We owe a debt of gratitude to the Hills Conservators in bowing to local opinion and sparing the ancient hawthorn hedge along the upper boundary of Joyner's Meadow (behind Camp Hill).

It was proposed in 2002 to cut this down when the meadow was being enclosed as a holding area for the cattle grazing the Hills, but after attending a meeting in the village hall, Conservators' director Ian Rowat agreed to leave it intact.

After an off-year in 2003, following some slashing of the lower branches, the old hedge is now back to its glorious best - a mass of May blossom to delight residents and visitors alike.

The shelter it affords from driving westerly winds in winter for walkers along the track above West Malvern Road and Ebrington Road is something else appreciated by users. The cattle, incidentally, are now being moved back on to the area on the west side of End Hill which was the first top be enclosed under the grazing scheme

Finally, a brief reminder of the Royal British Legion's car boot sale on the Upper Playing Field on Bank Holiday Monday, from 10am- 1pm.