Well, the chillier weather has arrived at last , but we are delighted to report how cosy we have been at Christ Church over the weekend with our new boiler now working, just in time. We are extremely grateful to the donations that have been made and, in particular, we would like to thank Welcome to Our Future who awarded us a £7000 grant through Severn Waste Environmental Fund . A big thank you also to Malvern Town Council who have just made us a generous award of grant for £1000 . This has made a huge difference to our fund raising efforts, as we need to raise £18,500, but we will get there! So, all our visitors and congregation will be assured of a truly “warm” welcome this winter.

Friday afternoon we were so delighted that friends from Court House Nursing home were able to enjoy a trip out and visit the Church for teas and cakes and a look around, and enjoy listening to the rehearsal of the ESO. That evening they continued their season of concerts at Christ Church with an Autumn Serenade Wind programme. Featuring composers from Vienna, the works of Mozart, Gal and Dvorak showcased our marvellous acoustics. The ESO will return on November 14 with the full orchestra this time and featuring Haydn, Mozart and McCabe. And it only got better as, on Sunday October 5, the Malvern St James Girls School sang Choral Evensong . It was indeed a privilege to hear this special service sung so beautifully and the icing on the cake was Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing. We would like to send our grateful thanks to the Headmistress, Mrs Patricia Woodhouse and Mrs Lynne Lindner for enabling this to happen and to the girls themselves who, as always, we were delighted to see. They are indeed a credit to their school. More to come at Christ Church when on Friday, October 10 the Civic Society meeting is “One Hundred Years of British Comic Papers by Ray Aspden. Then we celebrate Harvest at our 11am. Service on Sunday October 12, followed by lunch in the Hall, do join us and share our food, you can reserve a place on 07756 722 426. And finally we await with anticipation the Cantabile , Choir of the Year Finalists, on October 16 at 7pm who will perform to raise money for local charity, Arcos. Tickets £12 to include a complimentary drink available on 01684 576795. So, we have much to look forward to over the coming weeks, come along and you will receive that “warm” welcome.

ANGELA GREEN