BOTH tourists and residents will now be able to learn more of Worcester’s past as Blue Plaques are appearing all over the City denoting sites where significant events have taken place – as well as the renewal of the plaques showing the location of the old City gates back in the times when Worcester was a walled city. Thanks to the Worcester Civic Society together with the Milestone Society, we have a bronze plaque to mark the position in Worcester of the original Old Cross – and the Civic Society has also unveiled the blue plaque in honour of John Williams (1773-1853) at Pitmaston House in Malvern Road, St John’s.

For cricket lovers there is now a plaque to mark the formation of Worcestershire County Cricket Club at Whitehouse Hotel 150 years ago, then named the Star Hotel, and is now on view to the public after being unveiled on the Foregate Street wall of the Whitehouse Hotel.

On the subject of visitors, we have had the pleasure of receiving well over 100 foreign students at the Guildhall in just one week alone. They came from Germany, Italy and China and all, without exception, were a credit to both their teachers and countries alike. It was a pleasure to talk to them about Worcester and to show them around the Guildhall.

Worcester Vigornia Rotary Club celebrated their Presidential handover in great style with dinner on board a river boat, cruising up and down the Severn. I wish Victoria well in her year as President and every success in her fundraising efforts for worthy causes including Sight Concern, a nominated charity we both share.

Junior Youth Speaks at Hollymount School, organised by the Rotary Club of Worcester, gave us another impossible task of choosing winners! In my mind they are all winners and show what incredible talent Worcester youth has to offer.

Similarly, RGS The Grange had their School Speech Day, also exhibiting some remarkable talent and prizes for achievement were awarded across all six year groups.  A former head girl at the school, Ellie Ives, now a graduate of Oxford University, was the guest of honour and gave a brilliant speech – as did the current head girl, who was a pleasure to listen to!