It’s beginning to look a lot…

…like a month from Christmas Eve.
A season that could be called Ante-Advent, maybe?

For today it was preparation time for the Malvern Christmas Festival - the official switching-on of the Town Christmas Lights - a big day for the Priory as visitors are welcomed with hot drinks, homemade cakes, crafts for children and live entertainment.

As the town awoke, Mary, Joseph and Jesus were trundled to the North Porch, where, with shepherds, magi, a brightly-lit Christmas tree, and a freshly-arranged floral display, they’ll welcome all to the Priory from now until Christmas.

Inside, volunteers assembled the prayer tree display, showing tremendous patience wrangling parcel tape - where does the end go? - fixing everything in just the right place.

Tables, chairs and the trusty Priory Urn (joined this year by a visiting urn) were laid out by the Custos Team. A drum kit was delivered and the main Priory Christmas Tree was put in place and decorated with thousands of lights. The shop volunteers arranged the amazing range of Christmas and Advent stock (have you bought your Priory Advent calendar yet?), all serenaded by the atmospheric sounds of Bach’s ‘Sheep may safely graze’ as an organist enjoyed his lesson.

Meanwhile, all across Malvern, and beyond, the Great Priory Bake Off took place, as cooks of all ages created their signature bakes. A sneak preview would indicate that visitors to the Priory tomorrow can expect to choose from sultana cake, cheese scones, fairy cakes, lemon drizzle cake, chocolate cake and much, much more.

Why not drop in for a free drink and cake tomorrow from 10am? The Tower’s open for tours (weather permitting - see the Calendar for details) and the day finishes with carols at around 6.15pm, once the Great Malvern lights have been switched on. All are very welcome.

Hoping to see you soon!