Mayor of Worcester

One of the quieter pleasures of the festive season is the opportunity to slow down and enjoy Worcester at a gentler pace. On 29 December, with Christmas behind us and the New Year just ahead, I spent some time by the River Severn feeding the swans – a simple act, but one that felt deeply connected to the history, character and rhythm of our city.

The swans are such a familiar and much-loved sight along the river, yet they never fail to stop people in their tracks. Families out for a winter walk paused to watch them glide across the water, children counting them excitedly as they gathered near the bank. Even on a cold December day, the Severn felt alive and welcoming, offering a moment of calm after the busyness of the Christmas period.

The event was organised by the Swan Food Project (more information at www.theswanfoodproject.co.uk), a local initiative dedicated to helping feed and care for Worcester’s swans throughout the year. The project works with the help of committed volunteers, local residents and visitors, and is funded entirely through generous donations. Their work ensures that the swans are fed appropriately and responsibly, while also encouraging people to engage positively with the river and its wildlife.

As Mayor, I am often reminded how important the River Severn is to Worcester – not just as a geographical feature, but as a shared space that brings people together. Feeding the swans was a gentle reminder of our responsibility to care for the natural environment that shapes our city, and of the pride Worcester takes in its wildlife. It is reassuring to know that so many people quietly give their time and resources to protect something that means so much to our community.

The swans themselves symbolise continuity. Generations of Worcester residents have grown up watching them along the river, just as generations before us did. In a season that encourages reflection, it felt fitting to spend a little time appreciating something so enduring and reassuring – a reminder that some things remain constant even as the year turns.

As we enter the New Year, moments like this highlight the value of community, stewardship and looking after the things we sometimes take for granted. Whether through large civic occasions or small, peaceful moments by the river, Worcester continues to be a city rich in tradition, warmth and shared responsibility.

I hope many of you found time over the festive period to enjoy the Severn and its wildlife, and I wish everyone a happy, healthy and hopeful New Year.

As Christmas draws near, I am always reminded that this season is at its very best when it brings people together.

Over the last week, it has been a real privilege to join so many festive events across Worcester and beyond, each one reflecting the generosity, kindness and community spirit that define our city.

One of the most joyful moments was meeting Santa himself at the Christmas DinesFest in St John’s. This wonderful event once again demonstrated how Worcester pulls together to support our local communities.

The atmosphere was full of warmth, laughter and goodwill, and it was a pleasure to see so many volunteers working tirelessly to make the evening special for others.

That same spirit was very much in evidence at the Warndon Open Door Café Christmas lunch. Sharing food and conversation with guests and volunteers was a powerful reminder that simple acts of kindness can make a huge difference, particularly at this time of year.

Music has been at the heart of much of this festive season. I greatly enjoyed attending a beautiful Salvation Army carol service in Droitwich, where traditional carols and uplifting reflections captured the true meaning of Christmas.

Equally memorable was a Polish carol concert at St George’s Catholic Church here in Worcester, celebrating both faith and cultural heritage. I was delighted to show members of the choir (many of whom were visiting the UK for the first time) around the Guildhall and share a little of Worcester’s civic history with them.

Choral music continued to impress at the Worcestershire Male Voice Choir’s Christmas concert in the stunning setting of Pershore Abbey. The combination of powerful voices and such a historic venue made for a truly moving evening.

Closer to home, I had enormous fun helping Santa on his tour of Nunnery, made possible with the invaluable support of Worcester Lions and the Guides. Seeing children’s faces light up as Santa arrived was a reminder of the simple magic that makes Christmas so special.

I also attended the Worcester News Carol Service at Worcester Cathedral, a fittingly grand and reflective occasion that brought together voices from across our community in one of the city’s most iconic spaces.

Finally, no festive season would be complete without saying thank you. I was delighted to take mince pies to hardworking Worcester City Council staff across the city, whose dedication keeps our services running not just at Christmas, but all year round.

As Mayor of this wonderful city of ours I want to wish everyone in Worcester a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.

After the success of the annual Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre last weekend, it’s continued to be a wonderfully festive week in Worcester, and I’ve had the pleasure of joining several Christmas celebrations across the city.

I visited RGS The Grange, where I was warmly welcomed by parents, staff and pupils before enjoying the delightful Year One and Year Two nativity play. The children gave a charming performance full of enthusiasm and Christmas spirit – a real highlight of the season.

I was also honoured to open the first ever Festive Market at the Perdiswell Rose Care Home, a brilliant new event bringing residents, families, staff and neighbours together. It was lovely to see the home buzzing with music, stalls and laughter.

Christmas is not complete without panto so it was great to join audiences at the Swan Theatre for this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. The cast put on a fantastic show full of energy, humour and audience participation – the perfect way to keep the Christmas magic alive across Worcester.

I was also delighted to welcome local historian Bob Blanford to the Guildhall this week, where he generously donated his complete 10-book collection charting Worcester’s past.

Bob is no stranger to the Mayor’s Parlour – he’s spoken to around 60 mayors over more than half a century, first as a newspaperman and later as the Council’s press officer.

His return with this remarkable gift felt especially fitting. Bob’s latest work, Bob Backenforth’s Definitive Worcester As Never Seen Before Picture Book, is a stunning 288-page visual journey featuring almost 1,000 images that capture the city’s changing face.

From historic panoramas and cathedral views to the river, Edgar Tower and key moments from the Battle of Worcester to the hoar frost of 2010, it’s a treasure trove for anyone who loves our city. I’m looking forward to using some of Bob’s stories in my guided tours of the Guildhall.

Finally, during this festive season it’s important to remember that not everyone around the world enjoys the rights and freedoms we value here in Worcester.

10 December marks Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

With that in mind, I met with members of Amnesty International at Script Haven to discuss their campaign highlighting ongoing human rights violations across the globe. I was pleased to join them in sending Christmas cards to individuals who are courageously defending those rights.

I chose to write to Ellinor Guttorm Utsi, who is working to ensure Sámi voices in Norway are heard and their rights upheld.

This week, I had the great pleasure of opening one of Worcester’s most beloved traditions – our Victorian Christmas Fayre. Every year, this event feels like the true beginning of the festive season, and standing before the crowds once again reminded me just how special our city is at this time of year.

Since traders on New Street and Friar Street first launched the Fayre back in 1992, it has flourished into one of the Midlands’ best-loved Christmas celebrations. As I looked out across the bustling streets, now home to more than 200 stalls, I felt an enormous sense of pride. The Fayre showcases everything that makes Worcester shine: our history, our creativity, our hospitality, and above all, the warmth of our community. Over the weekend of the Victorian Fayre, we expect more than 150,000 visitors to share in that magic.

Our entertainment programme this year is particularly strong, with live performances on stages across the city. Choirs, brass bands, folk groups, school ensembles and acoustic performers bring a festive soundtrack to every corner. Add to that the costumed Victorian characters, musicians, lively street performers and the wonderfully atmospheric Gin Lane, and Worcester truly becomes a living Christmas card.

I was also pleased to thank our generous sponsors – The Conservatory on Friar Street, CARS Service Centre Worcester, and Fit Out Management UK. Their support helps us deliver an event of this scale, and I am grateful to them, as well as to our stallholders, volunteers, contractors and the outstanding staff at Worcester City Council who work so hard behind the scenes.

As tradition demands, once the formalities were over, as Mayor I climbed aboard the splendid Galloper carousel – the beating heart of any true Victorian Fayre. It is a joyful reminder that even in the busiest of seasons, there is magic to be found.

But perhaps the most moving part of the evening took place in Cathedral Square, where we switched on the Christmas tree lights. I was joined by two very special helpers – five-year-old Archie and his four-year-old sister Ava. Archie, who lives with mitochondrial disease and is registered blind, can still see coloured lights, making him the perfect person to help illuminate the tree. Their courage, determination and recent fundraising for The Lily Foundation embody the very spirit of Christmas.

As we counted down together and the tree burst into colour, Worcester lit up – not just with bulbs, but with hope, togetherness and joy.

It was my honour to declare the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre 2025 officially open.

Merry Christmas, Worcester – enjoy every moment.