Mayor’s Week: 22 June – 28 July 2015
Armed Forces week started with the raising of the flag over the Guildhall and culminated in a magnificent parade through town on Saturday 27th June. The turnout for the march past was terrific and there were hundreds, if not thousands of people flanking the streets to see the Queens Royal Hussars parading past as they celebrated the Regimental Freedom of our City.
One Sergeant Major said that as he marched around a corner and saw the masses of people either side of the road, clapping and cheering as the Hussars approached, his feelings whelmed up and he felt a lump in his throat. This puts in perspective the value of us turning out to recognise their work, on our behalf, and to cheer them on!
Five members of the England Women’s Cricket Team took time out to visit Worcestershire Cricket Club and, together with Club Staff, thoroughly entertained 90 children from Cherry Orchard Primary School. I spoke to a lot of the children and, without exception, they thought the day was a great success. There were competitions, quizzes and of course cricket on the beautiful grounds of our famous cricket pitch – the prettiest in England!!
Tuesday saw the GB v Germany Woman Basketball International staged at the Arena. I hadn’t realised just what a fast moving and exciting game this sport offered, it really was a great evening even if we did lose – but only just – it was close!
Later this summer, our city will welcome the continent’s leading wheelchair basketball nations to the European Championships, where they will join the Great Britain teams in competing for both the prestigious title and a highly coveted qualification spot at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Held from 28th August to the 6 September at the University of Worcester Arena, this is a fantastic opportunity to see this fast-paced family sport, up close to the action. More information, including tickets, can be found at www.euro2015.uk or through the British Wheelchair Basketball Office on 01509 279900 / office@britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk
Lastly still on a sporting note, the T20 Worcester Rapids V Northamptonshire Steelbacks played at New Road in beautiful weather conditions. They ran to the wire and we lost by just two runs!!!