September with the Mayor

Sunday 4th September I attended the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the English Martyrs at Harvington Hall. The Hall has the finest surviving series of priest-holes anywhere in the country and during Elizabethan times offered shelter to many recusant priests. Several hundred pilgrims and priests from parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Birmingham were present.

I was pleased to make presentations at the Library to 11 young people who had completed a Princes Trust Scheme, an excellent DVD of the three month course was shown and I am sure their new found confidence and motivation will help them move forward in training for the workplace.

On Sunday 11th I attended Tenbury Wells Civic Service and in the afternoon went to the Kidderminster Horticultural Society Annual Show. It was an event I really enjoyed, as a retired WI National Show Judge, I was in my element!!

The highlight of September has to be the second Charter Day Event, a re-enactment of a skirmish during the Civil War around the Parish Church of St Mary’s. The day began with a Civic Service and later from the Town Hall I was greeted by King Charles1 and the Rev Richard Baxter and together with townspeople we walked to the Church and were entertained by demonstrations of the Civil War Period. Congratulations and thanks to HOGS chaired by Nick Hughes for highlighting our towns history especially to our young people.

I joined members and friends for lunch at the Evangelical Church, in Greatfield Road.. The speaker was Fiona Castle widow of the entertainer Roy Castle who spoke about her career and family life.

Directors of the St Charles Homes who have re-developed the old Swimming Baths in Castle Road into Apartments joined a social evening for Among Friends of Kidderminster at the Fred Bennett Centre. They presented a Laptop to be used by Friends for connecting to people through Skype. The Mayor’s Charity is most grateful for their generosity I was honoured to lay a wreath at the Battle of Britain Commemorative Service at the Church War Memorial on September 15th.

Good luck to the Spice Café opened last Saturday. Delicious food and something to suit all tastes we thank them for investing in Kidderminster. It is situated next door to John Beards shop. I was pleased to accept a cheque for £401 raised through a raffle for the Mayor’s Charity.

A piano recital at the Library given by the talented Mark Bebbington from Hagley captivated the audience, thanks to the Classical Music Society for organizing a programme of concerts throughout the year.

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