CIVIC Week in Malvern will begin on Saturday, June 25, with an opening ceremony on Belle Vue Terrace, followed by the unveiling of a plaque to Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie.

The week, coordinated by Malvern Civic Society, includes dozens of events hosted by many different groups and aimed at showcasing the variety of the town's civic life.

The opening ceremony on Belle Vue Terrace will feature town mayor Ian Hopwood, Dr Freddie Glick, the chairman of Civic Week UK, MP Harriett Baldwin, civic society president George Chesterton, plus representatives of town and district councils.

The Chase Brass Band will play and the ceremony will be followed by the unveiling of a plaque at the Abbey Hotel commemorating Haile Selassie's stay in Malvern.

As part of the unveiling ceremony, a delegation from the Rastafari movement, for whom Haile Selassie is an extremely important figure, will give a short address and a drum recital.

Among the groups contributing to civic week are Malvern Hills Volunteering who have an information stand at Malvern Library all week.

The stand will include information about local volunteer-involving organisations and associated volunteering opportunities, as well as leaflets to take away.

On Thursday evening (June 30), civic society vice-president John Handley will be giving an illustrated talk entitled The Glorious Midlands, in the Lyttelton Rooms, Church Street, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 from Malvern Hills Art, Belle Vue Terrace, or 01684 569916. Booking is essential.

There will be a Midsummer Poké-Oh at Holly Mount URC Church, in the town centre tomorrow from 10am to noon. This is a morning of Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! games and includes a tournament, games, cards for sale and art activities.