Five years ago, when Janet Whittlestone of Croft Farm Drive took on the job as one of West Malvern Parish Council's tree wardens, she little thought it would take her to the House of Lords!

But that is just what happened on the Thursday before Christmas, when she attended a reception at Westminster arranged by the Tree Council to recognise local authorities and voluntary organisations which have been running a warden network in partnership with the Council for 10 or more years.

West Malvern has had two tree wardens since 1991, Hilary Elgar and Janet since 1996 and before them Alan Miller and Paul Sandover.

Janet's name was drawn out of the hat as the single tree earden from Worcestershire to accompany the county council's and Richard Wiggington, environmental services director and countryside projects officer Rachel Datlen who received a commemorative engraved plaque (of wood, of course!) from Lord (Michael) Heseltine, who hosted the reception which was attended by 140 guests from all over the country.

There will be an interdenominational meeting for the Christians of West Malvern at Chircombe, Croft Farm Drive, at 7.30pm next Tuesday, January 8. Anyone interested in attending can obtain further details from the Revd Canon Julian Charley (tel: 569801) or the Revd Rosemary Herbert (572497).

A reminder also of the Allotment Association's annual meeting at The Lamb the following evening Wednesday, January 9.

Anyone currently on the parish council's waiting list for a plot should be allocated one within the next week or two, and will be welcome at the meeting.