I was at Stourport Civic Hall last Saturday when a large audience was stunned by the energy, talent and vitality of a performance by The Pearl of Africa Children's Choir.
The choir is on a six-week fundraising tour. 
It comprises twenty children who are AIDs orphans and abandoned, destitute children from the Kamuzinda Children's Village in Uganda which now looks after about 1,000 children. It is run by the charity A.F.R.I.C.A., (www.africawithlove.org.uk) which in the Village provides the only free medical clinic in Uganda.

The children performed traditional Ugandan songs and hymns with the lovely harmonisation that seems second nature to African people. They played on their home made instruments and danced their hearts out with complex steps and amazing gyrations that even the youngest maintained demonstrating tremendous stamina. They were supported by a small team of adults, known as uncles and aunts, who provide the love, care and instruction that these children would otherwise never have received.

Despite the joy and cheerfulness of the performers I felt I caught a glimpse of wistful sadness on some of their faces as a testament to the terrible experiences they had endured before finding sanctuary in this Village. It brings home to us how lucky most of us are despite our moans.

Last Monday I attended the formal opening of the Bewdley Flood Defences by the Minister for Climate Change and Environment, Ian Pearson, MP for nearby Dudley South. 
What a terrifying title he has! 
Many residents along the river had put up displays in their windows of the effects of the floods in the past. Now we hope these will only be a memory as we have witnessed the effectiveness of the demountable defences on Severnside North. It was amazing to walk behind the defences in February 2004 to see the river high above the dry quayside and to look down the drains to find them empty! 
We are the first site in this country to have these demountable defences completed and I try to go to all the meetings of the House of Commons All-Party Group on Flood Prevention, of which I am one of the Vice-Chairmen, as a gesture of thanks for the large investment here and to keep raising the problems from floods for people less fortunate that do not yet have, or are not suitable for, flood prevention schemes and to press for resolution of the problems some of those now protected still have with insurance.

I went to the AGM of the Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and came away encouraged to have heard about the practical steps staff are taking to improve the quality of care provided in their units across the county. These include the vital one of staff spending dedicated time with patients. 
It is surprising that this has to be stated but when under pressure it can be neglected.