town centre....it is as if an important part of Malvern's heritage has been given back to the Malvern community'.

The South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy has been replaced by a new plan called the South Worcestershire Development Plan. One difference in this area is the inclusion of land at QinetiQ for residential and business development. The new plan known as the S.W.D.P is looking ahead for the next twenty years. Under the new plan Malvern’s allocation of 1100 homes is a relatively small part of the 20,000 homes allocated for South Worcestershire. 

The Malvern Hills district as a whole will get 4,124. Assuming the plan is adopted 49 villages will be asked to take 1,839 homes. The plan will require a big investment in road, rail, schools and other services. Concern is already being expressed by local residents about the need for a considerable commitment in building an infra-structure that will cope with the influx of people envisaged under the plan.

This sculpture by Walenty Pytel has been chosen by the District and Town Councils as their project for the Diamond Jubilee next year; it will be placed in Rose Bank Gardens and will constitute a permanent memorial of the occasion.

The Priory is Malvern’s most historic building and is Grade 1 listed by English Heritage. The Church Council have decided to replace the interior lighting based on a design that has been implemented in Brecon Cathedral. More details from the Priory Office.

The presentation of the plaque was made by Dr Freddie Gick, vice chairman of Civic Voice and chairman of the Civic Day organising committee. In making the award, Dr Gick said that he was most impressed by the way in which the Malvern community and the two councils had joined together to produce an outstanding programme of events and he hoped that it would encourage other societies in 2012. In replying, Katharine said that everyone had enjoyed the challenge of the week of events which had produced some interesting new venues which had been well visited; plans are now being made for the Jubilee Civic Week which runs from 2 to 9 June 2012.

Although the purpose of the visit to Marianske Lazne was to have a holiday, see the spa towns and, maybe, learn a little about how the 'wellness' industry is managed - the twinning Committee were keen to put out some feelers to see if there was any interest in establishing links between the two towns. The idea of twinning has developed from a civic based reciprocal reception activity into a community partnership where the initiative has the blessing of the civic authorities but the actual partnership activities are driven by individual groups and self funded there is, in fact, some funding available from Brussels and these opportunities can be explored in due course.  On the Thursday before we left, we were invited to an afternoon presentation in the Hotel Olympia where we met the Mayor, Mr Zdenek Kral, some of his Councillors, members of the Chamber of Trade and the Tourism Committee. Dr John Harcup gave a presentation on the Water Cure and Malvern representatives were introduced including John Harcup [MSA], Ernie Kay [All things Elgar], Katharine Barber [MCS], Tim Gunter [Churches in Malvern] and Bob Tilley [Transitions].  In the evening the group hosted a drinks reception in our hotel attended by the Mayor and his Partnership Project Director, 

Dr Vladimir Kajlik.  We made a presentation of a Victorian map of Malvern to the Mayor and a model Morgan to Dr Kajlik. In addition, we presented the Mayor with a portfolio of letters of support from Malvern groups including Malvern Theatres and Malvern College. In June we will report back to the Town Council for their comments and there is a possibility that a small group from Marianske Lazne may attend the World Travel Market in London in November which might give us an opportunity to show them something of our unique town.

The Planning Sub Committee reviews not only the current planning applications but also manages the Society policy towards the development of the town. The meetings are open for members and others; not infrequently the regular members are joined by people who have a specific planning related problem. 

There are three important issues on the agend of the Planning Sub Committee:

More planning News.