Mayor of Worcester

Ever noticed how ‘resolution’ is only one letter away from ‘revolution’? I wonder if our resolutions can really bring revolutionary change to our lives – be nice to think so!

I’ve spent this week thinking and planning for the remaining few months before May’s curtain falls on my mayoralty. There are still plenty of things to do and opportunities to raise funds for my two charities.

Severn Arts have been doing lots of new work recently with the range of innovative young people in the city. They are really demonstrating how engaging in arts and cultural activity helps mental and physical wellbeing. OnSide work in mental health, social prescribing, wellbeing and support and are focused on empowering people to make fair and informed decisions. Everyone is entitled to fair treatment by what can often be bureaucratic challenges for the best of us. I have found working with both charities rewarding and eye-opening.

Just as long as I have still got bruised toes and a sore Achilles from the Run in September, my donations page at Just Giving remains open and will continue to support events this year: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mayorofworcesteruk.

My engagement diary is also filling up with visits to the Guildhall from local groups of all ages and abilities, as well as commitments for me to visit you – awards ceremonies, opening new businesses, celebrating and supporting our city and its residents and economy.

I joined some of my fellow councillors for a festive meal this week. Nothing fancy, just very good fare in a local independent restaurant. It may be dry January for some but there are still plenty of ways to support our amazing hospitality industry who have suffered so much in the last few years. In my 60th year I will certainly be doing my best to bolster their trade where I can!

 

 

 

Wednesday was the longest day. I had to get up half an hour before I went to bed and saw the sun set, on a hill with it in my hands.

In my determination to spread festive cheer I visited the City Council’s Warndon depot to thank the guys who empty our bins every day, rain or shine. They are collecting gifts you give them, for kids in hospital. Then it was on to the Street Scene crew, ready to go out cutting, trimming and tidying. It was still dark when I got home!

Next, the Art Gallery, with another crafty sneak at the Canalettos, and then opening the Parlour to greet the Council’s city-based staff, like the Enforcement Team.

In the dwindling daylight I held the Sun on a pole as revellers threw last year’s woes on the Solstice fire. And amazingly, it rose again on Thursday.

Emergency Services are quite rightly very much in the news at the moment and this was recognised at a packed Carol Service, led by the High Sheriff, with music from the Chamber Choir.

Carols again, by virtue of the Worcester News. As I read my passage about Narnia and the weakening of the Witch I could see rapt faces right to the back of the Cathedral. Thanks to Little Al for the mince pies afterwards.

The Made In Worcester film project aired in the Guildhall with the most extraordinary young talent showing variety and expertise, creating a nascent film industry here. I hope you get to see them more widely.

The week began not planting a tree in Cripplegate Park, and ended in The Commandery, via several of our city’s iconic sights, many captured in the films I mentioned. However you enjoy, or cope with, the next few days, take time out to appreciate what we have around us in Worcester. Ho ho ho.

The tree has gone up in the Mayoral household, just a few weeks after one arrived in the Parlour! Lights to follow…

Elsewhere, Christmas is coming quicker than you can fatten a goose.

RGS The Grange Christingle service went very well in the Cathedral where the talented choirs of various ages were on show. Safety implications of candles and long hair in bunches were safely managed and families, friends and guests enjoyed a lovely evening.

The following night the Worcester Festival Chorus gave a grand rendition of Handel’s Messiah. Always a seasonal favourite, the orchestra, soloists and chorus were excellent, and there’s nothing like standing for the Hallelujah!  to get cold blood moving again. There were only surreptitious glances at mobile phones as the evening’s football news crept in.

We went to Perrywood School Christmas fete and managed to win a couple of things on the tombola and support some of the other stalls. Great atmosphere in the winter sunshine and great to see kids and their families enjoying being in crowds again.

I have been spreading my own Yuletide cheer amongst city council staff, at Astwood Cemetery and Trinity Street Housing Office. As councillors we do not say thank you to our staff often enough. The staff awards evening apparently went well and I was very pleased to hear that the Civic Team had won an award. Visible only on big occasions with their maces and swords and bright suits and buttons, they have had an unusually busy year with everything to do with the Jubilee, the protocols and services following the Queen’s death, standing guard while the Condolence Books were available into the evenings, and subsequent Proclamations. And they have to put up with me.

Finally, a sad event at ex-councillor Robert Peachey’s funeral. RIP Captain Bob.