Mayor of Worcester Blog

Culture, education, food and friends

Early October brought brightness, education and the importance of friendship.

Black History Month kicked off in Worcester with the second Our Cultural Heritage event at the Guildhall. Art, dancing, music and poetry interspersed with talks and workshops and, at lunchtime, some fantastic free food. It was a lovely, positive community event.

Sunday saw a return to food with the Museum of Royal Worcester hosting The Language of Porcelain and Food in the afternoon and the Cathedral Farmers’ Harvest Thanksgiving service in the evening.

A beautiful Georgian dining table and desert exhibition were on display at the museum and I was able to sample a delightful plum pudding with jam alongside coffee in Worcester Porcelain cups. There were poetry readings and I made an Evesham purchase from the gift shop.

The Harvest Thanksgiving service was a perfect fit and it was great to see so many young farmers who kindly brought some fantastic local produce for donations. The land and being able to grow our own is so important.

Outdoors in the week I caught up with a student and volunteer busy litter picking at Fort Royal Park plus a band of pre-schoolers out on a day trip, all enjoying nature.

Indoors I spent time with the Make Time Friendship Group at the Blue Roof and with ASPIE trustees and members at Vesta Tilley House.  Both brought home the importance of being comfortable in the presence of others and of friendship.

Please support ASPIE’s home and our heritage by signing the petition to get it locally listed.

Whilst neither Halloween or Bonfire Night are here yet, Thursday saw the annual Christmas charity gift card sale launch at the Guildhall. If it’s good enough for retail, it’s good enough for the Guildhall!

An incredible week saw the end of September and the beginning of October.

On Friday I hosted my inaugural Mayor’s Banquet on Friday, with a full guest list of 160 people.

With dignitaries, charity workers, volunteers, family and friends all invited, it was always going to be an incredibly special evening.

Lollipop Youth Theatre and Worcester Musical Theatre provided the entertainment and very generous donations were given to the Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Centre.  A huge thank you to all involved.

On Saturday afternoon I enjoyed spending the afternoon at Honeywell Primary School who were hosting “Dinesfest”.

The sun shone and lots of outdoor activities were on offer including football, pony rides and councillors in the stocks.  I managed to dodge that one as Mayor!

There was plenty of activities indoors too, including a talent show.  Being a judge for the first time, I can confirm that being a judge it is incredibly difficult to choose the winners.

Saturday evening was a feast for the senses with the Mela event, The Melting Pot, at the Granary.

Acting, sounds, music and dancing brought Worcester’s rich industrial history to life. The event had a special focus on South Asian and migrant settlers, some of whom would have worked at Metalbox and Royal Worcester Porcelain, it was real local history.

Sunday was very memorable with the Bishop of Worcester’s farewell service at the Cathedral.  A full cathedral with guests and Bishops from all over the world, it was a very special service.

Once a Bishop retires, they must leave the diocese and I wish John and his wife H-J all the very best for their future in Wiltshire.

On Wednesday and Thursday, I was able to reward all the children who had completed the Summer Reading Challenge at the Hive.  Well done to all the bookworms and keep reading.  Books are special.

Education, graduation, awards, the economy, the arts, charity, faith and peace.

With the summer holidays well and truly over, mid-September has been a whirlwind of fantastic events and visits.

I visited Newbridge School and had the opportunity to say hello to quite a few students, teaching staff plus a cute dachshund dog called “Bean”, every school should have one!

I enjoyed the return of the University of Worcester Graduation Dinner and the final day of the Graduation Ceremony, which included a visit from HRH The Duke of Gloucester at the Bishop’s Palace.

I also enjoyed the Heart of Worcestershire Graduation Ceremony and time afterwards in the St Andrew’s Building, with super views of our riverside. It was great to be in the traditional processions, following the sword, the lead and mace bearers.

Both Bishop Perowne and Nunnery Wood students visited the Guildhall.  Bishop’s brought German exchange students and Nunnery came as a whole year group. The council staff came into their own with tours and quizzes and I helped out in the Mayor’s Parlour.

Art events included the Young Writers Final, the Worcester Male Voice Choir Concert and a screening of “Outrun” on the opening night of Worcester Film Festival.  All were outstanding.

A Business Improvement District (BID) exhibition was an opportunity to see its proposals to improve and promote our city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest.  Meanwhile, environmental charity shop Worcester Remade celebrated its first anniversary in the Crowngate Shopping Centre, I cut the cake.

I also attended the annual Health and Social Care Awards evening plus the County Council Chairman’s Charity quiz.

Last Saturday (21 September) was the International Day of Peace, dignitaries spoke, communities came together and a peace flag was raised.  People from all faiths and none also came together at a Faith Conference.

To help celebrate Heritage Open Days the Mayor’s Parlour at the Guildhall was open on Saturday 7 September and tours were provided.

Dating back to 1721 the Guildhall is a beautiful building with a fascinating history and it.

Hundreds of people visited on the day, including Worcester residents which was great.  It is easy to walk by and I always did, prior to becoming a councillor, a whole five years ago.

It is worth noting that whilst the Mayor’s Parlour is not always open, as I do use it for work and meetings, the Guildhall is usually Monday through to Saturday (except Bank Holidays).

We also have fantastic Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in the Guildhall.

Just head through the gates on the left and take the door on the left and you won’t miss it.

Whilst pupils are just back at school and Halloween and Bonfire Night has not yet happened, the TIC has plenty of gifts suitable for Christmas including Christmas baubles!

I tend to shop early for Christmas and like to choose charities and not for profit organisations for my gifts so do please forgive me for mentioning Christmas in September!

I recently visited Veron in France for the Commemoration of the Battle of Vernon and bought gifts from the TIC for our hosts.

Aside from retail Worcester has much to offer as a tourist destination.  With the Cathedral, the Commandery, Greyfriars and Tudor House to start, our faithful City is rich in history.

We also have some beautiful parks, with Cripplegate in the centre, the riverside and of course the cricket ground.

Arts and culture is growing. The Arches is a brilliant addition and Huntingdon Hall and the Swan Theatre serve us well, with some fantastic home-grown talent.

Heritage Open Days, for me, has served as a reminder of all we have, in our city, our Worcester.