Mayor of Worcester

I AM busy raising money for my worthy mayoral charity for this year which is Acorns.

It is great that local businesses are also joining in to lend a hand.

Dr Stanimira Stavreva-Stassi of the Reindeer Court Dental Practice in Worcester ran an event that I attended as mayor which offered free dental check-ups in exchange for a donation to Acorns.

In this she was aided by her whole team, the Acorns mascot but just as importantly by her son, Alexander, who played his violin for delighted passers-by. All this hard work raised £930 for this brilliant cause.

If you want to donate to Acorns, we have a QR code prominently displayed outside the mayor’s parlour in the Guildhall which allows you to donate via PayPal.

I was proud to raise the Windrush flag in honour of a generation whose courage, resilience, and service helped rebuild Britain after the Second World War.

On 22 June 1948, the Empire Windrush arrived with hopeful Caribbean passengers who would become vital to our NHS, transport, education, and public services.

Despite hardship and discrimination, they enriched our national life. Worcester shares in that legacy. Windrush descendants are part of our schools, our faith groups, our culture.

It was a real privilege to host members of the Windrush generation in the mayor’s parlour and tour an art exhibition inspired by their experiences. As the flag flies, we remember: our strength lies in diversity — and in the stories we choose to tell.

I was also honoured to lead the Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony — a tribute to the dedication, bravery, and sacrifice of those who serve and have served in our military.

This year’s event is especially poignant as we mark the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day, remembering the courage that secured our freedoms.

Worcester’s proud military heritage lives on through those who serve today, and we also recognise the vital role of their families.

This flag symbolises our respect, gratitude, and commitment to supporting our armed forces community — past, present, and future. May it fly high over the Worcester Guildhall as a reminder of the duty and courage that continue to protect us all.

One of the most visible aspects of being Mayor of Worcester is when you are involved in formal civic events.

On a few memorable occasions the mayor parades “in state” through the centre of Worcester, usually from the Guildhall to the Cathedral.

Examples include Remembrance Sunday in November and the Civic Service held last weekend in the beautiful surroundings of Worcester Cathedral, which marked the formal start of the civic year.

On these occasions the mayor will dress in formal gowns and parade with councillors, local mayors, city judges, members of Parliament, members of the House of Lords and other local dignitaries.

It is a spectacular sight especially as the mayor is accompanied by the Sword-Bearer and the Mace Bearers.

Local residents and tourists, who enjoy the pomp and spectacle of these special occasions, often ask who these figures are and what they do?

Worcester’s rich civic traditions are embodied in its historic regalia, each item steeped in symbolism and ceremony.

The Sword of State, granted by King James I in 1621, is a powerful emblem of mayoral authority.

Though it was stolen in 1651 and remade in 1657, the sword continues to lead major civic processions today. In 1698, the royal arms of William III were added, and it was refurbished in 1996 to preserve its splendour.

The role of Sword-Bearer, created alongside the sword in 1621, carries its own prestige. The bearer wears the Cap of Maintenance, a rare honour once granted by the Pope to European monarchs, and now held by only seven UK cities.

Worcester’s cap, decorated with three ostrich feathers possibly linked to Prince Arthur—buried in the cathedral—symbolises high civic honour. Tradition once entitled the bearer to collect free eggs and a halfpenny per salmon sold at the old fish market.

The city’s four civic maces, originally weapons favoured by clergy, have been used in Worcester since 1461 as symbols of authority.

The current silver set was purchased in 1760 after the originals were sold. Carried by four mace bearers, the maces rest crown-up on the right shoulder to indicate the devolved authority of the crown.

When the monarch is present, they are reversed—crown down, on the left. Together, these ceremonial items reflect Worcester’s deep-rooted civic identity, shaped by centuries of history, tradition, and pride.

Worcester is a city which comes together for those in need.

I had the honour of attending Worcester Woods Countryside Park for a very special Family Fun Day fundraiser in support of Cancer Research UK and Fanconi Hope.

It was a joyful occasion, filled with games, face painting, and laughter, but above all, it was a celebration of community spirit and resilience.

At the heart of this event was Eluned Allen, whose courage and compassion in the face of personal loss inspired us all.

Her brother Stephen’s battle with cancer and Fanconi anaemia brought people together—not only to raise funds, but to raise awareness.

Eluned’s determination to create something hopeful out of heartbreak reminds us of the strength we can find in unity.

Events like this show Worcester at its best: people coming together to support a cause, to share kindness, and to offer hope.

Whether through a donation, volunteering, or simply showing up, every action made a difference.

Thank you, Worcester, for standing together—and for reminding us all of the power of community.

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Eluned the event raised £2,215.70 towards these worthy causes. You can still contribute here:  https://www.justgiving.com/page/eluned-allen-5

Each year, the Mayor of Worcester supports a local charity, and I’m proud to be championing Acorns Children’s Hospice during my term.

Based in Worcester, Acorns for the Three Counties provides essential care to around 260 children and families living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

In a warm, home-like environment, children can experience moments of joy through arts, crafts, hydrotherapy, and therapeutic play — bringing comfort and normality to their lives.

But Acorns does more than care for children; it supports whole families with bereavement counselling, advocacy, and dedicated groups for parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Their extraordinary work is mostly funded by donations and community fundraising — a true reflection of our region’s compassion.

Through my mayoral year, I aim to raise not just money but also awareness, helping ensure Acorns can continue to be there for families when they need it most.

Together, we can show that no family should face such a journey alone.

This week, I had the great honour of seeing first-hand the incredible work our city’s volunteers do.

On Sunday, I attended a fantastic fundraising tombola in support of New Hope Worcester, a brilliant children’s charity based in Ronkswood.

Founded in 2010 by Jean Wilson, after she struggled to find suitable care for her daughter Emily, New Hope has become a lifeline for many families.

It offers weekend respite care for children aged six to 18 with disabilities and complex health needs, providing a safe, nurturing environment with facilities like a multi-sensory room, soft play zone, and outdoor play area.

The tombola was fun and full of energy, but more importantly, it helped raise funds for a truly vital cause.

It was inspiring to see our community come together in support. I’m proud to champion charities like New Hope and incredibly grateful to everyone who took part and showed such generosity.

The wonderful work done by volunteers was also celebrated in the City Council’s annual Volunteer Celebration held at the Guildhall on Wednesday night.

Now in its 11th year, it was a great opportunity to thank volunteers from across the city for all the brilliant work they do.

The evening recognised a whole range of resident’s associations, horticultural volunteers, those who support events, environmental sustainability activists, community volunteers and friends groups.

As Mayor, I had the honour of opening the evening and speaking about the huge contribution volunteers make to Worcester.

Across our city, volunteers are quietly transforming lives—offering their time, energy, and compassion not for recognition, but because they care.

Whether it’s supporting vulnerable families, protecting green spaces like Laugherne Brook and Cripplegate Park, or helping run our cultural events, volunteers are truly the beating heart of Worcester.

I also spoke about how volunteering is evolving. We’re seeing more flexible roles, younger people getting involved, and digital volunteering making an impact.

What hasn’t changed is the spirit—volunteers continue to build a kinder, more connected city. Thank you to each and every one of you.