With last Thursday’s elections behind us, I am conscious that my own one-year term as mayor is running out.
There are just seven days to go before I hand over to my successor at the annual council meeting so I had better make the most of that time, pay a few final visits, say some goodbyes and generally tidy up my desk.
Though he’s of a completely different political persuasion from me, I just have a tinge of sympathy for ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone having to clear out his drawers after eight years in office!
I mentioned in last week’s diary how I welcomed representatives from the three societies keen to promote the battles of Evesham, Tewkesbury and Worcester.
It was something of a coincidence that on Monday I hosted a meeting of the Battle of Worcester Partnership in the parlour.
Chaired by Dilip Sarkar, the partnership has plans to create a Battle of Worcester monument and a Worcester battlefield trail, both of which should help to attract more visitors.
They also hope to create something special around September 3, which is the anniversary of the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
It will involve quite a gathering and a procession of re-enactors centring on Fort Royal and the Commandery. Perhaps this year the Royalists might win!
The next day Carol and I fulfilled a special invitation from Lord Walker, Worcester’s former MP and a Freeman, to have dinner with him and his wife Tessa at the House of Lords.
It’s a wonderful place, full of history, including a substantial library which we walked through and admired, and despite their lordships being in session, there was a feeling of quiet dignity about all the proceedings.
Whilst I still have the opportunity of writing this diary, I would like to thank everyone who has generously donated to my two mayoral charities this year, Macmillan Cancer Support and British Red Cross.
I have final engagements with each of them this week and I know how vital it is for both of their local fund-raising committees that the money continues to flow in.
My final fund-raising event is a concert by the Worcester Male Voice Choir in the Guildhall this Saturday at 7.30pm. There will be a diverse programme with pieces ranging from Puccini to Elvis Presley.
It’s not just pure singing either as we have a young saxophonist, Simon Powell, from Bromsgrove, coming to play some solos.
Tickets are available in advance (cheaper rates) from the Tourist Information Centre or through my PA Susan O’Kane at the Guildhall or, on the door. Let’s aim to raise a tidy sum for two very good causes.