Mayor’s Week, 6 – 12 February 2012
Monday 6th: It is important to recognise achievement and no more so than by students who have life challenges. The Worcester Technical College held a ceremony in All Saints’ Church to celebrate the efforts and achievements of many students at the college who have acquired brain injuries. I had the privilege of presenting the certificates for these “Ability Awards”.
We’re there! All plans now in place for Friday’s Diamond Jubilee “Street Party”.
Tim Clarke (Editor of the “Worcester Standard”) and I had our monthly chat in the Parlour.
A very happy event took place in the Parlour later this afternoon: The Young Citizen Awards by Worcester Vigornia Rotary Club. I had the pleasure of presenting the award to the winning nominee, Liam Mackin from New College. This “Young Citizen Awards” project was conceived in 2007 by Rotary International of Great Britain & Ireland in association with the BBC News Channel. It is a fantastic way to celebrate the positive citizenship and important responsibilities assumed by many young people. It recognises those, under the age of 25 years, who have demonstrated their commitment to citizenship through various activities. In this day and age, when we have dismal doomsters who seem to ignore the bright side of life, this is a wonderful way of recognising merit and achievement. That is not to say there are no challenges and difficulties for young people…. there are. But this initiative raises the bar for everyone giving an incentive to excel.
Then my last engagement of the day although not mayoral. I attended the “Sounding Board” at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. This Board has been formed from the members of the Shadow Council of Governors: now that there is no live application for Foundation Trust status the Council of Governors is no longer a legal entity. But there is so much expertise that the hospital felt it would be a great loss not to “keep us on” in some form hence the “Sounding Board”. We were given a presentation about the coming review of Health Services locally and especially of the hospital service. It is essential that as many people as possible become involved and attend the various consultation events that are being arranged.
Tuesday 7th: The new Resident Judge, as from 12th December 2011, at the Crown Courts at Worcester and Hereford is His Honour Judge Juckes QC. I was delighted to welcome him officially to the parlour with His Honour Judge Hooper QC (Circuit Judge, Crown and County Courts at Worcester and Hereford and Honorary Recorder of the City of Hereford).
The celebrations of the Chinese New Year of the Dragon continue. Mr. Frankie Tsang invited Jane and me to attend a Dinner Party at the “Four Seasons” in Powick. Another great evening and another “Lion Dance”.
Wednesday 8th: Jane and I joined a number of others for a tour of “The Hive”. The space inside is amazing and is a fantastic asset for the City, University and further afield. The energy-saving measures for its construction and maintenance are way ahead of anything. All those involved with the project through to completion are to be congratulated.
The Hive
Thirty-one children (aged 5 – 7 years) and ten teachers came from Eckington First School for a tour of the Guildhall. Well behaved, attentive and interested: a real pleasure to welcome and help them with their project on the buildings in Worcester.
The Friends of Worcester Cathedral met for lunch in “The Guesten”, The Guesten, 15, College Green, off Edgar Street, is a beautifully restored Queen Anne house. I was invited to be their guest speaker and talk about my life and interests.
The musical “Hairspray” is based on the film composed by John Waters in 1988 and a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. The music is by Marc Shaiman who with Scott Wittman wrote the lyrics. It includes dance music, rhythm and blues from the 1960’s. Overnight Tracy Turnblad becomes a celebrity when she wins a dream role on The Corny Collins Show. The musical opened on Broadway on August 15, 2002, winning eight Tony Awards and running for over 2,500 performances until 2009. The Bishop Perowne College put on a wonderful interpretation and performance this evening. These young actors should be immensely proud of their achievements. Jane and I were enthralled throughout.
Thursday 9th: Ida Pettersson is a student from Finland at the University of Worcester. She is currently attached to the Communications Team of the Worcester City Council on work experience. She will be assisting particularly with photography. I met her with Andy Burton in the parlour to discuss ways of helping the mayoralty with photographic records.
University of Worcester Student, Ida Pettersson
Friday 10th: All the hard work for the Diamond Jubilee “Street Party” this evening paid off. It was a wonderful occasion.
Welcoming the guests in the Lower Hall, The Guildhall
The “Flower Ladies” did a fantastic job with the arrangements on the main stairs of the Guildhall and the Assembly Room. The meal of “bangers and mash” was great and well presented by “Plyvine”, Mandy and her team. Over 120 guests attended and were entertained by Theo Theobald, The Poet Laureate of Worcestershire, reciting a poem he had composed specially for the occasion. Henry Sandon, MBE, was the guest speaker and such fun. Rotarian David Inight, MBE, dressed as a beefeater acted as Master of Ceremonies. Coaches just before mid night!
1950’s street party style dinner in the Assembly Room
1950’s Diamond Jubilee memorabilia at the dinner tables
Saturday 11th: A little jaded this morning. Jane and I went along to The Tudor House in Friar Street. This was to contribute to their Diary Day, when people from across the city were asked to choose a date from their diary as their “best day”. It was difficult to decide on “my best day” since I became Mayor in May last year. In the end I took an extract from my diary on Sunday, 19th June 2011:
“The Civic Service took place in the Cathedral today (also Trinity Sunday and Father’s Day!). It was a most wonderful occasion with the Cathedral bells in full peel. Fifteen Visiting Civic Heads, eleven past Worcester City Mayors and in all 25 current Worcester City Councillors joined the procession. It was also a great honour to have the High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant with us. The Mayoress Jane, and I were delighted. We are so grateful to the Clergy and staff of the Cathedral for all the work and preparation that went into creating this event. A special “thank you” to the choir and the Dean, The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, for his sermon that included an emphasis on pride in our City. Indeed this was a day to make us proud”.
“Diary Day” at Tudor House
Tudor House is really worth a visit and admission is free!. There is so much of Worcester’s history told there. It was built probably around 1575. For centuries it had been the home for weavers, clothiers, bakers and a painter as well as part of it being The Cross Keys tavern. For more information: www.tudorhouse.org.uk
Mayoralties throughout the country raise huge amounts of money for worthy charities. So Jane and I were pleased to be invited by Councillor Dr. Jan Adams, Mayor of Bewdley, to her Charity Ball in aid of Dementia UK and The County Air Ambulance. It was held in the splendid Wharton Park Golf, Hotel and Country Club.
Sunday 12th: A day of rest!