Mayor’s Week: 5 – 11 January 2018

Mayor’s Week: 5 – 11 January 2018

Last Saturday I enjoyed a pleasant evening in Bewdley.  The Mayor there, Mrs Anna Coleman, has a Russian heritage and so in an effort to raise funds for her chosen charities, arranged a Russian Christmas Celebration evening for guests.  All the food was prepared by her and her son, while the entertainment was made up of everyday games played in Russian homes. A very good idea, with the proceeds going to help local people.

Reverend Doug Chaplin and I met this week to discuss Worcester’s Holocaust Memorial Day Service, which will be held at the Guildhall at 10.30am on Saturday 27 January.  Please come along and join us for this moving ceremony – people all over the world will be attending similar events in their local community.

Later in the week Alison and I were invited to attend the Blessed Edward Oldcorne School Career Fair.  This event has run for the last three years and judging by the interest shown by the students, it was a real success.

The emphasis was on the digital market with not only Oxford University, local colleges and local industries aiming to recruit individuals, but also the armed forces.  Speaking with both representatives and the students themselves, it is apparent that not only is it important to have jobs available but also for information about them to be easily accessible, to help students make the best career choices.

From now until the end of my mayoral year in May I will be focusing on raising more funds for my chosen charities: Headway, Onside Advocacy and Victim Support.  There will be a Mayor’s Charity Dinner featuring Broadway Music from Starbuck Theatre Group on 23 March; a Concert Brass evening on 13 April and a Medical Lecture on 17 April.

If you would like to come to any of these you would be most welcome! Additionally I’m doing a Charity Skydive on 7 March – just trying to raise a few extra pounds and probably lose a few (in weight) through fear. I am still seeking more sponsors so if you did feel able to make a donation, please go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search for Steve Mackay, where any amount may be pledged. Thank you.

 

Mayor’s Week: 28 December – 4 January

Mayor’s Week: 28 December – 4 January

Well first of all, A Happy New Year to you all and I wish everyone a healthy 2018.  From what I’ve heard and seen so far, this season seems to be no different from last year with people going down with ‘flu, colds and generally feeling unwell, so good luck in avoiding those bugs!

The last couple of weeks haven’t been quite so busy for me but those engagements I have attended have been quite exceptional. The Worcester News held their carol service at the Cathedral, while children and staff from Cherry Orchard Primary School performed their Nativity Service there; both quite different, but sharing a traditional happy theme with the congregations really enjoying the moment.

It was a pleasure to be invited to the 100th Birthday of Vera Keenan of Worcester, a lady who has given so much of her time to helping others in various roles over the years.   Now only having partial sight she appreciated the party put on by her daughters, relatives and friends at the hall in St George’s Church.  Some very nice tributes were paid to Vera regarding her charitable work.

On Saturday 23 December I visited the Worcester Countryside Park to start the Park Run.  I was genuinely surprised at the numbers of people who turned out on this cool morning to take part in the run (a few hundred on this occasion), and once again how many volunteers also arrived to act as stewards to facilitate it.  This is yet another event that would not take place without their support.

Since Christmas there have only been a couple more events which I attended with Alison, as well as my children and grandchildren.  The first was the Big Swan Feed at South Quay.  Here again a number of people turned up with their children to feed all the swans in the sanctuary.  They don’t do quite so well for food at this time of year, so all help is gratefully received by the Swan Sanctuary Volunteers.

And finally to the Swan Theatre (see what I did there?) where Dame Ginny and the cast of Sleeping Beauty put on an excellent performance.  The audience were enthralled, the children totally engaged, and me suitably embarrassed by the attentions of the said Dame.

Congratulations to them all.

 

 

Mayor’s Week: 10 – 16 December 2017

Mayor’s Week: 10 – 16 December 2017

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.

Mayor’s Week: 2 – 9 December 2017

Mayor’s Week: 2 – 9 December 2017

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!