Mayor of Worcester Blog

Last week, local history teacher Andrew Trickett launched his sponsorship campaign for a bicycle ride from Worcester to Gheluvelt in Belgium.  He will be making the trip in October 2014, to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1.  Proceeds will go to Acorns Hospice. Good luck to Andrew and his fellow cyclists!

 British Empire Medals were awarded to local men and women who have given outstanding service to the community. It was a proud moment for family and friends, as recipients were presented with their medals by the Lord Lieutenant.

Attendees will probably also remember the occasion because of the drilling, which started on the scaffolding outside just as the ceremony began. Happily, the builders agreed to desist until the presentations were over!

Later that day, a small delegation from Children in Need visited Worcester Cathedral on a whistle stop tour of English cathedrals. Phil and I met Pudsey and listened to a beautiful organ recital. The organiser was an impressive young lady, aged sixteen, who had given up her half-term to fund raise.

The Mayor of Stourport’s ukulele evening in aid of Acorns was a great success, despite the awful weather. The band played favourites from the sixties and seventies.

Saturday evening was eventful, as Phil and I dashed between the Round Table Bonfire and the Worcester Volunteer Centre dinner. Both were hugely enjoyable and well attended.

I was told that I would not be asked to detonate anything (a bit of a relief!) just count down and point dramatically. It seemed to work. The bonfire was spectacular!

Volunteer Centre diners enjoyed a three course meal and a thoroughly entertaining speech by BBC Hereford and Worcester’s Dave Bradley, rounding off a hectic week.

The Royal British Legion Poppy appeal launch marks the start of our season of remembrance. The last post sounded and standards were lowered as a rain of poppies fell in front of the Guildhall. Poppies continued to fall during the two minute silence that followed.

This week also saw the 99^th anniversary of the Battle of Gheluvelt, when the gallant action of the Worcestershire Regiment changed the course of World War One. Canon Paul Tongue led the gathering in a service of remembrance for the local men and women who served and who continue to serve in our armed forces.

Worcester Swimming Club held its 17^th Annual Meet on Saturday. Lap times in the ”skins” races were fast and exciting. The “skins” is an elimination contest, with the last swimmer in each round dropping out. Contestants never know which stroke they will be required to swim in each round until it is drawn out of a bag. Families and friends roared them on from the gallery and there were some impressive Worcestershire victories.

Phil and I spent Wednesday with the Women’s Institute, who held their Annual Meeting at the Three Counties Showground. Contrary to the stereotype, the WI is a modern organisation that nevertheless honours its traditions. They began by singing Jerusalem and went on to an interesting review of the WI year. Celebrity speakers included Kate Bliss of Antiques Road Trip and author Jane Robinson, whose history of the WI, A Force to be Reckoned With, is currently on the book stands.

The opening night of Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society’s production of Anything Goes brought the house down. There was strong character playing from the leading cast members, who made the most of Cole Porter’s sparkling lyrics. Buy your ticket today! You won’t want to miss the last night.

 Sarah Gilhooley as Reno is an undoubted vocal star. Steve Miller was excellent as the romantically inclined Billy Crocker. Peter Baio’s hilarious character owed more than a little to Snozzle Durante and Steve Miller’s hapless Lord Evelyn was a hoot.  Leila Moore had huge fun as the vivacious Erma, with Ann Mayor and Andrew Bartlett ably sustaining the comedy.  Louisa Ford, a sweet soprano, was Hope Harcourt, a romantically confused ingénue.

 Worcester University opened its new Clinical Simulation Centre this week.  Medical professionals will use the centre to practise a range of techniques on life-like, responsive dummies before being let loose on real patients.

 600 local ladies took part in the Twilight Race for Life this week. Worcester’s ladies are leading the way in fundraising to make cancer history, with more participants than either London or Manchester.  The evening raised an estimated £50, 000.

 Worcestershire Regiment veterans, the Duckworth Trust, Friends of Gheluvelt Park and City Council parks staff gathered at the Pump House to unveil plaques commemorating the regiment. This week also sees the 99^th anniversary of the Battle of Gheluvelt and the gallant charge that turned the course of World War 1.

 A ceremony of commemoration will be held in Gheluvelt Park tomorrow at 11.30 a.m.

 

Worcester University marked World Mental Health Day with an art exhibition and a talk by Art in Mental Health (AIM).The Shrub Hill based charity encourages people with mental health issues to express themselves through art. This seems to help and certainly produced a wonderful exhibition of work.

 Later the same day, again at the university, I was impressed by Chris Husband’s neatly phrased description of teaching as “a matter of complex decision making” and a “deliberative practice.” In other words, good teachers think well on their feet and are thoughtful planners, too.

On Saturday evening, Phil and I sampled gourmet burgers at Worcester’s newest restaurant, The Green Room, in Crowngate. They were excellent! Clearly, this is the burger you can trust.

The Merchant of Venice in the Cathedral was a delight. Liz Grand gave us a clever and flirtatious Portia, Ben Humphrey was hilarious as her frowning Spanish suitor and suitably dignified as the Duke.  Robert Myler delivered an elegantly detailed performance as Shylock. Playgoers may remember the wonderful Jewish actor, the late David Kossoff. I suspect it was Kossoff’s distinctive musical phrasing that gives Myler the key to his character.

Democracy Week at the Guildhall means that we welcome groups of children to the Parlour to hear what a Mayor does and try on the regalia. This year, children from Pitmaston and Gorse Hill Primary Schools visited the Guildhall. They were extremely polite and asked a lot of really interesting questions.