THERE is some interest among residents in the future of West Malvern’s two red telephone boxes. This follows their inclusion in a list of more than 30 in the district which BT have announced they intend to close due to lack of use. At its last meeting on Monday the Parish Council decided to take up BT’s offer to acquire the boxes – neither of which has been used even once in the past 12 months - for a token a payment of £1, and to consider what might best be done with them. Ideas for possible uses suggested to date have included a book store, a vending machine for pak-a-macks, a location for a third defibrillator in the village, or a terminal to enable Wi-Fi to operate inside the Village Hall. Anyone with other ideas should contact Parish Clerk David Sharp on 01684 573213.

It is sad to have to record the loss of yet another popular local resident, Gerry Hurfurt, who died recently. A native of Bath, Gerry was a man of many talents, an accomplished pianist, violinist and organist, a fine singer and skilled repairer of stringed instruments. Moving from London to West Malvern in 1992, he worked for a time at the Outdoor Centre before becoming a railway signalman at Newland and Malvern Wells. He never drove a car, and until his retirement in 2007 was a familiar figure as he strode to work with his lunch pack on his back. A convivial man who enlivened many an evening at the Brewers Arms, he will be much missed.

Something over £10,000 was raised at Morrisons store for the Poppy Appeal through the efforts of the West Malvern branch of the Royal British Legion – about three-quarters of it by Richard Hammond over his ten day, 12-hours-a day-collecting stint. A superb effort!

A 'West Malvern ‘Village Varieties' show along the lines of TV’s ‘The Good Old Days’ is being planned for next March. It will include a mix of music, sketches, recitations etc, showcasing the wealth of talent we have in the village. If you would like to be involved in any way, contact David Matthews on 01684 567328 or email matthews.greenbank@virgin.net.

COLIN JACKSON 01684 577604