ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: The main topic for discussion was the general lack of police presence in the parish. Complaints were raised that the police were rarely visible, difficult to contact and dilatory in response. Mr Terry Dryden remarked on the number of mowers which had been stolen recently, including one from St Giles' Church and one from the Bredon Cricket Club. He said the police had shown no interest in the problem at all.

In his report, the chairman, Mr Derrick Grainger, reported on the highlights of the previous year, including the completion of the Glebe Field project where sheep were now safely grazing. He mentioned too the children's play area project which will not be complete until the fencing is installed in June. The attendance at the meeting was disappointingly small.

Village Hall: The chairman of the village hall committee has reported the recent purchase of 50 more comfortable high quality chairs, and a further 10 tables. Also, the residents of Shepherds Mead, Tewkesbury, have given a magnificent new piano to the hall to replace the old piano. The Jubilee Room is about to be re-painted and more colour and better lighting will be introduced. Improvements are planned for the Chandler Room so major fund raising must begin. A Jubilee Garden party will be held in Bredon Manor garden on August 11. Tickets, to include food will soon be on sale and there is to be a pig roast, beer tent and several other attractions including dodgems and a bouncy castle, there is an upper limit on the numbers.

Where the Heart is: A strawberry tea will be held in aid of this charity on Saturday, July 6, at 3pm at the home of John and Dorothy Hall, Comer Cottage, Chapel Lane, Kinsham.

BREDON HANCOCK'S FIRST SCHOOL: The head teacher's last day coincided with the official opening of the school's jubilee garden. The latter event was the first to be celebrated, firstly by a group of musicians and then by the whole school in spectacular song. The headmaster, Mr Matthew Lloyd, was then called upon to cut the ribbon, and the Rector, The Rev Matthew Baynes gave a blessing. Mr Lloyd praised the dedicated work of parents Morag Potter and Joanne Hill who had led a team of children and parents. He gave the school a sundial, which will take pride of place in the garden.

The whole school then migrated to the playing field and in particular to the 'parliament' area built of logs for outdoor assembly. Here the children presented Mr Lloyd with a framed montage of pupil self-portraits and other gifts. Again, the children sang with gusto and this time it was to praise the many and varied achievements of Mr Lloyd and then to wish him farewell.