My Family Fun Day on Friday (28 October) attracted hundreds to the Guildhall. Children jumped on a bouncy castle, watched magicians, had their faces painted, were tattooed with glitter, joined sports activities and coloured in pictures. Parents joined tours of the building and whole families were photographed with me and the sword-bearer. The day was a real success and I hope it can be repeated in the future.

My charities, Midlands Air Ambulance, YHA Breaks for Kids and Action for Children, will all benefit from the public donations received. I thank them all – along with Worcester Community Trust, Freedom Leisure, Miraculous Magic, Rev. Jim Brown and former mayors Pat Agar and Andy Roberts, for entertaining our guests. My thanks also to Tesco St Peters for providing cakes and serving refreshments.

Remembering those who were killed and injured during the two great wars – and many battles since – is important to most of us. We also fondly remember those fortunate to return home safely, but who also protected the freedoms we all enjoy today.

Last Thursday (27 October) I unveiled a poppy sculpture in CrownGate shopping centre and placed the first of 3,000 poppies on the installation. Since then, members of the Royal British Legion have received many generous donations from passers-by who added their poppies and have turned the sculpture into a mass of red petals.

On Saturday, I launched the official start of the Poppy Appeal from the Guildhall steps. There was a short service of remembrance and thousands of poppy petals fell onto the forecourt from above.

Gheluvelt Park on Sunday morning was the location of a moving service focused on our local heroes who served in the Battle of Gheluvelt 102 years ago. Many were killed or injured but they prevented the German advance in Belgium on 31 October 1914. We will remember them with gratitude.