THERE was a surprise at Monday's annual meeting of West Malvern Parish Council at the Village Hall.

At about 9.30pm as councillors discussed the agenda, a small mouse with a very long tail decided to join proceedings and moved about the floor for several minutes, quite unconcerned by Council matters, at one point pausing for some time only a few feet from the top table!

There was another surprise when sitting chairman George Waugh announced that he did not wish to offer himself for re-election although he would remain a Councillor. Previous vice-chairman Colin Jackson was elected chairman and Eric Hollands vice-chairman. Helen Barker also tendered her resignation as a councillor, leaving a casual vacancy on the Council to be filled in due course.

Guest speaker was David Armitage of the Malvern Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) who explained the increased powers given to AONBs under the recent Countryside & Rights of Way Act which has rasied their status to nearer that of National Parks. He also outlined the Malvern Hills AONB 'Jigsaw Project', which aims to protect and enhance the local environment in consultation with the wishes of local people through Parish Councils. Mr Armitage added that grant moneys from the Countryside Agency could be available for approved landscape-related projects

A co-ordinator for the scheme in West Malvern, to collate ideas and suggestions and present them to the AONB for consideration, is to be appointed by the Parish Council. Anyone interested in taking part in, or with ideas for, this project should contact a Parish Councillor or the clerk, Catherine Campbell on (01684) 575282.

Around £2,400 was raised by St James's School Parents Association at their successful fete in glorious weather on Bank Holiday Monday, which attracted many more people from the village than in previous years. A popular highlight was the helicopter rides which enabled people to get a look at the village from the air.

And across the road at St James's C of E Primary School, there was a fine outcome to another fundraising effort, the school's 76 pupils having raised a total of £637.64 for Comic Relief on Red Nose Day. Congrat-ulations to the staff, who recently received a bonus in recognition of the substantially improved results over the past three years which led to the school being praised and receiving an Award of Excellence from the DfEE.