Twenty-five years is a long time these days to remain with one employer, but last week three of the city council’s staff, Ivor Bishop, Neil Bushell and Wendy Cash, achieved that accolade. On Tuesday, I was delighted to present them with their long-service certificates and thanked them for their loyalty
and dedication.
That same evening I attended the annual meeting of the Worcester Twinning Association. I feel the association has achieved a lot in the last year, with further visits to Le Vesinet, Kleve and Vernon. More visits are planned over the next 12 months, including trips to establish a new link in Lithuania and renew our links with Worcester Massachusetts. Just for the record, the association is not funded by the council taxpayer as it is a self-funding group, but nevertheless it performs a very important role in promoting international friendship and understanding.
On Thursday, I spent the evening in the good company of conductor Dr Donald Hunt and the Elgar Chorale in the Guildhall as they gave a concert to mark St Valentine’s Day, with the profits going to the Twinning Association. There was a good turn-out, with the Assembly Room nearly full, and everyone enjoyed the entertainment.
However, it was the weekend that kept Carol and myself well and truly occupied.
On Saturday, it was Living History Day and anyone who went near the Guildhall could not have escaped the noise and colour of soldiers from across the centuries beating their drums, shouting their orders, drawing their swords and pikestaffs and re-enacting scenes from times gone by.
After declaring the event open, we were shown round all the exhibits, talked to the troops and inspected their uniforms and weapons. In the afternoon, we continued the tradition of parading from the Guildhall to lay a wreath on the memorial of Colonel Ellis inside the cathedral. How wonderful to march with the soldiers and take part in a simple act of remembrance to a brave soldier who died aged just 32 at the Battle of Waterloo.
On Sunday the Guildhall was again the scene of noise and colour to celebrate the Chinese new year. I had been warned the firecrackers might be a bit loud and that turned out to be absolutely right but it was a great occasion with lion dancers and dragon dancers outside plus displays of tai chi, calligraphy, folk dancing and music inside. Again the Assembly Room was packed and many thanks to Frankie Tsang and Irene Bartholomew for having organised and coordinated the event, which is now very much a set piece in Worcester’s civic and social calendar.