Mayor of Worcester

I have ended my year as Mayor with a wonderful visit to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with the Mayoress. It was a real honour to represent Worcester on such a special occasion and to see the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family, enjoy a cup of tea and a sandwich on the palace lawn, and to meet others from across the UK who have also given their time in service to their communities in so many different ways. It felt a fitting and memorable way to bring my mayoral year to a close.

As I reflect on the past 12 months, I can honestly say what an honour it has been to serve as Mayor of Worcester. It is a role that carries great history and responsibility, but above all it is about people – and I have been privileged to meet so many who make our city the wonderful place it is.

Over the course of the year, I have attended almost 350 different mayoral events. Each one, whether large or small, has offered a glimpse into the extraordinary work taking place across Worcester. I have visited groups including Sensory Matters, the University of the Third Age, ASPIE, Rotary Club, The Monday Night Club, DinesFest, the Scouts, Maggs Day Centre, St Paul’s Hostel, Street Pastors, Shopmobility, Amnesty International, Lions Clubs International, Nightstop and many, many others. From community volunteers to those supporting the most vulnerable, I have continually been inspired by the kindness and commitment of our residents.

My chosen theme for the year was learning, and it has been a pleasure to visit schools, colleges and the University of Worcester, as well as to welcome many young people to the Worcester Guildhall. Seeing the ambition and potential of our young people has been one of the highlights of my year. Alongside this, I was proud to support Acorns Children’s Hospice, helping to raise vital funds for the incredible work they do for children and families.

It was also a particular privilege to visit our twin city of Worcester, Massachusetts. Strengthening that historic connection was both fascinating and rewarding, and I was struck by the warmth of the welcome we received and the shared civic pride that links our two cities across the Atlantic.

One of the most meaningful aspects of my year has been the opportunity to work with and recognise the service of our armed forces and our veterans. I was honoured to attend commemorations for VJ Day and Remembrance Sunday, to speak at the raising of the armed forces flag, to pay tribute in Gheluvelt Park, and to mark Qatia Day. These solemn occasions, alongside meeting serving personnel and supporting veterans’ organisations such as the Royal British Legion, have been both humbling and deeply important.

Finally, it has been a joy to celebrate the diversity of our city – spending time with our Polish, Ukrainian, Afro-Carribbean, South Asian, Chinese and Jewish communities, each of whom contribute so much to the rich fabric of Worcester life.

As my time as Mayor comes to an end, I look back with a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude to the Mayoress for her constant support, and to everyone who has welcomed us so warmly. It has truly been a privilege to serve. Worcester is a remarkable city, and I leave this role immensely proud of all that we have celebrated together over the past year.

This week has been another busy and rewarding one in the role of Mayor, with a range of engagements that truly reflect the strength of community spirit across our city.

I was delighted to open and attend the annual Worcestershire Rail Partnership event at the Guildhall. This important gathering brought together partners, volunteers and stakeholders who work tirelessly to support and enhance our local rail services. In my remarks, I reflected on the vital role that our railways play – not just in connecting people and places, but in supporting economic growth, tourism and sustainability across the county. Community rail partnerships in particular do so much to foster local pride, improve station environments and encourage more people to travel by train. It was inspiring to hear about the ongoing projects and ambitions for the future, and I am very grateful to everyone involved for the time, energy and enthusiasm they continue to give.

On Sunday, I had the great pleasure of attending the annual St George’s Day Scouts service and parade at Worcester Cathedral. It was a truly uplifting occasion, with hundreds of Scouts, leaders and families taking part. The parade through the city centre created a wonderful sense of occasion, before the service itself provided an opportunity to reflect on the values at the heart of Scouting.

The commitment shown by these young people – to helping others, developing new skills and contributing positively to their communities – is something we should all take pride in. It was also a chance to recognise the dedication of adult volunteers, whose support and guidance make these opportunities possible. Events such as this are a powerful reminder of the important role that organisations like the Scouts play in building confidence, character and community cohesion.

I also had the opportunity to attend rehearsals for the musical Come From Away, which will be showing at The Swan Theatre from 19 to 23 May. Having had the pleasure of seeing the production take shape, I can honestly say it promises to be something very special. An infectious, uplifting and deeply moving show, it tells the story of a small Canadian town in the aftermath of 9/11 and serves as a powerful reminder of kindness, compassion and humanity at its very best.

The energy and professionalism of the cast and crew were evident throughout the rehearsal, and it was particularly lovely to see former colleagues and students from my time at Worcester College of Technology continuing to shine on stage. Their passion for performance is clear, and it is wonderful to see that talent being showcased here in Worcester. I would strongly encourage everyone to come along and support what is sure to be a brilliant production. Having seen a wonderful production of Evita at The Swan just the previous week, it is clear that Come From Away continues to reflect the vibrant and thriving theatre scene we are fortunate to enjoy here in 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.