At the start of my mayoral year, I announced that my theme would be coming back together and as my term as Mayor progresses this is becoming more and more apparent that this is happening.

On Thursday I attended the Snoezey Fest Art opening event at Worcester Snoezelen’s impressive premises on the University campus site. I met Jane Roberts, the Chief Officer, Eric Rhodes, the Chair of the Trustees, other trustees, parents, and users of the impressive facilities. I once again met Brigadier Roger Brunt CBE DL who is the charity’s new patron. I last visited Worcester Snoezelen back in 2008 when I was consort to my wife Lucy, who was Mayor that year. This charity art exhibition of works produced by the users will hopefully raise funds for Worcester Snoezelen’s work.

On Friday evening the mayoress and I enjoyed a cruise on the River Severn on board The River King that was organised by the Mayor of Droitwich Spa, Councillor Bill Moy. We departed from Stourport-on-Severn and proceeds from the event were for the Mayor of Droitwich Spa’s Charities.

Today I will be opening the Worcester Festival with a speech at the Guildhall, and I hope the event will be well-supported. It’s great to see many of our venues in the city open again. Earlier in the week, in a non-mayoral capacity, I went to Huntingdon Hall with some friends to hear Nigel Owens, the former international rugby union referee. This was the first event back there since the Covid pandemic.

As a sports fan, it is great to see spectators back again. Last Saturday I travelled up north to watch Sunderland, the football team I support, for the first time since January 2019 and on Tuesday I watched the cricket at New Road. I must be the first Mayor of the city who was pleased the opposition, Durham, won.

Tomorrow I will be at the Worcester Show on Pitchcroft so do come along and see what our city has to offer.