It is the middle of October and I have been at a lot of planning meetings.

Not planning as in planning committee, but planning as in preparation.

November is nearly here and so will Remembrance.

Being involved in the preparation I can see how much thought and work goes into Remembrance.

The Royal British Legion poppy launch will held be at the Guildhall next Saturday (26 October) at 10.30am.  Please do come along and say hello if you are free.

My week began with the matinee performance of Sister Act at the Swan Theatre.

Every show is a sell-out as the WODS (Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society) produced a fabulous show with a special feel.

The singing is top calibre, the set and props spot on and the costumes are both in keeping and sparkly.

The original film launched in 1992, with a sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993 and Sister Act 3: Kicking the Habit has been in the offing for a while.

My week ended with an evening performance of Animal Farm.

The Worcester Repertory Company brought cruelty, tension, and the full weight of sadness for humanity, to George Orwell’s classic novel.

Published in 1945 it is an allegory of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The characters and the fall of the farm certainly brought to life the brutal regime of Stalin.

For me this was also a reminder of the importance of the lessons of history.

In the middle of the week, I hosted the Civic Society Annual Lecture where we were privileged to have James Stourton as the speaker.

A renowned arts historian and prolific author, James did not disappoint. Saving our heritage, crisis, hope and regeneration, it was a fascinating lecture on a national and a Worcester perspective.

Worcester’s history and heritage is as important now as it ever was.