Visit Lichfield celebrates English Tourism Week

To celebrate English Tourism Week, Visit Lichfield invited two local MPs to visitor attractions across Lichfield District.

 

English Tourism Week, organised by Visit England, ran from 22 to 31 May 2021. The annual celebration highlights the importance, value and vast contribution tourism makes to the UK economy. 

 

To show they are ‘here for tourism’, the MP for Lichfield, Michael Fabricant, and the MP for Tamworth, Christopher Pincher, got a closer look at some of the district’s unique visitor attractions.

 

At the first trip of the week Michael Fabricant was joined by Councillor Iain Eadie for a race round the tracks at Midland Karting, followed by a visit to the picturesque Fradley Junction on Tuesday 25 May.

 

At Fradley Junction, Michael was joined by James Dennison from Canal and River Trust, Christine Bull from Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust, and Julie Arnold from Staffordshire Waterways.

 

They took a ride on a narrow boat provided by Streethay Wharf, and talked about the importance of the canals for our tourism industry and the hard work by volunteers to restore more canal routes in the area.

 

Michael Fabricant said: “There are some wonderful venues in the West Midlands, but Lichfield District is the hidden gem with Lichfield City’s 800 year old cathedral and medieval streets packed with restaurants and bars and the nearby National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas.

 

“But to mark English Tourism Week this year, I wanted to do something different, so I had a drive on a go-kart at Midland Karting in Fradley and then went to Fradley Junction which is a beautiful confluence of two canals and features waterfront cafes and a fabulous Victorian pub.

 

“Lichfield District has so much to offer. My aim is for it not to be such a well-kept secret!”

 

On Friday 28 May, Christopher Pincher was joined by Councillor Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council, for a behind the scenes tour of Drayton Manor Zoo.

 

William Bryan, Managing Director of Drayton Manor Theme Park, introduced both Christopher and Doug to zoo keepers at the park, who showed them some of the animals and discussed how they take care of them.

 

Christopher Pincher commented: “A fantastic experience to learn more about the behind the scenes work the team do at Drayton Manor Theme Park. From the zoo to the theme park and Thomas Land, this is a real tourist attraction that not only brings in visitors from across the United Kingdom, but also from other shores.

 

“I know the last year has been difficult for our tourism sector and as we shed those final restrictions, thanks to the exceptional work of our vaccination programme and medical teams, I am looking forward to seeing places like Drayton Manor Theme Park roar back better and stronger than ever.

 

“Staffordshire has so much to offer and by highlighting our attractions this week, during English Tourism Week, it will remind and reignite these local experiences.”

 

Councillor Iain Eadie, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Economic Development, added: “Our district has so much to offer visitors, as our Visit Lichfield team has been showcasing during English Tourism Week, with the help of Michael and Chris.

 

“We are all passionate about encouraging more visitors to come and have a look at some of our exceptional visitor attractions, whether that be for the day or a short break.

 

“Alongside Drayton Manor, our canals and river ways, not to mention Midland Karting, anyone coming to our district can also visit the likes of the National Memorial Arboretum, Chasewater Railway, Lichfield Cathedral, the Lichfield Garrick Theatre, our varied museums and our local independent shops.”

 

For attractions, events, tours, where to eat and shop and much more go to www.visitlichfield.co.uk and to download a Visit Lichfield short breaks brochure go to www.visitlichfield.co.uk/download.

What to put in your blue bin

We will only accept the following clean items in your blue bin:

• paper, including newspapers, magazines, telephone directories, wrapping paper (without foil/glitter) etc.
• shredded paper (this should be placed in a clear plastic bag to the side of your bin on your bin day)
• card, including flattened cardboard boxes, food sleeves, toilet and kitchen roll inners etc.
• plastic containers, including margarine and ice cream tubs, yoghurt pots, bottles, empty carrier bags and plastic food trays etc.
• clean, empty plastic bags
• aluminium foil, food trays or cans (foil that doesn’t scrunch up can’t be recycled)
• cartons, including juice, milk and soup
• glass bottles or jars and lids
• aerosol cans and roll-ons

Please wash out empty containers before putting them in your bin. Card and paper should only be added if it is clean.

Please do not bag up your recycling – put items in the bin loose. You may use a clear plastic bag for excess recycling and place it to the side of your bin on your bin day.

If any other items are found in your bin or you use a bag, it will not be emptied.

Other waste

Please DO NOT put the following in your blue bin:

• bin bags of any colour to bag up recycling*
• general waste
• food waste
• nappies/sanitary products (clean or used)
• pyrex
• garden waste
• animal bedding
• polystyrene
• rigid plastics such as garden furniture, toys, coat hangers etc
• plant pots and garden trays
• foil that doesn’t stay together when scrunched up (such as crisp bags, tea/coffee packets and pet food pouches)
• bubble wrap
• textiles/fabric
• mirrored glass
• electricals and batteries (these should go to your local tip)
• Wallpaper and wallpaper backing
• Used tissues, kitchen roll or paper towels

 

Families struggling to heat their home can access free ‘green homes’ measure to make their home more energy efficient.

 

Staffordshire has been awarded £4.2 million funding from the Government’s Warmer Homes initiative to help families make their homes more green and energy efficient.

This funding comes after the first phase of the scheme helped install green homes measures in 240 Staffordshire homes.

The scheme is being delivered by Staffordshire County Council and is expected to benefit a further 445 households.

Measures including cavity wall and loft insulation, solar thermal and PV panels, air source heat pumps, as well as double glazing windows and doors could be installed free of charge in eligible households.

The scheme is available to eligible families with low, or no income, those who claim benefits, or are elderly, disabled or have very young children living in the home.

Residents can apply online by visiting www.staffordshire.gov.uk/warmerhomes

This month the Parish Council heard from the developer of the Social Club, who was very disappointed about the lack of progress with the application. It was agreed that Cllr Turley would contact the Planning Department to ask that progress  be made.

The post box is to be replaced, but Royal Mail were unable to clarify details of where and when this would be done.

The taxi service has now resumed on Fridays, please contact Barbara Harcombe for information.

The playground surface is still slippery in places and needs jet-washing, this will be done when problems with the electricity supply are sorted out.

Meetings will now resume at Elford Village Hall, with the Annual Parish Meeting on the 17th May and the next Parish Council meeting on 14th June.

For details of other matters discussed please look under the Parish Council tab, then Meetings and Minutes and click on the minutes for 2021-5-6.

Have you felt like you can’t lose weight and may need some guidance?

 

 

If you are over 50 and have a BMI over 30, we have a 12 week Weight Management course delivered by our Nutritionists, who will go through different topics to explain how we can lose weight and keep it off!

 

 

You will get a weekly email with an information video, recipes and physical activity to take part in. As well, you’ll get a call from your practitioner to see how you are doing and to answer any of your questions.

 

 

We have a new course starting soon, so please give us a ring on 0333 005 0095

(*restrictions apply)