We hear ‘disaster appeal’ or ‘earthquake appeal’ near daily, but nothing can convey their true horrors until they affect your own: the recent Kashmir earthquake was centred on my wife’s village Sahang in Kikree, the after-shocks still taking lives and destroying property.  Many, ­not least Altaf’s Balti in Worcester, are contributing towards my Earthquake Appeal and heartfelt thanks to all.

Talking of which, guess who learned new life-saving skills on Wednesday – and won a certificate for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (that I can perform, but struggle to spell)?  Right! Me!  The event was World Restart-a-Heart Day at the Guildhall where later that day was I not delighted to show off the glories of my daytime workplace to a group of Taiwanese students.  Attending the first of a series of charity nights at Manor Farm completed a dizzy whirl of a day.

Now here’s an amazing Worcester success story – the resurrection of Arrow XL’s distribution centre at Blackpole, destroyed by fire two years ago but re-emerging bigger and even better equipped than before.  I was delighted to do the re-opening honours on Thursday, returning just in time to welcome a group of thirty chirpy Worcester Brownies to the Parlour – another joy, as was the Mayor of Kidderminster’s Charity Chinese buffet meal and quiz night.

‘Have chain, will travel’ proved the case this week, on Friday in Hereford for Mayor Kath Hey’s Chain Gang Afternoon Tea in the Town Hall!

And here’s another feather in Worcester’s cap that seems to have slipped under the radar…. for the past three years, the Royal Life Saving Society UK chose Worcester for its Presentation of National Honours.  It is such an honour to be associated with so worthy an organisation.

Later that day, some fun: the Mayor of Pershore’s Charity Ferret Racing Night at which I won… precisely nothing!

Sunday saw me on very best behaviour for Malvern Hills DC Chairman Dean Clarke’s Civic Service at Hallow, followed by Evensong at the Cathedral in procession with the High Sheriff and six of Her Majesty’s judges, all in full court dress.  Impressed, or what?