Voting and elections

Malvern Hills District Council will continue in its efforts to secure college's future

At a full Council meeting last night (30 November), Councillors overwhelmingly supported a notice of motion to respect the covenant in place on Malvern Hills College.

When the college was sold in 2008, the Council recognised its value to residents and put a covenant in place which requires the site be used only for educational purposes until there is no longer a functional need for the college.

This determination regarding the need for a college can only be made by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), a Government body independent of both the Council and Warwickshire College Group (the current owner of the site).

Earlier this year, the ESFA, at the request of Warwickshire College Group, did determine there was no longer a functional need for the College.

However, this decision did not consider the range of adult courses offered by the college which have provided enrichment and lifelong learning for the community. Instead, the determination focussed solely on the 16-19 provision.

The Council decided this determination was too narrow and consequently consider the covenant to remain enforceable.

Cllr Sarah Rouse, Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: "It would be a tremendous loss to the community if the college's closure was to become permanent. The Council remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the college, in so far as the covenant allows, and will continue in its efforts to secure the college's future. With growing demand, the current offering needs to be significantly improved. Allowing Malvern Hills College to be sold for alternative uses would be a missed opportunity and potentially very damaging to our residents, the future of our young people and our local economy".

Great Malvern's Hobbit door will make you want to go there and back again

Take an unexpected journey to Great Malvern to see the new Hobbit door on Belle Vue Island.

The new literary addition has been painted by local artist Phil Ironside from Phil Ironside Studio in Malvern Link as a nod to the town's Tolkien connections.

Malvern Hills District Council organised the installation which is located on the Western Power door near the Post Office on Church Street.

JRR Tolkien used to visit Malvern regularly to visit his friends C.S Lewis and George Sayer- a teacher and headteacher at the prestigious Malvern College.

Tolkien and his friends used to regularly walk on the Malvern Hills stopping for a pint in the Unicorn Inn after marvelling at the incredible views.

Whilst it isn't confirmed that Tolkien was inspired by the hills to write The Lord of the Rings, it is hard to imagine he wasn't, with the ever-changing atmospheric views with regular misty vistas and the inspirational landscape.

George Sayer wrote that Tolkien would relive the book as they walked and compared parts of the Malvern Hills to the White Mountains of Gondor.

George Sayer also saved Tolkien from burning The Lord of the Rings manuscript. In 1952. Tolkien, who was having difficulty getting his masterpiece Lord of the Rings published, decided to burn the draft in the fire. Sayer prevented him and praised the work. The Fellowship of the Ring was finally published on 29 July 1954.

Cllr Daniel Walton, Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Economic Development at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "The Hobbit door is a wonderful addition to Great Malvern that will make you want to go there and back again. It is brilliant to see the town's connections to such a literary legend recognised in such an imaginative way. On your visit, why not support local businesses and pop into local cafes for breakfast, second breakfast or even elevenses".

Phil Ironside, Local Artist who painted the Hobbit Door, said: "Painting the door was great fun. It is a privilege to be asked to have one of my works of art situated permanently in the heart of Great Malvern, especially one that is related to JRR Tolkien and all the many extraordinary people who have taken inspiration from Malvern and the surrounding landscape. The wonderful reactions of people who stopped to talk about the project while I was painting was amazing. It has lifted the Belle Vue Island and I hope it will become a memorable photo opportunity for visitors. Please come and have your photo taken in front of Malvern's entrance to Middle Earth, you can't miss it".

Pictured: Local artist Phil Ironside outside the Hobbit Door on Bell Vue Island in Great Malvern.

NEWS: Council urges people to have their say on town centres

More than 900 people have had their say so far on the future of the town centres in the Malvern Hills District.

Malvern Hills District Council launched a consultation at the end of September to gather views to guide its five town centre transformation plans. These will be for Barnards Green, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Tenbury Wells and Upton upon Severn.

The deadline for responses is 31 December and the council is urging residents, businesses, town centre traders and visitors to take part and give their views. They are also encouraging young people to have their say.

The questions ask how people are using their high streets, what improvements are needed and what can be done to support businesses on the high street now and in the future.

The town centre transformation plans will set out a vision for the future of each retail centre, identifying the different challenges facing each one and the opportunities available. They will then be used to attract inward investment from both the public and commercial sector, as well as guide planning decisions.

The results of the consultation will be ready in January and it is aimed that the plans will be signed off by spring 2022.

The plans are part of the council's Five Year Plan commitment to help revitalise the town centres as they come under attack from the rise of online competitors, out of town retail parks and changing consumer habits.

Cllr Daniel Walton, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development on Malvern Hills District Council, added: "We've had an amazing response to the consultation so far and we want to keep that momentum going. We are urging anyone that hasn't taken part to take ten minutes out of their day to answer the survey or add a comment to the ideas board. The results will help guide the town centre transformation plans which will set out a vision for the future".

Visit letstalk.malvernhills.gov.uk/towncentres to take part in the consultation.

Date published: 19 November 2021

Farmer's Market returns to Malvern

Great Malvern Farmers' Market returns this weekend selling an abundance of top-quality local produce.

The popular market takes place on Saturday 20 November from 9am to 2pm in The Priory Church Grounds.

Organised by Boffy Arts and Events with support from Malvern Hills District Council, shoppers will have the chance to choose from a range of local businesses offering a variety of food and drink.

Stall holders offer a wide choice of locally produced products including meat, fruit, veg, cheese, pickles and many additional treats such as cakes, fudge, cider and beer.

Buskers will also be entertaining visitors and residents.

Cllr Daniel Walton, Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Economic Development at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "The Farmer's Market is a popular event and a great opportunity to try a range of locally produced fresh food and specialities. We hope both residents and visitors enjoy all the wonderful treats the market has to offer."

Visit www.boffyartsandevents.com/events for more information.

Festive cheer with the return of the Great Malvern Christmas Festival

The long-awaited Christmas Festival is all set for a welcome return this month after it was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The popular event takes place on Saturday 27 November from 10am to 6.30pm in Great Malvern Town Centre.

Various activities will be held around the town on Church Street, Belle Vue Island, Priory Church Grounds, Abbey Road and Great Malvern Library.

There will be lots on offer for visitors to enjoy, from local musicians performing festive favourites, street performers, arts and food market, a Christmas grotto, carol singing and a polar bear roaming the streets.

The BBC Hereford and Worcester stage will also once again return to Belle Vue Island, hosting festive music from 3.30pm and the Christmas light switch on with Malvern Theatres Peter Pan pantomime stars at 6pm.

Children will have the chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto at Great Malvern Library with festive music and activities.

The Morgan Route Master Bus will also be in front of Belle Vue Island, together with adorable retired police dogs and an animatronic polar bear.

The Great Malvern Christmas Festival has been organised by Malvern Hills District Council in partnership with Malvern Town Council, Boffy Arts Markets, Great Malvern Priory and Great Malvern Library.

Cllr Daniel Walton, Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Economic Development at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "We are really looking forward to bringing back the festive fun to Great Malvern and welcoming all visitors and residents once again, it was greatly missed last year. The event always has such a wonderful atmosphere and we hope everyone enjoys all the fun festivities and activities that will be on offer for the whole family."

Cllr Nick Houghton, Mayor of Malvern Town Council said: "It is great that this year we can once again gather to celebrate the start of the Christmas season with these fantastic outdoor activities."

Contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01684 892289 or visit www.visitthemalverns.org/event/great-malvern-christmas-festival for more information.

Pictured: Cllr Daniel Walton Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Economic Development at Malvern Hills District Council, and Cllr Cynthia Palmer Chairman of Malvern Hills District Council.