Mayor of Worcester Blog

The first half of August has been spent very much in the centre of our city of Worcester.

Consort Andy and myself attended the Stevie Stones Inaugural Annual Charity Ball. Founded on the back of personal tragedy, this charity is truly amazing. Its aim is to ensure bereaved parents have access to funding to provide a headstone for their child, helping with financial stress, in the most difficult of circumstance. Do view their website at steviestones.co.uk.

The ball was hosted at our beautiful New Road cricket ground. The Got2Sing choir were, as ever, a treat to listen to, and lots of fundraising events took place including a silent auction and a live auction. I secured a signed Manchester United 23/24 squad signed football – although I am a West Bromwich Albion fan. Please judge as you may!

I have had the honour of opening both the Worcester Festival and the Worcester Show, a real community event. With the awful recent riots in other cities, it was particularly heartwarming to be able to attend and enjoy this event. It was the busiest I have ever seen it, the weather was fabulous and I was able to present trophies to some very talented people, adults and youngsters alike.

Consort Andy and myself also attended the WODYS (Worcester Operatic and Drama Society Youth Section) matinee performance of The Addams Family. The cast were stunning and with the live orchestra and atmospheric stage, we were very much transported into the world of Addams.

The story is very clever, with all the dark humour you would expect around a supernatural musical. Yet behind this, there is the story of two families, of different generations, of family life. Time moves on and family life changes. The production brings this home with an immensely talented young cast who can act, dance and sing. Find out more at www.wodys.com.

With July and August being the main summer holiday period. this week has been a time for planning.

I will be visiting Vernon in France, with veterans of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment Association, plus members of the Worcester Twinning Association and my cousin Betsan Allcott.

During 1944 the Resistance fighters of Vernon joined the French Forces of the Interior. With only a few weapons at their disposal their initial actions were limited.

Operation Neptune began on 25 August and the artillery of the 94th Field Regiment laid down a barrage of high explosive on the high ground of the north bank of the Seine. Tanks and mortars along the river front opened up and the 8th Middlesex Regiment were laying down a smokescreen for the assaulting troops as the 5th Wiltshires and 4th Somersets were making their move across the river in storm boats.

On 26 August the Worcestershire Regiment was given the order to cross the damaged road bridge under the cover of artillery smoke. Meeting no opposition, they were quickly followed by the Company and marching elements of the Battalion.

Due to a map reading error they met heavy opposition. By 27 August the “D” company had advanced towards Tilly. By 28 August ration parties had despatched to a rendezvous on a main road and casualties were attended to.

I am not a military expert so I would recommend the Worcestershire Regiment website for the full detail of the battle.

It is important and a real privilege to be able to attend Vernon and remember the forces from both sides. My cousin Betsan and I will also take this opportunity to remember our late relative, Harold Benjamin Allcott, a Royal Field Artillery Gunner, who was sadly lost in 1918, before this war.

Old and New

For the last Saturday in July I had the privilege of attending the opening ceremony of the Three Choirs Festival. The longest-standing classical music festival in the world, fully established by 1715, this year is its 309th year! Worcester is hosting this year and thank you to all the guests for great attendance from across the three counties.

The Honorary Recorder of Worcester, Judge James Burbidge KC, the Mayor of Gloucester, the Mayor of Hereford and Lord Faulkner of Worcester were all in attendance and were an absolute pleasure to spend time with. A particular thank you to the Guildhall staff for putting together the event.

Just a day before I went to the One Youth Community Action Day at Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club. The largest provider of youth services in Worcester, I am so proud to have the ‘Blue Roof’ as my charity of the year.

Summer having arrived, plenty of outdoor activities were on and not an umbrella was in sight! The largest inflatable dart board I have ever seen was perfect for football target practice.

Some very talented artists were there on the day and the perimeter of the skate park was soon adorned with fresh art. I created my own piece of artwork and will be looking forward to getting it framed and auctioned off, for my charity, so watch this space!

Youth Matters is my theme for this year and it really does. Young people, you are fun to be around and you are the future. You have much to offer and need to be listened to much more.

To the young people I met from the Inclusion Club, it was so lovely to meet you all, you put a real smile on my face.