Mayor of Kidderminster, Coun Doug Hine, writes for the Standard.
AT THE END of February, the Lady Mayoress and I had the honour and pleasure of hosting the annual Mayor’s Charity Ball at Kidderminster Town Hall.
It was a fantastic evening, enjoyed by about 100 people, and I would like to thank all attendees, organisers and suppliers who helped make the evening a success. Tasty meals were provided by Plyvine Catering and the brilliant entertainment was from the Wyre Forest Big Band.
Thank you to all the businesses and organisations who contributed auction lots and raffle prizes and over £2,300 was raised on the night.
The Mayoral charities – Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Kidderminster Foodbank and KDYT (Kidderminster and District Youth Trust) – will be the beneficiaries of the funds raised. Representatives of the three charities were present, and Richard Cory of the Wildlife Trust spoke about the rare character of our local areas and their importance to nature, and to our wellbeing.
I have also recently enjoyed two other charity events in the Town Hall which were very well attended.
Tuesday, March 17, saw a benefit for Kemp Hospice featuring the Kidderminster Male Choir and Choirs and Musicians from King Charles School giving us a superb evening of music and song. I believe over £1,000 was raised.
On Saturday, March 21, was the Armed Man Concert for Peace, by the Gig Caritas Chorus and Orchestra with all proceeds going to the Mayoral charities.
The Armed Man was a very powerful and moving performance, and it took you through emotions of certainty, fear, grief, and Remembrance – and then on to hope, compassion and reconciliation.
At the time it was composed in 2000, this ‘mass for peace’ was to mark the transition of the centuries, to look back at the destructive 20th century and look forward in hope to a more peaceful 21st century and third millennium.
Unfortunately, it has not worked out that way, as a new generation of leaders have sent a new generation of young people into conflict. There is the war in Ukraine and the wars in the Middle East and in the so-called hot spots around the world.
I think every generation needs to re-learn the need for peace, understanding and reconciliation.
