Mayor of Worcester Blog

This week’s events had a strong sporting theme which, given my level of fitness and shape, is very flattering and even reassuring.

It was encouraging to see so much young sporting talent on display at the City Sports Awards 2014.

It was a real honour to have opened the Special Olympics West Midlands 7-a side Football Tournament at the University Campus on Saturday. Welcoming the various teams in the rain certainly did not dampen my or anyone else’s ardour or the sense of anticipation and excitement. You could see the look of pride on the players’ faces. What a great bunch of kids. And let’s not forget the coaches and others involved in organising such a huge event. I did make the point that sport is as much for enjoying as for winning!

Given the national interest in the Worcester 10K run, I was over the moon to have started the races with the claxon early on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning and then present the awards. Worcester has arrived. It was chosen to be the first City to host such an event and we did it superbly well. Everyone there was a winner, no doubt about it.

On arriving at the Swan Theatre for a massively successful performance of the Annual Variety Show on Friday, I was forthrightly advised by a lady that the evening would be “a bloody good laugh.” That is exactly what is needed after a long day and, indeed, that is exactly what I got. What a fantastic way to end a day – who needs therapy?

When I opened the 60th Anniversary event for the Worcester & District Model Engineers Club in Diglis on Saturday, I could have spent the rest of the afternoon there.  It is incredible that the volunteers make all the engines themselves which can carry up to 15 people around the track. It was so much fun, I managed to hitch a second ride. It was an idyllic traditional English event, with a view of the Cathedral across the field and being offered tea made in the old fashioned way, and biscuits. Worcester – get along to the Model Engineers’ next event for a truly memorable trip out.

 

People often ask me what are the things you most need to be Mayor and I usually say stamina and a sense of humour. I am a very “Green” Mayor as I tend to walk to all my engagements in the City Centre wearing the Chain of Office so I can report two amusing incidents whilst en route to the Tour of Britain last week. One of two workmen sitting on a bench in Broad Street looked up and asked: “You the Mayor?” Yes, I said. “Oh, good on you mate” he replied. On the return, a bloke in Angel Place said : “Nice necklace”.  Quick as a flash, I replied “Glad to hear it. It’s worth a few quid.” To which he said : “Yeah, nice one, man”. Those friendly exchanges made my day.

I’ve been to two awards ceremonies in two weeks, this week’s being the superbly well organised Worcester College of Technology Graduation Ceremony in the Cathedral. It was wonderful to be a part of it and to congratulate so many talented young people. Sad that they’re leaving college but exciting to see them take on the challenges and opportunities that await them in the big wide world. And I totally agree with the theme of the address, that people should take risks. If you don’t, you won’t achieve anything. So, carpe diem, in other words go for it.

The military theme of recent weeks continued when I saw a number of military manoeuvres on a visit to the local Army Cadet Training Centre; and the history theme continued on Sunday with the Heritage Open Day when I was “at home” in The Parlour for most of the day showing large numbers of visitors, local and from around the world, around my office and letting them be photographed with the ceremonial regalia, the enormous interest in which continues to amaze me.

One of the week’s many highlights was entertaining Jamie Sherwood (aged 11) and his family to tea in The Parlour whom I invited along after he won an important reading competition in Warndon. And well done to Mr and Mrs Sherwood for bringing up such a polite and positive lad. I’m sure he’ll be a star at his new school, Tudor Grange Academy.

The Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority Award Ceremony was for people who had acted beyond the call of duty. The most touching moment has to go to fire fighter William Doolan, who tried so extremely hard on stage to prevent a massive smile breaking out whilst awaiting the Silver Axe Award. What a pity not every organisation has these ceremonies to appreciate their workforce.

Two charity events reinforce my point about people acting selflessly for others. Congratulations must go to Angie Smith who organised her first-ever Fundraising Day at Archdales Club in Warndon for Cancer Research, raising an incredible £3,000.

The Community Fete on Sunday at Ronkswood Community Centre (thank you Jean Wilson) raised money for New Hope, benefitting children with severe disabilities. I enjoyed being met by Emily the Elephant and although I wanted to have a go on the bouncy castle, I feared it would be too risky for the castle. I spent a delightful evening at St. Mary’s Church in Kempsey at a Charities Working Together event organised by Heather Davies, where we had presentations from The Red Cross, Christian Aid, and Save the Children, much of which was very harrowing.

There is history behind every corner in our City, and I was in the middle of it at the Annual Commemoration Service for the Battle of Worcester in Old St. Martin’s Church, in the Cornmarket. You wouldn’t think such a beautiful building could be squeezed in next to two pubs opposite a car park. But that is Worcester for you.

Opening the refurbished Acorns shop in Mealcheapen was a particular honour as few of us can compare with the incredible work done by these incredible people, such as providing care and support to children so close to death and looking after the family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Acorns relies on voluntary income and the Worcester Hospice costs £7,500 a day – that’s £750 per bed. So, please go in and spend some money.

And what a Wednesday. Starting early morning at The Tour of Britain, I never knew how enjoyable it would be with such excitement oozing from the huge crowd. We must now work hard to ensure Worcester keeps it here as part of the annual calendar.

Later I sat on a Panel involving Starbucks to give grants to young people organising charity fundraising events. They deserved and we awarded the full amounts requested.

A lovely start to the week, with a chat and tea in the Parlour with Naomi Smith (and her Mum) who is writing an article about meeting the Mayor for her school, Nunnery Wood High. I look forward to reading her thoughts and impressions. How refreshing to see a 12 year old asking questions, taking notes, and showing a real interest in her surroundings.

With every day being unique, a large part of Tuesday was taken up by the BBC filming an episode of Father Brown from the Parlour and elsewhere in The Guildhall. Although they just wanted a shot of somebody coming out of the Parlour, it took an hour to do and, five large lorries of equipment and six hours later, the shooting was nearly all over for that day.

For a short while, there was a most amusing interlude when I wanted to return to the Parlour from the second floor, but without being allowed to go through the Main Hall. I thought I was stranded until I was shown an almost secret back route down eerie corridors, past empty offices. Still, an interesting discovery. Anyway, thank you BBC for showing millions of viewers in the near future what a wonderful building we have! If it implies the building may appear a little old fashioned, so much the better, that’s what gives it its character and interest – and why we must preserve it as it is.

On Wednesday I was treated by the Battle of Worcester Society to a Drumhead Service in Fort Royal Park, to mark the anniversary of the battle. This was surely one of the most important battles in British history, as it allowed Cromwell to lay the foundations of the modern British state and we soon then became one of the world’s greatest powers. And remember, the opposing armies were that of King Charles 11 of Scotland and his invading Scottish army, and Cromwell, the Lord General of Great Britain and Ireland. How fortunate we are to have a Society which continues to commemorate this momentous event.

At the same time, I as Mayor never forget the local issues of my constituents in Warndon. The week ended on a high also, with two successes when I managed to help a young family move into more appropriate housing, and also got an area of mass overgrowth behind a number of gardens in Cranham Drive cleared. Both took persistence, so the success was that much sweeter.