REMEMBRANCE Day was well marked in the village on Sunday, with a well attended service at St James's Church conducted by Rev erendNicholas Menon and Reverend Rosemary Herbert.

The solemnity and grandeur of the traditional elements were supplemented by a rendering of Elgar's Sospiri by John and Susan Raine on organ and keyboard and First World War poems read movingly by Mary Constable. As usual, Alan Fish, who is also a stalwart Poppy Day collector round the village, was the immaculate standard bearer.

The excellent post-service lunch laid on at the British Legion club was enhanced by a splendid performance by the men and women of the recently formed local Trench Choir. This began with a parade of 'suffragettes' demanding votes for women, and captured the optimistic and carefree way the young volunteers went off to war. Many of the well-known morale-boosting songs were sung, but readings of letters from the front, and some of the bitter poems of the later war, put the pathos and tragedy into perspective. This was at once a cheerful and tuneful tableau – the singing was of a high quality – but also a moving account of the suffering, sacrifice and sadness of war.

After the success of last year's Ceilidh in memory of Andy Dakin, who contributed so much to the West Malvern community, another has been arranged for Saturday, December 6 at Colwall Village Hall from 7.30pm-11pm. The band will be old favourites Hodges Dump and there will be a bar. Tickets £7.50 from Tony Poyner 01684567238 and the Brewers Arms. Funds raised will go to the British Heart Foundation.

Village Hall users are asked to note that booking arrangements should now be directed in the first instance to Jen Close on 01684 567895, email keithclose@tiscali.co.uk. , or if she is not available to Chan Crawford on 01684 568474.

COLIN JACKSON 01684 577604