Never let it be said that a vote in West Malvern is a wasted vote!

Following the two elections in the village in recent years, each of which was won by a single vote, the recent vote for a representative on the Hills Conservators was won by Christopher Rouse of Croft Farm by just nine votes from the former board member David Hawkins.

It has long been a sore point that West Malvern parish does not have its own representative on the board, although its residents pay the Conservators' Council Tax precept.

However the village is now very well represented, as in addition to Chris Rouse, a lifelong village resident, our former parish councillor John Raine was recently appointed to the board as a representative of Malvern Hills District Council. Any resident wishing to raise issues regarding the Conservators' management of the Hills can contact Chris Rouse on 564344 or John Raine on 565052.

Following the resignation of Peter Vant, who is moving to Abberley, David Woosey was co-opted to the parish council at its meeting on Monday (November 10) to fill the vacancy, there having been no request for an election.

David, a former RAF man who recently moved with his family to Gesham Lodge on West Malvern Road, has already got involved with community activities, most notably when he and his wife Debbie managed the barbecue at the festival weekend in June.

The public clock outside the village hall was re-erected last week, a little lower than before, after a thorough refurbishment. Since then it has been stationary at 12 o'clock.

However it is due to be re-started at 2pm today (Friday) when Fred Beard, whose father George was the prime mover in raising money for its installation in Coronation Year 1953, will join parish councillors and others for a photo-call to mark the clock's - and the Queen's - Golden Jubilee.

West Malvern Cricket Club's next quiz will take place tomorrow (Saturday) in the village hall, 7.30pm for 8pm.

The questions will be set by Sue and Roy Blackshaw and John and Liz Mantle, winners of last month's quiz by a narrow 1 points.

With them on the sidelines, winning chances for others must be improved! So Lorna Dudley (tel: 565422) is looking forward to plenty of table bookings, especially from new teams - the quizzes are open to all, not simply cricket club members.