Malvern Hills Trust has four new members, following elections held last Thursday, October 31.

In the Chase ward, Graeme Crisp won, polling 909 votes, to David Street's 158.

In Dyson Perrins, Trevor Parsons beat Tim Lawrence 176 to 162.

In Priory, John Watts beat Pete Watson 491-182.

And in Wells Richard Fowler gained the seat with 390 votes. Ian Wells got 162 votes and Peter Schofield 78.

Elected uncontested in the Colwall ward were Stephen Braim and Helen Stace, and in Guarlford David Fellows.

The Link representative is Richard Bartholomew and for Mathon, Chris Rouse.

Pickersleigh’s representative is David Core, and in the West ward, Charles Penn.

Of the 29 trustees on the trust’s board, 11 are elected directly by the electorate in the parishes and wards that pay the precept. 17 are nominated by local authorities and one is nominated by the Church Commissioners.

Among the tasks members of the board will face are proposals to update the Malvern Hills Acts, including reducing the size of the board.

The Charity Commission, which made the proposals, recommends having between five and 12 trustees, with the optimum number being seven.

The aim of the change is to make decision-making more efficient. However, the trust is in fact aiming for 12.