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    Freedom Of Speech.

    bobby47
    By bobby47,

    Together with the United States of America, Britain was once the land of hope and dreams and a place where you could excercise your right of freedom of speech and say exactly what was on your mind without fear of prosecution. Indeed, whatever it once was that you wanted to say, no matter how tasteless or insensitive it was, as a British citizen you were allowed to say it and the State and its citizens would defend your right to say it because we were free.

    Now it's gone. The United States stands alone as the only place on Earth where there is true Freedom of Speech and Britain has now joined the ranks of all the other countries who want to control the thinking of their citizens and stop everyone from saying something that could offend another.

    Today in the Hereford Times it reports the conviction of a young lady who posted something on Facebook which was mocking and offensive toward some minority groups. Despite the young woman deleting it quickly from her FB page it was brought to the attention of the West Mercia Police and in partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service the young lady was prosecuted resulting in a 'guilty' plea and a criminal conviction that'll impact upon her for the rest of her life.

    I couldn't care less about the content of her now notorious FB post. Chances are I wouldn't have liked or agreed with it but that really isn't the point. The point is the State have intervened, they've clearly used this young lady as a vehicle to promote their agenda and their interpretation of multicultural Britsh ideology and they've used their power and their privileged position to smash her into tiny pieces so as to send a message to all Hereford social media users that you shouldn't say, think or transmit anything that goes against the so called shared values of our so called modern Britain.

    In this place, Hereford Voice, many things have been written that I completely disagree with but just because I personally consider those views as abhorrent to my way of seeing the outside world it shouldn't be that I, you, or someone else should be prosecuted just because 'someone' took offence to a transmitted opinion or their opinion is very different to yours.

    If just one British citizen can be permitted to spout hatred in the name of their chosen religion and their ideology is defended and protected by the State and our Police, then why can't we protect the rights and the freedom of expression of those who take to social media and transmit something that makes some a little or a lot offended?

    Quite simply, from an original position of a noble cause where the State wants to create the perfect happy tolerant society that prevents anyone becoming offended by anyone and anything we've managed to haul a silly young woman before a Hereford Court and thus limited her future prospects of ever getting the job she wants. Where's the justice in that?

    Why, when someone, perhaps stupidly makes a silly quip about a pork product or something else that could be interpreted in a negative way, should the State and the Police become involved to further dilute one of our freedoms. The freedom to say what you think even if it could cause someone to take offence!

    The conviction of this young silly woman who posted a poem that she found online is something that everyone should be alarmed with and sadly, its just the beginning of the State intervention into your daily online chat about this, that and the other.


    Smoking in Bed Causes Fire at Henffordd Gardens

    Colin James
    By Colin James,


    There has been a significant fire at Henffordd Gardens (retirement homes near Courtyard Theatre) just off Edgar Street this evening.

     

    Henffordd Gardens .JPG



     



    Several fire appliances and ambulances are on site.



     



    We have spoken with the son of one of the residents this evening who was comforting his mother and he informed us that the fire was caused unfortunately by one of the residents smoking in bed. Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt but a few residents were treated for smoke inhalation.



     



    The flat at the source of the fire has extensive damage and there is additional smoke damage to neighbouring flats throughout the building however, most of the residents will be able to return to their homes this evening.



     



    The Courtyard Theatre have been a huge support by taking in the residents and giving them shelter and hot drinks etc while the fire crews examine the rest of the building.



    Cycle Lengthsman Pilot Scheme

    megilleland
    By megilleland,

    Cycle Lengthsman Pilot Scheme

     

    Hereford Council secured funding from the Department for Transport to deliver a three year programme of initiatives to increase walking and cycling in the County.

     

    As part of the programme, the Council has contracted Pedicargo to deliver a 12 week pilot scheme working as a lengthsman on parts of the traffic-free network in Hereford

     

    The aim is to improve the traffic-free network for walkers and cyclists by keeping the routes clear of vegetation, litter, cleaning signage and lots more . . .

     

    The pilot will run from September to December 2017 and will help shape the Lengthman project for the following two years.

     

     

    Email: move@herefordshire.gov.uk

     

    Spoke to them today working on the verges of the cycleway opposite ALDI. Doing an excellent job tidying up the route. Any suggestions or particular issues email them at above. I mentioned the build up of compressed leaves on the bends under the railway bridge at Barton Road. It's turning into a skid pan.


    ATM Machine In The Old Market?

    H.Wilson
    By H.Wilson,

    I am posting from my mobile and we are currently sat in Costa Coffee, can anyone please tell us where the nearest cash point is because we cannot see one?

     

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    VDS Cleaning

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    VDS.jpg



    Election of Councillors for the Kings Acre Ward

    megilleland
    By megilleland,

    Election of Councillors for the Kings Acre Ward

    DECLARATION OF RESULT OF POLL

     

    Date of Election : Thursday, 26th October 2017

    I, Colette Maund, being the Deputy Returning Officer at the above election, DO HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that the number of votes recorded for each candidate at the said election is as follows:

    Name of Candidates                Description                                      Votes Recorded (E = Elected)
    Anderson, Stuart Paul                Conservative and Unionist Party        302 (E)
    Bushkes, Matthew                      It's Our County (Herefordshire)          156
    Fenton, Clare Jane                    Independent                                       162
    Hurds, Lucy                               Liberal Democrats                                90
    Lewer, David Philip Sharland    The Labour Party Candidate                75

    The Number of Ballot Papers Rejected was as follows:

    (a) Want of Official Mark 0
    (b) Voting for more candidates than the voter was entitled to 0
    © Writing or mark by which the voter could be identified 0
    (d) Being unmarked or wholly void for uncertainty 1
    (e) Rejected in part 0

    Total spoilt votes: 1

    AND I HEREBY DECLARE that Stuart Paul Anderson has been duly elected.

    Turnout: 28.74%


    Hereford Link Road

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    They have now demolished the BP garage in Edgar Street. Here are a few pictures I took over the weekend.

     

    Link Road 3.jpg


    Is this where democracy is going?

    megilleland
    By megilleland,
    MPs will vote on new government plans to gag charities and campaigners for a year before elections. If it goes through, from next May 38 Degrees and a whole host of other organisations will be banned from holding politicians and political parties to account like we do now.

     

    You might have heard about the “gagging law†currently being voted on by MPs. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s really bad news. If it goes through, it will have a chilling effect on British democracy and on our right to speak up on the issues that matter to us.

     

    Basically, the law slashes the spending limits on campaigning for the year before any election. Campaigns that have impact don’t cost the earth, but they aren’t free.

     

    Community groups, charities and campaigning organisations would all be hit. Election time is when ordinary people have the most influence on our politicians. On the big issues of the day – whether or not to go to war, the future of our NHS, the environment, welfare, immigration, etc. – we'd all be gagged.

     

    The problem is that this law has come out of nowhere and not many people have heard what’s going on. If we’re going to defeat it, we need to get the word out further. If every single person who’s ever joined a local campaign group or taken action with their favourite charity knew that they could be stopped from doing that again, the outcry could explode.

     


     

    Can you take a look, and then help get the word out by passing it on to your friends and family?

     

     


    New Tourist Information Centre Opens In Hereford

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    New Tourist Information centre opened by our Mayor Sharon Michael in the Butter Market today.

     

    IMG_1518.JPG

    Pictured here with Butter Market owner Darren Socket

    The Church of Freedom and Rough Sleepers

    Clarkester
    By Clarkester,

    Recently I have noticed that most mornings there are two or more people sleeping rough in the doorway of the Freedom Church on Commercial Road.

    It set me wondering
     
    Firstly, are those in the FC aware of this?  I cannot believe they are not…
     
    Secondly, what are their feelings towards having people sleeping on their front step?
     
    Thirdly, being all good Christians and all that, why, are they not opening their doors and welcoming them in for a warmer, more comfortable nights sleep?
     
    It seems to me that the building is more than capable of giving a few, less fortunate people, that may have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own, a good nights sleep in nicer surroundings than an old nightclub doorway. 
    Think of all the good publicity they could give themselves.
     

    Prince William Visits Hereford Cathedral

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Prince William Visits Hereford Cathedral today, hence the large police presence in the city.

     

    Prince William Hereford.jpg

     

    THE Duke of Cambridge met SAS soldiers and veterans at a ceremony to dedicate a £1 million memorial to their regiment inside Hereford Cathedral today.


    Investigation launched following sexual assault in Hereford

    Colin James
    By Colin James,
    Investigation launched following sexual assault in Hereford

     

    Officers in Hereford have launched an investigation after a female was sexually assaulted by an unknown man in the Moor Farm area at around 8pm on Friday (13 October).

     

    The victim was walking along the footpath on Hurdman Walk when she was attacked by a man described as being of stocky build, aged in his late 20s to early 30s and wearing a dark hoody and dark trousers.

     

    Detective Inspector Mark Walters said: "We understand that this is an extremely concerning incident for the local community. I would like to reassure people that we will be conducting a thorough investigation.

     

    "There will be officers in the area today carrying out enquiries and reassurance patrols. If anyone saw someone acting suspiciously in the area on Friday evening or has any more information that could help with our enquiries I would urge them to speak to one of the officers or call us on 101.

     

    "The enquiry is in its very early stages and the victim is being supported by specially trained officers."

     

    Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident 835s of 14 October 2017. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org


    Duck Pond Clean Up Phase 2

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Well I have some good news 1f642.png:) 

    I have managed to secure funding to buy some decent Hammerite paint for the fence and aerating pumps for the pond.

    I will have a chat with the other guys involved and we will agree another day here to finish off what we started.

    Hereford Duck Pond.jpg


    Chadds has been sold

    ragwert
    By ragwert,

    After many many years being empty the Chadds store in Commercial Road has been sold.

     

    post-109-0-13500700-1507542625.jpg


    Hereford Duck Pond Clean Up

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    A few months ago we were walking past the duck pond and noticed how dirty and full of algae it had become and I commented at the time on how it had deteriorated over the years. A few days later I was invited to join a new Facebook group that had only recently been set up by local chap Keith Marston called 'The Duck Pond Hereford clean up' and I thought what a great idea, he asked me if I would help him move this idea forward using Hereford Voice as the platform. I joined the group immediately and said that Hereford Voice would help out and publicise this idea as much as possible. I have also contacted Cllr Jim Kenyon and he is also going to do what he can to raise awareness. 

    I took this photograph today, the pond is absolutely covered in green algae, a lot of this is because people are feeding these ducks with bread, most of us think this is kind but in reality, bread can makes ducks ill and certainly does not contain the right calories and nutrition to keep ducks warm during the winter months. Rotting bread pollutes the water and encourages bad surface algae which kill the fish and causes diseases in ducks as well making the water smell. 

    I also thought long term could we have a food vending machine like the one in the photo below installed and the proceeds from any profits made to go towards the maintenance of the duck pond...

    Hereford Duck Pond.jpg


    Hereford Labyrinth

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    The Hereford Labyrinth has been given the go ahead to be installed on the Bishop's Meadows.

     

    Hereford Times article:

     

    A LABYRINTH inspired by part of the most famous map in history is to be installed on Hereford's Bishop's Meadow after the project got the go-ahead.
     
    Work is set to get under way on the scheme this week. When complete, the labyrinth – made up of a single, convoluted path which has a number of reversals of direction and eventually leads to the centre – will be a permanent installation measuring 20m in diameter.
     
    It is based on a drawing of a tiny labyrinth on the island of Crete, seen on the medieval Mappa Mundi which is housed at Hereford Cathedral.
     
    Following a successful Crowdfunding campaign, project organisers were waiting to hear whether they had been granted a licence from Herefordshire Council – and approval finally came last week.
     
    Mike Booth, from the South Wye Development Trust, which has been leading the project, said: "I am so pleased that it's all going ahead.
     
    "Work started on Monday and we are now looking for volunteers to help with the installation this weekend."
     
    After initial work, it will then be left through the winter to settle before opening next spring.
     
    It is hoped that the labyrinth will provide space for fun, exercise, peace and contemplation and the project has received generous financial support from Hereford City Council, the Severn Waste Environmental Fund, the Seven Helpers Trust and the Rowlands Trust.

     

    Anyone available to help work on the installation this weekend should email enquiries@herefordlabyrinth.co.uk

     


    Hereford Library 31 Broad St Project On Hold

    Denise Lloyd
    By Denise Lloyd,



    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


    'PROJECT ON HOLD'


    Hereford 21st September 2017: Members of the Hereford Library Users Group and the many supporters of the 31 Broad Street project deeply regret that the work on the '31 Broad Street Project' has had to be put on hold due to unforeseen circumstances.



    The Herefordshire Council, together with the Museum Support group, have chosen to go ahead with a consultancy project into the future of the museum service, which cuts across the next stages in the work of the 31 Broad Street group.


    The project to re-imagine and redevelop the building on Broad Street has always been predicated on including both the Library and Museum. Regrettably this will mean that it will not be possible to meet the deadline set by the Cabinet of the Council for the 31 Broad Street team to come back with worked up plans and a satisfactory business plan by May 2018. Nor is it possible to raise any further funds from grants or charitable donations to support its work due to the uncertainty that has been created by the museum project.


    Les Watson, the chair of HLUG and the project leader for 31 Broad Street says “The 31 Broad Street group has worked very hard over the past 14 months, with consultancy support, to establish that it is feasible, and affordable to develop the Library and Museum building on Broad Street and that people want this to happen. For the Council to initiate a project that will explore alternative futures for the Museum at this stage completely undermines this work and makes a mockery of the considerable effort expended by the volunteers involved."





    Gelpack Closure...

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Breaking News:

     

    Gelpack_Logo.png

     

    Gelpack.jpg

     

    We are hearing some disturbing reports that Gelpack Hereford told all of their staff to go home at 2pm today and to return for a meeting on Tuesday.

     

    Further updates to follow.

     

    Remember where you heard it first...


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