Last Saturday I attended the final evening concert in the Cathedral for the Three Choirs Festival. The Armstrong Gibbs‘s Choral Symphony told the story of Odysseus in an hour-long performance. Two soloists, Ruby Hughes and the South African born baritone Njabulo Madlala accompanied the Festival Chorus which features many local members – including fellow Worcester City Councillor Marjory Bisset.

Afterwards the Mayoress and I were able to meet up with the Festival Chorus at the Thank You Dinner in the College Hall. I would particularly like to thank Grace Green, the Development Manager of The Three Choir Festival and staff and volunteers for the fantastic week of concerts and other events that make up the festival.

On Wednesday it was National Play Day and I had the pleasure of opening a family event held at Gheulvelt Park. Hayley Tally and Phil Weston from Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club were the main organisers and showed us around the park where numerous activities were arranged.

They included crafts provided by the Worcester Play Council, face painting and a range of sporting activities from football to archery; the latter I tried rather unsuccessfully! There were also a group rhythm drumming set, which the Mayoress and I joined in. Other attractions included children’s fairground rides, an inflatable slide and there were also free hot dogs for the children. The weather was especially kind and the youngsters enjoyed meeting our dog Monty, who accompanied us around the event.