Mayor of Worcester Blog

I enjoyed a fleeting visit to Warndon Community Centre on Sunday where Worcester Community Trust (WCT) were hosting a five-a-side football competition. Despite the inclement weather Jill and I were able to wish contestants well.

The Celebration of The Diamond Jubilee at the Cathedral was a memorable occasion later that day. We were entertained to tea and cakes, then followed an uplifting service where Her Majesty’s devotion was praised by the Bishop. The music was as usual of a high standard.

Monday brought a celebration of the Jubilee at Ronkswood. What fine weather and thanks are due to the local publican and Emma Harding of WCT who, with a team of volunteers, had organised everything so well. It was great to see so many old friends.

I had an early start on Tuesday at St Peter’s, where Abigail McFarlane (15) had organised a Diamond Jubilee Fundraising Event for Acorns and NSPCC. Well done Abbi – I am impressed with the commitment of young people who do so much these days.

Over to The Tolly Centre at midday for another Jubilee celebration. There was a good turnout from local people, reflecting the strong sense of community in Tolladine. Thanks to Sandra Kennedy of WCT and her team of volunteers for making such a success on an inclement day.

I chaired a planning meeting on Wednesday for the Armed Forces homecoming and freedom parade that will take place in Worcester on June 27. I must pay tribute to the military precision with the planning of the event. It will be a terrific turnout of Armed Forces so I hope it is well supported by the local community.

Later that day I met with Pat Brandum, Chief Executive of  West Mercia Housing Group, and the evening brought the first of two evening training sessions for councillors on Planning Committee work.

On Thursday we entertained a group from Zweibrucken in south west Germany to a tour of the Guildhall. They were accompanied by representatives from Worcester Radio Amateurs Association. It was clear they enjoyed the visit, despite so much of the building being unavailable because of redecoration.

That afternoon we enjoyed a trip to visit Worcester Crossroads to meet staff and an old colleague, Roger Garland. Crossroads  provides an excellent service to local people – something the Mayoress has first hand experience of from her own experiences caring for her aged parents in Abertillery.

Friday and Saturday were free of civic events so I had an opportunity to catch up with casework and gardening, as well as take a walk on the Northwick Trail alongside the River.

Saturday also brought a visit to Pershore and a visit to the Abbey for Worcestershire Philharmonic Orchestra’s 40th birthday and Jubilee celebrations. Really enjoyable!

Just one event on Sunday, when we attended the Mayor of Evesham’s Hello Cruise on the Avon at Evesham. Afterwards, at a venue kindly provided by the Mayor of Evesham Councillor Robert Raphael and his Mayoress Cllr Diana Raphael, we enjoyed a buffet meal. It proved to be a useful opportunity to meet other new civic heads.

Monday and Tuesday were almost clear so I got down to some gardening and car-cleaning – long overdue after the hot and dusty weather!

On Monday I also attended the opening of an exhibition of Co-operative History at The Bath Museum. Articles had been sought from local co-operators and particular thanks are due to Ken Dallow for his contribution on Worcester’s history. Local Worcester Co-operators will be able to visit on Saturday June 30 when a coach trip is being arranged.

I met up with Tim Clarke of the Worcester Standard on Tuesday for a regular briefing prior to attending an update for councillors on the South Worcestershire Development Plan in the Guildhall.

Wednesday brought my first attendance at the annual meeting of The Thomas Corbett Charity for Blind and Partially sighted, at the Guildhall.

The Mayoress and I later attended the fifth annual Learning Through Sport Day at The County Cricket Club, hosted by Professor David Green, the University’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive. It was great to witness young people from local schools enjoying activity through sport and to hear of the success of schemes to engage with young people.

We also had an update on developments at the University in particular the Arena, which is designed to meet the needs of wheelchair athletes and is now beginning to be seen as a new sight on the Worcester skyline.

In the evening, we enjoyed a performance of Cabaret at Spires Theatre in the College of Technology. What a performance! Both Jill and I enjoyed it throughout and in particular enjoyed meeting some of the performers afterwards. Congratulations to Paul Bellamy and his team in the Performing Arts Department.

On Thursday I had a meeting with Canon Stanton at the Cathedral to finalise arrangements for the Civic Service on June 17.

In the afternoon it was Planning Committee, where several major developments were approved. Congratulations to Geoff Williams on his first meeting as the new committee chairman.

In the evening we hosted a reception in the newly refurbished Guildhall Assembly Room to launch the Royal Jubilee Elgar Festival 2012. What an improvement to this gem of Worcester’s architecture, now that years of grime have been removed!

Afterwards we walked to the Cathedral to attend the opening Jubilee Concert. What a performance, with  Elgar’s Cello Concerto performed so beautifully by Peter Adams. I’d like to give my congratulations to Christopher Robinson, The ESO and The Worcestershire Choir.

Friday’s attendance was at the annual Volunteers Fair under the aegis of Sally Ellison and the team at the Worcester Volunteer Bureau. There were over 30 Groups demonstrating the opportunities for volunteering in the city – no excuse for inactivity and a great opportunity to meet friends!

Saturday was remarkable. I was up early to meet David Faulkner and his family – David is running six marathons in six days to raise funds for Orangutang conservation.

David Faulkner and little support runners

Over to Specsavers to judge children’s crowns, then to judge the St John’s Traders Association Jubilee Shop Windows competition.

Emily Seabright (aged 8) who won first prize in a children’s crown design competition. 2nd prize went to Kayleigh Wood (aged 5) and 3rd prize went to Destiny May (aged 8).

I was impressed with the efforts made by traders to brighten up St John’s and in particular the prizewinning entry from Newman’s Florist. Thanks to Rich Brixey and the Co-operative for the Fair Trade Hamper as first prize.

Congratulations to Belinda Jones, owner of Newman’s Florist.

During the afternoon we were invited to attend the Jubilee party at Berkeley’s Chapel for residents of Berkeley’s and Nash’s. What a spread! Thanks to Elaine and her band of helpers.

I am a Trustee of this charity which is located in an idyllic setting, right in the centre of the City. How farsighted were some of our city fore-fathers in establishing this successful and progressive charity which does so much good in meeting the needs of people on limited incomes.

Later that evening, not totally exhausted, we enjoyed an exhilarating performance of Elgar’s Kingdom by ESO conducted by Donald Hunt with the combined voices of The Elgar Chorale and Worcester Festival Choral Society.

This was the final event of the three day festival celebrating the life and music of Edward Elgar during the weekend of his birthday. As it was June 2, Elgar’s birthday, a wreath was laid by Michael Kennedy.

Another frenetic week.

While Sunday was my day off, I attended a re-union at The Foley Hotel, Malvern, of several friends who used to be members of Malvern Young Socialists. It was my first active experience of politics as I was a sixth-former at Hanley Castle Grammar School, when I first joined.

It was great to see Les Huckfield (former MP) who came from Scotland, Graham and Wendy Downie who live in Studley, Sally Hogdon (nee Haywood) and her brother John who live in Bacton and Banbury. Keith Morrell from Sutton Coldfield, Ann and Roger Pearman from Lower Wick, Jim Evans Worcester and my wife Jill were all there. Star traveller was David Livingstone who flew in from Toronto. We hope to meet Dave again in the New Year when he returns to the UK.

What a great day! Only a few of them are still involved in politics but they are all great company and it was lovely to see them all again after nearly 50 years!

The Worcester District Scout AGM was held on Monday and as President, I chaired their meeting. It was great to see John Day, Derrick Bishop and Keith lane. What a wonderful degree of parental involvement there is in this international organisation!

On Tuesday there was the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Awareness Week and Coffee Morning in the Guildhall. It was a chance to educate us about this disease. The importance of early diagnosis was emphasised throughout and I learnt of many of the tests that are now available. We have made a great deal of progress since my early days on a ward at Powick Hospital in the late 1960s.

I visited the Worcester schools Bellboat Regatta at Pitchcroft on Wednesday morning. It was great to see local schools using the riverside in a safe environment – so important in a riverside city. I was pleased to meet several schools and Andy Train and his father, who have done so much to promote this safe sport to schools. It is all part of the Olympic build-up – starting at Stoke Manderville, going to Much Wenlock and finishing in Evesham.

In the evening I went to a performance of Taking Steps by The Swan Theatre Amateur Company. Congratulations to Ann Moore on what was an excellent production. If only we could improve attendances to keep theatre alive in the city!

I welcomed Chinese students from The Yucai Experimental Primary School staying with families at Pitmaston Primary School on Thursday. It was our first time taking school students around the Guildhall and I was grateful for the expertise of my Mayoress Jill, who has taught for many years in the city. The children were so interested and well behaved. It was great to see Tim Ireson, the Head, who has been involved in exchanges for some years.

Later the Olympic Torch came to the county cricket ground on New Road. What a tremendous experience and such commitment to Worcester citizens who turned out in force!

There were an estimated 10,000 at the cricket ground and 50,000 lining the streets. I am grateful to my deputy Pat Agar who was present at the Guildhall and, of course, to VisitWorcester staff who were responsible for the arrangements.

Welcoming in the Olympic Flame at the Cricket Ground

Torchbearer Sally Flood lights the cauldron

I was up early on Friday morning to go to the Elgar statue in High Street to welcome torchbearer Monica Martin and take photographs. It was a shame the torch left early, leaving so many people disappointed.  The whole experience has been a superb opportunity to showcase the city to a national audience.

At the Elgar Statue with Torchbearer Monica Martin

Later in the morning I took a trip to The Elgar Museum at Lower Broadheath where Mark Elder, conductor of The Halle Orchestra, opened the revamped exhibition and launched the appeal for a capital fund of £500,000. The Elgar Birthplace, just outside the city, was purchased by the city council in the 1920s. I believe the trustees have really developed and extended it into a top visitor attraction which is too little appreciated by local people.

I attended the Onside’s Great Bake Sale at the Guildhall on Saturday morning. This is an impressive local charity which provides support advocacy for vulnerable people – so much needed in these difficult times. We were able to enjoy the customary piece of cake and enjoy a cup of coffee. It really was a great opportunity to meet up with so many old friends and learn about this little-known organisation that now works throughout the county.

In the evening we attended the 30th birthday Party of Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section (WODYS) at Perdiswell Young People’s Club where we cut the cake and met youngsters who will be performing “Me and My Girl” at The Swan Theatre in early August. The productions have gone from strength to strength and are now part of my regular birthday celebrations each year.

What a whirlwind week. After a few wet days away in Lyme Regis following the recent local elections Tuesday finally arrived; a final visit with my University of the Third Age (U3A) Local History Group to Hartlebury Museum store in the morning. What a real cornucopia of exhibits stored under the ownership of the partners; everything from Street signs to baths, domestic appliances and archaeology from recent digs.

Tuesday night brought the Annual meeting of Worcester City Council. After appropriate tributes to outgoing Mayor David Tibbutt and his wife Jane, I was elected unanimously Mayor of a City which I have adopted and served for the past 35 years as a Councillor.

Feelings of humility and pride were quickly overcome as I had to chair the remaining meeting. I welcomed Pat Agar on board as Deputy Mayor, John Everest as Mayor’s Chaplain and of course Jill, my wife, as Mayoress.  I am sure Pat and I will work together well, each bringing different lifetime experiences to the post.

Afterwards, there were drinks in the Mayor’s Parlour where Jill and I acted as hosts. It was great to receive the good wishes of all colleagues, representives of our charities, friends and family members. We were home just after nine, but feeling quite exhausted!

Photographs in the robes took place over several sessions. We had never realised how difficult it must be for celebrities; I just hope they get used to it, I certainly can’t.

Myself, Mayor of Worcester – Cllr Roger Berry & Deputy Mayor – Cllr Pat Agar, at the Guildhall gates.

Our first civic engagement was a trip to Bromsgove Council to attend their annual meeting and the election of Councillor Mrs Janice Boswell to the post of Civic Head. Each council is different and she didn’t have to chair their meeting of council. At the reception it was good to meet other civic leaders and learn a little about her three local charities.

Friday I had a cancellation so with a clear diary I went walking with my U3A Walking Group; they were all surprised as I had previously told them I would be an infrequent visitor. How lucky we are to have so many superb walks within close proximity to the city.

On Saturday, I had a last chance to catch up with overdue gardening and then to Droitwich Fire Station where, in the bitter cold, we attended the Passing Out parade of the young firefighters. There are two groups in Redditch and Droitwich where youngsters from 14 to 17 are able to learn about firefighting. These mixed groups undertook several interesting exercises and afterwards we were able to see them presented with annual awards.

It was great to hear of the many different interests young people have despite being weighed down with schoolwork. As a former adult social worker it was an opportunity for me to see how interesting the lives are of young people and a reminder that the problems I have witnessed are only a small part of life. Most kids lead interesting and active lives without needing the intervention of social services. I am involved within the Co-operative Foundation which tries to encourage a more balanced approach to reporting about young people thorugh the Truth About Youth programme.

As a former chairman of the council’s Housing Committee I know all too well about the shortage of accommodation for families. As Mayor I shall be supporting two local single person charities, St Paul’s Hostel and Maggs Day Centre. Both are involved in the provision of accommodation and support to single people. It is all too easy to complain about people sleeping rough without doing anything about it. I hope I will be able to shed a little light on the causes and provision of accommodation to combat homelessness.