[1] The name Malvern is first attested in a charter of around 1030, as Mælfern, and then in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Malferna.

[4] In years when West Fest makes a profit the committee distributes grants "to support community action, cultural development, training or to meet special needs.

On 20–22 August 2010 a visual arts festival was held in the village, in support of the Malvern Hills Community Foundation, in a variety of venues including the Regents Theological College, St James's Church, St James Primary School, and the Brewers Arms pub.

Local garages, gazebos, and even garden walls and railings were also used to display artworks.

The event, which is intended to become annual, was modelled on a similar arts festival at Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei in Normandy, France.