TODAY we have the melancholy duty of relaying news of the death of two people who had contributed much to the community of Malvern.

Lord Michael Spicer was a politician and Robin Elt a businessman, but they each in their own way made a difference.

As we record, Lord Spicer is recalled more for his hard work on behalf of his constituents and for his personal qualities of kindness and helpfulness rather than any feats of high politics.

And there is nothing wrong with that; the country is kept running by the efforts of millions of relatively unsung people rather than the heroism of the few.

Whether it is attending to mundane constituency tasks, as Lord Spicer did, or running a small business that succeeds because it provides what the customers want, as Mr Elt did, these are the things that matter in the long run.

In a completely different vein, it is fitting that at long last Malvern’s illustrious history as a venue for live rock is at last being commemorated.

It is a part of the town’s recent history which is fondly recalled by thousands, but which, until Rock Around the Hills stepped up to the plate, was in danger of being lost to the official version of history.

The economics of the music industry, and of much else besides, has changed out of all recognition since those

well-remembered days, and it is unlikely that a venue similar to the old Winter Gardens will appear in the near future.

But there will always be a demand for music, and someone will find a way to supply that demand.

Once again, it is the little platoons in action.