MAUNDY Thursday saw yet another illustration of the remarkable amount of creative talent with which West Malvern abounds.

St James' Church was well filled for 'Palm & Cross', an hour-long original presentation of reflections for Holy Week. Music, composed and played by John Raine and beautifully sung by a group of local ladies, was interspersed with short episodes written by Gwyn Klee and presented by local readers. These dramatised in an imaginative way possible conversations between some of the minor players in the events of Holy Week. The music's style ranged from the comfortably traditional to more contemporary syncopated numbers, from the contemplative Prelude through the dramatic Gethse-mane and Crucifixion episodes to a serene Thy Will Be Done and the final setting of the Lord's Prayer. Singers were Amanda Cassel, Sue Jacquet, Samantha Morris, Rachel Newton, Alison Sawers, Laura Valentine, Jane Walker, Kate Wheaton, Amy Wilkes and Lyn Lindner who also directed the music, which included trumpet solos from the Vicar, the Rev Richard Rosoman. The dramatic interludes were played by Robert and Valerie Blackbourn, Stephen Decent, Tom Dutton, Gwyn Klee and Roy Knightley.

A walk round the Community Woodland off Old Hollow - much used these days while foot and mouth restrictions continue to keep us off the Hills - is a drier business following the second and final instalment of the path improvement scheme carried out by Commun-ity Service workers. Around 100 metres of the wettest parts have been surfaced and it is now possible to get round without getting too muddy, even on a rainy day!

Another recent improvement is the replacement of a tree presented two years ago by Mr Tom Davy in memory of his wife June who died in 1998. That tree was unfortunately vandalised, but has now been replaced by a handsome ornamental crab apple, sited near the seat which Mr Davy also presented at the same time. The group of four Worcestershire Black Pear trees planted some years ago alongside the track to the football pitch have also been released from their protective guards and should be at their most attractive in the next week or two as the blossom breaks.

Two small but important omissions from last week's report about West Malvern Cricket Club's scorers' box restoration project: the name of the project co-ordinator - Jim Croome - and his phone number - 01684 568073. He says he would be pleased to hear from any well-seasoned carpenters keen to work with well-seasoned wood!

Finally, a reminder about the coach trip to Shrewsbury on Saturday week (April 28). Anyone wishing to go (tickets £8 per person) should ring Ron Fisher (tel 01684 560989, Diana Boorn (01684 573748) or Dru Bentley (01684 567881) by Tuesday at the latest.