ALL the hard work by Caroline Harris and Carol Wheeler paid off when the Lower Wyche trough won them a bronze award at the recent Well Dressing event held in and around Malvern and its numerous springs and wells. Well done to those concerned.

On the following Tuesday, the Reverend Steve Martin had been invited to perform a short blessing at the Lower Wyche Spout. Local residents and eight pupils from the nearby Wyche C.E. Primary school accompanied by two members of staff went along to take part in the short ceremony. The Reverend Steve Martin, Curate at All Saint’s Church adjacent to their school gave them the opportunity to sample the water just as the Victorian visitors to Malvern did in the mid 19th Century. He then went on to explain the importance of water in their life and they all gave thanks for this gift of nature that we all depend upon. Thanks go to the curate for blessing this well that was restored back in 2007 so that once again the water flows from here.

It is Bug’s Week for the young children at the Wells and Wyche playgroup that meets in the Wyche Institute. The leaders are introducing them to the amazing world of the tiny insects that live all around us. Soon a small group known as The Rising Fives as they will be starting school next term, will be going to Colwall by train as part of a local village study.

The Wells and Wyche Playgroup is self-supporting and they are currently saving up for a set of outdoor play-clothes for the children. They are holding a Nearly New Sale of children’s clothes, toys and other baby items and maternity clothes too. If you have any such items stowed away, donations will be gratefully received. Please telephone Lorraine on 07984 602192 if you have any suitable items that are in really good condition. The sale is at the Lower Wyche Institute on Wednesday, May 20 from 9am until noon so please try to call in to support this active group of youngsters and their dedicated team of leaders.

Since Fruitlands Nursery reopened on May 9 for the summer season, there has been a steady trickle of gardeners calling in to see what plants are on offer with even more turning up when the sun came out early in the week. The nursery is now open daily from 9am until 11am then from 2pm until 5pm (except Tuesdays) selling vegetable plants, summer plants, bedding plants and annuals.

Have you applied for your sponsor forms for St. Richard’s Hospice Charity Walks on the Malvern Hills on Saturday, May 16? This is the year of their 25th anniversary and they have three levels of walks to suit all ages and abilities and sponsor forms are available from 01905 763963.

There is also the Malvern Hills Lions Club charity walk at the Three Counties Showground on Sunday, May 17. For those who still need sponsor forms, you can telephone Roger on (01684) 833379.

In fact, the next few weeks promise to be quite a busy time for walkers with several sponsored walks in the area followed by the Malvern Walking Festival in early June.

Just a reminder that the new railway timetables come into force on Monday, May 17. There are only a few minor changes but it is worth checking the times. If you have access to the internet, you can check on there or telephone 08457 484950 Pupils from The Wyche C.E.Primary School will break up next Friday, May 22 for the Spring Bank Holiday. The school will be closed for one week.

Sponsor forms and further information on the Acorns Children’s Hospice triple run event at the Three Counties Showground on Sunday, June 7 can be obtained by telephoning 0844 984 0405.