NEXT week will see two notable events for St James's Church, West Malvern.

Most important will be the arrival of our new Vicar. There will be a Service of Institution and Induction of the Revd Richard Rosoman to the Parishes of St James's and Holy Trinity at Link Top at 7.30pm on Monday (September 11th). Everyone will be welcome to share in the special service. This will be followed by Revd Rosoman's first service in West Malvern itself, a Celebration Service for both congregations at St James's at 10.30am on Sunday 17th. September.

This will end a year-long period of 'interregnum' since the retirement last year of the Revd Canon Peter Billingham. During this time the Revd Tony Coote and our Deacon Revd Rosemary Herbert have valiantly maintained church activities with the support of many others, notably churchwardens Valerie Blackbourn and Roy Knightley.

Lovers of the poetry of John Betjeman can look forward to a treat next Friday, September 15, in an event which is likely to attract interest from well beyond the confines of West Malvern,. Paul Vaughan, a former presenter of BBC Radio 4's Kaleidoscope programme, will be joined by organist David Harrison and Raymond Fowler to present "A Poetic Journey in Words & Music" at St James's Church. All proceeds will go to the Church Roof Restoration Fund - a cause of which John Betjeman would surely have approved.

Tickets (£7 - concessions and groups £5) to include a buffet supper are available from David McKerracher ( tel. Malvern 563790), Valerie Blackbourn (564893) or Roy Knightley. The event will start at 7.30 pm.

New term - new logo! The close connection between St James Church and the Church of England village school across the road is featured in a Cross which is part of new school logo based on the ideas of the pupils themselves.

Also highlighting the Hills and the sun, the new logo will appear on a smart new sweatshirts which will replace cardigans and V-necked tops as part of a new school uniform.

Head teacher Christine Campbell also foresees ties being phased out over the next year or two.

The school, which was rated Worcestershire's top primary school for two years in succession, and one of the top 5 per cent in England, starts the new term with nearly 80 pupils and a settled staff. In addition to Mrs Campbell who takes the youngest class, there are two full-time teachers Sheila Rowley (years 3 and 4) and Martin Speakman (years 5 and 6). Covering for Mrs Campbell's office time, and taking care of Special Needs, is Gill Burrows, with Helper Pauline Humphries completing the classroom team.

Parents keen to keep up with their children's computer development will be interested in after-school sessions to be conducted by Martin Speakman as part of the national "Parents On-Line Week" from September 18-22.

There will be one evening talk for parents, and throughout the week there will be opportunities to try the school's internet facilities for themselves. Full details of this event are being sent out to parents.