The Remembrance Sunday Ceremony attracted the largest crowds ever, testament to the honour and gratitude we all owe to the heroes who gave us everything they had – their lives. The Woodbine Willie commemoration in St. John’s cemetery in the afternoon and the Remembrance Day wreath laying reinforced this message.

My father was at Dunkirk, Kohima, and Gloucester Hill in Korea. Surviving just one of those battles would have been remarkable, but to have survived all three was certainly against the odds. Where would this country be today without heroes like that?

In remembering all the wars since the Second World War, let me draw your attention to the large plaque above the Roll of Honour in The Guildhall. This took me over one year’s determined effort to get put up some years ago, to commemorate all those killed in the more recent conflicts, such as Korea, who do not have a memorial of their own.

The Never Forget musical at The Swan Theatre was high energy song and dance, but also had a serious underlying message – well done to Dick Saunders – as did the opening of the World War One in The Words of Worcestershire People exhibition, at the City Art Gallery.

My sporting prowess continued to be tested with a really lovely event, opening the first Filipino Winter Basketball League at Bishop Perowne school. For a few seconds, I felt very athletic tossing the ball to start the first game of the tournament; then I quickly got out of the way! (British players are also involved.)  Basketball is tremendous fun to watch – it’s such a fast-moving all-year-round sport, a good alternative to football. And thank you for making me so welcome.

The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Sports Awards at Sixways was a high tech affair, during which we heard some moving stories about players’ struggles to succeed. Persistence is clearly the dominant factor.

This was clearly demonstrated by Worcester City last Sunday, with their epic FA Cup First Round victory over Coventry.  I’d like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all the players; this city is so proud of you.