Mayor of Worcester Blog

The week commenced with entertaining children from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, who visited the Guildhall to discover its history.  They were very interested, enjoyed seeing the City’s Sword and Maces but were really taken with our 270 year-old cells!

On Saturday I toured parts of St Johns and the Hopmarket to visit a number of small businesses there.  Again, like those in the Tything where I was recently, proprietors really do know the worth of great customer care to attract more visitors to their premises.

At lunchtime Alison and I were at CrownGate shopping centre, where Christmas carols were being signed by those with partial or no hearing.  The show, sponsored by Deaf Direct, attracted quite a large crowd who really appreciated the performance.

Sunday morning was spent touring the Victorian Fayre to select the best dressed stalls.  Traders went to a lot of effort this year to make their stalls look good and so many got into the spirit of the occasion by dressing up in Victorian clothes.  We took the decision that the Cone & Fruit Stall would be first, with their fantastic display.

That afternoon was quite different with a visit to St Martin’s Church to witness the Instalment and Induction of Rev. Robert Farmer.  Once again, the service at this church was lovely with Robert receiving a very warm welcome from the Bishop, Archdeacon and parishioners alike.

Tuesday morning was spent visiting the premises of the Royal Life Saving Society in London Road – their national headquarters.  At the moment they are promoting a “Don’t Drink and Drown” campaign.  It was an interesting tour – the Society is particularly concerned with looking at ways to prevent people drowning, as well as training and certificating life savers.

 

Wednesday saw us at the RGS The Grange, where children from Years 1 and 2 presented their nativity play.  The organisers put some real thought into this, managing to present an excellent production on a Strictly Come Dancing theme.  The children were brilliant, enjoyed the acting and sang really well.

That evening we saw another play; this time it was Geoff Wayne’s War of the Worlds put on by the Worcester Sixth Form College.  On this occasion the audience were directed to different parts of the building and outside areas to view the various scenes of the play, which were interspersed with a light show and rather loud bangs which were brought about by the director’s love of ‘blowing things up’.  A musical treat!

 

Well this was a quieter week with only five engagements, but all very different.  It started with Alison and myself going to the Commandery where clients of New Opportunities Worcester were displaying their skills in photography.  This was an excellent exhibition of pictures from different angles of items found around Worcester.

On Saturday it was a pleasure to entertain a number of members of the Worcester Operatic and Drama Youth section (WODY’S) to the Parlour.  This is a group that utilise their Saturday mornings to practice drama and music skills prior to rehearsing for their next big production.  In 2018 they will be performing Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Swan Theatre, which I’m sure will be yet another sell out.

The following day I joined MP Robin Walker and a number of other councillors to officially open a new Youth Hub and Community Centre in Unity House, Stanley Road, Worcester.  The site will feature a games room, garden art and craft area as well as a space for the over 50’s to socialise in.  A lot of hard work has gone into this project which could benefit both adults and children alike.  I’m sure it will really take off and I wish them well.

On Wednesday we visited Frances Court in Barbourne, where I talked to residents regarding the role of the mayor.  It was an interesting morning as although many were concerned about issues such as footpaths, I think most if not all agreed that Worcester was a great place to live.  There was a general agreement about the quality of our parks, independent shops and tourist attractions.  I described the ceremonial duties of the mayor along with the history of the office.

And then came Thursday, with the first Carol Service of the season which took place in the Cathedral.  Afterwards I processed with the Mace and Sword Bearers to the Cornmarket, where I opened the 25th Victorian Fayre.   This really was an exceptional event attended by visitors far and wide, including representatives from our twinned towns of Kleve in Germany, Le Vesinet in France and Ukmerge in Lithuania.  Over 200 stallholders were in the city centre to make this a special event and with the funfair as well, the children were having a great time.  All in all I think the Fayre will have a great few days.

 

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.