Tamworth Castle Friends


The Friends of Tamworth Castle and Museum, “the Friends”, is an organisation with charitable status. (Charity number 1082468) It was founded in 1967 with the aim of helping to promote, support and assist the improvement of Tamworth Castle, in co-operation with the Management and Staff. The Friends is run by an enthusiastic committee elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting which was formerly held at the Castle but due to staff availability is now held in St Georges Chapel at St Editha’s Church, Tamworth thanks to close ties between the Friends and the Church Wardens. Tamworth Castle has played an important part in the history of the Midlands, and indeed of England, over the ages, and the Friends wish to ensure that knowledge of the Castle and the part it has played in history are made as widely available as possible to the public. The Friends carry out a number of activities in support of the Castle, including various fund-raising activities which include organising social and public events. These events are mainly held in and around Tamworth such as a Quarterly Quiz Night and Raffle at the Hopwas Club and a monthly Lunch Club and Guest Speaker event at the Globe in Tamworth. An annual Post Festive Meal in January has also been held. Our close co-operation with the Management and Staff has also resulted in members of the Friends being invited to attend special events at the Castle which have recently included Historical Talks and demonstrations from accredited heritage individuals and groups. Members of the Friends have also been invited to exclusive previews of displays which the Castle have produced for the Museum and items which the Friends have purchased on behalf of the Castle Museum. Funds raised by the Friends have been utilised for the purchase of items to be included in the Castle Museum Collection. These have recently included a Medieval Posy Ring discovered locally by a metal detectorist. Funds have also been used for restoration of objects currently in the Castle, a recent example being for restoration of one of the clocks by a heritage repairer. Although purchases a have been the main focus for use of funds the Friends have also funded the work of an intern at the Castle working on a special project. use by the Castle. Objects purchased are usually items of significant historic value to Tamworth Castle Museum but have also included historically-accurate reproductions to be displayed in appropriate settings in the Castle rooms, historic clothing items for use in the many re-enactment events held in the Castle, and financial contributions towards the cost of refurbishment and improvement of the Castle buildings and contents. The Friends have in the past supplied volunteers for marshalling events at the Castle, and to help in cleaning rooms and exhibits. New members are always welcome so if you are interested in becoming a member you will find information on the benefits of membership and application details on the Friends website. Click here for membership form For further details please drop us a line at info@tamworthcastle.org.uk Frank Godfrey Purchase by FOTC Frank Godfrey died, aged 68, on 10 December 1943 at his home in Offlow House, The Leys, Tamworth. Born and bred in the town, Frank had certainly given a lot of time and energy to the benefit of all Tamworthians during his lifetime. Serving two terms as mayor in 1921 and 1922, he had not only been a councillor for Tamworth Town Council for more than twenty years but also represented the town on Staffordshire County Council. Son of Henry Godfrey, a Bolebridge Street trader, Frank later took over the bootmaker’s business belonging to his father. He took an interest in public roles soon after leaving school, joining the Ancient Order of Foresters. He married Sarah Ann Lamley on 26November 1902 at St Editha’s. As a councillor he campaigned vigorously for sanitary reforms in Tamworth, supported the extension of the council, and proved instrumental in the erection of council homes in the region. He served as a town councillor from 1908 to 1928, and as a county councillor from 1925 to 1928. Frank chaired the Tamworth Council School Management Committee from 1920 to 1926, also serving as Governor of the Grammar School, and for 18 months was on the Tamworth Board of Guardians. A member of the old Tamworth St George’s Club, and served for three years in ‘C’ Company, 2nd V. B. North Staffordshire Regiment. In December 1923, then Deputy Mayor of Tamworth, Frank was presented with a monogrammed silver cigarette case and life membership by the British Legion Club at Kingsbury in recognition of all the work he had done for them. In August 1925, the Minister of Pensions (Major Tryon) appointed him a member of the Midland Counties Advisory Committee in the Ministry of Pensions. Recently a silver plate commemorative key was discovered for sale on an auction site by Tamworth Genealogy Group, it was discussed with Tamworth Castle Museum. The Friends of Tamworth Castle and Museum were dispatched to make an offer, substantially less than the listed price, and it is now among the items held by the Castle Museum associated with Frank Godfrey. This is just the latest of a number of items purchased by the Friends of Tamworth Castle since their founding in July 1967.

The Friends of Tamworth Castle and Museum, “the Friends”, is an organisation with charitable status. (Charity number 1082468) It was founded in 1967 with the aim of helping to promote, support and assist the improvement of Tamworth Castle, in co-operation with the Management and Staff.

The Friends is run by an enthusiastic committee elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting which was formerly held at the Castle but due to staff availability is now held in St Georges Chapel at St Editha’s Church, Tamworth thanks to close ties between the Friends and the Church Wardens.

Tamworth Castle has played an important part in the history of the Midlands, and indeed of England, over the ages, and the Friends wish to ensure that knowledge of the Castle and the part it has played in history are made as widely available as possible to the public.

The Friends carry out a number of activities in support of the Castle, including various fund-raising activities which include organising social and public events. These events are mainly held in and around Tamworth such as a Quarterly Quiz Night and Raffle at the Hopwas Club and a monthly Lunch Club and Guest Speaker event at the Globe in Tamworth. An annual Post Festive Meal in January has also been held.

Our close co-operation with the Management and Staff has also resulted in members of the Friends being invited to attend special events at the Castle which have recently included Historical Talks and demonstrations from accredited heritage individuals and groups. Members of the Friends have also been invited to exclusive previews of displays which the Castle have produced for the Museum and items which the Friends have purchased on behalf of the Castle Museum.

Funds raised by the Friends have been utilised for the purchase of items to be included in the Castle Museum Collection. These have recently included a Medieval Posy Ring discovered locally by a metal detectorist. Funds have also been used for restoration of objects currently in the Castle, a recent example being for restoration of one of the clocks by a heritage repairer. Although purchases a have been the main focus for use of funds the Friends have also funded the work of an intern at the Castle working on a special project. use by the Castle.

Objects purchased are usually items of significant historic value to Tamworth Castle Museum but have also included historically-accurate reproductions to be displayed in appropriate settings in the Castle rooms, historic clothing items for use in the many re-enactment events held in the Castle, and financial contributions towards the cost of refurbishment and improvement of the Castle buildings and contents.

The Friends have in the past supplied volunteers for marshalling events at the Castle, and to help in cleaning rooms and exhibits.

New members are always welcome so if you are interested in becoming a member you will find information on the benefits of membership and application details on the Friends website. Click here for membership form

For further details please drop us a line at info@tamworthcastle.org.uk

Frank Godfrey Purchase by FOTC

Frank Godfrey died, aged 68, on 10 December 1943 at his home in Offlow House, The Leys, Tamworth. Born and bred in the town, Frank had certainly given a lot of time and energy to the benefit of all Tamworthians during his lifetime. Serving two terms as mayor in 1921 and 1922, he had not only been a councillor for Tamworth Town Council for more than twenty years but also represented the town on Staffordshire County Council.

Son of Henry Godfrey, a Bolebridge Street trader, Frank later took over the bootmaker’s business belonging to his father. He took an interest in public roles soon after leaving school, joining the Ancient Order of Foresters. He married Sarah Ann Lamley on 26November 1902 at St Editha’s.

As a councillor he campaigned vigorously for sanitary reforms in Tamworth, supported the extension of the council, and proved instrumental in the erection of council homes in the region. He served as a town councillor from 1908 to 1928, and as a county councillor from 1925 to 1928. Frank chaired the Tamworth Council School Management Committee from 1920 to 1926, also serving as Governor of the Grammar School, and for 18 months was on the Tamworth Board of Guardians. A member of the old Tamworth St George’s Club, and served for three years in ‘C’ Company, 2nd V. B. North Staffordshire Regiment.

In December 1923, then Deputy Mayor of Tamworth, Frank was presented with a monogrammed silver cigarette case and life membership by the British Legion Club at Kingsbury in recognition of all the work he had done for them. In August 1925, the Minister of Pensions (Major Tryon) appointed him a member of the Midland Counties Advisory Committee in the Ministry of Pensions.

Recently a silver plate commemorative key was discovered for sale on an auction site by Tamworth Genealogy Group, it was discussed with Tamworth Castle Museum. The Friends of Tamworth Castle and Museum were dispatched to make an offer, substantially less than the listed price, and it is now among the items held by the Castle Museum associated with Frank Godfrey.

This is just the latest of a number of items purchased by the Friends of Tamworth Castle since their founding in July 1967.