MALVERN Today is the theme of this week's Civic Week, following the success of last year's Edwardian-themed event.

Organised by Malvern Civic Society, and bringing together contributions from many local groups, the week promises a wide variety of talks, exhibitions and music.

The week kicks off on Saturday, July 11, at 1030am with an opening ceremony on Belle Vue Island, with town mayor Julian l'Anson, followed by a presentation at Malvern Theatres for the winners of the school's literary competition, which this year had the theme Music In the Air.

The presentation will be carried out by Malvern Hills District Council chairman Barbara Williams, and the entries will subsequently go on display at the Malvern Cube in Albert Road North.

One of the special treats of this year's Civic Week is the visit of the Canzona Children's Choir, from Malvern's twin town of Marianske Lazne in the Czech Republic.

As well as singing at the opening ceremony, the choir will be performing its big concert in Malvern the same evening at Christ Church in Avenue Road, and will also be special guests at Bands in the Park, Priory Park, the following day.

The Forum at Malvern Theatres is the venue for three talks during Civic Week, starting on Tuesday, July 14, with James Hervey- Bathurst talking about his family's restoration of Eastnor Castle, which enabled it to become the attraction it is today.

Award-willing photographer Michael St Maur Sheil will be at the Forum the following day with his images of the battlefield of the Great War.

And on Thursday, the cutting edge of automotive design will be on show, when Jaguar designer Adam Hatton, who was brought up in Malvern, will talk about his work.

Malvern Civic Society will unveil two plaques during the week; on Friday, July 10 at Malvern Link railway station, to mark its restoration, and on Thursday, May 16, in Church Street, in memory of leading violinist Marie Hall, who was a pupil of Elgar's.

Organisations opening their doors to the public during Civic Week include the Masonic Hall on Belle Vue Terrace and Manor Park sports club, and there will be guided tours of the Prior's hall at Little Malvern Court.

And the Coach House Theatre in Grange Road will be the venue for a talk on Kathleen Kennedy of the famous American family, a friend of the local Lygon family, and performances of the new comedy by playwright Nick Wilkes, entitled Casting.

Concerts include Severn Voices at Berrow Church and St Peter's Church in Malvern, The Boehm duo at Christ Church and Seraphim singers at the Church of the Ascension.

For full details of all events, visit malverncivicsociety.org.uk.