Mayor of Worcester

An interesting mix of sporting and cultural events last week.  Attending the Official Draw for the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships 2015 was quite something – I know they used to play tennis inside the Guildhall centuries ago but I never thought I would watch international basketball being played inside the Cathedral!

It was with pride and a twinge of sadness that I opened and introduced some of the speakers at the Community Foundation Celebration at the Cricket Club. Looking back over the four year life and work of the Community First Funding Panel, which I chaired, its task was to give grants to local community and voluntary groups to deliver projects in areas of deprivation in Warndon and Rainbow Hill.

The Panel allocated £84,000 to over 60 projects, using more than 6,000 hours of volunteering. Although the Community Development Foundation is a national organisation, it was our local Panel that made local decisions on how to spend the money and it was heartening to hear from some of the recipients what a big difference these grants had made to the local community.

Another milestone was set with the launch and book signing of The Swan Theatre Worcester written by Chris Jaeger, looking back over the past 50 years of the institution – and looking forward to the next 50. I can recommend the book – it is a very good read.

Meeting with representatives of Worcester Concert Brass to plan a mayoral charity evening in April was most enjoyable.  We discussed what music to put on, although I did struggle to curb my own preferences since the whole point of the event was to provide the audience with what they would like, which we have done.

I really love hosting tour-tea-chats in The Parlour as part of my “Be My Guest” programme. The most recent guests included the Head Boys and Head Girl from Bishop Perowne School – Joseph Long, Tom Maiden, George Fuller, and Jessica Key – how nice to meet such polite and interested young people. It was a pleasure also to welcome a group of pupils from New College (formerly The Blind College) and it was great to let each one be Mayor for a few minutes by putting on the robes and chain of office.

 

Presenting the awards to the winners of the Worcester Badminton Charity Tournament at Nunnery Wood Sports Centre took me back a few years down memory lane, when I used to play badminton regularly (and was actually quite good at it) until politics took over. It’s played in good sportsmanship – very civilized and enjoyable, providing exercise and fun, as well as testing your skills and speed of reaction. Well done to the Club Captain, Dr. Ajeet Nair, for organising such a professional and really friendly event.

One of the good things about being Mayor is that you get to meet so many fantastic people. One such was Tom Neathway, a soldier who lost limbs fighting for us in Afghanistan. I met him when Cash Converters in Pump Street presented a generous £6,000 cheque to The Afghanistan Trust. Here was a man constantly smiling, talking about his future plans, despite his injuries. An example to us all.

I visited Worcestershire Royal Hospital to thank A & E staff following a very intense winter so far; and also to see the new and developing facilities. I cannot overstate my admiration for our doctors and nurses, for their sheer commitment and devotion to all their patients, whilst constantly under pressure. To our doctors and nurses – we all love and admire you – you are true angels. The new Oncology Unit and the nearly built Birthing Centre are marvels of modern medicine. How lucky we are to have the latest technology. Certain people should stop whingeing and whining about our wonderful NHS – treasure it as it should be. And, oh yes, to all Governments – it needs more money so provide it!

What a delight to celebrate another Worcester success story, this time the Premier Inn Hotel’s First Birthday Party. What incredible views over the Cricket Ground and Malvern Hills – and, amazingly, those rooms don’t cost any extra! Just the kind of comfortable and convenient hotel I always book for myself. I will also remember it because I won two raffle prizes in a row when normally I never win anything – but I did hand one back to the staff.

Last week, it was my pleasure to host in The Parlour students from Archway Academy and volunteers from Deaf Direct; then time for a good old British panto performance of Sleeping Beauty at Norbury Theatre Droitwich.

I was very moved and humbled during my visit to Acorns Children’s Hospice as I met families, patients, staff, and volunteers. The sadness was balanced by the absolutely superb state-of-the-art facilities and the extraordinary devotion and commitment of the staff and volunteers. Dealing with end-of-life care must demand exceptional personal qualities and the Hospice deals with care in such a sensitive way, making all the necessary comfortable provision for families to cope with severe bereavement. Thank you David Strudley, Chief Executive, for leading such a wonderful team of people where you routinely try to help others overcome what must be unbearable grief.

The Kay’s Theatre Group production of Babes In The Wood at The Swan was non-stop energy from start to finish!  In the good old tradition of British pantomime, there was audience participation, which meant I got sprayed with water during one episode. I didn’t know water guns could reach that far – all good fun though. Superb performances from everybody – well done to Chris Cassidy, KTG President, and special congratulations to students from Harlequin Stage School, Worcester, who have recently been chosen to represent England at the Dance World Cup in Bucharest.

It was a real pleasure to meet residents at the Warndon Connect event at the Warndon Youth & Community Centre. It was very much along the lines of my own mayoral charity project – Come On In – to tackle the problem of loneliness and social isolation by bringing people together for a chat over a nice cuppa and cake, and providing an opportunity for them to use and pass on their own particular skills – in this case knitting – whilst enjoying the company of others outside their own homes.

It is always good to be part of the ecclesiastical life of our City. I met some interesting and imaginative people at the Dean’s New Year reception for local businesses; and I continue to be in awe at what was clearly once the former majesty of the Old Palace at the Bishop of Worcester’s reception.

 

I was most impressed by the Youth Development College hidden away in St. Nicholas Street when I attended their end of year celebration to present the certificates and prizes at the awards ceremony for the students’ educational, vocational, and personal achievements. Well done to them not only for their new qualifications but also for raising £500 for Children in Need.

It’s always nice to celebrate more good news about our city, so I was delighted to open the new bright and clean Home Bargains store on Shrub Hill Retail Park. It is a fantastic addition to local shopping opportunities and it has really smartened up the area. Good luck to the very friendly staff.

There was more good news when I attended the announcement at The Royal Hospital of the new partnership between Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and The Haven. Worcester is now unique in the country for having a breast cancer after-care service at The Haven on the site of the hospital. It is tremendously good news for our city as the NHS remains, deservedly, the nation’s most loved and trusted institution.

It was a real pleasure to open the newly made-over Lyppard Grange Community Centre on the occasion of its 21st birthday. In fact, it was more to mark its re-opening on its anniversary with its new branding, preparing for the next 21 years of providing services for the local community. I was amazed by the enormous number of people present, but then it quickly became obvious what an important part the centre continues to play for local residents. Well done Mo Bayliss and all the volunteers.

A particularly touching aspect was that a number of three-year-olds had done drawings of me as Mayor. I think most of them were better than the real thing! I loved the red hair in so many of the pictures. I invited the winner, James, and his family to tea in The Parlour where I hope some chocolate cakes will make him less shy.

Meeting with officers from the Battle of Worcester Partnership was another reminder of what great heritage Worcester has to offer the world and how many people have volunteered to promote it.