ON our local election scene the triple convergence of mixing district council elections with multiple numbers of same-party candidates and the heavy overlay of the European election produced some surprising ward results which will take Wyre Forest District Council out of productive Health Concern minority control - a pity.

To those candidates gaining places our congratulations come with the hope that they manage our affairs as well and creatively as has been the case during the last year under Health Concern Howard Martin's leadership. To him and all those others displaced by the ballot and councillors who stood down after working so hard - thank-you.

The carnival season commenced at Bewdley last weekend. It was a glorious day. As usual fire service personnel contributed to the atmosphere by leading the parade. Local youth organisation bands provided stirring marching tunes and volunteer marshals controlled people and traffic. It was especially pleasing to see a significant, highly mobile, cheerful police presence despite worries that because of increasing demands on their time they might no longer be able to support carnival activities.

I thought the carnival princesses were delightful on their flower-decorated thrones and the floats and restored vehicles excellent and a tribute to the tremendous enthusiasm of the organisers and supporters of the carnival.

I was impressed by the willing generosity of people lining the route who filled our collection tins.

On the carnival arena I watched dancing displays and a fire eater who juggled with lethal-looking knives as well as his blazing torches. I recognised him as the unicyclist who entertains us regularly on carnival parades.

The Bewdley Mayor's Sunday Service followed and again the weather was superb for the church parade including the smallest marchers whose rabbit mascot always has pride of place among the flags in the church.

The carefully chosen hymns and readings emphasised mayor Tony Williams' charity which will help younger people by supporting a skateboard park and cyber caf for Bewdley.

I visited the Diabetic Centre at Kidderminster Hospital and heard what a valuable contribution the unit and the diabetic specialist nurses and dietitian are making to the care of our many diabetic people.

Regular drop-in clinics are held in the Treatment Centre on Tuesday mornings and the staff are always available in the unit by appointment to help diabetics with problems that can arise from insulin administration and dosage, broken insulin pens, non-functioning glucose meters, and any other aspects of a diabetic's life that can occur in their efforts to control their diabetes.

We must be immensely grateful for the support the unit receives from the volunteers of Diabetes UK, particularly Fred Holland, and from the local NHS authorities upon whom we rely to provide suitable long-term premises for this essential service.