Worcester has been entertaining students from its twinned town of Kleve in Germany these last two weeks. It was good to get these links back up and running after the pandemic and to see international visitors touring the Guildhall.

We had some locals in as well, with an event all about the history of the Guildhall and its origins since 1227 for Worcestershire Ambassadors. Served with local pies and local cheese, they got a taste of life in the cells too, before seeing the magnificent Assembly Rooms. We have only four years to crack on with plans to mark the 800th anniversary.

The front of the Guildhall is ornate, detailed and eye-catching, but in style and age the Old Bishop’s Palace on Deansway is very comparable, and has a much better view of the river – even in the dark! The Bishop was kind enough to invite a few of us to mix and network and I came away with quite a list of things to do and people to contact, both for work and the Council.

I have attended two funerals this week of men significant not just in their own communities but also for the wider Worcester. Jem Richardson, who I propped with many times in my rugby days, was a newsagent et al of St. John’s, passionate, genial, avuncular and well-liked. He was a stalwart of the rugby club. And then Ali Asghar, a founder of the Muslim Welfare Association and Racial Equality Council. Another friendly, genuine man who crossed the boundaries of the city. Both sadly missed, before their time.

Finally, my Mayor-Ale Trail kicked off successfully in The Tything this week. Pubs give support and social contact to people and are often the heart of a community but are suffering through the cost-of-living crisis, coming after the closures of the pandemic. I won’t bore you with a tale of each one every week but keep your eye on Twitter and join me!