Mayor of Worcester Blog

Saturday afternoon was one the highlights of my year so far, welcoming parties of Ukrainian guests and their host families into the Guildhall, sharing tea and cake, tours round the building and the opportunity to chat, ask questions and meet new friends. So many are doing so much, in hosting, in providing community services, in assisting people who had to leave their homeland, that this simple afternoon was the least we could do to brighten their lives.

From feedback and enthusiasm, it clearly did. But it also opened up conversations and links that hopefully go some way to make their stay easier and more bearable. The smiles, from an elderly woman to a toddler were immeasurable.

I had a couple of gentle planning meetings this week, firstly with my running adviser for the 10k Run – you heard it here first! Look out on Just Giving pages for the team running in aid of my charities. Secondly, with one of those charities, Severn Arts, to discuss more events over the year.

While on the art theme, we launched this year’s Open Studios which starts on 20 August. Begun a few years ago in the city, the free art exhibition where artists throw open their studio doors to the general public has now expanded across the county and is a great draw (oops!). There’s bound to be one near you so pop in.

Then we went to the opening of the Snoezelen art auction where local artists and users of the sensory centre for people with disabilities have donated pictures for an auction to raise money for the organisation. This is their 30th anniversary so it would be great to be able to support their fundraising efforts if you can.

And then, when the cupboard was looking bare, I popped up to the new Lidl store to officially open its doors and do a bit of early morning shopping. (Other supermarkets are available).

I did my first public visit tour of the Guildhall this week. Fire buckets, parlour, cells, George III, Queen Anne. A compact but interested group, though I think I may need more practice.

What I don’t tend to need practice in is enjoying myself, which is exactly what happened on Friday night. The Queens’s Commonwealth baton was in town as you know and after welcoming it to the city on the Guildhall steps, I de-robed and made it down to Castle Street where it finished up at the Old Infirmary. On its way it passed hundreds of well-wishers, on land and water, across the racecourse and back to the Arches. It was great to see people supporting the Games, and well done to all the baton bearers, representatives of our communities.

I had my picture with mascot Perry, not to mention lots of kids and their parents! And then a great evening of non-stop entertainment along the Arches. This is what we hoped the Arches would become – lively, friendly, safe and welcoming. Music, beer and food – a real fiesta! Bands marched up and down the length of the footway until dark. Let’s do it every month!! (And thanks for the loan of the shirt John). The Games are local – did you spot Worcester’s Edward Elgar puppet in the Opening Ceremony?

An early start on Saturday took us across the Malverns to the Three Choirs Festival. A much more stately affair, the three mayors procession with Gloucester and Hereford, and a line of other town mayors, judges, and dignitaries. We were led by a piper who sparked up ‘Scotland the Brave’ when we passed the Edinburgh Woollen Mill! The music at a Three Choirs concert is always exceptional and this opening service was impressive. I admit though, after all those mad and random photos on Friday night my nose was put out of joint in Hereford. The crowds only seemed interested in our Swordbearer’s ostrich feathers – beautiful plumage!

 

This week is bookended by Blue Plaque moments. The British Medical Association was founded in Worcester by Charles Hastings, so says the plaque in Foregate Street. Yet his boss, Dr Jonas Malden, must surely have been involved. Despite being THE senior physician here for 43 years from 1818, there is nothing in the history books to say so. Nonetheless his family have donated a portrait of their ancestor which is now to hang in the Board Room of the old Infirmary – the University City Campus – and it was a privilege to be invited to the ceremony.

I was able to open the Heritage Day last week, held at The Hive as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations. Organisations from across the county showed just what rich culture there is of history, research, interest and evidence. It was great to see so many different but related groups bringing that heritage to life on a day organised by my own Archive and Archaeology Service.

Worcester Community Action is a voluntary organisation itself which is principally designed to broker volunteer opportunities for other organisations. I met with them this week to understand what they do and how statutory bodies like the city council can help them. As I have written before, the volunteer is a key cornerstone to our local community services who deserves our support and engagement.

And then on Friday, a real Blue Plaque unveiling to the medieval Jewish community of the city. A little known area of our city’s heritage, reported in this paper a few days ago. I first heard of the proposal some years back and it is great to see it has finally come to fruition. The Jewish community played a hugely important part in the medieval communities across the country before they were persecuted and kicked out in 1290. There is a document in the Archives relating to the taxation of Jews in Worcester by Henry III but little else, so hopefully this will spur more research and understanding.

 

 

There is so much talent amongst the city’s young people but many of us just don’t get the chance to see it. I was part of a judging panel at Hollymount Primary School of kids reciting poems (from memory!) and reading a creative writing piece about the monarchy. This competition, organised by the Rotary club, was good last year but virtual. It was even better in person with the whole school sat in thrall to their peers.

I was delighted to see so much imagination and enthusiasm for the Worcester Carnival floats, undampened by the weather. The work and support given to these young people by parents, school staff and volunteer group leaders always fills me with admiration.

I was pleased, along with Cllr Riaz, to represent the city at the well-attended Memorial Service for Professor Michael Clarke. He may have been completely unknown to many people but he was very influential across a wide range of fronts not just in Worcester, but nationally – the Three Choirs festival, Birmingham Ballet, Local Government Training Institute are just a few amongst many others.

The tenth birthday celebration event for The Hive turned into a busman’s honeymoon for me, talking about archives with the mayoral chain on! In fact it had been while I was on archives duty that I had most the direct involvement with Michael Clarke in relation to the Elgar Archives, when he was at The Firs.

On Sunday I met fundraiser Klint Varndall, halfway through a marathon walk from Upton and back to raise money to help two children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy to visit Disneyland Paris

Then on Tuesday I chaired my first proper Council meeting, ever wondering if the ceremonial sword behind my head was once owned by Damocles.

The big ‘but’ in this week’s list is that I have tested positive for Covid, so to everyone who was at the events mentioned above, sorry if you got it from me. It has been a bit of a wake-up call that maybe things have got a bit lax, as cases are on the rise again. Masks, hand-washing, open air are again the order of the day in our house.

And huge apologies to those who I had hoped to meet this coming weekend, at the Commandery’s open air theatre, the Lord of the Rings exhibition in the Museum, and the Srebrenica memorial event on Monday, amongst others.