Another action-packed week that included a wide variety of events.  It began with the Worcester Concert Brass performing at the Guildhall along with the Phoenix Singers, in aid of the mayoral charities.  The audience was thoroughly entertained; I thank all those who performed and attended.

The annual Medical Lecture, which was originally conceived by former Mayor Dr David Tibbutt, aims to recognise, preserve and celebrate the history of medicine and the founding of the British Medical Association in the Faithful City.

We were honoured to be addressed by Dr Steven Spencer, an expert in the field of Nephrology, who gave a lecture on the History of Dialysis in the UK. The talk was both informative and interactive, and delivered in layman’s English. As you know it is a subject close to my heart, as my daughter has been diagnosed with congenital nephrotic syndrome and we hope that advances in medicine will lead to more dignified treatments and permanent cures being available to patients.  Thank you to Dr Spencer and all our doctors and NHS staff.

On Saturday shoppers and tourists in the city were lucky enough to be entertained by the Worcester Ukulele club who performed brilliantly.  They were raising money for Parkinson’s UK, a cause which was close to them as one of the lead organisers of the band had tragically suffered the loss of her husband to the disease. I made a guest appearance and enthusiastically performed to Johnny B. Goode, Blue Suede Shoes and the Jungle Book. The online video has now kind of gone viral! Over a £1,000 was raised on the day; thank you for your generous donations!

https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterUkuleleClub/videos/234124057450616/?t=6

 

A more sombre afternoon beckoned when I joined the Worcestershire Yeomanry and the Queens very own Worcestershire Hussars for the humbling Qatia Day service at St Georges Chapel in the Cathedral. A solemn and stark reminder of the brutalities of war and that it’s not all Hollywood glamour, victory and success.  It was a moving tribute to all the brave soldiers who lost their lives or suffered the trauma of war.

I joined Kevin Powell of Worcestershire Ambassadors at New Road on Monday to the launch of ‘Worcestershire Street Sixes’ – a street cricket competition which raises money to enable people from disadvantaged backgrounds to get a chance to learn new skills and play cricket. The competition’s reigning champion is Worcester City Council and I was part of the winning team!  As they say it’s tough at the top and I am hoping that we win the trophy again for a historic third time! All those aspiring to knock us of our perch – bring it on!  We need as many teams as possible to enter; it’s fun and is open to all regardless of ability, gender or age – a truly inclusive event!