Mayor of Worcester

As the year draws to an end, Alison and I are spending more time in churches; however, it’s not all been carol services, mince pies and mulled wine!

Earlier in the week we visited St Martin’s in London Road where a joint Friendship Party was being held for local people.  The Rotary organisation had brought together members of the church, mosque and local community to share a lunch and have a general ‘get together’.  This has been happening for the past few years and really seems to have generated a lot of community spirit.  I do hope it is continued in the New Year.

And at the Bromyard Road Methodist Church on Saturday morning I opened their ‘Live at Home’ fundraising event.  Various craft stalls were selling items to raise money for this well deserving charity which helps more people to retain their independence by staying in their own homes through times of adversity.

The Friends of St. Swithun’s Church were this week celebrating receipt of a £1.6 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to secure the building’s future.  The roof, the heating and the toilets all need considerable attention, after which the building will be used to create a new space for sound and art.  This will add yet another dimension to Worcester’s cultural landscape.

Also this week we visited Bishop Perowne School where All Sorts of Performing Arts were putting on their performance of Peter Pan.  This is a not for profit organisation which teaches drama to those aged between three and eighteen years of age.  This was a great show which adults and children (including my grandchildren!) really enjoyed.

Then last Friday was a night to help raise money for my charities.  The Guildhall was home for the evening to the Elgar Chorale, and what wonderful carol singing we heard.  The Chorale was in fine voice and their singing was interspersed with various readings both humorous and serious, making it a great evening.

Of course it would be completely wrong to forget to mention my visits to Worcester Cathedral this week.  Not only were we treated to a lovely carol service from the Worcester Scouts, but were also privileged to be at the opening of the Christmas Tree Festival.  Entry is free but there is a request for donations to the DaisyChain Benevolent Fund which raises money to benefit the health of children and young adults in Worcester.  I really do recommend a visit.

The week commenced with entertaining children from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, who visited the Guildhall to discover its history.  They were very interested, enjoyed seeing the City’s Sword and Maces but were really taken with our 270 year-old cells!

On Saturday I toured parts of St Johns and the Hopmarket to visit a number of small businesses there.  Again, like those in the Tything where I was recently, proprietors really do know the worth of great customer care to attract more visitors to their premises.

At lunchtime Alison and I were at CrownGate shopping centre, where Christmas carols were being signed by those with partial or no hearing.  The show, sponsored by Deaf Direct, attracted quite a large crowd who really appreciated the performance.

Sunday morning was spent touring the Victorian Fayre to select the best dressed stalls.  Traders went to a lot of effort this year to make their stalls look good and so many got into the spirit of the occasion by dressing up in Victorian clothes.  We took the decision that the Cone & Fruit Stall would be first, with their fantastic display.

That afternoon was quite different with a visit to St Martin’s Church to witness the Instalment and Induction of Rev. Robert Farmer.  Once again, the service at this church was lovely with Robert receiving a very warm welcome from the Bishop, Archdeacon and parishioners alike.

Tuesday morning was spent visiting the premises of the Royal Life Saving Society in London Road – their national headquarters.  At the moment they are promoting a “Don’t Drink and Drown” campaign.  It was an interesting tour – the Society is particularly concerned with looking at ways to prevent people drowning, as well as training and certificating life savers.

 

Wednesday saw us at the RGS The Grange, where children from Years 1 and 2 presented their nativity play.  The organisers put some real thought into this, managing to present an excellent production on a Strictly Come Dancing theme.  The children were brilliant, enjoyed the acting and sang really well.

That evening we saw another play; this time it was Geoff Wayne’s War of the Worlds put on by the Worcester Sixth Form College.  On this occasion the audience were directed to different parts of the building and outside areas to view the various scenes of the play, which were interspersed with a light show and rather loud bangs which were brought about by the director’s love of ‘blowing things up’.  A musical treat!

 

Well this was a quieter week with only five engagements, but all very different.  It started with Alison and myself going to the Commandery where clients of New Opportunities Worcester were displaying their skills in photography.  This was an excellent exhibition of pictures from different angles of items found around Worcester.

On Saturday it was a pleasure to entertain a number of members of the Worcester Operatic and Drama Youth section (WODY’S) to the Parlour.  This is a group that utilise their Saturday mornings to practice drama and music skills prior to rehearsing for their next big production.  In 2018 they will be performing Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Swan Theatre, which I’m sure will be yet another sell out.

The following day I joined MP Robin Walker and a number of other councillors to officially open a new Youth Hub and Community Centre in Unity House, Stanley Road, Worcester.  The site will feature a games room, garden art and craft area as well as a space for the over 50’s to socialise in.  A lot of hard work has gone into this project which could benefit both adults and children alike.  I’m sure it will really take off and I wish them well.

On Wednesday we visited Frances Court in Barbourne, where I talked to residents regarding the role of the mayor.  It was an interesting morning as although many were concerned about issues such as footpaths, I think most if not all agreed that Worcester was a great place to live.  There was a general agreement about the quality of our parks, independent shops and tourist attractions.  I described the ceremonial duties of the mayor along with the history of the office.

And then came Thursday, with the first Carol Service of the season which took place in the Cathedral.  Afterwards I processed with the Mace and Sword Bearers to the Cornmarket, where I opened the 25th Victorian Fayre.   This really was an exceptional event attended by visitors far and wide, including representatives from our twinned towns of Kleve in Germany, Le Vesinet in France and Ukmerge in Lithuania.  Over 200 stallholders were in the city centre to make this a special event and with the funfair as well, the children were having a great time.  All in all I think the Fayre will have a great few days.

 

The week started a little differently with the opening of the new Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant and Drive Through at Nunnery Way in Worcester – yet another new business offering employment to local people.  In the afternoon I visited a number of retail businesses in The Tything to see how they operate.  The consensus was that they get lots of business by providing great customer care – and that word of mouth rather than advertising attracts custom.

 

Wednesday evening was spent at the Cathedral, where I saw numerous students from Tudor Grange Academy receive awards for their achievements over the year.  It was obvious that they had really committed to their studies to obtain the recognition that they deserved.  The speaker for the evening, Police Superintendent Kevin Purcell, recognised how changing times would be the challenge for this next generation.

 

Alison and I returned to the Cathedral on Saturday for a performance of War Poetry set to music (For an Unknown Solder by Jonathan Dove).  This was a very moving listening experience with the opportunity, to once again consider the plight of young service personnel enduring the tragedies that war brought to their lives.  This was followed by a Requiem composed by a Maurice Durufle.

 

On Sunday we attended a further service of Remembrance, this time at the Astwood Cemetery where I and members of the Royal British Legion placed crosses on the graves of soldiers who lost their lives in the Second World War, including Prisoners of War.

Wednesday this week saw us yet again at the Cathedral to attend a performance by the Innsworth Military Wives Choir.  They may be an amateur group but their singing was superb.  There are 75 such groups worldwide, all committed to supporting each other as family members of service personnel.  The event also included the singing of a fantastic soprano, Rhiannon Llewellyn.  She selected some beautiful pieces to perform and was extremely well received by the audience.

And on Thursday afternoon, the High Street came to a standstill when hundreds of you came out to watch the turning on of the Christmas Lights.   Alison, myself and Pudsey Bear (the Mayor and the Bear!) the Carnival Queen and Princess, together with the Worcester Male Voice Choir, all managed to get on the stage to set the Christmas scene and help brighten up the precinct.

Then it was a quick dash up to Sixways where the Sports Awards for Herefordshire and Worcestershire were held.  Not only were sporting achievements, recognised but also the volunteers who make these events possible.  The Sports Personality of the Year award was won by Hereford FC – well done to them!