THIS Sunday is the Patronal Festival of our parish church - that is the celebration of its patron saint, James.

Both services, holy communion at 10.30am and evensong at 6.30pm, will be conducted by the vicar, The Rev. David Nichol. Guest preacher for the morning service will be The Very Rev. Richard Lewis, former Dean of Wells Cathedral. Worshippers from Holy Trinity Church at Link Top will join the congregation for this service.

An interesting speculation arising from the patronal festival is why St James was chosen as the patron saint of West Malvern's church.

Local histories seem silent on the subject, although there are detailed accounts of the moves which led to the erection of the first church in 1843.

This stood to the south of the present building and was then known as the North Hill District Church, Mathon.

Only a year later, however, it was referred to in an Order in Council as 'St James's Church at North Hill in the Parish of Mathon'. Can any reader throw any light onto this mystery?

Reminder of two events in the village next week. On Friday, July 28, a WestFest 2006 evening at the Lamb Inn. There will be music from 6pm, a barbecue, race night from 8pm and an auction, all to raise cash for the event itself, to be held on late summer Bank Holiday Monday. On Saturday, July 29, there is an open garden event at Hillside Cottage from 2pm-5pm in aid of church fabric funds. More details from Rosemary Herbert on 572497