Tamworth Town Hall and Sir Robert Peel Statue

Description:Tamworth Town Hall decorated for Christmas.

The Town Hall was built in 1700-1701, and was paid for by Thomas Guy, the MP for Tamworth. The Town Hall was initially used for civic and social functions, and so was an important building for the town. Over the years the hall became too small and was extended on a number of occasions. The clock was added to the hall in 1817 by Mr John Robins.

The bronze statue of Sir Robert Peel (II) dates from 1852, and was erected by public subscription to commemorate Tamworth's famous son. It was made by Matthew Noble and remained outside the Town Hall in Tamworth in 2002.

Sir Robert Peel was born in 1788 in Bury, Lancashire to a wealthy cotton manufacturer, and died in 1850. He had a very successful political career with the Tory party that began in 1809, at age 21, when he was elected to Parliament and culminated in him being Prime Minister for two terms, between 1834-5 and 1841-46. He founded the metropolitan police in 1829, and was responsible for many reforms including the repeal of the Corn Laws and the Reform Bill.

Sir Robert Peel, his father (also called Robert Peel), and his son, all represented Tamworth in Parliament. The family left their mark on Tamworth, with the Tamworth Savings Bank, and Peel Schools, built separately by Sir Robert Peel and his father.