Last Sunday the mayoress and I attended the Worcester District Scouts Saint George’s Day Service which was held in the cathedral. We were met by the District Commissioner, Andy Hopkins, outside the north door which was lined with flag bearers from the scout groups from around Worcester. The service was led by Canon John Paul Hoskins and included contributions from members of the various age groups in the Scout movement.

The service included readings and drama presentations that included a push along dragon in a re-enactment of Saint George and the Dragon by the Beavers. The service was also a first for the Squirrels, a new section that caters for four and five-year-olds, who wear red tops to resemble the red squirrel. As part of the service the various sections of the Scout movement each read out their relevant Renewal of Promises.

After the service the Scouts paraded along the High Street, and I held a reception in the Mayor’s Parlour for the district leadership and representatives from Scout groups.

On Tuesday the mayoress and I visited St. Richard’s Hospice to see their new development, The Green. This has been funded by the two art trails around the city that have proved so popular in recent years, featuring brightly decorated sculptures of elephants and giraffes. Thanks to June Patel, the Chief Executive and Jenny Cowpe for showing us and the other local mayors around.

On Wednesday evening I travelled on a supporters’ coach to Kingsholm to watch the Worcester Warriors win their Premiership Cup semi-final against our local rivals Gloucester. The last time Worcester reached a cup final as a Premiership Club was back in 2008, when my wife was mayor. I wonder if me being mayor was an omen? I won’t be able to make the final on 17th May as it is the same evening, I hand the mayoral chain over to my successor.

Last night I held my charity Mayoral Banquet in the Guildhall, raising funds for Aspie and the Stroke Association.