The report into the Malvern Hills Conservators’ shambolic handling of their dispute with the tenant of St Ann’s Well Café exposes both unpleasantness and incompetence in the organisation.

Personal animosity against Mr Redman was allowed to influence decision making, board members did not understand what they could and could not rightfully do, and money was spend unnecessarily.

The findings are deeply embarrassing to the conservators, who are largely publicly funded and entrusted to manage the hills for the common good.

They face a huge task in winning back public confidence, but have made a good start in this respect.

The report, scathing by any standards, is their own work.

They have turned their gaze on themselves, asked some difficult questions and found themselves wanting.

This honesty is to their enormous credit.

It is time now for a fresh start, though people will be watching carefully for some significant reforms of the organisation to prevent a repeat of this blundering.

The conservators' heartfelt apology to cafe tenant John Redman is a reassuring start.

Amid the hullaballoo, it is important to remember that the conservators comprise people who give up their time to help preserve the hills for us all. They are human; mistakes have been made, but they have had the good grace to admit to them.

Click here for round-up of last week's St Ann's Well Cafe stories