Time Travel

I travelled through time this week.

I was joined by companions in the form of some super work experience students, Doctor Who’s Tardis would have been very fitting.

I went back over 300 years ago, to 1717, when the Freemasons declared the first Grand Lodge in the world.

A tour of the Worcester Museum of Freemasonry was most enlightening, dispelled many myths and I even met an old friend over the coffee break.

Next, I leapt forward over 120 years, to 1837, the Victorian era, and the excellent exhibition I opened at The Commandery. I walked through Wyldgate Lane, a Victorian Worcester, which was full of real local history and artefacts.

I next made the 20th century, the 1950s, with a musical production of Grease at Christopher Whitehead Language College.

The entire cast were fantastic and the live band.

I then jumped just a decade, to 1939, that was the first known use of the tradition of Lady Paramount, someone who has been chosen to award the prizes at an archery tournament.

I distributed medals for the WA Combined Archery Competition (UK Record Status).

The last move through time was back to current day, first to education, citizenship and politics at school.

I visited Fort Royal Primary School and joined in with some of the Year 5 and 6 classes. I met with the school council, elected members from across the school, in place for the year and doing a grand job.

I also visited Christopher Whitehead Language College and joined a class to talk about local government with some students who were studying politics and some who were interested in how local government works. It was great to engage with the group.

I finished with the Chinese New Celebration, hosted by the Worcester Chinese Association, Engage with China, Museum of Royal Worcester and Worcester Porcelain Works.

The year of the snake. Let it be happy and fortuitous.