Lichfield & Tamworth: Lichfield Festival to

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Chris Brewerton T: 0845 6036650

Exciting time: Richard Gill

Expansion for ATLP as schools join partnership

The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) is expanding with the addition of two primary schools in Erdington and Lichfield.

The schools are Lichfield’s Greysbrooke Primary School and Erdington’s Osborne Primary School are now officially part of ATLP, which has 16 academies and one teaching school hub in Birmingham, Staffordshire and North Warwickshire.

CEO and chairman of the Teaching Schools Council, Richard Gill, said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to welcome both schools to the partnership. Greysbrooke and Osborne are fantastic primary schools at the centre of their communities. Headteachers Ellie and Michelle lead wonderful teams who share our commitment to putting children at the heart of everything we do.

“This is an exciting time for the ATLP as we strengthen our geographical learning hubs and expand the partnership.”

Lichield Festival to make dazzling return

Organisers of Lichfield Festival have confirmed that the popular event will return this summer, with a star-studded line-up.

Last year’s edition of the festival could not go ahead, due to Covid restrictions.

Singers Mica Paris and Eddi Reader, impressionist-turned pianist Alistair McGowan, Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen will lead the lineup at this year’s Lichfield Festival in July.

From 8 to 18 July there will be an eclectic programme of ballet, cabaret, symphony orchestras, steel pans, family fun, chamber music, live cooking, story-telling, drama and laugh-out-loud comedy.

The annual event brings thousands of visitors to the cathedral city and is a cornerstone in the region’s cultural calendar.

“We’re thrilled to be back with the 39th Lichfield Festival this July – a year later than envisaged – with a typically exciting range of superb artists to bring the joy of live performance back to the city,” said Lichfield Festival director, Damian Thantrey.

“With distancing and regulations expected still to be in place, things will be a little different this summer, with shorter event times and repeated performances, particularly those in the smaller venues.

“There will also be a number of outdoor events making the most of the glorious summer weather (we hope) and some of Lichfield’s beautiful and verdant outdoor spaces.

“We’re looking forward to joining artists and audiences alike, immersing ourselves in eleven days of fabulous entertainment and culture.”

The festival opens on 8 July with Ballet Cymru performing a brand new version of the classic ballet ‘Giselle’ in the spectacular setting of Lichfield Cathedral.

The Cathedral is the centrepiece of festival activities and this year plays host to some amazing vocalists who top the line-up, including the undisputed British Queen of Soul Mica Paris, and Brit-award winning folk singer/songwriter Eddi Reader.

Other highlights include fiery flamenco with guitar and Spanish dance duo Xuefei Yang and Maria Vega, and a slimmed down BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

AR experience is launched

The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire has launched a new augmented reality experience, ‘ARboretum’, which will run through to June.

‘ARboretum’ is aimed at youngsters and was developed by local virtual and augmented reality experience experts at Fennec Labs, based in Stafford.

The programme is available for download for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It is designed for visitors aged seven and over when accompanied by an adult and will be available until at least June 2021.

Pre-booked visitors to the 150-acre garden and woodland site can download it interact with a cast of colourful characters as they discover memorials connected with the emergency services and other organisations that have been involved in the pandemic response.

Chris Ansell, head of participation and learning at the Arboretum, said: “Our new free family activity uses augmented reality technology to provide a fun, interactive experience that helps them engage with incredible stories of service and sacrifice.

“Our everyday heroes in the NHS, emergency services, Armed Forces and countless other organisations have been essential to the UK’s pandemic response, with many individuals putting their lives at risk in the service of others.”

Family fun: The new app will help bring the Arboretum to life for young visitors

Virtual market day to boost local trade

Staffordshire has held a ‘virtual market day’, in an effort to boost trade in the region as the Covid lockdown begins to be lifted.

The ‘Staffordshire Day’ event was put together by Enjoy Staffordshire, the public/private sector partnership that promotes the county. Ahead of the event, organisers called on all local businesses to take part, including artisans, makers, producers and independent retailers.

John Henderson, chief executive of Staffordshire County Council said: “Over the last five years, Staffordshire Day has allowed us to celebrate everything that’s great about our county, from our amazing people, rich heritage and culture to our stunning locations and places to visit.

“Local businesses also play a huge part in the Staffordshire story, helping make it a great place to live and work while attracting more and more visitors to the county.

Alongside the market, businesses were able to promote their products with a short live or pre-recorded slot in the ‘Staffordshire Day’ event programme, to be broadcast on the Enjoy Staffordshire Facebook page.