Mayor of Worcester

I have ended my year as Mayor with a wonderful visit to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with the Mayoress. It was a real honour to represent Worcester on such a special occasion and to see the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family, enjoy a cup of tea and a sandwich on the palace lawn, and to meet others from across the UK who have also given their time in service to their communities in so many different ways. It felt a fitting and memorable way to bring my mayoral year to a close.

As I reflect on the past 12 months, I can honestly say what an honour it has been to serve as Mayor of Worcester. It is a role that carries great history and responsibility, but above all it is about people – and I have been privileged to meet so many who make our city the wonderful place it is.

Over the course of the year, I have attended almost 350 different mayoral events. Each one, whether large or small, has offered a glimpse into the extraordinary work taking place across Worcester. I have visited groups including Sensory Matters, the University of the Third Age, ASPIE, Rotary Club, The Monday Night Club, DinesFest, the Scouts, Maggs Day Centre, St Paul’s Hostel, Street Pastors, Shopmobility, Amnesty International, Lions Clubs International, Nightstop and many, many others. From community volunteers to those supporting the most vulnerable, I have continually been inspired by the kindness and commitment of our residents.

My chosen theme for the year was learning, and it has been a pleasure to visit schools, colleges and the University of Worcester, as well as to welcome many young people to the Worcester Guildhall. Seeing the ambition and potential of our young people has been one of the highlights of my year. Alongside this, I was proud to support Acorns Children’s Hospice, helping to raise vital funds for the incredible work they do for children and families.

It was also a particular privilege to visit our twin city of Worcester, Massachusetts. Strengthening that historic connection was both fascinating and rewarding, and I was struck by the warmth of the welcome we received and the shared civic pride that links our two cities across the Atlantic.

One of the most meaningful aspects of my year has been the opportunity to work with and recognise the service of our armed forces and our veterans. I was honoured to attend commemorations for VJ Day and Remembrance Sunday, to speak at the raising of the armed forces flag, to pay tribute in Gheluvelt Park, and to mark Qatia Day. These solemn occasions, alongside meeting serving personnel and supporting veterans’ organisations such as the Royal British Legion, have been both humbling and deeply important.

Finally, it has been a joy to celebrate the diversity of our city – spending time with our Polish, Ukrainian, Afro-Carribbean, South Asian, Chinese and Jewish communities, each of whom contribute so much to the rich fabric of Worcester life.

As my time as Mayor comes to an end, I look back with a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude to the Mayoress for her constant support, and to everyone who has welcomed us so warmly. It has truly been a privilege to serve. Worcester is a remarkable city, and I leave this role immensely proud of all that we have celebrated together over the past year.

This week has been another busy and rewarding one in the role of Mayor, with a range of engagements that truly reflect the strength of community spirit across our city.

I was delighted to open and attend the annual Worcestershire Rail Partnership event at the Guildhall. This important gathering brought together partners, volunteers and stakeholders who work tirelessly to support and enhance our local rail services. In my remarks, I reflected on the vital role that our railways play – not just in connecting people and places, but in supporting economic growth, tourism and sustainability across the county. Community rail partnerships in particular do so much to foster local pride, improve station environments and encourage more people to travel by train. It was inspiring to hear about the ongoing projects and ambitions for the future, and I am very grateful to everyone involved for the time, energy and enthusiasm they continue to give.

On Sunday, I had the great pleasure of attending the annual St George’s Day Scouts service and parade at Worcester Cathedral. It was a truly uplifting occasion, with hundreds of Scouts, leaders and families taking part. The parade through the city centre created a wonderful sense of occasion, before the service itself provided an opportunity to reflect on the values at the heart of Scouting.

The commitment shown by these young people – to helping others, developing new skills and contributing positively to their communities – is something we should all take pride in. It was also a chance to recognise the dedication of adult volunteers, whose support and guidance make these opportunities possible. Events such as this are a powerful reminder of the important role that organisations like the Scouts play in building confidence, character and community cohesion.

I also had the opportunity to attend rehearsals for the musical Come From Away, which will be showing at The Swan Theatre from 19 to 23 May. Having had the pleasure of seeing the production take shape, I can honestly say it promises to be something very special. An infectious, uplifting and deeply moving show, it tells the story of a small Canadian town in the aftermath of 9/11 and serves as a powerful reminder of kindness, compassion and humanity at its very best.

The energy and professionalism of the cast and crew were evident throughout the rehearsal, and it was particularly lovely to see former colleagues and students from my time at Worcester College of Technology continuing to shine on stage. Their passion for performance is clear, and it is wonderful to see that talent being showcased here in Worcester. I would strongly encourage everyone to come along and support what is sure to be a brilliant production. Having seen a wonderful production of Evita at The Swan just the previous week, it is clear that Come From Away continues to reflect the vibrant and thriving theatre scene we are fortunate to enjoy here in Worcester.

It has been another rewarding and varied week as Mayor, with opportunities to meet inspiring people and celebrate some of the outstanding work taking place across our community.

I was delighted to visit Sensory Matters to learn more about the vital support they provide for people living with visual impairments and hearing loss. The visit offered a valuable insight into how their services help individuals maintain independence, confidence, and connection with the world around them. I was particularly pleased to meet both staff and volunteers who were generously giving their time not only to support service users, but also to improve the facilities themselves. From painting parts of the building to clearing and tidying the garden, their efforts reflect a genuine sense of community spirit. It was clear that Sensory Matters is not just a service, but a welcoming and supportive environment for all who walk through its doors.

It was also a great pleasure to host the University of Worcester’s netball team in the Mayor’s Parlour following their historic trophy win. This was a truly remarkable achievement and a proud moment for the city. The team secured their victory in a nail-biting final against the University of Bath, demonstrating exceptional skill, resilience, and composure under pressure. Hearing about the intensity of the match and the determination required to see it through to the final whistle made their success all the more impressive. Meeting the players and coaching staff, I was struck not only by their talent, but also by their teamwork, sportsmanship, and humility. Their achievement places Worcester firmly on the sporting map and will undoubtedly inspire aspiring athletes across our community.

Alongside the Mayoress, I also had the privilege of visiting St Richard’s Hospice, where we were warmly welcomed by Chair of Trustees Jenny Cowpe and Director of Business and Income Generation Abby Holliday. The visit provided a moving and informative look at the compassionate care offered to patients and their families. The hospice delivers extraordinary support at some of life’s most challenging moments, and it was humbling to see firsthand the dedication of the team. Their work relies heavily on the generosity of volunteers and donors, and I would encourage anyone who is able to consider supporting them, whether through giving time or financial contributions, to ensure this essential service can continue.

These visits have once again highlighted the strength, kindness, and dedication that define our community.