Page 16 - City Life Magazine - Autumn 2022

16 Issue 60 • September 2022

THE MAYOR
Meet city’s new Mayor

The Mayor and Mayoress outside the Guildhall
with the Ukrainian guests and their host families
Councillor Adrian Gregson is the new Mayor
of Worcester, having taken over the chain of

office in May.

The theme for his mayoral year is Adrian Gregson was born in
tackling mental health and wellbeing Derbyshire and grew up in Lancashire.
through a culture of creativity, art He studied history at Leicester and
and music. Liverpool universities and moved to
Worcester in 1987, to take up a role
He said: “I believe it is important to as an archivist with Worcestershire
have fun in life and that whatever County Council.
we can do to support the arts,
creativity and culture is really going STEEPED IN CITY’S HISTORY
to help us both as individuals and Now the County and Diocesan
communities. I think that the links Archivist for Worcestershire, Cllr
between enjoyment and mental and Gregson has helped to organise many
physical wellbeing are important, major local activities, including the The Mayor and Mayoress pictured with Sally
Ellison of Worcester Community Action group
and this has become even clearer four-year-long Worcestershire World during The Queen’s Baton Relay in Worcester
since the pandemic.” War One Hundred programme of
events from 2014 to 2018, and last THE MAYOR’S CHARITIES
Last month, the Mayor and Mayoress year’s Charter 400 festival to celebrate Cllr Gregson has nominated two
– his partner Rachel Hall – offered a the anniversary of Kings James I’s official charities for his year in
warm Worcester welcome to around awarding of city status to Worcester. office and will be directing his
100 Ukrainian guests and their host energy to raise funds for them.
families at the Guildhall. Another He is Chair of the Elgar Festival and is
highlight has been greeting the the author of three local history books. Severn Arts is a charitable
Batonbearers when The Queen’s arts company that works to
Baton Relay reached the city in July. A lifelong rugby fan, he played bring high quality music and
for the old Worcester Rugby Club arts to a wide range of people
Cllr Gregson added: “I am between 1987 and 1999 and is a across Worcestershire.
thoroughly enjoying my year as keen follower of Worcester Warriors www.severnarts.org.uk
Mayor so far and I have already and Worcester Wanderers.
met many individuals and Onside Advocacy provides
organisations who have the best Cllr Gregson was leader of the City support and services to ensure
of Worcester at their heart. If I Council’s Labour group for 21 years, fairness and equality for adults
can be any help to local groups, standing down earlier this year, having who may be vulnerable or
businesses and events over the been involved in the party since his disadvantaged.
next nine months, please contact university days. He was first elected to www.onside-advocacy.org.uk
civic.office@worcester.gov.uk.” the City Council in 1992.

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