THE village hall is busy on the first couple of evenings next week, with the monthly Parish Council meeting at 7.30pm on Monday, February 14 (agenda should be posted on the village notice boards) and the Garden and Nature Club’s February meeting on Tuesday, February 15, when the bright and colourful subject is Dahlias.

On the following two afternoons (Wednesday, February 16 and Thursday, February 17) there is a treat in store for some of you – a free sampling opportunity at the Regents Café. Between 2.30pm and 3.30pm you can try some Fair Trade coffees and Teapigs tea as well as cakes, cookies and ice-cream – just the thing before picking up the kids from school! Also look out for other Fair Trade events in next few weeks.

One point for everyone to note is that the Regents Shop will have reduced opening hours during half term; so between Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 27 it will be open from 10am to 3pm only – they do apologise for any inconvenience!

David Hopkinson, a keen photographer, achieved his ambition by making a trip to Nepal a few years ago and will be coming to West Malvern on Friday, February 25 to give an illustrated talk about the country and his experiences. This event is being organised by the Malvern Hills Community Foundation (MHCF) and will take place at the Primary School at 7.45pm. Tickets, obtainable at the door, cost £5 and include light refreshments. All profits from the evening will be shared between MHCF and The King's School Worcester, Nepal Trust - a charity which benefits Nepali children.

The opportunity to exercise your brain, and also have some fun, is yours on Saturday, February 26, when the second Cricket Club Quiz of the year takes place at the Brewers Arms Looking a little further ahead, Anne Linstrum is live in Concert at The Elim Arts Centre on Friday, March 4, at 7.30pm. Anne studied at the London Opera Centre and has toured with the Welsh National Opera Company, English Opera for All, and has made many appearances at the Royal Opera House in Brussels. She will be accompanied by Paul Herrington, and Liz Elks will also be performing on the flute. Tickets (Adults £4, Concessions £2) are available at the Regents Village Shop.

If you have any information you want to go in the next edition of the Hills Echo, then you must get your copy to David Matthews (matthews.greenbank@virgin.net) by Tuesday, February 15 – also don’t forget to let me have any news items for this column.