More Anniversaries: They say that if you search hard enough you will always find an anniversary to celebrate. We have already mentioned our own Civic Society's 50th anniversary, scheduled for 2009. Next year we have the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edward Elgar who was born at Broadheath on June 2nd 1857. It would be astonishing if Malvern, the town where he lived and composed all those years ago did not celebrate this anniversary.
That is not all - Shrewsbury is getting ready to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in 2009. In view of Darwin's liking for Malvern's water cure and his friendship with Dr James Gully it is virtually certain that this town will mark the occasion.
This year there were at least two Church anniversaries near to Malvern. Each was celebrating their 150th year of worship. First off was the independent Wyche Free Church at Upper Colwall. The original building went up in 1856 and was replaced by the present building in 1911 and is able to boast being the highest church in the Malvern area (in altitude that is!). One of our stalwart members is an elder and is their organist, none other than Dudley Brook.
The second was the Church of St John the Evangelist at Storridge. The history display and the flower decoration throughout the building was stunning. Today, the old coach road has been replaced by the A4103, the quarry, the hop yards and the orchards have all gone. Yet the newcomers love the woods and hills. And it's still possible for an 80 year old to say 'as a child I recall the day the Bishop of Hereford came to open our new Church at Storridge', so it's not that long ago!
Countryside under pressure: Speaking of newcomers, the latest figures indicate that the migration of people from cities into the Midlands' countryside continues. The annual movement is about 3,400 moving into Worcestershire with slightly more into Warwickshire. The CPRE say that the UK loses 21 square miles of countryside each year to new housing and urban sprawl. Fortunately the CPRE is also reporting that Worcester City Council has one of the best records for developing brownfield sites with over 80 per cent of its developments on brownfield land between 2001-04. Worcester cannot continue to hold the line much longer and state that inevitably much new development will have to go into the surrounding districts of Malvern and Wychavon if government targets are to be met.
Worcestershire CCC News: What will supporters make of our local county cricket club's proposal to create a £10m transformation of the New Road ground? It will if approved involve raising the ground floor level of all the buildings fronting the River Severn and New Road as part of flood prevention, the creation of a landmark building with a pedestrian plaza leading from the Severn bridge through an imposing entrance. There will be top class players' changing rooms. In addition these bold proposals include a media centre, banqueting suite, conference and hotel functions. At the same time the views of the cathedral, the trees and the old members' pavilion will be retained as the ground is in a conservation area and the club wants to keep its heritage of tradition and friendliness. Let's wish them well.
Congratulations: Earlier this year the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce made their Best in Business Chamber Awards 2006 at Birtsmorton Court, near Malvern. The competition was the strongest yet with a record breaking 62 entries. Two Malvern companies won awards. They were Dytecna, winning the award for Best New Exporter of the Year, and Holland Funeral Services winning the Award for Business Commitment in the Community. Well done to both these companies. Another Malvern company has won the 2006 Queen's Award for Enterprise (International Trade) and our congratulations go to Malvern Instruments, especially as they achieved this in the midst of negotiating the purchase of Spectral Dimensions Inc, of Maryland USA.
Malvern Theatres: Our theatre complex is as popular as ever. What a good investment for the town it has proved to be. Good news for theatre venues is that earlier this year, following a recent High Court ruling between Mayflower Theatre Trust and HM Revenues & Customs, they should be able to reclaim a proportion of VAT based on the cost of hosting a production, even if the production is exempt from VAT. According to tax experts the ruling should also benefit other cultural attractions such as museums and art galleries. Latest news is that Deloittes is advising the Theatre Managers Association on the implications of the ruling.
New stores opening in Malvern: Love them or hate them new store openings are coming to Malvern. There is the new German Lidl superstore in Malvern Link. Building work has begun and at the latest one would expect to see it opening early in 2007. Surely it's preferable to the disfigurement of a deserted motor showroom? At Malvern Retail Park we learn that Marks & Spencer is arriving at where Focus DIY used to be. Will it be food/clothing or both? Who said Malvern was a quiet dull old place!