peel. After his mills in Lancashire were damaged by riots, Peel moved his mill operations to Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire in 1780, attracted in part due to the improving local transport systems.Template:Sfn
His son, Sir Robert Peel, 1st Baronet (1750–1830) played a major role in developing Tamworth's economy, he established the first cotton mills in Tamworth in 1788, one of which, known as 'Castle Mill' was based in Tamworth Castle. Textiles soon became Tamworth's main industry. Peel also established several banks in Tamworth. Peel moved permanently from Lancashire, and set up home in Drayton Manor just outside Tamworth in the 1790s. He became the town's Member of Parliament in 1790, and remained so until 1820. He used his parliamentary influence to improve the working conditions in factories.Template:Sfn
By far the most famous member of the Peel family, was his son Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet (1788–1850) who rose to become one of the most famous Prime Ministers of the Victorian era, and served as the town's Member of Parliament from 1830 until his death in 1850. He lived at the nearby Drayton Manor. It was in Tamworth that Robert Peel unveiled his Tamworth Manifesto in 1834 which created what is now the modern Conservative Party. While Home Secretary, Peel helped create the modern concept of the police force, leading to officers being known as "bobbies" or "Peelers". Peel is commemorated in Tamworth by a statue in front of the town hall, which was produced by Matthew Noble in 1852.Template:Sfn
Improvements
[edit]There were a number of improvements to Tamworth during the 19th century. In 1807 the pavements were flagged. 1809 A new church entrance was completed and a new organ erected funded by public subscriptions. (source see 1809 Parish Records). From 1835 Tamworth had gaslight.Template:Sfn In the late 19th century a piped water supply was created.Template:Citation needed
The railways arrived with the Midland Railway route from Derby to Birmingham arriving in Tamworth in 1847, and later the London and North Western Railway, which provided direct trains to the capital. A split-level station exists where the two main lines cross each another, the higher-level platforms (on the Derby to Birmingham line), being at right angles to the lower ones on the main line to London.Template:Citation needed
The first municipal cemetery opened in 1876. The Assembly Rooms were built in 1889. In 1897 the corporation bought Tamworth Castle.Template:Citation needed
A hospital was built in Tamworth in 1880 and was funded by one of the town's greatest benefactors, William MacGregor, at his own expense. An infirmary was built in 1903. MacGregor also built two churches at Glascote and Hopwas and had the bells at St. Editha's church recast. He also started a free library, a working men's club, a school (Now called William MacGregor School) and started the Co-operative society<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in the town in 1885 acting as guarantor.Template:Citation needed
Tamworth was historically divided between Warwickshire and Staffordshire, with the county boundary running along the town centre. The boundary was re-drawn following the Local Government Act 1888, which created county councils. The Act decreed that urban areas, such as Tamworth, which were situated in more than one county, should transfer entirely into the county which contained the larger portion of the population at the 1881 census: In Tamworth's case, the Staffordshire part of Tamworth Borough contained 2,589 people and the Warwickshire part, 2,032, therefore Tamworth became part of Staffordshire from 1 April 1889.<ref name="Genuki">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="BHOLbot">Template:Cite web</ref>
During the 19th century the Tamworth pig, a long-bodied, heavily bristled breed, was first sold here by cross-breeding pigs available locally with imported Irish stock.Template:Citation needed
Modern history
[edit]The first council houses in Tamworth were built in 1900. More were built in the 1920s and 1930s and after 1945.Template:Citation needed
The first public library in Tamworth was built in 1905. Tamworth gained an electricity supply in 1924.Template:Citation needed
Tamworth grew rapidly in the postwar years as it soaked up overspill from the West Midlands conurbation to the southwest. A population of about 7,000 in 1931 had risen to some 13,000 just after the Second World War; this figure remained fairly static until the late 1960s when a major expansion plan was implemented. Although not officially a "New Town", Tamworth's expansion resembled the development of many new towns. As part of this plan the town boundaries were expanded to include the industrial area around Wilnecote to the south. The 1961 population of the new enlarged area was 25,000. In 1971 it was 40,000; in 1981, 64,000; in 1991, 68,000 and in 2001, 72,000, meaning that the town's population had almost doubled within 30 years.Template:Citation needed
The Reliant Motor Company was founded in Tamworth in 1935<ref>Payne, Elvis (2016). The Reliant Motor Company. Crecy Publishing.</ref> by T. L. Williams and E. S. Thompson, and cars such as the Scimitar four wheeled sports cars and the Robin three wheeled economy cars were manufactured here until the company moved to Cannock in 1998. A year later the old factory was razed to the ground and a new housing estate built in its place called "Scimitar Park" with street names assuming names of Reliant vehicles (e.g. Robin Close).Template:Citation needed
The A5 dual-carriageway Fazeley, Two Gates and Wilnecote Bypass opened in July 1995, acting both as a bypass of Watling Street, and as a fast route for traffic into the town. This was further extended to meet the M6 Toll and A38 in 2005. The road's official name is Thomas Guy Way.Template:Citation needed
Tamworth has six designated Local Nature Reserves, Hodge Lane (Amington), Kettlebrook, Tameside, Dosthill Park, Warwickshire Moor and Broadmeadow, which became the newest nature reserve in April 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Historic population
[edit]| Year | 1801 | 1831 | 1851 | 1881 | 1901 | 1911 | 1931 | 1951 | 1961 | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population* <ref name="Genuki"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="CitPop">Template:Cite web</ref> |
3,870 | 7,128 | 8,671 | 12,166 | 13,985 | 19,256 | 20,111 | 22,780 | 25,074 | 39,725 | 65,200 | 70,500 | 74,600 | 76,895 |
* population figures based on current borough boundaries.
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Geography
[edit]Tamworth is located at the confluence of the rivers Tame and Anker, which meet just south of the town centre. Tamworth is on the southeastern tip of Staffordshire, with the Warwickshire border just Template:Convert east of the town centre. The Derbyshire and Leicestershire borders are Template:Convert to the north-east.<ref name="EX240">OS Explorer Map 232 : Nuneaton & Tamworth: (1:25 000) Template:ISBN</ref>
Tamworth's built-up area includes the smaller town of Fazeley which is to the south-west of Tamworth, on the opposite bank of the River Tame, Fazeley is not part of Tamworth borough, instead it is administered as part of the Lichfield District. The built-up area of Tamworth and Fazeley was recorded as having a population of 81,964 in the 2011 census.<ref name="2011BUAcensus">Template:NOMIS2011</ref>
Tamworth is Template:Convert north-east of Birmingham city centre and Template:Convert from the Lichfield city centre. Other nearby places include Polesworth, Atherstone and Sutton Coldfield, with Nuneaton, Burton upon Trent, Walsall and Rugeley a bit further afield.Template:Citation needed Template:Geographic location
Suburbs
[edit]
Tamworth has a number of suburbs: Template:Div col
- Amington
- Belgrave
- Bitterscote
- Bolehall
- Borough Park
- Coton Green
- Dosthill
- Gillway
- Glascote
- Glascote Heath
- Hockley
- Kettlebrook
- Lakeside
- Leyfields
- Perry Crofts
- Quarry Hill
- Riverside
- Stonydelph
- The Alders
- The Leys
- Two Gates
- Wilnecote
Demography
[edit]According to the 2011 census the borough has a population of 76,900. White British is the predominant ethnicity, then 97% of the population. The second largest ethnicity is White Irish, making up 0.9%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 95% of people in the borough were born in England, with Scotland ranking next, with 1% of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tamworth was in 2013 the most overweight town in the UK with a 30.7% obesity rate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Governance
[edit]Template:Main Tamworth Borough is administered by a Council which has been Labour-led since 2024 and was Conservative-led from 2004 to 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> No part of the borough has a civil parish. On Staffordshire county council, Tamworth has six divisions, all of which are held by the Conservatives.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Since 2011, Tamworth has formed part of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership along with neighbouring authorities Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Redditch, Solihull and Wyre Forest. Tamworth is also a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The council retains a cabinet system of governance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Elections
[edit]Template:Main Tamworth Council elects by thirds meaning there is an election of 1 councillor for each of the wards every year for three years but the fourth year see elections to Staffordshire County Council.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Councillors are elected for a four-year term.
The borough is used as the starting point of the extent of the Westminster seat of Tamworth, which is held by Sarah Edwards for Labour since the 2023 by-election held after the resignation of former MP Chris Pincher.<ref name="bbc2023">Template:Cite news</ref>
Health
[edit]Tamworth has a minor hospital called Sir Robert Peel Hospital which is located in Mile Oak. The Sir Robert Peel Hospital has a Minor Injuries Unit.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tamworth is part of the South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation trust.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
Castle Grounds is also home to Tamworth Castle Grounds parkrun, a free timed 5km running and walking event held every Saturday at 9am.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Religion
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Christianity is the largest religion in Tamworth, comprising 77% of the population. 15% are not religious. Other religions include Hindu (177), Islam (127) and Sikhism (124) which make up 0.9% of the population.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Church of England
[edit]The parish church of Tamworth is the Church of St Editha in the town centre, which is one of the towns prominent and oldest landmarks being a grade I listed building.Template:Citation needed Most of Tamworth is part of the Diocese of Lichfield, the two parishes being Tamworth and Wilnecote. However Amington is in the parish of Amington St. Editha which is part of the Diocese of Birmingham.
Roman Catholicism
[edit]Tamworth is in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham; the main Roman Catholic church is St John the Baptist on St John Street in the town centre, the other Roman Catholic church is Sacred Heart Church in Glascote.
Culture
[edit]Scientific
[edit]Sir Ernest William Titterton was born in Tamworth. He was a research officer for the British Admiralty during World War II before becoming in 1943 a member of the British mission to the U.S. to participate in the Manhattan Project which developed the atomic bomb. He was knighted in 1970.
Music
[edit]
Former The Teardrop Explodes frontman and solo artist/writer Julian Cope was raised in Tamworth and later lived in nearby Drayton Bassett. Cope recorded three solo albums during his Tamworth years, World Shut Your Mouth (1984), Fried (1984) and Saint Julian (1987), and all three used various locations around Tamworth for their sleeve art and several videos.
The heavy rock band Wolfsbane cut their teeth in the town, before their lead singer Blaze Bayley went on to front Iron Maiden.
Rock guitarist Clem Clempson was born in Tamworth. Bob Catley, the lead singer of rock band Magnum also lives in Tamworth.
Guitarist/vocalist/songwriter/ producer Phil Bates (Trickster, ELO Pt2, Quill and solo artist) was born in Tamworth, and played in local bands the Teenbeats and Source of Power until moving away from the area in 1971. Phil still has strong family and musical connections with Tamworth.
Amington Band are a traditional British brass band based in their own band room. They have been based in the village of Amington since the 1917.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Transport
[edit]Road
[edit]The main road running through Tamworth is the A5 bypass. The M42 motorway runs to the east of Tamworth and the town is served by junction 10 which also contains Tamworth services.
The Egg is a magic roundabout in the town centre. It forms the junction of the A51, A453 and A513 and terminates the B5000. It consists of the roads Ankerdrive and Bolebridge Street, and is listed as being part of the A51. The Egg has a cinema complex and restaurant in the centre, with the River Anker running through it. The Snowdome and Tamworth FC also directly adjoin the junction. It was voted the fourth worst roundabout in Britain in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Railways
[edit]
Tamworth railway station is located on Victoria Road and consists of four platforms. It is both a high- and low-level station, serving as an interchange between the West Coast Main Line and the Cross Country Route.
Wilnecote railway station, on the Cross Country Route, serves the suburbs of Wilnecote and Two Gates.
Airport
[edit]The nearest airports to Tamworth are Birmingham and East Midlands.
Buses
[edit]Bus services around the town are operated by Arriva Midlands North, Diamond Bus and Stagecoach Midlands. Arriva and Stagecoach operates services to Atherstone and Nuneaton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Arriva also operates services 765 and X65 to Lichfield and service 110 to Birmingham via Fazeley, Sutton Coldfield and Erdington.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There is also a half hourly service to Kingsbury on Diamond routes 76 and 76A, which extend occasionally to Coleshill and Sutton Coldfield.
Diamond also operate a college service to Rodbaston College and National Express West Midlands operate two school services from Wilnecote to St Francis Of Assisi in Aldridge.
There are also bus services connecting the town with its suburbs and to the newly built Mercia Park near Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following acquisition of the company, Midland Classic services now operate under the Diamond East Midlands brand.
Canal
[edit]The Coventry Canal runs through Tamworth. At Fazeley Junction, just outside the town, it joins the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. At Fradley Junction, a few miles north-west, the Coventry Canal joins the Trent and Mersey Canal.
Twin towns
[edit]Tamworth's town twins are:<ref>Tamworth Borough Council website retrieved 11 January 2019</ref>
- Bad Laasphe, Germany (since 1980)
- Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
- Vaujours, France
Blue plaques
[edit]
Tamworth currently has two historical blue plaques. The first is positioned on the old Bank House on Lady Bank by the Tamworth Civic Society and commemorates the Tamworth Savings Bank that was founded on 1823. More recently on 8 July 2017,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a blue plaque was unveiled by Tamworth Heritage Trust and the Reliant Motor Club at Bro-Dawel on the Kettlebrook Road to honour Reliant's founders, Mr T. L. Williams and Mr E. S. Thompson, and marks the birthplace of the first Reliant prototype built in 1934.
Sport
[edit]Football
[edit]Tamworth F.C. is a football club based at The Lamb Ground.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The club has a keen rivalry with fellow Staffordshire clubs Stafford Rangers and Burton Albion. However, their biggest rivals are Nuneaton Town. Tamworth currently compete in the National League following two successive promotions in 2023 and 2024 under manager Andy Peaks. The club has been owned by local businessman Bob Andrews since 1998.Template:Cn
In 2025 Tamworth F.C. drew major international attention when they were drawn to play Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur at The Lamb Ground in the FA Cup.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tamworth initially defied the odds to hold Tottenham to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes, which in any other season would have been enough to guarantee them a lucrative replay back at Tottenham, however thanks to a rule change that had come into force that season which scrapped replays from the FA Cup the two sides had to go to extra time where Tottenham eventually ran out 3-0 winners.
Tamworth F.C. has fielded a number of notable players in recent times, including West Brom legend Bob Taylor and, for one match in the 2005–06 season, former Aston Villa and Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson. Other football players from Tamworth include former Manchester City goalkeeper Tony Coton; former goalkeeper Martin Taylor who played for Derby County and Wycombe Wanderers; former Everton and Wales international Ashley Williams; and former Leicester City footballer Marc Albrighton is also from Tamworth.
Rugby
[edit]Tamworth RUFC is a rugby club based at Wigginton Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Field hockey
[edit]Tamworth Hockey Club is a field hockey club based at Hints Lane, Hopwas and competes in the Midlands Hockey League.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Cricket
[edit]Tamworth Cricket Club is also based at Hints Lane, Hopwas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Bowls
[edit]Tamworth Castle Bowling Club was founded in 1814<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> it can boast Mayors and Prime ministers as past members. This crown green bowling club is situated behind a green door on Ladybank in the shadow of Tamworth Castle. The club is owned by its membership with a season running from March to October.
Tamworth and District Indoor Bowling Club officially founded and opened in 1990. A fire destroyed the Club just after it was originally built delaying its opening by about 12 months. This is the only indoor bowling club in Staffordshire and with over 350 members it is actively involved at Club, County and National levels of competition. There is an active junior section with County representatives to under 25 age group. Bowling for people with disabilities is a very important part of the club as is coaching for all players. Owned by its membership the club has an Outdoor green operating April to September whilst the Indoor rinks are open throughout the year. The club is in Eagle Drive, Amington, Tamworth just before the Municipal Golf Course.
Speedway
[edit]Speedway racing took place in the Tamworth area in the 1930s and in the post war era featured at the Greyhound Stadium in Mile Oak. The Hounds started out in 1947 racing in the National League Division Three before becoming The Tammies in 1950 when the venture was purchased by Birmingham promoter Les Marshall.
Sports teams in Tamworth
[edit]| Club | Sport | Founded | League | Venue | Logo |
| Tamworth | Rugby | 1925 | Midlands 2 West (North) Midlands | Wigginton Park | |
| Tamworth | Football | 1933 | Southern Football League Premier Central Division | The Lamb Ground | |
| Bolehall Swifts | Football | 1953 | Midland Football League Division One | Rene Road Ground | |
| Mile Oak Rovers | Football | 1958 | Folded 2010 | Recreation Ground | |
| Coton Green | Football | 1982 | Midland Football League Division Two | New Mill Lane | |
| Dosthill Colts | Football | 1990 | Folded 2011 | Rene Road Ground | |
| Tamworth Tigers | Basketball | 2020 | Youth Basketball Leagues | Rawlett Leisure Centre |
Education
[edit]Template:See also There are five secondary schools in Tamworth, a sixth form centre and a branch of South Staffordshire College along with 27 primary schools.
Media
[edit]In 1868 The Tamworth Herald was launched by Daniel Addison, with its original premises in Silver Street. Mr Addison continued to publish the paper for nine years until 29 October 1877, when it was taken over by a consortium of leading townsmen. In modern day, the newspaper is owned by Reach Regionals Ltd,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a part of Reach PLC.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its reporters also contribute local news stories to the Birmingham MailTemplate:'s website, Birmingham Live in addition to their print based activities.
In recent years the print version of Tamworth Herald has dwindled. The 2020 circulation figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulation show that for that year their circulation was just 4,723 a week.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Tamworth Herald was crowned ‘Newspaper of the Year’ at the Midland Media Awards in both 2016 and 2017.
JA media produces a lot of Tamworth News and Heritage videos.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, JAmedia has the distinction of broadcasting the first full council meetings,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (these are now live-streamed by the Council) and live-streaming the Tamworth Election Counts and results.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Local radio stations are BBC Radio WM on 95.3 FM, Capital Mid-Counties on 101.6 FM, Greatest Hits Radio Birmingham & The West Midlands on 105.2 FM, Hits Radio Birmingham on 96.4 FM and a community radio station, Radio Tamworth, which broadcasts on 106.8 FM.
Tamworth lies in the BBC West Midlands and ITV Central television regions. Television signals are received from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Notable people
[edit]Politics
[edit]
- Anthony Dyott (c.1560–1622) lawyer, politician,<ref>The History of Parliament Trust, DYOTT, Anthony (c.1560–1622), of Freeford, nr. Lichfield, Staffs retrieved December 2017</ref> Recorder of Tamworth, MP for Lichfield from 1601 to 1621
- John Swinfen (1613–1694) politician<ref>The History of Parliament Trust, SWINFEN (SWYNFEN), John (1613–94), of Swinfen, Weeford, Staffs retrieved December 2017</ref> and MP variously between 1645 and 1691, elected for Tamworth in 1659, 1661 and 1681
- Thomas Guy (1644–1724) founded almshouses in Tamworth in 1678, which were rebuilt in 1913. He also commissioned Tamworth Town Hall in 1701 and founded Guy's Hospital in London in 1721.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
- Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850), a British statesman,<ref>Template:Cite DNB</ref> served twice as Prime Minister (1834–1835 and 1841–1846), the father of modern British policing. MP for Tamworth from 1830 to 1850
- Henry John Roby (1830–1915) classical scholar,<ref>Template:Cite EB1911</ref> writer on Roman law, Liberal MP for Eccles 1890/1895 and a Cambridge Apostle
- Brian Jenkins (born 1942) Labour Party politician, MP for Tamworth from 1997 to 2010
- Phil Bennion (born 1954) farmer, LibDem MEP for the West Midlands from 2012 to 2014
Public service and commerce
[edit]- Baron Marmion held by Roger Marmion (died ca. 1129), and centred on Tamworth Castle
- Thomas Blake (c.1597–1657) Puritan clergyman,<ref>Template:Cite DNB</ref> controversialist of moderate Presbyterian sympathies.
- John Rawlet (1642–1686) Anglican cleric,<ref>Template:Cite DNB</ref> preacher and writer of religious literature
- Thomas Sheasby (senior) (ca.1740–1799) civil engineer and contractor, built bridges and canals
- Samuel Parkes (1815–1864), won the Victoria Cross in the Charge of the Light Brigade, was born in Wigginton and baptised locally.
- Gage Earle Freeman (1820–1903), clergyman and writer on falconry.<ref>Template:Cite DNB12</ref>
- William Gordon Bagnall (1852–1907) mechanical engineer, founded W.G. Bagnall in 1875
- Joseph Adcock (1864–1914) Anglican clergyman and first-class cricketer<ref>ESPNcricinfo, Players / New Zealand / Joseph Adcock retrieved December 2017</ref> in New Zealand
- Frederick William Thomas (1867–1956) an English Indologist and Tibetologist
- Maud Doria Haviland (1889–1941), ornithologist, entomologist, explorer, lecturer, photographer and writer.
- Ernest Titterton (1916–1990) was a British nuclear physicist.
- Colin Grazier (1920–1942), able seaman; posthumously awarded the George Cross for capturing Enigma codebooks
- Alan Edwin Thomas Harper (born 1944), Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 2007 to 2012
- Joe Grice (born 1952) Chief Economist to the Office for National Statistics
Arts
[edit]- Appleby Matthews (1884–1948) organist and the first conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- Bryan Pringle (1935–2002) actor,<ref>IMDb Database retrieved December 2017</ref> appeared in television, film and theatre productions
- James Lees (1939–2015), English ceremonial magician<ref>*Template:Cite book</ref>
- Clem Clempson (born 1949) rock guitarist,<ref>IMDb Database retrieved December 2017</ref> played for Colosseum and Humble Pie
- Sue Coe (born 1951) artist, illustrator and printmaker, lives in Upstate New York
- Phil Bates (born 1953) English musician, member of Trickster and Quill
- Julian Cope (born 1957) musician,<ref>IMDb Database retrieved December 2017</ref> author, antiquarian, poet and cultural commentator, grew up locally
- Sally Matthews (born 1964), sculptor, particularly of animals.
- Jemma Palmer (born 1986) an English model and wrestler, signed up to WWE.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Emma Slater (born 1988) professional dancer/choreographer<ref>IMDb Database retrieved December 2017</ref> on Dancing with Stars
- Erin Kellyman (born 1998) actress,<ref>IMDb Database retrieved April 2021</ref> known for Solo: A Star Wars Story and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Sport
[edit]- Francis Marlow (1867–1952) cricketer who played 219 first-class matches between 1891-1904.
- Hubert Pearson (1886–1955) goalkeeper, 341 appearances for West Bromwich Albion F.C.
- Alec Mercer (1891–1977), footballer who played 130 games
- Harold Pearson (1908–1994) goalkeeper, over 300 pro appearances mainly for West Bromwich Albion F.C.
- Albert Mullard (1920–1984) prisoner of war and footballer, played almost 300 pro games mainly for Port Vale F.C.
- Micky Steele-Bodger (born 1925) former rugby union footballer, played for Harlequins and the Barbarians
- Dave Black (born 1952) long-distance runner, competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics
- Roger Brown (1952–2011) football manager<ref>SoccerBase Database retrieved December 2017</ref> and player, played over 300 games mainly for Fulham F.C.
- Peter Eastoe (born 1953) former footballer, 350 pro appearances mainly for Everton F.C.
- Steve Fox (1958–2012) footballer, made 278 pro appearances mainly for Wrexham F.C.
- Tony Coton (born 1961) former football goalkeeper,<ref>SoccerBase Database retrieved December 2017</ref> 501 club caps mainly for Watford F.C.
- Martin Taylor (born 1966), footballer who played 370 games, mainly for Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
- Dean Williams (born 1972), football goalkeeper, played 403 games
- David Gilbert (born 1981), professional snooker player
- Dan Martin (born 1986) Irish professional racing cyclist, grew up locally
- Martin Plowman (born 1987), racing driver,
- Marc Albrighton (born 1989) English professional footballer,<ref>SoccerBase Database retrieved December 2017</ref> plays for Leicester City F.C., played 343 games
- Joe Newell (born 1993) footballer with Hibernian FC; has played over 380 games
Other
[edit]- Thomas "Bomber" Kavanagh (born 1968), Irish criminal and a senior member of the crime organisation founded by Christy Kinahan ran his criminal empire from Tamworth.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Freedom of the Borough
[edit]The following people and military units have received the Freedom of the Borough of Tamworth.
Individuals
[edit]- Frederick George Allton: 1951.
- Marc Kevin Albrighton: 17 May 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Terence (Terry) Alec Dix: 30 July 2009. Local councillor from 1967 to 1982 and county councillor From 1981 to 2009.
Military Units
[edit]- Royal British Legion: 2014.
- Royal Naval Association: 2014.
- Mercian Regimental Association: 2014.
- Royal Air Force Association: 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Tamworth and Wilnecote Unit St. John Ambulance: 25 September 2015.
- The Mercian Regiment.
- The Defence Medical Services.
- RFA Fort Rosalie, Royal Fleet Auxiliary.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- J. Gould, "The Medieval Burgesses of Tamworth: their Liberties, Courts and Markets", Transactions of the South Staffordshire Archaeological Society, No. 13 (1971–72).
- Template:Cite book
External links
[edit]Template:Wikisource1911Enc Template:Commons category Template:Wikivoyage
Template:Areas of Tamworth Template:Staffordshire Template:West Midlands