THE UNVEILLING of the Mulberry Tree Plaque which commemorates Sir George Bernard Shaw’s historic link with Malvern will be one of several highlights of this year’s Malvern Civic Week, starting this weekend.
The popular Civic Week returns offering residents and visitors the chance to enjoy a range of talks and walks aimed at bringing the community together.
Starting from Saturday, the week long programme will host a comprehensive range of events, beginning with an opening ceremony on Belle Vue Island at 10.30am, by Malvern Deputy Mayor, Coun Hannah Campbell and West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin.
The ceremony and the subsequent literary prize-giving for local schools will be followed by the unveiling of the Mulberry Tree Plaque in Priory Park at midday.
Grown in Malvern, Australia, the mulberry tree itself is a descendant of the one playwright Sir George Bernard Shaw planted in 1936, but which blew down in a storm in 2000.
Other highlights of the week include a talk by bestselling author Paula Byrne on Monday, June 27 and Ben Cowell, director general of Historic Houses Association on Tuesday, June 28, a trip to Weston Park in Shropshire on Wednesday, June 29 and a ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’ featuring BBC panellist Duncan Coombs.
Little Malvern Court and Gardens will be open to provide a chance to see the fourteenth century Prior’s Hall and there will be a heritage trail treasure hunt for families on the Malvern Hills, as well as guided talks around the town by the Civic Society.
Malvern Museum will present ‘Bygone Malvern’ at the newly restored Elmslie House, which has recently been presented with the Malvern Civic Society Architectural Award for its impressive renovation.
And a Civic Society plaque will be unveiled in Church Street, which in medieval times would have been known as ‘Spital Way’ for its hospital or almshouses.
The week will be rounded off with a concert in Christ Church by the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, July 2 at 7.30pm.
The theme this year is ‘Malvern Celebrates Summer’ which will focus on flowers, gardens, blue skies and warm sunshine.
