Mayor of Worcester

The launch of the Worcester Festival saw a huge crowd gather outside the Guildhall to welcome the magnificent Gugge 2000, a brilliant feel good brass and percussion band in exuberant costumes who had travelled from Bournemouth to entertain us and create a wonderful buzz of excitement in the city.

It was a pleasure to visit all the stall holders at the Riverside Arts Fayre on South Quay. The stall holders and their wares captured the imagination with the breath-taking and elaborate art on display. Thank you to the organisers for making this happen.

Worcester went quackers when hundreds of people lined the bridge and riverside to witness the St Richard’s Hospice Duck Race. An amazing £2,800 was raised on the day for this brilliant charity. It was a sight to behold, my favourite decorated duck, El Quacko, led a good race before running out of quacks. I was ensured no ducks were harmed in the process!

The bells were calling on Sunday morning when I decided to tackle my vertigo and head for the dizzy heights of the Cathedral tower, where I was enthralled with the bell ringers and witnessed their mini peel. Worcester is a world leader in bell ringing and our training facilities and school are the envy of the bell-ringing world. Not only is this a skill that requires timing and rhythm, it also provides a good work out – so it may be time to hang up the cricket boots!

The Worcester Show was a big success, with thousands visiting Gheluvelt Park despite the rain. The sheer variety of activities and stalls on offer meant there was something to suit every taste or need. A huge logistical effort meant this was another smooth operation and successful event. Thank you to organisers and city council officers for a show that keeps growing in stature and prestige year-on-year.

I am as always proud and humbled to live in this wonderful city which has so much good will and love, and so much to offer.

A fantastic performance by WODYS (Worcester Operatic & Dramatic Society Youth Section) of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers marked the beginning of a busy week. The pressure to perform in front of a packed Swan Theatre under sweltering conditions proved no problem for the highly talented cast, who did themselves and their parents proud. Well done!

I was absolutely delighted to host former Mid-Worcestershire MP Sir Peter Luff at the Guildhall for the opening of the Worcestershire Remembers event. It was a brilliant programme which highlighted the role of Worcester men, women and animals in the Great War.

Sir Peter must be commended not only for his knowledge of local history and World War I, but also his personal battle with Parkinson’s Disease. It isn’t easy coming out in the open. The misunderstandings and negative stereotypes around the condition often mean people are in denial for years. There are many, many people in our city who have this condition and don’t realise it. I commend Sir Peter on openly talking about it and inspiring others to seek help.

A quick update on my Fitness Challenge. Half way, in I am beginning to make some visible gains. The key is persistence, determination and a strict diet. The latter has let me down on numerous occasions but great support from John Clarke and his team at Fit3Sixty has meant I have stayed on track to meet my objective. Thank you John!

Which leads me to my message for the week. So often we moan, groan and complain about our situation, but fail to realise that we often have the power to change our conditions or, at the very least, our frame of minds. It is amazing what small changes and a positive outlook can do to mental well-being and overall happiness. The key to attaining this is gratitude and appreciation of what you have and, of course, spreading the message of Love not Hate.

A quieter week than usual, giving me time to reflect on my term in office so far.  In the ten weeks to date we have seen a lot of activity in Worcester; the centre is buzzing with excitement on most weekends and the BID and the City Council are doing a great job in stimulating the visitor economy.

It’s certainly been one of the busiest summers to date and the giraffes have added that something special to the atmosphere. Yet there is still more to come: the Worcester Festival is just around the corner, and the unmissable annual Worcester Show will take place in Gheluvelt Park on Saturday 12 August.

Following this, special preparations are under way to commemorate that historic event – the hundredth anniversary of Armistice Day.

We have so much to celebrate, acknowledge and appreciate that sometimes we don’t know what we had until it’s gone; often taking things for granted. One example was the news I received last week that Ben Humphrey, a friend of mine, is leaving his role as Associate Director at Worcester Rep.  Amongst other things Ben is a lecturer, producer, musician and actor.  He has brought so much joy to people in the City and beyond, that one cannot fail to acknowledge his contribution – particularly to Worcester’s arts scene. I wish him all the best in his new role.

In fact, there are many people that we haven’t recognised in this great city of ours. Many of you go about your daily lives making a difference, in your own special way. Whether it be by volunteering, teaching and coaching, adding value and enriching the lives of many, that’s what makes the City so special. I am grateful for your efforts and wish you all great success in everything you do.  I’m signing off by asking you to spread the message of love, not hate.

Last Saturday the need to remain resolute in the face of adversity, and unite against those that seek to divide us, was clearly illustrated.  Approximately 500 pro peace demonstrators came out and stood united for peace, love and harmony – thus preventing the EDL from marching through the city.

There has been a frenzy of media coverage and of people sharing some of what took place on Saturday via social media.  I stand firm in my message: love, not hate.  Despite some of the images and footage circulating, the majority of counter-protesters were calm, peaceful and measured. However, on both sides there was an element which behaved in an incendiary manner, fuelling hatred.  The police and the peaceful protesters did our city proud and I extend my thanks to them.  There are obvious lessons to be learnt if we are to avoid further violent scenes and scrutiny is already underway.

Shockingly on the same day, news broke in the evening of a disturbing and vile incident in which a toddler was the deliberate target of a suspected acid attack. The world’s eyes watched. The City united in shock, horror and sympathy for the toddler and his mother. Truly the best of Worcester shone through and local political leaders are to be praised for their swift condemnation of these actions.  I am grateful to the emergency services and swift police operation, which has resulted in five men being charged.

The heart, in its essence, needs and wants love, not hate. So, fill your hearts with kindness and gratitude, so that love can express itself. I pray for peace for this wonderful city and its residents – and am thankful for all the support it has received this week.