Mayor of Worcester Blog

Last Sunday was dominated by St George’s Day events; first a Cathedral service, and then the annual march past the Guildhall where we took the salute. Congratulations to the Second Worcesters who took overall responsibility for the day, and the many parents and children who took part in the well-supported event.

Later we showed representatives around the Guildhall including the Assembly Room and Cells, which provided a source of real interest.

On Monday we were asked to open the recently refurbished Warmstry Court  – I well remember it being built on the site of the former “City Rag Stores”!  It was great to see the improved accommodation which has been created by Thomas Vale Construction.

Tuesday saw my final meeting as Chair of the World War 1 commemoration committee, where we approved a new structure to produce a more streamlined organisation.

Later we supported the Mayor of Evesham’s St George’s Day event, held at the refurbished Regal Cinema in Evesham.  It is a beautiful example of Art Deco, and hosted a most enjoyable evening, courtesy of Councillor Robert Raphael.

Wednesday saw us attending the Civic Society’s annual Mayor’s lecture, “From Austerity to Prosperity”, which was given By Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor of the University of Worcester.  It was a bullish presentation, calling for re-investment in infrastructure as an alternative to continued stagnation!

On Friday we entertained another prize winner with coffee in the Parlour.  Later we joined MP Robin Walker for the opening of Second Chance Furnishings – a subsidiary of St Paul’s Hostel for the Homeless.  We met a number of volunteers and service users, who are fully engaged in this most interesting project.

During the evening we attended a civic Charity Dinner at Hagley Hall, for the Civic Head of Bromsgove’s charities.

I joined members of the Clothiers Society for a farm tour at Top Barn Farm on Saturday.  I was impressed with the link between farm and countryside, and the many local voluntary bodies who are supported by this interesting diversification from farming.

During the afternoon we made a final trip to St George’s Lane, where I attended the last football match against Chester FC.  It was an afternoon of mixed emotions, and it does seem sad that no suitable local ground-sharing facility could have been arranged!

During the evening Jill and I attended our penultimate fund- raiser, with the Great Witley Operatic Society and Friends presenting the concert version of “Pirates of Penzance”.  It was sensational, the packed audience enjoying a superb evening. Our thanks to so many volunteers, friends and performers in particular, who gave up their Saturday for such an enjoyable evening’s performance. Thanks to Jane Dodd who was the leading soprano, Sue Black MD and Caroline Causier, who spent so much time organising the event over the past nine months.

Saturday brought a great chance to see the opportunities offered by Worcester U3A (University of the Third Age), as I opened their Cameo event. This was held at Christopher Whitehead Language College in Bromwich Road and the Mayoress and I enjoyed meeting over 300 members of the U3A and hearing about the opportunities offered to them in their “third age”.

I enjoyed a real first on Sunday, when I was asked to christen a new boat, the Floreat Vigornia, at The Rowing Club. It was great to see the opportunities there are for young people at the club and to see them making such great and safe use of the city’s river.

On Monday I joined Worcester Community Trust for their Community Consultation event in Bell Square. The Mayoress and I were delighted to meet young people who attend the Tolly Youth Club.

On Tuesday I chaired a consultation afternoon at the Guildhall to discuss the commemoration of the centenary of World War I. It was attended by representatives from throughout Worcestershire and I hope it will be possible to co-ordinate events across the county over the next four years.

I was delighted to welcome the successful Worcester University Men’s Basketball Team to the Mayor’s Parlour in the Guildhall on Wednesday. It was a privilege to meet the team who have won the National University Men’s Basketball title for the third year in succession.

Later on, I had the honour of presenting four Long Service Awards to council staff who have served over 25 years continuous service each. It was great to meet them and their families. What a true commitment to the Council!

That evening we were guests of Great Witley Operatic Society at their  production Of Oklahoma! at The Swan Theatre. Congratulations to Musical Director Sue Black, Director Chris Love and all the cast and backstage crew on an excellent production.

Thursday brought the opening of local firm Postcode Anywhere’s new offices at Diglis. It was great to meet such an enthusiastic group of staff who will surely enjoy working in these excellent premises.

On Saturday we attended a gala concert by The Orchestra of The Swan and Chamber Choir at Pershore Abbey. It was promoted by the Worcester Friends of The Three Choirs Festival to raise funds for the festival when it returns to Worcester in 2014.

 

A meeting of Worcester Rotary on Monday brought good news, as we were able to finalize the accounts for last month’s charity banquet. I’m delighted to report that over £7,000 was raised towards the Rotary charities and my own Mayoral causes, St Paul’s Hostel and Maggs Day Centre. It was a great effort and we are extremely grateful to all our friends who supported the event. A special thanks to Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society’s Youth Section (WODYS), who launched the evening with such a fine performance.

Later that day, I joined a civic party led by the chairman of Worcestershire County Council, Cllr Rob Adams, to visit The Hive. Despite being a regular user I found there are place in this landmark building that I hadn’t seen before, so it was an interesting visit. Congratulations to all those who have been involved in this truly remarkable project.

One of the duties of the Mayor is to chair the meeting of the full Council, and on Tuesday I was pleased to welcome over 40 members of Worcester Swimming Club who there for the debate about a new swimming pool for the city. It was a final Council for me as its chair and was the scene of a lively debate on the introduction of the “bedroom tax”

On Wednesday evening, in my role as President, I chaired the annual general meeting of Worcester Twinning Association, and presided over the election of the association’s officers. It was a well attended meeting and it was interesting to hear about celebrations for the 25th anniversary of our twinning with Kleve in Germany. Next year there is a visit to Worcester, Massachusets, and a return visit for Kleve residents.

Speaking of our American namesake, on Thursday I welcomed Carl Herrin, Pro Vice Chancellor of Worcester University in Massachusets, to the Guildhall.

Later that day, I welcomed two groups of visitors from Worcester Industrial Archaeology and the History Association to see the Guildhall treasures. I was pleased that we were able to display some of our historic Charters, which caused a great deal of interest. Carl Jukes, city conservation officer, came along and was able to provide a great deal of detail about the current buildings.

I was pleased to join members of the Onside charity at the Guildhall on Friday to launch their new Get Connected campaign. Onside is dedicated to help vulnerable, disadvantages and isolated people, and this new campaign is all about encouraging people to make contact with and support their neighbours. I hope as many people as possible in Worcester will take the pledge to Get Connected.

Finally, I’d like to remind you of two upcoming events in aid of my charities – performance of The Pirates Of Penzance on April 27, courtesy of Great Witley Opeartic Society (GWOS) and on April 30 a lecture on Medicine in Worcestershire by Dr John Harcup.

Tickets for both are available on 01905 722001.

Last Sunday Jill and I attended the civic service of the Mayor of Redditch, Cllr Alan and Mrs Nina Mason, at the Parish Church of St Stephens. Afterwards we met local community representatives in the Town Hall.

On Monday it was the opening of the new nursery play area at Fort Royal School, courtesy of a grant from the Ganet Foundation.  It really was great to see the children enjoying themselves outside in the winter sun, thanks to fundraiser Margaret Jones and Head Teacher Jane Long.

The following day we joined staff and children at Perdiswell Primary School for their “Mad Science Day”.  As part of the activities, I was able to join members of the Worcester Amateur Radio Association in talking to another “ham” in Preston.  Jill and I enjoyed visiting all the classes and seeing the children so fully engaged in the event. Thanks go to Mrs Bryan, Science Co-ordinator, and the Head Teacher.

For the next three days I was struck by a nasty stomach bug so cancelled my visit to The Rotary Club of Worcester South. I was grateful for the support of the Deputy Mayor, Pat Agar, who attended Wood Norton Hall on Friday for a Charity Banquet held by the Chairman of Wychavon, Cllr Richard Morris.

Mayoress Jill Berry stepped in to welcome a group of visually impaired students from New College  on Wednesday, who visited the Guildhall.  She deputised again on Thursday at the Bishop Perowne C of E College’s 50th anniversary celebrations.  It was an evening of music and dance, performed by students past and present. She commented on the high standard and enjoyed the evening very much.

By Saturday I had made sufficient recovery to officially open and attend the Lions 105M District’s 38th Annual Convention at The Pear Tree Inn. Worcester was the host Branch and I was pleased to welcome delegates from throughout the Midlands, including District Governor Paul Anstice and International Director Benedict Ancar, who lives in Romania.  Thanks go to Angie Wytcherley of the Lions Worcester Branch.

Finally, may I take the opportunity to publicise our next fundraiser, which will be a vibrant Gilbert & Sullivan performance of the much loved Pirates of Penzance.  The performance will take place at the Guildhall on the evening of April 27; don’t miss it!  Tickets are available for £10 from the Mayor’s Secretary, Susan O’Kane – tel 01905 722001.