You will have seen in yesterday’s paper that work has begun on Worcester’s Arches cultural hub near to the Hive building.  More of the railway arches in that area, which have been underused for many years, are being transformed into useful and attractive buildings.  The City Council, the University, Severn Arts, The Arch Company and Worcestershire County Council are working together to create a space for cultural activities in five of the arches there.  I was delighted to join representatives from the other organisations for a photo on Monday to launch the £3m project, which has been awarded a grant from Government’s Cultural Development Fund.  The work on these five arches, together with the work that has already taken place on other railway arches, is transforming the area from Foregate Street Station to the Hive and the riverside.

I had a very enjoyable, interesting and informative Charter 400 walk on Wednesday with Paul Harding from Discover History.  We went through areas associated with Edward Hurdman, who in 1621 became the first Mayor of Worcester after the City was awarded a Charter by King James 1.   Hurdman came from humble beginnings and through marriage and enterprise, became influential in Worcester – and eventually was in the right place at the right time to become our first Mayor.  It is interesting to note that 400 years ago, fortune and fame was often as much down to luck and chance as it is today.  Charter 400 is a new walking tour created by Discover History (www.discover-history.co.uk).  I recommend it to those of you who want to find out more about Worcester’s history and also be entertained whilst doing so.

The Twinning Association of which I am President had another entertaining Zoom presentation on Wednesday evening.  Members from France, Lithuania and USA joining Worcester and Droitwich representatives for a presentation on the role of a Magistrate in our judicial system.

As you read this on Saturday, I will be involved in Polish Heritage Day, but more about that next week.