Festival in the Hills will focus on music

Arts organisation Malvern Fringe Arts is working closely with the Malvern-based English Symphony Orchestra to put on a series of arts events in Malvern in the run-up to and after the Elgar Festival 2006.

The Elgar Festival itself runs from Tuesday, May 30 to Saturday, June 3 and involves a number of concerts, talks and events in and around Malvern in celebration of the life and works of Worcest-ershire born composer Sir Edward Elgar.

And the proposed festival would involve series of theatrical and musical events through the centre of Great Malvern, leading from the central car park into Priory Park, with the emphasis being on local talent.

Malvern Hills District Council is also another partner in the project, with its arts development officer Manda Graham having been liasing with the town's arts organisations.

Other activities might include a parade, circus skills and various events in Priory Park.

Several artistic personalities have already agreed to take part, including artists putting on exhibitions and street performers.

Ms Graham said the idea was it would focus on music and attract thousands of visitors to Malvern, hopefully becoming an annual event and building on the annual May Day festival organised by Malvern Fringe Arts.

She said: "There are already arty people in Malvern but they're doing things individually and it would be brilliant if we could sort out an annual festival in addition to what happens already.

"We're hoping it'll grow and become a nationally-recognised music festival bringing Malvern's musical heritage into the modern day."

Organisers now need more volunteers to get involved and go along to Malvern Fringe Arts' next meeting on Monday, October 3 in its offices at 109, Church Street at 8pm.

Anyone wanting to get involved should contact Malvern Fringe Arts on 01684 563313 or e-mail info@malvern fringe.co.uk

Alternatively, they can call Manda Graham on 01684 862312.