THE Queen looks set to enjoy as many birthday celebrations as Methuselah – who was supposed to have lived to the age of 969! Following the multitudinous national and local celebrations of her 90th last weekend, West Malvern Royal British Legion are planning yet another for next Sunday June 26th, which will also mark the club's own 70th anniversary. It will take the form of a free barbecue from 2.00-6.00pm with a bar and music from the Pontiacs. “All are welcome to join us – and help us to make it a great day”, says the invitation.

The weather relented last Sunday afternoon and allowed the Queen's Birthday Garden Party at the Elim International Centre to go ahead outdoors as planned. Members of the Garden and Nature Club, the WI and the Friends of St James's combined to produced a mouth-watering display of home made scones with jam and cream and strawberries for sale. This realised a magnificent £140, which will be divided between the chosen charities the Vale Wildlife Trust and the primary school's Tanzanian partner school at Majani Mapana. Sadly, the welcome event planned for last Wednesday for the visit of two teachers from that school to West Malvern had to be postponed owing to visa difficulties, but will hopefully be re-scheduled once they are sorted.

Also postponed at the last minute due to pitch conditions at Mathon Court was the Andy Dakin memorial cricket match planned for last Sunday. Watch the village notice boards for a revised date for this event.

COLIN JACKSON