Tributes were paid to Keith Falconer, head of the Malvern Hills Outdoor Centre, and his staff at a flag-raising ceremony and lunch attended by representatives of local government and the education services. The celebration was to mark the recent achievement of the status of Eco-Centre in recognition of its contribution to education for sustainability. Many local residents will be surprised to learn that as many as 10,000 schoolchildren a year attend the centre either on day trips or residential courses. As well as experiencing a range of outdoor activities, they are also made aware of the importance of the importance of minimising waste and conserving the environment. The centre operates a waste recycling scheme and has its own environmentally friendly reedbed sewage treatment system, the effluent from which is so pure that it can be safely discharged into the local brook. Electricity and water consumption is also measured and shown to the children. The importance of even such apparently small details such as switching off unwanted lights is driven home, mainly by project leader Steve Puttick (unofficially known as head of Eco-Police!). "It is incredibly important that children are educated to realise the importance of sustainability," said Mr Falconer, while guest speaker Professor Steve Martin spoke of the centre's contribution to a change of culture among young people "from competition and consumption to one which emphasises care and conservation of the planet."

Four pounds short of £4,000 was the magnificent total of bids at West Malvern Cricket Club's auction of promises at the Lyttelton Rooms last Friday. It was 10.15pm when the hammer fell on the last of nearly 180 lots donated by individuals and businesses, but thanks to auctioneer Philip Serrell, who was in splendid form with more wisecracks and one-liners than the average TV comedy show, everyone enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining evening. Top prices were £530 for a holiday for four in France and £300 for a week in Madeira, but there were many bargains at between £5 and £20 for anything from personal financial advice, a year's supply of organic selenium, Bowen treatment for an animal. Half a tonne of firewood and a miniature cricket bat autographed by John Major also went. Congratulations to club chairman Bob Blackbourn and his team of helpers from the club who put a huge amount of work into this successful event, which after expenses will have raised £3,500 towards much-needed improvements to the pavilion at the club's Mathon Court ground.

This year's popular Carols by Candlelight service at St James's Church will take place at 6.30pm on Sunday, December 23 and all are cordially invited to take part.

Anyone wishing to sing in the choir for this occasion, there will be rehearsals on the 13th, 20th, 21st and on the 23rd itself, should contact John Raine on 565052.

Further ahead, the AGM of West Malvern Allotment Association will take place at the Lamb Inn at 7.30pm on Wednesday, January 9. All allotment holders are automatically members of the Association, and there look like being a good number of new members after the end of the year. The parish council has a waiting list of more than a dozen applicants, and it is expected that, with a number of existing plots falling vacant, all of these should be allotted plots in the near future.