BEWDLEY and Kidderminster Carnivals have passed in gorgeous weather.

Our thanks are due to the organisers of these events and to those who work so hard to produce the floats and displays which attract the spectators who support the charities involved, as well as enjoying themselves with their families. Long may these traditional festivals continue.

We have also had the two Mayors' Sunday parades and services, each so different from the other and yet so appropriate.

To see the tiny Rainbows presenting their mascot with the Colours at Bewdley is lovely and the Vicar of Kidderminster, Rev Owain Bell, struck just the right note in his address appealing for honesty and trustworthiness among politicians whether local or national.

I was delighted to formally open the new cycle track along the canal towpath from Kidderminster to Stourport.

This is ideal for a cycle track - away from traffic, through picturesque scenery and flat! It is already being used and as more such lengths appear it will encourage more people to resume cycling not only as a healthy form of exercise but as a realistic way of commuting.

We have just had the news that instant fines will be levied for use of hand-held mobile 'phones while driving. The Anti-social Behaviour Bill has passed its third reading and this does promise more effective anti-social behaviour orders and reparation orders.

There are clauses to tackle truancy and fly-tipping and to give the police more powers to address the drug problem. The Licensing Bill has come back from the House of Lords and at least the restrictions on music in places of worship no longer threaten concerts which are an accepted part of church life.

The Health Committee has produced its report on Lord Laming's inquiry into the tragic case of Victoria Climbie who came to this country to find a better life only to be systematically abused and eventually killed by relatives here who had promised Victoria's parents they would care for her.

The harrowing details of her last months and the inability of either health care or social care services to recognise and stop the abuse were horrifying.

Lord Laming made 108 recommendations to improve the situation and I hope the Health Committee report will draw attention to these as many of them just emphasise the importance of good standard health and social care practice that was not followed.

Notes were inadequate - handover of care was lacking, as was supervision of staff. These points provide a lesson for all working in the hard-pressed social and health services now and Lord Laming emphasised that in Victoria's case it was a failure of the whole system and those responsible for managing the services rather than a failure of individuals only.