Mayor of Worcester

Over the past week it has been a pleasure to take part in a number of engagements that highlight the very best of Worcester – our commitment to heritage, our support for those in need, and the importance we place on inspiring the next generation.

One of the most joyful engagements of the week was visiting Tudor Grange Primary Academy on World Book Day with the Mayoress, Cllr Zoe Cookson.

Zoe had been invited to read her own picture book, Odd Job Frog, to pupils in Reception, Year One and Year Two. The children were a fantastic audience and had clearly embraced the spirit of the day, with many arriving dressed as their favourite book characters.

Zoe read the story while I helped bring it to life using Frog and Mouse puppets, which proved very popular with the pupils.

World Book Day is a wonderful opportunity to encourage a love of reading from an early age. It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm of the pupils and to spend time sharing the joy that stories can bring.

Worcester Guildhall provided the setting for an important event marking 20 years of the work of Nightstop.

I had the privilege of opening “Nightstop in Action: Meet the Team – Working to Prevent Youth Homelessness in Worcestershire,” which brought together supporters, partners, volunteers and members of the community.

Nightstop provides emergency accommodation for young people at risk of homelessness through trained volunteer hosts, offering not only a safe place to stay but also practical and emotional support at a moment of crisis.

For two decades the organisation has offered safety, stability and dignity to young people who might otherwise face extremely difficult circumstances.

The event was a valuable opportunity to reflect on the impact of that work, to watch a short film about the organisation’s journey over the past 20 years, and to meet the dedicated team who make it possible.

Preventing youth homelessness requires compassion, collaboration and community support, and Worcestershire should be proud of what Nightstop has achieved.

The Guildhall also hosted the annual Mayor’s lecture with the Worcester Civic Society.

The Civic Society plays an important role in championing Worcester’s historic environment, promoting good design and encouraging a deeper appreciation of the city’s heritage.

More than 90 guests gathered in the Assembly Room for an evening focused on collaborative conservation. My thanks go to Stephen Hartland, who delivered a fascinating talk on Victorian and Edwardian architecture and the value of working together to protect our built heritage.

The event also supported my mayoral charity, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and I would like to thank everyone who contributed so generously.

This week has been one of extraordinary range – from stepping back two thousand years into the past, to celebrating the vibrancy of our present-day communities, and pausing together to reflect on a defining moment in modern European history.

First, I was delighted to attend the Living History event here in Worcester. It was a truly head-turning experience, bringing to life two millennia of history – from the Romans who once marched through our city, to the courage and endurance of explorers in the frozen wastes of the Antarctic.

What struck me most was the enthusiasm of the re-enactors and volunteers, whose passion made history tangible and immediate.

Events like this remind us that Worcester is not only a city with a rich heritage, but one that knows how to share it in engaging and imaginative ways. Seeing families, children and residents of all ages interacting with the displays demonstrated the power of history to inspire curiosity and civic pride.

I then had the great pleasure of joining celebrations for Chinese New Year. This was a joyful and colourful occasion, marked by warmth, generosity and a strong sense of community.

Worcester is strengthened immeasurably by its diversity, and occasions like this give us an opportunity both to celebrate cultural traditions and to deepen understanding between communities.

The performances – particularly the traditional lion dance – were a real highlight, full of energy and symbolism. It was a privilege to welcome guests and to reflect on the contribution that our Chinese community makes to the social, cultural and economic life of our city. At a time when the world can often feel divided, these shared celebrations are powerful reminders of unity and friendship.

Finally, I attended an event marking four years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. This was a much more solemn occasion.

We gathered in reflection and solidarity – remembering lives lost, families separated, and communities devastated by war. It was deeply moving to hear members of Worcester’s Ukrainian community speak with such dignity and resilience.

While the conflict continues to cause immense suffering, the strength and determination shown by Ukrainians, both at home and abroad, remain extraordinary. As a city, Worcester has stood in support of Ukraine over these past four years, and it was important to reaffirm that commitment.

Taken together, these three events reflect the breadth of civic life in our city: honouring our past, celebrating our diversity, and standing in solidarity during times of hardship. It has been a week that encapsulates what public service is truly about – community, remembrance and hope.

This week has been a joyful reminder of the richness of Worcester’s cultural life, the strength of our community, and the importance of civic engagement at every level – local and national.

On Saturday morning, the Mayoress, Zoe Cookson, and I were delighted to take part in the parade launching the Great Recitations Festival, celebrating Worcester’s literary heritage and our special connection with Charles Dickens.

We gathered in the Cornmarket, near the site of the former Public Hall, where Dickens once read A Christmas Carol to a Worcester audience. It was a powerful thought – imagining his voice bringing those immortal characters to life in our city.

It felt especially fitting that the festival began on February 7, Dickens’ birthday. Literature is not confined to the page; it is something to be shared, recited and enjoyed together.

Leading the parade to Script Haven was symbolic – carrying stories from the past into the present and into the heart of Worcester’s creative life.

We were honoured to welcome Lucinda Dickens Hawksley, the author’s three-times great-granddaughter, alongside Professor Christine Skelton. My particular thanks go to Leena at Script Haven, whose vision and determination made this wonderful festival possible.

We also attended the official opening of Indya, the new restaurant on Friar Street – a fantastic addition to Worcester’s growing dining sector. It is always encouraging to see new independent businesses choosing to invest in our city centre.

The evening was held in support of Sensory Matters, and we had the pleasure of spending time with Collette Bedford, who shared more about the charity’s inspiring work.

Sensory Matters supports children and young people with sensory processing differences and additional needs, offering practical support, specialist resources and a welcoming community for families navigating often complex challenges. It was heartening to see a local business launch aligned with such a meaningful cause.

The Mayoress and I were also honoured to visit the House of Lords as guests of Lord Faulkner of Worcester. We enjoyed lunch in the historic dining room, observed Question Time, and – of particular interest to us as councillors – watched the committee stage of the English Devolution Bill.

The legislation will have significant implications for the future shape of local government and decision-making in cities like Worcester. It was fascinating to see the legislative process up close and to reflect on how national decisions will impact our local communities.

From celebrating Dickens in the Cornmarket, to supporting a new restaurant on Friar Street, to observing debate in the House of Lords, this week has reflected the breadth of the mayoral role – championing culture, supporting enterprise and good causes and engaging with the future governance of our city.