After a year's break, Guy Fawkes will once again be commemorated in proper style at Croft Farm next Saturday, November 5, with a village bonfire, fireworks, barbecue and all the trimmings.

It will be preceded by a torchlight procession, which will set off from the village school at 7pm - torches will be available for purchase. Admission to the field will be £2 for children, £4 for adults and £8 for a family ticket. A lot of effort by a dedicated few has gone into reviving this popular event, so do come along and support it.

A personal greeting from Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet, was a highlight of the Trafalgar Day dinner held at the Feathers Hotel, Ledbury, last Friday.

Read out by Col Ian Brazier, the message asked that those present should toast Nelson's Immortal Memory and this was duly done - in complete silence according to tradition. The message noted that Nelson's enduring legacy was as significant as ever and dinners such as that at the Feathers do much to keep his memory alive.

With Joe Herron as master of ceremonies, the function was enjoyed by around 60 people, nearly all from West Malvern. It had strong nautical overtones throughout, from the dinner call by Chief Petty Officer Martin Barber on the bosun's pipe to the authentic ship's grog that accompanied the coffee.

Entertainment followed in the form of a display by three young Malvern Sea Cadets and live songs, shanties and hornpipes by local musicians John Williams, Jackie Gribble and Mark Wallbridge.

A board of mounted rope knots, made specially for the occasion by London Zoo keeper Keith Lloyd and recently featured in the Gazette, was auctioned and attracted keen bidding before being knocked down for £195 to Camp Hill resident Robert Rankin.

In a handsome gesture, it was then announced that the board, which features 11 different knots, would be presented to the Malvern Sea Cadets.

Despite last weekend's rain, there was a good turnout of allotment holders to lay some 100 metres of pipe to two new taps.

To say the least, the going was heavy in places, but the volunteers (alias Malcolm White's pressed gang) stuck to their task and by the end of Sunday, the trenches had been dug, the pipe laid and the turf (or sludge!) replaced, ready for the taps to be installed.