Mayor of Worcester Blog

It’s business as usual at Worcester City Council.  On Tuesday evening I chaired a full Council zoom meeting attended by all 35 councillors, senior officers, two judges and a member of the public.  Council agreed to make His Honour Judge Burbidge the Honorary Recorder for Worcester after the retirement of the present incumbent, His Honour Judge Jukes.  We debated four motions which councillors brought to the meeting and approved five reports from committees.  It was a productive evening’s work and shows that in spite of the difficulties we are all experiencing, we can still carry on our business as usual.

I was very pleased to video the opening speech for the “Worcester Festival 2020 – Virtually the Same” which will take place in August.  Chris Jaeger presented me with a festival peacock (rather smaller than the one we have become accustomed to seeing around town at festival time).  Chris has some super ideas for events on line as well as a limited number of live events so please join in on the festival website (www.worcesterfestival.co.uk) and enjoy competitions, workshops and fun activities.

On Friday morning I joined Mr. Tofiq Malik at the Elgar Retail Park to open the Wren Kitchen showrooms.  I was very pleased to be able to cut the ribbon to open the showrooms and celebrate with the owner this new opportunity for jobs and a boost to the economy.  It is a very positive step in the recovery from our present economic difficulties.  I then came into town and Dave and I joined our friend Robin at a birthday barbecue taking place at his block of flats.  Thank you for inviting us, Robin.

I hope everyone is preparing for the new rule of wearing a mask when in shops or supermarkets which will be introduced on Friday 24th July.  I knew the masks I made myself in the early days of lockdown would prove useful.

State schools broke up for the summer holidays yesterday – so now our schoolchildren are officially on holiday.  Most have worked really hard during the three or four months of lockdown to keep up with their education. Good luck to all of you in your future studies.

Here we are, another week closer to a return to our normal way of life – or alternatively, another week of restrictions to our freedom.  It depends on how you look at it.  It is important to remember that from today groups of two households can meet indoors or outdoors, even staying overnight in each other’s houses, as long as social distancing is maintained.  This means that families who have not been able to get together can now do so.

Many businesses are opening again today and I am looking forward to having my hair cut.  You will be able to have a meal or a drink or go to a theme park, as long as they are COVID secure – but please remember that the risk of transmission is greater when you are indoors, so take extra care.

It is worrying that lockdown is being re-imposed in Leicester because of an increase in coronavirus cases.  It is a stark reminder that we are not out of this crisis and still need to social distance and wear masks when on public transport – and anywhere else where we cannot stay at a safe distance from those around us.   These measures are not just for our own safety but for the safety and consideration of other people too.

Do you remember when we went onto our doorsteps every Thursday evening to clap the care workers, doctors, nurses, NHS staff and key workers who put their lives on the line for us, and still do today?  On Sunday 5 July we celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the founding of our NHS and now, more than ever, we should be thankful for the greatest health care system in the world.  Happy birthday NHS, and thank you for taking care of us.

Just one word of warning.  Along with other scams reported in the Worcester News, there is one going around at the moment asking people to renew their TV licences and give bank details.  Don’t fall for it and don’t give your bank details to anyone over the phone or over a social network.  Stay safe.

I start my blog on a very sad note.  My heart goes out to the families and friends of the three people who were murdered last Saturday evening in Reading, and also to the others who were injured in the same incident.  We have been through the most frightening and disruptive period that many of us have ever endured, and the need for kindness and thoughtfulness is essential for our mental and physical survival.

On Monday morning the Armed Forces flag was raised above the Guildhall.  I was pleased to welcome Captain Bob Lowe from 214 Battery and Dave Waldron, Chairman of the Worcestershire Royal British Legion, who joined me, my Consort and my Chaplain Sarah Northall on the steps of the Guildhall.   A small but poignant ceremony was held to honour our brave service men and women who keep us and our way of life safe.

On Tuesday morning I met Tracy Spiers from the magazine Cotswold Life in the Parlour to talk about Worcester shops reopening.  Tracy is writing an article to promote Worcester shops’ return to business.  I am very pleased to do anything I can to help get Worcester’s economy moving again.

The Unity of Faiths Foundation is running a competition to find the UK’s kindest City.  I believe strongly that we should be doing anything we can to make the lives of others easier by spreading a little kindness.  Please let me know of any kindness you witness (email civicoffice@worcester.gov.uk) if you would like to enter the competition.  Worcester people have always been genuinely kind, so let’s broadcast it!

No doubt we are all looking forward to the changes to lockdown which begin on 4 July.  With the two-metre rule being reduced to one metre plus and pubs and restaurants cautiously re-opening, we are seeing a gradual but significant return to our old way of life.

I do urge you all to enjoy these freedoms, but also to take great care and where necessary wear face coverings.  I have been in town a few times and I have always worn my home-made mask.   Look after yourselves and each other.  Now more than ever is a time for caution and consideration.

I think we can all agree that the recent stage of shop opening which happened on Monday for many shops in the city was well and truly enjoyed and appreciated by everyone.  Judging by the queues which were shown in the Worcester News people were very happy at this point to return towards a more normal way of life.  Even though at the moment we have to observe two metre social distancing, it is lovely to be able to actually see what we are buying up close.

Talking of football, which we weren’t, another very welcome development this week has been the success of the campaign by Marcus Rashford, the 22-year-old Manchester United and England footballer.  Marcus wrote an open letter to MPs describing his own childhood and asking them to extend the free school meal vouchers to continue throughout the summer holidays.  This means that those 1.3 million children who are eligible should now not go hungry during the holidays.  A great achievement for such a young player to influence a government decision – it shows that the popularity of football has an amazing ability to instigate change.

It is disappointing that the annual Worcester City Run will not take place this September because of the current situation.  I was looking forward to officially starting the Run – but it’s even more of a real shame for all the citizens who look forward to this annual challenge. It is wonderful news that the virtual runs will take place to raise money for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust – so good luck to all you virtual runners!

Monday is Armed Forces Day and a flag will be raised on the roof of the Guildhall to remember all those brave men and women who put themselves on the frontline to protect us, our freedoms and our way of life.  We remember them and their families especially on this day.  It was very sad to hear the news on Thursday of the death of Dame Vera Lynn.  She was an inspiration and a source of hope during the dark days of WW2 and she was loved by everyone.