Mayor of Worcester Blog

The week started a little differently with the opening of the new Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant and Drive Through at Nunnery Way in Worcester – yet another new business offering employment to local people.  In the afternoon I visited a number of retail businesses in The Tything to see how they operate.  The consensus was that they get lots of business by providing great customer care – and that word of mouth rather than advertising attracts custom.

 

Wednesday evening was spent at the Cathedral, where I saw numerous students from Tudor Grange Academy receive awards for their achievements over the year.  It was obvious that they had really committed to their studies to obtain the recognition that they deserved.  The speaker for the evening, Police Superintendent Kevin Purcell, recognised how changing times would be the challenge for this next generation.

 

Alison and I returned to the Cathedral on Saturday for a performance of War Poetry set to music (For an Unknown Solder by Jonathan Dove).  This was a very moving listening experience with the opportunity, to once again consider the plight of young service personnel enduring the tragedies that war brought to their lives.  This was followed by a Requiem composed by a Maurice Durufle.

 

On Sunday we attended a further service of Remembrance, this time at the Astwood Cemetery where I and members of the Royal British Legion placed crosses on the graves of soldiers who lost their lives in the Second World War, including Prisoners of War.

Wednesday this week saw us yet again at the Cathedral to attend a performance by the Innsworth Military Wives Choir.  They may be an amateur group but their singing was superb.  There are 75 such groups worldwide, all committed to supporting each other as family members of service personnel.  The event also included the singing of a fantastic soprano, Rhiannon Llewellyn.  She selected some beautiful pieces to perform and was extremely well received by the audience.

And on Thursday afternoon, the High Street came to a standstill when hundreds of you came out to watch the turning on of the Christmas Lights.   Alison, myself and Pudsey Bear (the Mayor and the Bear!) the Carnival Queen and Princess, together with the Worcester Male Voice Choir, all managed to get on the stage to set the Christmas scene and help brighten up the precinct.

Then it was a quick dash up to Sixways where the Sports Awards for Herefordshire and Worcestershire were held.  Not only were sporting achievements, recognised but also the volunteers who make these events possible.  The Sports Personality of the Year award was won by Hereford FC – well done to them!

It’s six months now since I took over the role of Mayor of Worcester, and what a fantastic experience it has been so far!  Discovering just how many people give up their time to ensure charitable organisations run effectively and smoothly was a real eye-opener.  And listening to their accounts of what they get out of it, be it life skills, work experience or just enjoying the company of others, is really uplifting.

This was exemplified by a small group of independent fundraisers who were at the Guildhall last Friday holding a coffee morning and receiving donations on behalf of the charity Headway (coincidentally one of my chosen charities).  It was a cold morning but those standing outside were not put off by the weather and were there all morning raising funds.

 

That afternoon Alison and I went to the Cathedral to take part in the Lights of Love Service held on behalf of St Richard’s Hospice.  This was a lovely service with singing from the Kings Hawford School Senior Choir, where candles were lit by those in attendance to remember departed loved ones.

 

In the evening we went to a concert at St Paul’s Church organised on behalf of Deaf Direct.  This was great entertainment where singers, signers and a Ukulele Band took part.  There was a fair bit of audience participation as well, particularly when it came to practicing our signing skills.

On Saturday 11 November we opened the new Poundstore in St. Martin’s Quarter, before visiting the Cathedral.  We joined the Royal British Legion in a two minute silence at 11.00am and laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.  That afternoon we went to Chelmsford Court warden controlled apartments.  It was their Fete and there were plenty of refreshments and stalls to entertain both residents and visitors.

Despite the weather there was a huge crowd in the City Centre to watch the Remembrance Service and March Past on Sunday.  It’s apparent that there are so many Worcester people who still wish to pay their respects to those who lost their lives not only during the First World War, but in conflicts since.  The City fell silent at 11.00am after which, once again, wreaths were laid.  Numerous military and civilian groups took part in the march past of the Guildhall, where the Lord Lieutenant Patrick Holcroft took the salute.

 

 

Just over a week ago Alison and I visited the King George V Playing Field at Brickfield to open a fireworks display, organised and sponsored by local businesses.  There was a fantastic turnout for this free event and everyone enjoyed the entertainment on the stage, as well as the fireworks themselves.

The following evening I attended a local event to support the West Mercia Women’s Aid movement.  As well as great entertainment there was a photo booth for fun ‘selfies’ and a raffle, all to raise funds for this group whose volunteers and workers help run refuges and provide support to victims of domestic abuse.

On Saturday we visited the medieval Grade II Listed St Helen’s Church in Fish Street, where a Drumhead Service was held to commemorate those who lost their lives in the WW1 Battle of Passchendaele.  When in the field, soldiers would pile their drums neatly to make an altar and drape them with their standards (flags).   In modern times the Royal British Legion honours those military personnel who died in wars by carrying on the tradition of the Drum Head Service of Remembrance.

On Tuesday it was a pleasure to be invited to visit some members of the Year 6 class of Cranham Primary School.  A number of the class had taken part in an environmental study and had identified issues dealt with by the Council.  They were concerned about pet owners not picking up their dogs’ mess as well as people writing graffiti and littering the area.  This prompted a really good discussion on how such things might be resolved and showed that although young, the children were thinking seriously about modern day problems.

And at the end of the week, it was a trip to the hospital where HRH The Countess of Wessex was opening the Breast Cancer Haven.  With consultants and nurses present this unit provides a holistic approach by screening, testing and patients all under one roof.  All this was made possible through the vision of Consultant Surgeon Steven Thrush, the dedication of fund raisers and the generosity of Worcestershire people – an amazing gift to the City.

Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday Alison and I were invited to events which commemorated those who lost their lives in the First World War – and other conflicts since.  At Crowngate a large sculpture of a Poppy, which contains numerous crevices for poppies to be placed in, has been erected.  It is hoped that people will buy poppies and decorate the sculpture, with the end result appearing as one large flower.

On Saturday I launched the annual Poppy Appeal on behalf of the Royal British Legion, which along with other organisations supports ex-servicemen and their families when they need some assistance.  I did ask for generous donations to reflect the sacrifices that military personnel had made during service to their country.

And then on Sunday we were at Gheluvelt Park to mark the 103rd Battle of Gheluvelt where the Worcestershire Regiment, under the command of Major Hankey, captured the village of Gheluvelt against terrific odds. The consequent closing of the gap in the British Lines meant that nearby Ypres was held and the Channel Ports were saved at that time.

Last Wednesday brought a completely different Mayoral duty; opening the new Wilko’s store in Cathedral Square.  Commitment from major retailers like this will assist with the economic growth of the city, as well as assisting with employment in the locality.

This was followed by opening not only the Christmas Card Shop in the Guildhall where customers can support their own preferred charities by selecting particular cards, but also, the Worcester Porcelain Museum Shop.  The museum itself is closing for some months while it is being refurbished.  In an agreement with the City Council, it was decided that the shop will temporarily be housed on the ground floor of the Guildhall.  I wish it every success.

That evening we used the Mayor’s Parlour to host a reception on behalf of Steve Cram and Alison Curbishley who organise the annual Worcester City Run series of events.  The occasion was to say thank you to the volunteers who acted as stewards, without whose help the event would not have taken place.

Finally, on Thursday after meeting HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Chancellor of the University of Worcester, we processed with Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor and other members of the University to the Cathedral, where numerous students received their graduation awards.  This was a delightful ceremony enjoyed by the teaching staff, students and their relatives.