Mayor of Worcester Blog

The last Saturday of October began with the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal launch at the Guildhall and Sunday was home to two very special ceremonies.

The first was the memorial service for the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Gheluvelt. The sun shone and there was a lovely turnout. The Mayor of Zonnebeke in Belgium was in attendance and we were able to exchange gifts afterwards at the Guildhall.

The second was the Shrievalty service for the High Sherriff of Worcestershire, Charles Moyle. The readings were relevant and the music uplifting. I was privileged to take part in the procession and be seated at the front alongside my consort, Andy Lee.

On Monday I was able to visit two charities, Pathfinder and the Monday Night Club.

Pathfinder stood out as a charity aimed at young people which perfectly fits my theme for this year, Youth Matters. Pathfinder is a leading young driver road safety charity and it reduces the risk of a driving accident in the first year after passing a test, from the national average of 20 per cent to an impressive five per cent. Thought up one evening by a group of car enthusiasts and run entirely by volunteers, this charity teaches young drivers how to drive safely from scratch in three off-road locations, the nearest to Worcester being The Three Counties Showground.

The Monday Night Talent Club was a delight to attend and it was a relief not to be one of the judges, as picking first, second and third, would certainly have been a difficult job!

On Thursday I was able to help democracy with brownie Lois Burd cutting the ribbon on a new black and green bin (BELOW), which came about because Lois saw a need and successfully petitioned the City Council. It’s fabulous to have a young activist in our midst!

Having been Deputy Mayor for a year and Mayor for roughly four months now (would have been six months but suspended due to General Election restrictions), I have a much better understanding of the Armed Forces and have met quite a few veterans in Worcester, also in Vernon, for the 80th anniversary of the battle.

On Saturday 19 October I hosted the now annual Veterans’ Conference at the Guildhall. Councillor Pat Agar is the Armed Forces Champion for Worcester City Council and did a sterling job of putting the event together and running it on the day.

Veterans were invited to give feedback on how Worcester City Council can best support veterans.

Speakers from a variety of charities and organisations were able to give out advice and information at the event.

On Monday 21 October I was able to give out lots of medals plus a trophy, to winners from the Worcester Show, who were not available on the day to accept their prizes.

Pupils from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College all received medals for their school’s entry.

They had worked brilliantly together and it was great to hear they will be putting in an entry next year.

I will not be Mayor by the summer of next year, but I will certainly be at the Worcester Show to look at all the entries.

Natasha Lee received a trophy and a certificate for winning the Under 18’s Section (see picture below).  Natasha was unable to accept the prize at the Show as she was actually away in Mexico working with turtles.

Under the circumstance Natasha can clearly be forgiven for not being available on the day!

Thank you to all Worcester Show entrants, those who were available on the day to collect and those who were not.  We have fantastic talent in Worcester.

It is the middle of October and I have been at a lot of planning meetings.

Not planning as in planning committee, but planning as in preparation.

November is nearly here and so will Remembrance.

Being involved in the preparation I can see how much thought and work goes into Remembrance.

The Royal British Legion poppy launch will held be at the Guildhall next Saturday (26 October) at 10.30am.  Please do come along and say hello if you are free.

My week began with the matinee performance of Sister Act at the Swan Theatre.

Every show is a sell-out as the WODS (Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society) produced a fabulous show with a special feel.

The singing is top calibre, the set and props spot on and the costumes are both in keeping and sparkly.

The original film launched in 1992, with a sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993 and Sister Act 3: Kicking the Habit has been in the offing for a while.

My week ended with an evening performance of Animal Farm.

The Worcester Repertory Company brought cruelty, tension, and the full weight of sadness for humanity, to George Orwell’s classic novel.

Published in 1945 it is an allegory of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The characters and the fall of the farm certainly brought to life the brutal regime of Stalin.

For me this was also a reminder of the importance of the lessons of history.

In the middle of the week, I hosted the Civic Society Annual Lecture where we were privileged to have James Stourton as the speaker.

A renowned arts historian and prolific author, James did not disappoint. Saving our heritage, crisis, hope and regeneration, it was a fascinating lecture on a national and a Worcester perspective.

Worcester’s history and heritage is as important now as it ever was.

Culture, education, food and friends

Early October brought brightness, education and the importance of friendship.

Black History Month kicked off in Worcester with the second Our Cultural Heritage event at the Guildhall. Art, dancing, music and poetry interspersed with talks and workshops and, at lunchtime, some fantastic free food. It was a lovely, positive community event.

Sunday saw a return to food with the Museum of Royal Worcester hosting The Language of Porcelain and Food in the afternoon and the Cathedral Farmers’ Harvest Thanksgiving service in the evening.

A beautiful Georgian dining table and desert exhibition were on display at the museum and I was able to sample a delightful plum pudding with jam alongside coffee in Worcester Porcelain cups. There were poetry readings and I made an Evesham purchase from the gift shop.

The Harvest Thanksgiving service was a perfect fit and it was great to see so many young farmers who kindly brought some fantastic local produce for donations. The land and being able to grow our own is so important.

Outdoors in the week I caught up with a student and volunteer busy litter picking at Fort Royal Park plus a band of pre-schoolers out on a day trip, all enjoying nature.

Indoors I spent time with the Make Time Friendship Group at the Blue Roof and with ASPIE trustees and members at Vesta Tilley House.  Both brought home the importance of being comfortable in the presence of others and of friendship.

Please support ASPIE’s home and our heritage by signing the petition to get it locally listed.

Whilst neither Halloween or Bonfire Night are here yet, Thursday saw the annual Christmas charity gift card sale launch at the Guildhall. If it’s good enough for retail, it’s good enough for the Guildhall!