Mayor of Worcester

Monday 14^th: Catching up day!

Tuesday 15^th: Tim Clark, Editor of the ”Worcester Standard”, and I had our regular “one to one” in the Parlour to chat about mayoral activities and the Worcester scene in general.

Later Cllr Simon Geraghty (Leader of the City Council) and Duncan Sharkey (Managing Director) came for their monthly “mayoral audience” to ensure that I am fully in the picture over a variety of issues.

The ‘Friends of the Museum of Worcester Porcelain’ have as their prime objective to support the Museum to fulfill its principal role as the world’s foremost place of reference for the industrial and social history of porcelain manufacture in the City of Worcester. The Friends are even more important since the closure of the Royal Worcester Company in 2009. This evening their AGM, Chaired by Sir Michael Perry, and Dinner were held surrounded by the wonderful porcelain exhibits. If anyone values what the Museum represents then there is no better way to show support than by becoming a member of the Friends. The magazine, ‘The Melting Pot’, will keep you in touch with developments and gain fresh insights into the personalities and stories associated with the 360 years of Worcester Porcelain activity.

Wednesday 16^th: The Trustees (the Mayor is a Trustee for his / her year of office) of The Dyson Perrins Museum Trust, which owns the Worcester Porcelain Museum, met in the museum. As with all organisations like this there are great challenges ahead. However the determination of the Trustees is clear regarding the importance of the Museum as internationally paramount. The Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Worcester porcelain dating back to 1751 and the Victorian gallery, the ceramic collections, archives and records of factory production, form the primary resource for the study of Worcester porcelain and its history.

Charles William Dyson Perrins (1864 – 1958) was born in Claines, Worcester, the son of James Dyson Perrins, the owner of the Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce Factory and who had also been a Director of Royal Worcester Porcelain Factory. Charles followed him, becoming a Director in 1891 and Chairman in 1901. In 1927, he purchased the Royal Worcester Porcelain Factory’s historic ceramics collection and in 1946, he established the Perrins Trust to unite the factory museum collection and his own private holdings of Royal Worcester. His widow established the “Dyson Perrins Museum” at the factory site to house the collection. [Information from “Wikipedia”]

There is huge potential for sporting success in Worcestershire. Enthusiasm and achievements were celebrated at the Annual Sports Awards (Sports Partnership Herefordshire & Worcestershire) and dinner held at “Sixways” this evening in association with BBC Hereford & Worcester. The Sports Partnership is an alliance between the eight local authorities of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, NHS Herefordshire, NHS Worcestershire, Sport England, University of Worcester, national governing bodies of sport and other key organisations. By working together these organisations are committed to ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity to partake and stay safe in sport.

Thursday 17^th: My two charities (Leukaemia Care and Worcester Farmers’ Overseas Action Group) and I met this morning to review our fund-raising activities. The next main one will be on Thursday 15^th December at the Guildhall when the Elgar Chorale, directed by Donald Hunt, will perform a concert. It should be a great evening….please come.

Two children, Raul Pena and Lia Silva from St. George’s CE School, helped me switch on the City’s Christmas Lights this evening in the presence of a huge crowd outside the Guildhall. A wonderful spectacle. Children, also from St. George’s, performed a drumming routine much to the delight of everyone. The Samba Santas and Howard Bentham from BBC Hereford and Worcester added to the occasion.

The Samba Santas entertaining the crowd outside the Guildhall gates

Thence we processed in civic robes and regalia to Crown Gate for the turning on of more Christmas lights. A fun evening and no rain!!

Christmas Lights 2011 on Worcester High Street

Friday 18^th: The Worcester Heart Support Group (WHSG) (see 1^st November 2011) with Donna Stokes of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) met informally with me in the Parlour. We discussed the BHF idea of “Heart Cities” the aim being to increase the awareness of heart disease (especially coronary artery heart disease) and promote the treatment, rehabilitation and research. We were all excited about the possibilities and decided to explore the issues further.

Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust (see 12^th October 2011) is a registered charity, offering a network of care and support to life-limited and life-threatened children and their families across the heart of England. Acorns has three hospices, situated in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester as well as a Community Team that offer support to families in their homes. Jane and I were invited to visit the Worcester Hospice in the Bath Road and to discuss the work with the Head of Care, Peter Morris. I thought I knew of most of the services provided but I learnt much more this afternoon.

“Oh! What a Night! And it was! A real “feel-good feast of song, dance and comedy” presented this evening by the Worcester Musical Theatre Company in the Swan Theatre and to support the Royal British Legion. All the performers were magnificent and especially the Claines CE Primary School Drummers. If you are interested in the WMTC then contact Cath Skyrme on membership@worcestermusicaltheatre.co.uk. and see their web site www.worcestermusicaltheatre.co.uk.

Saturday 19^th: “The Dream of Gerontius” was composed by Sir Edward Elgar in 1900 and based on the text of the poem by John Henry Newman. It portrays the journey of a man’s soul from his dying, to God’s judgment and thence into Purgatory. It is Elgar’s finest choral work. The Worcester Festival Choral Society with the Chameleon Arts Orchestra and conductor Adrian Lucas performed magnificently in the Cathedral. The packed audience was enthralled. What a privilege and joy to be there!

Sunday 20^th: It is very fitting at this time that we should honour ALL who have died as a consequence of conflict and war. So this morning, with the Royal British Legion we held a Service, conducted by Rev. Canon Paul Tongue, in Astwood Cemetery to remember those buried in the cemetery including a number of prisoners of war (Germans and Italians). We placed small wooden crosses beside each grave and wreaths at the war memorial.

Monday 7^th: Preparing for official Civic events, especially services at the Cathedral, is important. There are so many things to think about, when to arrive, when to go in and out, when to stand, when to be involved with a particular part of the procedure, who to stand next to and on which side….. So the run through this afternoon was especially useful for this coming Remembrance Sunday.

We all know Henry Sandon, MBE, from his expertise on Royal Worcester porcelain and the television programme “The Antiques Road Show”. But how many of us were aware that he is a very knowledgeable music enthusiast too? This was revealed when he featured in a recording for BBC Radio 3’s Private Passions. Jane and I were among the invited audience in the Worcester Porcelain Museum to hear Henry being interviewed about his musical life and his favourite musical pieces: among these were Tomkins, Purcell, Bach, Elgar and Noel Coward. A most enjoyable evening. The recording will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 4^th. December.

Tuesday 8^th: Dr. Donald Hunt and I put the finishing touches to the arrangements for the “We Will Remember Them”  concert in the Guildhall on Friday. Donald has worked very hard on this…brilliant!

Wednesday 9^th: I have always enjoyed gardening and seeing plants grow so it was a particular pleasure to attend the Worcester Allotment Forum Presentation Evening in the Guildhall. There are almost 1,000 allotment holders in Worcester looking after their plots with great pride. The winners of the best kept plots were presented with their certificates, medals and cups. Growing your own is becoming more and more important and popular especially for health and the economy and this is reflected by the 152 people who are on the waiting list for a plot. By the way do you know the definition of a cabbage? It is a familiar garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man’s head. But what about a cauliflower? That  is a cabbage with a college education.

Thursday 10^th: Lauren Billington and friends from “Leukaemia Care” came for a cream tea and cakes (made by Jane) in the parlour. This charity continues to work hard to raise funds for the crucial service it provides. I am so glad that I chose them as one of the Mayor’s charities.

Helen and Hursty, of the Wyvern Breakfast Show, hosted the “Wyvern Local Hero Awards” for Herefordshire and Worcestershire this evening at Alexander Park, Pixley, Ledbury. Sixteen awards were presented and I had the privilege of presenting the one for the “Unsung Wyvern Hero” to Jayne Moran who had been nominated by her daughter Claire.

Friday 11^th: Remembrance Day: the Royal British Legion and a large crowd gathered in front of the War Memorial beside the Cathedral. The Rev. Canon Paul Tongue conducted a short Service of Remembrance during which Allan Poyner of the Legion and I, on behalf of the City, each laid a wreath. The silence was tangible and moving as the Cathedral bell struck at 11am.

The “We Will Remember Them” concert in the Assembly Room of the Guildhall marking the 90^th Anniversary of The Royal British Legion was superb. The packed audience was treated to a programme of words and music by Hubert Parry, Siegfried Sassoon, Ivor Novello, Rudyard Kipling, Glen Miller, G.A.Studdert-Kennedy and many others. The tapestry of the whole had been skilfully designed by Dr. Donald Hunt, Director of The Elgar Chorale. The Choir, soloists (Sophie McLellan and Keith Bridges), readers (Gabrielle Bullock, Peter Rogers, Tim Watson and David Wright) and the trumpeter (John Swindells) were magnificent. I hope this whets everyone’s appetite to attend more concerts by the Chorale and especially the Mayor’s Charity Concert in the Guildhall on Thursday 15^th December. Tickets (£8.00) available from the Elgar Chorale 01684 594570 or Worcester Tourist Information centre 01905 726311.

Saturday 12^th: “Serenity Courage Wisdom” was the title for this evening’s concert of music and readings for remembrance held in the Cathedral and performed by the Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir. The Conductor was Stephen Shellard with Ian Ball at the organ and Gabrielle Bullock the reader. Another most enjoyable evening. The pieces included works by David Briggs, Gabriel Faure and poems by Wilfred Owen.

Sunday 13^th: Remembrance Sunday: a procession from the Guildhall to the Cathedral for the Service and thence a War Memorial Wreath-Laying Ceremony. As always a most moving occasion.

The crowds in Cathedral square and back to the Guildhall for the march past were enormous: I have never seen so many people and others commented similarly. It was very encouraging to see the numbers of children and young people. I took the salute with the Senior Deputy Lord Lieutenant.

For almost 30 years it has been the tradition to lay wreaths on the grave of Rev. Studdert-Kennedy’s (“Woodbine Willie”) grave in St. John’s Cemetery. The Rev. Canon Paul Tongue conducted the short service of remembrance and Allan Poyner representing the Royal British Legion and I laid the wreaths.

Rev. Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy, MC (1883 – 1929), was an Anglican priest and poet. The nickname, ‘Woodbine Willie’, was given to him during the First World War because of his giving “Woodbine” cigarettes, with spiritual aid, to injured and dying soldiers.

In 1914 he became the vicar of St. Pauls, Worcester. When war was declared he volunteered to go to the Western Front as Army chaplain. In 1917, he won the Military Cross at Messines Ridge after running into no man’s land to help the wounded. He wrote a number of poems which are heart-rending especially “Waste”:

Waste of muscle, waste of brain
Waste of patience, waste of pain
Waste of manhood, waste of health
Waste of beauty, waste of wealth
Waste of blood and waste of tears
Waste of youth’s most precious years
Waste of ways the Saints have trod
Waste of glory · Waste of God
War!

Monday 31^st: Other mayoral engagements prevented my being there on Saturday 29^th October for the official opening of the completed Riverside work. I remember, when I had the “Urban Renaissance” City Council Cabinet portfolio, how much hard work was done by Richard Hopkins and others to get the lighting right. A great job!

Obesity is a major and increasing health hazard that we cannot ignore. It is a leading cause of death worldwide. Obesity is stigmatized particularly in Western society but was widely perceived as a symbol of wealth and fertility at other times in history, and still is in some parts of the world. Jane and I were pleased to be invited to observe a meeting of “Weight Watchers”, held in the Lyppard Grange Community Centre. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of Debbie Bowyer and her team who were helping their members to achieve very significant weight loss. It was clearly making so much difference to their wellbeing and self esteem.

As Mayor, I am an honorary member of the Worcester Rotary Club. It normally meets on a Monday lunchtime but today we met for an evening dinner meeting in the Worcestershire County Cricket Club. And a most pleasant time it was too. The speaker was Leigh Robinson of the ATBRUSAR (All Terrain Bike Responder Unit Search And Rescue). He explained that this was a charity based in Worcestershire offering support to the emergency services through their trained teams of searchers, rescue technicians, and mountain bike and cycle ambulance personnel. They operate in Worcester City Centre and the wider county of Worcestershire, including the Malvern Hills. It was clear that they provide a valuable and highly cost effective service. See the website:www.atbrusar.org

Tuesday 1^st: The Worcester Heart Support Group (WHSG) was formed in 1994 with nine members and now has over 200. They are affiliated to the British Heart Foundation. Trevor Cooper (Chairman) and his members provide a crucial service especially to people who are recovering from heart attacks (also called coronary thrombosis or myocardial infarction). Today I was involved with the handover of a Vital Signs Monitor to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. This gift from the WHSG is a valuable contribution to the Phase 3 exercise classes supervised in the McClelland Centre. This is based in the converted outpatients department of the old Castle Street Worcester Royal Infirmary which now forms the City Campus of the University. This is another example of the cooperation between the University and our hospital.

Four days of University of Worcester Award Ceremonies began today. After lunch in the St. John’s campus I lead a colourful academic procession from the Guildhall to the Cathedral. During today’s ceremony Professor Fay Weldon CBE was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters: she is currently Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel University in London.

Wednesday 2^nd: China is the most populous country in the world at over 1.3 billion (that is 1,300,000,000).  It covers about 3.7 million square miles. According to the International Monetary Fund China’s annual average GDP growth between 2001 and 2010 was 10.5% and the economy is predicted to grow at an average annual rate of 9.5% between 2011 and 2015. Between 2007 and 2011, China’s economic growth rate was equivalent to all of the G7 countries’ growth combined. We cannot ignore these facts which were brought home to us at an “Opportunity China” conference this evening held at The King’s School and to which Jane and I were invited. It was organized by the Worcestershire Chinese Association and Worcestershire Ambassadors. Mr. Zhao Lei (First Secretary, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China) gave the opening address. The opportunities for businesses in China are enormous but to take full advantage the ability to speak Mandarin Chinese is vital. The problem is that we have not yet realized that Mandarin is so important in the teaching of our young students. I challenge all of our education institutions to address this. There are inexpensive online courses available, to get you started, such as that from “link-global.com”.

Beijing

Thursday 3^rd: The “Last Choir Standing” Corporate Event was held in the Malvern Theatres this evening. Fantastic and great fun. It was organised by Lauren Billington of “Leukaemia Care” with joint sponsorship from “Postcode Anywhere” and “English Mutual”. There were seven choirs competing and the judges were the musicians John Malcolm Goldring and Russell Painter. Dave Bradley was just right as an amusing Master of Ceremonies: he lists his “main hobbies as watching sport and sleeping, often at the same time…” Much needed money was raised for “Leukaemia Care”.

Friday 4^th: The last of seven University of Worcester Award Ceremonies was held in the Cathedral this afternoon. As before the procession from the Guildhall was impressive. Professor Emeritus Judith Elkins was awarded a University Fellowship: she had been Deputy Vice Chancellor and Professor of Children’s Literature 2003 – 2009. Dennis Mortimer, one of Aston Villa’s greatest ever football players, was awarded an honorary degree. As we were leaving the Cathedral the rain came down and Frank Southam, my sword bearer, had to remove the ostrich feathers from his Cap of Maintenance!!

Two recent graduates, Faye Boyle and Ruth Johnson at the Graduation Ceremony on Friday

Saturday 5^th: The place to be this evening was Pitchcroft Racecourse. Thousands of all ages turned up to see the bonfire and firework display. Dr Greg Jones, Worcester Round Table Chairman, and his team, have worked incredibly hard to organise this amazing spectacle and raise funds for good causes. The bonfire was huge: I have always wanted to light such a conflagration and now I had my opportunity!  Wow!

I lit it!

Fantastic fireworks at Pitchcroft!

Sunday 6^th: Day of rest.

Don’t forget the “We Will Remember Them” concert in the Guildhall on Friday 11^th. November at 7.30pm. There will be words and music marking the 90^th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion. Admission is FREE and tickets by application to the Tourist Information Office: 01905 726311 or the Administrator, The Elgar Chorale: 01684 594570.

Monday 24^th: The Rotary Club of Worcester and I had our monthly meeting to continue the planning for our joint charity dinner event on Friday 10^th February 2012. Watch this space!!

A non-Mayoral evening on the City Council’s Scrutiny Committee.

Tuesday 25^th: Another planning meeting: a lot goes on behind the scenes in the “Mayor’s Office”. Lt. Col. Gerry Taggart, RE (Retired), Susan O’Kane my PA and “Visit Worcester” met to update ourselves on progress with arrangements for Armed Forces Day (and the few days before) next year. Yet another space to watch!!

The Lowesmoor old Vinegar Works is a Grade II listed building and has been converted into the Territorial Army’s local training centre and headquarters. Jane and I had a wonderful evening with Lt. Col. Philip Shepard-Walwyn, MBE RA, his officer colleagues and the many volunteer local soldiers. The way the building has been so well adapted for the 104th Regiment Royal Artillery volunteers is impressive. We had an opportunity to tour the whole building and talk to everyone: that included fascinating chats with some who have just returned from a tough tour in Afghanistan. I felt immensely proud of what Worcester is contributing to our Nation’s armed forces.

The Great Filling Hall of the Vinegar Works was built in the 1850’s and even opened, in 1872, its own railway line linking with Shrub Hill Station. The Company had been founded in 1830 by William Hill and Edward Evans, two chemists. It became the biggest producer of vinegar in the world achieving 9,000,000 litres each year! A less known fact is that the Company made British wines, sherry and port….and quinine to combat malaria. The works closed in 1965.

Wednesday 26^th: Women, women, women everywhere: well, it was a Women’s Institute (WI) meeting! Jane (a member of the Whittington WI) and I had been invited. It was the Worcester Group of WI’s Autumn Meeting held in the Bromyard Road Methodist Church Hall and hosted by the Swan Pool WI. In fact it was great fun with a delicious “afternoon tea” (as you would expect from these ladies!) and entertainment by “Razzamatazz”.

It is not often that a book is published in Worcester with such local importance. “The Story of Worcester” is a history of our City written by Pat Hughes and Annette Leech. I had the privilege of launching this work in the Commandery to a large gathering. This book is a wonderful resource for anyone passionate about Worcester and will be invaluable to any history student.

Thursday 27^th: His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent opened the new Snowdrop Community Care Centre.  Jane and I were honoured to attend and welcome the Duke to Worcester. This is the second time that he has visited St. Richard’s Hospice and clearly shows a genuine interest in the service.

We are approaching our annual period of Remembrance. This afternoon I took part in opening a Worcestershire Royal British Legion “Field of Remembrance” at Worcester Rugby Club, Sixways. May seem an unusual place but being close to the entrance to the spectator stands it will enable many people to plant poppy crosses as they come to matches.

The Council of (Shadow[¹]) Governors (of which I am one of three elected members for Worcester City) of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals’ NHS Trust met with the Board Members to discuss our approach to these rapidly changing times. There are so many important issues: the aging and healthier population has come about to a great extent because of amazing advances in medical science and care. But there are also many challenges, and they are real challenges, arising from smoking, alcohol and obesity. If we could solve these three health threats the health of the nation and NHS finances would be dramatically improved! So meet your three Worcester City Governors (as on the Hospital Trust’s web site):

“Elayne Guest has 43 years experience in the NHS and feels she could offer a great deal to the Foundation Trust. She enjoys living in Worcester and feels passionate about exceptional health services for local people. She trained as a nurse, midwife and health visitor but worked in senior management for 30 years and is fully aware of the importance of high quality care and governance issues. She currently volunteers for St Richards Hospice and Worcester Cathedral.”

“Natasha Knowles has always had an interest in the NHS. She has lived in Worcestershire for most of her life and in Worcester City for the last 10 years. Her first job was working at Kidderminster Community Health Council and this led to her interest in ensuring fair and equal access to health services for the whole community. As a Governor she will bring clear communication skills and a real interest in ensuring that the views and opinions of the FT membership are represented to the Board and other Governors.”

“Dr David Tibbutt worked in the NHS for 30 years and was a Consultant Physician at Worcester Royal Infirmary. Since retiring in 1998, he has supported medical services in Uganda, and more latterly Rwanda. His contribution to Worcester City has included membership of the Community Health Council and the Patients’ Forum for the hospitals, as well as several

Saturday 29^th: It was an enormous honour for me to launch the Royal British Legion (Worcestershire) 2011 Poppy Appeal this morning. This I did from the steps of the Guildhall in the presence of the County President Air Vice Marshall R.J.Honey, CB, CBE, the County Chairman Mr. A. Hartley-Wooley, MBE, JP, County Vice Chairman Mr. D. Waldron, County Manager, Annette Summers and Ms. Teresa Scully and her two sons and a huge crowd in the High Street. This year is also very special because we celebrate the 90 years since the Royal British Legion was formed on 15^th May 1921. We invited everyone to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Armed Forces, give as generously as we are able and to wear our poppies with pride.

Sunday 30^th: On 31^st October 1914 the Battle of Gheluvelt in Belgium was fought. The 2^nd. Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment was the last available reserve of the British defence and as a result of their bravery, being out-numbered ten to one, the line was held. Today an “Act of Remembrance and Wreath-Laying Ceremony” was held in Gheluvelt Park and conducted by Canon Paul Tongue. The names of the 37 men killed in the battle were read out. Jane and I were privileged to be there with other guests including the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Mr. Ray Seale and Lord Faulkner of Worcester. I gave the final short address.

Act of Remembrance and Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Gheluvelt Park