WEST Malvern could soon be providing short-term respite for ex-service personnel suffering from post-combat stress and similar problems to help them back into civilian life.

This seems to be the likely future role for the former Red Cross retirement home Adelaide House, about which there has been much speculation in the village recently.

The property was bought from the Red Cross by Rooftop Housing, an Evesham-based group mainly concerned with social and affordable housing.

The group are also signatories to the Worcestershire Armed Services Community Covenant, which aims to encourage the integration of service life into civilian life, and for members of the armed services to help their local community. Signatories to the covenant include the county and district councils, ex-service organisations such as the Royal British Legion, and a wide range of community, health and emergency services.

Rooftop Housing see the tranquil setting of Adelaide House as ideal for helping ex-service personnel suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and similar problems on their way back to civilian life. They envisage an annual throughput of around 50 people, each typically for a stay of around three months.

A planning application for any necessary changes to the property is expected to be submitted in due course.

The West Malvern branch of the Royal British Legion raised an astonishing figure of £10,600.90 after last November’s Poppy Appeal.

The final total was not solely thanks to door-to-door collections by standardbearer Alan Fish and others round the village.

It owed much to former resident Stan Burrows, who raised an amazing £7,000 in a fortnight at Morrisons’ supermarket.

After a week of shaking the can himself, he fell ill, but family and friends rallied round to keep up the good work during the second week of the collection period, resulting in the massive contribution to the final sum.

Found on the Sugarloaf ridge on Wednesday, January 8, a large-check grey and red scarf by Burton. It is in the custody of your correspondent. To claim it, please contact the number below.

COLIN JACKSON