Mayor of Worcester Blog

This week has been a little less busy than the last, a time for pausing and reflecting on what is now nearly six months of mayordom. Quite a bit has happened since May, we were reflecting at this week’s Twinning Association Tea Party.

In many ways though, it is not the comings and goings of monarchs and politicians that seems most significant, but the opening up of events and places. The desire to go to something, to be with people. The slow but sure return to embracing things to do, people to see.

Of course, Covid is not over, it has not gone away and there are other things out there as well. And more vulnerable people continue to take care – but they are now, unfortunately, more obvious amongst the wider population than before. Let us continue to respect their space and to be careful with ours.

This mood was seen this week at the Launch of the Poppy Campaign by the Royal British Legion at the Guildhall, and at the annual Service of Commemoration at Gheluvelt Park, in memory of the men of the Worcestershire Regiment in October 1914. This year will see the RBL continuing to raise money for its causes, around the care and welfare of veterans and their families of all ages and conflicts, many of whom are in groups particularly affected by the cost of living crisis.

The desire to congregate and mix was also seen during the Rising Festival, a project part of the Arches Festivals, focussed on young (18-30) people. What an event they made of it! Enthusiasm, business acumen, creative talent, sharing. Owned and organised by young people in the Rising Voice themselves. Hopefully only the start of activities which carry on and bring vibrancy and something different to Worcester’s cultural heritage.

Madness! Risking ancient stonework and stained glass with a drumming class at the Eco Festival but the Cathedral is still safe and one of many groups advocating for climate awareness. After learning about trees and seeds and fox poo, we went to a charity lunch at Worcester Wanderers for the game against Hereford. Thanks to everyone who donated to the Mayor’s Charities and great to see some older mates there, and also at Droitwich Civic Service where some old friends from the Salvation Army Band played in the Bandstand.

Back to Madness and the WODS Our House night. Fabulous production, singing and dancing. Well done again! But if some of your feet are getting a bit tired, I opened Nicola Shearman’s new podiatry clinic mid-week. A local business emphasising that healthy feet, like your eyes and your teeth, are fundamental to a healthy body and lifestyle.

Teaming up with the Archaeological Society, over 70 people attended a lecture about the building of the Guildhall, crucially, in the Guildhall. Fascinating history of a building unique in the UK. We must shout about it more!

I was pleased to be able to attend the funeral of Godfrey Harvey and join a packed Service of Thanks. His contribution to a range of activities in Worcester is well-documented but I knew him largely for around 20 years with the Tourism Association.

Testing out my own feet, I wandered round the Virtual Time Trail, highlighting buildings and memories of Worcester through projections of photographs and film, and stories from Worcester folk. Using technology and imagination to engage everyone and give a free heritage show was great, part of the Know Your Place project. This was the sort of thing Godfrey would have loved, championing the city, celebrating its history, and getting people out and about enjoying themselves.

Greek tragedy is not my ‘go to’ great night normally, but the excellent production of Antigone by Worcester Rep. was worth the trip. On the face of it, the story is a spiral of tragedies, one after another, but over the centuries it still speaks of issues of import. Of mental health, love, women’s rights, dictatorial power, all starkly exposed on a simple stage set for a modern audience. And great to see so many young people in that audience too.

Younger people enjoyed the most of Severn Arts’ Learn to Play event, trying out violins and trombones and guitars at the Arches last Saturday. And we met even younger people still, for Summer Reading Challenge winners from across Worcestershire came to The Hive for an award ceremony. Over 150 children over two days collected their awards. I hope they look back on their photo with the Mayor (there were lots of them!) and encourage their own children to carry on reading. Thanks to my deputy, Louis, for covering Day two when I was at a family funeral.

Passports in hand, we visited in Hereford at the weekend to give a big cider “cheers” to the AppleFest. Not only great hosts in the Town Hall, but a range of ciders on offer, including fizz and brandy, celebrating the apples and the many producers. This is the first of what is hoped will become annual festivals at harvest time, celebrating an industry and county often overlooked.

Thanks to everyone who donated to my JustGiving page supporting last month’s 10k Run – we have reached £1,500! Both Severn Arts and OnSide will benefit, and hopefully Monday’s World Mental Health Day did not go unnoticed by the wider population, but for many people, every day is a mental health day.