VILLAGERS in Ombersley have been busy preparing for summer celebrations that will mark its 1,300th anniversary.Well framed: The village's beautiful parish church.

A number of events are planned across June and August to mark Ombersley's history and give residents a chance to enjoy a village where the past is never far away.

The first official record of Ombersley's existence is in 706AD, when King Aethelweard gave the parish to the Abbey of Evesham - although there is evidence that the area was also used during Roman times.

The area was a forest clearing situated on the soldiers' marching line through the county and it is thought that the presence of a spring led to it becoming an encampment.

Ombersley's entry in the Domesday Book - as Ambreslege - seems to recall these origins as 'lege' translates as a woodland clearing suitable for a military settlement.

Many of the trees were cleared in 1229 and the village began to take a shape that is still in evidence today.

The remains of the old parish church date back from the 13th century and many timber-framed buildings are still standing. The crossroads mark the site of the weekly market which was granted to Ombersley in 1354, along with the annual four-day fair.

One of the oldest buildings in the village is the King's Arms public house. Dating back to 1411, it is reputed to have been a refreshment stop for Charles II before the Battle of Worcester.

Another Ombersley institute, the Cross Keys, opened in 1830 and is thought to be the only surviving original 'beer-shop' in the area.

Now an acclaimed restaurant, the village inn still maintains its cosy character - as does the Fruiterer's Arms, just outside the village in Uphampton, one of the 17 hamlets that used to form Ombersley Manor.

The Fruiterer's Arms' on-site brewery, Canon Royall, saw its popular Arrowhead brew make an appearance at the Strangers Bar in the House of Commons earlier this year.

It is also thought American senator Hilary Clinton can trace her ancestry back to the village.

Her eight-times great grandfather, Thomas Cottrell, is known to have married in Ombersley in 1678, and his son, also called Thomas, was born there the following year. Their descendants eventually moved to America sometime between 1832 and 1838.

An interesting legend in the village says that during World War II, Ombersley Court was chosen by the Nazis for use as a headquarters from which to attack Birmingham in the proposed Operation Sea Lion.

Now, in 2006 villagers are planning events at schools, halls and community centres that will see the beautiful village mark its 1,300th anniversary in style.

A folk dance at the Sytchampton Community Centre at 8pm on June 10 will kick off the celebrations.

A history exhibition and living history display at the memorial hall and memorial hall field will also entertain visitors on June 10 and 11.

History walks, a church fete, thanksgiving services and flower and produce shows will also add to the celebrations throughout the month. Vintage footage of the village will be shown during August.

Newcomers to life in Ombersley will join those who can trace relatives going back for generations during a summer of collective celebration that will kick-start the next chapter in an already fascinating village history.