Mayor’s Week: 1 – 8 January 2021

Mayor’s Week: 1 – 8 January 2021

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HAPPY NEW YEAR.  A phrase we have no doubt repeated several times over the last few days, but never said with more meaning than this new year with all the hopes for the future that it brings.  When we reflect on 2020, our thoughts are bound to be clouded by the very unhappy and cruel year it was for many people.  My most sincere wishes go to the people who have lost a loved one; to those in the NHS and care sector who have cared for the sick and dying with the most extraordinary devotion; to the key workers including teachers, police officers and housing and service providers; to the students and school children who have lived with uncertainty about their education but managed to stay positive about their studies;  to their parents and carers who have had to pull out all the stops to become home educators; and to all of us whose lives have been upset by coronavirus in 2020.  A huge thank you.

Since I last wrote to you, I enjoyed some Christmas cheer in the two Worcester News Carol Services held at the Cathedral on the Monday before Christmas.  I read a lesson with others telling the Christmas story and the Kings School choir sang beautifully.  This message we celebrated tells of a hope for better things to come in the future.  We certainly need that reassurance right now – and we have it in the roll out of the vaccines that are now available to protect us against this terrible disease.  I can’t wait to get my call to go for my vaccination, so I will feel safe again.

As we enter our third and hopefully our last lockdown, I am full of optimism for 2021.  I know it will take time to vaccinate all those who are at the most risk, and that our lives may not return to our old idea of normal for some time, but we have endured this before and we will do so again.  We will come through this, so with that in mind I say again HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Mayor’s Week – 12 – 18 December 2020

Mayor’s Week – 12 – 18 December 2020

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It was with a sad heart that I stood outside the Cathedral on Friday 11 December to pay my respects to a very well-loved Freeman of Worcester, Cecil Duckworth CBE.  Many people were there to mark the final journey of a man who brought so much good and joy to Worcester citizens and visitors alike.  As well as the Bishop, the Dean, the High Sherriff and the Leader, Deputy Leader and MD of Worcester City Council, there were many others who came to see this kind, benevolent and quiet man pass by.  Cecil made a difference to so many people’s lives through his generosity and the benevolence he brought to this City.

Similar roadside tributes were made at Acorns Hospice where he was a major original benefactor; at New Road where he was President of the Worcestershire Cricket Club; at Sixways where his foresight made the club the success it is today and at Worcester Bosch where he developed the first combustion boiler. Cecil’s success not only brought him happiness but it also brought happiness to the community, as he enjoyed sharing his financial success with others.  I feel proud to have known him and offer my sincere condolences to his family for their loss.

I am looking forward to attending two Worcester News Carol Services on Monday.  The pandemic has curtailed the activities of us all this Christmas and the Mayor would normally attend six or seven carol services brought to the Cathedral by various organisations.  It is very different this year.  I hope that you all spend your Christmas and New Year period safely and happily and when I next have a chance to write this column in 2021, that we are well advanced with the vaccination programme.  People keep saying to me “What a year!” and I agree, but if we come through it valuing the simple things in life more such as good health, kindness and care for others, then some good will have come out of it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Mayor’s Week: 5 – 11 December 2020

Mayor’s Week: 5 – 11 December 2020

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I am writing this in the dark by the light of a few candles.  We have had a power cut for the last hour and the power is not expected to return for a while.  When one is suddenly deprived of the basic necessities of life like light and heat, we are made acutely aware of how much we take for granted.  We have been told that it is down to a low voltage output, but whatever the cause the effect is the same.

I was very pleased last week, on Small Business Saturday, to be able to visit two small businesses in town to give a word of thanks and praise, and to enquire about business life during the pandemic.

The first stop off was ‘The Meeting Place’ in Friar Street; a lovely café which is obviously producing first class food judging by the smiles on the faces of the customers in the shop.  This is a new business venture, only started in September, and is a real family affair.  The second business was Pack-It In, located in the Shambles Market Hall.  What a wonderful emporium it is.  I didn’t know there were so many different sorts of pasta, cereals, herbs and spices!  There’s also an array of unusual and plastic free products from around the world.  I would recommend a visit to both of these unique Worcester independents.

On Wednesday I presented a cheque for £10,000 to St. Richard’s Hospice.  The money was raised through the metals recycling scheme of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management.  I went to say thank you to the officers at Astwood Cemetery for their care and sensitivity in raising the money for such a good cause.

My light has returned!!  The house is back to normal, but it has reminded me that when we think life is not treating us well, things could always be worse!

Mayor’s Week: 28 November – 4 December 2020

Mayor’s Week: 28 November – 4 December 2020

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This has been a Zoom week for me.   Who would have thought that a piece of software that very few people had heard of in January would be so relied on nowadays to maintain our connections with work, business and friends?

I started out on Monday with a Zoom meeting with the Trustees of the Museum of Royal Worcester.  I am pleased to report that the museum is in excellent hands and this legacy of Worcester’s china making past is open and welcoming visitors; so do pay the Museum a visit and view its amazing collection.

On Wednesday I zoomed with Joe Petty – Mayor of Worcester Massachusetts.  I am pleased to say that it was very positive discussion about the 300th anniversary of the founding of their city, which falls in 2022.  Worcester USA is of course one of our twin towns.  We agreed that we are both Mayors of wonderful cities; we plan to encourage as many organisations as we can to come together to celebrate this anniversary.

As Mayor I am also President of Worcester Twinning Association, so will be talking further to Mayor Petty in the New Year to progress these plans.  If you are a member of an organisation which would like to link up with a similar one in Worcester USA, please let our local Twinning Association know.  You can email them at info@worcestertwinning.org.uk

My other 3 Zooms this week have been with family and friends.  It is an excellent way to keep in touch.

Finally, I cannot finish without saying what a momentous step has been taken with the government’s approval of a coronavirus vaccine which can be rolled out to the most vulnerable from next week.  A huge thanks to the scientists who have developed the vaccine and to the NHS staff who will now deliver it.  We have lived under the threat of coronavirus for nearly a year, but now an end is in sight.  Remember to stay safe, keep to the rules and all will be well.