Worcester Christmas Victorian Fayre

November 26th 5.00pm
Guildhall, Worcester

We were greeted by his Right Worshipful the Mayor of Worcester at the Guildhall and after some carol singing, processed with dignitaries and members of the clergy and other organisations to the fairground carousel for the opening ceremony.
Worcester Christmas Fayre is the leading themed street market in the West Midlands.  Hundreds of stalls fill the atmospheric streets of Worcester’s historic heart with the colours, sounds and smells of Christmas.  There is a wonderful range of merchandise on offer in the city on the market stalls and in the city’s exceptional range of shops, both unique independently owned boutiques and all the high street names you would expect to find in a thriving county town.
All the fun of the fair as you step aboard the Victorian carousel and are whirled around to the strains of barrel organ music.  You can take the weight off your feet in one of the city’s many cafes, pubs  or restaurants and enjoy traditional Christmas cheer with a cup of mulled wine or enjoy the flavours of some the local produce on offer on my of the menus and stalls.

Carols on the steps of Worcester Guildhall

The Mayor of Worcester is joined by the Chairman of Worcestershire County Council and The Bishop of Worcester

as well as representatives from Worcester twin towns in France and Germany and Michael Clarke, chairman of visit Worcester, who are the organisers of this years event.

We all love the gallopers L-R Michael Clarke, John Cairns and Paul Thomas

look very carefully at the central mirror

Yes, we all love the gallopers and Paul Thomas has another go!

Mayor’s and Chair’s from Evesham, Pershore, Upton Upon Severn and Worcester Rotary Club

After an excellent hot supper at the Guildhall, it was time to hit the stalls

and there were hundreds of them, spread all over the city centre, serving some of the 100,000 people attending over the 3 day fayre.

It’s not just stalls

street entertainers mingle with the crowds

others play Christmas music

hey Ollie, you’re up late!

Having bought, wine, cheese and pate, from the French twin town stand, among other things and said our goodbyes to Cllr Andy Roberts, The Right Worshipful Mayor of Worcester and his consort, we made our way home. An excellent evening.

 

 

 

 

Citizenship Ceremony

Monday November 16th
County Council Offices, Worcester

Wendy outside County Hall

The council chamber where the ceremony takes place. During the proceedings pictures are not allowed. This was the biggest in terms of numbers of people becoming British Citizens that I have ever been too. Civic heads from around the county are invited to witness the occasion and meet new citizens. There were about 50 people from countries all over the world. 

Order of ceremony

• When you arrive for the ceremony you will be asked to show your letter of invitation at the registration.  You will be seated and given your pledge card with the words to the Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation of Allegiance. You will have already chosen which allegiance you will swear at the ceremony. You will be welcomed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, and you will be asked to give your oath or affirmation.

Oath of allegiance

I (name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law.

Affirmation of allegiance

I (name) do solemnly and sincerely affirm that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according
to law.

• After the oath or affirmation, you will make the citizenship pledge:

Citizenship pledge

I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.

• The Chairman, or the Chairman’s representative, will then present you with your citizenship certificate and a gift.
• At the end of the ceremony the new citizens listen to the National Anthem. 
• Photographs are taken with the Chairman and other civic dignitaries present, to round off a special, meaningful and enjoyable occasion.

 

Stratford Upon Avon District Chairman Charity Race Evening

November 6th 7.30pm
Ettington Community Centre, Banbury Road, Ettington

In aid of Riding for the Disabled , this charity fundraiser was a great success financialy and enormous fun for those attending.

The community centre provided and excellent venue for the evening.

Mayor of Redditch, Cllr Malcolm Hall, had at least one winner.

Cllr Chris Scurrell, Chairman of Bromsgrove District Council, also came up trumps.

The winners table, well not quite, although I think we all had some winners. I sponsored race two, ‘Chairman of Wychvon Stakes’ and won a bottle of fizz for the race that produced the most money bet. That was very pleasing. All in all a smashing night, good company, food and wine.

Chairman of Bromsgrove Charity Fund Raising Harvest Supper

October 23rd 7.00pm
Spadesbourne Suite, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove

An evening of good food, wine ( take your own tipple and glasses), company and entertainment by Worcestershire Youth Orchestra, who were fantastic.

Chairman, Cllr Chris Scurrell, serves ice cream to Mike Layland, Deputy Mayor of Worcster City

Fabulous evening. Many thanks.

 

Stratford Upon Avon Civic Service

October 11th 3.00pm
St Mary’s Church, Tysoe, Warwickshire

Having left Redditch, we slowly drove to the delightful village of Tysoe. Chairman of Stratford Upon Avon District Council, Cllr Gill Roache, lives in the village.

St Mary’s Church

We arrived in early and had plenty of time to look around the wonderful and historic village church.

with fabulous stain glass window.

A lovely service, different again from this morning at Redditch. Cllr Roache had arranged hand bell ringing as part of the service. Afternoon tea and cakes made by local ladies completed an excellent service.

 

Redditch Civic Service

October 11th 10.30am
St Stephen’s Church, Redditch

I have been to many a civic service over the years. Today’s at Redditch, hosted by Mayor of Redditch, Cllr Malcolm Hall, was quite the most wide ranging and very different.

The civic party, processed from Redditch Town Hall to St Stephen’s Church. Most regrettably it rained. That annoying light rain but our spirits were soon lifted.

We entered the church to a fanfare of loud drum music, performed by Takadrumba. The service then followed with input from The Bel Canto Singers, hymns, readings, prayer and blessing. Music and song came from Tenacres First School, where Cllr Hall is a governor. More music and song came from the slightly older Indigo Arts group and even the mayor sang a solo. Canon David Rogers gave a very meaningful address and by the end everybody was full of praise for a very interesting, entertaining, enjoyable and most of all, community inclusive service.

Cllr Hall, singing ‘The King of Rome’

Refreshments were provided afterwards at Redditch Hall, town council chamber.

And now to Stratford Upon Avon Civic Service this afternoon.

Tewkesbury Mop

Friday 9th October, 6.30pm
Tewkesbury Town Centre.

Tewkesbury Mop Fair has is roots planted firmly in tradition, much the same as Evesham, only Tewkesbury is much, much bigger. Most of the town centre is covered with rides and stalls of all shapes and sizes.

After meeting at the Abbey Parish Hall, invited guest’s process to the Cross for the official opening and wreath laying ceremony

Both Tewkesbury town and borough mayor’s lay wreaths

as do the showmen. Here, Edward Danter lays his wreath

The worshipful the Mayor of the Borough Tewkesbury, Councillor Mark Williams, opens the fair

and with the town mayor have the first ride

and then the fun begins…………

Oh deer!

Wendy’s favorite, the ‘gallopers’

The evening ended with a reception, including very welcome hot food, back at the hall. The mayors were each presented with a cheque for £3000, to go towards their charity appeal.
A really great night enjoyed by many thousands.

Worcestershire County Harvest Service

Sunday October 4th 6.30pm
Worcester Cathedral

A very nice service, giving thanks for all things to do with and connected to agriculture in Worcestershire. The address was given by Right Reverend David Walker, Bishop of Dudley

 

Upton Upon Severn Civic Service

Sunday October 4th 2.30pm

The civic party processes from Upton Memorial Hall and Town Council Chamber to St Paul’s Church, led by Mayor of Upton Upon Severn, Cllr Paul Thomas and his consort Mrs Bev Thomas.

Inside St Paul’s Church with dramatic hanging sculpture.

During the service, Cllr Thomas announced that 4 past Mayor’s of Upton Upon Severn, were to be given past mayor’s badges. This is a new award and the very first to receive one was Cllr Eric White. The awards were presented by Sir Michael Spicer MP

After the service

and back to the Memorial Hall for afternoon tea and refreshments

Worcestershire Council For Voluntary Youth Services (WCVYS)

September 29th 7.00pm
WCVYS AGM
Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Centre, Droitwich Road, Worcester

In this job, there are a lot of AGM’s to go to. Most are interesting and the attendees all sit politely in rows and ask questions, having listened to a speaker, who has been most informative.

This one was different! It was a living AGM. There were lots of displays and stands we could interact with. Lots of people to talk to and lots of partner organisations. The business part of the meeting was quick and efficient, let by Chairman Michael Hunter. The pictures below show some of what was going on.

Main entrance

Get the ball from one end to the other, without touching the ball or lifting the track?

Young farmers stand.

Useful art?

Dancers from Redditch

Find the goody in the box. It’s in there somewhere.

Ah, there it is Now I can reveal a little more of the message on the wall. There was lots more to do. An excellent evening. Thank you.

Useful websites
www.wcvys.co.uk
www.worcestershire.gov.uk/iwp
www.ycworcs.org.uk