Theatre December

Until Jan 11-Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. Times and ticket details from (01684) 892277.

Concerts December

20-Christmas concert with the Cotswold Singers & Newent Orchestra at Newent Memorial Hall. 7.30pm. £3 & £1 incl coffee & mince pies.

20-Charity concert at Worcester Cathedral. 7pm. In aid of St John Ambulance & Cathedral Music Appeal.

20-Concert by Ledbury Choral Society at the St Katherine's Hall, Ledbury. 7.30pm. £5 incl wine & seasonal refreshments from Ledbury Craft Centre.

Cinemas December

Malvern Cinema: Until Jan 8 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (12A) Mats 2pm (except Sun at 1.30pm), Eves 6.30pm. No screening Christmas Eve & Boxing Day.

Odeon Worcester: Lord of the Rings - Return of the King (12A) Fri-Tues 10.50, 11.50, 3.00, 4.00, 7.10, 8.10 Weds only 10.00, 1.10, 2.10 Free list suspended; Freaky Friday (PG) Fri & Sat 11.30, 3.20, 5.30, 7.40, 9.50, Sun-Tues 11.00, 1.10, 3.20, 5.30, 7.40, 9.50, Weds only 10.50, 1.00, 3.20 Free list suspended; Love Actually (15) Fri - Tues 11.40, 2.40, 5.40, 8.45, Weds only 11.40, 2.45; Elf (PG) Fri-Tues 12.00, 2.10, 4.20, 6.30, Weds only 11.15, 1.30, 3.45; Brother Bear (U) Fri-Tues 12.05, 2.05, 4.05, Weds only 11.25, 1.15; SWAT (12A) Fri-Tues 12.35, 3.20, 6.05, 8.50, Weds only 10.15, 1.00, 3.35; Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (12A) Fri-Tues 6.05, 9.10, Weds only 3.15; Timeline (12A) Fri-Tues 8.40; Odeon Movie Mob presents - Sat only - Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (U) 10.40; Daddy Day Care (PG) 10.50, Piglet's Big Movie (U) 10.30.

UGC Cinemas, Gloucester: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (12A) Fri 11.20, 2.45, 3.30, 7.00, 7.45, Sat-Tues 10.30, 11.20, 2.45, 3.30, 7.00, 7.45, Wed 10.30, 11.20, 2.45, 3.30; Freaky Friday (PG) Fri 1.20, 3.45, 6.10, 8.40, Sat-Tues 11.00, 1.20, 3.45, 6.10, 8.40, Wed 11.00, 1.20, 3.45; Brother Bear (U) Fri 12.40, 3.05, Sat-Weds 10.30, 12.40, 3.05; SWAT (12A) Fri - Tues 5.30, 8.55, Weds 5.30; Master and Commander (12A) Fri - Tues 8.45; Elf (PG) Fri 1.30, 4.05, 6.25, Sat-Tues 10.55, 1.30, 4.05, 6.25, Weds 10.55, 1.30, 4.05; Love Actually (15) Fri - Tues 2.00, 5.00, 8.15, Weds 2.00, 5.00. Closed Christmas Day.

Film Shows December

19-Bruce Almighty at Bosbury Parish Hall. 7.30pm. £3. Part of Flicks in the Sticks.

January

8-Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War (12) at Gorsley Village Hall. 7.30pm. Part of the Flicks in the Sticks.

Pop and Rock December

19-Brian Chriss at the Bluebell Inn, Ryall. 9pm. Admission free.

19-Santa's Showcase with Bang On & Discofever at the Cross Keys, Belmont Road, Malvern. 7pm.

19-Stewart Lee at the Malvern Hills Hotel, Wynds Point, Malvern. 9pm. Admission free.

19-Whisky Bandits at the Walwyn Arms, Much Marcle. 8.30pm. Admission free.

20-Fun & festivities with Simon Grant at the Cross Keys, Belmont Road, Malvern. 9pm.

20-Winter Solstice Gathering at the Great Malvern Club, Church Street, Great Malvern. 9-11pm. £5, £4 concs.

20-Clive John at the Green Dragon, Guarlford Road, Malvern. 9pm. Admission free.

20-Trixta, Ian Clarke, Flat Liner, Vixen, Real Time & Talia at Don Pedros, Link Top.

21-Clive John at the Kings Head, Upton-upon-Severn. 9pm.

23-Dave Beale at the Malvern Hills Hotel, Wynds Point, Malvern. 9pm.

23-Johnnie Wilson's Winter Wonderland at the Cross Keys, Belmont Road, Malvern. 9pm.

24-X-mas Eve Knees Up party with Discofever & Karaoke Knights at the Cross Keys, Belmont Road, Malvern. 8pm.

24-Ian Marshall at the Walwyn Arms, Much Marcle. 8.30pm. Admission free.

26-Clive John at the Malvern Hills Hotel, Wynds Point, Malvern. 9pm.

26-Boxing Day bonanza with Sijen at the Cross Keys, Belmont Road, Malvern.

27-Steve Marsden at the Bluebell Inn, Ryall. 9pm. Admission free.

Folk and Jazz December

20-Tony Beech, Med Snookes & Alan Smailes at Paper Moon Caf, Malvern Link. 8pm. Details (01684) 569474.

21-Abbey Jazz + John Burnett (trumpet), Mike Turner (clarinet/soprano), Roger Heeley (piano), Bev Pegg (guitar/vocal) & Ken Wright (drums) at Malvern Rugby Club, Spring Lane, Malvern Link. 8-10.30pm. £2.50.

Clubs & Societies December

Malvern Chess Club meets on Friday at 7.30pm at the Manor Park Club, Albert Road North. For details contact Maurice Ginger, secretary on (01886) 880010.

Every Thursday-Malvern Hills Chapter of BNI meet at the Abbey Hotel. 7-8.30am. Visitors welcome. Details (01684) 893686.

Every Friday-Malvern Scrabble Club meets at the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, Malvern Link. 10am. Details: W Anderson (01684) 564145.

Malvern Motorcycle & Light Car Club (off Howsell Rd) club nights Mondays & Friday & speaker nights 1st Wed in month. Air rifle shooting 1st Fri, bikers' night 3rd Tues, skittles & social evening. Details (01684) 893102

Every Thursday Malvern Scottish Dancing Club at Poolbrook Primary School, Malvern. 8-10.30pm. Tel (01684) 561680/540047. (Sept to May only).

Every Monday evening, Ledbury Sequence Dance Club, 8-10.30pm, Ledbury Community Centre.

Malvern Bridge Club meets on Thursday evenings at St Andrews Church Hall, Poolbrook, Malvern, play starts 7.15pm. Tel: 01684 594379.

Old Meg Mixed Northwest Morris Dancers practice most Tuesdays at the Foley Institute, Poolbrook. New dancers and musicians welcome. Contact Carol on 01905 424159 or Shelagh on 01684 574925.

Malvern Hills Green Party meets first Tuesday every month at 3 Manby Road Malvern, 7.30pm onwards, new faces welcome. Tel (01684) 574403, Mike & Trish Turner.

Malvern Link E Townswomens Guild meets every third Monday in the month at the United Reformed Church Hall, Malvern Link at 7.30pm. Contact sec Mildred Pearce (01684) 560912.

Malvern Writers Circle meet second Wednesday of the month at Church Meadow Court, Graham Road. 7.30pm. Contacts (01684) 563784 (secretary), (01684) 569616 (chairman).

Malvern Hills Radio Amateurs' Club meets 2nd Tuesday of month at The Town Club, Worcester Road, Malvern, 7.30pm onwards. Details (01905) 351568.

Malvern and District Branch of the Royal Engineers Association meets on the first Tuesday of each month at The Royal British Legion Club, Bosbury Road, Cradley. 8pm. Information Tom Jones, 5 Orchard Road, Malvern.

Every Monday & Wednesday-Ledbury Short Mat Bowling Club meet at the Community Centre. 9.30-12. New members welcome.

Malvern Recorded Music Society meets fortnightly on Mondays. Details (01684) 562779.

Every Tuesday-P H Badminton Club meet at Malvern College Sports Hall. 8-10pm. Social standard. Visitors welcome. Contact (01684) 575656.

Every Wednesday-The Rotary Club of Ledbury meet at 7pm in The Feathers Hotel, Ledbury. Contact D J Houghton (01531) 890696.

Every first Monday of the month the Malvern & District Aquarist Society meet at 8pm at The Anchor Inn, Yates Hay Road, Malvern Link.

First Wednesday of each month- Malvern Family History Group meet in Beacon Room, Malvern Hills College. 7.30-9.30pm. No meeting in August.

Malvern Special Needs Swimming Club, every Saturday at Splash 5.15 - 6.15pm. Tel. Evelyn Cunningham (01684) 560445.

Every Monday-Ledbury Badminton Club play at the Leisure Centre, John Masefield High School. 6.30-9.30pm. Social standard. Visitors & new members welcome. (01531) 631892.

Every First Wednesday-Parkinson's Disease Society (Herefordshire & Worcestershire Branch) meet at Storer Court, Geraldine Road, Malvern. 2pm. Contact (01905) 424977.

Malvern Northern Society meet last Tuesday of each month. Winter programme. Details (01684) 566689.

Malvern Women's Singing Group meet most Tuesdays 8-10pm. Sunrise Centre. Tel: Mary (01684) 892482.

Every Saturday - Malvern Petanque Club (French boules) meet outside Great Malvern station (weather permitting). 2pm. Details (01684) 891999.

Chase & Upton Badminton Club club nights Monday & Friday. Home matches on Thursdays. Contact (01684) 574684 or (01684) 592125.

Third Friday in month-Ledbury & District branch of Embroiders' Guild meet in Ledbury. Visitors most welcome. Contact Sarah Hargreaves (01531) 635652.

Every Wednesday-Ledbury Salsa Club meet at 8pm at the Royal Oak, The Southend, Ledbury. £4. Beginners very welcome. Contact (01531) 635187.

Malvern Hills National Childbirth Trust organises social events for parents with young children, antenatal classes, breast feeding counselling, Valley cushion & breast pump hire etc. Information Paula (01886) 880134.

Every Thursday-Dance at 8 - best dancing in Worcestershire at Malvern Link Top. Details (01386) 556665.

Every Thursday-Malvern Samba band meet at West Malvern Village Hall. 8-10pm. Contact Sam (01684) 540909.

Every Monday (exc BH)-Monday Club for the Over 60s at the Salvation Army, Newtown Road, Malvern. 2-3pm. Contact (01684) 563837.

21-Malvern Joggers meet 10am British Camp car park for a 5 mile run. Details (01684) 561753 or see the website.

January

8-Newent Local History Society meet at Newent Library. 7.30pm.

Sales & Bazaars December

20-Farmer's market at the Council House, Avenue Road, Malvern. 9am-2pm.

Miscellaneous December

19-Christmas bingo at Stoke Lacey Village Hall. 8pm.

19-A Christmas Card at Powick Parish Hall. 7.30-9.30pm. Admission free. Refreshments.

19-21-Festival of Christmas Trees at St Bartholomew's Church, Redmarley. Preview Fri 7-9pm £2 incl nibbles & glass of wine. Sat 10am-6pm. Sun from 2pm. Light refreshments in village hall Sat 10am-6pm.

20-Carol service & tea for elderly folk at MEC, 280 Pickersleigh Road, Malvern. 3pm.

21-Family carol service at MEC, 280 Pickersleigh Road, Malvern. 10.30am.

24-Carol service & mince pies at MEC, 280 Pickersleigh Road, Malvern. 6pm.

24-Children's mass at St Joseph's RC Church, Upton-upon-Severn. 6pm.

24-Carol 8.30pm & Midnight Mass 9pm at Our Lady & St Alphonsus RC Church, Hanley Swan.

25-Christmas service at MEC, 280 Pickersleigh Road, Malvern. 10-11am.

25-Christmas Day Mass 10.30am at St Joseph's RC Church, Upton-upon-Severn.

For Children December

22-Christmas story & activity session at Ledbury Library. 2.30-3.30pm. 50p from the library.

Exhibitions December

Until 19-Original Christmas card Designs at the Sir Barry Jackson Room, Grange Road, Malvern. 10am-4pm not Sundays. Organised by Malvern Art Club.

Until 20-Glass ware by Donald Pennell at the Cowdy Gallery, Culver Street, Newent.

Until 24-A Year in the Country at the Foalyard Gallery, Bransford. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm & Sun 9am-3pm. Admission free.

Until 27-Paintings by Alan King at the Lyttelton House Gallery, Malvern. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm.

Until 29-Madonna & Child by Paul Langford at Worcester Cathedral.

Until end Jan-Exhibition of Modern Contemporary Art by Tim Marshall at the Greenstage Gallery, The Hop Pocket, Bishop's Frome. Admission free. Details (01531)636478.

Until Feb 27-Watercolours by Chris White at Paper Moon Caf, Malvern Link. Details (01684) 569474.

Walks December

19-18th Solemates circular walk. Meet Pickersleigh Community Centre, Sherrard's Green road, Malvern. 10am. Details (01684) 567468.

20-Meet 10am New Inn Storridge for 3 mile walk. Leaders: Isobel & Peter (01905) 23853. Powick Parish Ramblers.

20-East of Clifton. Meet Imperial Road 9am or Clifton on Teme Parish Hall 10am for 9 mile or 7 mile moderate walk. Bring packed lunch. Leader: Kevin (01684) 573347. MHDFS.

21-Winter Solstice Walk. Meet Old Hills car park 10.30am. £5. Details (01684) 892533. Gatekeeper Trust Malvern Group.

26-See the Christmas Hollybush. Meet Imperial road 10.10am or British Camp car park 10.30am for 6mile moderate walk heading south to the sun. Bring packed lunch. Leader: Sybil (01886) 80604. MHDFS.