Just what an active and vigorous community we have in West Malvern was highlighted at the annual parish meeting on Monday, when reports were presented on behalf of several clubs and organisations in the village. These included the thriving Garden and Nature Club, soon to be affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society. Among the many activities reported by chairman Lionel Butcher were regular winter meetings in the Village Hall, plantings of bulbs around the village, outings as far afield as the Eden Project in Cornwall and the popular 'safari supper' when members move from house to house between courses. This year's outings will be to the RHS gardens at Wisley, Surrey and Birmingham Botanic Gardens, while the club's annual show will take place in September.

A written report from Sarah Pritchard on the Baby and Toddler Group, which was in some danger of closing as recently as last year, showed that it is now thriving and benefiting from £500 worth of new toys obtained with money from a successful application for a Vital Villages grant supported by the parish council.

Tony Tinton, vice chairman, reported on the activities of the Social Club, which through its regular activities such as crib, bingo, quizzes and entertainment nights has raised more than £6,500 over the last three years for an impressive list of good causes local and national - from St James's Church roof and Malvern Hospital to the Acorn Trust and the Macmillan Nurses. The Club has around 80 members, but Mr Tinton said he was disappointed that only about 25 were actually from the village and hoped for more local support.

A similar lack of support from people in West Malvern itself was revealed by Colin Hammond, chairman of the West Malvern Royal British Legion Club in Lower Road. Of 70 current members (compared with 250 when the club was opened in 1952) only ten are now from the village. The club 'looks after' 25 ex-servicemen in an area extending as far as the Wyche and Newland. It raised some £2,500 for last year's Poppy Day Appeal, much of which is returned to the club for local application. But Mr Hammond had been saddened by the lack of support at the last year's Remembrance Service at St James's Church, which had been attended by many fewer people than the number from the village who had given their lives in two world wars.

For newcomers to the village who may want to join any of the groups above, contact details can be found in the Hills Echo circulated every month by St James's Church

There will be another churchyard working afternoon a week tomorrow, Saturday, April 26, under the genial supervision of Roy Brazier. All volunteers will be welcome - further information from Roy on 01886 832672. The results of the regular sessions through last summer and last winter are there for all to see in the ever-tidier state of the churchyard and it is hoped that this can be maintained and improved on this year.

Last Saturday's successful coffee morning at Mrs Marge King's raised £140 for the Society of Mary and Martha.