West Malvern will have a new parish clerk in the New Year. She is Pauline Striplin, who will take over from the present clerk Catherine Campbell, who is standing down because of work and family commitments. At its meeting on Monday the parish council confirmed her appointment and expressed thanks to Mrs Campbell for her services. Pauline, a West Malvern resident for nine years, lives in Ebrington Road with her husband Philip and daughter Heather who attends the village school. Currently studying for a degree at Worcester, she has had wide administrative and commercial experience including several years in the USA.

The parish council also agreed to seek a part time 'Parish Steward' to carry out a range of cleaning, maintenance and repair work around the village. Anyone interested in this job, which could suit a recently retired person, should contact Catherine Campbell (575282), or any parish councillor.

Much of the parish council meeting was taken up by a presentation by Maggie Clark of the county council's environmental services department about proposals for changes to the Croft Bank/Westminster Bank/De Walden Road/West Malvern Road junction under the Government's 'Safer Routes to School' initiative. After a number of councillors and members of the public had expressed concerns about various aspects of the scheme, which would include placing a bollard at the junction, it was agreed to seek a site meeting with the Highways Partnership Unit to clarify and discuss the issues.

It was discovered last Thursday morning the heads of the three Victorian gas lamps on West Malvern Road at the south end of the village had disappeared. At first it was thought that they might have been removed for repair, but this proved not to be the case so it was assumed that they had been stolen and the police were notified. Ironically - but perhaps not coincidentally? - the theft took place within a few weeks of the announcement that the lamps - along with most of Malvern's other gas lamps - had been 'listed' by the Government.

The Cricket Club's Christmas quiz is in the village hall tomorrow (Saturday) from 7.30pm. There is still time for late table bookings contact Tony Poyner on 567238.