New heritage project group set up to help promote the town’s history

Monday, 5 October 2020 19:01

A new Tamworth councillor-led Heritage Project Group is being set up to help safeguard our town’s rich heritage and its historic environment and assets.

The cross-party working group will ‘champion’ and shape the future offer of heritage within Tamworth. The project aims to protect, conserve and potentially enhance Tamworth’s historic offering, by addressing the issues of future funding now.

The Heritage Project Group will be led by the council’s Heritage Champion, Cllr Paul Brindley and members will include the Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Growth, Cllr Jeremy Oates, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Daniel Cook, Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Dr Simon Peaple and Cllr Thomas Jay.

Tamworth’s natural and cultural heritage is fundamental to its unique character and town offering, to both residents and visitors. With the current impact of the world-wide pandemic, the value of our heritage has never been so significant. Tamworth Borough Council recognise the need to value its contribution and look at new ways to promote and seek long term investment in our distinctive heritage that makes our town so special.

Cllr Jeremy Oates, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Heritage and Growth, said: “Tamworth history and heritage is our story and this must be preserved, shared and promoted at every opportunity.

“In order to protect and promote our heritage, it is essential that the council look at effective economical operational business models and options. We must protect Tamworth’s heritage for future generations and ensure they are open and available to both visitors and local residents, while securing the future safety and accessibility of the heritage whether its assets, the collection or archives.”

Cllr Simon Peaple, Leader of the Opposition, said: “The aim of this group is to find a long term solution to providing the necessary funding and stability that will preserve Tamworth’s heritage, in which so many of us take real pride.

“As an historian, and Secretary of the Friends of Tamworth Castle, as well as Leader of the Opposition, I look forward to working with the other councillors to find a financially viable way forward that enables Tamworth to preserve its heritage whilst maintaining accountability to local residents.”