The public toilets at the Dingle are now closed and boarded up and are due for demolition within the next few weeks.

The background to the closure is the decision of Malvern Hills District Council, which owned, maintained and cleaned the facility, to upgrade four of its major public lavatories - two in Great Malvern and one each in Upton and Tenbury - and dispose of the remainder.

The Dingle toilets were offered to the parish council, which declined the offer, considering that as they were mainly used by visitors, the cost should be borne by the district council's tourism budget rather than falling solely on the residents of West Malvern. A further factor was a police recommendation for closure in view of the long-term record of the location, confirmed by recent surveillance, as a focus for anti-social activities by males from across a wide area.

In the middle of one of the wettest spells of the year, the weather relented for a few hours last Saturday for the village bonfire and firework display at Croft Farm. There was an excellent attendance, estimated at at least 300 people, to admire the giant bonfire - augmented by the unused wood left over from last year's cancelled event - and a fine firework display, efficiently staged by the usual hardworking group of village men. It was good to see many recent comers to West Malvern and their children enjoying the revival of this popular (if muddy!) event.

A reminder that this year's Remembrance Day service at St James's Church is on Sunday at 10.30am, conducted by The Rev. Rosemary Herbert and The Rev. Julian Charley, and that afterwards the invitation to everyone from the Royal British Legion to the club in Lower Road for light refreshments and a glass of wine. Anyone needing transport should contact Richard (893951) or Colin Hammond (573801).