Kate Pritchard
Posts by Kate Pritchard:
Free activities for young people to enjoy over May half term break
A range of free activities are on offer to young people across Lichfield District over next week’s half term break.
Lichfield District Council’s Active Lichfield Communities team organise the Getin2it programme which is running from Tuesday 26 May to Friday 29 May with sessions in Lichfield and Burntwood.
Catering for different age groups they include soft archery (ages 7-12), football (ages 7-12 and 7-16), dodgeball (ages 7-12), basketball (ages 7-12) and US Girls (ages 8-11 and 12-19), a programme designed to increase and sustain young women’s participation in sport and physical activity.
The team will also be attending Lichfield City Council’s Community Day in Lichfield’s Market Square on Thursday 28 May.
Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Major Projects, said: “There are some great free activity sessions for young people to enjoy in Burntwood and Lichfield over the May Half Term holiday.
“All of the sessions are led by qualified coaches, and there is no need to book — so come along and join in!”
For full details of the programme including dates, times and venues please visit Holiday fun – Active Lichfield District
Anyone taking part is required to complete a participant consent form.
New Adventure Golf course opening in Beacon Park this May half term
A fantastic new 9-hole adventure golf course is opening in Beacon Park this Saturday, 23 May, giving families, friends and visitors another fun activity to enjoy in one of Lichfield’s most popular green spaces.
Beacon Park Adventure Golf has been designed with a woodland-inspired look and feel, making it more in keeping with the historic park setting while still offering a playful and enjoyable experience for all ages.
The new course includes nine challenging holes with woodland-themed features and accessible roped pathways designed to make it easier for more people to enjoy the activity.
Navigate the obstacles and slopes as you putt your way around, avoid the pitfalls and try to score that elusive hole in one!
Adventure Golf is just one of the improvements Lichfield District Council is making to Beacon Park’s facilities. Padel tennis courts and an improved Pitch and Putt golf course are both set to open over the coming summer.
Councillor Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Major Projects said:
“Beacon Park is one of Lichfield’s best-loved spaces and we want it to continue to be a place where families, residents and visitors can spend quality time together.
“The new adventure golf course is a fantastic addition to the park. It is fun, affordable and designed to sit well within the park’s setting. We hope it gives families another reason to visit Beacon Park and enjoy everything it has to offer during half term and beyond.”
Beacon Park Adventure Golf opens on Saturday at 10.30am. The attraction will be open seven days a week, with opening hours linked to the park kiosk. Visitors can pay on arrival and collect clubs and balls from the kiosk.
Prices start from £1.50 per child and £3 per adult.
For more information please visit Sport & leisure in Beacon Park – Lichfield Historic Parks
Community groups in Lichfield District invited to apply for councillor funding
Community groups across Lichfield District will soon be able to access funding to support projects that make a real difference to local people.
The next round of the Councillor Community Fund opens on 1 May, with each councillor allocated £300 to support projects in their local area, making a total of £14,100 available across the district.
The fund is designed to support small, community-focused projects that improve wellbeing, bring people together and help neighbourhoods thrive.
This includes local initiatives responding to specific community needs, one-off events for residents, and existing projects that need a small boost to continue or expand. Funding can also be used for equipment or materials, as well as new ideas looking to get started, including activities that encourage greater community participation such as new clubs or events.
Recent examples of grants awarded through the fund include £350 to Ashmole Bowling Club in Hammerwich towards the installation of a defibrillator, £565 to support the running of Meeting Point, a community organisation in Armitage with Handsacre, including assistance with transport links, £100 for Lichfield Table Tennis Club, and £175 to support Lichfield Re:Cycle’s weekly volunteer sessions at Curborough Community Centre.
Councillor Richard Cox, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement at Lichfield District Council, said:
“Community groups play a vital role in supporting our residents, and this funding is about helping those groups continue to make a difference in their local areas.
“Some of the best ideas in our communities start small, and even modest funding can help turn those ideas into something that benefits others. I would encourage any group with a project in mind to speak to their local councillor and explore what support may be available.”
Applications will be open from 1 May to 30 November 2026, with priority given to grassroots, volunteer-led groups delivering a direct impact in their communities.
Groups interested in applying should contact their ward councillor to discuss their idea. If supported, applications can then be submitted through the Community Foundation for Staffordshire, which administers the fund on behalf of the council.
Applicants will need to register via the foundation’s website and complete an online application form. Alternatively, they can apply by calling 01785 339540.
Work begins on new Padel courts in Lichfield’s Beacon Park
Work has commenced on the installation of three new outdoor Padel tennis courts at Beacon Park, as part of ongoing investment to enhance leisure facilities across the district.
The project marks another significant step forwards in Lichfield District Council’s continued transformation of the district’s leisure provision by offering increased accessibility to modern sporting activities. Midlands-based contractor Fosse Contracts Limited has been appointed to deliver the scheme.
Padel tennis is one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports, combining elements of tennis and squash. Played on enclosed courts with glass walls, the game offers a fast-paced and sociable experience, suitable for both beginners and more experienced players.
Easy to learn and highly sociable, Padel is usually played in doubles on a 10 by 20 metre court, using the same scoring system as tennis.
The new courts are being constructed on the north side of the golf course, close to the pedestrian entrance to the Morrisons/Greenhough Road car park and are scheduled to open in August 2026.
The courts will be floodlit and available for booking until 9pm, extending opportunities for year-round use.
Councillor Andy Smith, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Major Projects, said:
“We are pleased to see work now underway on these new Padel courts at Beacon Park. This investment reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible leisure facilities for our communities.
“Padel is a rapidly growing sport that is easy to pick up and brings people together in a fun and active way. These new courts will offer something for everyone, whether you are trying it for the first time or are a regular player.
“This is an important part of our wider plans to enhance Beacon Park as a destination for residents and visitors alike, supporting healthier lifestyles and increasing opportunities to be active.”
Lichfield’s Spring Food & Drink Festival to showcase community spirit, local talent and new business
Lichfield city centre will be buzzing this May when the Spring Food & Drink Festival returns for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Taking place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May, the festival will bring together more than 100 traders from across the region, offering a vibrant mix of street food, artisan produce, drinks and handmade goods, helping to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere across the city centre.
Alongside the food and drink offer, this year’s festival will also highlight the success of the council’s Community Grant Programme, which was introduced to support local organisations to take part in and enhance major events.
Through the programme, local organisations have been supported to deliver activities that add even more to the festival experience. Ripple Music Group will bring a programme of live performances from local artists, creating a vibrant soundtrack across the city, while Lichfield Arts will add to the atmosphere with roaming entertainment on the Saturday.
Families can enjoy children’s craft and reading activities hosted by The Bookery, supporting the National Year of Reading, and The Cake Spa will deliver sustainable cake decorating workshops, raising funds for local charity Kids’ Village and adding a creative, hands-on element to the weekend.
As part of the council’s wider commitment to supporting local businesses and encouraging enterprise, five free start-up stalls have also been awarded to new traders. This provides emerging businesses with the opportunity to showcase their products, reach new customers and be part of one of the city’s largest events.
Councillor Phil Whitehouse, Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Parks and Waste, said: “Lichfield‘s Spring Food & Drink Festival is a fantastic event for the city and a great example of how we can bring together food, community and local business in a way that benefits everyone.
“As well as welcoming more than 100 traders to the city, it’s brilliant to see local organisations playing such an important role in the festival programme, and to support new businesses through our free start-up stalls. It all helps create a weekend that is vibrant, inclusive and full of reasons for people to visit and enjoy Lichfield.”
Cloudy Galvez of Ripple Music Group which is receiving a Community Grant said: “It’s a great opportunity to be involved with the Spring Food Festival through the community grants program. As a local music promoter, I’m always on the look-out for new ways to do my bit and help to provide platforms for Lichfield’s brilliant music scene.
“So, to be awarded funding to run a live music stage right in the middle of the city during a busy food festival is so exciting. We’ve been able to offer live performance slots to 8 local artists across the weekend, and I can’t wait to see such a talented range of musicians do their thing on May 16 and 17.”
Laura Sutton, owner of The Cake Spa, said: “I am over the moon to have received a community grant in order to put on some fun and free activities for the kids to join in with during the Spring Food Festival. I’m looking forward to collaborating with another local business, The Happy Human Collective to offer a few craft activities for the children to enjoy while attending the family zone during both days of the festival.
“We will also be taking donations to help raise funds for Kids’ Village, a local children’s charity which is building a countryside holiday village for sick children and their families to enjoy. It’s sure to be lots of fun and a great opportunity for the children to enjoy some time to get creative!”
The Spring Food & Drink Festival is free to attend, with activities taking place across the city centre throughout the weekend.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the city, support local traders and enjoy everything the festival has to offer.
For more information about the event including travel suggestions when attending please visit Lichfield Food & Drink Festival Spring – Visit Lichfield
Applications invited for funding to support infrastructure projects in Lichfield District
Local organisations across Lichfield District are being encouraged to apply for funding to help deliver projects that improve everyday life for residents.
The council is inviting applications through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) — a fund used to support the development of new or improved community facilities and infrastructure.
This year, funding will focus on projects that address key local needs, including healthcare, transport, sports facilities and education. Projects must align with these priorities to be considered as part of this funding round.
Alongside this, smaller, community-led initiatives may still be eligible for Neighbourhood CIL funding, which is managed by local parish and town councils.
Previous projects supported through CIL funding include improvements to the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in Alrewas, a new 3G football pitch at Chasetown Football Club, and the 3G pitch at Lichfield Leisure Centre in Stychbrook Park — all helping to enhance local facilities for residents.
Councillor Alex Farrell, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing & Local Plan, said: “The Community Infrastructure Levy funds capital projects benefiting residents across Lichfield District. We would encourage any organisation with a project that meets these priorities to come forward and speak to us about their ideas.”
Organisations interested in applying should email cil@lichfielddc.gov.uk to discuss their proposal and confirm eligibility. Once confirmed, applicants will be invited to complete an online application form.
The deadline for completed applications is 5pm on Friday 8 May 2026.
Applications will be reviewed by the council’s Strategic Infrastructure Group, with final funding decisions made by Cabinet in summer 2026.
Officers seize vehicle as part of fly-tipping investigation in Lichfield
A car suspected of being used in illegal fly-tipping has been seized by Lichfield District Council as part of ongoing work to tackle environmental crime.
On Sunday 8 March fly-tipped waste was discovered on land opposite the junction of Eastern Avenue and Curborough Road in Lichfield.
Using evidence recovered from the waste, Environmental Protection Officers reviewed CCTV footage and identified items that matched those seen being loaded into the vehicle.
Following this review, officers believed the vehicle had been used to commit waste offences under Sections 33 and 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
As a result, they seized a grey Nissan Note from the car park at Streethay Local Shopping Centre, Yoxall Way, Lichfield, at approximately 5.50pm on Friday 27 March.
Councillor Richard Cox, Cabinet Member for Community and Public Protection, said: “Fly-tipping is a serious crime that will not be tolerated in Lichfield District.
“Our officers seized this vehicle last Friday suspecting it had been used to dump waste in the city.
“They will continue their investigations and look to prosecute those responsible.”
Anyone with any information about this offence is asked to contact Lichfield District Council’s Environmental Protection Team at pollution@lichfielddc.gov.uk or on 01543 308000.