Well it’s hardly stopped raining this week but Worcester has made it through the downpours.
When compared with the area around Sheffield and closer to home in the Teme Valley, we seem to have got off relatively lightly.
However, on a personal note, the news that Judge Eric Dickinson lost his life when swept away by flood water near Pershore has weighed upon me this week.
He had taken part in the civic service just the day before and had sat next to Carol in the cathedral.
I had welcomed him because in my time as a solicitor, I had appeared before him on numerous occasions in the county court and Sunday had marked an occasion briefly to renew our acquaintance.
More positively on Tuesday I entertained Andrew Muxlow and Ramsay for coffee in the parlour.
This was part of ‘Shades Day’ organised nationally by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
It aims to increase awareness of looking after your eyes and also to raise funds for the charity itself.
Though virtually blind himself, Andrew manages a full-time job training guide dogs in Worcester.
Needless to say Ramsay, his faithful labrador, was immaculately behaved and posed well for the camera wearing his master’s sun glasses!
On Thursday I was delighted to take part in an unusual event involving the Worcester Pakistan Partnership.
Shoppers would have been surprised to see five ambulances lined up outside the Guildhall which were being handed over by the local ambulance trust to the partnership ready to be shipped out to Pakistan.
This project was the brainchild of Councillor Allah Ditta, Worcester’s Mayor in 2004/05, who like many of us had been shocked by the devastation of the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005 and by the lack of ambulances to transport the sick and injured.
Thanks to Worcester South Rotary Club for having raised the money to purchase the ambulances as well as vital medical supplies and equipment which is going with them.
This week also saw the re-opening of the Commandery in Sidbury after a large-scale £1.5 million refurbishment.
About 100 people associated with the project crowded into the Great Hall for the event. A big thank you to the Heritage Lottery Fund for providing about £1 million towards the cost; the balance coming from the city council.
It’s living history going back to 1480 including the Civil War period. It’s unique in Britain and really is one of Worcester’s crown jewels which we should be proud of. Do go and look round and I promise you’ll enjoy the visit.
What’s more, it’s free entry to residents of Worcester. Now there’s a bargain!