Mayor of Worcester Blog

It is the middle of October and I have been at a lot of planning meetings.

Not planning as in planning committee, but planning as in preparation.

November is nearly here and so will Remembrance.

Being involved in the preparation I can see how much thought and work goes into Remembrance.

The Royal British Legion poppy launch will held be at the Guildhall next Saturday (26 October) at 10.30am.  Please do come along and say hello if you are free.

My week began with the matinee performance of Sister Act at the Swan Theatre.

Every show is a sell-out as the WODS (Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society) produced a fabulous show with a special feel.

The singing is top calibre, the set and props spot on and the costumes are both in keeping and sparkly.

The original film launched in 1992, with a sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993 and Sister Act 3: Kicking the Habit has been in the offing for a while.

My week ended with an evening performance of Animal Farm.

The Worcester Repertory Company brought cruelty, tension, and the full weight of sadness for humanity, to George Orwell’s classic novel.

Published in 1945 it is an allegory of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The characters and the fall of the farm certainly brought to life the brutal regime of Stalin.

For me this was also a reminder of the importance of the lessons of history.

In the middle of the week, I hosted the Civic Society Annual Lecture where we were privileged to have James Stourton as the speaker.

A renowned arts historian and prolific author, James did not disappoint. Saving our heritage, crisis, hope and regeneration, it was a fascinating lecture on a national and a Worcester perspective.

Worcester’s history and heritage is as important now as it ever was.

Culture, education, food and friends

Early October brought brightness, education and the importance of friendship.

Black History Month kicked off in Worcester with the second Our Cultural Heritage event at the Guildhall. Art, dancing, music and poetry interspersed with talks and workshops and, at lunchtime, some fantastic free food. It was a lovely, positive community event.

Sunday saw a return to food with the Museum of Royal Worcester hosting The Language of Porcelain and Food in the afternoon and the Cathedral Farmers’ Harvest Thanksgiving service in the evening.

A beautiful Georgian dining table and desert exhibition were on display at the museum and I was able to sample a delightful plum pudding with jam alongside coffee in Worcester Porcelain cups. There were poetry readings and I made an Evesham purchase from the gift shop.

The Harvest Thanksgiving service was a perfect fit and it was great to see so many young farmers who kindly brought some fantastic local produce for donations. The land and being able to grow our own is so important.

Outdoors in the week I caught up with a student and volunteer busy litter picking at Fort Royal Park plus a band of pre-schoolers out on a day trip, all enjoying nature.

Indoors I spent time with the Make Time Friendship Group at the Blue Roof and with ASPIE trustees and members at Vesta Tilley House.  Both brought home the importance of being comfortable in the presence of others and of friendship.

Please support ASPIE’s home and our heritage by signing the petition to get it locally listed.

Whilst neither Halloween or Bonfire Night are here yet, Thursday saw the annual Christmas charity gift card sale launch at the Guildhall. If it’s good enough for retail, it’s good enough for the Guildhall!

An incredible week saw the end of September and the beginning of October.

On Friday I hosted my inaugural Mayor’s Banquet on Friday, with a full guest list of 160 people.

With dignitaries, charity workers, volunteers, family and friends all invited, it was always going to be an incredibly special evening.

Lollipop Youth Theatre and Worcester Musical Theatre provided the entertainment and very generous donations were given to the Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Centre.  A huge thank you to all involved.

On Saturday afternoon I enjoyed spending the afternoon at Honeywell Primary School who were hosting “Dinesfest”.

The sun shone and lots of outdoor activities were on offer including football, pony rides and councillors in the stocks.  I managed to dodge that one as Mayor!

There was plenty of activities indoors too, including a talent show.  Being a judge for the first time, I can confirm that being a judge it is incredibly difficult to choose the winners.

Saturday evening was a feast for the senses with the Mela event, The Melting Pot, at the Granary.

Acting, sounds, music and dancing brought Worcester’s rich industrial history to life. The event had a special focus on South Asian and migrant settlers, some of whom would have worked at Metalbox and Royal Worcester Porcelain, it was real local history.

Sunday was very memorable with the Bishop of Worcester’s farewell service at the Cathedral.  A full cathedral with guests and Bishops from all over the world, it was a very special service.

Once a Bishop retires, they must leave the diocese and I wish John and his wife H-J all the very best for their future in Wiltshire.

On Wednesday and Thursday, I was able to reward all the children who had completed the Summer Reading Challenge at the Hive.  Well done to all the bookworms and keep reading.  Books are special.

Education, graduation, awards, the economy, the arts, charity, faith and peace.

With the summer holidays well and truly over, mid-September has been a whirlwind of fantastic events and visits.

I visited Newbridge School and had the opportunity to say hello to quite a few students, teaching staff plus a cute dachshund dog called “Bean”, every school should have one!

I enjoyed the return of the University of Worcester Graduation Dinner and the final day of the Graduation Ceremony, which included a visit from HRH The Duke of Gloucester at the Bishop’s Palace.

I also enjoyed the Heart of Worcestershire Graduation Ceremony and time afterwards in the St Andrew’s Building, with super views of our riverside. It was great to be in the traditional processions, following the sword, the lead and mace bearers.

Both Bishop Perowne and Nunnery Wood students visited the Guildhall.  Bishop’s brought German exchange students and Nunnery came as a whole year group. The council staff came into their own with tours and quizzes and I helped out in the Mayor’s Parlour.

Art events included the Young Writers Final, the Worcester Male Voice Choir Concert and a screening of “Outrun” on the opening night of Worcester Film Festival.  All were outstanding.

A Business Improvement District (BID) exhibition was an opportunity to see its proposals to improve and promote our city centre as a place to live, work, visit and invest.  Meanwhile, environmental charity shop Worcester Remade celebrated its first anniversary in the Crowngate Shopping Centre, I cut the cake.

I also attended the annual Health and Social Care Awards evening plus the County Council Chairman’s Charity quiz.

Last Saturday (21 September) was the International Day of Peace, dignitaries spoke, communities came together and a peace flag was raised.  People from all faiths and none also came together at a Faith Conference.