THE Priory is drawing its breath this week after a time of great activity. Weddings each Saturday were the outer layer between which Lifepath over five days hosted several hundred children from local primary schools – not to mention ten from Belarus – who now have some insight of what it was like to be a Benedictine monk.

Members of local churches joined together to be pilgrim guides and to instruct in the arts of calligraphy, prescribing medicine, music making and much else besides, as well as leading and encouraging prayer. Children and teachers alike spent a very enjoyable and instructive day.

Sunday provided joy tinged with sadness as we said our farewells to our curate Peter who is moving on after four years with us. The styles of farewell were various and memorable for different reasons (more details from certain choir members …). Peter took away our gifts as well as prayers for his future.

No sooner had we finished the farewell lunch than it was time to prepare for the annual celebration of the Friends of Malvern Priory. This began with an interesting and entertaining presentation from Pamela Hurle on the Benedictines in Malvern. It would seem that their common sense rules still left margins for some un–monk-like behaviour, but their influence on the community is still remembered today, in Great and Little Malvern Priories alike. We then adjourned for a cream tea (more food!) before celebrating Choral Evensong, to which we welcomed the recently installed Bishop of Dudley as our preacher. His reflection and the choir's soaring music rounded off a memorable day.

ELIZABETH DUNNETT