If a day trip to Liverpool direct from West Malvern for just a tenner strikes you as a bargain offer - book quickly! That is the message from the Village Hall Committee which has planned the trip for Saturday ,May 17. Liverpool has a wide range of interest for the visitor, from art galleries and museums, the Mersey Ferries, St George's Hall, the Beatles connection, Anfield and Goodison Park, the revitalised historic waterfront - and two cathedrals! The bus will leave St James's at 8am, with pickup points at the Lamb, Link Top and Worcester, returning to West Malvern between 8-9pm. Tickets are just £10 if bought and paid for by next Wednesday, and £12 thereafter. Anyone is welcome to join the trip - not just West Malvern people. Book with Dru Bentley on (01684) 567881.

Planning continues for West Malvern's midsummer festival weekend on June 21/22 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen's coronation in June 1953. Centrepiece will be a re-creation of the sports held in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. These are to be staged on the Playing Fields and will include a Beacon Race. A marquee (and toilets!) have been booked for the occasion. The village fete on the Saturday afternoon will also be held at the playing fields and will be opened by Lady Morrison of Madresfield Court, whose forbear Earl Beauchamp donated the land for the playing fields in the 1930s. The occasion will wind up with a barn dance on the Sunday evening.

In addition to a special festival service on the Sunday morning, events planned for St James's Church over the weekend include a flower festival and exhibition of West Malvern memorabilia and a Victorian evening production Hearts & Flowers. The organising committee, chaired by Dr John Raine, is looking for people willing to help or take part. Contact John or Susan Raine on 565052.

Following the first significant rain for several weeks, natural growth will race away in the warm days, so Roy Brazier will be grateful for any helpers at tomorrow's (Saturday) working afternoon to maintain the progress in tidying up the churchyard. Between 2-5pm, bring working gloves, tools provided, all welcome!