ORGANISERS of Malvern’s Civic Week in July are looking for as many local groups as possible to join in and make the event a success.

The theme of this year’s event is Malvern: bridging the past and the future, and among the anniversaries it marks is the 125th anniversary of the death of famous soprano and philanthropist Jenny Lind, who lived near British Camp and is buried at Great Malvern cemetery.

On the festival’s open day, Saturday, July 13, there will be a Jenny Lind gala concert at Malvern College, featuring Daniel Blumenthal and Cecilia Jorgensen, and the following day, expert Arthur Candenquist will give an illustrated talk on her.

Civic society chairman Roger Sutton said: “It’s time to revive and celebrate Jenny Lind’s legacy. She has touched and enriched the culture of not only Sweden and Britain, but also Europe and America.”

Another significant date is the 60th anniversary of the ascent of Everest, and the Himalayan Trust will be giving a talk at the Forum. And inspired by the feat the theme for this year’s schools literary competition is A Mountain to Climb.

Other events include talks by Phil Rickman, bestselling author of mystery novels, by Paula Byrne on the real Jane Austen and by Anthony Collis on the Fosters, the wellknown cricketing family.

There will be visits to historic buildings and guided walks including one of the town cemetery. Anyone interested can contact malverncivicsociety.

org.uk.