The Bank Holiday Weekend provided another opportunity to showcase what is great about the City.  It also saw the culmination of another successful Worcester Festival.

On Saturday morning I officially opened the new Spitfire-themed Perdiswell play area.  Dozens of children joined me to celebrate the history of the site and enjoy the activities on offer.   Our investment in our parks as a city has been consistent with our aim of having the best kept and maintained parks in the UK; well done to all!

On Sunday I was privileged to open the One World in our Park event at Fort Royal, which is the ideal manifestation of my Love Not Hate theme. Hundreds gathered from all sections of the community, coming together in our common goal of a united world living in peace and harmony.  There were some great activities on offer, and there was also an opportunity to witness my out of time Bhangra dancing; sorry! Thank you to the Friends of Fort Royal, the City Council, sponsors Mathews Construction & Fortis Living for a great event.

Chris Jaeger has done so much for the arts in Worcester.  I and many others in the City are grateful for his undying love and commitment to keeping them flourishing! The Festival has been the best in years and the atmosphere in the city very positive. The Finale saw the English Symphony Orchestra perform at the Swan Theatre, playing a wide variety of classics followed by a spectacular display of fireworks which I was fortunate enough to have witnessed from the top of the Cathedral, by kind invite of the bell ringers.  A night to cherish and remember!

Today we will see the EDL once again coming to the City.  It is important to re-enforce my message of Love not Hate; we all have a right to peacefully demonstrate and it is only too right to do so if you are protesting against something we believe in. But it must be done respectfully and in good spirit – please take the opportunity to show the best of who we are.