Mayor of Worcester

Fifty years ago (1962) 70% of men and 40% of women smoked. The work carried out by Sir Richard Doll and his associates in Oxford established the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer and “coronary thrombosis”. The prevalence of smoking is now down to 21% for both sexes. A fantastic achievement but we need to do more to help those who want to quit. I am concerned especially about the developing world where tobacco is being “pushed”: already this is having a serious effect on health on top of all of the tropical diseases and AIDS with which these countries have to cope.

Monday 5^th: Tim Clark, Editor of the “Worcester Standard”, and I had our regular chat in the parlour.

Tuesday 6^th: The Worcester Masonic Ladies Friendship Club was a delightful group who came to the Parlour for a tour. Several had links with past mayors and civic officials at the Guildhall so they taught me a few extra historical facts.

Thursday 8^th: The Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis Centre in the Great Western Business Park opened in June 2009 and provides a high standard service for 63 patients with chronic kidney failure. These patients attend three times each week for a dialysis session that lasts about five hours. Jane and I visited the centre as part of “World Kidney Day”. We were most impressed and especially how well the patients were. Such an enormous contrast from the early days of dialysis when I was working on the Kidney Unit in Oxford over 40 years ago.

The 2012 “World Kidney Day” Campaign focuses on the positive outcome of kidney transplantation and the life-saving aspect of organ donation. The slogan for this year’s campaign is “Donate  –  Kidneys for Life  –  Receive.” For more information see www.worldkidneyday.org

International Women’s Day (IWD) began in the early 1900’s and was celebrated today.

Sarah Blaine and her colleagues had set up an exhibition in the Guildhall to raise awareness of the role of women in the world and of Fair Trade. IWD is a national holiday in many countries including Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cuba, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Russia, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends and colleagues with small gifts. There is no doubt that the participation of women, especially in developing countries such as Rwanda, is increasing rapidly with a beneficial impact on society. Great changes have come about. There are female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family and women have real choices. The nature of IWD has moved from just a reminder about the negatives to a highlighting of the positives. For more information: www.internationalwomensday.com

Friday 9^th: More work on planning for Armed Forces Week in June. It is fitting that we enhance our celebrations particularly during this Diamond Jubilee Year. Hard work for all those involved but it will be worth it.

Mrs. Margaret Renney and Mr. John Quibell-Smith met with me in the parlour to go through the final plans for the English Speaking Union competition tomorrow.

Le Vésinet, in France, is one of our twinned towns so it was a special pleasure to welcome thirty students from Collège de Cèdre. They are on an exchange visit with The King’s School.

Le Vésinet (from Wikipedia)

The day was rounded off with a Civic Dinner, hosted by the Mayor of Pershore, Cllr. John Grantham, MBE, and Mayoress Mrs. Sheila Grantham, at the Berkeley Arms, Egdon. This was to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen. A most enjoyable evening that also raised funds for the “Midlands Air Ambulance” and “Acorns”.

Monday 27^th: “Fair Trade” fortnight began today. We live in a world generally of “Free Trade” but with that privilege comes a responsibility to ensure that trade is fare. This is especially important for populations in developing countries where poverty is way outside our experience in the “West”. I have observed this at first hand in countries like Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda. We must do all we can to ensure that producers of goods and products in these countries receive a sufficient and fair price so provide at least the basic necessities of family life: health, education and a home. That is where the “Fair Trade” organisation plays a vital part. Worcester is a “Fair Trade” City where numerous retailers, restaurants, schools and churches ensure that they have a range of “Fair Trade” goods available.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J60mvcp_Q_E

More information on www.fairtrade.org.uk

Tuesday 28^th: My older son, Mark, had been a pupil at Hawford Lodge School (now King’s Hawford). He always remembers his time there thirty years ago with such joy and pleasure. Jane and I had been invited to the school for lunch with the pupils. However before sitting down to an excellent meal I was asked to read a story. I chose “In which Pooh goes visiting and gets into a tight place” from “Winnie-the-Pooh” by A.A.Milne. It is amazing how these books published in the 1920’s still hold affection with children and adults alike. Then it was our turn to listen to three of the children read a passage of their choosing. We also met with the pupil members of the School Council. They really took this seriously with all sorts of ideas to improve things at the school and ways of raising funds for charity.

A most enjoyable afternoon entertaining a group of 21 friends from the Whittington Church congregation. It is always a great pleasure to reveal what is “behind the scenes” historically in the Guildhall. Jane had baked a number of cakes for tea.

Wednesday 29^th: This evening I really wanted to go the lecture at the University given by Dr. Jeremy Dawson (University of Sheffield) with the title “Team working in health care: Implications for staff well-being and patient safety”. Unfortunately the traffic was so heavy that I managed less than half a mile from home in thirty minutes…in the end I gave up.

Thursday 1^st: “NAKED AMBITION. My Quest to Row an Ocean” was written by Richard Wood. It tells the story of his rowing solo across the Atlantic in 2004: an astonishing achievement. In 2006 Richard suffered a stroke paralysing his left side. But nothing, even a physical disability, will stop this courageous man. He has learnt to walk and still has challenges to pursue. I met him with Kath Wood (no relation), a neurological physiotherapist, in the Parlour, to discuss their quest to set up a charity to “enable individuals with long-term neurological disabilitiesthe opportunity to access further, on-going rehabilitation”. Neurological conditions result from damage to the brain, spinal column or nerves, caused by illness or injury. The first aim is to create a physiotherapy-led hydrotherapy exercise service for these people. This seems like an important initiative to me.

The British Medical Associationwas founded on July 19^th 1832 by Sir Charles Hastings in the Board Room of the Worcester Royal Infirmary (WRI). A reception was held in that historical Board Room and Jenny Lind Chapel and hosted by Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor of the University of Worcester. It was attended by almost a hundred doctors and guests many of whom were old colleagues from my days of working at the WRI. It was a wonderful occasion to see how the old hospital has been brought back into use as the City Campus of the University. We all then attended a “Black Tie Dinner” in the Assembly Room of the Guildhall to celebrate 180 years of medicine in Worcester.

Friday 2^nd: Prince Henry’s High School in Evesham has an exchange arrangement with a school in Dresden in Germany. Twelve students, aged around 17 years, on this year’s exchange came for a tour of the Guildhall. I never fail to be impressed by the command of English acquired by these young folk: certainly makes giving a talk much easier since my knowledge of German is nil!

We continue to plan and gain more ideas for the marking of the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War in 2014. The team met this afternoon. Soon we will be putting a box in the Guildhall for people to place their thoughts and perhaps contributions of memorabilia.

Saturday 3^rd: The forecourt of the Guildhall was the scene today of a stall to promote “Fair Trade”: there were many examples of products to try and taste.

The hope is that this will highlight the importance of “Fair Trade” and to encourage people to look for items when doing their weekly shopping. Over 3,000 “Fair Trade” products are now available. Over the ten years 2001 – 2011 the retail turnover of these goods has risen from £50.5 million to £1,319 million.

While I was at the Guildhall this morning there was an exhibition of a variety of health related initiatives. These included sessions on “meditation” and the organiser took a bet with the “Zumba” lady that I wouldn’t take part…well I did! The trouble was I could not hear the relaxing words that drifted across the group while we had our eyes closed. So I had to peep from time to time to make sure I hadn’t been left alone.

Then the “Zumba” organiser bet the “meditation” organiser that I wouldn’t do the “Zumba” exercises on the Guildhall forecourt. Well, you can guess what happened next…. at least it brought in the crowds!!

I am not a football fan but my son, Mark and his wife Sarah, persuaded Jane and me to go to the match at St. George’s Lane this afternoon. Worcester City was playing Boston United. In fact it was most enjoyable. Worcester won 3 – 0. Before the match Worcester was ninth (out of 22 teams) in the Blue Square Bet North Table only one above Boston United. If Worcester City continues to play as well as they did today they should advance up the Table. I wish them well.

Monday 20^th: Full Council meets tomorrow evening. On the agenda is the most important topic of the year…the budget. It was therefore useful to have a briefing on procedure from the Managing Director and the City Council’s Lawyer: the smooth running of the meeting depends largely on this briefing.

I met with members of the Worcester Rotary Club this morning to review how last Friday’s “Diamond Jubilee Street Party” went. We were generally very pleased and especially for the sums raised for our respective charities. As always we learnt a few things that may lead to a little tweaking of a similar event next year.

Tuesday 21^st: Shrove Tuesday. The Worcester Rotary Clubs organise an annual Pancake Race outside the Guildhall in the High Street.

There were several entries. It was great fun with me in ceremonial dress! I am delighted to say that the Mayor’s team won the frying pan, namely “The Peplow Trophy”, for the first time. Thanks Lynne, Ben and Tom with a little help from the Mayor!!

A selection of  photos of the pancake races can be found on the Worcester Facebook page

Yesterday’s briefing on Full Council was worth it. The meeting this evening went pretty well with the usual robust political debate…but generally good natured and courteous.

Wednesday 22^nd: The Planning Team for our third (and probably last) visit (end of April) to the Adentan Municipal Assembly in Ghana met this morning. This visit is going to be important especially to draw together the whole “Good Practice Scheme” initiative for Local Economic Development, to take forward the Master Planning process for the area and to enhance local capacity building.

Mandarin Chinese is, and will become increasingly so, important in terms of international relations and commerce. If we do not grasp the fact that China is a gigantic economy with which we need to work then economically we will lose heavily. I therefore met Ian Morris and Irene Leung (of “link-global.com”) to continue our discussions on how to spread the word about this important, and fascinating, language. If anyone is interested do contact me.

Thursday 23^rd: An early start. I met the Headmaster, Tim Keyes, of The King’s School just before 8.30am and thence across to College Hall for School Assembly. The Hall was packed. After a few routine notices I was interviewed in front of the whole school about the role of the Mayoralty and its highlights, my mayoral charities, Worcester pride, my school days and preparation for University and my work in Africa. I was also asked what advice I might give to King’s pupils:

“Be yourself. Follow your interests & instincts. What you enjoy you’ll succeed at. Play as well as work. Look out for each other.

“When I went up to Oxford my medical tutor said on my first day: ‘Your primary aim of coming to Oxford is not to get a degree but to be educated’….but I did get a degree.”

The West Worcester Live at Home Scheme celebrated its 20^th Birthday today at the Bromyard Road Methodist Church Hall. Jane and I attended and I was asked to give a “speechette” and cut the cake. This Scheme (which is part of the Methodist Homes for the Aged) provides many valuable services: befriending and spiritual, clubs and other social activities, outings and newsletters. To be lonely, and for some infirm too, can be so distressing: a friendly regular visit can make all the difference. Further information on the web site: www.live-at-home.co.uk

Friday 24^th: Poliomyelitis (polio or infantile paralysis) was first clearly described by Jakob Heine in 1840. It is an acute, viral, infectious disease. Ninety percent of infections are symptomless and unrecognised. In 1% of cases, the virus infects the central nervous system leading to muscle weakness and paralysis. It was one of the most feared childhood diseases in the 20th century. Polio epidemics have crippled thousands of people especially after the 1880’s and particularly in cities during the summer. An effective vaccine has been developed since the 1950’s leading to a dramatic drop in the incidence of polio cases. Vaccination campaigns led by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Rotary International are fast approaching eradication of this terrible disease. The Americas were certified polio-free in 1994, the Western Pacific in 2000 and Europe in 2002. But there is still work to do especially in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. I was particularly pleased to support the “End Polio Now” coffee morning run by the Rotary Club of Worcester in the Guildhall. Polio is easy to prevent by vaccination: £1 protects five children!! For more information see www.rotary.org/endpolio and www.thanksforlife.org.

This can be prevented by this (from Wikipedia)

Worcester Concert Brass has a great reputation for rousing entertainment. We were not disappointed when they performed “Music for a Winter’s Evening” in the Guildhall before a huge audience.

It was all rounded off with “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar. I am so grateful to the Band, the conductor Bryan Hodgetts and their guest soloist Margaret Peters accompanied by Nick Wright. All proceeds went to my Mayoral charities Leukaemia Care and the Worcester Farmers’ Overseas Action Group.

The band was formed in March 1982 as the Nunnery Wood Youth Band becoming Worcester Concert Brass in September 1993. It gives pleasure to a wide section of the community performing for charitable events and at the Worcester’s Victorian Christmas Fayre. For more information see www.worcesterconcertbrass.org.uk

Saturday 25^th: I had the pleasure of opening The Young Enterprise Spring Fayre in the Cathedral Plaza today and later presenting the prizes.

This enabled Young Enterprise School Companies from South Worcestershire to come together to sell their products / services they have manufactured. This is a very important venture giving many young people the opportunity to learn about and practice business. I was most impressed by their enthusiasm as I toured all eighteen stalls. Life is tough for businesses and especially for our young people: this is a wonderful way of addressing these issues.

Monday 13^th: A “tidying-up and catching-up day”: there wasn’t much time last week.

I had a telephone call from Richard Vernalls, reporter at the “Worcester News”. He wanted a comment about the recent issue of “Prayers” at Council meetings. Apparently we do not have the legal right to say prayers at a local council meeting, such as “Full Council”, to which councillors have been summoned. Does this really offend anyone? Well, it seems so. The National Secular Society has won a test case in Bideford Town Council. The practice “as part of the formal meeting of a council is not lawful under section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972, and there is no statutory power permitting the practice to continue.” But the key words here are ”…  as part of the formal meeting…” to which councillors have been summoned. There would be nothing to prevent prayers being said before the formal start of a meeting: those who wished not to attend would have that option. I have full respect for the views of everyone in society and would never wish to offend or remove the rights of anyone no matter how small the minority. But it does work both ways and I think the Bishop of Exeter is correct when he is reported as saying: it is a “great shame that a tiny minority are seeking to ban the majority”.

I have just noted an online survey from the “Telegraph”: “Britain is a Christian country and prayer should play an important role in public life” 56.49% agree (5,807 out of 10,280 votes). Another question was: “It is unfair to make non-Christians take part in prayers, or be absent from meetings while they take place”:  14.24% (1,464 votes) agree with that statement. I think this says a lot!!!

However it seems commonsense is prevailing and I understand that from 18^th. February the right to pray can be exercised by major local authorities in England. Whatever you may think of it this must be a victory for “Localism”.

Tuesday 14th: I opened the “Love Your Home Shop” (Community Safety) in “CrownGate” this morning. The shop has been set up in vacant premises (loaned by “CrownGate”) and runs from today until Saturday, 18^th. February. It is a great idea that was the brain child of Inspector Janet Heritage. This is a community venture making accessible, under one roof, advice on crime prevention and safety. Other agencies were there including the Fire Service, Health Service, Worcester Community Safety, Neighbourhood Watch and Safer Roads Partnership. When I arrived the shop was already packed with interested people. One thousand visitors passed through the shop when the initiative was run last year: I think more will come this year.

Someone has broken the lid of the Mayor’s Royal Worcester Porcelain teapot! I took it to Bronte’s in Hanley Swan and they are going to attempt a repair. I was able to have a short tour of the factory and was delighted to see the most exquisite porcelain production and painting going on.

It’s Valentine’s Day!! Cllr. Jim Bulman, Mayor of Evesham, held a Valentine Dinner Party at the Raphael’s Restaurant (next to Hampton Ferry across the River Avon) to raise funds for his charities. A most enjoyable evening with quizzies scattered between the courses.

Wednesday 15^th: Twenty eight students (aged 13 – 14 years), from our German twinned-town of Kleve, came for a welcome and short talk about the Guildhall. They attend the Freiherr-vom-Stein Gymnasium in Kleve.

It is 25 years since the City of Worcester Twinning Association was established. It has been a great success linking us with Kleve (Germany), Le Vesinet (France), Ukmerge (Lithuania), Worcester (USA) and Vernon (France). Jane and I, as President (during my year as Mayor), attended the AGM of the Association this evening at the St. Dunstan’s Bowling Club. From the reports it is clear that a great deal of work has been done to nurture these friendships. These are so important to promote peace, understanding, trade and co-operation. Membership of the Association is open to anyone interested in improving international relations. Members benefit from regular newsletters, social activities, and the opportunity to travel abroad and make lasting friendships by