Reflection, action and design

The fifth anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic was marked on Sunday with a day of reflection.

Events were held across the country and on Saturday, at midday, I was able to hold a minutes silence and make a speech from the steps of the Guildhall in Worcester.

People came and reflected and got in touch, before and after the event, to thank me for this.

In the afternoon I spent some time at the Guildhall to celebrate International Women’s Day.  This day has been around for over 100 years, since 1911.

For me this day is very much two-fold.

It is a time to think about the social injustices women have and continue to experience.

Going backwards troubles me most, for example the women and girls in Afghanistan. They had freedoms and now all their human rights have gone.

Also, it was very much a time to think about positive actions, what we can do, for equality for girls and women across the globe.

As Gloria Steinem, the world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once said ”equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights”.

On a much more local note, I went to Mount Battenhall Retirement Village, known to many of us as the former Convent School, St Mary’s.

I explored the 19th century Grade II listed main building, designed by city clothier William Spriggs. It has been beautifully restored, the architecture and design are truly stunning.

I spent time with residents, and it was fascinating to hear their stories and where they are from.

Living in this retirement village affords the opportunity to easily be part of a community whilst also easy to take time away and be by oneself.

Absolutely, a great way of life.

Worcester Massachusetts

As a city we are twinned with five communities, including Worcester, Massachusetts.

Over the pond there is a group of gentleman, who have been meeting once a year every year for 25 years, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

This year they plumped for us, the original Worcester and what a genuine pleasure it was to meet them!

They arrived at the Guildhall in grey matching hoodies all bearing the Worcester coat of arms.

They had gone to the time and trouble to explore our history and thoroughly enjoyed a tour of the Guildhall.

Thank you to our Worcester Sword Bearer for being such an excellent tour guide.

Also this week the Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, Councillor Tracey Onslow and the Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor John Byng, hosted a Charity Ball at The Garden Room Stone Manor, in aid of British Heart Foundation.

I sadly lost my grandad to a heart condition which is why, and I am sure will be for many, this is such an important charity and has my full support.

Knowing that the British Heart Foundation is the biggest independent funder of heart and circulatory research and is helping find cures and treatments brings me some comfort.

With my Youth Matters theme, I also very much support the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young which is an advocate for saving young lives.

Meanwhile, The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Mrs Beatrice Grant; the High Sherriff of Worcestershire, Charles Moyle JP and myself hosted a first county networking event for Mayors, Deputies, Chairs, Vices and key to the event, our Administrators and Clerks, who are a constant and will have seen many of us through our terms of office.

Looking ahead I have secured a regency outfit for my Pride and Prejudice Banquet and understand some other guests have too, all quite exciting!

This week has been the most poignant week of the year with the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

I was invited to mark the occasion by the Chairman of the Ukrainian Community in Worcestershire.

The event was at Eden Church in Malvern and the Mayor of Malvern kindly gave permission for me to wear the chain of office, as is customary, outside of Worcester.

At the beginning of the event, we all stood, and the national anthem of Ukraine was sung with the flag paraded.

Thank you was paid to those who have bravely defended Ukraine, with tributes to those fallen and injured. There was also a heart-wrenching video which gave an upfront view of the brutality of the war.

Speeches, which were all very emotional, were made and thank you certificates given out to some lovely people who support the Ukrainian community in many ways. These have included things like accommodation, education and car maintenance, amongst others.

Councillor Lynn Denham, Cllr Brandon Clayton and myself were there on behalf of the councils and we were kindly thanked for our support.

Some brilliantly talented pupils from Ukraine beautifully performed words, music and dance, which all had a meaning.

The event closed with traditional Ukrainian food and gifts, which enabled donations and time to talk.

Ukrainians you are forever an inspiration to me.

Looking ahead to September, I was able to launch Worcester City Runs with Steve Cram, the team, event sponsors and some of those planning to run the event

The event has been going since 2014 and last year over 5,000 competitors took part!

The first-time runners in attendance have been given coaching support, including from Steve Cram, so are in excellent hands.

It is super that they will be kindly sharing their stories with us in the build up to the event, which I am quite sure will be an inspiration for all those future runners out there.

February Fantasia Show!

This week I combined a full week of meetings with a stand-out event, the February Fantasia Show!

The History & Heritage POD at Crowngate Shopping Centre was transformed into a catwalk.

It consisted of a backstage area and judges stand with a seating and standing area, which was more than filled with a lovely audience.

Thank you to both the Crowngate Shopping Centre and the new Coffee Hub open in the POD for allowing the event to be hosted and a quick plug for the Americano which I very much enjoyed.

The event was the brainchild of Remade Worcester, whose fabulous volunteers were involved before, during and after the event.

Remade is an environmental charity shop, a treasure trove of fabric, haberdashery, embroidery, leather, yarn and papercraft, all materials which would otherwise have ended up in landfill.

Not content with just sales it also hosts quite a few community events, regular and one-offs.

Going back to the fashion show, all the outfits worn were made from materials from the shop.

Experienced seamsters made their own and those new to haberdashery and sewing machines were given a helping hand.

Three age categories were used to judge the outfits, up to age 11; 12 to 17; and 18 and over. I was one of the three judges.

I was worried my long time ago GCSE Grade B in Art and Textiles might not be the freshest qualification for judging!

Luckily, I had an artist on one side of me and a clothier on the other, perfect.

All entrants had clearly put a serious amount of effort into their outfits.

All were scored, the numbers totalled up and prizes for first, second and third handed out.

The quality was excellent and all entrants received a certificate. The next stop for them, I’m sure, will be The Great British Sewing Bee.