YOU'VE got to hand it to Councillor David 'my castle' Hughes, the leader of Malvern Hills District Council, who is lining up a nice little earner for himself by attempting to see 23 homes built on his land in Clay Green Farm, Alfrick.

The planning application, made on Cllr Hughes’ behalf by Greenhill Developments, has ignited fury across the village, with locals queuing up to insist it will blight the landscape, cause traffic misery, pollution, loss of space, parking problems, you name it.

It’s fair to say Cllr Hughes hasn’t breached any laws or council protocols. But we’d still like to tell you what his thoughts are on this sorry mess, only for our calls to be ignored with an impressive degree of determination.

Have you emigrated to Russia?

*AS is normal, the Mayor of Worcester's weekly schedule was sent to us here at WN towers a few days ago just in case we wanted to cover the latest whereabouts of Councillor Alan 'fiasco' Amos.

This week, his diary is completely empty because he's been on his holidays (again).

Mind you when he does get back home a true Arctic blast awaits, and we're not talking about this rather cool August weather.

In a bid to enact revenge for his infamous wandering ways, Worcester Labour Party has nominated the 'murky one' to take part in the ice bucket challenge currently gaining publicity around the UK.

For those not in the know, this rather chilly dare involves the nominee agreeing to have a massive bucket of icy water tipped over their head, filmed for the benefit of Facebook and Twitter, with all the proceeds raised going to the charity Macmillan cancer support.

Worcester's most-talked about politician of 2014 may yet become an unlikely hit on social media. Brrrr.

To see my nomination, after Worcester MP Robin Walker nominated me, log onto worcesternews.co.uk this afternoon.

* TALKING about the well-off, the Tory leadership at County Hall is finalising plans for a major PR overdrive over Worcestershire Parkway rail station.

A 'public awareness exercise' is kicking off later this year, aimed at drumming up publicity and support over the £17.1 million project before the planning application is handed in.

Before too much taxpayers' dosh is spent on this, The Source thought it might be worth reminding people we've been publicising parkway here at WN towers for nigh on 30 years.

• IF you thought new Worcestershire County Council chief executive Clare Marchant has probably been having kittens at the mammoth task in front of her, you're not wrong.

In fact the Shropshire-born lass, who took over the top job in June, has quite literally had pussy cats, in the form of two cute little moggies called Jake and Finn - presumably they will help ease those County Hall-induced stress levels amid the budget cuts, job losses, etc.

Perhaps taming these two will prove easier than some of those politicians, eh?

Meow!