Town Wall (owned by TBC)

Historically, this site dates back to the 13th Century when commoners exercised their rights to graze animals and collect firewood. Grazing ceased in the 1940s and the site was widely used as a dump for local industries. Now, the Town Wall Conservation Group are keen to restore this site to its former glory and make it a haven for wildlife, a safe and enjoyable area for the local community and an educational resource for those who visit!

Highlights

• It is thought that Town Wall was once the boundary between the parish (now Borough) of Tamworth and “the countryside” which at that time was thought of as Sutton Coldfield.

• The site has recently undergone substantial work to re-grade the site to enable the volunteer group to more effectively manage a new species-rich wildflower meadow.

The need for restoration

Once grazing ceased in the 1940s, the site began to be used as a dump for a variety of materials including waste from the pottery works, in addition to items such as clay pipes, bottles and jars. Between 1960 and the 1980’s “treasure hunters” began to dig on Town Wall to unearth unusual items and relics from the War, which lead to the surface of the site becoming hilly and extremely uneven. 

Since this time the site has degraded and lack of management has lead to a loss of species. Recommendations from surveys carried out in 2006 advised for habitat creation, rather than habitat management.

To enable more effective management of the main grassland area the uneven nature of the terrain needed to be addressed. Major works on the site have included levelling of the main grassland area and the Town Wall Conservation Group plan to seed the area with wild flower seed mix in 2011 to increase the botanical diversity of the site.

Future management of the site by the keen and active Town Wall Conservation Group will ensure the site becomes once again a haven for wildlife and an asset for the local community.

Why not get involved?

Practical conservation tasks are held at Town Wall on the second Saturday of each month from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Meet at the end of Sycamore, off Hockley Road.

If you would like to get involved, please contact Town Wall Conservation Group or “Wild about Tamworth” Project Officer Lindsey Bates on 01827 59912 or 07970 067711.