Mayor of Worcester

Some 275 years ago, before the US independence and when men were still wearing powdered wigs, John Wall and William Davis started making porcelain in Worcester.

They convinced 13 businessmen to invest in a factory at Warmstry House, where porcelain continued to be traded until 2009.

Last Thursday I was very lucky to be invited to celebrate this by unveiling a sculpture made by Neil Musson and Jono Retallick.

Musson+Retallick were a wonderful pair who had spent years interviewing former workers and delving through the archives to create a piece that reflects our history.

We spent a lot of the day being asked to stand in a certain place to get the correct photograph. When I was first tapped on the shoulder Jono said to me “they want to take our photo because we are all so well dressed”.

After the unveiling we went on a tour, following where the outer walls of the factory used to be.

Along this route there are now plaques talking about key locations and you can listen to interviews with former workers. I was amazed to hear a woman who sounded just like my grandmother used to, the same accent and tone.

Over the weekend I enjoyed St Peters Parish Festival. A festival designed for and delivered by the residents of St Peters.

It was brilliant to see such a welcoming but tight knit community, sharing the work of local schools, charities and businesses.

We also got a new Worcestershire Poet Laureate this weekend, Jay Rose Ana. This was announced at the launch of Litfest.

Jay’s work was exciting and emotive and I am pleased to see we will have such a great writer and performer representing Worcestershire this year.

On Monday I returned to Christopher Whitehead Language College.

I had so much fun talking to the Sixth Form students about my journey through high school and beyond.

Many of them came to chat to me at the end about the best ways to get involved in local politics.

I also got to reunite with my former music teacher, Adam Davies.

I don’t think I would have achieved any of the things in my life without this teacher. He very much set me on a path to become a confident educator and performer, with many transferable skills into the political world so I can only apologise to him for all the times I complained about completing my homework.

He definitely got his own back on Monday though, when he made me sit with some of their Leadership team and the Performing Arts team to watch old videos of me performing.

I was surprised to hear my cover of Toxicity by System of a Down wasn’t as bad as I remembered. Thank you to everyone there for having me back.

I am sure many people in Worcester have never heard the organ in Huntingdon Hall played, but if you get the opportunity, I would recommend you take it.

Last Saturday I was invited to an Open Day at the hall, including a tour, which pointed out some of the beautiful features from when the hall used to be a Methodist Church.

It operated as a church until the late 1960s but I have only ever been to concerts and comedy nights there.

The organ, as with a few other parts of the hall, is in need of funds for maintenance.

I hope when they raise the money, it retains the same warm sound. I imagine it will, as it seemed to emanate more from the walls of the hall.

In fact, it turned out to be a whole weekend of wonderful sounds, as I was the closing weekend of the Elgar Festival.

Thank you to Ian Care for inviting me to the Gala Concert on the Saturday and for all the work he and the team have put in over the years of the festival.

I am so glad to see how much it has grown and what an impact it is having. Elgar is a key part of our history here in Worcester and deserves to be shouted about.

It was the first time I had heard an orchestra in the Cathedral; another experience that I would recommend you seize with both hands, if you get the chance. Maybe next year at the festival.

On Monday the Worcestershire Regiment invited me to a wreath laying commemorating the Battle of the Glorious First of June in 1794.

Thank you to Nigel Fish for inviting me to give a short speech. I also got to meet his brother, who shook my hand and said “now you know what it’s like to shake hands with a fish”, which made me laugh.

On Tuesday I got to meet some other Mayors from across the county and many of the Deputy Lord Lieutenants.

Many of the Deputies spend time organising awards from the King for individuals and organisations.

I will be on the look-out this year for suitable people to recommend. Thank you the Lord Lieutenant, Beatrice Grant for organising the event and for introducing me to everyone.

I particularly enjoyed showing the Mayor of Kidderminster, Shazu Miah, the Brintons Carpet in the Mayor’s Parlour.

On Thursday I had the great pleasure to attend the unveiling of a sculpture at The Museum of Royal Worcester.

This was such a significant event that I don’t think I have space for it in this week’s blog so I will tell you all about it next week.