Mayor of Worcester

I was up early on Sunday to speak at the start of the annual Worcester Race For Life event, starting at Pitchcroft. What a well organised event, with well over 3,000 participants helping to raise a target of £199,000.

At the Race for Life start line

Jill and I were transported to the finishing line, where we distributed medals and congratulated the runners.

Later at the Chateau Impney hotel in Droitwich we attended the annual Worcestershire Army Cadet League lunch. We learnt a great deal about this movement, which plays a valuable role in engaging with young people.

On Monday I welcomed a visit from the Rotary Club of Worcester South with French visitors from London. This was a part of an annual twinning trip with visitors each year enjoying the city’s historic buildings.

At 12 noon we raised the Armed Forces Day flag in the Guildhall forecourt. Afterwards, I enjoyed a chance to chat with some of the veterans over a cup of coffee. Briefings for the following night’s council meeting followed, then a chance to meet and discuss flower arrangements for the annual banquet in July.

I met Helen King on Tuesday to learn about plans for the Worcester Music Festival in August. Later, I signed the official pledge as Worcester became one of the first UK Heart Cities. Meeting representatives from the British Heart Foundation gave me an opportunity to learn about the preventative measures that the city can help provide.

That afternoon we welcomed HRH the Duke of York for his visit to the Worcestershire Training Association HQ in Barbourne. It was great to meet young apprentices and to witness the training that is taking place. If only some more companies could engage in the training and development of our young people.

I chaired the full council meeting in the evening, discussing among other things a policy on social media and the IT needs of councillors. The world has changed so much in my 35 years’ experience as councillor and almost 50% of my communication with constituents relies on IT.

The city’s Homecoming and Freedom parade took place on Wednesday. What an experience to join others in taking the salute and to talk to the soldiers and many visitors. I believe this was a tribute to Worcester, with so many members of the public turning out and expressing their spontaneous support.

It was a great opportunity to engage with the army and we were pleased to receive mementos of the event to add to the city’s collection.

In the afternoon I attended a board meeting of Worcester Community Trust, which is doing so much to support areas in the city.

The evening brought a visit to an exhibition of work by art and design students at Worcester Sixth Form College in Spetchley Road. The standard of the work is incredibly demanding.

I paid a visit to the delightful village of Elmley Castle on Thursday, to the home of the new High Sheriff, Penelope Lewis. We enjoyed afternoon tea in a lovely setting.

On Friday, we attended the funeral of John Davenport, the husband of the chair of the city standard committee, Mrs Christine Davenport. It was an emotional event with a lovely choice of music and readings; an excellent tribute to a delightful person.

We opened the Community Fun Day at the King George V Playing Fields on Saturday. This excellent venue boasts some of the best football pitches in the city, which are maintained to a high degree. There were a wide variety of activities and stalls to enjoy.

Later I attended, with John Everest, the Act 1 Theatre Company showcase, sponsored by the sixth form of Tudor Grange Academy. The standard of performing arts is high, with many of the sixth form going on to further studies in full-time education. This will be the last production before the school moves to its new purpose-built theatre in the autumn.

Monday began at the Guildhall with a welcome to handbell-ringers and an American visitor Karen Buckwalter, who is a musical director and arranger. They enjoyed the Guildhall and a piece of cake kindly donated by St Paul’s Hostel from our recent visit.

Afterwards I paid a quick trip to the riverside to welcome Diabetes UK, who were staging a Healthy Lifestyle Roadshow. They are successful in looking at people’s body mass index and arranging referrals to local GPs where necessary.

At lunchtime I enjoyed a visit to the cricket ground to meet the Rotary Club of Worcester at the cricket ground. I was made an honorary member and heard of their fundraising plans.

We had a terrific evening on Tuesday at The Commandery seeing Shakespeare’s As You Like It – luckily without any inclement weather. We had a wine and finger buffet, then an excellent production where all actors performed so well. This really is Worcester at its best!

Wednesday brought another tour of the Guildhall and the Mayor’s Parlour, this time with American students on Summer School at the University. Not only were they impressed with the Guildhall and tourist attractions in the city, but many have plans to stay in Worcester for The Queen’s visit and also take a trip to the Olympics.

I joined the Bishop of Worcester on Thursday for the opening of our city’s first food bank. This is another initiative sponsored by All Saints Church who have been successful in engaging with many other volunteers, not just to help out but also to donate groceries. The existence of the food bank is in many ways a sad comment on the difficult times we are i

It was fascinating to attend the press conference to unveil the rediscovered papers from Winston Churchill’s visit to Worcester. This was a really interesting insight into the attempts by my predecessors to arrange for a visit to the City by Churchill and the eventual ceremony to award him the Freedom of the City.

We were joined by John and Ruth Bennett, who had treasured memories of Churchill staying at Lower Wick.

Jill and I, with John and Ruth Bennett

Later I joined the local branch of national charity Sight Concern for their Jail’n’Bait event outside the Guildhall – this challenged four contestants to raise £500 to be “released”.

We had a visit from Nunnery Wood Primary School on Friday. The youngsters enjoyed a debate in the Council Chamber on whether or not the wearing of school uniform was necessary. By a narrow margin those in favour won the debate. Afterwards I gave them a quick tour of the Guildhall, including the cells.

In the afternoon I enjoyed a visit to the cricket ground to see a T20 match with Warwickshire. Thanks to Peter John, editor of Worcester News, for the hospitality.

On Saturday I joined a photocall with The Rotary Club of Worcester who were fundraising with a parade of sandwich-boards, led by a band, throughout the busy city centre. This was one of their many fundraising events and I wish them well.

We had an enjoyable trip to the Bewdley annual Civic Service to support the Mayor of Bewdley, Councillor John Latham, and his partner on Sunday June 10. The weather was fine, allowing us to process to St Anne’s Church from the historic Guildhall.

I met with one of my charities, Maggs Day Centre on Mnday. We agreed a programme of events and I will highlight activities as they occur.

Later in the day I had tea with Georgia Smith of VisitWorcester and Duncan Starkey, Managing Director of Worcester City Council, to congratulate VisitWorcester on the successful Olympic Torch event.

An early morning meeting with my Chaplain Canon John Everest on Tuesday was followed by a meeting of The Trustees of The Bishop Lloyd Charity Lunchtime at The Lenchford, where I met old colleagues from Worcester Twenties Club.

In the afternoon I attended the annual general meeting of the Friends of Worcestershire Royal Infirmary and enjoyed a garden tour of Tutnall House in Claines – thanks to Eluned Smith. What excellent work and fundraising by this charity who are always extremely generous in supporting the WRI.

I hosted a joint visit of Spanish children and junior pupils from St George’s Primary School on Wednesday. They enjoyed a tour of the Guildhall, the cells and loved the opportunity to wear my mayoral chain and robes. This was part of an exchange visit with pupils from Toledo in Spain, which has been on-going for over six years.

I had an enjoyable visit to my other charity, St Paul’s Hostel, on Thursday. Jill and I were able to meet staff and some residents. We heard of the success of the “dry house” in St John’s and the importance of extensive support services run by St Paul’s throughout the county. We were very pleased to receive a lovely iced cake, which will be enjoyed by future visitors to the Mayor’s Parlour.

Next, I paid a quick visit to the Cathedral to practice my reading for Sunday’s Civic Service, before a visit to the University’s annual summer garden party, which this year had to be held indoors because of the inclement weather.

The day ended with a meeting of The Gorse Hill Forum at KGV Community Centre. This is the strategic body that oversees the Areas of Highest Need Project.

Friday brought an early start and a visit to The Three Counties Show in Malvern. We arrived surprisingly early and were able to make the most of the spells of better weather to see some of the displays.

Jill and I attended the opening ceremony, presided over by the President Bishop Of Worcester. I made a reply on behalf of the guests, and talked of the “Countryfile effect” which I believe is leading to a greater appreciation by “us townies” of the role of modern agriculture.

I opened the second annual Worcestershire Literary Festival at The Swan Theatre later in the day. It’s an interesting programme of events which I hope are well supported.

Jill and I stayed to watch the competition to appoint the poet laureate for Worcestershire. The standard was extremely high and congratulations go to Maggie Doyle from Bromsgrove – I hope we see her in the Mayor’s Parlour in the near future.

I had just one event on Saturday, a trip to Greyfriars to see the exhibition, Everything Old Was Once New. It was interesting to see how contemporary art was displayed in a very historic setting. What a gem this National Trust building is!

I was delighted with the turnout at my Civic Service on Sunday, held in the Cathedral. Jill and I were accompanied on the procession from the Guildhall by former Mayors of Worcester, as well as chairmen and mayors from neighbouring councils.

The service was also attended by Lord Faulkner, the Honorary Recorder Judge Juckes, representatives of the police and fire services, and many local charities, clubs, schools and businesses.

My chaplain, Reverend Canon John Everest, led prayers for the city.

I enjoyed a fleeting visit to Warndon Community Centre on Sunday where Worcester Community Trust (WCT) were hosting a five-a-side football competition. Despite the inclement weather Jill and I were able to wish contestants well.

The Celebration of The Diamond Jubilee at the Cathedral was a memorable occasion later that day. We were entertained to tea and cakes, then followed an uplifting service where Her Majesty’s devotion was praised by the Bishop. The music was as usual of a high standard.

Monday brought a celebration of the Jubilee at Ronkswood. What fine weather and thanks are due to the local publican and Emma Harding of WCT who, with a team of volunteers, had organised everything so well. It was great to see so many old friends.

I had an early start on Tuesday at St Peter’s, where Abigail McFarlane (15) had organised a Diamond Jubilee Fundraising Event for Acorns and NSPCC. Well done Abbi – I am impressed with the commitment of young people who do so much these days.

Over to The Tolly Centre at midday for another Jubilee celebration. There was a good turnout from local people, reflecting the strong sense of community in Tolladine. Thanks to Sandra Kennedy of WCT and her team of volunteers for making such a success on an inclement day.

I chaired a planning meeting on Wednesday for the Armed Forces homecoming and freedom parade that will take place in Worcester on June 27. I must pay tribute to the military precision with the planning of the event. It will be a terrific turnout of Armed Forces so I hope it is well supported by the local community.

Later that day I met with Pat Brandum, Chief Executive of  West Mercia Housing Group, and the evening brought the first of two evening training sessions for councillors on Planning Committee work.

On Thursday we entertained a group from Zweibrucken in south west Germany to a tour of the Guildhall. They were accompanied by representatives from Worcester Radio Amateurs Association. It was clear they enjoyed the visit, despite so much of the building being unavailable because of redecoration.

That afternoon we enjoyed a trip to visit Worcester Crossroads to meet staff and an old colleague, Roger Garland. Crossroads  provides an excellent service to local people – something the Mayoress has first hand experience of from her own experiences caring for her aged parents in Abertillery.

Friday and Saturday were free of civic events so I had an opportunity to catch up with casework and gardening, as well as take a walk on the Northwick Trail alongside the River.

Saturday also brought a visit to Pershore and a visit to the Abbey for Worcestershire Philharmonic Orchestra’s 40th birthday and Jubilee celebrations. Really enjoyable!