Mayor of Worcester

Last Friday, Lynn and I attended County Hall to commemorate the Holocaust. This moving event reminded us, in words, images and music, of­ the genocide of Jewish people in the Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War and also of other genocide since that time.

It was good to share this event with representatives of our Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths and to commit ourselves always to challenge racism and exclusion, as these are attitudes which eventually lead to the horrendous actions we recalled last week.

On Tuesday, we returned to our wonderful leisure centre at Perdiswell, where former Olympic runner Steve Cram joined representatives of the University, Freedom Leisure, The Samaritans and City Council to launch the Worcester Half-Marathon and 10K run. This will take place in September and will attract many visitors to our city.

Running is one of many activities now available in Worcester which help to keep us active and healthy, and I am very happy to support this new event.

The Tiny Tollys is a pre-school group based at the Tolly Centre in Rowan Avenue. We were delighted to join their first birthday party where we saw many small people having lots of fun. This facility is very much needed in this disadvantaged area and we want it to continue.   I understand that there is a small number of spaces for more children and hope that parents will take these up.

We really enjoyed watching Mother Goose, this year’s Kaye’s pantomime at the Swan theatre.

Both students and staff of Regency High School warmly welcomed us for a tour of their school and we were most grateful for their hospitality.

I hosted two groups of visitors to The Guildhall; students from New College and Tudor Grange Academy toured the building and learned about its history, ending another busy mayoral week.

The highlight of the week was my official opening of our magnificent new swimming pool and extended leisure centre at Perdiswell.  A large number of invited guests from around the county and beyond arrived to celebrate this event, including the High Sherriff of Worcestershire and his wife, Sir Nicholas and Lady Caroline Letchmere. Local paralympic medalists Rebecca Redfern and Claire Cashmore were also on hand both to swim and explain how important this pool will be for competitive swimmers.

I was especially pleased to see two former senior officers of the City Council – Duncan Sharkey and Ruth Mullen. They were there at the beginning of the planning process and helped bring together the small team of people to drive the idea forward.

Worcester now has a competition standard, superb facility which adds to our existing, impressive sporting attractions. The pool caters for everyone, from learners to Olympic standard swimmers, including those with disabilities and their carers. The pool will attract both local residents and visitors to our city. If you haven’t yet seen our new pool, I encourage you to do so!

Professor David Green, vice-chancellor and chief executive of our rapidly expanding, very successful University of Worcester hosted mine and Lynn’s visit to its three locations in Oldbury Road, Castle Street and the Riverside. We were most impressed by the wide range of educational opportunities on offer and met existing and former students who have real enthusiasm for our city and university. Later, we attended an inaugural lecture to launch the new School of Law.

The Churches Conservation Trust visited The Guildhall to launch its appeal to improve St Swithun’s Church, our Georgian gem located between High Street and The Shambles. The plan is to restore this magnificent building, install heating and keep it open year-round for the benefit of our residents and visitors. We wish them every success.

 

After a hectic December and a few days’ rest and relaxation, the new year so far has been relatively calm.

This provides time to plan future activities which will raise money for my chosen charities. These charities are very worthwhile, and support the people of Worcester.

The Midlands Air Ambulance provides rapid medical care and transport to hospital, sometimes in places which a conventional ambulance cannot reach. Not everyone seems to realise that this service is not funded by our NHS and simply could not exist without millions of pounds raised by charity.

The Youth Hostel Association provides low-cost accommodation in some of the most beautiful places in England and Wales. I spent much of my youth walking from one YHA building to another in our national parks and cities. I stayed in castles, former monasteries, a shepherd’s hut on a mountain pass and other interesting places. Later, I became a voluntary leader for their activity holidays.

Many young people in Worcester would benefit from participating in YHA Breaks for Kids, which is subsidised by the YHA charity fund of the same name. I want to make a donation so that more of our local children can go.

Action for Children is a UK charity which, among many activities which support children and families, runs some of our city children’s centres. I intend to give them funding so they can pay the travel costs for kids from needy families to get to the YHA Breaks for Kids.

We are planning a charity auction on 24th February, a dinner and casino night on 1st April, both at the Guildhall, and other charity events which I hope many local people will support to help these charities support people in need in Worcester.

 

This week’s column is written by Cllr Steve Mackay, Deputy Mayor of Worcester

As Deputy, the engagements I have are considerably less than those of the Mayor. However reflecting on this past year, I was privileged to attend numerous engaging events, where I represented the City.   One of my most recent invitations was to attend a lunchtime café session where I saw how those suffering from dementia and their carers may be assisted.  By using suitcases containing museum items from the 1940s,50s and 60s, memories were jogged and this brought about discussions that otherwise would never have taken place.

Aided by a professional story-teller who told a vivid tale of a journey, he incorporated actions and sounds with his audience, using musical instruments. While eventually there may be a cure for this condition, such inputs go some way to assisting those experiencing its effects.

One of my highlights from 2016 was starting the flotilla on the River Severn and taking Tea at the Guildhall with local residents who shared their 90th birthday last year with Her Majesty the Queen. It was a fantastic day, enriched by those who gave up their time to make it a superb occasion.

And the year continued with me attending Annual General Meetings of the Worcester Headway and Roots associations; civic services; prize giving days at Kings College and Tudor Academy and plays put on by young people in Worcester – all leading up to carol services at Christmas.

Deputising has allowed me to see how Worcester City and the whole county benefits from volunteers who assist those in circumstances less fortunate than others. I have been amazed at their commitment, but am reminded that the rewards are a two-way feature.  If anyone considers that they have the time available and would wish to volunteer for any organisation, I can only suggest that both are likely to benefit.

I look forward to seeing what 2017 has to bring – but already our City’s new swimming pool has been opened and appears to be receiving fantastic accolades. Let’s hope Worcester continues in the same vein throughout the year.

Happy New Year to you all.