Legendary! That is the only possible description for West Malvern's achievements in last weekend's well dressing competition, for which the theme was mythology.

Led by Chantal Crawford, the Garden and Nature Club chose The Lady of the Lake as the subject for their dressing of the West Malvern Tap (better known to older residents as the Morris Spout), beside the former shop. Their outstanding efforts earned them a first prize.

Meanwhile, just up the hill at the Westminster Spout, the younger girls of the St James's were also awarded a first for their lively and original interpretation of a charming Nigerian legend.

In addition, gardening club stalwart Lionel Butcher was highly commended for his ornamentation of the Tank Quarry spring on the theme of the River Severn's patron Sabrina, while Barbara Meddowes (soon to be Mrs Butcher!) received a second prize for her version of the Green Man of Glastonbury Tor at the Beauchamp Spout in Cowleigh Road. Congratulations to all concerned.

A good turnout is hoped for at Sunday's Royal British Legion-led service at St James's Church to mark and celebrate 60 years since VE Day on May 8, 1945. The service will start at 10.30am

This coming Monday, May 9, is the deadline for bookings on the village hall shopping-and-sightseeing coach trip to Cardiff next Saturday, May 14. Costing £10 per person, the coach will leave St James's at 9am and should be back in West Malvern at about 6pm. For bookings, ring Ron Fisher on 560989 or Dru Bentley on 567881.

Allotment holders were saddened recently when a fox got in and killed Steve Boffey's little flock of hens, whose comfortable clucking was appreciated by neighbouring plot holders - and often rewarded with various garden left-overs.

There is some consolation, however, in the fact that a handsome and surprisingly tame cock pheasant - perhaps sensing vacant territory - seems to have moved in and can now be seen strutting around the allotments in lordly fashion!