This week certainly started off on a massive high with the Civic Service in the Cathedral, an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the mayoralty and our great city. Nobody can put on such a well organised and polished event as the Mayor’s ceremonial officers and Guildhall staff in conjunction with their Cathedral colleagues. I was very touched that so many people who attended the packed service commented favourably on my theme of “cherishing your family and friends”, which was woven seamlessly throughout the entire service and reflected in a brilliant sermon by the Dean.

Hosting a group of Friends of KGV Grandee Club in the Mayor’s Parlour at the Guildhall confirmed that being young is not about age but about your attitude and outlook on life, and these ladies were great fun. And they liked my quip that they should treasure my mayoral badges as they will soon be worth at least £10 on ebay!

Cutting the ribbon to officially open Nexus’s new housing development in Fairmount Close, Warndon, was especially dear to my heart as I have been involved with it right from the beginning. In particular, it was a house on this new site to which I helped a young family move and I was so happy to meet Gemma and Jamie again and see how that move had truly changed their lives. Hard work and persistence pay off and most of what I do as Mayor and a councillor is all about people. Also, thank you to Keith Beck for your work as Chairman of the Blackpole and Fairmount Community Group; and to Bal, Estate Manager from Nexus.

Always enthusiastic about strengthening the City’s overseas ties, it was a delight for me to host a group of pupils from Freiherr-vom-Stein Gymnasium in Kleve, Germany. Wonderful students – they could all speak and write excellent English, of course. And thank you Damian Aschenbrenner who wrote in the Visitor’s Book: “Your Mayor is great! Keep him for ten more years at least.”

And how nice to end another exciting week with a performance of Brief Encounter at The Swan Theatre. Such a moving and wonderfully English story.

Nominations for the Mayor’s Charity Dinner and first-ever Community Awards ceremony close on Monday February 16. Any individual or organization can nominate and be nominated. You can make a nomination at www.worcester.gov.uk/communityawards or pick up a form from The Guildhall, Warndon and St. John’s Libraries, and The Hive.