Mayor of Worcester Blog

It gives me great pleasure, as Worcester’s Deputy Mayor, to be asked by the mayor to write this first message of 2014.

My wife Lynn, who is Deputy Mayoress, and I have had a busy few months attending lots of events which the Mayor Pat Agar couldn’t fit into her much busier schedule. Six carol services rounded off last year for us, which we thoroughly enjoyed.  Some of them were less grand than others but, among the highlights were wonderful choirs and music from the Women’s Institute, Worcester Male Voice Choir and the King’s School choir and musicians. Worcester has, quite rightly, a great reputation for its musical performances and our Cathedral is a magnificent venue for such events.

Our hard-working Mayor attended sixteen carol services so she and her consort, Phil, ought to know just about every Christmas carol off by heart now! She has certainly earned a week off writing this column.

One of the most important jobs of the mayor is to help raise money for charity and, especially at this time of year, we think about the plight of those without a home. Many would be sleeping on the streets, cold and hungry, without the help of charities like Maggs Day Centre, St Paul’s Hostel and the YMCA. So the mayor deserves our support and gratitude for her unstinting efforts all year round to raise our awareness of this need – as well as money to help local charities to do their vital work.

Let’s hope 2014 is a Happy New Year for everyone in our great city – with no-one being left behind.

It would not be exaggerating to say that the audience at Friday’s Elgar Chorale concert was ecstatic. With Donald Hunt and Malcolm Macleod conducting, the chorale sang a beautiful programme of carols and Christmas music, interspersed with a variety of readings. Elgar was clearly right: the centre of music in this country is not in London, but 120 miles north. Thank you to the chorale for their glorious singing and for their generosity to the mayor’s Charities.

 My favourite Christmas cracker joke so far has come from Reverend Hazel Charlton, during St Matthew’s carol service in Ronkswood:     

How did King Wenceslas like his pizza?

          Deep pan crisp and even!

 Nice one, Hazel!

 Phil and I were charmed by Perry Wood Primary School choir and by Ronkzy Starz shadow puppet version of the nativity, in which bad old King Herod was chased away by Superman and Flash.

 I joined Ronkswood Snack and Chat group and Sight Concern for their Christmas lunches. Both are very friendly groups with a huge sense of fun. I always enjoy their company.

 The City Council’s Take Pride event saw over 100 environmental volunteers receive awards for their service to the community in our parks and allotments. Special thanks are due to the Friends of Gheluvelt and CripplegateParks, and to the Duckworth Trust.

We also attended carol services with BishopPerowneHigh School, the Chair of the County Council and Worcester Scouts. There were beautiful performances from Bishop Perowne dancers, choir and instrumentalists, rounded off with a toe tapping finale from the accordionist from Granny’s Attic.

 

 

 

 

On Friday, the Guildhall flag was lowered to half-mast, at my request, to honour the memory of Nelson Mandela. He taught us so much about political courage and reconciliation.

Phil and I spent a lot of time at the Cathedral this week. We heard a really wonderful performance of The Messiah, switched on the lights at the Christmas Tree Festival and attended carol services for RGS the Grange and the RoyalGrammar School.

We also attended carol services with the St John’s Ambulance Service and with the Mayor of Kidderminster, who bakes his own mince pies!  How does he find the time?….Actually, I have it on good authority that he baked them at 10.00 p.m. at night.

I was honoured to present Certificates of Service to St John’s volunteers for the many hours of voluntary service that they give. Thank you to all of these fantastic people for all their hard work.

Maggs Fundraising Ball at the Guildhall was a big success. Attendees were very generous and raised a substantial amount of money for the charity.

Students from Blessed Edward Oldcorne School visited the Parlour a few days ago. They were fascinated by the mayoral regalia, and helped to serve tea.

Ice Fine jewellers opened their new shop this week – a glittering Aladdin’s cave in Crowngate. They will even design a unique piece of jewellery for you while you wait!

The Great Worcester Showcase event at the Guildhall last Friday discussed the future of the city, focusing on how we can make the most of Worcester’s unique character and opportunities.

Opening the Victorian Christmas Fayre was a delight. Clerics, mayors and chairs, officers, choir and Fayre goers gathered in the Corn Market to say prayers and sing carols.

Dignitaries then boarded the carousel for the customary ride. I was a bit nervous of riding side-saddle, but it seemed to work. It was a fast, thrilling ride and a lot of fun.

Stall holders seemed to agree that they had done well at the Fayre. I am not surprised….a number of Welsh people were already shopping at 10.00 a.m. on Friday morning and I don’t even want to think how early they got up to achieve that!

The Cats’ Protection fashion show in St Johns proved you can find fashionable clothing at budget prices. Some of the outfits were show stoppers! There were beautiful jackets and designer evening wear, as well as funky younger fashions.

I also dined with Worcester Twinning Association and got to know our friends from Kleve and le Vesinet a little better. Why do we have twin towns? – to promote understanding and peace between our countries.

The KGV Grandees, a friendship club of lively retirees, asked me to their Christmas lunch. Thank you to them for their hospitality. I greatly enjoyed their company.

I went shopping with the Federation of Small Businesses at Cookmate and Tunnells Opticians. Cookmate is an Aladdin’s Cave of culinary equipment and Tunnells has exquisite designer eye wear.

And today is Small Business Saturday, so I will be supporting our small independent retailers when I do my Christmas shopping.