We attended the Civic Service of the Civic Head in Bromsgove on Sunday and afterwards enjoyed tea and cakes in the Council Chamber. We later attended the Double Diamond Jubilee Concert of Great Witley Operatic Society (GWOS) at St George’s Church, Barbourne. The Mayoress has been a long-standing member of GWOS and this was a fundraising concert in aid of Worcester Macmillan Cancer Support. The performance was exceptional – a tribute to the society who have some excellent performers. Thanks to Martin Jones Musical Director.

We showed some Members of The Forester’s Friendly Society around the Guildhall on Monday and l later I attended a jazz concert at The Worcester Rowing Club with the American singer and pianist Darrell Sherman. It was an excellent evening and well supported. I attended an induction session for new members of staff on Tuesday where we discussed the role of councillors and the Mayor. We later visited the parlour and had a trip around the Guildhall. The Mayoress and I also showed a party of students from Kleve around the Guildhall. Later we entertained Maggie Doyle, the new Worcestershire Poet Laureate, who was accompanied by Lisa Ventura. We have plans to use her in some of our fundraising activities.

I chaired another meeting of Full Council to agree further consultation on the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

On Wednesday we had our first visit to The Hive where Jill the Mayoress read to children from St Clement’s School. What an experience! The building is fantastic! I think I enjoyed Charlie and The Chocolate Factory as much as the children!

Later we had an interesting visit to The Regency High School which provides secondary education for a wide range of children. The children were most interested in our civic chains. During the evening I attended, with my chaplain John Everest, a presentation at The Old St Martin’s Church in Cornmarket – what an exciting plan to provide a community space in the heart of the city. This proposal will add a great deal to the new St Martin’s Gate development which is growing day by day.

Another party of students from Germany visited the Guildhall on Thursday. They are staying with families of children who attend Christopher Whitehead Language College.

On Friday the city council Leader Simon Geraghty, Councillor Allah Ditta and I welcomed his Excellency Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from Kashmir to see the Mayor’s Parlour and The Guildhall. Later Jill and I attended an Annual Achievement Celebration with students from Bishop Perowne Academy at St Barnabas Church. I presented certificates and we enjoyed the performances which took place between presentations.

During the afternoon Jill and I met Donald Hunt to discuss two evenings The Elgar Chorale are giving for Twinning Celebrations in September and my charities in December. I chaired a meeting to discuss World War One commemorations in 2014. We need community participation and any ideas are most welcome. Later I did a brief interview with ITN about The Queen’s visit to the city next week.

Jill and I attended and opened The Christopher Whitehead Language College Summer Fayre at Bromwich Road on Saturday. The theme was British Excellence and Endeavour. We enjoyed meeting the stallholders and sampled the excellent fayre on offer.