Mayor of Worcester Blog

I’ve enjoyed a few days’ respite over the last week, after a hectic festive period!  In the run-up to Christmas we helped the Worcester Rotary Club members with their annual seasonal appeal.   Jill and I met members from across Worcester who were busy bringing in donations, sorting them, and preparing them for distribution.  We were impressed with the logistical expertise and warmth from so many people, all working extremely hard to meet a tight deadline.  What a wonderful way of celebrating Christmas!

Later we were joined by Cllr Lucy Hodgson and Kathy Leather  at Berkley’s Almshouses, where we helped distribute  the donations to needy recipients.  I am so impressed with the whole programme, which has been running for many years.

At lunchtime we joined the Rotary Club of Worcester for their annual Christmas lunch at the Worcestershire County Cricket Club.  Many thanks go to Nigel Wake, for making us feel so welcome.

Later that same day, Jill and I attended the Worcester and District Scout Council Carol Service at the Cathedral. What an evening!  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, as did the rest of the congregation who made “animal noises” to fit in with the Nativity Play! Congratulations to the 8th Worcesters, who hosted the event.

We also watched the St Peters pre-school Nativity play at the Village Hall. There was hardly a dry eye in the house!  We thoroughly enjoyed it; thanks go to Sandy Ditchburn for the organisation of the event.

That evening, we attended the “Word for the World” carol service at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College; the orchestra and readers were all excellent.

Just about found time to squeeze in some Christmas shopping!  Then it was on to attend  Berkley’s annual Christmas lunch for residents at the Whitehouse Hotel, and the Annual General Meeting of the  Worcester Community Trust at the Green Centre.

The following day it was straight on to a tour of key sites in the city as part of the masterplan for Worcester, before attending a full meeting of the City Council’s Planning Committee.

The annual Worcester News traditional Christmas Carol Service at the Cathedral is always an unmissable event!  Editor Peter John, Trevor Sallis and I all gave Christmas readings.   Afterwards we adjourned to the Mayor’s Parlour at The Guildhall and enjoyed some mulled wine and mince pies.

My last official engagement before Christmas was a visit to the Cathedral for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, with readers from throughout the City.  It was packed out and is clearly appreciated by the many worshippers.  My thanks go to the Dean, who led the service.

Now a little time for a well-earned rest!  Wishing all Worcester News readers a very happy and healthy New Year.

 

I had an early start to the week, joining other local civic leaders to celebrate a new Sunday rail service to Birmingham and Hereford. The Cotswold Line Promotion Group sponsored the event and Cllr Rob Adams, the County Chair, waived off the Birmingham train while I simultaneously waived off the 9-05 to Hereford.  Lord Richard Faulkner and Julian Palfrey had arranged the event, which was well supported by officers from London Midland.

During the afternoon, Jill and I presented prizes to winners at the Droitwich winter archery tournament held at Royal Grammar School Worcester, in Little London.  It was interesting to meet competitors who were from a wide age range, and most welcoming! I confess to being unaware about the technical details of this popular sport.

On Monday Jill and I were welcomed by Biddie Furlong to the KGV Sports and Community Centre, where we joined members of the Grandee Club for Christmas Lunch. Biddie and her family members have been organising this event for over 50 years and clearly her efforts are well appreciated. It was great to meet local residents and join them in this annual event.

Later that evening I chaired the meeting of the Full Council, where we approved the South Worcestershire Development Plan for further examination. Councillors then joined me in the parlour for seasonal refreshments.

The following day I attended the annual Christmas event with my local U3A History Group and Wednesday saw me going to a meeting of the Grants Committee of Consolidated Charity, where we celebrated a special birthday for one of our long-serving members, Cliff Lord.

I attended the Christmas meeting of Voluntary Organisations of Worcester on Thursday, where Sally Ellison updated members on local news of concern to the voluntary sector.  This is an important meeting for voluntary organisations in the city, and provides a good networking opportunity.

During the evening we hosted a fund raising concert, “the Joys of Christmas”, performed by Worcester Elgar Chorale with readings by Gabrielle Bullock and Tim Watson. It was clearly enjoyed by all, and we thank the Chorale and Dr Donald Hunt for such a fantastic evening. Thanks to all those who supported the two Mayoral charities to help the homeless.

On Friday a chest infection forced me to cancel a visit to see Miss Saigon at Worcester’s VI Form College, but by Saturday I was well enough to attend the annual Christmas Fayre of ONSIDE at The Guildhall. This local charity offers an advocacy service to vulnerable members of the community. It was pleasing to note how well supported the event was.

 

The week began with a meeting of representatives from the Worcester Rotary Club, to make plans for the Charity Banquet next year.  We have our next fundraiser with the Elgar Chorale on Thursday – tickets are still available!

Later I entertained colleagues from the West Midlands Area Committee for the Co-operative Group to a buffet, followed by a tour of the Guildhall.

The following day Jill and I attended the YMCA to see the screening of the Young Health Champions’ Mental Health Awareness Film.  It was extremely moving and promoted awareness of mental health issues among young people.

We were welcomed to Acorns Hospice in Bath Road on Wednesday, where we were given a tour of the building and later met staff.  What a tribute to local fundraising this is! Thanks to CEO David Strudwick.

Later I attended a localism seminar with colleague councillors and the Managing Director of Worcester City Council.

On Thursday, Jill and I welcomed the Sanctuary Group students from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College to the Parlour and gave them a tour of the Guildhall. What an interesting group of knowledgeable students!

Later, I met with Matt Johnson and Vinspired volunteer team, who offered to help promote our “Homeless not Helplessness Day” at The Guildhall on Saturday 26 January.  They have produced a most useful information leaflet aimed at young people.

In the afternoon I attended the funeral of Ronkswood stalwart Joyce Drew.  The high attendance was a tribute to the work she performed in this community over many years.

During the evening we were welcomed to Blessed Edward Oldcorne’s Presentation Evening.  What a warm and caring environment there is in this high achieving College.  Many thanks to the Prinicipal Sean Devlin and his team.

On Friday we attended the Fort Royal School, where we hosted the annual Christmas Party supported by Drumlove.  The children clearly enjoyed themselves and it was great to talk with them when we later toured the school.

Later Jill and I attended the launch of the Ryder Festival, a community event at The Green Centre hosted by young people from engage4life. It was an opportunity for young people to show how they contribute positively to society.

I then attended a briefing for the Extra Council Meeting we are holding next Monday night, to approve the South Worcestershire Development Plan.

Later Jill and I attended the switching on event for the Christmas Tree Festival in the cloisters at the Cathedral, in aid of Daisy Chain Benevolent Charities. What an addition to the Christmas delights in the City this event is!  We were then asked to select the top three trees, which was extremely difficult knowing the amount of time volunteers have put in to produce such fine results.

I joined the Worcester Amnesty Branch the following day, signing a card to one of their persons “suffering from human rights abuse.” I then joined the Worcester Rotary Club who were collecting for their Christmas parcels project. What a great deal of effort goes into this worthy cause.

During the evening, we attended The Messiah at the Cathedral courtesy of Worcester Festival Chorus; what an invigorating start to Christmas! Congratulations to all the performers and to Christopher Allsop, Assistant Director of Music.

The week has been dominated by the “near miss” from flooding in the city; our sympathies go to those who suffered.  I’ve also been very occupied with arrangements for the twentieth annual Christmas Fayre, which was launched in bright but cold winter weather.

On Monday I attended my last meeting of Nexus Housing association, where I was presented with gifts to acknowledge the 25 years of service I’ve given to the organisation.  But there was no time to get emotional!  It was straight on to the licensing and induction event for the Reverend Christine Turpin at St Wulstan’s in Warndon. It was a very warm affair, where I met congregations from both the old parishes and the new.  Jill and I look forward to working with Christine over the coming months.

The following day saw us joining forces with the British Legion to plant a tree in Gheluvelt Park, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  It was pleasing to welcome so many old friends at the nature reserve in beautiful, sunny but bitterly cold weather.

Later that evening I chaired a marathon meeting at the City Council, which lasted until after midnight.  Some fundamental decisions were made about the future role of the organisation at this session.

Wednesday saw Jill and I visiting ASPIE’s new headquarters in Sansome Walk.  This association is proud to help Asperger’s sufferers with the problems of unemployment, social isolation, in a warm and caring environment.

Afterwards we visited Worcester University where David Behan, the new Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission, gave an inspirational address on the subject of leadership.

On Thursday we joined  Cathedral and civic dignitaries in procession for the opening of the twentieth annual Christmas Fayre at Cornmarket.  What a great success the event is, now covering the whole of the city and bringing together partners and representatives from three of our twinned cities.  We have moved a long way from the first Fayre, which was solely in New Street and Friar Street!

The week ended with a whole series of celebrations.  I attended a party to celebrate Perrywood school’s 60^th anniversary, and then planted a time-capsule for future generations to discover.  The children thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, with a party for the whole school.

We made a quick return to the Parlour, where we showed Mayor Theodor Brauer and his party of councillors and partners some of the civic treasures.  They certainly enjoyed the history. It is amazing what we councillors have in common with Kleve!

We then toured the Christmas Fayre with VisitWorcester and met stallholders in a wonderful atmosphere. The quality of stalls has improved over the years and we were pleased to see so many people dressed in Victorian costume.  Great also to meet a huge number of local people enjoying the occasion.

Finally, Jill and I went to the annual Labour Party Bazaar, where we were joined with members of the Twinning Association.  In the evening we enjoyed a Christmas meal at the Hick Suite in the Cricket Ground. It was great to meet representatives of our three twin cities informally, and to enjoy their company.

Last but not least, on Sunday we presented prizes to stallholders at what must have been one of the most successful Christmas Fayres ever!