WEST MALVERN

IT was a shame that not more local people attended the animated hustings meeting at the Elim Theatre last Friday.

Despite the absence of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates, the Labour, Green and UKIP hopefuls for our constituency engaged in a refreshing and pleasantly good-natured discussion which touched in a positive way on a number of issues barely covered in the tetchy national debates. Labour's Daniel Walton, UKIP candidate Richard Chamings and Green representative Julian Roskams, from Martley, Malvern Link and Castlemorton respectively, are all business men with a genuine stake in the local economy - in contrast to so many of the career politicians on a the national stage. Stimulated by questions from their lively student audience, they gave a good airing to many of the key issues.

The Elim Theatre will be the venue for a very different event at 7.15pm on Saturday, May 16, when the Regents Theological College will host the Searchlight Theatre Company in a one-night production of the John Bunyan's classic story Pilgrim's Progress. Premiered in Canada last year and part of a countrywide tour, the two- hour play is re-imagined in the setting of World War II. Tickets £10 on the door, ask at the Regents Village Shop or online at .www.searchlighttheatre.org.

Local residents may find it convenient to dovetail with a visit to the well advertised Drop-In Musical Marathon at St James's Church on the same day. Meanwhile, offerings are still sought for the Gift and Promise Auction on June 19 – please contact John Raine on j.w.raine@bham.ac.uk or ring him on 01684 565052.

COLIN JACKSON 01684 577604