Acorn’s hospice’s charity lunch at the rugby club was a great occasion. Not only was the food and company very enjoyable, but those present were entertained, after the meal, by Lady Atherton. Dressed and acting as a war time WI lady, Lady Atherton gave a talk on measures to be undertaken to ease both the burden of war, which was creating major shortages, as well as suggestions to support the war effort. She was very entertaining and gave an insight into the severity of living conditions at that time.

The lunch was a mix of two extremes, the poverty and restrictions of the 1940s and the generosity of those present helping to support such a worthy cause.

Each year a Shrievalty Evensong Service is held in the Cathedral, an event led by the High Sherriff of Worcestershire. The Lord Lieutenant represented the Queen, the Court Judges were present in full regalia and the Dean and Bishop looked equally splendid. Sir Antony Winnington, The High Sherriff (an office over 1,000 years old and the oldest continuous secular office of the Crown), read St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians and I have to say he has my admiration. Some of the names within the text were the most unpronounceable I’ve come across and he didn’t hesitate or make a single mistake. Well done Sir Antony!

Little treats come up occasionally and we experienced a rather nice one when Bürgermeister Theo Brauer, the Mayor of our Twin City of Kleve in Germany, invited the Mayoress and me to his retirement celebration. Theo always visits Worcester during our Christmas Fayre and has treasured the links to Worcester over the years. He has been Mayor of Kleve for 11 years and has achieved much; he has a very strong following which was reflected by the 600 people that attended his farewell reception. It was an astonishing number and many of them spoke highly of his leadership and achievements.

Kleve supports the idea of twinning in a much stronger way than we have done. They have a bench with the Worcester coat of arms outside their court, they have named a bridge “Worcester Brϋcke”, a sign reading “Worcesterplatz”, a marble column with our crest and script as well as a red post box and a red BT telephone box. The hospitality we experienced was superb and really matched their love of being twinned with us. Kleve is a great town with lovely welcoming people.