This weekend sees the sixth annual West Malvern Arts Festival, which starts this afternoon.

Outline details of the three-day event (Friday 2pm-7pm, Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm) were published here last week. Fuller information can be found on the very comprehensive website westmalvernarts.org which includes a downloadable print-your-own brochure. But this year's event will be by no means just a repeat of the previous five. Among the 60-odd artists who will be on hand displaying and selling their works at venues along West Malvern Road from the Elim College to the Brewers Arms are a dozen or so first-time exhibitors.

The musical content has also been expanded. As well as tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon's headline programme of English music by the Korngold Duo at the St Edwards Chapel at 2pm, there will be sounds from local group Set 'em Up Joe in St James's Church from 4pm. At 5pm the scene will shift to the Brewers Arms, where the West Malvern Voices will be setting off what is sure to be a lively evening.

On Sunday there will be special morning service in church at 10.30am conducted by the Reverend Nicholas Menon. John Raine will give a recital on the soon-to-be-rewired organ at 2.30pm. This will be followed at 3.30pm, also in church, by music from The Brickshed. Refreshments will be available at several points

The Garden Show at the Village Hall tomorrow afternoon from 2pm-4pm, and the WI Craft Fair at the same venue from 11am-4pm on Sunday will complete a kaleidoscope of activity remarkable for such a small community – and all free of charge! Do turn out and support whatever combination of entertainments suits your personal interests!

COLIN JACKSON 01684 577604