Summer’s over and my diary is getting busier! Lynn and I returned from a short break (partly to celebrate my latest “noughty” birthday).  Many thanks to the deputy mayor and mayoress, Steve and Alison Mackay, for attending a number of functions while we were away.

The annual “world’s biggest coffee morning” organised for Macmillan Cancer Care took place last Friday (29^th) and I visited two events at the Guildhall and Tesco St Peter’s.  Both were very successful and contributed towards the total of £2 million raised so far in the UK, to support Macmillan’s vital services.

I attended the presentation by the Lord Lieutenant, Colonel Patrick Holcroft, of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise to PCA Predict, one of our most successful local IT companies. PCA Predict supplies online automated data look-up and verification systems, both in UK and abroad. Their young and enthusiastic employees deserve to share the credit for this royal recognition of their achievement.

On Saturday morning the Rotary Club of Worcester invited local charities to showcase their activities, attract new volunteers and raise some money in the Guildhall’s lower hall. Smaller charities cannot afford to spend much on advertising, so this event is really useful for them.

The county Harvest Festival service took place in the Cathedral on Sunday and it was good to show our gratitude for those who produce, deliver and supply the food most of us just take for granted. We also remembered the many without food in several parts of the world – including users of our foodbanks.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the rugby club on Monday to celebrate 30 years of YSS, an important local charity which supports vulnerable young people and their families – including young carers with ill and disabled parents. Princess Anne is patron of YSS and gave an excellent speech about its achievements and future plans.