This week at the Guildhall has been a wonderful reminder of the sheer variety of people and stories that pass through this historic building, each bringing something unique to the heart of our city.

On Monday, I had the pleasure of meeting Queen Victoria – or rather Polly Parsons, whose remarkable portrayal of the great monarch brings history vividly to life. It was a real joy to show her the magnificent portrait of Queen Victoria that hangs in the Assembly Room, a striking piece that always captures visitors’ attention. We also spent time in the Mayor’s Parlour with Queen Victoria’s throne, a fascinating artefact used by the monarch during her visit to Aston Manor in Birmingham in 1858 and later gifted to the city in 1870. This historic chair has even travelled internationally, forming part of an exhibition of 50 world thrones at the Palace of Versailles in 2011 – an extraordinary journey for a piece so closely tied to Worcester’s civic story.

Tuesday brought a very different but equally enriching experience, as I welcomed a group of students from Okinawa, Japan, who are spending two weeks in Worcester. It was a privilege to give them a tour of the Guildhall and to share something about our city’s history and traditions. We rounded off their visit with refreshments in the Parlour, where the students were fascinated by the mayoral regalia and kept me on my toes with some interesting questions! Encounters like this highlight the importance of international friendship and the role Worcester can play in fostering it.

On Wednesday, I was honoured to receive a group of women army veterans at the Guildhall. Their visit was both humbling and inspiring. After a tour of the building, we gathered for tea and cakes – kindly provided by Councillor Pat Agar, the Council’s Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, who joined us for the occasion. It was a valuable opportunity to listen, reflect, and recognise the contribution these women have made through their service. The Guildhall felt exactly as it should in that moment: a place of welcome, respect, and community.

Taken together, these visits reflect the Guildhall at its best – not simply as a historic building, but as a living space where history, culture, service, and international friendship come together.

Finally, I would encourage residents to support a fantastic upcoming concert: Beyond the Barricade, taking place at the Swan Theatre on Thursday 16 April at 7:30pm, in aid of Acorns Hospice. It promises to be a superb evening of music from the world of musical theatre, all while supporting a truly vital local charity. Tickets are available via the Swan Theatre website, and I hope to see many of you there supporting such an important cause.