With the Worcestershire County Council elections and all the pre-election restrictions now over, I can blog a final time. I hand over the Mayorship next Tuesday (13 May).

Seven weeks covered in several hundred words, bear with me!

I hosted a Charity Banquet for my super chosen charity, Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club.

A fabulous auction, hospitality and raffle prizes were donated from generous local businesses and residents. Thank you all, of which there are too many to name here.

All the entertainment was provided for free. Thank you to the accomplished Charlie Green, the talented Royal Grammar School String Quartet and the adept auctioneer Will Kerton.

Tracey Hopkins your banquet experience was invaluable. Over £7,500 was raised!

At the Guildhall I was able to host a visit for the inspiring charity Headway and open the international Bike Bus Summit.

With new beginnings I opened Building Block Two at Dines Green and B&Q at Blackpole.

At Worcester Cathedral I attended two services and one concert, the Anniversary of Worcester Regiment Drums, the Scouts St George’s Day Service and the VE Day Concert. At Cripplegate Park I attended the Qatia Day Memorial Service.

With visits, I enjoyed time locally with the residents of Francis Court and further afield with the residents of Welland Care Centre which included my now late mum.

For law, I had the privilege of sitting at Crown Court alongside Judge James Burbidge and had lunch with the judges.

For sport I attended the Pitchcroft Park Run, and in the theatre the WODS (Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Youth Society) matinee performance of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

For education, I enjoyed the Junior Youth Speaks event at Hollymount School

The final highlight, I attended the Royal Garden Party with consort Andy Lee.  The grounds of Buckingham Palace are stunning.

The King and Queen were in attendance. The hospitality was second to none.

Reflection, action and design

The fifth anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic was marked on Sunday with a day of reflection.

Events were held across the country and on Saturday, at midday, I was able to hold a minutes silence and make a speech from the steps of the Guildhall in Worcester.

People came and reflected and got in touch, before and after the event, to thank me for this.

In the afternoon I spent some time at the Guildhall to celebrate International Women’s Day.  This day has been around for over 100 years, since 1911.

For me this day is very much two-fold.

It is a time to think about the social injustices women have and continue to experience.

Going backwards troubles me most, for example the women and girls in Afghanistan. They had freedoms and now all their human rights have gone.

Also, it was very much a time to think about positive actions, what we can do, for equality for girls and women across the globe.

As Gloria Steinem, the world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once said ”equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights”.

On a much more local note, I went to Mount Battenhall Retirement Village, known to many of us as the former Convent School, St Mary’s.

I explored the 19th century Grade II listed main building, designed by city clothier William Spriggs. It has been beautifully restored, the architecture and design are truly stunning.

I spent time with residents, and it was fascinating to hear their stories and where they are from.

Living in this retirement village affords the opportunity to easily be part of a community whilst also easy to take time away and be by oneself.

Absolutely, a great way of life.

Worcester Massachusetts

As a city we are twinned with five communities, including Worcester, Massachusetts.

Over the pond there is a group of gentleman, who have been meeting once a year every year for 25 years, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

This year they plumped for us, the original Worcester and what a genuine pleasure it was to meet them!

They arrived at the Guildhall in grey matching hoodies all bearing the Worcester coat of arms.

They had gone to the time and trouble to explore our history and thoroughly enjoyed a tour of the Guildhall.

Thank you to our Worcester Sword Bearer for being such an excellent tour guide.

Also this week the Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, Councillor Tracey Onslow and the Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor John Byng, hosted a Charity Ball at The Garden Room Stone Manor, in aid of British Heart Foundation.

I sadly lost my grandad to a heart condition which is why, and I am sure will be for many, this is such an important charity and has my full support.

Knowing that the British Heart Foundation is the biggest independent funder of heart and circulatory research and is helping find cures and treatments brings me some comfort.

With my Youth Matters theme, I also very much support the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young which is an advocate for saving young lives.

Meanwhile, The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Mrs Beatrice Grant; the High Sherriff of Worcestershire, Charles Moyle JP and myself hosted a first county networking event for Mayors, Deputies, Chairs, Vices and key to the event, our Administrators and Clerks, who are a constant and will have seen many of us through our terms of office.

Looking ahead I have secured a regency outfit for my Pride and Prejudice Banquet and understand some other guests have too, all quite exciting!