Mayor of Worcester Blog

Each year, the Guildhall receives a lot of international guests, but this week saw the arrival of two very special Australian visitors with a personal connection to Worcester and to the Guildhall.

Mr Garry Convery and his aunt, Mrs Grace Alettin, came in search of their ancestor, John Skeen.  Mr Skeen was convicted at the Lent Assizes in 1819 – held in the Guildhall – and transported to Australia. It was that decision that led, generations later, to my visitors being born in Australia.

Mr Convery and Mrs Alettin were able to see the Mayor’s Parlour, which was used as a court room at the start of the 19^th Century, and the cells under the Guildhall, where John Skeen would have been held before his trial.

Since then, Mr Convery has sent us further details of John Skeen’s story, which will be added to the Guildhall archive.

Many thanks to Mr Convery and Mrs Alettin for sharing their family history with us. Tours of the cells will never seem the same again, now that I know of such a personal connection to them.

As I was away for part of the week, some of my duties were taken on by the Deputy Mayor, Paul Denham.

Paul Denham writes:

As Worcester’s contribution to National Volunteer Week, 40 voluntary groups descended on the Guildhall on Friday. The purpose was to attract new volunteers and share ideas. I heard how volunteers really enjoyed helping local people to cope with illness, old age, loneliness and money worries, and how carers are supported.

This small army of volunteers provides services not available from councils or government and they all deserve our heartfelt thanks.

The Swan Theatre was filled with sounds of the 1970s by Voices Unlimited  singing to a full house on Saturday evening.

This fantastic, energetic city vocal group of 120, coached by Ria Keen, raised the roof. Elvis Presley was brought back to life by Kevin Paul and the deputy Mayoress and I thoroughly enjoyed this nostalgic two hour rollercoaster.

 

My Mayoral week began with a particularly pleasant invitation to judge a speech competition at St Barnabas Primary School.

Younger contestants recited poems and older competitors gave talks on the theme, “My Favourite Modern Invention.” X – Boxes, mobile phones, karate, and even a well-known brand of make up were among the favourite inventions chosen.

By the end of the morning, I was better informed about all of these inventions, and greatly impressed by the standard of speaking and research.

Such competitions take place thanks to a partnership between local Rotarians and city schools.

On Tuesday, over 40 people became British Citizens in a ceremony at County Hall. They took an oath and received certificates of citizenship.

Citizenship Ceremonies can be quite emotional occasions – when we concluded with the National Anthem, I am sure there was not a dry eye in the room.

Congratulations to all our new citizens living in Worcestershire!

Later in the week, I witnessed the opening of bids for the next stage of planning for the new swimming pool. There is still a long way to go before the council make a decision, but we are one step nearer.

My Consort, Phil, and I ended our week with Mayor-Making in Kidderminster. Stepping down were Mayor John Aston and the Mayoress, Mrs Madeline Craddock, who had raised £12,000 for charity during the year. The new Mayor, Councillor John Campion, was formally invested and took the oath of office.

I also managed to have coffee and cake with Worcester Lions, who organise two or three coffee mornings a year at the Guildhall, raising thousands of pounds for local charities annually. I can recommend the coffee and walnut cake.

Earlier this week, I was very honoured to become Mayor of Worcester, with my husband, Phil, as consort. Last weekend, as Deputy Mayor, I attended the Young Fire Fighters’ passing out parade and a charity ball given by Mayor Ann Taft of Droitwich. The Young Fire Fighters demonstrated impressive discipline and teamwork. Their guests now know the proper way to deploy a fire hose and ladders.

We also joined the Royal British Legion for a special evensong at the cathedral to remember veterans of the Korean War, which proved a particularly moving experience.

On Monday evening, we attended the Mayor Making in Evesham and will be joining Evesham’s Mayor and Mayoress, Mark and Emma Goodge, again for their civic service this Sunday.

Worcestershire Action for Youth (WAY) held their AGM in the Medway Centre this week. They are going from strength to strength, thanks to a hard working team and the indefatigable leadership of Ian Craigan. WAY provide activities and resources for work with young people across the county in partnership with schools and charities.

At the Worcestershire Red Cross Volunteers Awards ceremony, Phil and I discovered that the Red Cross do so much more than first aid. They provide help and support for people coming out of hospital, wheelchairs and equipment, schools programmes, care in the home, first aid training and much more. We also met volunteers who have given years of service to the organisation, including one energetic lady, Helena, who was celebrating 50 years as a Red Cross volunteer.

Saturday saw the arrival of the third Worcester Motor Festival in the city centre. Memories of classic films, like the “Italian Job,” were evoked by the glamorous vintage vehicles. Racing driver Zoe Wenham was on hand with her Ginetta G50 – Zoe will be driving at Silverstone again soon. And there’s nothing quite like the romance of Worcestershire’s own Morgan cars – I learned the best way to climb in and out of a Morgan three-wheeler, which is easier than you might think.

The highlight of this week was the opening of the Worcester Festival, 11 days packed with events, many of which are free. Chris Jaeger and his team have done an enormous amount of work to organise this year’s summer extravaganza.

Saturday’s duck race, in aid of St Richard’s Hospice was great fun. I then spent some time dodging those pesky giant seagulls marauding in the High Street, while looking out for the flash mob.

On Sunday, I went to Granny’s Attic, the Riverside Artists’ Market and Bewdley Concert Band.

Riverside Artist Market at South Quay

Over the coming week, I plan to see Ladies Down Under at the Swan Theatre and The Second Best Bed, at the Commandery. Time permitting, I might also get to From A Monastic Herbal, at the Cathedral and the Battle of Worcester City War Walk. With apologies to the other event organisers, that may be all that I and my walking shoes can manage.

My first few months as Deputy Mayor have been a whirlwind of wonderful events. Like so many of us, I was mesmerised by the Olympics and will be keenly watching the Paralympics for Britain’s Wheelchair Basketball Team, whose performance against the Canadians at the Worcester Wolves court was spectacular. It was a marvellous atmosphere and a rousing Worcester welcome for the torchbearers!

In July, local people crowded the streets again for the royal visit. While the Mayor greeted Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip at the Hive and offered them lunch in the Guildhall, I was at the Cathedral for the community celebration, which was packed with school children, community volunteers and dignitaries – not too many big hats, so we got a good view of what was going on. We all sang a chorus of “Worcestershire is our shire” to the tune of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance”, between dance performances from the county’s schools and readings of Worcestershire history. The Queen and Prince Philip arrived in an extremely shiny Daimler and processed into the Cathedral, led by the Bishop. It was a thrilling day, made all the more memorable by a lot of talented local young people.

Community members turned out in all weathers to celebrate the Jubilee in June. My consort, Phil, and I went to Jubilee parties in Britannia Square and Ronkswood. Britannia Square residents kept a stiff upper lip in the rain but their kind hospitality and community spirit more than made up for the inclement weather.  Ronkswood is in my own ward of Nunnery, so the party was like one big reunion in this warm-hearted neighbourhood.

Age UK celebrated their silver anniversary at the same time as the Jubilee with an all-singing, all-dancing party – and I do mean, “all-singing, all-dancing.” Some of the retirees were very graceful dancers. It was hard to keep up with them.

June also saw the Mercians, Royal Hussars and Grenadier Guards stage a marvellous homecoming parade and the awarding of medals to serving soldiers. A few days later, I attended the signing of the local Armed Forces Covenant at County Hall. The covenant represents a commitment to assist and support members of our armed forces as they return home to live or retire.

I’ve especially enjoyed invitations to two local schools, including St George’s Primary School, where I planted a tree in honour of the jubilee. It was a memorable morning. We were treated to a magic show and a performance by the school’s brass band. I also attended a leaving assembly for year six at Red Hill Primary School, which the children had written themselves. It was an emotional occasion, and the singing, dancing and speaking were really impressive.

It’s always a pleasure to attend musical events. At the Five Choirs concert in Kidderminster, we were treated to wonderful arrangements of many favourites, including the African Prayer, Nkosi Sikela. The finale, sung by all five choirs, started with Barbara Ann by the Beach Boys and finished with Guide Me Oh Thou Great Redeemer, to the tune of Cwm Rhonda. The Volcano Choir at the Swan Theatre was equally impressive, with a medley of show tunes and pop songs in a high octane style.

Worcester Civic Service is an annual highlight of the Mayor’s year and it was pleasing to see such a good turn out. It is a time when councillors pause to reflect on what it means to serve the city. We particularly gave some thought to the Mayor’s themes for the year, co-operation and inclusion. The Mayor’s charities were also in our thoughts, namely, St Paul’s Hostel and Maggs.

I’ve been delighted to attended two citizenship ceremonies at County Hall. These are occasions when new British citizens are awarded their citizenship certificates and promise to be faithful citizens. It is a moment of great pride and some emotion.

The St Swithun’s Day service at St Swithun’s Church was a little unnerving at first, because the Mayor or his/her deputy has to sit on a throne-like seat facing the congregation. However, I soon realised that everyone was concentrating on the really beautiful singing and it was easy to do the same. The ceremony was very much like a walk back in time in this lovely restored church, which is a venue for occasional dance or poetry events and organ recitals on Friday lunch times. It is well worth a visit.

The Phillippino Barrio Fiesta was another absolute delight.  Marquees with all kinds of businesses and food lined Perdiswell sports field. I hadn’t realised a Phillippino English language newspaper was available in the West Midlands, but have since been able to buy it in a local supermarket. The fiesta organisers, Ms Mary Padilla and Mr Edwin Vargas, did a superb job of bringing the Phillippino community together for what I hope is the first of many more village style fiestas.