THE history and heritage of Malvern was celebrated at two events held in the town centre on Saturday.

The grounds of the town’s historic priory was the venue for Malvern Heritage Day, running from 11am to 3pm.

The event featured interactive displays featuring Feudals Living History, who demonstrated how fabrics were dyed and how flour was milled by hand, and who also put on a demonstration on arms and armour.

The event also featured members of the Sealed Knot, performing their living history and battle re-enactments, which included two arena displays in the morning and the afternoon, followed by interactive activities for children.

Staff from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust were also on hand, offering more activities for children.

The events in the churchyard were followed by the civic service in the priory, hosted by the mayor, councillor Cynthia Palmer.

The service was led by Rev Rod Corke and focused on Malvern and the Hills, with contributions from the Hills Singers, Malvern Hills District Brass Band, Sight Concern, Peter Smith, founder and artistic director of the Autumn in Malvern Festival, and Evie Knight from Friends of Dame of Laura Knight.

There were also displays in the priory’s north aisle on all things Malvern, and admission to the nearby Malvern Museum, located in the Abbey Gateway, Abbey Road, was also free for the day.

Linda Blake, the clerk of Malvern Town Council, which hosted both events, said the day had attracted a lot of attention, and had been a great success for everyone concerned.

She said: “The civic service was really well attended, and there were a lot of mayors and chairmen from parish councils and other authorities there in their chains. It was a very good turn-out that must have three-quarters filled the priory.

“The Hills Singers and the brass band were wonderful and very popular.

“The heritage day was also a great success. We has really good weather all day, and the historic re-enactments were very popular with the public.”