Mayor’s Week: 30 May – 5 June 2020

Mayor’s Week: 30 May – 5 June 2020

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It is just over two weeks since I became the 399th Mayor of Worcester – and I would like to say thank you to all the people who have contacted me to offer their congratulations and good luck messages.

It is a strange time to be taking on a role which is essentially about being out and about with Worcester people, supporting and encouraging them.  Because of coronavirus restrictions I have been out very little, and I’ve had to show my support by writing messages of encouragement rather than attending events.  Unfortunately the launch of the Elgar Festival and Elgar concerts have been cancelled;  it is so sad to miss the opportunity to celebrate the music of one of the greatest composers of our time, who was born at Broadheath here in Worcestershire.

This week has been National Volunteers’ Week and whilst we were not able to celebrate the event with the usual Volunteer Exhibition, I have praised and thanked Worcester volunteers for being the heroes that they are through social and local media.  The present restrictions on our lives have meant that we have relied on our wonderful volunteers more than ever.  Thank you for everything that you have done during this difficult time.

Next week is National Carers’ Week – an opportunity to acknowledge the huge contribution all our carers make to society.  I was pleased to be able to send a message to our young carers who, at a very young age, selflessly give their time and energy to look after friends and family.  They are an example to us all.

Stuart Inglis, Principal of All Sorts Performing Arts, contacted me to say how hard he and the other teachers and volunteers at the Academy are working to ensure that the young dancers and performers there are able to gain their certificates.  Well done to all you performers.  I was also pleased to be able to send a message to the Wildgoose weekly newsletter “Gander at the Goose,” which is supporting students who would normally attend in person at the Wildgoose Rural Training and Nature Reserve in Hallow.

I am looking forward to a gradual return to a more normal life – and the chance to come and meet more of you as my mayoral year continues.

Mayor’s Week: 27 March – 3 April 2020

Mayor’s Week: 27 March – 3 April 2020

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The majority of us are approaching the end of a second week of staying at home.  We are gradually developing new routines and different ways of keeping in touch with one another, where face to face conversation isn’t an option.

As by nature we humans are a fairly social species, staying at home can be really challenging.  It may sometimes also feel that being at home = doing nothing constructive.  But I do want to urge you all to stay with it – because for every day that you follow the guidance and socially distance yourselves from others, you are indirectly helping to save at least one person’s life.

My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one during this crisis.  This virus will only continue spreading from person to person if we let it – we are all in the front line fighting this same battle.

Of course, many people who are running essential services to keep Worcester functioning do not have the option to stay at home.  In addition to all the amazing staff at the NHS, I’d like to thank all City Council staff who are working hard to collect our bins, keep areas clean, make sure homeless people have a roof over their head and make sure our hard-hit businesses get the support they need.  Their roles may not be as visible as those in our hospitals, but their work is nevertheless vital.

In times of crisis, our city has and I believe always will come together.  The last few weeks have seen thousands of individual acts of kindness take place in Worcester.  Whether you’ve been able to buy a loaf of bread for a neighbour, chatted to someone in isolation or waited patiently in a queue to pick up someone’s medication, you have played a part in this city’s recovery.  We can and will get through this – and when we do, our communities will be even stronger as a result.  Keep it up, citizens of Worcester!  And for now, Stay at Home – and Stay Safe.

Mayor’s Week: 6 – 13 March 2020

Mayor’s Week: 6 – 13 March 2020

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It’s been one of those weeks that I wish had included a couple of extra days, instead of the usual seven – a comment I make both on account of the number of engagements and the satisfaction that stemmed from them.

Bollywood it wasn’t, but on Thursday I turned into a film star for a video to promote Polish Independence Day:  soon to be seen a screen near you!

I was delighted, too, to mark the achievement of Kevin Haines and Mark Bates, two gentlemen who’ve served a total of half a century with the City Council’s Operational Services team.

It’s a bleak day when you don’t learn something new – and the news that the 49th Regiment of Foot, an infantry unit raised in 1743 (later the Worcestershires), fired the first shots in what became the American War of Independence.  I learned this snippet at a dinner held to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Massacre.

A particular privilege of being Mayor is the pleasure of showing youngsters (and sometimes not quite so youngsters) some of the Guildhall’s mysteries – three times this week, my guests being students from RGS Springfield and New College, and two high-profile Palestinian ladies.

Two large-scale civic events also dominated the week – Kidderminster Mayor David Ross’s glitzy Ball held in the Town Hall on Friday and the Annual civic service in Gloucester Cathedral and reception in the Guildhall.  For some reason, both times I found myself humming ‘Nobody Does It Better’ and thinking of Worcester.

Another annual event that goes from strength to strength is the National Careline Retirement Show that I had the privilege of opening on Saturday, but I have to say that Sight Concern’s ‘Walk the Mile Blindfold’ initiative, planned for next month but for which I took part in a pre-publicity photoshoot on Tuesday, is particularly poignant.  The week’s other engagements included the Bishop Lloyd Charity’s governors’ meeting, a 90th birthday celebration and an induction event for new Council staff.

I can’t sign-off this week without a word on the hot topic of the day: Coronavirus.  Please heed all the warnings, and stay safe.

Mayor’s Week: 28 February – 5 March 2020

Mayor’s Week: 28 February – 5 March 2020

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Now where was I…?

Ah yes, mayoral duties left in the very capable hands of my deputy, Cllr Jo Hodges – who, I have on the very best authority, did a splendid job in my absence: thanks, Jo.

As for me, I went back to Kashmir for a week as I’d wanted to see at first hand the effects of the earthquake that devastated so much of the country – and it is far worse up close up than you could ever see in the media.

I must confess that I was quite unprepared for the sights we – that is, myself and Council Leader Marc Bayliss, could have imagined (both of us, I should add, paid for the trip ourselves).

Worcester is home to a number of Kashmiri families, not one of which has not been personally hard-hit by the disaster.  This is precisely why I set up my emergency fund initiative to help those who have been worst affected.

Before I left, the crucial topic of the day was Worcester’s floods:  and when I returned, it still was!

My first two engagements were affected by the direst conditions I can recall: I was stuck in standstill traffic on Carrington Bridge, watching the time come and go for my appointment at the Inspire Neurocare Grand Opening event.  I’m relieved to say that this will be re-scheduled for later this year.  Later on the same day, crisis-hit Bewdley was forced to cancel its much-anticipated Tenbury’s Got Talent show, due to unprecedented flooding in the town.

My third post-break engagement fared no better, either.  Due to what can only be described as an unfortunate communication breakdown, I also inadvertently missed Sunday’s ABF Soldiers Charity Annual Curry Lunch at Dancox House.  To realise that I’d missed an appointment scheduled for two hours earlier came as a serious jolt – and I was still feeling very contrite during the Worcestershire Civic Service at the Cathedral that evening and into the next day, as Sabira Mollah of Unity Arts and I checked progress on the Mayor’s Banquet, taking place on 1 May.