Mayor of Worcester Blog

After a hectic December and a few days’ rest and relaxation, the new year so far has been relatively calm.

This provides time to plan future activities which will raise money for my chosen charities. These charities are very worthwhile, and support the people of Worcester.

The Midlands Air Ambulance provides rapid medical care and transport to hospital, sometimes in places which a conventional ambulance cannot reach. Not everyone seems to realise that this service is not funded by our NHS and simply could not exist without millions of pounds raised by charity.

The Youth Hostel Association provides low-cost accommodation in some of the most beautiful places in England and Wales. I spent much of my youth walking from one YHA building to another in our national parks and cities. I stayed in castles, former monasteries, a shepherd’s hut on a mountain pass and other interesting places. Later, I became a voluntary leader for their activity holidays.

Many young people in Worcester would benefit from participating in YHA Breaks for Kids, which is subsidised by the YHA charity fund of the same name. I want to make a donation so that more of our local children can go.

Action for Children is a UK charity which, among many activities which support children and families, runs some of our city children’s centres. I intend to give them funding so they can pay the travel costs for kids from needy families to get to the YHA Breaks for Kids.

We are planning a charity auction on 24th February, a dinner and casino night on 1st April, both at the Guildhall, and other charity events which I hope many local people will support to help these charities support people in need in Worcester.

 

This week’s column is written by Cllr Steve Mackay, Deputy Mayor of Worcester

As Deputy, the engagements I have are considerably less than those of the Mayor. However reflecting on this past year, I was privileged to attend numerous engaging events, where I represented the City.   One of my most recent invitations was to attend a lunchtime café session where I saw how those suffering from dementia and their carers may be assisted.  By using suitcases containing museum items from the 1940s,50s and 60s, memories were jogged and this brought about discussions that otherwise would never have taken place.

Aided by a professional story-teller who told a vivid tale of a journey, he incorporated actions and sounds with his audience, using musical instruments. While eventually there may be a cure for this condition, such inputs go some way to assisting those experiencing its effects.

One of my highlights from 2016 was starting the flotilla on the River Severn and taking Tea at the Guildhall with local residents who shared their 90th birthday last year with Her Majesty the Queen. It was a fantastic day, enriched by those who gave up their time to make it a superb occasion.

And the year continued with me attending Annual General Meetings of the Worcester Headway and Roots associations; civic services; prize giving days at Kings College and Tudor Academy and plays put on by young people in Worcester – all leading up to carol services at Christmas.

Deputising has allowed me to see how Worcester City and the whole county benefits from volunteers who assist those in circumstances less fortunate than others. I have been amazed at their commitment, but am reminded that the rewards are a two-way feature.  If anyone considers that they have the time available and would wish to volunteer for any organisation, I can only suggest that both are likely to benefit.

I look forward to seeing what 2017 has to bring – but already our City’s new swimming pool has been opened and appears to be receiving fantastic accolades. Let’s hope Worcester continues in the same vein throughout the year.

Happy New Year to you all.

 

Some events only happen at Christmas time and we’ve been involved with many this week.

The music events included my mayoral charity concert of seasonal music by The Elgar Chorale conducted by Malcolm Macleod, with readings by Sir Roy Strong, Gabrielle Bullock and Tim Watson. Over 100 people enjoyed a great evening of entertainment and helped raise money for my charities.

Next day, Worcester Festival Chorus performed Handel’s Messiah in the Cathedral, which is such a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas.

The Royal Grammar School and Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College both invited us to their carol services and their very talented choristers, musicians and readers produced outstanding performances.

Other Christmas events were about caring for disadvantaged Worcester people. We helped Rotary pack and deliver food parcels to around 500 mainly elderly residents.

St Paul’s Church laid on a free Christmas meal for disadvantaged residents living nearby. This took place in a magical location –  the church had been transformed into Narnia by a large-scale decorating effort and skilful lighting.

The first ever Mayor’s Christmas Banquet for the Homeless and Disadvantaged took place on Tuesday, and I was delighted to welcome about 80 guests into the Assembly Room at the Guildhall.  Kristen Barone, the YMCA’s chef, produced a magnificent turkey lunch with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Waitrose generously donated all the vegetables and puddings. A music quartet, organised by Food Bank manager Grahame Lucas, provided the entertainment. It was great to see so many smiling, happy faces from people facing real challenges in their lives.

On Thursday, we visited Royal Mail’s delivery office in Wainwright Road where our very hard-working posties ensure we get our cards and parcels before Christmas Day.

In the evening, the mayor had a night off and Santa Claus toured Tolladine on the Lions Club’s sleigh – there is no obvious connection between these two facts!

Christmas must be soon, because this week we have watched three nativity plays! The first was at Kings St Albans School in Diglis, where we were enchanted by over 30 small children performing in Prickly Hay.

Later we experienced the 16^th Worcester Scouts’ version of the Christmas story in the Cathedral.  They had produced a sequence of scenes from the nativity using Lego, and photos of them were displayed on a large screen. Never before have I seen a giraffe in the Bethlehem stable but this, and many other twists on the familiar tale, raised many a smile from the audience! This was part of the annual District Scouts Carol Service, which I highly recommend.

Our third was at RGS The Grange, where over 50 year one and two children performed.

Last Friday afternoon I switched on a large number of Christmas trees in the Cathedral cloisters, which look magical and deserve to be seen by everyone. The trees were decorated by many different local charities, schools and groups to raise money. This is an annual Christmas Tree Festival organised by Daisychain Benevolent Fund, which provides for children in hospital.

We were privileged to attend the launch of a superb book of poems called Can We Inspire You written by the Creative Group at St Paul’s Hostel. These very talented people prove beyond any doubt that, just because someone has been homeless does not mean they cannot, with support and encouragement, make positive contributions to society.

Yet more creative talent was on show at the Worcester Society of Artists exhibition, which I opened at the Museum and Art Gallery in Foregate Street. It was hard to decide which painting I liked most!

The magnificent Worcester Male Voice Choir sang their Christmas Concert in Pershore Abbey. As always, it was a real pleasure to hear them. Not long till Christmas!