After a fine St Swithin's Day on Monday, all in West Malvern will be hoping that the good saint's influence will last at least until next Saturday, July 27, when the village fete will be held in the grounds of St James's School from noon to 4pm. All the usual summery attractions of this now well established annual event will be there: barbecue, strawberries and cream, cream teas, beer and Pimms, ice creams etc; stalls offering cakes (arrive early for the best of these!), plants, crafts, collectables, white elephant, tombola and for the children, a bouncy castle, skittles, coconut shy, guess name of teddy, face painting, treasure hunt. Ever-popular former residents Vo and Rachel Fletcher return to provide the musical entertainment. Admission of 50p will include a numbered programme with prize for the lucky number, proceeds to village organisations. All round, an enjoyable occasion in prospect - over to you, St Swithin!

It has been decided to postpone until next June - the 50th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation in 1953 - the planned re-enactment of the 1887 West Malvern celebrations of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. That event included such items as 'wacky races' with donkeys, climbing a greasy pole for a shoulder of mutton and a foot race up the Beacon for nine gallons of ale, so many people can hardly wait for next June to see what happens this time!