I was most impressed by the Youth Development College hidden away in St. Nicholas Street when I attended their end of year celebration to present the certificates and prizes at the awards ceremony for the students’ educational, vocational, and personal achievements. Well done to them not only for their new qualifications but also for raising £500 for Children in Need.

It’s always nice to celebrate more good news about our city, so I was delighted to open the new bright and clean Home Bargains store on Shrub Hill Retail Park. It is a fantastic addition to local shopping opportunities and it has really smartened up the area. Good luck to the very friendly staff.

There was more good news when I attended the announcement at The Royal Hospital of the new partnership between Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and The Haven. Worcester is now unique in the country for having a breast cancer after-care service at The Haven on the site of the hospital. It is tremendously good news for our city as the NHS remains, deservedly, the nation’s most loved and trusted institution.

It was a real pleasure to open the newly made-over Lyppard Grange Community Centre on the occasion of its 21st birthday. In fact, it was more to mark its re-opening on its anniversary with its new branding, preparing for the next 21 years of providing services for the local community. I was amazed by the enormous number of people present, but then it quickly became obvious what an important part the centre continues to play for local residents. Well done Mo Bayliss and all the volunteers.

A particularly touching aspect was that a number of three-year-olds had done drawings of me as Mayor. I think most of them were better than the real thing! I loved the red hair in so many of the pictures. I invited the winner, James, and his family to tea in The Parlour where I hope some chocolate cakes will make him less shy.

Meeting with officers from the Battle of Worcester Partnership was another reminder of what great heritage Worcester has to offer the world and how many people have volunteered to promote it.