WE are so proud and privileged to have the honour of safeguarding the Malvern RAFA Standard in our lovely church where it will live on as a reminder to future generations.

A very moving service was attended by a congregation of 60 on Sunday to witness the Laying Up of the Great Malvern Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association.

The service was taken by Canon Harold Goddard and Rod Ellis and commemorated the loyal service given to our Sovereign and fellow countrymen and in which we gave thanksgiving before God and paid tribute to those who had given their lives to just and noble causes.

This emblem of courage and steadfastness will be much admired by visitors to our church in the future and act as a further reminder of the debt we owe.

A sermon by Rod Ellis reminded us of those who had done their duty without regard to their own lives and compared them to the way Jesus himself had laid down his life at an early age for the benefit of all mankind. After the service everyone enjoyed fellowship accompanied by coffee and cakes.

From Saturday, June 2, we hold our Civic Week events when Christ Church will be open daily from 10am until 5pm for refreshments, cakes and also a number of exhibitions by community organisations including the Jubilee Painting Competition by Malvern Parish School; the winning entries of the three categories will be sent to Her Majesty the Queen.

On Saturday, June 9, a special Civic Society Jubilee Concert, will be held at Christ Church with music by Thomas Morley, Orlando Gibbons, Vaughan Williams Edward Elgar Cole Porter, Mendelssohn, Mozart and Brahms and readings by Malvern Civic Literati.

The concert commences at 7.30pm. Tickets £5 available from Malvern Hills Art Bellevue Terrace or on the door. Free refreshments during the interval On Sunday, June 10, A special Songs of Praise to give thanks for the jubilee at 6.30pm at Christ Church.