The Family Fun Day and Dog Show at Worcester Woods was the funniest event of our week. Phil and I struggled to judge the “Cutest Puppy” category. All of them were such stars! The winner was so friendly, he wriggled from end to end when he wagged his tail. Dogs of all shapes and sizes vied for prizes – and all in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.

WorcesterUniversity’s high tech pollen lab provides the daily pollen count for the BBC weather forecast. The lab is also doing ground breaking research on airborne allergens and diseases. Their climate controlled room is used to test products in all conditions. You can pretend to be an Arctic explorer in sub-zero temperatures or simulate tropical heat and humidity.

Barry North opened the Friends of the Swan Variety Show with the Harlequin Stage School Juniors. They performed the Sandman Dance, while Barry sang “The Old Bazaar in Cairo.”  We were treated to show songs, operatic arias and pop songs. There were dance performances from the AcademyDanceSchool and Harlequin Juniors. Barry North’s Cheeky humour and comic characters had the audience in stitches.

Worcester City Sports Awards 2013 honoured sports heroes of all ages and abilities. England rugby player Heather Fisher gave an inspirational talk about the ups and downs of her sporting career.  Luke Sugg, who captains England’s disabled cricket team, was honoured for his outstanding achievements and I met two rising stars of triathlon, Nixie Turner and Ann Price.