The EF Bulmer Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Harriet Murray as its new Chairman, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the charity. 

Harriet succeeds her mother, Penelope Murray, who has served as Chairman with distinction and dedication.

Both Harriet and Penelope are direct descendants of Fred Bulmer, the founder of the trust, whose legacy of philanthropy has had a profound and lasting impact on Herefordshire and beyond.

Harriet Murray brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the Trust’s mission of supporting the well-being of Herefordshire communities. As the newest custodian of the Trust’s vision, Harriet is eager to build on her family’s proud heritage while bringing fresh ideas to address contemporary challenges.

Penelope Murray steps down after a significant tenure during which she oversaw reorganisation of the charity, significant funding of local community projects, continued financial support to former employees of HP Bulmer PLC as well as further improvements to the thriving Fred Bulmer Centre in Hereford - home to a dozen local good causes. 

At the same time, Mrs Murray and her Board of volunteer family trustees always ensured everything they did aligned with the Trust’s core values.   

Under her leadership, the EF Bulmer Trust has continued to honour Fred Bulmer’s vision of creating a positive, lasting impact in the community.

Commenting on her new role, Harriet Murray said:

“It is an immense privilege to take on this role and continue the work my family has championed for generations. My mother’s leadership has been an inspiration, and I am excited to build on her achievements as we strive to meet the evolving needs of our community.”

Penelope Murray also shared her thoughts on the transition:

“It has been an honour to serve as Chairman of the EF Bulmer Trust. I am confident that Harriet will bring both passion and expertise to this role, ensuring that the Trust remains a vital force for good in Herefordshire.”

In 1938, Fred Bulmer gave over a tenth of his personal wealth to a welfare fund for the employees of the cider firm. This became the EF Bulmer Trust for the provision of help to former employees of HP Bulmer plc, and for the people of Herefordshire, suffering from want, need and hardship. The Trust continues to honour his legacy by continuing to support former employees of HP Bulmer plc and by supporting a wide range of local good causes across Herefordshire.

Pictured is Fred Bulmer 1865-1941

For more information about the EF Bulmer Trust and its ongoing work, please visit https://www.efbulmer.co.uk/

Green is the way to go for Herefordshire’s latest recycling vehicles

As part of a drive to make recycling and waste collections across Herefordshire ever cleaner and greener, two brand new, state of the art eCollect all-electric Collection Vehicles (RCVs) will take to the roads this month.

The vehicles, which will be the first ever all-electric RCV’s to join the fleet in Herefordshire, adding to the ever-growing number of eCollects in service across the UK - currently in excess of 100.

Purchased as part of the new recycling and waste collection services contract between Herefordshire Council and its partner FCC Environment, the two new eCollect vehicles join the 26 new RCV’s which will serve residents and businesses alike across the County.

These range in size from 7.5-tonne to 26-tonne RCV’s; including 15 26-tonne vehicles, seven 18-tonne vehicles and four vehicles ranging in size from 7.5-tonnes to 12-tonnes. All of these vehicles have been chosen to deliver the best solution for the residents of Herefordshire over the next eight years of their service.

The two new eCollects have been manufactured by Dennis Eagle in Warwick.

The vehicles will be servicing residents and businesses in Hereford close to the depot on Ross Road as this area is ideally suited to the mileage range of the vehicles. Powered by renewable electricity, the eRCV’s will be charged up at the council depot from renewable sources.

Cllr Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member Environment, said: “These cutting edge vehicles are an exciting part of our new waste service. The benefits they will bring to residents and those who visit the city include a reduction in air pollution including particulates and nitrogen oxide gases, and a reduction in noise pollution.

“The Authority declared a climate and ecological emergency in March 2019 and is committed to achieving net zero by 2030, the introduction of the eCollects is a positive climate change action and a corner stone of this commitment.”

Steve Longdon, FCC Environment Chief Executive Officer said: “FCC Environment is one of the UK’s leading recycling and resource management companies and we are committed to the fight against climate change. We are actively working with our partners in Herefordshire in its aim to be carbon neutral. As a result, we are delighted to be bringing two all-electric vehicles into the fleet and we are looking forward to continuing the journey to Net Zero across the county.”

Herefordshire CAMRA, organisers of the popular Beer On The Wye Festival, have announced the event will not be running in 2025. The annual riverside festival, that has taken place in a marquee at Hereford Rowing Club since 2005, was due to take place next July.

Mark Haslam, Chair of the festival’s organising committee and original creator of the festival, had this to say:

“It is regrettable that this decision has had to be made, and I appreciate a lot of people are going to be disappointed: not just the many visitors who enjoy coming to the festival, but our small army of volunteers who work so hard to make it happen each year. However, it was difficult to see an alternative with so many changes and challenges that the festival currently faces.

“Over the next few months a number of significant changes are to be made to our site as part of improving the facilities at the festival’s Rowing Club home. Whilst the organising committee are comfortable that these alterations will not prevent us from running the festival in the future, we can see great merit in waiting for the works to be completed. This will then allow us to organise with 100% certainty based on with what is actually ‘on the ground’. It is vital to minimise all risks to the event, particularly as it involves a considerable financial outlay to stage.

“More significant is the fact we need more people to step-up and get involved in planning and organising the event. It’s ironic that over 130 unpaid volunteers were recruited to work at the festival this past summer, but we do not have enough bodies on the organising committee to do all the necessary planning in the months beforehand. We have now arrived at a situation where we have too few people trying to do too many tasks. An appeal has now gone out to our members and past festival volunteers to persuade more of them to get involved, and it is hoped that this will bring the ‘new blood’ that is needed onto the organising committee.

“With all these changes in the pipeline, it is also considered that now is the right time to undertake a thorough root and branch review of the festival. Such an exercise is long overdue, and to achieve this aim it is essential to stop the treadmill of monthly planning meetings, so as to provide the time and space for those on the organising committee to devote themselves to this important process.”

It is anticipated that Beer On The Wye Festival will return in July 2026.

Beer on the Wye takes place each July in a marquee adjacent to Hereford Rowing Club, HR4 0BE.

It is run by the Herefordshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) with the help of unpaid volunteers.

Next July’s event would have been the nineteenth Beer on the Wye festival.

In July 2024 it attracted in excess of 5,200 visitors, who between them consumed nearly 20,000 pints of beer, cider and perry.

A tractor driver has been arrested after being filmed driving through deep floodwater in Tenbury on Sunday, sending large waves crashing into businesses along Teme Street. The incident sparked outrage on social media. The 57-year-old driver was detained on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving but has since been released on bail.

In the video, the tractor appears to strike something, causing it to jolt, to the surprise of onlookers. Reports suggest the waves created by the tractor damaged windows and compromised flood defences.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who brought this incident to our attention, and to the local community for their co-operation and support yesterday while we carried our initial enquiries. I understand the upset and anger that the incident caused, and I hope that the arrest we made yesterday evening offers reassurance that we are actively investigating it. Officers will continue to be out and about in Tenbury in the coming days to assist the local community and our partner agencies with recovery efforts following the flooding.”

The Beefy Boys Are opening In Bath! This is their 4th restaurant.

This is fabulous news following the boys recent success in the USA their Dirty Boy Burger was judged the 4th Best Burger In The World! (Although we think it's the best burger in the World )

The boys wrote of the Facebook page:

"IT'S OFFICIAL! We're firing up the grills at our 4th location! The worst-kept secret since dipping fries in milkshakes became a thing

Stay tuned for opening day details and exclusive launch surprises!"

Looking for the ideal Christmas Gift? They have their brilliant Cook Book and lots of other goodies - https://thebeefyboys.com

Great to see the boys continued success, good luck with the new store opening in early 2025!

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 | Flood water across Herefordshire begins to subside after storm Bert.

BBLP crews are prioritising the clean-up effort.

One of the crews are in Orleton clearing mud and debris before the road can be safely opened to the public.

• Thank you to the staff and everyone involved in the challenging work clearing it all up. 👏

Sad To See But Some Excellent Progress By Wye Valley Demolition

Half of the garden rooms have been demolished

Boiler Room gone! 

Full demolition work is expected to be completed by late January 2025.

Herefordshire Council has sent a clear message that repeated anti-social behaviour and environmental crime will not be tolerated, with the successful prosecution of a fly-tipper for breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

Mr Zackery Biddle was originally convicted of fly-tipping in 2022. Evidence presented in court showed that Bromyard Household Recycling Centre experienced repeated boundary fence damage between December 2023 and February 2024, allowing unauthorised entry. CCTV footage identified Mr. Biddle on-site with another individual carrying bolt cutters, a key factor in securing his conviction.

Charles Yarnold, Herefordshire Council’s Head of Regulation and Technical Services, said: “This conviction sends a strong message that Herefordshire Council will not tolerate persistent offending or anti-social behaviour. Criminal Behaviour Orders are crucial in holding repeat offenders accountable and reinforcing our commitment to a safe and clean community for all residents.”

Councillor Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services, added: “Our message is clear - persistent offenders who disregard the rules will face serious consequences. Herefordshire Council is fully committed to ensuring that anti-social and environmentally harmful behaviour is dealt with robustly. We will continue to take every step necessary to protect our communities and keep Herefordshire a safe place to live and work.”

Herefordshire Council’s Community Protection Team works proactively to investigate fly-tipping incidents and hold individuals accountable for waste-related crimes.

Residents are encouraged to report fly-tipping online at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/flytipping or by calling the council’s hotline 01432 261761

A man from Hereford who was jailed for producing cannabis has been ordered to pay back the proceeds of his crime or face more time in prison.

On the 8 June 2023, officers executed a warrant at Hereford Coach and Commercial Refinishers at Glebe Farm and discovered cannabis being grown within the premises. 270 cannabis plants were recovered with a value of £93,700.

The owner of the business, Andrew Mannion, of Orchard Meadow, Lower Eggleton, entered a guilty plea to 2 counts of being concerned in the production of cannabis and on the 25 August 2023, he was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment on count one and 6 months to run concurrently on count two.

At a Proceeds of Crime hearing at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday 19 November, the 62-year-old was instructed to payback the proceeds of his crime amounting to £97,009.44. If he doesn’t, he was told he would receive another 2-year custodial sentence.

Detective Inspector Dan Fenn, from the Economic Crime and Cyber Unit, said: “I hope this is a strong message to those who think being involved in the production of drugs that we will be relentless in pursuing illicit funds that have been made from illegal activity.

“I would like to commend the financial investigator who worked tirelessly on this investigation. It is a good example of how our team will not leave any stone unturned and will continue to protect our communities from further harm”.

Thank you to Mark and all the team at Sunshine Radio and Hereford City Council for giving us full back stage access to today's fabulous show.

Check out some of these fabulous photographs of the show, and all you lovely people who turned up in their thousands despite the rain! Can you spot yourself?

Thank you to the girls from Eternal Group for your kindness and lovely hospitality, we even managed a selfie!

What a great show!!

Can someone please explain who planned out these traffic lights in Hereford they make no sense to be honest especially the pedestrian crossing near Asda they are going to cause traffic to plow in to traffic. The pedestrian lights should be either a pelican crossing or built further round the corner going towards Macdonald's. There are a few lights destinations take your pick very dangerous.

Hereford Voice understands that retailer Matalan will be opening a new store in the Old Market Hereford.

Re-fit works are planned to begin as soon as next week with the new store scheduled to open in October.

Matalan is a leading UK and international omnichannel fashion and homeware retailer, on a mission to be the first choice for outstanding family value.

With a large store network in excess of 270 UK and international stores and an integrated e-commerce platform, Matalan is a trusted brand which puts its customer at the heart of its business and delivers unrivalled product choice and exceptional style and quality to 11 million loyal shoppers every year.

Matalan is famously committed to offering a compelling value focused fashion and home offering, that continues to help millions of UK household budgets go further.

Matalan’s locations, late night openings, convenient parking, 'everything under one roof' offering and free click and collect service are just some of the reasons why our customers love shopping at Matalan.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁!

Companies are not connecting with their customers/clients at all on the phone. It so easy, just pick up the phone when it rings - No not some recorded message telling you are in a never ending queue or telling you to visit their website which doesn't contain the information you are looking for. Strange that when you need to make a payment you get straight through at once. Wait till we are connecting with AI robots when the local staff are sacked and offices closed and we are all floating around in the ether!

The jobs of more than half of the workforce at the DIY chain Homebase are at risk after the retailer's owners called in administrators following a failed attempt at a sale.

Homebase have a branch in Ledbury.

Its owner Hilco had been looking to sell the struggling retailer, but has not managed to find an outright buyer.

The owner of homeware chain The Range is buying up to 70 stores and the brand, safeguarding about 1,600 jobs.

This leaves 49 stores without a buyer, and thousands of jobs at risk in the stores and head office. Administrators Teneo declined to say which stores were at risk of closing at this stage.

Three Counties Hotel Demolition Latest Images

The demolition contractor is Wye Valley Demolition Ltd and the work is expected to be completed by late January 2025.

Admiral Taverns told me yesterday that the Broadleys is being sold. They wouldn't say any more. Does anyone know who to? I cannot find it listed for sale anywhere. It has now been removed from Admiral Taverns website.

Lee Lauder (left) and Finley Phillips have been sentenced to a total of 54 months for burglary offences.

Two men have been sentenced to a total of more than four years for burglary offences in the Hereford area.

Lee Lauder, 19, of Paxton Drive, Bristol and Finley Phillips, 20, of Satchfield Court, Bristol, were sentenced to 27 months each on Tuesday 5 November at Worcester Crown Court.

Lauder and Phillips were charged in relation to a series of burglaries at commercial premises on the Rotherwas industrial estate overnight of 3 and 4 September 2023.

They also committed a burglary of a dwelling on 4 September when they were disturbed by the occupants of an address in Canon Frome, Hereford.

They stole car keys, handbag, purse and money from that address. They were stopped by police a short time later and remanded in custody and charged for the other offences too.

Lauder pled guilty to conspiracy to burglary for which he was given a 22-month sentence and dwelling house burglary for which he was given a 27-month sentence to run concurrently.

Phillips also pled guilty to conspiracy to burglary for which he was given a 22-month sentence and dwelling house burglary for which he was given a 27-month sentence to run concurrently.

Detective Constable Verity Farr of Hereford CID said: “Burglary and acquisitive crime offences cause great distress in our communities.

“Breaking into someone’s home is immensely intrusive and distressing for those that are victims of these crimes.

“We will always do all we can to pursue and prosecute those responsible for committing such offences.”