8:00am Thursday 26th July 2012
THE week before last we visited four primary schools as part of the Schools in Bloom project; Swan Lane, St Andrew’s, St Richard’s and Bengeworth.
On the Wednesday, the Mayoress and I were invited to Worcester Cathedral to see the concert A Celebration of Worcestershire, in the presence of the Queen and Prince Philip. The concert took the form of a whistlestop tour around our county, its landmarks, industry and famous inhabitants in music, dance and story-telling, including an audience particpation chorus of Worcestershire is our Shire to the tune of Land and Hope and Glory. Following the concert we were invited to the Guildhall by the Mayor of Worcester for afternoon tea and a chance to share our royal stories.
On the Thursday we attended a ‘royal’ garden party hosted by pupils at St Mary’s RC School. The ‘Queen’ was in attendance once again (this time looking remarkably simliar to Evesham resident Angela Goodall!). The Queen awarded children with the Order of Saint Mary and ‘knighted’ teacher Mr Grove who is leaving the school at the end of term.
In the evening we went to the opening of Evesham High School’s Performing Arts Centre.
We stayed on at the school for their Summer Concert.
On the Friday we went to the Regal to watch a recording of Radio 4’s Just a Minute with Nicholas Parsons. The panel were Paul Merton, Charles Collingwood, Pam Ayres and Miles Jupp. Two episodes were recorded and Nicholas Parsons stayed on for a question and answer session afterwards.
Luck or divine intervention?
Whichever it was, the weather was glorious for Hampton Church fete, which we attended on the Saturday.
We ended our week at the Sacred Heart Church in Droitwich for the Mayor of Droitwich’s Civic Service.
The following Tuesday we helped out at a litter pick and spring clean in the streets of Evesham prior to the Britain In Bloom judges’ arrival.
On Wednesday the judges arrived. They spent all morning touring the town, studying and inspecting the best Evesham has to offer; we took them to St Mary’s School to see what the children have been up to there. To Yates Court to meet some older residents, Evesham railway station to see the stunning baskets and troughs that have been planted there then we toured the Almonry, park and Waterside Gardens. We will find out how we have done at the awards presentation in September. On Friday we were honoured to attend the Mayor of Worcester’s inaugural banquet.
Our week ended on Saturday at the opening of a new retail venture in Vine Mews. It is great to see new shops opening in town and I am sure you will join with me in wishing ‘big business’ to Evesham's newest – The Little Present Shop.
ROBERT RAPHAEL, Mayor of Evesham
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