Mayor of Worcester

I HOPE that everyone is having a great summer.

This week has been a real celebration of what Worcester does best- coming together to demonstrate all the talent our city has to offer, showcasing its diversity and celebrating its sense of community.

On Saturday it was an honour to open the Worcester Festival 2025 – one of the highlights of our city’s cultural calendar.

The festival kicked off in style with the fabulous “Someone at the door” Samba band who got residents and visitors alike dancing on the high street.

For 17 days, Worcester will come alive with over 1,100 events, from open-air theatre and poetry readings to live music, art trails, children’s activities, and comedy nights.

There truly is something for everyone, with many events free to attend, ensuring the festival remains open to all.

The Worcester Festival is more than a celebration of culture – it’s a celebration of community. It supports local talent, gives a platform to artists and performers, and brings people together through creativity, laughter, and shared experiences.

My thanks go to the organisers, sponsors, volunteers, and all those taking part.

Appropriately sporting a bucket hat, it was also a pleasure to open the 2025 Worcester Show at Pitchcroft – a perfect setting for a day of colour, music, and community spirit which drew lots of visitors.

This year’s theme, “I Grew Up in the 90s”, celebrated Britpop, Cool Britannia, The Spice Girls, Tamagotchis, and all that decade’s feel-good nostalgia.

With over 170 competition classes, from flowers and vegetables to cakes, crafts, and 90s-themed children’s art I was joined by the Bearded Growers in awarding much deserved trophies.

The Community Marquee, supported by Platform Housing, showcased the talent of local groups and Worcester Mela once again celebrated the rich diversity of Worcester.

BBC Hereford & Worcester hosted an exciting main stage line-up, while the BBC Upload Stage spotlighted emerging artists.

Thanks to First Bus, sustainable travel was easier than ever, with extra cycle parking and a special Beryl bike bay. A huge thanks went to our sponsors, volunteers, performers, and competitors. The Show truly captured Worcester’s creativity, talent, and togetherness.

WE ARE lucky in Worcester to have a really rich selection of theatres and venues which offer a wide range of different entertainment.

This summer, Worcester’s cultural life is bursting with energy, talent, and variety – and I’ve had the absolute pleasure as Mayor to experience some of the very best it has to offer.

Last weekend, I visited the incredibly talented cast of WODYS (Worcester Operatic & Dramatic Society Youth Section) during rehearsals for their upcoming production of Footloose.

Watching their performance of numbers like Let’s Hear It For The Boy and Can You Find It In Your Heart was a real treat – it is a slick, high-energy show, and the cast are giving it everything.

Afterwards, they took to Crowngate for a surprise flash mob, stopping Saturday shoppers in their tracks and giving the city centre a burst of joy.

The show runs at the Swan Theatre from Tuesday July 29 to Monday August 3, with a matinee on the final day.

Tickets are selling fast and available at worcestertheatres.co.uk/swan-theatre or by calling 01905 611427. It promises to be a fantastic night out and a wonderful display of young local talent.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Swan Theatre and I attended a performance which celebrated its wonderful legacy.

For six decades, it has stood at the heart of Worcester’s cultural scene, providing a space for storytelling, creativity, and community connection.

Long may that continue. I was also lucky enough to attend an open-air production of Sense and Sensibility at the Commandery.

It was a glorious summer evening, and the period costumes and witty dialogue were perfectly matched by the historic surroundings. There is something truly special about live theatre under the open sky.

Finally, I had the honour of attending a stunning concert at Huntingdon Hall featuring the internationally renowned Polish Violin Duo, Marta Gidaszewska and Robert Łaguniak, accompanied by pianist Artur Haftman.

It was a beautiful evening of music that also celebrated the long-standing friendship between Worcester and Poland.

From youth theatre to classical music, from outdoor drama to historic milestones, Worcester is alive with culture this summer.

These events don’t just entertain – they connect us, inspire us, and make our city a more vibrant place to live. I hope to see you at one soon.

I HAVE always found history fascinating.

As George Santayana said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Therefore, I was delighted to open the first Worcester Stuart History Festival at the Old Palace—an exciting addition to our city’s cultural life.

The Stuart age was one of revolution, civil war, and profound political change. Worcester stood at its heart, from the first skirmish of the Civil War in 1642 to the decisive Battle of Worcester in 1651.

These events shaped modern Britain and still echo in our politics today. Thanks to the Battle of Worcester Society and The Script Haven, this festival brought that history to life over two days through a series of expert talks including ‘Worcestershire during the Commonwealth’, the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the life of James 1st who created the role of Mayor of Worcester!

I also reflected on the sacrifice of the past and the service in the present of our armed forces when I visited Crich in Derbyshire with the Mayoress, Councillor Dr Zoe Cookson.

We attended the annual Crich Pilgrimage to honour those who served in the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment and its successors.

Held at the Crich Memorial Tower, the event brings together veterans, families, and civic leaders in remembrance.

Worcester shares a proud bond with the Worcestershire Regiment, now part of the Mercian Regiment. I was honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of our city—an emotional reminder of local sacrifice. Thank you to the organisers for preserving this important tradition and our shared military heritage.

As my mayoral theme is “learning,” reflecting my 28 years in education and my belief that learning is lifelong, I was honoured to join celebrations marking 40 years of Worcester University of the Third Age (U3A) at the Guildhall.

The U3A focusses on older members of our community and embodies that ideal: curiosity, connection, and personal growth well beyond school age. My late father, Tony Lamb, was a proud member—he loved the discussion, geology, and history groups. In an age of loneliness, U3A shows how community and learning can enrich lives. Congratulations on 40 fantastic years—Worcester is stronger, wiser, and more connected thanks to you.