Midsummer Malvern is Malvern Civic Societies annual celebration of Malverns rich history and culture with events running from Saturday 25 June to Sunday 3 July. There are a great many events taking place for history enthusiasts or those wishing to learn more about Malverns past and connect to its rich cultural heritage. There will be garden visits, guided walks, book signings, talks, exhibitions and plenty of opportunity for lively conversation and socialising.
Click here for the full programme of events.
What’s happening at Midsummer Malvern 25 June to 3 July 2022:
The Transition to Green Energy in Automotive Talk With Charles Morgan – 28 June 2022
At the Malvern Theatres Forum Theatre Charles Morgan will speak on the transition to green energy in the automotive industry. The last two years have seen a dramatic change in the manufacture of cars and trucks as they change from oil based engines to electric propulsion. The success of this strategy depends on the availability of suitable batteries and the charging infrastructure. Charles Morgan will be discussing his involvement in both the development of electric engines and batteries. The talk begins at 7:30pm, tickets can be bought via Malvern Theatres and cost £11.20.
Opening Ceremony, Civic Society Awards and Jazz in the Park – 25 June 2022
From 10:00am McCourt Jazz Group with special guest Matt Seddon will play in the Priory Park bandstand. Led by their drummer, Michael, the ensemble met at the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and were such a hit last year that they have been invited to return. Please bring a picnic, buy an ice cream, get a coffee in the Bistro and spend time in the lovely park listening to jazz spread over 4½ hours.
At 11:00am Midsummer Malvern will be officially opened by Malverns Mayor and a welcome speech will be given by society President Dr John Harcourt OBE.
Then the Civic Society Architectural Award will be given out by the Chairman of the Malvern Hills District Council, Councillor John Michael. This award is given to a new or newly renovated property in Malvern which adds to or enhances Malverns developed environment. The winner of this much respected prize receives a small plaque to display on their building.
Great Malvern Station Renovations
One of Malverns prettiest and most useful artefacts is Great Malvern Station. The civic society, along with Network Rail, Great Western Trains and the Railway Heritage Trust are renovating parts of the station this summer. The Waiting Room on the Up Platform will be renovated and an exhibition of local memorabilia including pictures of the Radar Establishment during WWII will be added. A the same time, Network Rail plan to repaint the Station and install replica Victorian lighting.
Book Signing by Local Authors Alan Frost and Sheila Allen
Meet local authors Alan Frost & Sheila Allen at the Great Malvern Hotel on June 25 & July 2 2022
From 10.00 – 4.00pm each day. This event is FREE.
Malvern Town Tours
Town Tours take place every Saturday and Monday. These informational tours around Great Malvern delve into Malvern’s fascinating history including the towns Elgar Connections and the magnificent Medieval Priory. The Knowledgeable guides are packed full of interesting anecdotes and tid-bits of information that will make you notice things you might not have seen otherwise. The tours come highly recommended but please note that, as Great Malvern is quite hilly, the tour is not suitable for those who are less mobile.
Walks start from the Tourist Information Centre, Church Street and booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
£5 per head.
Malvern Priory Tours
Guided tours of the Priory will be held regularly during the week, for the full list of times see the Midsummer Malvern Programme.
Tours are organised by the Friends of Malvern Priory and cost £5 each.
The Changing Face of Malvern Exhibition
Curated by The Malvern Museum and located at Malvern Library this exhibition will use images from the collections at The Malvern Museum to look back at how Malvern has changed over the past 200 years and encourage us to ask questions about what our heritage really is.
The Exhibition can be found downstairs adjacent to the newly opened café Cup ‘n Book. It will be open when the library is open and will remain there until the end of July 2022.
Theatre Tours
Theatre tours last 90 minutes finishing in the bistro or circle bar for tea/coffee with scones or cake. Included in the tour you will visit the backstage areas of both theatres not normally seen by general public, be able to walk on both stages and ask any questions you may have about the history of the theatre to the knowledgeable tour guides. The tour generally costs £15 per person and start at 12:30pm.
Walks
A number of guided walks will take place across Midsummer Malvern. The History Walk on 26 June starting at St Wulstans Nature Reserve takes you through Malvern Wells and Little Malvern with plenty of interesting historical details about the area. Tree enthusiasts will enjoy the Priory Park Tree Trail in memory of Dudley Brook on 27 June, where twenty trees planted in Victorian times with world wide origins can be seen and enjoyed. The Malvern Hills Trust Walk on 28 June uncovers the hidden heritage of the hills from abandoned Victorian donkey sheds to ancient archaeology, this walk is 4 miles long and steep in places. On June 29 there is a Blue Plaque Walk, a West Malvern Walk and an RSPB Walk and on July 2 a look at the history of Hanley Castle Village ending with a drink at the Three Kings Pub.
Talks
There is so much to learn about the history of Malvern, and even more to discuss about it’s future. Locals and tourists alike will benefit from a range of interesting talks over Midsummer Malvern. On June 27 Jackie Sole talks through the practicalities and benefits of wild swimming and on June 28 Charles Morgan will speak on the change from petrol to electric cars and his involvement in both the development of electric engines and batteries. On 1 July you are invited to a two part lecture on how to discover more about the history of Malvern or your own Malvern home. Firstly Jan Condon and Andrew Huntley will take you through their experience of learning the history of their Malvern homes, and secondly Faith Renger and Catherine Banks, co- authors of “Barnards Green: Then and Now”, talk about the history of Wedderburn Road on which they both live.
Concerts and Evening Gatherings
What could be better than an evening filled with beautiful music, stimulating conversation and a few nibbles. There is a great programme of evening events and music during this years Midsummer Malvern. On 26 June there will be Choral Evensong at Great Malvern Priory and the Midsummer Miscellany Concert at Elmslie House with music from Margaret and Carleton Tarr. 30 June will bring the opportunity for an evening at Colwall Church including guided tours of the church and churchyard followed by wine and nibbles. Lastly on 2 July the Malvern Male Voice Choir come together to celebrate their centenary in a concert featuring organ solos by John Swindells.
For those who enjoy an evening outdoors there will be a visit to the Cottage Herbery in Tenbury wells. This fascinating garden was created in and around an old hop farmyard and planted in a contemporary style with choice plants and grasses. Situated above the Teme Valley the gardens views of the surrounding countryside are lovely. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to buy cut flowers and plants from the nursery. See the programme for more information.
