I’M interested to know what you have been doing since Saturday, that you couldn’t do for the previous 15 weeks.

In my case it was to have my hair cut, but for some it was to go to their local pub with friends or enjoy a meal out. When I went for a walk on Sunday it was so good to see people enjoying themselves, having lunch and a drink whilst also keeping socially distant from each other.

I am also pleased to hear that the behaviour of people on Saturday night at local pubs here in Worcester was, in most cases, sensible and compliant with our present regulations. It’s very good to know that local people are sensible, caring and respectful of each other.

The Mayor’s Parlour is open again and I am pleased to say that I am now able to receive visitors – but only two or three at a time, to maintain the one metre-plus distance.

I received my first visitors who came as a family group this week and it was so nice to be able to show them the Parlour and talk a little about being mayor at this unprecedented time.

On Friday morning I was very pleased that the council was able to organise a small ceremony to remember the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, where 8,372 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were massacred.

The High Sheriff and his wife, Council leaders and representatives from Platform Housing held a poignant ceremony in front of the Guildhall. Candles were lit and pledges made to promise that never again would the international community allow something like this to happen. I was proud to be part of the ceremony and make my pledge.

Normal life is resuming in lots of small ways and many of you will be thinking about holidays.

Enjoy your new freedoms, but please remember that we are still a long way from being coronavirus-free.

We must still remember that in parts of this country and other countries local lockdowns are being imposed because of new outbreaks.

Please stay safe for your own well being and that of others. Consideration and kindness for other people is needed now more than ever.