2. Chamberlink July Aug 31-56.qxp_Chamberlink 29/06/2021 11:59 Page 44
Lichfield & Tamworth Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber Patrons Contact: Chris Brewerton T: 0845 6036650
Composer selected for musical project The Lichfield Garrick has announced that Joel Hall will be joining the ‘Your Community Musical’ project as composer. He will work alongside others to compose the music for the production, which is being written, composed, and developed by participants from the community. It will be staged next year. Mr Hall will also be offering a masterclass for those interesting in learning more about the basics of composition, including getting started as well as a whole host of other tips and tricks that participants will be able to use. A composer, lyricist, digital producer and performer, Mr Hall trained at the University of Nottingham and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He is also the director of Stream Park, an interactive digital events platform partnered with the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham, Live Cinema UK and Oxfam GB. This year, his musical, ‘The Terrific Treevils’, with book and lyrics by Tom Ling, premiered at the Watford Palace Theatre, performed by West End and UK touring actors. Jonny McClean, the Garrick’s associate director and the project facilitator, says: “It’s incredibly exciting to be working with Composer of Joel’s calibre, he has a fantastic catalogue of work, and I can’t wait to get working with him and the composing group.”
Newsflash: Sir Trevor with Steve Morris and the Mayor of Lichfield
New office welcomes TV legend for opening Britain’s best-loved newsreader, Sir Trevor McDonald, is himself in the news after opening the new offices of Lichfield firm Legionella and Fire Safe Services. The former ITN star, who stepped down from reading the news 13 years ago, was joined by Lichfield mayor Robert Yardley at the opening of the office, in Britannia Way. He told guests: “It is a great, great pleasure to be here in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Lichfield and the people responsible for this enterprise. “It is due, in particular to Kym Darby (business
manager at Legionella and Fire Safe Services) who I worked with some years ago. “It is great to be in the company of people who are doing well. All the stories I seem to hear are about people who are struggling, have gone under or have found it extremely difficult throughout this period. “I wish you every success in your future endeavours.” Legionella and Fire Safe Services has moved to Lichfield from Rugeley, after seeing its revenue more than double between 2018 and 2020, from £1.1 m to £2.6m.
Fowl play as islands set sail
Marketing expert joins committee
Wildfowl, including ducks, moorhens, geese and swans can now make use of three floating islands that have been launched at Stowe Pool in Lichfield. Lichfield District Council’s parks team has installed the three islands at Stowe Pool, which brings the pool’s bird islands to six. However, these three islands are different, having been designed to boost biodiversity. As Stowe Pool is a reservoir the council is required to cut back plants growing around the water’s edge.
Lichfield marketing expert Hannah Montgomery (pictured) has joined the Chamber’s committee. She runs Chapel Lane based Golddust Marketing, and says she is ‘passionate’ about delivering results for clients. She is currently the Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber’s ‘Young Professional of the Year’, and said of her role that she ‘truly collaborates with her clients to ensure all marketing strategy is thought through in line with business goals. There is no point in putting time, money and effort into marketing if it does not deliver.’ She added: "I'm truly excited to be able to work with the passionate and brilliant team already on the Lichfield and Tamworth committee. “My main goal is to ensure all membership businesses utilise the Chamber support to its fullest and ensure the best bounce back for the local economy.”
Island life: One of the islands is towed out to its mooring in the reservoir
‘They will offer a safe haven for birds to nest’ To offset the habitat loss, the council’s ecology team recommended introducing the islands, which are living systems allowing plant roots to grow into specially designed floating grids. Stowe Pool is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so plants were chosen that will be beneficial to native animals, such as whiteclawed crayfish. These include purple loosestrife, flag iris, marsh marigold and reed and rush. 44 CHAMBERLINK July/August 2021
Like the three original islands, the new islands have been grouped together to represent the three spires of the neighbouring Lichfield Cathedral. Councillor Iain Eadie, cabinet member responsible for Parks, said: “I am delighted to see the new living islands in place at Stowe Pool. “They will offer a safe haven for birds to nest, a point of interest for visitors to birdwatch, and will boost biodiversity in the area.”
