THE damage to Barnards Green Cricket Club caused by vandals this weekend made it a pretty desperate start to the summer holidays.

It was all the more disappointing as Barnards Green is genuinely a forward-looking club which offers real opportunity for young people to play competitive sport.

As its chairman, Robin Longmore, points out, a lot of volunteers have put in a lot of hard work to provide this resource for local cricketers, particularly youngsters.

It is to be hoped that this weekend's events are just a blip that will disappear but they are also a reminder to parents to keep an eye on children, where possible, and try and keep them out of mischief.

On a more positive note, congratulations to everyone for their efforts in the Britain in Bloom competition.

The town really provided a spectacle to be proud of and there was a sense that the judges were really enthused by what they saw.

One of the nicest facets of the competition is the approachability of the judges and their willingness to share their thoughts and offer encouragement at every turn. There is a real sense that they too want the town to benefit in a significant way from taking part and their advice and support is much appreciated.

It in no way affects their final thinking, but is a real filip for the people involved to know that they have enjoyed themselves and are positive about all the efforts made.

Whatever the outcome in September, Malvern has had a day in the sun to remember and, as town council chairman Michael Selby points out, there is now something in place that can really be built on.