A SONGS of Praise service of thanksgiving for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was held at the Church of St Mary the Virgin on Sunday, June 2. The service, which was introduced by the Reverend David Bowers, took the form of alternate hymns and readings.The choir led the singing accompanied by the organist Arthur Lawrence. The readers were Reverend David Bowers, Mary-Ann Preece, Margaret Moss and Charlotte Moreland.

Forthampton's Jubilee celebrations continued on Monday, June 3, on the has been happening in West Malvern in recent weeks! The Jubilee Bank Holiday has come and gone, with celebrations at various places in the village. It was set off with the ceilidh, at the village hall, which was well attended, attracted several people from outside the village and also resulted in a useful contribution to hall funds. Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, with some energetic dancing. The very warm evening encouraged several participants to enjoy their refreshments outside, where they were treated to one of the superb sunsets for which our village is renowned. Truly, a glorious first of June!

The Monday was marked with events at both the British Legion and the Social Club, where the flags and bunting surely made (and still make) it West Malvern's best decorated building. 1950s bar prices and fireworks displays at both venues were highlights, as was the OAPs' tea and singalong at the Social Club.

Residents of Montpellier Road also organised a lively street party, in which they were joined by others from nearby Mathon Road, after which some of those attending joined many others from West Malvern in the trek up to the Worcestershire Beacon for the Jubilee Bonfire.

The Friends of Adelaide House also held a party for residents and their families, at which the Queen's health was drunk in buck's fizz.

As a postscript to the Jubilee celebrations, village residents were delighted to receive the high quality reproduction copies of the poster advertising the West Malvern celebration and sports for the previous Golden Jubilee - that of Queen Victoria in 1887 - which was distributed free to every household by courtesy of the Friends of St James's Church.

Incidentally there are moves afoot to re-enact these sports later this year - anyone interested could contact John Raine on Malvern 565052.

There have also been two notable recent cultural events. One was the memorable recital in the church by the talented and charming Australian tenor Christopher Lincoln (reported in last week's Gazette Weekender by Jill Hopkins) which raised some £350 for the Friends of St James's Church.

The other is the Malvern Sculpture 2002 exhibition (see page 10). This features some 40 items ranging from abstracts and an Arab stallion to laughing fish, turtles and Green Men peering from the trees, imaginatively displayed (and sometimes cunningly concealed!) around the grounds of St James's School.

The combination of art exhibition and treasure hunt in a beautiful setting makes for an enjoyable experience. The display will be open daily from 1.30pm-4.30pm until the end of June and a visit is thoroughly recommended.

Two events are planned for next weekend. On Friday, June 21 West Malvern Cricket Club is presenting a jazz evening at the Foley Arms with band Lord Arsenal and Friends.

Proceedings will start at 8pm. Admission (by ticket only) will be £8 - tickets from Val Blackbourn (01684 564893). This event is being promoted by Ted Dawe with all proceeds going to WMCC.

There are still a few places left for the village hall committee's trip to Oxford, on Saturday June 22, price also £8 per person. The coach will leave West Malvern at 9am, returning to West Malvern around about 6pm. If you are interested, ring Ron Fisher (01684) 560989 - this weekend, please!

A sad note to end with. One of the village's oldest and most respected residents, Jim Morris, died last month a few months short of his 90th birthday. Born in Nottingham, he came to West Malvern as long ago as 1946 and had seen military service in the Grenadier Guards and the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He was the village 'bobby' until 1960 and a churchwarden for more than ten years. A keen gardener, he was working his large allotment until as recently as the beginning of last year.