Mayor of Worcester Blog

Last Saturday evening the mayoress and I were guests of WODS (Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society) to see their performance of the musical Half a Sixpence at the Swan Theatre. The story is based on the H.G. Wells novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul and this new version of the musical features new music and lyrics by George Styles and Anthony Drewe. The president of WODS, Mike Astles, made us welcome and afterwards I spoke to some of the cast including Toby Edwards who played Kipps, the principal character. This production was originally meant to take place in 2020 but was put back due to Covid.

On Sunday afternoon the mayoress and I were delighted to be guests at the afternoon tea as part of the Worcester and Hereford Grenadier Guards Association Centenary Celebration. I met old soldiers and there were guardsmen in full uniform. The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Lt Col Patrick Holcroft, a former Grenadier was in attendance. The loyal toast was proposed by Hamish Grey-Cheape, president of the local association, and the response by Col. Richard Aubrey-Fletcher, the national president of the Grenadier Guards Regimental Association.

On Wednesday evening we were at the Huntingdon Hall to attend the Worcester Repertory Company Show: My Dearest Mr Coward, based on the words and wit of Noël Coward. The Worcester Repertory Company were joined by stars of the West End fresh from national and international tours including Hairspray and The Rocky Horror Show to name just a few!

Thursday was election day, and I would like to thank the residents of Warndon Parish North for re-electing me. Congratulations to all those who were either elected or re-elected to the City Council, and commiserations to those who missed out. I look forward to meeting my new council colleagues when I hand over the chain at the Annual Council.

 

 

 

 

 

Last Sunday the mayoress and I attended the Worcester District Scouts Saint George’s Day Service which was held in the cathedral. We were met by the District Commissioner, Andy Hopkins, outside the north door which was lined with flag bearers from the scout groups from around Worcester. The service was led by Canon John Paul Hoskins and included contributions from members of the various age groups in the Scout movement.

The service included readings and drama presentations that included a push along dragon in a re-enactment of Saint George and the Dragon by the Beavers. The service was also a first for the Squirrels, a new section that caters for four and five-year-olds, who wear red tops to resemble the red squirrel. As part of the service the various sections of the Scout movement each read out their relevant Renewal of Promises.

After the service the Scouts paraded along the High Street, and I held a reception in the Mayor’s Parlour for the district leadership and representatives from Scout groups.

On Tuesday the mayoress and I visited St. Richard’s Hospice to see their new development, The Green. This has been funded by the two art trails around the city that have proved so popular in recent years, featuring brightly decorated sculptures of elephants and giraffes. Thanks to June Patel, the Chief Executive and Jenny Cowpe for showing us and the other local mayors around.

On Wednesday evening I travelled on a supporters’ coach to Kingsholm to watch the Worcester Warriors win their Premiership Cup semi-final against our local rivals Gloucester. The last time Worcester reached a cup final as a Premiership Club was back in 2008, when my wife was mayor. I wonder if me being mayor was an omen? I won’t be able to make the final on 17th May as it is the same evening, I hand the mayoral chain over to my successor.

Last night I held my charity Mayoral Banquet in the Guildhall, raising funds for Aspie and the Stroke Association.

 

 

 

This week I have had two events linked with Rotary. One of the positions given on becoming mayor is being an honorary member of the Worcester Rotary Club, the original Rotary Club in Worcester. I have been involved in Rotary before I became mayor, with the mayoress and I members of the city’s breakfast club, Worcester Vigornia. When my term as mayor ends in the middle of May, I will become president of my Rotary Club.

On Thursday the mayoress and I were at Worcester Golf and Country Club for the Rotary Club of Worcester Severn’s Geoff Palmer Awards, named after a former member of the club. The recipients of the awards were Richard Bailey, a volunteer in water rescue organisations supporting the fire, police and ambulance services, and Heather Stone. Heather has been a First Responder for around 20 years, and her efforts have included training around 120 people in defibrillator use and CPR around Worcester. I presented her with her award.

I also gave a speech about my soon to be completed term of office as mayor. Thank you to club President Sally Young for inviting us.

This evening the mayoress and I will be attending the Worcester Rotary Club Presidents’ Night celebrating the three past presidents whose term were during the Covid pandemic.

Last Saturday I welcomed members of the Oxford University Society to the Parlour followed by a tour of the Guildhall.

And finally, there is still time to buy tickets for my charity banquet which will be held on 29th April in the Guildhall. As well as a delicious three course meal, I am thrilled that Angie Brown, singer and songwriter who has performed with several leading artists, will be performing after the meal.

 

 

Last Saturday the Mayoress and I were in Malvern to join in the Civic Service in a celebration of friendship. This was a joint event for Cllr Nick Houghton, the Mayor of Malvern, and Cllr Cynthia Palmer, the Chairman of Malvern Hills District Council. The service, which included a mixture of hymns, popular songs and entertainment, was held at The Church of St Matthias in Malvern Link. The music was provided by Malvern Hills Brass Band with a performance from SassCappella, a three-piece A’ Cappella group from Malvern.

There were several mayors and civic chairs from across the county, and we have all been to various events over the past year. As our year in office is coming to a close, a group photograph was taken of us with our mayors and consorts.

On Wednesday evening, the mayoress and I were at the Shirehall to attend the Declaration of Office for the next High Sheriff of Worcestershire. The significant events in our civic calendar are usually attended by office bearers from the Worcestershire Lieutenancy (The Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, and his Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants) and the High Sherriff. The latter position, like most mayors, is appointed annually.

Richard Amphett has accompanied me at several events over the past year, and he has handed over the Office as High Sheriff of Worcestershire to his successor Andrew Richard Manning-Cox. The ceremony was held in the number one courtroom and included trumpet fanfare at the beginning and end of the formal ceremony performed by a police officer from the West Mercia Constabulary. The Right Honourable Sir Andrew McFarlane, a senior judge, was present acting as the witness on behalf of her Majesty the Queen.