Mayor of Worcester

Monday 6^th: It is important to recognise achievement and no more so than by students who have life challenges. The Worcester Technical College held a ceremony in All Saints’ Church to celebrate the efforts and achievements of many students at the college who have acquired brain injuries. I had the privilege of presenting the certificates for these “Ability Awards”.

We’re there! All plans now in place for Friday’s Diamond Jubilee “Street Party”.

Tim Clarke (Editor of the “Worcester Standard”) and I had our monthly chat in the Parlour.

A very happy event took place in the Parlour later this afternoon: The Young Citizen Awards by Worcester Vigornia Rotary Club. I had the pleasure of presenting the award to the winning nominee, Liam Mackin from New College. This “Young Citizen Awards” project was conceived in 2007 by Rotary International of Great Britain & Ireland in association with the BBC News Channel. It is a fantastic way to celebrate the positive citizenship and important responsibilities assumed by many young people. It recognises those, under the age of 25 years, who have demonstrated their commitment to citizenship through various activities. In this day and age, when we have dismal doomsters who seem to ignore the bright side of life, this is a wonderful way of recognising merit and achievement. That is not to say there are no challenges and difficulties for young people…. there are. But this initiative raises the bar for everyone giving an incentive to excel.

Then my last engagement of the day although not mayoral. I attended the “Sounding Board” at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. This Board has been formed from the members of the Shadow Council of Governors: now that there is no live application for Foundation Trust status the Council of Governors is no longer a legal entity. But there is so much expertise that the hospital felt it would be a great loss not to “keep us on” in some form hence the “Sounding Board”. We were given a presentation about the coming review of Health Services locally and especially of the hospital service. It is essential that as many people as possible become involved and attend the various consultation events that are being arranged.

Tuesday 7th: The new Resident Judge, as from 12^th December 2011, at the Crown Courts at Worcester and Hereford is His Honour Judge Juckes QC. I was delighted to welcome him officially to the parlour with His Honour Judge Hooper QC (Circuit Judge, Crown and County Courts at Worcester and Hereford and Honorary Recorder of the City of Hereford).

The celebrations of the Chinese New Year of the Dragon continue. Mr. Frankie Tsang invited Jane and me to attend a Dinner Party at the “Four Seasons” in Powick. Another great evening and another “Lion Dance”.

Wednesday 8^th: Jane and I joined a number of others for a tour of “The Hive”. The space inside is amazing and is a fantastic asset for the City, University and further afield. The energy-saving measures for its construction and maintenance are way ahead of anything. All those  involved with the project through to completion are to be congratulated.

The Hive

Thirty-one children (aged 5 – 7 years) and ten teachers came from Eckington First School for a tour of the Guildhall. Well behaved, attentive and interested: a real pleasure to welcome and help them with their project on the buildings in Worcester.

The Friends of Worcester Cathedral met for lunch in “The Guesten”, The Guesten, 15, College Green, off Edgar Street, is a beautifully restored Queen Anne house. I was invited to be their guest speaker and talk about my life and interests.

The musical “Hairspray” is based on the film composed by John Waters in 1988 and a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. The music is by Marc Shaiman who with Scott Wittman wrote the lyrics. It includes dance music, rhythm and blues from the 1960’s. Overnight Tracy Turnblad becomes a celebrity when she wins a dream role on The Corny Collins Show. The musical opened on Broadway on August 15, 2002, winning eight Tony Awards and running for over 2,500 performances until 2009. The Bishop Perowne College put on a wonderful interpretation and performance this evening. These young actors should be immensely proud of their achievements. Jane and I were enthralled throughout.

Thursday 9^th: Ida Pettersson is a student from Finland at the University of Worcester. She is currently attached to the Communications Team of the Worcester City Council on work experience. She will be assisting particularly with photography. I met her with Andy Burton in the parlour to discuss ways of helping the mayoralty with photographic records.

University of Worcester Student, Ida Pettersson

Friday 10^th: All the hard work for the Diamond Jubilee “Street Party” this evening paid off. It was a wonderful occasion.

Welcoming the guests in the Lower Hall, The Guildhall

The “Flower Ladies” did a fantastic job with the arrangements on the main stairs of the Guildhall and the Assembly Room. The meal of “bangers and mash” was great and well presented by “Plyvine”, Mandy and her team. Over 120 guests attended and were entertained by Theo Theobald, The Poet Laureate of Worcestershire, reciting a poem he had composed specially for the occasion. Henry Sandon, MBE, was the guest speaker and such fun. Rotarian David Inight, MBE, dressed as a beefeater acted as Master of Ceremonies. Coaches just before mid night!

1950’s street party style dinner in the Assembly Room

1950’s Diamond Jubilee memorabilia at the dinner tables

Saturday 11^th: A little jaded this morning. Jane and I went along to The Tudor House in Friar Street. This was to contribute to their Diary Day, when people from across the city were asked to choose a date from their diary as their “best day”. It was difficult to decide on “my best day” since I became Mayor in May last year. In the end I took an extract from my diary on Sunday, 19^th June 2011:

“The Civic Service took place in the Cathedral today (also Trinity Sunday and Father’s Day!). It was a most wonderful occasion with the Cathedral bells in full peel. Fifteen Visiting Civic Heads, eleven past Worcester City Mayors and in all 25 current Worcester City Councillors joined the procession. It was also a great honour to have the High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant with us. The Mayoress Jane, and I were delighted. We are so grateful to the Clergy and staff of the Cathedral for all the work and preparation that went into creating this event. A special “thank you” to the choir and the Dean, The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, for his sermon that included an emphasis on pride in our City. Indeed this was a day to make us proud”.

“Diary Day” at Tudor House

Tudor House is really worth a visit and admission is free!. There is so much of Worcester’s history told there. It was built probably around 1575. For centuries it had been the home for weavers, clothiers, bakers and a painter as well as part of it being The Cross Keys tavern. For more information: www.tudorhouse.org.uk

Mayoralties throughout the country raise huge amounts of money for worthy charities. So Jane and I were pleased to be invited by Councillor Dr. Jan Adams, Mayor of Bewdley, to her Charity Ball in aid of Dementia UK and The County Air Ambulance. It was held in the splendid Wharton Park Golf, Hotel and Country Club.

Sunday 12^th: A day of rest!

Monday 30^th: The Worcester Porcelain Museum is an important collection and asset for our City. The problem is that it is a little “cut off” geographically from the city centre. At the last Museum Trustees’ meeting in November I suggested that perhaps we should consider a display of Worcester porcelain in the Guildhall. This could then encourage visitors to the Museum to see more of these treasures. Today I met Wendy Cook, who is the Curator, to discuss various possibilities.

Thursday 2^nd: A very short Planning Committee meeting this afternoon.

Friday 3^rd: Peter Shearon and Donald Hunt came to discuss the “The Elgar Festival” and the English Symphony Orchestra in May/June this year. This should be fantastic in this Diamond Jubilee Year. So we hope to have a special reception in the Guildhall on Thursday 31^st. May to launch the Festival prior to the concert in the Cathedral.

Later I saw Major Mark Cubitt of the Queen’s Royal Hussars and Lt. Col. Gerry Taggert to discuss further plans for Armed Forces Week in June. Things are really coming together now and Wednesday 27^th June should be a day to remember honouring our troops.

Saturday 4^th: Over hundreds of years Worcester has had many talented citizens. But there is one about whom many, perhaps most, people have not heard. His name is John James Cam (1850 – 1919). He joined his father, John Cam (1827 – 1850), at the Excelsior Works at 32, The Shambles. John James became an amazing engineer and inventor. He built the engines for the organ of Worcester’s Public Hall as well as the Cathedral and was founder member of the Worcestershire Camera Club and Worcester Tricycle Club. A remarkable man. In order to recognise these important facts a “Blue Plaque” was acquired by the Worcester Tourism Association and unveiled today on the wall of 4, Charles Street which was “JJC’s” purpose-built works. I was privileged to be present and to address guests at the Tudor House Museum over a light lunch reception.

Sunday 5^th: The Dragon is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Dragon runs from 23^rd January 2012 – 9^th February 2013 is considered the luckiest year with harmony and happiness. The Year 2012 is the 4,709^th Chinese year. The Chinese believe that the first king of China was the Yellow King who became king in 2697 B.C. (2,697 + 2012 = 4,709)

Jane and I were invited by the Worcestershire Chinese Association to take part in the celebrations of the New Year of the Dragon at the Guildhall. In spite of a dull damp day with slushy snow in the streets the turnout was huge. For three hours we were entertained beginning with ear-piercing fire crackers on the forecourt of the Guildhall. This was followed by the Lion Dance, Chinese acrobats, playing of the guzheng, straw hat juggling, face mask changing and much more.

Dragon Celebrations at the Guildhall – Photos above provided by Ida Pettersson 

You can find a good selection of the event on the Worcester Facebook Page.

There is a debate currently about our National Health Service and how it is to cope and respond to the increasing needs and demands put upon it.  When I received the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM)

Newsletter this week it set me thinking: no matter what we think we are very fortunate in the UK. This is not to say that we should not strive for greater quality and quantity of healthcare and especially for the “hard to reach” groups.

As many people know I have worked extensively in Uganda and love the country. I have also worked with a wonderful MMM Sister, Sister Carla Simmons, who is a physician providing palliative care in Masaka, Uganda. The World Health Organization has declared that Palliative Care is a right of everyone. Yet Sister Carla tells us:

“When asked to write about the MMM core value of justice in relation to my work here in Uganda, I immediately thought that it is easy to talk about rights, but it is a different story when it comes to helping people access those rights.

“In Uganda there is one doctor per 33,000 people. So even though everyone has a right to health care, it is not possible to provide it for most of the population. In the greater Masaka region where we work, the population is approximately 1.5 million. This means that about 150,000 people are suffering from cancer or HIV. Of these, about 15,000 need palliative care. Kitovu Mobile is the only organization offering a dependable and regular palliative care service at present. While two or three hospitals have trained personnel, usually morphine and other drugs are not available.

“In 2011 we cared for 386 patients. That means that over 14,000 people were suffering in silence at home. Family members also suffer because when we have a seriously sick relative, we are not at peace.

“‘Justice is compassion in action’, but how do we reach all the people that are out in the villages suffering? Many things need to be done. First of all, as a team we educate as many people as possible about palliative care: what it is, who needs it, and how it can be accessed. We talk to our own community volunteers, community leaders, catechists, and congregations at churches. This year we met with Seventh Day Adventists and Evangelicals. If we are to be just we must open our doors to everyone, whatever their beliefs.

“Secondly, we must ensure that no one is turned away because of costs. ‘Being attentive to the cries of the poor’ is not difficult in the rural setting in which we work. The majority of our patients are very poor. That is why they come to us. They cannot afford to go to the clinics and

 

Monday 23^rd: Grahame Lucas came to see me to discuss the “Worcester Foodbank” initiative being set up by All Saints Church and other partner churches. Worcester has its areas of poverty and increasingly there is a problem with people being only a pay cheque or bill payment away from a crisis. The aim of the “Foodbank” is to assist individuals by providing free emergency (non-perishable) food for three days (ten balanced meals).  The food will be collected from the public at churches and schools and supermarkets and distributed to those in need. Also agencies (e.g. social services, clergy) will be given vouchers to hand to individuals they consider require help. The vouchers will then be exchanged for free food at the “Foodbank”. Trained volunteers will be available at the distribution centre to listen to problems and advise about access to other help to break the long term cycle of poverty. Last week I mentioned the “Worcester Christians Against Poverty” initiative and this will also link in with the work of the “Worcester Foodbank”.

I was delighted to welcome a group of Worcester lace makers to the Parlour for tea and a chat. As well as the history of the Guildhall they were especially interested in the lace that forms the Mayor’s jabot (Jabot comes from the French jabot meaning a bird’s crop). The term used to refer to the ruffles over the front of a shirt. Gradually it changed to a decorative item of lace or other fabric below the neck, attached to a neckband.
The current one is machine made: it would be wonderful to have a handmade one!

Jane, the Mayoress, is a keen lace-maker and two generations ago my family made lace by hand for a living in Bedfordshire. Lace is openwork, patterned with holes. Lace-making is an ancient craft going back to at least the late 15^th Century. The technique for true lace is the looping, twisting or braiding to other threads quite separately from a backing fabric.

Monday 16^th: It was really enjoyable to welcome many civic friends (the “chain gang”) and representatives of organisations from across the County and beyond to the Parlour for the Mayor’s Annual New Year’s lunch-time reception. It is great to have built up in a fairly short time such a “happy family”. I noted how valuable it was for networking purposes.

Tuesday 17^th: Debt is a serious problem for so many people and sympathetic expert advice is greatly needed. Ted Duckett came to tell me about a “Christians Against Poverty” centre to be launched shortly in Worcester. Based in Bradford it is an award winning debt counselling charity with over 150 centres in the UK. I am sure this will be a valuable asset here: more information on www.capuk.org

The Kay’s Theatre Group has an established track record for its annual pantomimes. This evening Jane and I attended “Humpty Dumpty” at the Swan, the Group’s 58^th production. So much good clean fun! Look out for “Dick Whittington” next year.

Wednesday 18^th: Our past mayor, David Clark, brought 22 of his “U3A” (University of the Third Age) group to the Parlour as part of a tour of the Guildhall. As one member said to me on leaving: “I have been here several times before but I learn something new every time”.

The pantomime season continues and Jane and I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of “Dick Whittington” by the Norbury Players in the Norbury Theatre in Droitwich. I always admire the hard work that so many people…. and children!!…. put into these productions. Congratulations to Joanna Hughes (Director) and the whole cast and crew.

Thursday 19^th.: Our monthly meeting with “Leukaemia Care” and “Worcester FOAG” took place to continue the planning of future events…. watch these spaces!!

Lauren Billington was the fund-raising manager of “Leukaemia Care” and has moved on to another job. Lauren was always very enthusiastic with what seemed like unlimited energy. She came to the Parlour for “coffee” this morning to say “thank you” for our contribution to “Leukaemia Care”: there is no doubt that she will keep an interested eye on us while we continue to raise funds through the mayoralty.

Friday 20^th: Well, we are almost there with the planning for the “Diamond Jubilee” celebration Dinner on 10th February. I am most grateful for the work that the Rotary Club of Worcester have put into this and what, I am sure, will be a great evening.

The Old Palace, in Deansway, dates from the 11^th century. The rooms are magnificent and one of the city’s best kept secrets. The Great Hall was a wonderful setting for a reception given this evening by The 113^th Bishop of Worcester, The Rt. Rev. Dr. John Inge.

Saturday 21^st: I have never been to a live basket ball match before! Jane and I really enjoyed the match this evening between Worcester Wolves and the Cheshire Jets in the Sports Centre of the University. The Wolves are a tough team to beat and they won 97 to 87. Indeed they have been British Universities’ and Colleges’ Sport Champions five times over the last few years. Currently on points they are just ahead of the Newcastle Eagles in the Basket Ball League.

Last week I wrote about the “Adoption of Gouzeaucourt (France) by Worcester” on 1^st February 1921. I am grateful to Derek Furby who has found an entry in the “Worcester Berrow’s Journal” (below) for 2^nd July 1921:

Garden Fete at Perdiswell in Aid of Gouzeaucourt

“Fine weather on Thursday afternoon favoured the opening of the fete at Perdiswell Park, the proceeds of which are to go towards relief of Gouzeaucourt, the French village destroyed during the war which Worcester has adopted.  There were present at the opening ceremony, the Mayor (Ald.Charles Edwards) and Mrs Edwards, Mrs Kirkham, Colonel W.R. Chichester, Ald. A. Carlton and Mrs Carlton, and many others who were helping to organise the fete.  So worthy a cause commanded a great effort, and it was made.  There were plenty of stalls with loads of good things and side shows, such as hoop-la, bowling, fortune telling etc without number.  In addition to this, the Committee (of which the Mayor is the Chairman) and Col. H.T.Clark the energetic Hon.Sec. had obtained the services of such people as Mrs Day (dramatic entertainments) Mrs Nancy Harrison (dancing display) Mrs Ernest Oram (concert), and the Sportsmen’s committee who organised a very successful program of sports.  The Band of the Depot Worcestershire Regiment played selections in the evening, and later played for dancing.  A tennis tournament was also played during the afternoon.  In such a way there was very little time for the afternoon or evening to become uninteresting and everybody appeared to enjoy themselves.

“The Mayor, in asking Col. Chichester to declare the fete open, said that he had played a great part in the war, and since his retirement from the Army he had proved himself on many occasions, a good sportsman and a good English gentleman.  He was one of those who was always willing to play his part in anything that was for the betterment of his fellow countrymen.

“In declaring the fete open, Col. Chichester said that his only claim to such an honour was that he had been connected with the Worcestershire Regiment for a long time. He briefly described why Worcester had adopted Gouzeaucourt. Two battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment were identified very closely with that village – the 2/8^th Battalion and in a lesser degree, the 4^th (?) Battalion. They must go back to the November days of 1917, when an offensive was arranged with Cambria as its objective.  It was the first offensive in which tanks were used to any great extent, in company with infantry.  The attack was successful to a certain degree, but about 6 miles from Cambria the offensive was held up.  For about a week “scrapping” went on.  The Boche then advanced a counter blow with a tremendous barrage, employing troops specially trained which they had brought over from Russia.  They broke our lines and drove through.  The position was critical for the Third Army.  The 61^st Division, of which the 2/8^th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment formed a part, were hurried from Arras and the 2/8^th took up their position in front of the village of Gouzeaucourt.  They withstood the attack for a long time but through the troops on either side being driven back, they found themselves with their flanks in the air.  Captain Stallard, who was in command of the leading company of the Battalion withdrew by sectional rushes, and in this retreat Captain Stallard was very severely wounded.  The Battalion under Captain Holcroft reformed and made a counter attack, and so successful was it that the Boche offensive was stopped.  He thought that the attack was the means of holding the rest of the advance up for the winter.  The Battalion suffered very severely 400 or 500, including officers being killed.  In adopting Gouzeaucourt they were doing what was being done all over the country and he thought their choice was a very happy one.  He explained what the need of Gouzeaucourt was.  They wanted a pump to obtain water, and he hoped that the fete would go along way to realising the sum required.  He was in the neighbourhood of Gouzeaucourt last autumn, and if they had only seen the place as he saw it, with hardly a fresh blade of grass or a stick standing, they would feel very much for the poor inhabitants of that village.

 “On the proposition of the Mayor, seconded by Alderman Carlton, a vote of thanks was passed to Colonel Chichester.  Alderman Carlton remarked that none knew better than he did, the wonderful work which Colonel Chichester did, when he came as Commandant at Norton.  Not only did he do his military duties in the best possible manner, but was willing to give his best for the benefit of the City of Worcester.

“A vote of thanks was also passed to Mrs Kirkham, through whose generosity the Committee were able to use the gardens for the fete.

“The stall holders were:- Refreshments Mrs Knott and a very large number of workers.  Sweets:- Mrs Turner, MrsKnowles and Mrs V Ridlington.  Hoop-la:- Mrs Brimmacomb, Miss Brimmacomb and Mrs Sandy.  Produce:- Mesdames Hobbs, EC Harrison, Legge, Brettle, Clarke, Bennett, J Moore, Miss Heale and Miss Middleton.  Clock golf and Ladder croquet:- Messers E Oran, Kernaught, Jordan and Cartwright.  Tennis:- Miss Kirkham.

“The first entertainment of the afternoon was a dramatic one organised by Mrs Ernest Day, in which there were many well known amateurs.  The play – a play of the (?)teenth century was entitled “King Rene’s Daughter” and the plot evolved around the daughter who was cured of her birth affection of blindness.  Mr F Underwood played the part of King Rene very ably, and Miss Peggy Edwards Lolanthe the daughter, gave a natural and convincing interpretation of a difficult part.  Mr Maurice Webb was equally successful in his role as her suitor, Count Tristram of Vandermont.  In company with Mr LS Agington as Sir Geoffrey of Orange, his friend there was much interesting, and well expressed dialogues.  Mr Douglas Herbert as Eon Janis the Arabian physician, who cured Lolanthe’s blindness, had a severe and restrained part to play, and his interpretation of this character was very praiseworthy.  Mr WFS Underwood as Almerio; Mr Leonard Knowles as Bertrand, and Miss Southall as Martha, each contributed in their separate ways to what was undoubtedly a very successful entertainment.

“Miss Nancy Harrison’s pupils, whose popularity increases with each fete which they attend, gave an exhibition of dancing, similar to those which they have given elsewhere.  Their pretty and entertaining costume dances attracted a large audience.  Another well patronised event was a concert arranged by Mrs Oram. With Mr CH Baker she opened the program with a capital duet “Key(?) of Heaven”.  Miss Dona Lucking, whose delightful singing is well known to Worcester audiences, sang very sweetly “What’s in the Air”.  Mr E Davis’s “Senora” was very well received, and in response to an encore he gave a popular if rather light song “Wild Wild Women”.  Mrs Oram concluded the programme with a song which was very well received.  Mr HH Burgess was the accompanist.”