Mayor of Worcester

It has been another rewarding and varied week as Mayor, with opportunities to meet inspiring people and celebrate some of the outstanding work taking place across our community.

I was delighted to visit Sensory Matters to learn more about the vital support they provide for people living with visual impairments and hearing loss. The visit offered a valuable insight into how their services help individuals maintain independence, confidence, and connection with the world around them. I was particularly pleased to meet both staff and volunteers who were generously giving their time not only to support service users, but also to improve the facilities themselves. From painting parts of the building to clearing and tidying the garden, their efforts reflect a genuine sense of community spirit. It was clear that Sensory Matters is not just a service, but a welcoming and supportive environment for all who walk through its doors.

It was also a great pleasure to host the University of Worcester’s netball team in the Mayor’s Parlour following their historic trophy win. This was a truly remarkable achievement and a proud moment for the city. The team secured their victory in a nail-biting final against the University of Bath, demonstrating exceptional skill, resilience, and composure under pressure. Hearing about the intensity of the match and the determination required to see it through to the final whistle made their success all the more impressive. Meeting the players and coaching staff, I was struck not only by their talent, but also by their teamwork, sportsmanship, and humility. Their achievement places Worcester firmly on the sporting map and will undoubtedly inspire aspiring athletes across our community.

Alongside the Mayoress, I also had the privilege of visiting St Richard’s Hospice, where we were warmly welcomed by Chair of Trustees Jenny Cowpe and Director of Business and Income Generation Abby Holliday. The visit provided a moving and informative look at the compassionate care offered to patients and their families. The hospice delivers extraordinary support at some of life’s most challenging moments, and it was humbling to see firsthand the dedication of the team. Their work relies heavily on the generosity of volunteers and donors, and I would encourage anyone who is able to consider supporting them, whether through giving time or financial contributions, to ensure this essential service can continue.

These visits have once again highlighted the strength, kindness, and dedication that define our community.

It was a great honour to represent the city of Worcester on a recent mayoral visit to our twin city of Worcester, Massachusetts in the United States.

It was an occasion that highlighted not only the warmth of our transatlantic friendship, but also the deep historical ties that connect our two communities.

From the outset, the visit was marked by extraordinary hospitality. Worcester Mayoress, Councillor Dr Zoe Cookson, and I were warmly welcomed by the Mayor, Joe Petty, council members and residents, whose kindness and generosity made a lasting impression.

The visit included a number of memorable engagements that brought to life the vibrancy and civic pride of Worcester, Massachusetts. At Doherty Memorial High School, we were delighted to meet Principal John Staley and to spend time with students and staff. A particularly moving moment came when members of the school choir sang both The Star-Spangled Banner and God Save the King. It was a thoughtful and generous gesture that captured perfectly the spirit of friendship between our two nations.

We were also privileged to visit the Worcester Art Museum, where we were given a personal tour by its Director, Dr Matthias Waschek. Although the museum is usually closed on a Tuesday, it was specially opened for our visit – an act of great generosity for which we are most grateful.

Among the many treasures we were shown was a Royal Worcester porcelain vase, a striking and symbolic reminder of the craftsmanship for which our own city is renowned, and a tangible link between the two Worcesters.

At Worcester State University, we met President Barry Maloney and discussed the strong and growing links between the university and our own University of Worcester. It was encouraging to hear about the collaboration already taking place and the potential for further academic and cultural exchange in the future. Education is clearly at the heart of Worcester, Massachusetts, just as it is in our own city, and this shared focus offers real opportunities for partnership.

Speaking in the council chamber at City Hall at the end of our day, I reflected on the shared story of our two cities and the wider relationship between Britain and the United States, particularly in this year marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.

During the council meeting itself, staff from the British Consulate in Boston added a thoughtful and symbolic touch by bringing a selection of Union Flags, one of which was displayed in the chamber alongside the Stars and Stripe- an understated but meaningful reminder of the connection between our countries.

It is always special to visit a place that shares Worcester’s name, but this connection goes far beyond that. Our cities have been formally twinned since 1999, yet the links between us stretch back centuries, rooted in shared traditions, language and history.

There are, of course, differences. Worcester, Massachusetts, with a population of over 200,000, is more than twice the size of what we affectionately call the Faithful City. Whilst Worcester in the US only became a town in 1722 and a city in 1848, Worcester in England can trace its origins back nearly two thousand years to a Roman settlement on the banks of the River Severn.

Yet despite these differences in scale and age, the parallels are striking. Both cities were shaped by industry and craftsmanship. Worcester in England became renowned for its porcelain, glove-making and Worcestershire sauce, while Worcester, Massachusetts built its reputation on steel, wire, shoes and clothing manufacturing.

Today, both cities have successfully adapted to the challenges of economic change. Like many industrial centres, Worcester, Massachusetts experienced significant transition in the late twentieth century. What is so impressive is the way the city has reinvented itself as a hub for education, healthcare, biotechnology and research.

Worcester in England has followed a similar path, with our own economy increasingly centred on education, culture and health services. In that sense, we share not only a past, but a story of resilience and renewal.

Our shared heritage also extends into the political and constitutional history that underpins both our nations. Worcester in England played a key role in the English Civil War, with the first battle fought nearby at Powick Bridge in 1642 and the final, decisive Battle of Worcester in 1651.

These events formed part of a longer journey towards the principle that power must be limited and accountable – ideas that would later inspire and shape the American Revolution 250 years ago. In the years since, men and women from our two countries have served alongside each other in conflicts like World War One, World War Two, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan in the defence of freedom.

Ultimately, what this visit reinforced is that the connection between our two Worcesters is about more than history. It is about people, ideas and a shared commitment to the values of democracy, liberty and community.

Two cities, with one shared name, united by centuries of history and friendship across an ocean.

I am deeply grateful to the Mayor and people of Worcester, Massachusetts for their outstanding hospitality, and I look forward to our Worcester continuing to build on this special relationship in the years ahead.

Worcester is fortunate to have a thriving high street, and one of its real strengths is the range and character of our independent shops. These businesses give our city its personality, and they deserve to be celebrated and supported. With that in mind – and given my sweet tooth – I was delighted to visit Mr D’s Olde Sweet Shop on High Street for the launch of a new range of locallyinspired confectionery.

Mr D’s is a family-owned and family-run business, and stepping inside is like stepping back in time. The shelves are filled with an extraordinary array of sweets that will be familiar to many, and it certainly took me back to my own childhood. The new creations are a wonderful tribute to Worcestershire. The Malvern Hills Mint Drops reflect the freshness of our iconic landscape, while the Worcestershire Mix celebrates the county’s reputation as the “fruit basket of England” with a colourful assortment of traditional boiled sweets. It is exactly this kind of creativity, rooted in local identity, that makes our independent businesses so special.

From tradition to enterprise of a different kind, I was also pleased to attend the Young Enterprise Trade Fair held outside the Guildhall. It was inspiring to see students from local schools and colleges, including Worcester Sixth Form College, presenting their business ideas with such confidence and enthusiasm. The range of products and the professionalism on display were genuinely impressive.

Having taken part in Young Enterprise myself some 40 years ago, I know how valuable the experience can be. It equips young people with skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, helping to build confidence for the future. It was a pleasure to present the awards and to speak with the students about their ideas. They are a real credit to our city.

Finally, I had the great privilege of visiting the University of Worcester to open the Brenda Sheridan Room. Brenda made a remarkable contribution to our community through both education and public service. She worked at the University for 25 years and was deeply committed to widening opportunity and supporting students to succeed.

Her legacy continues in a particularly meaningful way. Through a generous bequest in her will, a fund has been established to support students facing hardship – ensuring that others can benefit from the opportunities she believed in so strongly.

Brenda also served the city as a councillor for 16 years and as Mayor of Worcester, always demonstrating warmth, generosity, and dedication. It is entirely fitting that her name will live on at the University, inspiring future generations.

Taken together, these visits highlight what makes Worcester such a special place: strong local businesses, ambitious young people, and a deep respect for those who have served our community so well.