Written by Councillor Helen Burrage

The Malvern Well Dressing Festival took place over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, 1st to 5th May, 2009.   This year's theme was "Darwin's Earth" chosen to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's book "The Origin of Species" and also his tragic association with Malvern, where his daughter Annie died and is buried in Great Malvern Priory churchyard. All the Wells in Malvern Wells were dressed by local people and members of the Malvern Spa Association, who organised the Festival.

The well dressing at the Jubilee Fountain, by Lois Lawler and Angela Sutton, showed Darwin's famous ship, the HMS Beagle - and won a Gold Medal. In celebration of the recent restoration of the Wells with Heritage Lottery Funding, the Holywell was blessed by Bishop David Walker on Sunday 3rd. The Lower Wyche Spout, Trough and Jubilee Fountain were also blessed, by the Rev Steve Martin, on Tuesday 5th. The simple, inspiring Blessing at the Lower Wyche Spout and Trough was attended by a group of children and teachers from the Wyche Primary school.

Read more: Well Dressing 2009

The Malvern Walking Festival 2009

The Malvern Walking Festival 2009 will take place from Saturday 30th May to Sunday 7th June inclusive.  2009 will be the 75th anniversary Edward Elgar's death; Why not walk the paths that Elgar walked and understand why he became so inspired? 
                                               
All of the walks will all be led by enthusiastic leaders who will give you a wealth of information throughout their walk.

The 2009 programme now contains 36 walks.  There is the usual wide range of walks to satisfy most tastes from the timid beginner to the most experienced walker. Walks range from family walks to a walk across the Malvern Hills from End to End. For the very serious walker we are delighted to be able to announce that our flag-ship walk in 2009 will give you the chance to be amongst the first to experience a guided walk over the full 109 miles of the new Abberley and Malvern Hills "Geopark Way" which runs from Bridgnorth to Gloucester.
For full details click on the 2009 WALKS LISTING Click here.