Another remarkable week! Children from New College Worcester came to the Parlour for a chat with the Mayor and a tour of the Guildhall – and what a delightful bunch they were.  Although a brave face was put on, I definitely got the impression that they were a little nervous about being in the cells and a description of conditions back in the early 1700’s just about finished them off!!  In all seriousness, they really enjoyed their visit and they were a pleasure to take around the building.  Just in case they get jealous, I better add that the teachers were very good too!

The “Shrub Hill Workshop” exhibited photographs from students at the Commandery; it was one of those occasions when I was really glad not to be a judge as the photos displayed were all very good – most quite brilliant – and I would not have wanted to choose one as best. My compliments to all the students for a superb exhibition, thank you.

I had the opportunity to visit The Hive and explore the archives with Adrian Gregson, who has the grand title of Archival Policy and Collections Manager and Diocesan Archivist at Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service!  Crikey, that title must fill his business cards!  Adrian was very welcoming and showed me around the climate controlled storage facility which in itself was great – but to be able to see the original Charters awarded and sealed by our Monarchs over the centuries was amazing.  Documents and seals going back as far as 1189 AD, as well as ancient maps and other papers including Shakespeare’s marriage licence, are all safely stored there for us and future generations to enjoy.  A great facility Adrian, thank you.

The Young Enterprise Spring Fair was an interesting event. Staged in the High Street, young students were manning stalls and selling their product.  From different schools and colleges, groups were given the opportunity to form a business, complete with a board of directors and marketing scheme to promote their product or service.  A great idea, as working through the process they were able to understand a lot about business structures and how they work.  Their skills were put to the test as they worked to deliver a commercially viable offer and then sell that offer in the High Street and be judged on their originality, commercialism, organisational skills and both business and manufacturing acumen.  Even those that didn’t win a prize enjoyed it.  They all learned a great deal from the exercise, which will no doubt make their next attempt even more successful and give them valuable insight into the world of business.

The Civic Society located another Plaque – this one on a house in College Precincts which was the home of Edward Elgar from 1857 to 1934. It is now a beautifully refurbished house available for holiday lets.  The Civic Society has achieved some remarkable successes in recording important locations and events in the City’s past, for which I thank them.

The Worcester Festival Choral Society Concert held in the Cathedral has to be the event of the week. Beautiful singing and wonderful music.  Peter Nardone, Conductor, excelled and the Cathedral was filled with the incredible sound of the orchestra and singing by the Soloists and Choir combined.  The soloists Katherine Crompton, Soprano, Deborah Miles-Johnson, Mezzo-soprano and Bass soloist Timothy Dickinson were outstanding to say the least.  It was a real pleasure to be there and hear the great sound in a great building, wonderful evening!

We returned to the Cathedral the following day for the Service of Thanksgiving for Ian Hopwood, Chairman of the County Council as he approaches the final period of his term of office. Ian has suffered some health problems in the last few months so it was good to see him enjoying a lovely and well attended service.