Tamworth Castle

Photo by Pauline

Tamworth Castle

You may have heard of the Staffordshire Hoard or visited Ventura Park shopping centre? You may even have been into Tamworth town centre and perhaps in summer walked around the beautiful Castle grounds? But I wonder how many people actually go into the gem of a building that is the historic heart of Tamworth?

Having lived in Tamworth for nearly half a century I confess to having visited the Castle a handful of times, mainly when I was a childminder or showing it to visitors. 'History is not my thing' I would tell myself having failed miserably at the subject at school. And, being married to a man who has such knowledge of history, I have visited many buildings whilst on holiday that, although interesting, have not inspired me in any shape or form. I can see their artistic lure, I can sense their grim living conditions, I can appreciate the home comforts I have and I can understand some people like to collect brain data of dates, facts, historical battles won, etc etc. But, I tell myself, I can only cope with the history I have lived through and experienced. I can hear you tutting but we are all different and I am who I am.

However, I write and the writing group I belong to were given a challenge recently - to write about the Castle. I screamed inside, noooooooooo, I can't do it. But as part of a group there was a need to help Tamworth Castle become more popular, to bring people into our town, to see and experience the treasure we have on our doorstep that we take for granted, walk by, even ignore. It was a risk for them to put together an event in a few weeks - A Festival of Stories. 

Our group were offered a free tour of the castle and the opportunity to write stories to be read out to an audience. Eeeeeeekkkkk, I screamed inside, and nnnnnooooooooooo, I can't do this. But, having noticed the gazunder in the bed chamber and the rubbish awaiting refuse collection in the courtyard on my way out (a contrast between past and present) it sparked an idea and I found myself researching on line about sanitation in castles. It made interesting reading. At the same time there were programmes on television about deaths in the UK before our sewage systems were built. (Again, being married to a man who had worked in sewage and water - well in the offices of a water company, I was not adverse to the subject of human waste). And so a story formed using the history that could have been Tamworth Castle's story. A modern day story of a fictional wedding was penned too, where the walls told the story in his grumpy tones.

I had Covid and was hoping I would not be negative for the event, but I had two clear tests two days beforehand. Now, I had to face my fears and not let the group down. That inner voice turning into a louder imposter syndrome which took me back to school days where reading out aloud had been an awful experience. The teacher had sent me out of the classroom to stand in the corridor on one occasion, and the other I had to walk around the playground alone as punishment for reading out aloud so badly. But wait, then another voice told me - but you have done it so many times as an adult, in church. You're fine. You can do this.

I did. It was a fabulous experience, it boosted my confidence no end. I listened to others and my work was received well. 

Visitors to the Castle stopped to listen or to roam freely through the Great Hall, through the living quarters, up the tower, through the courtyard, try on chainmail, see relics and treasure etc etc. There were lots of events over the weekend - art exhibition, poetry, songs, writing workshops and at night the Castle walls were illuminated with colours and words, lighting up like a beacon of joy. It made me proud to be connected to this historical feature in the Capital of Mercia.

Photo by Pauline

I am hoping the Festival of Stories becomes an annual event and perhaps I will less fearful and more enthusiastic from the outset next year. I believe an anthology book is in the making so my work, and those of my writing group, will be in print soon (watch this space for details).

My thanks to the Team at Tamworth Castle who made it happen. Do look Tamworth up if you are looking for somewhere to visit www.tamworthcastle.co.uk. There's a children's playground, river walk, picnic lawns, bowls, cafe and lots more to see around the Castle Grounds. The flowers on the terraces by the bandstand are always so lovely too.

Photo by Sue Flint