There will be no parish council election in West Malvern on May 1 - but there will be two new parish councillors. This is because there have been only six valid nominations for the seven places on the council, so that all those nominated will become councillors, and the new council will be able to co-opt one more member to make up the numbers. The two new councillors are Eoin McCarthy of Ebrington Road and Jan Dyer of Old Hollow. They will join Eric Hollands, Colin Jackson, Dr John Raine and Mrs Joyce Roberts, all members of the present council. The other current members who did not put their names forward for re-election are long-serving member Martin Bayliss, and Ellie Harnden and Kathryn Roberts, both recently co-opted.

The annual parish meeting will be held at the Village Hall this Monday at 7.30pm, when the parish council will report on its activities in the past year and residents will have the opportunity to ask questions and raise issues. The parish meeting will be followed by the last ordinary meeting of the present council.

Contrary to information received last week, it is now understood that the resurfacing of West Malvern Road between Ebrington Road and the Westminster Bank junction is expected to take place next Wednesday and Thursday. The good news is that the work should be completed and the road restored to normal within the two days.

Congratulations to West Malvern Road resident Mary Constable on her authorship of a booklet entitled A literary trail around the Malverns, which has just been published by the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A concise but fascinating account, it details the many (nearly 30) literary giants who have visited or lived in the Malvern area, from William Piers Plowman Langland in the 14th Century through Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and the Dymock poets to Masefield, Shaw, Auden and Tolkien - even Rider Haggard, author of King Solomon's Mines (not many people know that!). Attractively illustrated and including a map, it is a must for the visitor. Copies are available at West Malvern Village Stores, price £2.95.

A reminder of the charity quiz to be held at the British Legion Club from 8pm tomorrow (Saturday) for a first prize of £100. Teams of up to six, tickets £5 per person to include a buffet. Contact Richard Hammond on 893951.