Hereford Voice

Oona The Puffin Has Been Released! Elliot and the team from Vets for Pets Hereford Oh this is such wonderful news, thank you to Elliot and the whole team at Vets for Pets Hereford and to the fabulous people at RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre Previous Update 14th July from RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre The long anticipated update on Oona, the puffin found in Hereford! Since arriving in our care, from Vets for Pets Hereford, she has been housed on one of our seabird pools, where we have been able to assess her condition and behaviour. Initially, although bright and well in herself, she was very reluctant to spend time on the water and wasn’t doing much in terms of preening and rewaterproofing her feathers. When sea birds spend time in rehab it’s common for their feathers to become contaminated due to not spending time on water, not preening and also all of the necessary handling that is required for feeding, weighing, cleaning out and veterinary treatment. So because of this she received a wash by our skilled wildlife assistants, in order to bring her feathers back to a good condition. This is super important for the successful release of these pelagic birds, who spend the majority of their life at sea, only coming in land to rear their chicks. See our original article on the Puffin in Hereford which soon went viral- https://hfd.news/7qCyS

A rapist from Hereford was sentenced at court yesterday (Wednesday 9 July) to eight years in prison. Lukasz Szwagulinski, 36, of Whitecross Road, Hereford was found guilty of four offences – two counts of rape of a female, one of sexual assault by penetration and one of sexual assault between December 2024 and January 2025. Szwagulinski was handed a prison sentence totalling eight years when he appeared before Worcester Crown Court. He was also handed a restraining order against his victim. DC Amy Cook, of Hereford Reactive CID, said: “We are pleased to get this result for Szwagulinski whose predatory behaviour fully warrant this custodial sentence. “I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of his victim and hope this result shows we will always listen to anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual abuse and prosecute where appropriate, and that it may encourage anyone who has suffered similar abuse to come forward and speak to us. “We will always listen to you, take your concerns seriously and protect you from predators like Szwagulinski.” You can report sexual offences and rape here on our website Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | West Mercia Police Always call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org .

Cornish Bakery, the independent, founder-driven company first started in Mevagissey, Cornwall, has announced that it will be opening up in the cathedral city of Hereford. The beautiful, design-led, premium new bakery is set to open in style on July 21st 2025. The stunning bakery will be set within what was previously a Regatta shop, in a prominent corner location at 9 High Street. It has been vacant for a while so will be a welcome addition to the city centre with its beautiful, striking COAT burnt terracotta coloured shopfront. The bakery will be conveniently near to some of Hereford’s top visitor sights such as the Cathedral and the famous Chained Library. The bakery will feature expansive shopfront windows that flood the space with natural light, creating what is likely to be the city’s lightest and brightest space - a beautiful, high-ceilinged, open-plan setting with a striking new façade that showcases the welcoming light and airy interiors. More than 15 year-round local jobs will be created and the new Cornish Bakery will also be supporting the Hereford community through a partnership with a local charity, to be selected by the new bakery team. The company already has several successful bakeries in the area including at Gloucester Quays, Cheltenham and the recently opened, thriving Cirencester bakery. Each Cornish Bakery is individually created to honour the setting and history. This site has been carefully designed to take full advantage of its pedestrianised location, with a large seating area that combines planting, clean architectural lines, comfortable textures, and stunning feature lighting. The interiors have been kept neutral and light, creating a space that invites customers to linger a little longer whilst watching the world go by. Given the company’s Cornish heritage, they always use new bakery opportunities to support committed artisan makers and designers. The new Hereford bakery will feature bespoke artwork by Cornwall-based designers, A-Side. Cornwall-based basket maker Lin Lovekin has handcrafted a collection of bespoke lampshades and Studio Haran has designed and created unique pendant lighting for the bakery, bringing contemporary Cornish craftsmanship to the heart of the space. Inside, the 164 square metre property hosts seating for up to 69 people. All Cornish Bakery products are freshly made and baked on site every single day and the Hereford open kitchen will enable visitors to watch the team mixing, shaping, kneading and baking the extensive product range throughout the day. The bakery will peddle Cornish Bakery’s range of delicious products including its award-winning pasties and sausage rolls, both lauded by The Times’ food reviewer Giles Coren. Additionally, it sells its daily crafted and baked viennoiseries, cakes, and handmade Cornish pasties alongside recently introduced runaway success options. These include the twice-baked Pistachio Croissant, stuffed with homemade frangipane and pistachio cream and the Shakshuka Croissant, filled with lightly spiced roasted peppers and sun-dried tomatoes combined with a cheesy bechamel sauce. Additionally, the new Cornish Raspberry Crème Brûlée pastry, Pastrami Reuben Roll and Hazelnut Pain au Chocolat will all feature on the menu. Cornish Bakery managing director, Mat Finch said, “Hereford has been in our sights for a while and we’re really delighted to have found the perfect property in this fantastic city. It feels like a natural fit for us, and we’re proud to be investing in such a thriving and welcoming community. The new bakery has been purposefully designed not just to offer our award-winning bakes and products, but to be a high-end space that locals and visitors will love spending time in.” A perfect breakfast, lunch or afternoon stop off for shoppers, visitors and residents alike, the Hereford Bakery Manager and team will be ready to welcome customers from 8am - 5pm every day of the week from July 21st.

The body of Lord David Lipsey was recovered on 1 July, after a multi-agency search, Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed. Dyfed-Powys Police said they received a report concerning the safety of a man last seen swimming in the River Wye at Glasbury. Lord Lipsey's next of kin have been informed and have asked for their privacy to be respected. Dyfed-Powys Police said in a statement that the force's thoughts were with them. Lord Lipsey, who previously worked as a journalist and Downing Street adviser under then prime minister Jim Callaghan, entered the Lords in 1999. The Lord Speaker John McFall said the upper chamber extended its 'condolences to the noble Lord's family and friends'. Lord Lipsey had lived in the Wye Valley for the last three decades and told the House of Lords last October how he and his wife, Margaret, would go swimming in Glasbury 'most mornings' and 'some mornings in the winter'. But he told the chamber of the deteriorating condition of the river due to 'chicken s***' that had not moved off farms and been driven by water into the stream. He said it made the river smell of 'rotten egg', children were getting sick after swimming in it, and it had caused the numbers of salmon to dwindle. In a speech during the second reading of the Water Special Measures Bill he said: 'Residents such as us complain about children who are sick after swimming, rotten egg odours, opaque green pea-soup blooms and brown slime on the bottom. It is not the Wye that we moved next to 30 years ago. 'This beautiful river is being turned into a sewage dump.' Lord Lipsey was given a life peerage by Tony Blair and was a journalist for papers including the Sunday Times, Guardian and Economist.

Herefordshire Council is restating its commitment to investing in improving the county’s roads, as it publishes its Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report. The report shows how government funding is being used to improve local roads through ‘business as usual’ road maintenance, alongside how additional council funding has boosted the improvements, benefitting local families, businesses and key services. The recent investment has supported a move towards a more preventative approach to highways maintenance, which in time will lead to a reduction the reactive activity needed. However, while the report outlines the scale of the maintenance and improvement activity, it does not reflect the full benefit and impact of the council’s additional investment over the past two years due to a time lag in national road condition surveys. This year (2025/26) Herefordshire road users will benefit from £50million investment, including: 75 km (c47 miles) of resurfacing works 100 km (62 miles) of surface dressing works to provide preventative treatment. The substantial repair of 8 highway structures, The delivery of 2 schemes to protect the highway from land slip and river erosion The improvement of 50 safety barriers. The resurfacing of approximately 8 km of the footway and cycleway network. More than 100 small drainage schemes to remove water from the highway network The repair of 25,000 potholes, with the current preventative treatment strategy seeking to reduce potholes forming. This investment directly supports the Herefordshire Council Plan 2024–2028, contributing to: Helping families: Safer, smoother roads make daily life easier for families, whether commuting, getting to school, or accessing services. Economic growth: Better roads support local businesses, tradespeople, and workers by improving access and reducing travel time. Environmental resilience: Drainage improvements and low-carbon materials help protect the environment and adapt to climate change. Efficient services: A shift toward preventative maintenance reduces long-term costs and improves value for money. Councillor Jonathan Lester, Leader Herefordshire Council, said: “We know how important road conditions are to our residents, tradespeople, and businesses, which is why we’re investing in our network. “This investment is about more than just smoother roads—it’s about supporting everyday life in Herefordshire. Families benefit from safer school runs, reduced vehicle damage, and more reliable travel for work, shopping, and leisure. Small businesses and tradespeople rely on dependable roads to reach customers, deliver goods, and keep their operations running smoothly. Care workers and NHS staff need accessible routes to reach vulnerable residents quickly and safely - especially in rural areas. And people with medical needs depend on timely deliveries of prescriptions, equipment, and home visits, all of which are made easier by well-maintained roads.” Summer schedule for road resurfacing The council is continuing its additional investment in the county’s roads during the summer. A surface dressing programme will see 93km (58 miles) of network improved during July and August. And a programme of resurfacing works taking place throughout July and August will focus on improving the health of some key B-roads and C-roads: July B4224 Holme Lacy Bridge to Mordiford B4352 - Madley to Woodyatts Cross B4218 - Wyche Cutting, Colwall B4218 - Walwyn Road, Colwall A44 - Golden Cross to Bainstree Cross B4220 - Stony Cross to Westfield, Cradley B4348 - Much Dewchurch Village August A466 – Wormelow Village B4362 - Shobdon to Moor Meadow B4352 - Madley Village A4110 - Three Elms Road B4362- Bateman Arms A44 - Bredenbury B4234 - Ledbury Road, Ross On Wye B4214 - Munderfield Village July/August C1127 - Southbank Road C1047 - Kings Road, Orleton C1131 - Withies Road, Withington C1130 - Lock Lane, Withington C1130 - Withington to Whitestone C1129 - DUKE STREET, WITHINGTON C1105 - Worcester Road, A49 - Enterprise Way (Southern Ave railway bridge) Funding doubled for road safety improvement schemes This year (2025/26) the council is investing significant additional funding into road safety improvements such as improved crossings, new signage and signals, having more than doubled the road safety budget from £200,000 to £500,000. Plus, £3 million has been allocated for new road safety measures at Lock’s Garage and High Cross, and early stage work is already underway to draft initial outline plans for consideration and discussion with key stakeholders.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) has temporarily relocated Hereford Fire Station as of June 2025 to allow the full redevelopment of our St Owen Street site. From June, our crews will be operating from a temporary base at Mortimer Trade Park. This marks the beginning of an 18-month project to build a modern, efficient, and fit-for-purpose fire station that will serve the community for generations to come. What you need to know: There will be no disruption to emergency response services—we remain fully operational. The temporary location continues to allow HWFRS to provide a prompt and effective emergency response across the city and surrounding areas. Our Prevention and Protection Teams will provide targeted fire safety throughout the relocation period. We sincerely thank residents and local businesses for their ongoing support as we deliver this important investment in community safety.

Club President Graham Preece In a statement the club wrote; "Westfields Football Club are saddened to announce that Club President Graham Preece has passed away at home this evening. Graham was a devoted member of the Westfields club committee and played a huge part in the development of the club over the past 40 years He was a regular supporter both home and away and gave so much of his time to Westfields, organising Golf Days along with a huge amount of work behind the scenes. “Our thoughts and condolences are with his wife Jo and all his family & friends at this very sad time” stated Andy Morris on behalf of the club"

We wish to pay tribute to Andy and thank him for his relentless services to the community and at Belmont Community Centre A spokesperson for Belmont Community Centre said; "We are very sad to announce the passing of our former Chairperson, Treasurer, Trustee and friend, Mr Andrew (Andy) Myatt. Andy, a former Chairperson of Belmont Rural Parish Council worked incredibly hard to ensure the future of our Community Centre to which without this dedication wouldn't be what it is today. He was very highly regarded by all those who knew and worked with him. His legacy will continue throughout the centre. Our love and condolences to his family. Rest In Peace you will be sorely missed. Andrew Myatt 30 June ‪1944 - 24‬th June 2025"

So today we shared this lovely story about a Puffin in Herefordshire. Notice our timestamp, we shared this at 07:05. HOW DESPERATE IS THIS! 👇 YH actually followed our post at 07:25 (as usual) but altered their topic/timestamp to make it look like they had shared the story before us at 06:45! Forgetting we can see their edits! (How sad). Click on the little clock on their post you will see...🤭

Proposed installation of a new external ATM. The bank is currently undertaking a national programme whereby they are replacing and upgrading their ATMs. The existing machines are end-of-life and can no longer be maintained. The new ATMs are being installed with the latest fraud prevention solutions to keep customer transactions more secure than ever before. They are also accessible for people with hearing loss. The works comprise the installation of a new external ATM to the right-hand side of the building frontage through an existing doorway. The existing doors will be maintained and are to be fixed in the open position and a new external wall is to be constructed to match the existing to house the new ATM. All disturbed finishes to be made good to match existing. New ATM tablet signage is to be installed to above the new ATM (see drawing). Planning Application - P251595/L

Furthering NMITE’s ambition to develop skills in Hereford NMITE’s commitment to and investment in improving Hereford’s opportunities for economic growth has reached a new milestone as construction begins on its Centre for Innovation and Future Skills (CIFS). Its focus will be on developing skills for Herefordshire, helping to prepare local businesses and individuals for the future of work, whether that is upskilling, reskilling or developing entrepreneurial and innovative skills. The CIFS building is located on NMITE’s Blackfriars Campus, bringing innovation and entrepreneurship into the heart of Herefordshire’s future. Backed by over £2 million in capital funding from the Government’s Towns Fund, CIFS is a core element of the broader Stronger Hereford programme – an exciting initiative focused on making Hereford a better place to live, learn, work and visit. Built to the highest sustainability standards, CIFS, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2026, will be located on the corner of Blackfriars Street and Widemarsh Street and will be for all those wanting to realise their potential, whether school leavers, career-shifters, businesses or entrepreneurs. James Newby shares NMITE’s vision for the building “NMITE has always had at its core a real mission to deliver economic benefit to Herefordshire, and we believe our new centre will help power local economic growth, for example by helping new entrepreneurs get started and support the creation of new jobs in the local area. Our aim is to revolutionise upskilling, reskilling and to address the skills gaps for the current employment environment and for work in the future. And we will adapt our distinctive and highly effective approach to preparing our students for work to our programmes for developing skills for local people and businesses.” The plan is to create a very flexible building consisting of event/exhibition space; a flexible workspace; two seminar rooms; an informal, comfortable space for social interaction and working; a small room that can be used for immersive technology as well as kitchen and toilet facilities. CIFS has been expertly designed by local firm Arbor Architects and will be brought to life by local timber construction company, Firth Construction, with other members of the team including project management firm Greenwood Projects, mechanical and electrical designers VIDA, structural designers Giraffe Engineering and landscape designers Seed Landscape Design. The CIFS building will include 180square metres of new space and will renovate 90square metres of an unused part of the existing Edwardian building. A hybrid glulam beam made from UK grown timber is to be installed in the building as part of a project led by NMITE on Building from England’s Woodland. The project examines the suitability of certain species of English homegrown trees for their use in construction. The construction project offers an opportunity to demonstrate the viability of English grown timber in modern timber construction methods. “We’re delighted to be working again with local firm Arbor Architects and also award-winning Firth Construction who have impressed us with their focus on timber construction” says Anthea Parker, NMITE’s Director of Strategic Projects and Change. “It will probably come as no surprise that we will be using this new build as part of our education model.” An example of this is an educational challenge through the partnership between NMITE and Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) which will use the live retrofit and extension project at Blackfriars to develop a practical methodology for measuring the impact of the new structure on the existing form. The challenge with create an education workshop template that can be applied to other building typologies to upskill and inform retrofit approaches. “This will provide students on our new Construction Management degree which starts in September with real, hands-on learning opportunities” adds Parker. NMITE is no stranger to creating new, award-winning buildings as exemplified by the Skylon campus which has won Construction Excellence regional and national accolades for best value and social value, respectively. Once built, CIFS will become home to NMITE’s Innovation Support Programme delivered in partnership with Innovate UK as well as other courses and programmes and will be the venue for the Future of Work Conference (this year’s event took place on 5th June).

Lets discuss the Blackfriars end at Hereford FC Oh look someone else followed us within 40 mins, funny that..

A large amount of drugs and two bladed articles were seized during warrants executed in Hereford this morning (Monday 23 June). Hereford Police Officers carried out warrants at three properties in the Belmont area following concerns of drug dealing from the addresses. Around £3,500 worth of cannabis, £1,400 worth of cocaine, a quantity of cash, drug paraphernalia and several devices were all seized as evidence. Two large, bladed weapons were also seized from one of the properties. A 17-year-old boy, and two men aged 20 and 23, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in supply of class A and class B drugs. All three people remain in police custody as they assist officers with further enquiries. The operation was organised by Hereford’s Proactive CID team and was based on good intelligence gathered by officers and community concerns.

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