Worcester and District Scout Group have had an action packed year, with a huge range of activities and achievements, including a new Queen’s Scout.  It was an honour to chair their Annual General Meeting. No wonder they have a waiting list of 114 young people waiting to join!

Later in the week, St George’s Primary School and their Spanish exchange students joined me for a tour of the Guildhall. They particularly enjoyed their tour of the cells and trying on the mayoral regalia.

Sight Concern have mounted a truly impressive art exhibition at The Commandery, and I was delighted to attend their special preview evening. Window On Our World includes work of breathtaking quality – you will want to buy their prints and post cards – they are irresistible!

Thursday was a day of endings and beginnings – the Mercian Regiment received their new colours from HRH Prince Charles. It was a memorable spectacle to see the old colours publicly paraded for the last time before being laid up in the Cathedral the following day.

The regiment now has a new colonel and when it returns from Afghanistan next year, one of its four battalions will be retired. Their regimental mascot, Derby the ram, is also retiring, due to arthritis.

At the end of the parade, families and friends cheered the regiment off the field and roared a welcome to the veterans’ march past. It was a magnificent and moving occasion.

My week ended with the Wild Goose Open Day and Story Telling at Top Barn, tea in the parlour with members of the Home Guard, the Mayor of Bewdley’s civic service and a service of thanksgiving at the Cathedral to celebrate 60 years since HM The Queen’s coronation.