Mayor of Worcester Blog

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.

 

 

We had an absolutely lovely start to our week with a visit to Cherry Orchard School, having been invited to their Harvest Celebration.  The pupils from each school year gave performances of singing and dancing and as this included a ‘Samba,’ there were comments from staff about the possibility of some being future ‘Strictly’ contestants!  There was obviously a great deal of time and commitment put in by teachers and assistants to get them to the standards they achieved.

That same day Alison and I entertained volunteers from the Tudor House Museum in Worcester to congratulate them on receiving their recent award.  Having been first nominated and then shortlisted as a Family Friendly Museum, they won an Achieving Excellence award.  Obviously proud of their accomplishments, their work goes a long way to promoting Worcester as a tourism ‘hotspot’ – long may it last.

On Saturday evening we were at the Guildhall hosting the first of the Mayor’s charity events.  The exceptional Worcester Male Voice Choir performed a number of pieces for our audience, with ticket sales benefitting the Headway, Victim Support and Onside Advocacy Charities.  In addition to the choir we heard four young soloists who were also able to display their considerable musical talents. All in all, a very successful and enjoyable evening.

The following afternoon at the Cathedral we were invited to a Civic Service on behalf of the High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Mr Stephen Betts.  The origins of the Office date back to Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire.  The office is still in existence to support both the Crown and the Judiciary.  Interestingly the Dean, the Rev. Peter Atkinson, managed to deliver a sermon with lots of references to Shakespeare’s ‘Othello,’ which just happened to be performed in the Cathedral that week!

On Tuesday we visited New College Worcester to be involved in the opening of their new multi-gym which will benefit the resident visually impaired students.  This is a great new building which will make a far safer environment for those who will use it to keep fit.

Finally on Wednesday we managed to see the aforementioned ‘Othello’ – another excellent production by Ben Humphries, with brilliant acting from all involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yet another diverse week, giving me the opportunity of meeting individuals and groups from both locally and afar.

While one evening saw me entertaining a group of ‘Rainbows’ (young Brownies) at the Parlour and giving them some of the more entertaining history of Worcester (complete with a trip to the cells), another afternoon was spent with visitors from Halmstad University, Sweden.  The Vice Chancellor there, Stephen Hwang, was visiting Worcester University with a group of colleagues on a fact finding trip.  They took time to visit the Guildhall to discover a little more about Worcester, and commented that it was not dissimilar to their own city.

And that was not the only group of visitors from abroad this week.  I was able to welcome members of a friendship and business delegation from Hezhou, in the Guangxi Zhuang region of China.  This is not the first time their city representatives have visited Worcester in a bid to both preserve and foster cultural and economic relationships.

On Saturday Alison and I were at the Perdiswell Swimming Pool where the first Open meeting, since the pool became operational, took place.  There were some very exciting events from swimmers across the country with a ‘Skin’s’ Competition, which basically means some very fast swimming by male and female contestants.

In contrast we visited Claines Church at the weekend to hear a number of pieces of Chamber music performed by Astaria.  This quartet is very supportive of young people throughout the county becoming more involved with music and actually taking up instruments.  I hope their Festival weekend was a success.

This week we were also at the Hive Library which had been selected to host the School Librarian of the year award.  This attracted visitors from London, Scotland and Dublin.  All those who I spoke to were very impressed with this facility marvelling at the space available, the assistance provided and selection of books available.

And finally we visited the premises of Worcestershire Parents and Carers Community in Worcester.  While having three part time paid staff the centre which provides support and respite assistance to parents is effectively run by a group of volunteers, all dedicated to providing the best possible service.