DURING Fair Trade Fortnight the weekly café at Lansdowne Crescent Methodist Church has been serving Fair Trade tea and coffee, as it always does on a Tuesday. 

In addition to its home-made soups and breads followed by jacket potatoes with a variety of fillings, on Tuesday 7th March the bread and butter and chocolate puddings included Fair Trade sugar, sultanas, cocoa and chocolate.

Samples of fair trade chocolate and cereal bars were available for tasting. Many fairly traded products are now readily available in our local stores.

On Saturday 25th March there will be the first of this year’s public debates, Mental Health Matters: How do we Challenge Stigma and Rethink Resources?

One in four people in England will experience a mental health problem and there will be an opportunity to ask four expert speakers questions on ways of dealing with this issue.

The debate is free, but to be sure of a seat, go to www.eventbrite.co.uk and register your intention to attend.

During Lent there is an exhibition of textile art by Jacqui Parkinson, exploring the theme of Prayer using Bible passages.

Everyone is welcome to come to Sunday services (10.30am and 6.30pm) and view them afterwards, or to see them on a Tuesday (10am to 2pm). 

In addition the church will be open on Monday 20th, Tuesday 21st and Thursday 23rd March, from 10am to 4pm, and on Thursday 23rd from 7pm to 9pm.

Come and take time to meditate and pray, using these inspirational banners, supplied by the Deo Gloria Trust.  Light refreshments will be available.

We have now received planning permission from the district council for the proposed development of the church premises to improve the facilities for use by the community of Malvern.

To raise funds for refurbishment there will be a silent auction on Saturday 1st April, from 10am until noon.

All are welcome to come and bid for some bargains, including local paintings.

CYNTHIA MERRIMAN