A CAFE tenant in Malvern handed in a petition with 2,500 names when he attended a board meeting of the Malvern Hills Conservators.

John Redman, who has occupied the hillside vegetarian St Ann’s Well Café for 20 years, was told by the Conservators in October that he must vacate the building when his lease is up.

The organisation plans to redevelop the site to include a visitor information centre above the café.

Supporters of Mr Redman’s attempt to remain at the café were out in force and the evening of Thursday, May 13, was characterised by hostile interruptions, adjournments and a walk-out by a member of the public.

Chairman Ray Roberts opened the meeting by informing people that, although he did not personally object to it, the recording or filming of the meeting was prohibited under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

The meeting was adjourned twice when a member of the public refused to cease recording the proceedings, before finally leaving – after loudly and repeatedly enquiring whether there were “any Freemasons in the room”. During public questions, the minutes of the March 11 board meeting were disputed for not including a proposal by board member Brian Pilcher to end the public question segment at the allotted 30-minute point.

This proposal had been voted on and failed. The item was added to the minutes of Thursday’s meeting.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Redman said the paper petition was backed up with an online petition of 2,000 names and a Facebook group with more than 6,500 members.