Move over, Notting Hill! West Malvern was the place to be on Bank Holiday Monday, when fair weather set the seal on a highly successful West Malvern Festival on the Playing Fields.

Attendance through the day is estimated to have been more than 3,000, with as many as 800 people still on the ground in mid-evening.

It was a good natured occasion with a mix of local folk and people from outside the village, of all ages from babes in pushchairs to OAPs - not to mention a good sprinkling of dogs! - mingling happily to enjoy the entertainment and catering on offer.

An undoubted highlight was the Punch and Judy show by Professor Guy Higgins, which drew a large and enthusiastically participating audience of youngsters. A number of - er - over 21s (Rod Farr, Bob Burford and Colin Hammond, to name but three) were also spotted re-living the days of their youth!

The whole event was entirely peaceable and trouble-free despite occasional inevitable traffic and parking problems and some mutterings from nearby residents about the volume of the amplified sound (which could be clearly heard from the top of the Sugar Loaf).

A financial success seems assured and a handsome surplus is anticipated for distribution to the local beneficiaries. Congratulations to all concerned. Anyone with comments or feedback and suggestions for any future festival is invited to contact Richard Penhaligon by phone on 01584 819906 or e-mail: (sales@ruralproductions.com).

A treat is in store for jazz lovers on Sunday (September 4) when St James's School will be staging a jazz evening at the Anstruther Theatre, Westminster Bank.

It will be hosted by local teacher and musician Nick Blunn, who plays piano, with a quartet completed by saxophone, drum and bass, and vocals provided by local singer Wendy Austen.

The evening, to raise funds for music-making facilities at the school, will be a lot of fun and will feature performances from the professionals and pupils both separately and together.

Given the high standard of music of all kinds at St James's, this promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable occasion and anyone in West Malvern is warmly invited to attend. Tickets, £10, can be booked in advance through the school bursary (01684) 560851 or on the door.

Last Friday, the Brewers Arms was the scene of a birthday party for Len Cole, much-loved 'senior regular' at the pub for the past 30 years.

There was an impressive turnout of his friends (most of whom will jump at any excuse for a pint) and Len was presented with a hamper of goodies.

The hamper itself was actually a cat basket for his two pets, which share the name Pussy Cat! Pussy Cat 1 and Pussy Cat 2 were also featured on a splendid cake specially made and iced by Ellie Harnden, with 'Happy Birthday' in crossword form, in recognition of Len's daily dedication to the Times puzzle. As far as is known, he has not yet taken up the current craze for sudoko.

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