BE Tamworth - Harvey Payne

On October 22nd Dad told me that I was invited to the Town Hall by the Mayor of Tamworth (Richard Kingstone) and that I needed to take my camera but I had no idea why so I was really puzzled. Me, Mum and Dad got there at 7:20pm and we were greeted by the Mayor who gave us all a cup of tea and then we went into the main room where there were lots of chairs laid out around the room. As we sat down lots of other people started to come in as well and I was getting very confused as to why we were there.

At 7:30 the Mayor came in and told everyone that 6 people there had been nominated for a BE Tamworth award and I was one of the 6 having been nominated by Dad. Even though he was the Mayor he told every one that we should just call him Richard as he preferred that rather than Mr. Mayor etc although Dad said out of respect I should call him Mr. Kingstone. The awards started and people who had nominated people told the audience why there were nominated and it was amazing listening to the things that some people do. In addition to me the 5 people there were:

Sue McCarthy for raising thousands of pounds for Tamworth charities
Sue Fortune for her work with TACT and IMPACT theatre.
Jessica Sherrington-Jones for her work as a dance teacher. Her mum Elaine for her work at the Sir Robert Peel Hospital
Lee Bates & Steve Hodgetts for their efforts with Community Together CIC
The Bowker family for their work supporting Santa’s Little Helpers and much more.

I was the only chilld there to be nominated and I was shocked to be there knowing what other people above had done to receive the award. When it was my turn my Dad, who was a bit surprised he had to speak in front of everyone, said a few words about me and then Mr. Kingstone told everyone there about my photos and videos, specifically my Tamworth in Sepia photos and interview with Mr. Paul Barber.

I was then awarded a BE Tamworth badge for helping to promote Tamworth with my photographs and everyone clapped, it made me feel very proud and I know my mum and dad were super proud to..

After the award ceremony we were invited into the Mayor’s private chamber for refreshments and snacks and I was so happy to see that 4 of my Tamworth in Sepia photos were positioned on a table with other Mayoral objects. As it was school in the morning we left thanked Mr. Kingstone again and left at 9pm with my mum and dad telling me so many times just how proud they are.

I would like to thank Mr. Kingstone for my badge and also congratulate the people above on the BE Tamworth awards, they were all so amazing.

BE Tamworth Award - October 22nd 2019

Receiving my BE Tamworth award from the Mayor - Mr. Richard Kingstone,

About BE Tamworth

The BE Tamworth award is something created by Richard Kingstone when he was the Mayor of Tamworth in 2014 - 2015, that was when Dad was awarded one.

BE Tamworth then returned again when Mr. Kingstone was the Mayor for the second time in 2019. To quote information from Tamworth Borough Council:

“The idea is for people to nominate anyone in Tamworth who has a positive impact on their community. This could be the businesses which support the town, the groups doing great work in their local area, aspirational young people and community-spirited residents, right down to the individual who regularly mows their neighbour’s lawn.

Those nominated will be invited to a celebration in the Town Hall with the Mayor, where they will be presented with a special ‘Be Tamworth’ lapel

badge. The badge is designed to be a symbol of pride in their achievements, in their community and in their town. The idea is that people will wear their badges when they are out and about and that these will serve as conversation starters, providing the opportunity to spread the word about Tamworth as a great town, with great people.”

Richard Kingstone

In the Town Hall

Me with my BE Tamworth badge and Dad with the BE Tamworth badge he was awarded in 2015.

HarveyP.com (Photos) HarveyP.uk (Videos)