HOMAGE in words and music to the legendary World War One padre and Worcester Vicar "Woodbine Willie" is to be paid at an evening's presentation in St Clement's Church, Worcester on May 17.

It is to be a repeat of the successful, "full house" performance given in St Swithin's Church during the Worcester Three Choirs Festival Fringe last August by Paul Vaughan & Friends.

The evening presentation takes its title, "A Fiery Glow In The Darkness", from the biography of the Rev Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy ("Woodbine Willie"), published by Osborne Books of Worcester.

The narration is drawn largely from the book and is enhanced by readings of inspiring and potent poems by "Woodbine Willie". Vaughan is already well known for his performances in homage to John Betjemen and other leading literary figures.

Studdert Kennedy was Vicar of St Paul's, then Worcester's poorest parish, from 1914 until 1922 and continued to live in the city's Bromyard Road with his wife and three sons until his untimely death in 1929 at the age of only 45.

He earned his nickname for handing out bibles with one hand and cigarettes with the other while serving as an Army chaplain in the trenches, on railway stations and at the Front during the 1914-18 War. He earned the Military Cross for courage in rescuing wounded soldiers under heavy gunfire.

The performance on May 17 begins at 7.30 p.m., and on display will be an ornate vestment worn by Studdert Kennedy during his time as Vicar of St Paul's. It has been stored and cared for in recent years at Old St Martin's Church in the Cornmarket.