We started the week with a small family celebration for my wife Jill’s birthday.

On Monday I escorted a former French Mayor on a tour around the Guildhall and attended three meetings, the final one being the AGM for Headway, a charity which supports people who’ve suffered brain injuries.  We were pleased to meet service users and see for ourselves some of the work that this fine organisation does.

More meetings the following day, starting with one to plan activities for a homelessness exhibition in the Guildhall next year.  I am very keen to raise awareness of the issue locally.  Later that evening I chaired a meeting of the full City Council. I hope that future ones will be a little less controversial!

The city experienced another royal visit on Thursday; we welcomed HRH the Earl of Wessex to Worcester, where he performed the official opening of Dancox House at the former Vinegar Works. What a superb building conversion – and opportunity to meet so many local people connected with the forces.  It is an excellent way of preserving some of Worcester’s industrial heritage.

Friday was an extremely busy day, which started with the Mayoress and I hosting an event as part of the annual Macmillan Cancer Support World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

A couple of meetings later, we attended the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s Annual Awards Ceremony at The Assembly Room in the Guildhall.  It was inspirational to see the Awards for long service and meritorious acts of bravery, involving so many members of the fire service and lay members of the public. I think too often we take for granted the service provided by public employees.

In the evening we joined members of Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society at their 120th Anniversary celebration at The Pear Tree Inn. This is no mean achievement; I was pleased to toast them for “120 years of entertaining Worcester”. It was great to meet so many of the members; we are avid supporters of their musicals, regularly performed at The Swan Theatre.

On Saturday we attended a Positive People event at the Worcester City Football Club, followed in the evening by The Last Night Of The Proms at St Georges Cof E in Barbourne.

Positive People event at the Worcester City Football Club

What a night; thanks to Ian Pattison and The Magdalane Orchestra for such a traditional programme, complete with Union Jacks and audience-singing!