St Georges Day Festival at Tamworth Castle

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Sat 22 Apr 2023

St George’s Day Festival at Tamworth Castle

Knights galore will be taking to the medieval setting of Tamworth Castle in Staffordshire in a fitting tribute to the patron saint of England. The countdown is on to the market town's St George’s Day extravaganza 2023, with an exciting new line-up of entertainment for the whole family set to take over Tamworth Castle Grounds on Saturday 22 April, from 10am – 5pm. The free annual festival is one of the highlights of Tamworth Borough Council’s impressive calendar of outdoor events, drawing thousands of visitors from across the country.

This year's line-up includes all the festival favourites that have led to the event becoming well-known over previous years, including knights competing in spectacular jousting, a living history camp, stalls, fairground rides and children’s activities. In addition, visitors are invited to meet an animatronic Ice Dragon and White Walker, inspired by HBO’s award-winning series Game of Thrones as they roam around the Castle Grounds.



The highlight of the St George's Day spectacular is the Grand Medieval Joust which is back by popular demand. Festival-goers can watch the action unfold as St George competes with knights on horseback as they take to the main arena to show off their jousting skills. Fun displays are guaranteed, full of laughs, action, trick riding and stunts, with skilled performances from stunning horses and knights in shining armour. Throughout the day knights will also demonstrate the variety of weapons and combat methods used during medieval skirmishes.

Away from the main jousting arena, visitors can enjoy family entertainment and activities including workshops, displays, and a medieval encampment featuring equipment and living history demonstrations evident during the period. A large array of different traditional children’s games will include post-mills, hobby horses, peg dolls, ball and cup, stilts, quoits and Nine Men’s Morris. The famous Anglo-Saxon epic poem, ‘Beowulf’, will also be performed in a small but perfectly formed adaption throughout the day with the help of puppetry.



Timetable of activities in the Castle Grounds:
10am: Official Opening
10.30am – 11am: Mythbusters (Jousting Arena) Beowulf Storytelling
11am –11.30am: Arming the Knight (Jousting Arena) Dragon (Encampments)
11.30am – 12pm: Medieval Skirmish (Jousting Arena)
12.15pm – 1pm: The Grand Medieval Joust (Jousting Arena)
1pm – 1.30pm: Dragon (Encampments) Beowulf Story Telling
1.45pm – 2.30pm: Scouts Promise (Jousting Arena)
2.30pm – 3.15pm: Medieval Shire Court (Jousting Arena) Dragon (Upper Lawn)
2.45pm - 3.15pm: The Grand Medieval Joust (Jousting Arena)
3.15pm – 3.45pm: Hurried History (Tales for Children) (Encampments) Dragon
3.45pm – 4.30pm: The Grand Medieval Joust (Jousting Arena) (45 minutes)
4.30pm-5pm: Medieval Battle (Jousting Arena) Beowulf Story Telling
5pm: Official Finish



Other activities include the dedicated Children’s Zone organised by Hamsterzorb who will be supplying land zorb at a cost of £7 per person; football dartboard - £5 for five shots and foam axe throwing - £5 for five throws. There will also be a variety of stalls offering food, refreshments and a selection of gifts, organised by Mark Kyte from the Tamworth Lions.

Andrew Barratt, Chief Executive of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “The St George’s Day festival is one of the most popular events on our calendar and we are excited to bring the main event to the arena this year. We’re looking forward to welcoming lots of people to the town to join the celebrations again this year from 10am. Due to the popularity of this event, we would encourage visitors to arrive early and use public transport if possible.”



The full programme line-up can be seen by visiting www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk

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#family_friendly
#castles

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