A BUSY and interesting week, it started with a tour of Acorns Hospice which, while very sad, was certainly inspiring. The facilities, colour schemes and architecture are superb, providing support, engagement and comfort for the residents, and the staff are incredibly committed and caring. It is 10 years since Acorns opened and the gardens are becoming quite mature; there are areas of fun, colour and solace and walking around the grounds one feels as if one is away from everything.

The Mayoress and I had the opportunity to visit ASPIE, a social self-help and motivation group for adults with Asperger’s Syndrome, providing a drop-in point and place of comfort. ASPIE was founded in 2011 by the late Sarah Micklewright with the aim of providing a place where people can meet, and the good work is now continue by her mother, Julia.

The theme of “good work” continued when Harry Turner, Chairman of Worcestershire NHS Trust, showed us around the new Oncology Unit and the new Birthing Unit, both of which were amazing. Encouragingly, we saw the plans to extend the A&E Department and to further extend the car parking facilities. This is one hospital that is reaching out and succeeding, to improve services and facilities, giving patient stays a more beneficial outcome and making them a more pleasant experience.

The finale of our visit to the Worcester Royal was to meet and thank the volunteers who so admirably support the work of our hospital staff and management. They are a great group of people who deserve our praise and thanks.


It was a pleasure to attend the 800th anniversary celebrations of the Royal Charter being granted to Droitwich by King John in 1215, with a re-enactment of the King’s visit to the town. The charter gave the burghers the right to produce and market salt from the natural brine springs which emanate from beds of pure rock salt 200 feet below ground level.
The re-enactment was great fun. I’m not too sure about the authenticity of King John arriving on a canal barge, but it added fun to the day.

The Worcester Foodie Festival was great, we had 60 stalls of which 25 were city centre businesses and many others were suppliers to city centre businesses. Jean-Christophe Novelli ‘stirred’ up a frenzy to melt the hearts of some Mademoiselles who met him during and after his Master Class sessions. Foot fall in High Street was up 45 per cent – a real success story!