THE nuns of Stanbrook Abbey, Callow End, welcomed a number of parishioners for an evening of fellowship and food last Wednesday evening as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Abbess, Joanna Jamieson, welcomed all visitors and spoke about the nuns' forthcoming plans to relocate. Among the visitors was the actress Patricia Routledge, seeing life in a convent first hand in preparation for a future role in Best of Friends, playing at Malvern Theatres in April. Alan Turnbull, lay chairman of Powick PCC, thanked the nuns for their hospitality and wished them well. The evening concluded with compline (evening prayer) in the chapel.

Nine representatives from the united benefice of Powick, Callow End and Guarlford and Madresfield churches played in the inter-church games evening last Wednesday evening.

Held at Somers Park Avenue Methodist Church, the competition was organised by Jennifer Bryers for Churches Together in Malvern (Link Group). Phil Bunyan reached the table tennis final, losing to Anthony Wiseman (St Joseph's RC). Patricia Wyatt-Davis won the ludo final on behalf of St James', Callow End. Others taking part were Rita de Boer and Jo Walker (ludo); David and Margaret Allen and Joy Bunyan (dominoes); Paul Wyatt-David and Meg Allsopp (table tennis). The clergy contest was snooker.

St Joseph's RC were the overall winners. Other games - Scrabble, draughts, Sorry - were played non-competitively and the evening concluded with refreshments.

This Sunday, there is only one service in the benefice. At St Peter's Powick at 10.30am, a service of holy communion will be conducted by the Rural Dean, The Rev. John Barr, from Great Malvern Priory. The children of Junior Church will meet at St James', Callow End at 9.30am for activities.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Hill Singers' concert is at Powick Parish Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets, £6, include light refreshments and all proceeds are for the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.