Tamworth Borough Council, Marmion House,
Lichfield Street, Staffordshire B79 7BZ.
MEDIA RELEASE
February 16th, 2015
Calling all knitters – your town needs you!
Tamworth residents are being called upon to get out their knitting needles and help create
the town’s biggest ever outdoor art display.
From novice knitters to clever crocheters, everyone is invited to knit squares of wool that
will be joined together to make a huge Mercian flag.
The iconic yellow cross on a blue background will then be flung out over the Tamworth
Castle motte during a spectacular outdoor festival of dance, music and drama on May 9 th
and 10th.
The performance, called Tigress, has been specially created for the town by the nationallyrecognised, award-winning MotionHouse Dance Company and is a modern retelling of the
story of Saxon Queen Aethelfleda.
Another strand to the 12-month I Am Tamworth project, I Am Dance will bring together
hundreds of local dancers, singers, drummers, designers and other creative people who
are already working with MotionHouse on the show.
But key to the performance will be the dramatic unfurling of the knitted masterpiece over
the historic motte.
“This is a unique opportunity for the people of Tamworth to come together to create
something really special,” said Deputy Council Leader, Cllr Robert Pritchard.
“We’re hoping it will be a real community effort. It doesn’t matter how good you are at
knitting, or even if you’ve never knitted before. People may even discover a new hobby or
join a new group as a result.
“Last year, Christopher Pincher, Member of Parliament for Tamworth, ran the successful
‘Hats for Heroes’ campaign, which saw more than 100 local people knit woollen beanie
hats for our troops in the Mercian Regiment. We are hoping our knitters can go even
further this time in helping us create the giant Mercian flag.”
A number of ‘knit and natter’ groups in Tamworth are taking part in the project and will be
opening their doors to help anyone who wants to knit a square.
Starter packs of blue or yellow wool can be collected from Tamworth Tourist Information
Centre and Tolsons Mill in Fazeley. Knitters are being asked to knit as large a square as
possible and different knits and sizes are welcome.
MORE….
Knit the motte 2…
Finished pieces need to be returned to the Corporation Street TIC or Lichfield Street
Tolsons Mill before the end of March. The squares will then be put together to form the
stunning backdrop to the I Am Dance performance.
People are invited to knit the flag in a friendly environment with knowledgeable staff at
groups taking place at Tamworth Library and Tolsons Mill Yarn.
Sessions at Tamworth Library will be held between 2pm and 4pm on February 27th,
March 13th and March 27th.
Sessions at Tolsons Mill take place on:
Tuesday February 17th
Knit and Natter - 10.15am to 12.30pm
Wednesday February 18th
Silver Surfing Club for the over 60s - 11am to 1pm.
Craft and Chat - 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Thursday February 19th
Knit and Natter - 11am to 1pm.
Wednesday February 25th
Silver Surfing Club for the over 60s – 11am to 1pm.
Craft and Chat – 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Thursday February 26th
Knit and Natter – 11am to 1pm.
For more information visit http://tolsonsmillyarns.com/ or
https://www.facebook.com/TolsonsMillYarns
Contact Linda Ram by email linda-ram@tamworth.gov.uk
Natalie Missenden on 01827 709572 or by email nataliemissenden@tamworth.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/TamworthCouncil
or visit our blog http://tamworthcouncil.wordpress.com/
www.tamworth.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
The I Am Tamworth project has been funded by Arts Council England, with a £78,000
grant to the Arts & Events team. It will involve accomplished artists from across the genres
bringing their skills to Tamworth and working with the public.
It is split into 15 areas, each celebrating a different form of the arts. Projects throughout
the year-long festival include:

I Am Dance – including a spectacular outdoor performance using Tamworth Castle
and the Castle Grounds by award-winning dance company MotionHouse and
Tamworth Dance Company.

I Am Visual Art – shops and empty spaces across Tamworth being turned into
pop-up art galleries, creating a portrait trail across the town.

Trotters Trail – a trail of pigs throughout the town, inspired by the famous
Tamworth Two. Pigs will be created by local artists, community groups, schools and
local businesses.

I Am Music – raising the profile of the existing local music scene and encouraging
new and emerging musicians.

I Am Words – creative writing and poetry project, encouraging the people of
Tamworth to tell their own stories in their own words. It will include the publication of
a book and the creation of poetry trails.

I Am Drama – a number of drama groups to be established across the borough to
cerate short pieces about their areas. This will be brought together in a summer
showcase called Tales of Tamworth.

I Am Heroes – inspired by the stained glass windows in St Editha’s church which
were funded by the people of Tamworth to honour those who died in the First World
War. Residents, working with artists, will be encouraged to create their own artwork
based on the windows, which will be displayed in the church and Tamworth Library.

I Am Development – a series of events and workshops to support local artists and
give them the chance to share their knowledge and skills.

I Am the Beat – giving families the opportunity to learn a new skill together.

I Am Art – the finale of the year-long festival will be a huge celebration which will
put the community of Tamworth centre stage.