West Malvern's spectacular views have been in the news again this week, following the national award to the Brewers' Arms as the pub with the best views in the country.

Landlord Trevor Marston and partner Sue were interviewed extensively on Monday and Tuesday's BBC Midlands Today and local radio. Unfortunately, the cameras missed the best of the views themselves, owing to murky weather, but even then what viewers saw (besides the reporter supping one of Trevor's pints!) would be the envy of most other hostelries.

The award followed the development of a patio which allows visitors to enjoy the vista to the south-west opened up by the recent clearance of trees in the adjoining garden. A new picture window in the south wall of the 'Armpit' - currently undergoing refurbishment - will also enable customers users to enjoy the magnificent outlook from under cover.

Our views are also making a big impression via the Skies of the Malvern Hills 2006 calendar, published by the Friends of St James's Church using photographs donated by West Malvern residents and sponsored by local businesses. It is estimated that, with two and a half months to go before the New Year, more than half the 1,500 copies printed have already been sold and they are still selling well all round the district. A second printing is being considered but is not certain to happen, so anyone wishing to make sure of copies for themselves and/or Christmas presents would be well advised to secure them as soon as possible.

The village hall last Wednesday rang to the joyful sounds of the church music of 200 years ago, when the ever-popular Vital Spark gave a special concert in support of the local Agenda 21 initiative.

The local group, which practices every week in the hall, have over the past decade revived the pre-Victorian West Gallery-style.

The, church singing was loud and lively, and accompanied not by an organ but by more traditional folk instruments such as fiddles, recorders and the delightful 'serpent', which looks like a boa constrictor and sounds like a cross between a tuba and a bassoon!

In his informal but informative introductions, leader John Williams stressed the group's amateur status. As amateur means 'lover', this was appropriate to the extent that the musicians' pleasure in their singing shone through. But Vital Spark are anything but 'amateurish' and showed impressive mastery of their chosen style. The group will be back in West Malvern Village Hall for their Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 21.

At the time of writing, tickets still remain available for the West Malvern Players' presentations of Web of Murder at 7.30pm tonight (Friday) and tomorrow, though the Saturday performance was filling fast. Tickets will be available on the door, but advance booking (567328) would be wise to make sure.

Apologies to anyone who tried to ring the phone number wrongly given here last week for bookings for the Trafalgar dinner next Friday October 21.

The correct number is 01684 892380 and it is still not too late to book.