West Malvern has a new parish clerk. He is Shrewsbury-born David Sharp, appointed last week to succeed Pauline Striplin who resigned in August after taking on a full time job. David has lived in Malvern for six years after spending 20 years in London. He is a retained fireman, based at the station in Malvern Link and lives in Farley Road with his wife Ginny, who teaches at Callow End, and their three children, the eldest of whom attends the Chase School and the other two Malvern Link Primary. David is also clerk to the parishes of Little Malvern & Welland and Madresfield, so brings useful previous experience to his job at West Malvern. He can be contacted on Malvern 573213. He was in attendance at Monday's parish council meeting, when thanks were expressed to Malvern Wells clerk Susan Hughes for acting as interim clerk.

There was good news for allotment holders at Monday's meeting when rents for next year were held at 10p per square metre, subject to a minimum of 100sq metres. The council will shortly be allocating vacant plots. Prospective new tenants are asked to ring David Sharp on 573213, even if they have previously applied, as he wants to compile an up-to-date waiting list.

The Allotment Association has acquired a substantial greenhouse for communal use, thanks to Peter and Kate Cross of Zetland Road. It is now awaiting erection by a working party in the near future and the association would welcome any offers of help, please contact chairman Malcolm White on 560637.

Live music is set to return to the Lamb Inn which re-opened on Tuesday following a brief closure since the departure of John and Carol Pearson. The new licensees are Colin Robinson and 'Vaz' Deshmukh, both well known in the Malvern area. Colin, who currently runs the Crown Inn in Bransford Road, St Johns, used to live in Sherrards Green and was a district councillor for Chase Ward and a Hills Conservator. He is a keen brass player (the larger instruments including the sousaphone!) has been for 33 years a member of the Chase Brass Band and also various local jazz and folk groups including Hodge's Dump. Vaz, recently employed at QinetiQ, is well known on the morris dancing scene. They plan to provide 'cheap and cheerful' bar food. Incidentally, Mr Robinson has a direct family connection with West Malvern: his grandparents Mr and Mrs Massey lived in St James's Crescent. His grandfather, who is buried in St James's Churchyard, lived to be 99 years and 11 months, and his wife Alice to the age of 97!