Mayor of Worcester Blog

A shout out to all those anonymous page-turners, like you Sir at the Brahms concert – well done. A vital but unsung role that if it went wrong, would have ruined the beautiful repertoire we experienced at the Covid Remembrance Concert. We all contribute something no matter how unrecognised, which is why I said hello at the International Workers’ Day event. As one of those workers myself, I took May Day off.

I was guest at the Severn Arts Worcestershire Festival of Music with 200 musicians ranging from seven to 23 performing a wide variety of pieces: Vaughan Williams, plastic shark, Deep Purple, Bizet, an interesting rendition of Santana’s ‘Oye Como Va’, and a rousing ‘Finlandia’ a piece written in opposition to Russian oppression in 1900. I was sorry to miss the second half.

I was pleased to open another temporary art exhibition in The Arches including work from a man I met on one of my pub visits!  I presented Marcus Sparrow of Worcester City FC with a special trophy as he had missed me at the last match, and midweek cut the ribbon, officially opening the infrastructure at the back of the University Arena linking Hylton Road with Henwick, just by the old Halt. A cycle path and footpath and additionally several electric car chargers and another example of the University’s community responsibility.

Finally, we popped into All Saints’ Church to show how the 18th century sword rest on the pillar was placed there for the Mayor’s Sword. Thanks to the parish for allowing me to reunite them.

You know the end is nigh as Mayor at 3.30am on Election Night with all the results in and all that is left is to open the new Council meeting. After a few more appointments in the intervening fortnight of course.

 

 

There’s a sense in the air we can all feel this close to the end of the Season. It was certainly on display at Claines Lane last week for City’s last men’s game, with awards to the stand out player of the year, and supporters. We were part of a good sized and pragmatic crowd. Great pies too Ian. This feeling was also on display at Redditch Boat House too, one of the last get-togethers of the civic chain gang supporting Touchstone Charity at a Masterchef buffet.

But there’s fresh things to brighten us too. I welcomed new City Council staff this week with a visit to the Mayor’s Parlour for coffee and a chat about our history and outlook for the city.

The falcon is soaring in the High Street, a sure sign of gulls nesting, and peregrines are hatching. A new season in Evesham Vale too, where we dined on asparagus and celebrated Henry V’s famous charge for St. George!

St George was the focus at the Scouts’ Parade and Service on Shakespeare’s birthday with the Cathedral packed with 1500 members, their leaders and families, all sustaining Baden-Powell’s dictum to do our best. Took me back some years. Especially with a Sea Scouts drum band. And we had a real dragon played by a guy called George. Even a cursory examination of that legend and the heritage of some of our most famous artists, politicians and monarchs reveals the true diversity behind the red and white crusaders’ flag.

My last fund-raising event came in the shape of a few bottles at a wine tasting evening. Wines from Greece, France and both ends of the New World. A lovely relaxed and enjoyable way to further support Severn Arts and OnSide Advocacy.

Coming up next week… an election and a coronation.

 

 

He runs, he swims, he even cycles – yes this week’s challenge was dodging cars with the Bike Bus up to Worcester North Primary School. A great initiative spreading across the city to encourage safe cycling from an early age, and raising awareness amongst rush-hour drivers.

I then put my underpants over my tights and flew up London Road to unveil the new defibrillator at the Royal Life Saving Society. A seriously important device that can save lives in an emergency. Like the one at the Guildhall it is on The Circuit public network.

We visited the premises in Ronkswood for the New Horizons project which has grown out of the experience and success of New Hope for children with disabilities. It is aimed at people who would have benefitted from New Hope but who are older and have no real place for them – a common theme for anyone having left education it seems.

Maybe culture and sport can be part of that answer. Certainly that’s the view at Christopher Whitehead where we were welcomed to the opening of the new Performing Arts Centre, and entertained by students’ performances. Or the University Wheelchair Basketball Team who have bucked the local trend in sport by winning the British University Championship.

I was pleased to be the MP’s guest for a tour round the Palace of Westminster, and even managed to feature on House of Commons TV at the back of a committee room!

Finally we were guests of the Mayor of Stourport for his charity event, raising funds for the Kemp Hospice and Leapgate Activity Centre in the Wyre Forest.

It was held at the Yacht Club in the Stourport Basin, a really interesting and historic part of the town. There were a few good initiatives there I think we could pinch for Diglis.

 

 

Well he’s over halfway, he’s weaving dangerously, dribbling, and the white line is in sight. Yes, 35 pubs down, a few more to go.

The 60 @ 60 challenge is about raising awareness of local community pubs. Their costs are soaring exponentially in the cost of living crisis and since we have less money to spend, we are spending less in places like the Local. But a good pub can be at the heart of a community. Some days it may be the only social interaction for someone living alone. It does encourage a healthy mind and body – a walk, skittles and darts, quizzes, conversation, community trips and fund raising for local charities.

And in a place like Worcester they are also key elements of our visitor economy. Publicans and their staff are our ambassadors for the city, its culture, its heritage, its buzz. The hospitality trade is crucial also for employment opportunities across the city. Many use local labour, local food for their menus, local transport.

The Ale Trail Team is growing every outing, and we pay our way. We’ve been to the oldest pubs and some of the newest, the biggest and the smallest. Practically always met with a warm welcome. Lots of support for mayoral charities  OnSide and Severn Arts (thanks for the bottle for the raffle Jim). See; justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mayorofworcesteruk.

And I’ve met Bob Backenforth.

And yes, some are really suffering. Since we planned the Trail at least one has closed, and several changed hands or publican. Opening hours are getting shorter, food not always on, and less ale kept due to the uncertainty of demand. But also many are adapting, as they need to in order to remain relevant and a venue of choice. So, cheers to the final 25 – I’m on the way!