Mayor of Worcester Blog

Worcester Snoezelen is a charity which provides special spaces designed to stimulate and add interest to the lives of local people with a variety of disabilities. It is not very well known beyond its users and their families, but is very deserving of our support. So the Mayoress and I were delighted to attend their fundraising Dancethon at the University.

It was good to see, yet again, students from our university giving up their time to help run this event. There was three hours of dancing, including bangra, salsa and zumba, which provided a lot of fun for everyone there. Even I, with a lifetime dancing disability, was persuaded to have a go by a young lady who was not to be refused!

Later, we were able to relax a little when we watched The Magic Flute, performed by our excellent Great Witley Operatic Society at the Swan Theatre. An improbable storyline was skillfully presented by the singers and actors, and Mozart’s music is always a joy.

The Worcester Competitive Arts Festival was held over two Saturdays at the Royal Grammar School. We were invited to the final day, and saw extremely talented actors, poets and musicians who were judged by professional adjudicators before winners were announced. Congratulations to everyone who took part.

A large group of French students from Normandy arrived at the Guildhall on Monday. They were on an exchange with Christopher Whitehead Language College. They spoke good English and enjoyed touring the Guildhall, asking several interesting questions.

On Tuesday, I presented grants to local charities from Worcester Lions at a special event in the Parlour.

The following day I spoke about my time as Mayor at a social event run by Worcester South Rotary Club. Members of both the Lions and Rotary spend lots of time fund-raising – and all of it benefits disadvantaged people.

Worcester Concert Brass has a concert in the Guildhall on 24th March to raise money for my charities. This is always a popular event, but there are some £8 tickets left.

My charity James Bond themed casino “Shaken Not Stirred” on April 1st is selling well, and will be a fun night. Tickets are £40 including a hot meal, live music, casino chips and wine. Why not book a table for ten and get 10% off? You can find out more by phoning 01905 722001.

Herefordshire County Council held its civic service in Hereford Cathedral on Sunday 12th March.  I love being in cathedrals.  The grandeur, the organ and choral music, the opportunity to sing hymns and to hear words of inspiration delivered to a large congregation, all gathered for the same purpose, definitely lifted my spirits.

The service was a celebration of children and young people and it was encouraging to learn that Herefordshire Council gives a high priority to their welfare.

Monday was Commonwealth Flag Day and I paid my part by making a short speech in front of the Guildhall as the Commonwealth flag was unfurled on top of the building. About one third of the world’s population live in Commonwealth countries and the Commonwealth is a force for democracy, cooperation and peace between nations.

I have been a trustee of Worcester City Parish Relief in Need Charity for the past 15 years and attended its quarterly meeting at St Swithun’s Institute in The Trinity on Tuesday afternoon. This small church-based charity makes grants to Worcester people who are facing financial difficulties. This time we had a low number of applications, which is surprising because I know that many local people are struggling.

About twenty ladies from Kempsey Women’s Institute visited The Parlour on Wednesday and I was delighted to take them on a tour of The Guildhall and tell them some of its history.

 

 

The Showmen’s Guild is the organisation which runs funfairs around the UK, including those which come to Worcester. Tommy Wilson operates the fair at the Cornmarket during the Victorian Christmas Market. We were delighted to be invited to their Midlands annual lunch last week and to share a table with Tommy so that I could thank him personally for his generous donation to my Mayor’s Charity Fund.

On Saturday teams from thirteen local schools had stalls in our High Street, selling a wide variety of goods. They were competing for prizes in the young enterprise competition which enables young people to learn skills needed to run successful businesses. I visited all the stalls and chatted to very enthusiastic young people who had clearly gained a great deal from this experience.  Four business people judged the competition, which must have been a difficult job. Congratulations to all the winners.

Worcester Male Voice Choir invited us to their annual Awards lunch. I was delighted to present certificates to a number of long serving members of this wonderful choir and we were repaid with some excellent musical entertainment.

Our overseas visitors this week included French exchange students invited by Worcester Sixth Form College and the vice chancellor of the University of Minnesota Duluth, invited by our own University. I always enjoy showing off The Guildhall and doing my best to raise Worcester’s profile on the international map.

Winners of the Fairtrade Fortnight poster competition arrived in the Parlour on Wednesday, and I awarded prizes to the overall winners.

On Thursday I met Dr David Webster who is giving a talk entitled Blood and Mud – a Bush Doctor Remembers, which will focus on time he spent in Uganda. This event will take place on 18th April to raise funds for my mayoral charities – it promises to be a fascinating evening!

 

 

Last Friday, I hosted my Charity Auction at The Guildhall. Around fifty people turned up and were treated to a superb performance by Sass Capella,  six sassy ladies who sing in harmony. This was followed by the auction and over twenty lots attracted enthusiastic bidding. Over £2,300 was raised for my charities and will pay for disadvantaged city children to go on adventure breaks and support the air ambulance. A massive thank you to my auctioneer David Stuart-Smith, to  everyone who donated items for sale, Guildhall staff and volunteers who served food and drinks, to Sass Capella and everyone who came.

On Tuesday, we made a flying visit to Sight Concern’s AGM and Supporters’ Event. This charity provides superb support and advice to local people with limited vision and is helped by a large number of volunteers.

Later, we attended the first LGBT+ History Month celebration at the Horn and Trumpet. There were interesting displays and I was fascinated to be reminded how the law has changed during my lifetime and that more tolerance has helped to make many lives much happier.

On Thursday, we were pleased to attend the opening of the University of Worcester’s new Language Centre.

I also welcomed to the Parlour members of the Albany Fellowship, a social group based at the United Reformed Church in Albany Terrace which I regularly attend. It was good to share afternoon tea and chat about being Mayor to my friends.

The Royal Life Saving Society recently relocated to a new office in London Road, Worcester. The Mayoress and I were pleased to attend the launch event. We watched a demonstration of the life-saving skills they had taught when we opened the new swimming pool in January, and it was good to see them settled in their new home.