Mayor of Worcester Blog

Another frenetic week.

While Sunday was my day off, I attended a re-union at The Foley Hotel, Malvern, of several friends who used to be members of Malvern Young Socialists. It was my first active experience of politics as I was a sixth-former at Hanley Castle Grammar School, when I first joined.

It was great to see Les Huckfield (former MP) who came from Scotland, Graham and Wendy Downie who live in Studley, Sally Hogdon (nee Haywood) and her brother John who live in Bacton and Banbury. Keith Morrell from Sutton Coldfield, Ann and Roger Pearman from Lower Wick, Jim Evans Worcester and my wife Jill were all there. Star traveller was David Livingstone who flew in from Toronto. We hope to meet Dave again in the New Year when he returns to the UK.

What a great day! Only a few of them are still involved in politics but they are all great company and it was lovely to see them all again after nearly 50 years!

The Worcester District Scout AGM was held on Monday and as President, I chaired their meeting. It was great to see John Day, Derrick Bishop and Keith lane. What a wonderful degree of parental involvement there is in this international organisation!

On Tuesday there was the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Awareness Week and Coffee Morning in the Guildhall. It was a chance to educate us about this disease. The importance of early diagnosis was emphasised throughout and I learnt of many of the tests that are now available. We have made a great deal of progress since my early days on a ward at Powick Hospital in the late 1960s.

I visited the Worcester schools Bellboat Regatta at Pitchcroft on Wednesday morning. It was great to see local schools using the riverside in a safe environment – so important in a riverside city. I was pleased to meet several schools and Andy Train and his father, who have done so much to promote this safe sport to schools. It is all part of the Olympic build-up – starting at Stoke Manderville, going to Much Wenlock and finishing in Evesham.

In the evening I went to a performance of Taking Steps by The Swan Theatre Amateur Company. Congratulations to Ann Moore on what was an excellent production. If only we could improve attendances to keep theatre alive in the city!

I welcomed Chinese students from The Yucai Experimental Primary School staying with families at Pitmaston Primary School on Thursday. It was our first time taking school students around the Guildhall and I was grateful for the expertise of my Mayoress Jill, who has taught for many years in the city. The children were so interested and well behaved. It was great to see Tim Ireson, the Head, who has been involved in exchanges for some years.

Later the Olympic Torch came to the county cricket ground on New Road. What a tremendous experience and such commitment to Worcester citizens who turned out in force!

There were an estimated 10,000 at the cricket ground and 50,000 lining the streets. I am grateful to my deputy Pat Agar who was present at the Guildhall and, of course, to VisitWorcester staff who were responsible for the arrangements.

Welcoming in the Olympic Flame at the Cricket Ground

Torchbearer Sally Flood lights the cauldron

I was up early on Friday morning to go to the Elgar statue in High Street to welcome torchbearer Monica Martin and take photographs. It was a shame the torch left early, leaving so many people disappointed.  The whole experience has been a superb opportunity to showcase the city to a national audience.

At the Elgar Statue with Torchbearer Monica Martin

Later in the morning I took a trip to The Elgar Museum at Lower Broadheath where Mark Elder, conductor of The Halle Orchestra, opened the revamped exhibition and launched the appeal for a capital fund of £500,000. The Elgar Birthplace, just outside the city, was purchased by the city council in the 1920s. I believe the trustees have really developed and extended it into a top visitor attraction which is too little appreciated by local people.

I attended the Onside’s Great Bake Sale at the Guildhall on Saturday morning. This is an impressive local charity which provides support advocacy for vulnerable people – so much needed in these difficult times. We were able to enjoy the customary piece of cake and enjoy a cup of coffee. It really was a great opportunity to meet up with so many old friends and learn about this little-known organisation that now works throughout the county.

In the evening we attended the 30th birthday Party of Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section (WODYS) at Perdiswell Young People’s Club where we cut the cake and met youngsters who will be performing “Me and My Girl” at The Swan Theatre in early August. The productions have gone from strength to strength and are now part of my regular birthday celebrations each year.

What a whirlwind week. After a few wet days away in Lyme Regis following the recent local elections Tuesday finally arrived; a final visit with my University of the Third Age (U3A) Local History Group to Hartlebury Museum store in the morning. What a real cornucopia of exhibits stored under the ownership of the partners; everything from Street signs to baths, domestic appliances and archaeology from recent digs.

Tuesday night brought the Annual meeting of Worcester City Council. After appropriate tributes to outgoing Mayor David Tibbutt and his wife Jane, I was elected unanimously Mayor of a City which I have adopted and served for the past 35 years as a Councillor.

Feelings of humility and pride were quickly overcome as I had to chair the remaining meeting. I welcomed Pat Agar on board as Deputy Mayor, John Everest as Mayor’s Chaplain and of course Jill, my wife, as Mayoress.  I am sure Pat and I will work together well, each bringing different lifetime experiences to the post.

Afterwards, there were drinks in the Mayor’s Parlour where Jill and I acted as hosts. It was great to receive the good wishes of all colleagues, representives of our charities, friends and family members. We were home just after nine, but feeling quite exhausted!

Photographs in the robes took place over several sessions. We had never realised how difficult it must be for celebrities; I just hope they get used to it, I certainly can’t.

Myself, Mayor of Worcester – Cllr Roger Berry & Deputy Mayor – Cllr Pat Agar, at the Guildhall gates.

Our first civic engagement was a trip to Bromsgove Council to attend their annual meeting and the election of Councillor Mrs Janice Boswell to the post of Civic Head. Each council is different and she didn’t have to chair their meeting of council. At the reception it was good to meet other civic leaders and learn a little about her three local charities.

Friday I had a cancellation so with a clear diary I went walking with my U3A Walking Group; they were all surprised as I had previously told them I would be an infrequent visitor. How lucky we are to have so many superb walks within close proximity to the city.

On Saturday, I had a last chance to catch up with overdue gardening and then to Droitwich Fire Station where, in the bitter cold, we attended the Passing Out parade of the young firefighters. There are two groups in Redditch and Droitwich where youngsters from 14 to 17 are able to learn about firefighting. These mixed groups undertook several interesting exercises and afterwards we were able to see them presented with annual awards.

It was great to hear of the many different interests young people have despite being weighed down with schoolwork. As a former adult social worker it was an opportunity for me to see how interesting the lives are of young people and a reminder that the problems I have witnessed are only a small part of life. Most kids lead interesting and active lives without needing the intervention of social services. I am involved within the Co-operative Foundation which tries to encourage a more balanced approach to reporting about young people thorugh the Truth About Youth programme.

As a former chairman of the council’s Housing Committee I know all too well about the shortage of accommodation for families. As Mayor I shall be supporting two local single person charities, St Paul’s Hostel and Maggs Day Centre. Both are involved in the provision of accommodation and support to single people. It is all too easy to complain about people sleeping rough without doing anything about it. I hope I will be able to shed a little light on the causes and provision of accommodation to combat homelessness.