THE opening of Cathedral Square marked the high-point in a marvellous week for the city.

You could sense the optimism at the launch event on Saturday.

There were a couple of gaffes on the day - like when the Mayor, Cllr Steve Mackay, appeared to struggle with cutting the ribbon.

Or when the BBC’s Elliot Webb announced that the ribbon-cutting had taken place prematurely and missed coinciding with the bell-ringing from the Cathedral.

But overall it was a success, with visitors lavishing praise on the development.

A foreign student told me that the development welcomes visitors into Worcester and makes it look more modern.

The Mayor thinks the restaurants and bars will get outsiders to come into the city and boost the economy.

The Mayor was kept busy this weekend as the square opening was not his only event.

He also opened The Commandery’s new English Civil War exhibition, which has been set up in a converted corridor.

Dozens of re-enactors took part in the event and even gathered in Cathedral Square.

The sight of 17th century re-enactors standing in the modern square was slightly jarring but also reflective of the city’s charm.

Worcester Cathedral stands opposite the £20m development and has sections which date back to the 11th century.

This combination of old and new is key to the city’s identity.

The Mayor also attended the unveiling of a plaque in memory of the Cathedral’s former organist this weekend. Famed composer Thomas Tomkins lived in Worcester for about 60 years and was the organist for the Cathedral.

Born in 1572, he became one of the great composers of his time.

But Tomkins’ work came to an end with the rise of Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan doctrine.

His life came to a sad end in 1656 but he has now been rightly remembered with a blue sign on his old home in College Green, Worcester.

The Three Choirs Festival also came to an end last week, with a performance of Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music.

It was a poignant end to a wonderful week, which saw the city punching well above its weight.