Congratulations to the team from West Malvern's lively Garden & Nature Club who won first prize in last weekend's well dressing competition organised by the Spa Association.

Quaintly, the idea for their creation resulted from the fact that the Morris Spout beside the village stores, erected in 1844 "for the accommodation of the inhabitants", is actually dry! This suggested the famous quotation "water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink" from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner and led on to a tableau featuring an Antarctic sea made up of hundreds of leaves, with a setting sun made of carnations, white chrysanthemum clouds, a full-rigged ship and a magnificent albatross flying out at the viewer. Club members are adamant that it was a team effort and that no names should be named - but the picture on page 10 in this week's Gazette will help to identify some of the ringleaders! The winners' prize included a bottle of champagne which we understand was to be quaffed at this week's committee meeting!

At time of writing (Wednesday) the creation is still in place and well worth a look if you haven't seen it.

Congratulations too to Crystal Pearce's team who gave the Westminster Spout a Japanese look for the weekend around a beautifully crafted 'pagoda' of hazel wood by Dave Jackson. Also to Lionel Butcher who moved just out of the parish to decorate the North Malvern Clock Tower spout (now also dry) with a splendid floral coat of arms.

West Malvern's first Golden Jubilee event will take place at St. James's Church at 7.30pm next Saturday, May 11, when John Wilderspin, assistant organist at Worcester Cathedral, will introduce and play "A Celebration Organ Recital For Jubilee Year".

The all English programme will include Elgar's Imperial March, two choral preludes by Parry, Vaughan Williams' Chorale Prelude on Rhosymedre and Walton's stirring Crown Imperial march as well as work by Worcester-based contemporary composer Ian Venables.

John Wilderspin, BSc ARCO was born in Leamington and held the post of organ scholar in University College, Durham.

Since moving to Worcester in 1980 he has been very active in music circles, notably as organist and secretary with the Cathedral Voluntary Choir and with the Oakville Singers, a Worcester based "a capella" choir, which has toured to Germany as well as many of the England's main cathedrals including Salisbury, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's. For several years John was the principal organist to the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Philomusica, went on to take a leading role as conductor, conducting performances of Haydn's Creation at Worcester Cathedral, Verdi's Requiem at Cheltenham Town Hall and Mendelssohn's Elijah at Pershore Abbey to much acclaim. Tickets (£5 including glass of wine) are available from Valerie Blackbourn - tel 01684 564893 - or on the door, with all proceeds to St James's Church Building.

Another Golden Jubilee event is planned for the evening of Saturday, June 1, when the Village Hall committee is organising a ceilidh with a live band, from 8-11.30pm. Tickets £4, £3 concessions, There will be no bar, so a case of "bring your own drinks". Further information from Mike Salter on 565211.

The Village Hall committee is also planning another of its popular coach trips, this year to Oxford, on Saturday, June 22, to leave West Malvern at 9am and arriving back around 6pm, at a cost of £8 per person. Contacts to reserve places and arrange pick-up points are Ron Fisher (tel: 560989), Diana Boorn (573748) or Dru Bentley (567881).

Finally, don't forget the important meeting on bus services through the village, to be held on Tuesday (May 7). There are real prospects for improved services, but it is essential that the people who are trying to obtain Government grant money to get them going should hear from users about the type, times, routes and frequency of services needed. A chance to have your say - if you are a bus traveller, don't miss it.