“Best ever” was the verdict on the Cricket Club’s Open Air Music Night last Saturday which – happily in this trappy summer - was blessed by a beautiful evening and a good turnout of picnickers who enjoyed music from The Undercovers.

Next event at Mathon Court is the Andy Dakin memorial cricket match this Sunday (July 31) starting at 1pm. Bring your own picnic - and enough cash to buy tickets for the raffle in aid of the Severn Area Rescue Association

Those who attended the concert at St James’s Church to celebrate the final completion of the major upgrading of the organ were treated to a truly delightful selection of music and readings devised and presented by local residents - and all English except the magnificent finale. This was the Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, which showed off the potential of the now fully restored 19th century instrument. It was played by John Raine, whose personal drive and enthusiasm has spearheaded the project which has raised many thousands of pounds over the last few years. Items on the programme ranged from poetry by Shakespeare, Donne and Carol Ann Duffy to an extract from 1066 And All That. Musical pieces included songs by Shakespeare (again!) Elgar’s Sospiri and Flanders and Swan’ s Hippopotamus Song, in which the audience joined joyfully!

A collection for the currently threatened Link Nurseries horticultural therapy centre – one of the charities nominated by John Raine in his capacity as the new chairman of Malvern Hills District Council – raised a handsome £190.50.

Colin Jackson