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Jono's Tourism

Jono's Tourism I provide Tourism services for Lichfield City, including guided tours, themed day packages and coach
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Providing Tourism services for Lichfield City including guided city tours, themed day and overnight packages and general information about anything to do with visiting Lichfield City!

05/03/2025

Lichfield historian, and former Lichfield Mercury journalist, Patrick Comerford, has written a blog about the return of the Samuel Johnson bust on Bird Street. I’m very grateful for the mention from Patrick for the part that I played in the return of the bust, and to all the people who made a contribution to the Go Fund Me project that allowed it to return to Lichfield after an absence of 56 years!
Read the blog at:

www.patrickcomerford.com/2025/03/samuel-johnson-can-be-seen-again-on.html?m=0

Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum & Bookshop
Patrick Comerford
Guildhall Lichfield
Lichfield Mercury

04/03/2025

The Shrovetide Pancake Races along Bore Street Lichfield today, Tuesday 4 March, this year under (very unusually!!) blue skies and sunshine. Good fun as always, and some very fast sprinters in all the categories, men, women and even fancy dress!
Well done to all the participants, one of my favourite events of the year, and organised by my friends at Lichfield City Council and MC’d as usual by Adrian, the Lichfield Town Crier.

Ansons Solicitors Chattings Lettings Agent Davisons Solicitors Guildhall Lichfield Lichfield Garrick Sam Rabone - Pantomime Dame Lichfield Bower The Tudor of Lichfield John German Estate Agents

03/03/2025

All my posts seem to be about food and drink at the moment!
Tomorrow, Tuesday 4 March, is the annual tradition of the Lichfield Pancake Races to celebrate Shrove Tuesday.
The races start at 12noon, along Bore Street, starting from the top end (by Poundland) and finishing outside the Guildhall.
Always good fun, there are races for men, women, young people and those in fancy dress - and , of course, you can always enjoy a pancake before, or after, the races!

03/03/2025

After the disappointment of the Encore bar closing on Sunday, I went to the newly-opened Boley Plaice Fish and Chippery, at Boley Park, which opened its doors today, Monday 3 March. Situated next to the Co-op Food store, the Insomnia Cafe and the Lichfield Health and Fitness Club, it’s a brand new installation, and has a small number of seats inside, as well as being a takeaway.
I had the mini cod box deal which, as well as the cod included a (large!!) portion of chips and a pot of mushy peas (you could have curry sauce, or gravy, instead of the peas). There was an opening offer of £6 for this meal deal, the usual price will be £7.50, and was definitely a bargain! Everything was well cooked and very tasty, I won’t need to eat again today!
They are open 12noon till 2pm, and then 5pm to 9pm Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday, there is plenty of free parking and I’ll definitely be calling in again!

Boley's Plaice Fish & Chippery

The Co-operative Food & Petrol - Boley Park

Lichfield Health and Fitness Club

03/03/2025

And now, the end is near…
And so I face the final curtain…
Very sad news, the curtains closed, and the doors shut, for the final time at the Encore Bar on Market Street, Lichfield, on Sunday 2 March.
Appropriately the final evening was an Open Mic event, with lots of talented performers (including the staff from behind the bar!) singing songs from stage shows and musicals, including some of the cast from the Lichfield Operatic Society performing a selection of songs from their upcoming musical at the Lichfield Garrick theatre, Anything Goes.
It was a happy, but also sad, evening as I have been going to Encore since it opened in May 2023, and it will seem very strange not popping in there for a black Americano - or a large glass of Pinot Grigio!
I’d like to wish Caroline, Brandi, Sarah and Chloe, all the very best for the future and will raise a glass of Pinot to you all this evening!

Lichfield Operatic Society
RicNic

01/03/2025

I was delighted to provide a talk on the history of the Lichfield Guildhall on Bore Street today at the building’s Open Day, organised by Lichfield City Council.
Over 300 people attended the event, and 30 people came and listened to my talk, telling the history of the Guildhall, from its 12th century origins to the current day.
My thanks to the team at City Council for asking me to host the talk, and to my friends Adrian, Lichfield’s Town Crier / Sword Bearer, and Richard, one of the Mace Bearers, we caused quite a stir walking round Lichfield and lots of people asked to have their photos taken with us!

Guildhall Lichfield

01/03/2025

A lovely day in Lichfield and the sun is shining on the Market Square and, of course, shining on the Lichfield Fruit and Veg stall!
Jake and the team have got their usual colourful array of fruit and vegetables and this week I noticed the unusual ‘wet’ garlic (a milder form of garlic, can be used on all types of cooking) and some unusual varieties of mushrooms.
Jake and the team will be on the stall, in the sun, today, Saturday 1 March until 3pm but, if you miss them today, they will be back on the square on Tuesday 4 March, from 8am to 3pm.
Enjoy Sunny Saturday in Lichfield and please remember to support your local market!

Lichfield Market Fruit and Veg
Lichfield Markets

28/02/2025

I’m hosting a talk about the historic Lichfield Guildhall on Bore Street tomorrow, Saturday 1 March, as part of the Guildhall Open Day event.
My talk will start at 12noon and before, or afterwards, you can also explore the other rooms in the building, which are not usually open to the public, including the spooky Guildhall Prison Cells, a fascinating part of Lichfield’s history.
The Open Day event, including my talk, is free entry so please come along and say hi and listen to my history talk on the Guildhall!
The Open Day event is on Saturday 1 March, from 10am to 2pm, my talk is at 12noon in the main Guildhall building, on the first floor.
*line drawing of the Guildhall is by Love2Dream, this print, and others are available from the Hub at St Mary’s.

Guildhall Lichfield
Love2dream
The Hub at St Mary's

27/02/2025

** BOOK TICKETS NOW WARNING!
The old adage of Never Work with Children or Animals definitely DOESN’T apply to the musical Annie by the wonderful Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company at the Lichfield Garrick this week!
Fabulous feel-good, fun-filled, family-friendly entertainment, with a super talented cast, a classic songbook, quickstep choreography, lots of laughs, a few tears - and the cutest dog you ever did see!
The cast are a blend of youth and experience, and the young performers are superb, they throw themselves in to their performances with such enthusiasm and joy, you can see that they are loving every moment of being on stage!
Eliza Bullock, as Annie, is amazing throughout, for such a young person to step out in front of a packed Garrick audience, and perform so brilliantly is a real pleasure to watch - her note at the end of the classic song Tomorrow is so clear, powerful, and constant - truly amazing!
Hard Knock Life is another classic, along with Easy Street, N.Y.C and Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, all great songs, and haven’t stopped singing Hard Knock Life since I saw the show!
Strong support comes from Paul Lumsden as Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks, Kerrie Penrice as ‘nasty’ Miss Hannigan, Rachel C Clarke as lovely Grace Farrell and Ethan Bowley and Rhian Horsley as conman Rooster Hannigan and his girlfriend Lily St Regis.
Everyone stands out in this show though, and you can see the mutual respect between all the cast members, regardless of their age or experience.
Musical direction is by Sheila Pearson, choreography by Maggie Jackson and the show direction is by Paula Lumsden.
A shout out to all the crew who work so hard behind the scenes to make sure the show runs smoothly and efficiently, as well as the welcoming staff at the Garrick Theatre.
Finally a mention for my friend Louise Grifferty who had a part in the show but had to pull out due to illness at the last moment - get well soon Louise!
** Tickets are now completely SOLD OUT, for Friday evening, Saturday matinee and Saturday evening, so if you want to see this guaranteed standing ovation show, then I’d urge you to book the remaining seats for tonight, Thursday 27 February, you definitely won’t regret it!
Book tickets now by ringing the Garrick Box Office on 01543 412121 or book online at:

www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/annie-sutton-coldfield-musical-theatre-company

Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company (SCMTC)
Lichfield Garrick

25/02/2025

The signage is up for the Major Curry Affair restaurant on the junction of Wade Street, St John Street, and they are due to open on Monday 10 March.
Ring 01543 257893 to book.

Major Curry Affair Lichfield
Major Curry Affair Burntwood

24/02/2025

After my visit to the Hub for the Smiths service on Sunday morning I was back again in the (wet and windy!) evening for the latest Sunday Acoustic Lounge set.
Four great singers, backed by Gladstone ‘G’ Wilson and Mark Eustace on keyboards and guitar, and hosted by Tom ‘Rich’ Roberts.
Really good night’s entertainment and all with the backdrop of the chancel and stained glass window of the Hub at St Mary’s!
The next Lounge is on Sunday 23 March, 7.30pm start.

The Hub at St Mary's
Sarah Riches Music

23/02/2025

At the church service for the Worshipful Company of Smiths at the Hub at St Mary’s on Sunday morning.
It’s the only service that takes place at the church during the calendar year, and was well attended this year.
New Freeman will be announced and welcomed in to the company at the Feast that takes place on the Tuesday following the service at the Guildhall on Bore Street.
It’s a quaint, and ancient, tradition reaching all the way back to Medieval Lichfield, when tradespeople joined the company to protect their trade from competitors from outside the city.
I wore my Smiths’ tie with pride, one of the few occasions I wear a tie these days!

22/02/2025

When Too Tall Anthony met Too Small Jono! Great to meet Anthony and the guys from the Stafford 41 Club for a meal, followed by a history talk from myself at Bistro 1709 on Tamworth Street, Lichfield. Anthony is 6ft 6in while I’m a measly 5ft 5 1/2in (and yes, before any comments, I AM standing up on the pic!).
The 41 Club are former members of the Round Table, who have left the club at the age of 40, and therefore become ‘41ers’.
I told the guys about David Garrick, Erasmus Darwin and, of course, Samuel Johnson who was born on 19 September 1709, and after whom the restaurant is named. I was definitely a bit light headed after staring up at Anthony all evening! Great food and great company, will look forward to their return visit to Lichfield in the summer when we’re heading off for a walking history tour (followed by a pub or two!)
1709 the brasserie
Bistro 1709
41 Club

19/02/2025

Have a free cake on David Garrick!
Today, 19 February, is the anniversary of the Georgian actor and theatre owner, David Garrick, born in 1717, and after whom our theatre is named.
To celebrate if you buy a hot drink in the Green Room cafe at the Garrick today, then you can enjoy a muffin, or (but not both!) croissant for free, courtesy of Mr Garrick!
*The cafe is open till 2pm

Lichfield Garrick

18/02/2025

The traditional Lichfield Pancake Day races take place on Tuesday 4 March from 12noon, along Bore Street.
Organised by Lichfield City Council, and hosted by Lichfield Town Crier Adrian Holmes, the races are always great fun, and there are categories for men, women, young people and fancy dress.
More details, and application forms, can be found on the City Council’s website at:

www.lichfield.gov.uk/_VirDir/CoreContents/News/Display.aspx?id=74087

Guildhall Lichfield

18/02/2025

‘The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow there'll be sun…’
Well, there’s certainly sun ☀️ in Lichfield today but next week the sunshine will definitely return on stage at the Lichfield Garrick theatre with the Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre’s production of Annie the Musical!
As well as the classic Tomorrow the show is packed with fantastic songs such as I Don’t Need Anything but You, You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile and, of course, the iconic It’s the Hard Knock Life.
The show stars Paul Lumsden as Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks and, in the title role, 12-year-old Eliza Bullock, who was young Cosette in Les Mis by the Lichfield Musical Youth Theatre last year.
It’s a fabulous musical and I’ll be there on opening night, Tuesday 25 February, and I’ll be reviewing the show on my website and pages the following day.
Ticket sales are strong already, please book tickets by ringing the Box Office on 01543 412121, calling in to see them at the theatre on Castle D**e, or on the Garrick’s website at:

www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/annie-sutton-coldfield-musical-theatre-company

Sutton Coldfield Musical Theatre Company (SCMTC)
Lichfield Garrick

17/02/2025

Was great to have a chat with Tariq and the team from the Major Curry Affair who are opening up their new restaurant at 21 Saint John Street, at the junction of Wade Street, soon.
Lichfeldians will remember this as the Raj Duth restaurant (at the moment you can still see the old sign above the central doorway), but, before that, Carols Cafe.
The Curry Affair team also have restaurants at Sankeys Corner, Burntwood and at Tipton, Dudley, and I’m sure they”ll be just as successful in Lichfield.
They’re hoping to open in early March but, I’ll let you know when the official date is available. In the meantime you can see more information on their page;

Major Curry Affair Lichfield
Major Curry Affair Burntwood

17/02/2025

The Lichfield City silver collection is currently on display at the Treasury exhibition space at the Hub at St Mary’s.
The exhibition is on display until the end of February, and is on the upper floor of the Hub on the Market Square (above Lichfield Library), to the right of the cafe area. It is free entry and is open during the Hub’s usual opening hours.
The collection features silverware: cups, plates, maces etc, from Lichfield’s past and also has items from the surrounding villages as well as the city centre.
The collection is put on display a few times during the year so this is an excellent opportunity to have a look, it is an important part of Lichfield’s history. Afterwards (or befits!) enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake in the cafe, which looks over the chancel, and stained glass window, of the former church, now home to the Hub.
For more information about The Hub, including opening times and events, please visit their website at:

https://thehubstmarys.co.uk/

The Hub at St Mary's
Guildhall Lichfield

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Lichfield Town Crier, Adrian Holmes, officially opening the 80th exhibition of the Lichfield Society of Artists today, Friday 18 October. The exhibition is free entry and is on until Tuesday 22 October in the lower floor of the Lichfield Guild Hall on Bore Street.

Not Something You See Every Day! The Mayor of Lichfield, Councillor Sam Schafer, unveiling the bust of Samuel Johnson at 10 Bird Street last week!! Keep watching till the end as Sam takes the cherry-picker upwards, rather than back down! #lichfield #SamuelJohnson

Many thanks to my friend Adrian, Lichfield’s Town Crier, for his impromptu ‘shout’ outside the clinic of Cathedral Hearing, an independent audiologist, run by Laura this morning. Set in the wonderful Grade II listed mid-16th century building, 6a Sandford Street, Laura is now taking bookings for appointments. Love the ‘photo-bomber’ who walked right in front of Adrian as he started the shout ha ha! #lichfield #history

Thunderbirds are Go! The Thunderbirds 54321 exhibition, currently on display at the Hub at St Mary’s, was featured on the Central ITV news recently. The free exhibition is on at the Hub during usual opening days / times and runs until 2 November 2024. If you’re a child of the 60s or 70s it will definitely bring back some happy memories!

Jono Bids on Binoculars!

Me bidding on a set of opera binoculars at the sporting edition of BBC1’s Bargain Hunt, recorded a couple of months ago but broadcast last Friday. It was a sporting celebrities special edition and Paralympians Dame Sarah Storey and Richard Whitehead bought a pair of opera glasses for £12. Thanks partly to my bidding (you can see me waving my hand like a madman at the back of the auction room!!) it made £40 - though I’d backed out before then ha! Their expert was Kate Bliss, presenter was Natasha Raskin-Sharp and the auctioneer was Richard Winterton of Richard Winterton Auctioneers at Fradley, Lichfield. Got to love an auction, I bid on three items on the day and didn’t win any of them - better luck next time! #auctions #lichfield Richard Winterton Auctioneers

My 15 seconds of fame!!

Talking about Richard Winterton Auctioneers, I appeared (very briefly!!) on Friday’s episode of BBC1’s very popular Bargain Hunt programme, filmed at Winterton’s Auction House at Fradley. I bid on a lovely little silver-plated Vesta (matches) case. I’m at the back of the auction room and stopped bidding when it reached £35 as that was, as they say in the auction business ‘all the money’ in my opinion. They also filmed the celebrity sports personalities on that day so I’m hoping to be featured again when they show that episode later in the schedules! Richard Winterton Auctioneers

Four Historic Lichfield Buildings

For Staffordshire Day, this was the video that I and my friend David Gough put together for Staffordshire Day in 2022, telling the history of four well-known Lichfield buildings. The video was created for Staffordshire Libraries. #StaffordshireDay Staffordshire Libraries Enjoy Staffs

Balloonist crashes at Lichfield - not an April Fool!! I’m always listening out for Lichfield on TV programmes and this clip is from the Antiques Road Trip, featuring Jane’s Braxton. James Sadler (1753 - 1828) was a former pastry chef who later became one of the earliest balloonists, taking to the skies only a short while after the much more famous Montgolfier brothers. Although he was quite good at launching his silk-made, hydrogen-filled ballooons skywards he was not quite as good at landing them safely, on one occasion he and his balloon were dragged two miles across the countryside when it landed and he also crashed close to Lichfield in 1785. On this occasion he was thrown out of the balloon and it then disappeared up into the sky, never to be seen again! Lichfield’s own Samuel Johnson was fascinated by the early flights of the balloonists from 1783, stating that a day barely went by without the mention of ballooning in the journals of the day. Samuel provided a financial subscription for another balloonist, Vincenzo Lunardi, the team at the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum provided a blog about Sam’s love of ballooning (and other scientific inventions), read more below: https://sjmuseum.wordpress.com/2022/09/02/inventor-a-finder-out-of-something-new/ Find out more about James at: https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/so-who-was-james-sadler/ Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum & Bookshop Antiques Road Trip

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