A strong West Malvern contingent is expected to be at battle stations for England at the Feathers Hotel, Ledbury, on Friday October 21, the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, to celebrate Lord Nelson's famous victory. The occasion will be a dinner with a strong nautical theme, which will feature a three-course set meal with Roast Beef of Olde England as the centrepiece. It will be served to diners at tables named after the ships of Nelson's Navy, such as Victory, Bellerophon, Leviathan and Temeraire. Local musicians will entertain with period music and shanties and authentic naval grog will be on hand to lubricate proceedings. There will also be raffles, prizes and the auction of a unique, specially- ade bicentenary 'knot board' (recently featured in the Gazette). Master of Ceremonies will be well-known local personality and amateur actor Joe Herron and all proceeds will go to local charities. For further details and to book berths (£30 per deckhand), contact Laurie Gregory at the Malvern Hills Community Foundation on 01684 893380.

Dru Bentley and Michael Warren were re-elected as chairman and treasurer of the village hall committee at last week's AGM, with Mike Salter the new vice-chairman. Jo Ogilvy has also taken over from Yvonne Clayton as secretary, to complete the team which will manage this much-valued community facility for the next 12 months.

The 2005 Harvest Festival Service at St James's Church, for people of all ages, will take place this Sunday (October 9) at 10.30am, with a harvest evensong at 6.30pm. Both services will be conducted by our new vicar, The Rev. David Nichol.

Incidentally, those attending the morning service may be surprised to discover how much brighter the south side of the churchyard has suddenly become. By agreement with the PCC, Robert Crawford, owner of the adjoining Old Vicarage, has taken down most of the large Leylandii trees along the dividing boundary, leaving some yew and holly which is intended to form the basis of a new and more attractive hedge over the next few years.