Mayor of Worcester Blog

The Olympics are over and it’s time to reflect on what a remarkable success it has been. I want to congratulate our local athletes and particularly former King’s School pupil Zac Purchase, who scooped the Silver in the rowing.

But I think congratulations are also due to the many Worcester residents who volunteered at the games, as “game makers”, dancers, trainers and much more. One of our local students, Alex Donaldson, was seen by millions around the world when he was the medal bearer at the ceremony when Usain Bolt was presented with his 100m Gold.

By the time you are reading this I will be on a well-earned break after a busy time. I am already looking forward to the Annual Worcester Festival starting on Friday, with so many activities for young and old alike. I hope to see the programme well- supported and will enjoy what I can, as there are so many interesting events to cater for all tastes.

I was delighted to welcome members of the Worcester Afro-Caribbean Association to the Guildhall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence. It was great to see so many happy faces, particularly so soon after we had witnessed Usain Bolt’s incredible Olympics performance. The local association represents people primarily from Worcester and Droitwich and of course is keen to preserve their cultural heritage. I was presented with a framed woven tapestry to mark this happy occasion.

On Thursday I was able to meet Lt Col Turner of The Mercian Regiment, who joined me for tea. He was keen to express the gratitude of the Mercian Regiment to the city, particularly for the reception the troops received at the Freedom parade in June, when hundreds of local people had lined the streets to welcome home these brave men and women. Worcester has always been a good recruiting base for the army and around 100 new recruits sign up here every year. We discussed the Armed Forces Covenant and how district councils can play their part in helping soldiers re-adjust to civilian life.

Later I attended a pre-meeting of Trustees at The Porcelain Museum, as I shall be away for the full meeting. As Mayor I am an ex-officio trustee for a year only. The next agenda will include the annual accounts and information about a potential bid for funding from The National Lottery. This fine Museum is well worth a visit as it has a national reputation. My thanks are due to Amanda Savidge, the museum’s director, and Sam Driver White, Chairman of the trustees.

While I am on my break, Deputy Mayor Pat Agar, will be stepping up. In next week’s blog she will be reflecting on her experiences.

Not the busiest week with only one official engagement so I thought I would use my column as an opportunity to reflect upon the week and express a personal view on what opportunities We should take here in Worcester.

The week has of course been dominated by The Olympics and the excellent media coverage of the events; disappointments and successes have been well covered.  We now need to concentrate on the legacy and the opportunities it should present, to young and old living within the City. The City’s Sport’s team have been active in organising mini-Olympics, free multi-sports and Play activities all over the City, throughout the school holidays, at a venue near you!

Photos from the summer multi-sport programme 2012 (photos courtesy of Stacey Evans)

Not only does the City have excellent Sports, Swimming and Community centres, we have an environment second to none. What can be more enjoyable than walking the riverside from Bevere to Diglis? Exploring  along the Worcester to Birmingham Canal? Walk Duck Brook or Laugherne Brook  Enjoy the greenspaces, sites of special scientific interest and city woodlands at Nunnery, Perrywood, Warndon and Tolladine?

I think the ball has to be placed firmly in our court, and to see how We can take advantage of the opportunities there are, all of which have a known health benefit. A bit of regular exercise is well known to benefit us all, it also provides an opportunity to meet with others and enjoy wildlife and the City environment.

I have been able to catch-up on some domestic tasks; car cleaning, putting insulation in the loft and gardening as well as continuing with my duties as a ward Councillor. How satisfying to hear that a young mother with three chuildren has been rehoused in new Social housing in St Johns! The need for accomodation is crucial for a family-life!

My attendance, as Mayor, was  The  30th Annual WODY’S production of Me and My Girl at The Swan on Thursday evening accompanied by my daughter in Law, Trudy. What a production with well over 60 participents of all ages, under 16.The Principals were excellent, as were the dancers and chorus! Our thanks to Gloria Chapman President, David Humphries Producer and Director. A production of this type involves so many people backstage, the performers and parents who must spend many hours escorting and taking youngsters to rehearsals.

The week has been a rip-roaring success, a sell out and a great opportunity to see a musical which appealed to all ages. Thanks again for the opportunity to join with you and celebrate 30 years of success, here’s to the next 30!

Saturday, I visited a National “Truth about Youth” celebration, by the Prince’s Trust in Bristol in my role as Trustee of The Co-operative Community Foundation.

I shall shortly be having a week away so my next columns will include my deputy Pat Ager who has been such a valuable Deputy.

I enjoyed an early visit with Mel Kirk from Maggs Day Centre on Sunday to serve breakfast for those who had slept out overnight on College Green as part of The Big Sleepout. As well as highlighting local needs, this provided funds for St Paul’s Hostel. Thank you to those few who slept out!

We attended The First Worcestershire Barrio Fiesta at Perdiswell. It is intended to enhance the Filipino International Community’s stance in Worcestershire, celebrate their unique heritage and encourage a greater awareness of Filipino roots now they are living in Britain. It was a great opportunity to enjoy the parade, meet local Filipinos and gain a greater understanding of this small community’s culture, as well as see their contribution to the local economy.

We had a visit from The North Worcester Venture scheme to see the Mayor’s parlour and Guildhall on Monday. The group included youngsters from our twin Le Vesinet in Paris.

Later we attended a meeting with The Rotary Club of Worcester to plan arrangements for the Charity Banquet to be held in The New Year. Fortunately we have had an offer from Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Youth Section to provide a cabaret.

The Mayoress and I attended the Laslett Almshouses Centenary Service on Tuesday where we met residents, trustees and visitors on a most beautiful day. William Laslett, whose portrait hangs proudly in the Guildhall, was an enigma. The almshouses remain a permanent legacy to this man, providing a peaceful haven in a busy city. It is difficult to appreciate that this was the original site of the old city gaol.

We attended the Worcester Community Trust Community Games on Friday. Droitwich Air Cadets marched past and there were stalls from most local voluntary organisations.

This is the first of many events hoping to engage the community as part of the Olympic Legacy, as well as raise awareness of the Olympic Opening Ceremony later that evening.

Thanks to Worcester Community Trust, funders Worcester Community Housing and Community Safety, and the Sports Development Teams.

We enjoyed a visit to open a fundraiser promoted by Tegan Lea-Kemp at Archdale’s Club on Saturday. This young lady is keen to raise funds for Cancer Research and Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital to repay the medical help which she has received.

What a fine comment on this young person who is pleased to repay the help she has personally received.

On Sunday the Mayoress and I visited New Hope in Ronkswood, a charity providing respite care for children, to celebrate the organisation’s second Birthday. Well done to the army of volunteers.

Our visit to New Hope Charity in Ronkswood

Monday began with a debrief on the successful Freedom Parade for the armed forces, held in June.

Later I made a visit with the Mayoress to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital to see the chair and CEO of the Acute Trust. We met patients, staff and volunteers from Macmillan and staff and patients in the delivery and neonatal unit. What a tribute to the NHS this remarkable building is, housing so many facilities and satisfied patients.

On Tuesday I met with volunteers from St Paul’s and Maggs, my mayoral charities, to plan a series of fundraising events.

In the evening I attended the annual general meeting of Worcester Volunteer Bureau. What a success this body has been in Worcester; I was able to reminisce about the progress made and to present long service awards to the army of volunteers. Sally and Hedley deserve great thanks.

To Tudor Grange Academy on Wednesday, where the Mayoress and I attended the annual Key Stage 3 awards evening. Congratulations were well deserved for all the work the students had undertaken.

Off to Manchester on Thursday, to attend a meeting of the Trustees of The Co-operative Community Foundation. We have a programme aimed at inspiring young people and have presented grants to seven local charities in seven cities to tell “The Truth About Youth”.

Councillor Geoff Williams, Vice Chair of Worcester Community Housing, joined me on Friday for an event entitled Game For Good Health, held at Bilford Court. It was an event inspired by the philosophy behind the Olympics to bring people together, and to celebrate and highlight the benefits of physical and emotional well-being. I was pleased to meet several residents, one of whom had lived at Bilford Court since its construction in 1986.

That evening saw my Mayoral Banquet at the Guildhall. We were joined by over 140 guests to celebrate the new Mayoral Year. I was pleased to make a plea for councillors to show civic leadership and try to lead the city. It was also pleasing to report a Grant of £14,000 to the Mayoral Charities of St Pauls and Maggs, from a local trust.

I was up early start on Saturday to travel to Hereford to attend the opening service of The Three Choirs Festival, which this year is two weeks early because of the Olympics. It was a superb day to process through the high town, which had a continental feel with people enjoying the (long awaited!) lovely weather. We were also able to witness the restoration of Cathedral Close, which is something we may learn from in Worcester. Before leaving Hereford, the Mayoress and I enjoyed lunch with the Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Brian Wilcox, and his wife.

That evening I attended the launch of St Paul’s Big Sleep Out in College Green. I believe it’s vital to recognise the increasing demands of homelessness and support fundraising in these difficult times.