PREPARATIONS for the West Malvern Arts Festival were a little delayed by the antics of ex-hurricane Bertha last weekend.

Saturday’s boisterous breezes and multi-millimetre deluge of rain were not ideal conditions for erecting marquees – or even painting footprints on our pavements! But thanks to Laurie Gregory’s enthusiastic team of volunteers we are assured that everything will be in place by 2pm today (Friday) when the fifth annual event gets under way.

The work of some 75 local artists and craftspeople will be on display at venues between the Elim College and the Brewers Arms. Exhibits will be open until 7pm this evening, and from 11am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday, with refreshments and musical entertainment at several locations. The event will be topped off by the WI Craft Market in the Village Hall from 11am-4pm on Sunday – again with refreshments – sure to include some gorgeous cakes!

It is a timely moment for the arrival of a fresh batch of copies of the West Malvern Book, which has been out of print for some time. This delightful re-presentation of a scrapbook produced by the old WI in the 1950s gives a charming and fascinating glimpse of life in the village as it was more than half a century ago. Copies will be available for inspection and sale during the Festival, all proceeds to the Friends of St James’s Church.

COLIN JACKSON 01684 577604