THE public inquiry into the appeal by West Mercia Waste continues at the Town Hall.

I have been very impressed with the ability and commitment that Alan Watson, the adviser to SKI, is providing.

We are all grateful to him.

We must have been helped also by the excellent article about waste disposal in the Sunday Times colour magazine last weekend.

I was delighted to visit Safeways store on Saturday to give the awards following their Mother's Day competition for primary school children.

The first prize, won by five-year-old Georgia Eaton from Franche First School, said it all in four words - "my mummy gives cuddles".

There is really nothing to add to that.

Coming on top of the funding crisis for Wyre Forest District Council which puts a threat on Bewdley Museum and the Kidderminster Museum Store, we had the news on Monday that Lionel Newton, after warning that he would resign as chairman of the Harriers if crowds did not pick up, has handed in his resignation.

The last straw was an attendance of under 3,000 for the crucial game against Exeter.

Scanning the newspapers, other Third Division clubs were drawing crowds of up to 12,000 while we were the second lowest.

It does mean that if we wish to keep the only team in Worcestershire in the Football League and seek promotion, more of us will have to support the club with our presence at matches and financially.

Tom Watson MP has told me about "Supporters Direct" and local supporters' trusts, an exciting possibility.

I also aim to talk to influential local people about the Harriers, so important to Wyre Forest now and also about Bewdley Museum, so much a part of our heritage.

There is good news from the West Mercia Police Authority.

Part of the increased Council Tax is going to improve police staffing, and our own force is gaining 300 police officers.

A total of 68 of these will join Crime Teams, and 208 will increase patrol strength across the West Mercia area. Some posts will be civilianised to release further officers for front line policing.

Our police are about to launch a campaign - "We Don't Buy Crime". This will draw attention to the fact that an item offered for sale at a price that is too good to be true, is too good to be true and may have been stolen.

The proceeds of such sales are likely to be used for drugs and so by buying these items, we are supporting the drug problem, a fact obvious to the police but an eye opener to most of us.