Mayor of Worcester Blog

I was delighted to welcome a party of students from Munich to see the Guildhall and Mayor’s Parlour on Monday.

Later in the day I attended the opening of the Worcester Books for Free shop in Cathedral Plaza. It is an interesting concept promoted by Shaylesh Patel of Healthy Planet, a sustainability and conservation Charity. The project has, to date, saved 1.6million books from landfill and relies solely on volunteers.

The Mayoress and I attended a reception on College Green on Tuesday to celebrate Quality Solicitors Parkinson Wright, who are celebrating 50 years in Worcester.

Wednesday was Worcester’s big day – the long awaited royal visit. The Mayoress and I were able to meet Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

Firstly, we attended the Hive. We were given a tour of the building before welcoming The Queen to Worcester.

Then we had to make our way to the Guildhall to arrive before The Queen so I could greet her. We were driven through the packed streets, a truly memorable experience, where we felt the genuine affection for Her Majesty. This was a true tribute to our city’s citizens, who must have been at least eight-deep in places!

At the Guildhall we welcomed The Queen and then there was a reception, giving a chance to meet local volunteers and citizens.

Luncheon was the highspot, as I sat next to Her Majesty and had an opportunity to talk with The Queen who was well-briefed on issues in Worcester. She was remarkably easy to talk to. What an experience to then be asked to propose the Loyal Toast!

Later I presented Her Majesty with a porcelain plate depicting scenes of the city, painted by local artist Francis Clarke.

We didn’t attend the service at the Cathedral, but we were happy to host a tea party to say thanks to all those staff and visitors who had made the visit such a success.

Afterwards I made my debut on the BBC’s Midlands Today, which was broadcast live from the Cathedral cloisters. I shared a platform with the Mayor of Hereford to recount our memorable experiences of the day.

On Thursday, Jill and I attended King’s Day, a service of thanksgiving and commemoration at the Cathedral, to celebrate the leavers from the sixth form at King’s School. This was a great opportunity to visit the school’s new boathouse and to enjoy the singing of the school choir and orchestra.

We attended the Civic Service of the Civic Head in Bromsgove on Sunday and afterwards enjoyed tea and cakes in the Council Chamber. We later attended the Double Diamond Jubilee Concert of Great Witley Operatic Society (GWOS) at St George’s Church, Barbourne. The Mayoress has been a long-standing member of GWOS and this was a fundraising concert in aid of Worcester Macmillan Cancer Support. The performance was exceptional – a tribute to the society who have some excellent performers. Thanks to Martin Jones Musical Director.

We showed some Members of The Forester’s Friendly Society around the Guildhall on Monday and l later I attended a jazz concert at The Worcester Rowing Club with the American singer and pianist Darrell Sherman. It was an excellent evening and well supported. I attended an induction session for new members of staff on Tuesday where we discussed the role of councillors and the Mayor. We later visited the parlour and had a trip around the Guildhall. The Mayoress and I also showed a party of students from Kleve around the Guildhall. Later we entertained Maggie Doyle, the new Worcestershire Poet Laureate, who was accompanied by Lisa Ventura. We have plans to use her in some of our fundraising activities.

I chaired another meeting of Full Council to agree further consultation on the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

On Wednesday we had our first visit to The Hive where Jill the Mayoress read to children from St Clement’s School. What an experience! The building is fantastic! I think I enjoyed Charlie and The Chocolate Factory as much as the children!

Later we had an interesting visit to The Regency High School which provides secondary education for a wide range of children. The children were most interested in our civic chains. During the evening I attended, with my chaplain John Everest, a presentation at The Old St Martin’s Church in Cornmarket – what an exciting plan to provide a community space in the heart of the city. This proposal will add a great deal to the new St Martin’s Gate development which is growing day by day.

Another party of students from Germany visited the Guildhall on Thursday. They are staying with families of children who attend Christopher Whitehead Language College.

On Friday the city council Leader Simon Geraghty, Councillor Allah Ditta and I welcomed his Excellency Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from Kashmir to see the Mayor’s Parlour and The Guildhall. Later Jill and I attended an Annual Achievement Celebration with students from Bishop Perowne Academy at St Barnabas Church. I presented certificates and we enjoyed the performances which took place between presentations.

During the afternoon Jill and I met Donald Hunt to discuss two evenings The Elgar Chorale are giving for Twinning Celebrations in September and my charities in December. I chaired a meeting to discuss World War One commemorations in 2014. We need community participation and any ideas are most welcome. Later I did a brief interview with ITN about The Queen’s visit to the city next week.

Jill and I attended and opened The Christopher Whitehead Language College Summer Fayre at Bromwich Road on Saturday. The theme was British Excellence and Endeavour. We enjoyed meeting the stallholders and sampled the excellent fayre on offer.

I was up early on Sunday to speak at the start of the annual Worcester Race For Life event, starting at Pitchcroft. What a well organised event, with well over 3,000 participants helping to raise a target of £199,000.

At the Race for Life start line

Jill and I were transported to the finishing line, where we distributed medals and congratulated the runners.

Later at the Chateau Impney hotel in Droitwich we attended the annual Worcestershire Army Cadet League lunch. We learnt a great deal about this movement, which plays a valuable role in engaging with young people.

On Monday I welcomed a visit from the Rotary Club of Worcester South with French visitors from London. This was a part of an annual twinning trip with visitors each year enjoying the city’s historic buildings.

At 12 noon we raised the Armed Forces Day flag in the Guildhall forecourt. Afterwards, I enjoyed a chance to chat with some of the veterans over a cup of coffee. Briefings for the following night’s council meeting followed, then a chance to meet and discuss flower arrangements for the annual banquet in July.

I met Helen King on Tuesday to learn about plans for the Worcester Music Festival in August. Later, I signed the official pledge as Worcester became one of the first UK Heart Cities. Meeting representatives from the British Heart Foundation gave me an opportunity to learn about the preventative measures that the city can help provide.

That afternoon we welcomed HRH the Duke of York for his visit to the Worcestershire Training Association HQ in Barbourne. It was great to meet young apprentices and to witness the training that is taking place. If only some more companies could engage in the training and development of our young people.

I chaired the full council meeting in the evening, discussing among other things a policy on social media and the IT needs of councillors. The world has changed so much in my 35 years’ experience as councillor and almost 50% of my communication with constituents relies on IT.

The city’s Homecoming and Freedom parade took place on Wednesday. What an experience to join others in taking the salute and to talk to the soldiers and many visitors. I believe this was a tribute to Worcester, with so many members of the public turning out and expressing their spontaneous support.

It was a great opportunity to engage with the army and we were pleased to receive mementos of the event to add to the city’s collection.

In the afternoon I attended a board meeting of Worcester Community Trust, which is doing so much to support areas in the city.

The evening brought a visit to an exhibition of work by art and design students at Worcester Sixth Form College in Spetchley Road. The standard of the work is incredibly demanding.

I paid a visit to the delightful village of Elmley Castle on Thursday, to the home of the new High Sheriff, Penelope Lewis. We enjoyed afternoon tea in a lovely setting.

On Friday, we attended the funeral of John Davenport, the husband of the chair of the city standard committee, Mrs Christine Davenport. It was an emotional event with a lovely choice of music and readings; an excellent tribute to a delightful person.

We opened the Community Fun Day at the King George V Playing Fields on Saturday. This excellent venue boasts some of the best football pitches in the city, which are maintained to a high degree. There were a wide variety of activities and stalls to enjoy.

Later I attended, with John Everest, the Act 1 Theatre Company showcase, sponsored by the sixth form of Tudor Grange Academy. The standard of performing arts is high, with many of the sixth form going on to further studies in full-time education. This will be the last production before the school moves to its new purpose-built theatre in the autumn.

Monday began at the Guildhall with a welcome to handbell-ringers and an American visitor Karen Buckwalter, who is a musical director and arranger. They enjoyed the Guildhall and a piece of cake kindly donated by St Paul’s Hostel from our recent visit.

Afterwards I paid a quick trip to the riverside to welcome Diabetes UK, who were staging a Healthy Lifestyle Roadshow. They are successful in looking at people’s body mass index and arranging referrals to local GPs where necessary.

At lunchtime I enjoyed a visit to the cricket ground to meet the Rotary Club of Worcester at the cricket ground. I was made an honorary member and heard of their fundraising plans.

We had a terrific evening on Tuesday at The Commandery seeing Shakespeare’s As You Like It – luckily without any inclement weather. We had a wine and finger buffet, then an excellent production where all actors performed so well. This really is Worcester at its best!

Wednesday brought another tour of the Guildhall and the Mayor’s Parlour, this time with American students on Summer School at the University. Not only were they impressed with the Guildhall and tourist attractions in the city, but many have plans to stay in Worcester for The Queen’s visit and also take a trip to the Olympics.

I joined the Bishop of Worcester on Thursday for the opening of our city’s first food bank. This is another initiative sponsored by All Saints Church who have been successful in engaging with many other volunteers, not just to help out but also to donate groceries. The existence of the food bank is in many ways a sad comment on the difficult times we are i

It was fascinating to attend the press conference to unveil the rediscovered papers from Winston Churchill’s visit to Worcester. This was a really interesting insight into the attempts by my predecessors to arrange for a visit to the City by Churchill and the eventual ceremony to award him the Freedom of the City.

We were joined by John and Ruth Bennett, who had treasured memories of Churchill staying at Lower Wick.

Jill and I, with John and Ruth Bennett

Later I joined the local branch of national charity Sight Concern for their Jail’n’Bait event outside the Guildhall – this challenged four contestants to raise £500 to be “released”.

We had a visit from Nunnery Wood Primary School on Friday. The youngsters enjoyed a debate in the Council Chamber on whether or not the wearing of school uniform was necessary. By a narrow margin those in favour won the debate. Afterwards I gave them a quick tour of the Guildhall, including the cells.

In the afternoon I enjoyed a visit to the cricket ground to see a T20 match with Warwickshire. Thanks to Peter John, editor of Worcester News, for the hospitality.

On Saturday I joined a photocall with The Rotary Club of Worcester who were fundraising with a parade of sandwich-boards, led by a band, throughout the busy city centre. This was one of their many fundraising events and I wish them well.