Mayor of Worcester Blog

Last week was full of contrasts.  Firstly on Monday, I had meetings with the mayoral charities and with the Managing Director and Leader of the Council to discuss business matters. The charities are pleased with our attempts to highlight homelessness issues and the response to our fundraising; we’ve still got two more events scheduled for April and May!

Tuesday saw the Royal visit by HRH Duke of Gloucester, who opened the Pierson Study Centre at the University. I well remember Mr Pierson, and this was a fine way to commemorate his name through such ideal study and information services for students.

On Thursday I joined Debbie Morris and the Principal of Worcester College of Technology to present the Ability Awards to students who had suffered brain injury.  It was a heart warming occasion, and a real tribute to the efforts of students who had progressed in so many ways to receive this recognition.

During the afternoon we attended the funeral of Bob Bullock at St Marys Parish Church in Kempsey.  He was a former Justice of the Peace, Mayor, City and County Councillor, who had spent so much of his life in public service. He also contributed to the rescue of several prominent buildings in the City centre.

During the early evening we attended the West Midlands Ambulance Service Long Service and Excellence Awards at the Chateau Impney, Droitwich.  It is pleasing to note how many public servants do their job to such an excellent standard; they well deserve this recognition.

On Friday we attended the funeral of David Inight MBE at St Stephens Church; another former Mayor and long serving City and County Councillor. David and I shared a mutual interest in the development of council housing in the City, and latterly we had regained contact with his work at the Worcester Rotary Club. He will be sorely missed, and our sympathies go to Hilary, his partner.

On Saturday evening we attended the Charity Ball of the Mayor of Gloucester, Cllr David Brown, at Kingsholme Rugby Ground Gloucester.

 

A particularly busy week began last Sunday, with the licensing and installation of Reverend Jo Masson at Claines Church; she also carries responsibilities at St Georges in Barbourne. It was a warm occasion, well attended by worshippers from both churches and officiated over by the Bishop of Dudley, David Walker.

Students from Stuttgart, Germany, who are staying with families of children from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, came for a visit to the Mayor’s Parlour in the Guildhall on Monday.

Tuesday saw another trip to the Parlour, when we presented awards for the Worcester Vigornia Rotary Club’s Young Citizen Award. The winner, Joe Lovell, had a track record of running activities for young people and working for Youth Com local Radio. I was impressed with all the finalists who have led such interesting lives, putting so much back into our community.

There were more visits to the Guildhall on Wednesday – this time from Tim Berg of the Ball State University Indiana, who is currently visiting Worcester University; then followed by a visit from Worcester New College students. Despite their visual impairment, they thoroughly enjoyed wearing the Mayoral Chain and Robes and touching the Civic Sword and maces.

Later in the evening we joined a joint meeting of the Friends of Museums Worcestershire and Friends of Worcester Cathedral, with a lecture from Dr Noel Worley on the story of Alabaster. The next meeting will continue the story, with a presentation from Kim Fox.

On Thursday we welcomed two visitors from Palestine, who stopped in briefly to talk about Fair Trade. They were on a tour of the UK during Fair Trade fortnight, and kindly presented us with a package of locally sourced fair trade products. It was great to meet a real life olive producer, and learn how the fair trade premium is used for the benefit of local communities in Palestine.

Later in the evening we enjoyed an Elgar concert at Symphony Hall Birmingham, courtesy of the directors of CBSO and friends John and Anna Yelland. The CBSO Concert was fantastic, conducted by Mike Seal and narrated by Paul Rissman; only wish we could see more of the orchestra in Worcester!

Friday was the day of our Charity Banquet at the Guildhall. Over 140 guests commenced by enjoyed songs from the musicals, presented by the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society’s Youth Section (WODYS). The young people set such a high standard, they really are excellent! After the meal we enjoyed various fundraising games, the judging of the fancy dress competition and an auction, courtesy of Charles Robinson. We are so grateful to our friends in the Worcester Rotary Club for their efforts, and to the large number of people and companies who donated money and prizes. It really was a great evening and the Rotary and mayoral charities will benefit from the proceeds.

On Saturday Jill and I drew the prize winning tickets in the Co-operative Group’s raffle, held at St John’s Store in aid of The Carers Trust. This is part of local fundraising for the Trust, which will continue for the rest of the year.

 

 

This has been a week of American visitors to the Guildhall!  First on Monday, we welcomed Rotarians from Carolina on an exchange visit to the UK.  They had visited Worcester Cricket Club for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Guildhall, where we were also treated to an English Cream Tea, courtesy of the Worcester Rotarians.

Then on Thursday, we entertained university lecturers from Duluth, Minnesota.  They particularly enjoyed the artworks, and the sense of history of the building.  It certainly is important to recognise the potential the Guildhall has as a tourist attraction.

Also on Thursday, we welcomed Year 6 students from St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary school in Warndon. It was one of the most enjoyable visits we have had, as the children were so interested in history and their questions really kept us on our toes!  We hope to be making a return visit when we shall attend their forthcoming fundraising event – involving a circus in the school grounds.

We also had a final meeting to plan this week’s charity banquet; we are so grateful for the many donations which will provide a real boost for this annual fundraiser.

The launch of Fairtrade fortnight was preceded by judging artwork on the topic from many Worcester schools. It really was a hard job, as so many new ideas had come from the budding artists.

On Friday we attended the Fair Trade Coffee Morning and were able to present prizes to the winners of the art competition, who also joined us in the Parlour for a short visit.  Thanks to Worcester Trade Justice Network for organising the occasion, and to The Co-operative and Tesco’s for providing Fair Trade products.

Saturday was an opportunity to attend the annual Young Enterprise Spring Fair in Cathedral Plaza and present awards to the winners. It was a good opportunity to talk with youngsters and see all the products they were selling from Young Enterprise Companies promoted by schools across South Worcestershire. This is certainly a great opportunity to develop those enterprise skills that are so needed if the economy is ever to recover.  We congratulated all the youngsters who have worked so hard in building up their companies and promoting them.

The early part of the week was dominated by the annual meeting of the City Council, where its share of the annual Council Tax bill was set.  The meeting of full Council was transferred to the Assembly Room to accommodate the large numbers of the public expected – although in the end only three were present, along with several members of staff.

It was my role to chair the meeting and despite the close votes, the controlling Party carried the day – although for the first time in my memory, they were outvoted on two resolutions by the opposition. Afterwards I hosted a late night drinks reception in the Mayor’s Parlour, where councillors recovered and found things upon which we all agree.

On Wednesday Jill and I attended Cecil Duckworth’s opening of Latimer Court, on the former Ronkswood site. It is a fine development, welcome in the City, and designed to meet all needs of the elderly who require residential care.

Later during the evening we attended a reception at the Kings School Boathouse, to mark the merger of Guise Jones and Sawyer to form GJS Dillon.  It is always nice to see local partnerships developing, yet preserving their local experience.

On Thursday I attended the opening of the Skipton Building Society, which is still a mutual, in their new premises at 2 The Cross.  They had previously been located at Broad Street for over 18 years. It was nice to inspect the premises and meet customers, many of whom I had known over the years.

On Friday, after my regular walk with the U3A Walking Group, Jill and I welcomed the forty- strong All Saints Chapel Choir from the Rikkyo University in Tokyo during the afternoon. They were really interested to see the City’s heritage and even entertained us to one of their spirituals! They performed later on Saturday at St Martins Church London Road – I only wish we could have been present to hear them again!

Saturday saw us supporting a Fairtrade information stall outside The Guildhall in what was really bitterly cold weather.  It was a good opportunity to meet members of the Worcester Fairtrade Group, in preparation for our own coffee morning next Friday 1 March at 10.00am at The Guildhall.

Tickets are still available for our annual Charity Banquet on Friday 8 March in The Guildhall. Come and join us for a great night out!  Cabaret entertainment will be provided – please contact Susan O’Kane on 01905 722001 for tickets.