Our July Meeting was the AGM. The following officers were elected, Chairman Michael Speed, Secretary Jean Evans, Treasurer David Hodgson. It was 21 years since the Society was formed. Founding Chairman Frank Townsend cut the celebration cake and followed this by reminiscing what had been achieved by the Society over those years.

Frank ran Trace your Family Tree courses back in 1995 at Malvern Hills College, He was approached by one of his students who felt it was sad that those on the course would not be continuing their weekly get together. Frank suggested forming a local Family History Society which was greeted with enthusiasm and Malvern Family History Group was formed. Later Group was changed to Society.

Original members came from Worcester, Ledbury, Malvern and local villages, and now has over 200 members including some from overseas.

The Group recorded several Memorial Inscriptions, Hanley Swan, Coddington, Cradley, Leigh and Mathon.

In 2006 the Society began transcribing over 200 Parish Registers of Worcestershire a long term project now in its final stages.

Four of the original members are still in the Society, sadly five have passed on.

A Journal was produced, Tree Tappers in which many articles relating to Family History are published.

Frank reminded us how slow computers were back in 1995 compared to the speed of today.

The next meeting on 7 September will include a talk called 'The Dancer and the Drum' by Bruce Johns. An exploration of Family, Place and Self

All details on the Society can be found at www.mfhs.org.uk. The Society meets on the first Wednesday of the month in the Drama Studio, Dyson Perrins Cof E Academy, Yates Hay Road, Malvern WR14 1WD. Doors open at 7pm. New members and visitors will be most welcome. Please note: the entrance is via the side carpark in Yates Hay Road. Look out for way pointers.

Ruth Casemore.