This week has been relatively quiet regarding mayoral engagements, probably a reflection on it being half term. On Sunday morning I joined members of the Worcester Vigornia Rotary Club in planting crocus bulbs in St. Andrew’s Gardens to mark “End Polio Now Day” – an annual event held on 24 October. The vaccine developed 65 years ago by Dr Jonas Salk has meant Polio has almost been eradicated worldwide and only exists in a few pockets where there is still resistance to the vaccine. Food for thought while we are advised to take our Covid and Flu immunisations.

On Thursday I was pleased to welcome Lord Richard Faulkner to the Guildhall to give the Mayor’s Annual Lecture on Railways of Worcester, Past, Present and Future. As a bit of a train buff myself, I was thrilled to hear his fascinating talk at this event that raised funds for my mayoral charities.

On Friday I opened the Severn Angels Housing and Support accommodation which supports homeless women in Worcester. After cutting the ribbon I gave a short speech about the homeless issue in Worcester and why we need to collectively come together to tackle this situation and improve the quality of life for these individuals. The event stressed importance of same-sex accommodation to help end homelessness for women.

Worcester loves a festival, and this weekend we celebrate the life and works of Sir Edward Elgar. This festival began in 2018 and came about as a result of a motion to Council from my previous fellow ward councillor Alan Feeney. On Friday evening I attended the Festival Launch Reception, followed by a concert featuring Elgar’s Strings with Raphael Wallfisch and the English Symphony Orchestra.

There are many events taking place over the weekend.  Further information on how to purchase tickets can be found on the festival website at https://elgarfestival.org.

This morning I am outside the Guildhall for the launch of the 2021 Royal British Legion Worcestershire County Poppy Appeal. This is always a moving occasion, where representatives from the British Legion are in attendance and the bugler sounds the Last Post.