After 22 years, West Malvern's voluntary bin man is retiring! It was in 1983 that the late Mrs Ruth Shakespeare suggested to Bill Herring of Lilac Cottage, alongside the Westminster Spout, that there was a need for a litter bin in the area, as a lot of bottles and wrappers were thrown away by people who had visited the shop, which was then still open.

With the help of the late John Rea, local representative on the Conservators' board, a bin was duly installed and Bill volunteered to keep it emptied, something he has done ever since.

Now, however, he has persuaded the Conservators to take on the job. His decision to give up, he says, was largely due to the poop- scoop regulations on the Hills. While he did not mind dealing with paper, cans and bottles, since the shop closed the bin's contents have been mainly bagged dog mess. Not surprisingly he felt that dealing with this was a bit much to ask of him!

There was a good turnout of more than 30 people at Monday's annual parish meeting at the village hall.

Issues such as road and gutter cleaning, refuse collection and policing matters were dealt with by Mike Davis, from the Malvern Highways Partnership, Ivor Pumphrey, Malvern Hills District Council's head of environmental services, and local police beat manager PC Wendy Saunders.

One source of concern raised by several residents at the south end of the parish was the problem of cars driving too fast between the 30mph speed limits at Harcourt Cottage and the Royal Well, also at the exits from the West of England quarry car park.

It was suggested that with people collecting water from Hay Slad crossing the road at all times of day and night, there was an accident waiting to happen. Mike Davis promised to look at the problem but said that the imposition of a 30mph limit would not be possible, as the stretch of road in question was not in a built-up area.

Trevor Marston at the Brewers' Arms has been so busy that he has already hired a full-time chef and already plans to provide home-cooked meals seven days a week.

He wishes to thank local people for the warm welcome and support they have given him and partner Susan during his first week in the village.

Incidentally, the prospect of a any 'pub wars' between the Brewers' and the Lamb look remote - Trevor and Colin Robinson were seen sitting side by side at Monday's parish meeting, obviously getting on well!

Forward dates to note include the St James's annual parochial church meeting in the church next Thursday, April 21, at 7.30pm, and the annual meeting of the Friends of the Church, again in the church itself. This will be followed by the always-popular showing of pictures of West Malvern past and present. Light refreshments will be served.

Looking further ahead, the village hall committee is organising a coach trip to Cardiff on Saturday, May 14. Costing £10 per person, the coach leaves St James's at 9am and should be back in West Malvern at about 6pm.

For further information and to reserve seats, ring Ron Fisher on 560989 or Dru Bentley on 567881, no later than May 9. All proceeds from the trip will go to hall funds.