The highlight of the week was our invitation to start Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. Around 2,000 ladies formed a sea of pink as they gathered on Pitchcroft ahead of the race, to warm up and hear encouraging words from the stage. Most participants had either been afflicted by cancer themselves, or knew someone close to them who had. There were fond memories of those who passed away, but determination to help Cancer Research UK raise money so that diagnosis and treatment can be improved.

Mayoress Lynn has been successfully operated on to remove a cancer within recent weeks, so she was pleased to share her own story and encourage the runners.

Last Thursday was St Swithun’s Day, when rumour has it that any rain on that day will be followed by 40 days and nights of further downpours. There was an odd shower, but we have had wonderful dry and sunny days in the following week. Since former Mayor Jo Hodges began the tradition in 2000, there has been an annual procession of the mayor and councillors from the Guildhall to St Swithun’s Church for a special evensong service.

This wonderful ancient church is used for worship only rarely, but is open to the public for organ recitals in summer and restoration work is planned so that visits will be even more enjoyable in future. We were made most welcome by Raymond Fowler from the Friends of St Swithun’s and Rev Brian Gant who lead the service. Afterwards, we shared a magnificent cake with the rest of the congregation.

We opened the Worcester Referees Society summer fete and visited others hosted by Dines Green School and the Horizon Centre in Midland Road. Visitors to the Mayor’s parlour included Dr. Liu Peng, the Deputy Director of China’s International Business School, and groups of children from Hollymount and St Barnabas primary schools.