WEST Malvern has a new district councillor following last week's local elections. Sitting member John Raine easily topped the five-member poll with 654 votes but the runner-up was Jennie Kelly of Westwood Lodge, Park Road, who pipped the other sitting member Tony Williams by just six votes - showing yet again that West Malvern really is a place where every vote counts!

Indeed Ron Mason, who came last, received only 35 votes less than the 457 by which Mrs Kelly was elected, and was just four votes behind the other defeated candidate Beryl Hickling.

Mrs Kelly, 63, is a relative newcomer to West Malvern, having moved here three years ago after previously living with her husband John in Malvern Wells and near Cheltenham. Hertfordshire-born and schooled in Australia, where her parents emigrated before returning to the UK, she held a number of jobs on London including as a trainee clerk in Lord Hailsham's law chambers, working for a stockbroker and as PA to the chairman of a merchant bank. She then gave up work to raise her daughter and son, now 30 and 26, but recently returned to full time employment with a Malvern company at Enigma Business Park Tonight's (Friday) the night for the big gift and promise auction for the organ refurbishment fund and with more than 100 lots on offer, the Village Hall seems sure to be packed. The sale starts at 7.30pm, but if you want a good seat it may be advisable to arrive in good time. A helicopter ride and canal holiday are among the latest lots offered. Entry is free, as are refreshments.

Fundraising continues on Friday, May 18, at St James's Church at 7.30pm, when John Widerspin treats us to what will probably be the last recital on the organ before it is taken apart for its well earned (40 year) refurbishment. John is organist to the Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir and a regular recitalist.

His exciting programme includes works by Bach, Buxtehude and Reinberger, Franck, Gigout and Guilmant, and will end with Elgar's Imperial March and Liszt's Fantasia & Fugue on BACH. Tickets, £5 at the door to include a glass of wine.

The big band sound will be coming to West Malvern in June. The cricket club will again be staging its popular Jazz at the Court evening at Mathon Court gardens. The posters have already been printed advertising the band as the Trevor Emeny Quartet and Friends. Organisers have since been contacted to be told that the quartet had grown to become a 17 piece big band! The event is on Saturday, June 16. For tickets (£10) and further information, phone 01684 564893.

St James's CE Parent Teacher Association has appointed Anita Farrer and Claire Middle as chairmen. Claire Middle will be also be running a half-marathon on Sunday to raise money for 21-year-old Thom Donaldson, who suffered a severe injury last year when he broke his neck. He is doing really well and has kept a very positive outlook on life. However, he does require much health and personal care, a lot of which is provided by the NHS, but not all. If you would like to contribute to his fund by sponsoring Claire, please ring her on 01684 572