As my favourite band, The Smiths, sang: “There is more to life to books you know, but not much more.”

As a confessed bibliophile (as well as 1980’s indie music fan) it was a great pleasure to open Worcester’s new Alchemy of Words Festival – a vibrant celebration of literature, creativity, and community in the heart of our city.

Books have always meant a great deal to me. Growing up in the 1970s, I often found comfort and meaning in stories, starting with Enid Blyton and Anthony Buckeridge, and later discovering Orwell, Greene, and Hemingway.

The festival was a chance to honour that magic – and Worcester’s proud literary tradition – with writers, poets, publishers, and our wonderful bookshops like Script Haven leading the way. It was wonderful to meet Leena Batchelor (owner, spoken word artist, published author, poet and former Worcestershire Poet Laureate) from Script Haven who helped make it all happen. We also crowned our first Worcestershire Literary Champion, Pete Thompson. This is a role designed to inspire a love of reading and writing across the county and I look forward to working with Pete. With panels, performances, workshops and debate, there was something for everyone. We came together to celebrate the voices that challenge and inspire us – and the books that open our minds. Watch out Cheltenham and Hay: there is a new literature festival in town!

The festival also fitted in with my mayoral theme for the year which is learning. Part of my goal for the year is to promote learning in all its forms and across all ages.

Therefore, it was great to do my first guided tour of the Guildhall and the Mayor’s parlour with a group of 24 German students from Stuttgart on an exchange visit to Worcester.

The Guildhall is a literal treasure trove of historical artifacts housed in a beautiful building. Even though I have lived in Worcester for 24 years there were things about our city that I learnt for the first time doing my homework.

I really enjoyed showing our visitors round the building and explaining all the aspects of our rich and varied history which make Worcester such a special place. If you fancy having a tour, please apply via the council website.