Mayor of Worcester

It was an honour for Alison and I to support one of our charities, Headway, by attending a pop-up restaurant they had organised. Their chef, Hazel, produced some amazing Mexican food. Her daytime job is preparing meals for their clients and if this was anything to go by they are treated to some great food. The whole event raised about £600 and was a real success. I recommend a visit if you see similar events advertised there in the future.

The next day we were entertained by both young and older contestants from across Worcester as they took part in the Competitive Arts Festival at the Royal Grammar School. We were able to listen to recitals by the Worcester City Brass, a cello group and individual piano pieces as well as young vocalists. It’s a pleasure to see such talent on display.

That same evening I visited the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Worcester where the congregation were celebrating 50 years since their church was built. We were told of how many of them there this evening took part in that construction, making it the place that it is today. There were photographs and stories of those ‘younger’ members volunteering to bring about a fast end to the building work. It was an interesting evening made all the better by the welcoming approach of all those present.

This week I’ve been at the Guildhall a couple of times to give tours and talks to groups of students. The first was from Stuttgart, Germany and the second from Florence, Italy. Both are staying in Worcester for the week and by their comments are really taken with our city. It would be nice to think they promote it when they get home and encourage more visitors to come here.

Finally, on Thursday evening we visited the Diglis House Hotel where we had been invited to the launch of The Ring, an arts trail around the River Severn and Worcester and Birmingham Canal. This was also attended by Heather Wastie, a former Worcestershire Poet Laureate, who has written a book of poems capturing the history of the canal. The Ring is actually a 21-mile loop of waterways within Mid-Worcestershire. Hopefully it will become another tourist attraction for our great city.

Well the snow certainly curtailed my activities this past week, with a number of engagements cancelled or postponed.  But just before it did fall, we had a fantastic day in the High Street to celebrate the Chinese New Year (Year of the Dog).  With firecrackers, dancing dragon and gymnasts, the people that stopped to watch were entertained to a magnificent display.  Once inside the Guildhall, a musician, martial arts team and a magician continued to treat their audience to some excellent performances.  All this was arranged by Mr Frankie Tsang and Mr Eric Brown of the Worcestershire Chinese Association, with a view to promoting Chinese culture in the community.

Last Sunday evening Alison and I were invited to St Clement’s Church where we witnessed the Licensing and Installation of Rev. Sarah Cottrill to the Parish Church.  This was a lovely ceremony presided over by the Bishop of Dudley, who carried out the formalities of the occasion.

On Tuesday we were again at the Guildhall to present awards to three children from local schools.  They had designed posters encouraging people to buy Fairtrade items to ensure suppliers receive fair prices for their products.   The winner received a framed copy of her poster and all three were given Fairtrade chocolate and bananas for their efforts by Mr Anthony Wood, Chair of the Worcester Fairtrade Justice Network.

Gheluvelt Park was our next destination on Thursday morning.  I was invited to lay the very first brick of the new Sons of Rest building which will cater for all those using the park and Splashpad in the warmer months ahead.  After the brick was laid between somewhat violent showers, we went to the Parlour where we entertained three representatives of the Worcester Muslim Welfare Association.  Each had played a great part in the development of Unity House Community Centre, which was providing after school activities for young children but intends to promote interfaith pursuits for everyone.

Finally on Thursday I went to Perry Wood Primary School where I met with the Environmental Wardens from the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust.  From there we went with teachers and a number of children towards Perry Wood Nature Reserve where we supervised and assisted them in collecting bags of litter.  This included the front grille from a car complete with number plate and hub cap, cans, bottles wrappers and plastic cups.  Untidy lot!!

I had ‘psyched’ myself up for a Skydive to raise funds for the mayoral charities on Wednesday.  Unfortunately it was not to be, as the instructors had to cancel the jump due to bad weather in Wiltshire, where it was taking place.  The good news is that a new date is to be arranged as soon as possible – so I am still on tenterhooks!  I’d like to thank everyone who has sponsored me so far in this endeavour.

 

Now I’m no sports journalist – I’ll leave that to the professionals – but how do I do justice to the game we watched last Friday at the University Arena?

Worcester’s Severn Stars Netball team played Manchester Thunder and came within a cat’s whisker of winning.  The play was fast with continuous attack, and aggressive with a sheer determination to win. The Stars who only came together in 2017 were winning at half time but lost by one point in the closing seconds of the game.  Disappointing for them I’m sure, but an incredibly exciting game for the spectators. Ten out of ten for their efforts.

As I wrote last week, the variety of mayoral engagements is huge, and this week was no different.  In contrast to the game, on Tuesday I met with the Rev. Doug Chaplin, who was responsible for arranging the Holocaust Day memorial event at the Guildhall last month.  He was truly surprised at the numbers of you who came to watch and take part in what was a very moving ceremony.

On Tuesday Alison and I also entertained a group of volunteers from the Worcestershire Parents and Carers Association.  This is a group concerned with not just children with disabilities, but the families who look after them – ensuring there is assistance available to help prevent isolation.  It was a pleasure to entertain them and I do believe that they enjoyed the visit.

The Mayor, at the beginning of their term in office, selects charities to support.  In doing so there are various events put on throughout the year to raise money for them, and of course this takes quite a bit of organisation.  So this week I met with representatives from Headway, Onside Advocacy and Victim Support to co-ordinate some up and coming events.

Catering, entertainment and volunteers to assist all have to be arranged.  I really do appreciate all the very professional help I get with this from those volunteers and our own Civic Office.  I do hope you will be able to support these occasions.  Please keep a look out at www.worcester.gov.uk for the dates and times and if you have the opportunity, come on down to one, I’m certain you will enjoy the evening!