This week I have been back to pre-history and in a short hop across the river, seen the future! (By the way, it really IS quicker to walk at the moment.)

The ambition of Worcester University is undimmed by Covid or plateauing student numbers. The teaching techniques I saw on my first visit for several years are amazing. The Art House is a great resource for all of us. And the new Health and Wellbeing Centre is on track to bring medical students to the city with all the economic, social and health benefits that will bring.

In another iconic gold building I kicked off a very successful Archaeology Day, looking at our county’s historic foundations. If you don’t understand your history, you cannot transform the future.

The relevance of the comparatively recent past was recalled at the British Legion service marking Commonwealth and other war graves at Astwood Cemetery, including German, Czech and Polish servicemen.

And another group of service men and women were honoured at an awards ceremony for the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service. As well as long service and good conduct, a number of incidents of real quick thinking and bravery were commended.

In the rain, the partnership between those public services, the private sector, BID and just the rest of us, culminated in Worcester being awarded the Purple Flag, recognising a safe and vibrant night-time economy, attracting visitors and securing investment.

My thanks to Worcester Rotary for their invitation to speak at a lunch which made me sit and think over the last six months. The variety of the city was shown off in just one week –  and (I almost forgot) – on Children in Need Day I was in the Crowngate and danced with the Ukelele Band. Again.