Mayor of Worcester Blog

Monday 11^th: Finding time to get to do the “weekly” grocery shop can be difficult: went first thing today. The cupboard was getting bare.

As will now be apparent much of the Mayor’s time is taken up with conducting tours of the Guildhall. This building is an amazing asset in our City so I am always happy to show anyone around. Today thirty Italian and two Spanish students arrived. They were on a Cultural and Language programme and were clearly enthralled by Worcester.

Marc Bayliss and Alan Stuttard are representing the Worcester City Team on a special networking conference in Accra (Ghana) beginning next Tuesday (19^th). This is under the auspices of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (funded by the DfID) and an important part of the Local Economic Development Programme we are running with the Adentan Municipal Assembly in Ghana. We met for a planning briefing to ensure our input is as effective as possible.

The Worcester Twinning Association met this evening in the Guildhall. The members are a lively group but we do need more to join: check online at www.worcester-international-link.org.uk

Tuesday 12^th: Members of the Worcester Tourism Association, Jane and I gathered in the parlour at 2pm and then walked down to the river. We called into Brown’s Restaurant and met Richard Everton who showed us the changes that he had undertaken. It seems that the riverside works really have made a difference to business. The PediTour owner, Marcus Sparrow, demonstrated his Pedi-Cab which should be a great attraction in this lovely weather. A stroll along the riverbank showed the almost complete works on the east side. This is a great improvement on what was there before: if you don’t belief me have a look at the “before and after” photographic records. We ended with “Tea” at the Diglis Hotel which is also now benefiting from the path improvements.

Wednesday 13^th: No official mayoral engagements today. Jane and I decided to go to Hay-on-Wye, the little town renowned for its bookshops. We had a specific reason for going and that was to find copies of books written by Mrs. Henry Wood. She wrote about thirty novels at the turn of the 19^th Century and they were printed in their millions: “East Lynne”, perhaps the best known, had 760,000 copies printed. I suspect few people know that Mrs. Henry Wood was a Worcester authoress: her portrait is in the Guildhall at the entrance to the Council Chamber. I have just finished reading “Dean Hollow” which is a fascinating story centred on a village (Hurst Leet) near Worcester…I do recommend her writings. We found several copies of her other novels in Hay-on-Wye for about £5 each.

Thursday 14^th: Much of the morning was taken up reading the “Planning Committee” papers in preparation for the meeting that began at 1.30pm. and did not finish until 6.30pm. Even the Mayor has non-mayoral duties!!

The Swan Theatre is a central part of Worcester’s culture and funds are always needed. Jane and I attended the “Promises Auction” held at the Theatre. An amusing evening provided by Charles Robinson (from Griffiths & Charles) the auctioneer. There were 79 lots from a bicycle that someone had left behind to “Tea and cakes in the parlour and a tour of the Guildhall” given by the Mayor of Worcester…Oh, that’s me!! Maximum bid for this was £65!!!

Friday 15^th: Learning about our history is so important: we are because of what we were! Roger Fairman and Brian Bullock came to see me today to discuss their future programme including “Living History Worcester VIII”. For more information visit the website: www.thebattleofworcestersociety.org.uk

The Elgar Chorale, directed by Donald Hunt, contributes a great deal to music for our City. The “A Time of Remembrance” (for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal) and Christmas Concert (for the Mayor’s charities) were resounding successes last year. Donald and I discussed plans for this year.

Chinese visitors love Worcester. Twenty four students from Yangzhou High School, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China, came for a visit to the parlour and Guildhall. They were thrilled with what they saw. Their knowledge of the English language was remarkably good.

The day was completed by Jane and I attending the Tudor Grange Academy to see “Act 1’s” first annual Showcase: a great variety of performing art by the Sixth Formers. A roller-coaster of entertainment that stirred all sorts of emotions from Shakespeare to “Find Me” written by Olwyn Wymark in 1977. “Find Me” is founded on a story of Verity, a young woman, who had the multiple personality syndrome. It explored many issues and attitudes around mental health. Well done to Jenna Butler (Curriculum Leader in Performing Arts) and all her students.

Saturday 16^th: The Battle of Worcester in 1651 lead to a parliamentary system we enjoy in the United Kingdom and elsewhere throughout the world. So Worcester truly is the birthplace of our current democracy. Jane and I joined a “Battle of Worcester Historic Walk” beginning at the Guildhall and thence to the Cornmarket (the site of public executions), St. Helen’s Church in the High Street, the Cathedral (used as a stable during the Civil War) and ending on Fort Royal and the Commandery: did you know that the Commandery has been there in some form for a thousand years originally established by St. Wulstan as a “hospital”? These walks are part of the “Worcester: City of Liberty” project financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Emma Campolucci, Joint Chairperson of the Relay for Life, Worcester, welcomed Jane and me to a promotional event in The Shambles to advertise the Cancer Research UK Relay for Life. This involved using a treadmill emphasising the importance of exercise in general health and possibly for the prevention of some cancers. The Relay will be held at the Nunnery Wood Sports Complex from noon on Saturday 10^th September until noon on Sunday 11^th September. Get a group of family and friends together and join in!! More information can be found by visiting www.cancerresearchu?k.org/relay/venues/worcest?er

A Summer Concert in the Cathedral by the Alcester Male Voice Choir was outstanding. Special guest performers were the soprano Caroline Causier, the organist Chris Alsop and the outstanding 15 year old violinist Dayna Townsend. The concert was in aid of Parkinson’s UK Worcester & District Branch. Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating condition and although much can be done to alleviate symptoms we still have no cure.

Sunday 17^th: No civic engagements today. We are now two days short of our first nine weeks in this mayoral year. It really has been busy: 101 engagements.

A Squadron Royal Mercian & Lancastrian Yeomanry – Tri County Triathlon Challenge – Saturday 30^th July 2011: This event focuses on the fitness, teamwork and endurance abilities of the Territorial Army Soldiers and at the same time will be raising funds for the Army Benevolent Fund (“The Soldiers’ Charity”).  It is planned for the soldiers to ride, row and run the 90 miles between the three county towns of Stafford, Worcester and Warwick. The team should arrive in Worcester at the City Library on Foregate Street at about 3.30pm on 30^th July. Shortly after that they will depart for Warwick. Come and cheer them on!!

Monday 4^th: Theo Theobald was the winner of the Worcestershire Poet Laureate competition held in the Cathedral on 17^th June at the opening of the Literary Festival. He, the runner up Fergus McGonigal and Lisa Ventura, came for a chat in the parlour this morning. They are such fun characters. I am sure we shall be hearing more of them over this next year.

Jane and I were invited to the annual dinner of the Rotary Club of Worcester in the Worcestershire County Cricket Club. This was at the time of the President’s handover. It has become customary for the Mayor to be made an honorary member of the Club so I was inducted this evening. This was a particular pleasure for me having been sponsored on many occasions by the Rotary Doctor Bank of Great Britain and Ireland for my working visits to Uganda and Rwanda.

Tuesday 5^th: Twenty four students (aged 13 – 14 years old) from Stuttgart (Germany) Grammar School arrived for a tour of the Guildhall. They came with The Principia School of Language and since 2008 have close links with Christopher Whitehead Language College. They were courteous, attentive and interested: a real pleasure to entertain.

Peter Rogers brought two visitors (Benedicte and Barry Reynold) from our twin town Vernon (France) for a chat in the parlour. I am always so pleased to welcome friends from our twinned towns.

The Olympic Torch comes to the UK on 18^th May 2012 to begin a 70 days’ journey (“Olympic Torch Relay”). Worcester is one of only five cities to be selected in the West Midlands to host a Community Celebration event. The torch will arrive in Worcester on 24th May 2012. If you would like to nominate someone, who has made a difference in the community, to carry the torch you can do so online at www.lloydstsb.com/carrytheflame until 12^th. September 2011. Jane and I attended a touring mobile exhibition in the Cornmarket and had our photographs taken with the prototype London 2012 Olympic Torch.

We do not normally have two Full Council meetings a week apart. The one this evening was an extra for the special consideration of the paper on the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP). As Mayor, I was in the chair. The debate was wide ranging the message being that this is a consultation document. At the beginning a member of the public spoke in the “Public Participation” slot. Fifteen councillors spoke each making significant contributions. It was overwhelmingly agreed that the SWDP should be accepted and go out for consultation in September.

Wednesday 6^th: The City Council quite often has students from local schools for a “Work Experience Programme”. I contributed to such a programme today for a student from the Royal Grammar School. My role was to tell him about and demonstrate the job of the Mayor.

The Annual University of Worcester Garden Party took place on the St. John’s campus this evening. These occasions are always enjoyable with the added opportunity to meet old and new friends and colleagues from across the county. I am proud of our successful University, the advantages it brings to Worcester and what it contributes to the wider world.

Thursday 7^th: Nine American students (aged 16 – 18 years) came to the parlour this morning for a tour of the Guildhall. They were from all parts of the USA and were visiting several towns in England. During their stay they are making a film on “British youth culture” under a title of “Experiment in International Living”. They were a real pleasure to show around and to be interviewed on film by them.

St. Mary’s Girls’ Preparatory School held its “Day of Celebration” today. It was clear that the achievements of the girls were outstanding with cups and certificates being presented. We were entertained during three interludes by a demonstration of music: yet more examples of Worcester’s musical contribution.

Lyppard Grange Primary School has amazing talent among its children. Their performance of “Archibald’s War” was fantastic! It portrayed the Second World War, the evacuation of London’s children to the relative safety in the countryside and the loss of a little girl’s teddy bear, Archibald, on the evacuation train. Eventually they were reunited. The representation of the events was a true reminder to the few of us who remember the latter years of that conflict. My mother had evacuees at our home in Sussex.

Friday 8^th: “King’s Day”: a day of celebration by The King’s School, Worcester, with displays, exhibitions and events. At mid day we enjoyed a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration in the Cathedral.

Saturday 9^th: The Valedictory Evensong for the 43^rd Wessex Association was held in the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in Exeter this afternoon. This was preceded by a reception in Exeter’s Guildhall given by the Lord Mayor. The Worcestershire Regiment, which served with the 43^rd Wessex Division in the First and Second World Wars, had been invited to this event and it was a privilege for Jane and me to join them. Time has moved on and very few of the Old Comrades remain so the recognition for the 43^rd’s will now be invested in the 43^rd Wessex Heritage Trust. After the service there was a “Sound Retreat” outside the Great West Door of the Cathedral. A wonderful day we would not have missed for anything.

Sunday 10^th: Jane and I attended the Annual Luncheon of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire in the Chapter House of the Cathedral followed by a Service in the Cathedral. It was a most elegant and enjoyable occasion.

A quick dash home to change into something a little less formal and then on to Crown East Woods for a “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” organised by the 10^th Worcester Scouts and their Leader Nigel Watkinson. Nigel and two Explorer Scouts are organising an expedition to Botswana in July next year. They will be helping to construct a building as a base for conservation and working with local scouts. This is a most important contribution within the scouting movement and to international cooperation. They need help with raising the funds for this expedition so if anyone would like to help do contact Nigel (33, Barry Street, Worcester or telephone 078 2653 8112).

Monday 27^th : I was interviewed by Central Television for a story on refuse and cleansing highlighting the “Take Pride in Worcester” campaign. An opportunity to promote the “three P’s”: Pride in the City, Prevention of littering and saving Pounds.

Tuesday 28^th : We had a meeting today to plan the fund-raising events for my three charities (Leukaemia Care, Noah’s Ark and Worcester Farmers’ Overseas Action Group). There are going to be some exciting events so watch this space!!

I chaired the Full Council meeting this evening. At times it became a somewhat boisterous affair!

The Rev. Canon Ken Boyce, Rector of St Martin’s Church (London Road), is my Mayor’s Chaplain. He took this topic in “Reflections from the Rectory” in this month’s Parish News. The word “Chaplain” “comes from the cloak or cape (Latin ‘cappa’) worn by St. Martin ….. ‘capella’ – a small cloak….. – and from that word comes ‘chapel’, the closet or room where the cloak was kept safely. The “chaplain” was therefore the person responsible for looking after it”.

Wednesday 29^th : Ann Perry has been with the City Council since 1988 and the Committee Administrator from 2001. I was pleased to speak at her leaving party today to thank her for 23 years of dedicated service. Officers like Ann are crucial to the smooth running of our democratic system.

Jane and I were excited by the “Art and Design” Exhibition at the Worcester Sixth Form College. The boundaries of art are really being extended by the students. A great range of skills are needed to produce the exhibits and must help with careers in the future.

Thursday 30^th : Now that was fun! I opened the new hire department at the Ultimate Party Shop. Me raising a green fluffy top hat next to a mannequin: what will I look like in the photograph if it appears in the press?

Friday 1^st : I presented prizes and rosettes to the winners of the Oldbury Park Primary School who had entered the peregrine falcon art competition. It was such a pleasure seeing the joy on the faces of these 7 – 8 year olds. Our artists of the future! Caroline Adams of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) also came and gave a short presentation. Photos of the event along with the  winning artwork can be found on the Peregrine Falcon’s in Worcester Facebook page.

Saturday 2^nd : Passersby in the High Street this afternoon were freely entertained by a delight of music from the forecourt of the Guildhall. The Elgar School of Music put on a wonderful variety: something for everyone. The participants are a great credit to the musical heritage of our City. A collection was made in aid of my three charities. I am most grateful to Gillian Lumsdon, Head of the School. During this Summer the School will be arranging workshops and concerts in association with the Three Choirs festival and Worcester Music Festival. Information is available on www.elgarschoolofmusic.co.uk and telephone 01905 28613. 2011 is building up for a vintage year in music.

Sunday 3^rd : Annual civic services are key events. They celebrate local democracy and bring together local mayors and chairmen and women (the “chain gang”) across Worcestershire. Today was the turn of Cllr. of Wyre Forest District Council and Chairman Cllr. Stephen Clee. Jane and I attended a Mass celebrated at Our Lady and St. Pius X Catholic Church in Habberley.

Monday 20th: Our Armed Forces deserve all the recognition and thanks we can give them. So today Jane and I joined veterans from the Worcestershire and Foresters Regimental Association, with their standards, serving officers from the Army Careers Information Office and volunteers from 214 Battery RA (V) at Dancox House: we observed the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag over the Guildhall. We shall fly this flag with pride during this week before Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25th June. As a family we know how important this is because Jane’s father, Air Vice Marshall Sir George Harvey, played an important role in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

Basket Ball, through the University, is a very successful sport in Worcester. Therefore I was delighted to welcome a delegation from the Lithuanian Basket Ball Federation. Mindaugas Balciuna (Secretary General of the Federation) and Tony Gouga, (the main sponsor of Lithuanian basketball) were accompanied by Mick Donovan who is Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Worcester. It is hoped that both the men’s and women’s Lithuanian basketball teams will come to Worcester for pre-Olympic training.

The Worcester Royal Grammar School has an excellent track record for its music. This was well demonstrated at the School’s Commemoration Service at the Cathedral which Jane and I had the pleasure to attend. The Headmaster, Mr. Andy Rattue, says on the school’s website “I am also very proud of our positive outlook and the balance we achieve between the serious and lighter facets of school life”. This shone through today and the Headmaster is rightly proud.

A fortnight ago I met the Editor of the “Worcester News” and said that the printed media was important for our community. So I was pleased to have an informal meeting with Tim Clarke from the “Worcester Standard”.

Tuesday 21st: Just because you are Mayor does not mean no other Council commitments. So today I had a meeting of the Smokefree Worcestershire Tobacco Control Alliance which is run through the Department of Public Health. As a previous Consultant Physician in Worcester I feel very strongly about the damage that tobacco does to the health of our citizens. We must do all we can to help those who want to give up smoking and make the whole population aware of the severe dangers.

Keeping in touch with the City Council’s activities is also vital. A regular meeting with the Managing Director (Duncan Sharkey) and the Leader (Cllr. Simon Geraghty) of the City Council is an important way of doing that… we met today.

Jane and I continue to be impressed by the talent of our young people. This evening we attended a production of “Aladdin” at the Royal Grammar School, The Grange. We were enthralled by the acting and confidence of these Years 5 and 6 pupils. They are a real credit to themselves, their parents and the school. Congratulations too to Mr. Gareth Hughes (the Headmaster) and his staff.

Wednesday 22nd: Thirty visiting French students (aged 15 – 16 years) are quite a handful when touring the parlour and Guildhall…a visit to the cells under the Guildhall and associated stories usually dampens the boisterousness. They were here on a “Language Education Course”.

The Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust held its last AGM in Isaac Maddox House under the Chairmanship of Neil Lockwood. The Trust will now be dissolved and transfer its services to the new Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust. It was clear that a great deal has been achieved forming a firm base from which the new Trust can move forward effectively. I wish them well.

Thursday 23rd: Our City Council link with the Adentan Municipal Assembly (Council) in Ghana has been in existence for almost a year. This project, entirely funded by the Department for International Development, is progressing well. The team of volunteers, from across all parties, is advising this Assembly on “Local Economic Development” (LED). Already we are seeing outcomes in terms of locally established committees for LED, and especially for “Women in Business”, a first self-funding business newspaper (“Adentan News”) and evidence of increasing employment in small businesses. Today I chaired the Worcester team meeting to discuss the next phase which will include the production of a master plan for Adenta, training for business management and the establishment of a “Federation of Businesses”.

Worcester City is twinned with Kleve in Germany (see “Blog” 13th. June 2011) so it was a particular pleasure to welcome twelve students (aged 13 – 16 years), on an exchange visit to the Royal Grammar School, for a tour of the parlour and Guildhall.

“Worcester Live”, under the directorship of Chris Jaeger, does so much for the culture of our City. It gives us enormous pleasure, it educates us and it attracts visitors from outside Worcester which in turn contribute to our local economy. This evening was “Patron’s Evening” at the Swan Theatre. It was an informal gathering giving us all the opportunity to chat with Lord Faulkner (the Patron) and Chris about the future. The product of “Worcester Live” is for everyone: support it and enjoy it!!

Friday 24th: Worcester is clearly popular with Germany. Another group of 30 students (aged 14 – 15 years), currently on an exchange visit with the King’s School, came for a tour of the Guildhall.

Each year we look out for the peregrine falcons on St. Andrew’s tower and the Cathedral. Children love the event and this was shown in a display of art from Oldbury Park School. I assisted with judging the contributions from the 7 – 8 year olds. The other judges were Claire Williams, Erica Burlace (Crowngate Manager), and Caroline Adams and Sharon Boardman both from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It was not an easy task. The winners will be presented with their prizes on 1st. July.

Saturday 25th: By now many will know that I have a passion for Africa and in particular for Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Ghana. Therefore it was a thrill for me to welcome visitors from Chumbageni School, Tanga in Tanzania. It gave me a chance to practice my “ten” words of Swahili. There is a link between Chumbageni and Somers Park Primary School (Malvern). St. James (Malvern), Hanley Swan, Leigh and Bransford and Northleigh are also linked with schools in Tanga. Find out more on www.globalgateway.org.uk/default.aspx?page=3416

Imagine a ”group” of over 100 singers on the stage at the Swan Theatre with an enthusiasm second to none and a packed house and you’ll get some idea of the atmosphere this evening. Voices Unlimited Contemporary Choir was founded by Ria Keen and Anne Bradshaw in 2008. They entertained us with songs and music from the 1940’s to the 2000’s. The event was in aid of research into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Sunday 26th: The Worcestershire Army Cadet Force League was founded in 1859 because of the threats from Napoleon. The Force’s mission today is “to help people between ages of 12 and 18 develop both personally and physically by providing a large range of fun, exciting, challenging and adventurous opportunities”. The 5th. Annual Luncheon, held today at the Chateau Impney Hotel, was a great and enjoyable occasion with Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mr. Michael A. C. Brinton JP, KStJ present.

Now that was a busy week!!