Mayor of Worcester

Monday 10^th: Tim Clarke, Editor of “The Worcester Standard”, and I had our usual monthly meeting in the Parlour. It is always interesting to discuss and review the activities of the previous four weeks and realise just how much has happened in our City.

Tuesday 11^th: Lt. Col. Gerry Taggart, RE (Retired) is certainly not “letting the grass grow under his feet” as far as thinking about Armed Forces Day next year. He brought Chief Petty Officer Diana Cope (DNLO, Naval Regional HQ WWE, HMS Flying Fox, Bristol) to the Parlour to discuss her input. We do so want all three services represented.

It seems to be the season for AGM’s. The Worcestershire Council for Voluntary Youth Services held its AGM this evening and was hosted by Worcester Bosch at their premises on Cotswold Way. I was impressed by the range of voluntary and community sector activities undertaken. The key note speaker was Richard Soper, Chief Executive Officer of Worcester Bosch, who described the innovative and effective apprenticeship programme in the company.

Wednesday 12^th: Two hundred people attended the Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust lunch in the Pitchview Suite of the Worcester Rugby Club. It was a most enjoyable occasion and raised much needed funds for this charity that provides a vital service for children with life-limiting conditions. Acorns for the Three Counties opened in Worcester in March 2005.

Acorn Hospice, Worcester

Care is tailored into a holistic package for each individual child including their medical and recreational needs. David Studley, CBE (Chief Executive) gave a passionate resume of the last year and the challenges for the future. He was followed by a speaker who used to be a banker but turned chimney sweep!! Find out more on the web site: www.acorns.org.uk

Thursday 13^th: A last meeting to “tie up loose ends”. All is ready for tomorrow’s Murder Mystery evening.

Forty five 9 – 10 year olds from Warndon Primary School came in two groups for tours of the Parlour and Guildhall. Questions, questions, questions!! Wonderful. “How old are you, Mr. Mayor?” “Do you live in a castle?”

I opened an event in the Guildhall to launch the Polish Community Association “Polonia in Worcester” under the Chairmanship of Ryszard Wyrwa. This was supported by the Migration and Integration in Rural Areas (MIRA) project in Worcestershire. MIRA has as its main aim the support of local public sector organizations in relation to economic migration, mainly from Eastern Europe. Effective community integration is a key element a point that I emphasised as so important in my welcoming speech.

A very busy day was marvelously rounded off by attending a production of “A Chorus Line” at the Swan Theatre. This was yet another outstanding performance by the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS). Congratulations to Ian Crohill, President of WODS, and the huge number of people involved. Worcester is proud of you. Did you know that WODS was established in 1892?!! It’s first production was “HMS Pinafore”.

Friday 14^th: David Green, Vice Chancellor of the University of Worcester, invited Jane and me for a tour of the University. “The history of our University is one of exciting achievements…” [1] was so well shown to us during this tour. Yes, the expansion of the University may seem alarming to some (with currently around 12,000 students) but let us for a moment stand back and look at all of the advantages brought to our City both in terms of the economy, employment, attraction of businesses and our importance in the field of tertiary education and research. The science facilities are outstanding and they include the National Pollen and Aerobiological Research Unit. The expanding work is of international importance! That in the Motion Analysis Research and Rehabilitation Centre and in sport is exciting and again of national importance. I thought I knew about most of what the University was doing but there was so much more!!

Tuesday 4th: Well, it wasn’t a restful weekend. Where do four year old twin grand-daughters get all their energy? There are 48 letters in the Hirahana Japanese alphabet and they know them already: they are way ahead of me.

Wednesday 5th: My three charities (Leukaemia Care, Noah’s Ark and Worcester Farmers’ Overseas Action Group) met with me this morning. In spite of the economy we still hope for a good turnout for the “1920’s Murder Mystery Evening” on Friday 14th October. I called into the Party Shop in Angel Place to see what is available to give a 1920’s attire flavour: a great range.

As we have seen in the local press “Noah’s Ark” is going through a difficult financial period. The work this charity does for bereaved children is vital. Let us all give all the support we can afford.

My passion for Africa is well known so I was delighted to invite a group of sixth formers from the Royal Grammar School Worcester to the Parlour to hear about their proposed expedition to Tanzania in July next year. I found out about this venture when I attended the visit by The Princess Royal on 19th September. RGS Worcester has had links with Emboreet, in a remote area south of Arusha, since 2007. While in Emboreet the students will be helping the local community by working at Simanjiro Primary School. I have no doubt that they will make a real impact with a lot of hard work. In the meantime they need to raise their own funds. I look forward to hearing more about their progress.

Thursday 6th: Representatives of the Rotary Club of Worcester came to discuss our joint charity dinner event on Friday 10th. February 2012. It will be a great evening to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee of her accession to the throne. Don’t miss this “Street Party” in the Guildhall and dust off your “Coronets and Tiaras”.
A non-Mayoral afternoon spent in the Planning Committee.

Friday 7th: Harry Turner, Chairman of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals’ NHS Trust, took Jane and me on a tour of the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. During my time as a Consultant Physician (1976 – 1998) in Worcester I worked only in the Worcester Royal Infirmary (Castle Street and Ronkswood). Today we were taken to see the Critical Care Unit, Maternity and the ward caring for people after colorectal surgery. Everywhere we went was spotless… the staff had had less than 24 hours’ notice of our visit. Cheerfulness, enthusiasm and dedication to patient care and excellence were clear. I was especially impressed by the colorectal surgical unit where a young surgeon had pioneered a care programme that enables the majority of patients after major surgery to be discharged within five days. I was also delighted to see several nurses with whom I had worked over 25 years ago still there and doing a fantastic job.

Worcestershire Royal Hospital

At midnight on 4th August 1914 there were five Empires (Austro-Hungarian, German, Russian, French and British) at war. The “Great War” had begun and by 11th. November 1918 nine million combatants would be killed. 2014 will be the Centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. We need to plan for that year so I convened a meeting in the Parlour of various interested colleagues including Lord Faulkner (Chairman, Parliamentary All-Party War Heritage Group), Annette Summers (Royal British Legion, County Offices), Councillor Adrian Gregson, Allan Poyner (RBL, Worcester Branch). We had a fascinating “brain-storming” listing a wide range of ideas. We set up a small sub-group to take the planning forward. Send us your ideas.

The Rotary Club of Worcester held its President’s Night Dinner in the Orangery of the Crown & Sandys Hotel in Ombersley. A truly excellent and most enjoyable evening. A sincere “thank you” to the President, Anne Pooley, and Hilary Day and many others who worked so hard for the success of this event.

Saturday 8th: Had our influenza jabs today. Don’t forget yours.

The Midland Festival Chorus was founded in 1975 under the Musical Directorship of Malcolm Goldring. The concert in the packed Cathedral this evening was outstanding. We were treated to the “Magnificat” and “Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D” by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750) and the “Great Mass in C Minor” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791).

Sunday 9th: This week’s “Mayor’s Blog” comes to 781 words: now I need to précis it down to about 380 words for my weekly “Mayor’s Diary” for the “Worcester News” and send off this evening. I was taught the art of précis when I was at school: an invaluable skill which sadly seems not to be taught so much these days.

Monday 26th: Full Council takes place tomorrow evening so it was important to be briefed adequately about procedure. I met Duncan Sharkey (Managing Director), Doreen Porter (Lawyer) and Claire Neville (Communications Officer) to discuss the agenda. Because of a recent controversy about parking for disabled people and taxi ranks we predicted  a significant public presence at the meeting. To accommodate more people we decided to transfer the meeting to the Assembly Room from the Council Chamber. The Guildhall Staff did a great and hard job moving all the furniture and microphone system.

Tuesday 27th: Lt. Col. Gerry Taggart RE (Retired), Cllr. Roger Berry (Deputy Mayor) and I had our monthly meeting to take forward the planning for Armed Forces Day celebrations next year (30th June 2012) and beyond. Things are progressing slowly but I am sure that we’ll be able to put on a good show to honour our Forces.

Well, we were right! The Assembly Room was packed with probably more than 100 members of the public attending Full Council this evening. That was good! It showed local democracy at work. A little noisy at times but manageable. “Thinking on your feet” when chairing the Council meeting as Mayor is not easy…. you just hope that you have struck the right balance of fairness to all sides and not stifled debate.

Wednesday 28th: The Virgornia Rotary Club meets at 7.15am for breakfast each fortnight. I was asked to give a short talk on “Being Mayor”: a “tall order” as there is so much to tell. Nevertheless it was a pleasure and seemed to go down well.

What’s this? It’s an “Indian Summer”: just the day to consider installing a photovoltaic electricity generation system on my house. So today the second of three companies came to give an estimate. Just a tip: do your research first, make a list of detailed questions, look at other installations and only then decide.

For the five years since 2007, a large number of volunteers have travelled, at their own expense, to Rwanda and Sierra Leone each July to join “Project Umubano”: doctors, nurses, lawyers, business people, teachers and students have visited to help build a lasting legacy in Africa. This year (for two weeks in July/August) there were 120 volunteers. I have had the privilege of being involved from the beginning. Today the Prime Minister gave a Reception at 10, Downing Street, to celebrate these first five years. It was a long way to go for a fairly short event but well worth it to meet old friends with a common interest let alone seeing inside Number 10!!

Thursday 29th: Donald Hunt founded the Elgar Chorale in 1980. He has put together a wonderful outline for a free concert in the Guildhall on 11th. November 2011. It will be a programme of “Words and Music” to mark the 90th. Anniversary of the Royal British Legion. Donald and I met this morning to discuss the programme and arrangements.

“Life Styles” Worcester was established as a charity in 1991 so this year is the 20th. Anniversary and today the AGM was held in Berkeley Hospital. The charity works “to enable disabled people to exercise freedom of choice, extend their horizons and make decisions about lifestyle they wish to pursue”. It was a great pleasure to hand certificates to so many achievers and volunteers.

Friday 30th: I hosted a coffee morning in the Guildhall to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. “One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way.  Macmillan Cancer support provides practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.” It is a great charity that many of us may need at some time in our lives.

Saturday 1st: Jane and I are taking four days off!! We’re going to London to see our four-year-old twin grand-daughters… they have a Japanese mum and are becoming rapidly bilingual. It is not likely to be a restful weekend although should be fun.

Monday 19th: Employment among young people is a serious issue. I was therefore pleased to attend an exhibition in the Guildhall put on by a number of local employers many of whom have taken on apprentices. The “Worcester News” got behind this campaign to extend apprenticeship numbers. We heard speeches from a representative of “Worcester Bosch”, Robin Walker, MP and The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Ian Duncan Smith, MP among others. Awards were presented to those who have made a major contribution to apprenticeships.

Today the Royal Grammar School (RGS), Worcester celebrated its 450th. Anniversary of the granting of the Elizabethan Royal Charter in 1561. This was marked by a visit by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal. Jane and I had the honour of being in the welcoming party. The RGS, now combined with the Alice Ottley School, has achieved a great deal both academically and in sport. At one point during our tour I was drawn into an informal practice of lacrosse… not easy in mayoral robes!! However I don’t think I disgraced myself and seemed to remember the technique learned when I played for Oxford University in the1960’s!!!

Tuesday 20th: At the “Promises Auction” held at the Swan Theatre on 14th. July Mrs. Julia Bridges made the maximum bid for “Tea and cakes in the parlour and a tour of the Guildhall”. Today she brought eight friends and we all enjoyed homemade scones by the Mayoress, strawberry jam and cream… tea and cake (also made by the Mayoress!).

Wednesday 21st: Twenty six female students, lead by Jutta Feuerstein, from Hohere Lehranstalt fur wirtschaftluche Berufe (a college for business professions) in Austria are spending a week in Worcester on an educational visit. Of course the Guildhall was on their list! They were impressed by our City and its cleanliness compared with some other places. They just could not understand why anyone would drop litter in their streets… this would not be socially acceptable in Austria!

Thursday 22nd: Rob Byrne is the new Communications Manager for the City Council. I was pleased to welcome him to the parlour for a chat about communications in general. Rob certainly wants to broadcast the good things about our City which fits in well with my priority for this mayoral year.

Friday 23rd: The Annual Awards Ceremony for the Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service took place in the glittering Assembly Room of the Guildhall this evening. As Mark Yates QFSM, Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive, pointed out “This event ….is one of the highlights of the Service’s calendar”. The importance of the event was marked by the presence of Mr. Michael Brinton, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire and Lady Rosalind Morrison, High Sheriff of Worcestershire. The awards were presented for a variety of achievements including long and meritorious service and a Young Firefighter award, volunteer of the year. It was an evening of pride.

Saturday 24th: A great day! The new Warndon Youth & Community Centre is complete. The old community centre has been transformed into a state of the art modern facility. It is all the result of the Worcester Community Trust, City and County Councils and others working together. I had the pleasure of “cutting the ribbon” with Councillor Ed Moore, Chairman of the County Council.

I am always pleased to support new small local businesses. So Jane and I were very happy to accept Angela Morris’ invitation to attend the opening of the “Rapunzel Let Down Your Hair, Hair and Beauty Salon” in King’s Street.

In spite of the dry Summer what a bumper crop of apples! I spent the afternoon picking apples in my son, Mark’s, garden on the south side of Ankerdine Hill.

Sunday 25th: Over a thousand years Worcester Cathedral has required rebuilding and repairs. Nothing remains of the original building founded in 680 with Bishop Bosel as its head. The current cathedral dates from the 12th and 13th centuries although the crypt dates from the 10th century and the time of St. Oswald, Bishop of Worcester. In the 1970’s it was realized that much work was required on the fabric and especially on the tower. The Worcester Cathedral Appeal was set up in 1988 and over the 20 years since 1991 restoration was carried out. Today there was a special Choral Evensong to celebrate the completion of this work. The Very Reverend Robert Jeffrey, Dean 1987 – 1996, gave a fascinating sermon on the structural work over the last millennium and referred to I Corinthians 3: 1 – 16 (“…..like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it.”).

Norman Crypt, Worcester Cathedral (Photo from Wikipedia)

We live in a beautiful city