THE secretary of one of the town's premier music societies, Malvern Concert Club, is retiring after 12 years in the post.

Catherine Freeman will be giving up the role at the club's annual meeting on Thursday (July 9). The club committee has nominated Linda Jennings as her successor.

Miss Freeman said she had very much enjoyed her years in the post, to which she brought experience with concert agents and with the Arts Council in London.

She said: "The concert club audiences have a great reputation with the artists as knowledgeable listeners. Judging from the remarks in our visitors' book, they all appreciate the place and the audience."

The meeting marks the end of the centenary season for the club, which was founded by the composer Sir Edward Elgar.

Assistant secretary Ernie Kay said: "We will be celebrating the considerable successes of the past year, both artistically and with the biggest audience for a decade.

"The club will of course also be looking forward to continuing in this vein, and the plans for forthcoming seasons will be outlined, with members having their chance to give their ideas."

The AGM is at the Lyon Room, Malvern College music school, College Road, at 7.30pm. All present and prospective members, and the general public, are warmly invited.

After the meeting, there will be refreshments, plus a short concert by Kathy Holes (violin), Dawn Gwilts (cello) and Janine Smith (piano). Their performance will include the Dvorak G minor trio.