Folk I encounter on my peregrinations across High Town, often stop me and ask: "Vicar - how did you come to be de-frocked?"

I usually explain to them that I am bound by the terms of a Gagging Order, signed by the then-Bishop of Hereford, The Right Rev Greville Chasuble. Save to say that it was a very minor misdemeanour, of no great significance, involving a) an abseiling session down the cathedral tower to raise funds for a hedgehog sanctuary at Tillington; and b) my absentmindedness in forgetting to put on any underpants that morning.

It was the graphic telephoto images, broadcast that evening on Midlands Today, which sealed my fate - and caused irreperable damage to the BBC's Birmingham switchboard, which was out of action for a fortnight. But all that (as the former Mrs Membridge-Tinninges is wont to remind me, in her Christmas card from Antibes each year) is in the past.

As Christ himself put it (in his sermon on the steps of Aldi's Tel Aviv branch, I think it was): we should always turn the other cheek - after first checking that there are no cameramen from BBC Midlands Today, lurking in the crowd.

E.Membridge-Tinninges (Rev - de-frocked)

Here is a notice which appeared in the Hereford Times this Thursday dated 30th January 2014.

With the launch of the national campaign ‘Don’t be rushed, Don’t be hushed’ and Herefordshire’s trading standards focusing heavily on rouge traders and cold calling over the next 12 months, Herefordshire residents are asked to be vigilant.

 

On Friday 26 June at Hereford Magistrates Court, in a case taken by Herefordshire Council’s trading standards service, 18 year old Sam Janes of Pontypool, Gwent pleaded guilty to three consumer protection offences. He was conditionally discharged for 12 months and was ordered to pay £745 towards costs and other financial penalties imposed.

 

Janes deceived an elderly couple into paying a £250 deposit for tree and fencing work and then failed to return to undertake the job. He gave a false address on the receipt and his mobile number was disconnected so there was no way of contacting him. Fortunately the consumer had taken his van registration which was traced. After police contacted Mr Janes he quickly went back to the consumers’ property and trimmed the hedge while they were out. He then falsely claimed the only contract was for cutting the hedge.

 

Janes had only been trading a few months as Evergreen Tree & Garden Services back in April 2015 when he committed the offences and told the court he is no longer trading.

 

Mike Pigrem, head of trading standards & licensing said, “Rogue gardeners generally operate by ‘cold calling’ or by dropping flyers through your letter box. We are finding that it is a common way for rogue traders to make initial contact, especially at this time of year. The public should not respond to either forms of communication, as you are almost certainly going to be vastly overcharged for poor quality work and are likely not to be given any statutory ‘cooling off’ period. Inevitably they will do the work straight away and then disappear with your money.

 

Consumers should only use reputable and trusted gardeners and qualified tree surgeons who can provide references before starting. Herefordshire Council has its own ‘Trader Register’ and we would recommend that you always visit this site first. The trader register can be found at:www.traderregister.org.uk/herefordshire

 

We will continue to work in partnership with the police to tackle all forms of rogue trading to ensure that the most vulnerable within the county are protected.â€

 

Trading standards would encourage consumers to call our ‘rogue trader emergency line’ directly when a rogue trader incident is in progress on 01432 261761 or the police non-emergency number 101. 

 

Herefordshire Council

Be alert to these time wasting cold callers' !!!

Over the next few weeks there will be road resurfacing in the following streets across Newton Farm. Starting with Carr Lane, Waterfield road, Then Treago Grove, Ethelstan Crescent, and Trellick Ave. This was worked I had asked for in February this year to be done as the councillor living in Newton Farm.. I would like to thank Belfour Beatty in honouring my requests although I am no longer your councillor.

Also I am pleased to report that the CCTV I had arranged with the officers in the CCTV department of the council and the money we received from Hereford City Council earlier this year will be installed on the GWW, in the near future.

According to an article in today's printed edition (quickly perused whilst queuing at petrol station),  there is to be a new editor and Fiona is being sent into exile abroad (well, Newport).

Does this herald a new dawn of high quality journalism, has circulation been falling?  Is it just time to move on after a few years?

Anecdotal evidence on the internet that 'Perfect' has not been open for a while .... 

Archive photo obtained via google .... 

Sound advice and action on keeping the volume down

23 June 2015

From this weekend up to the end of August, noise officers from the environmental protection team will be out and about the county on Friday and Saturday nights as part of the launch of Herefordshire Summer Noise Awareness Campaign. Funded by a grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner, noise officers will be on call into the early hours of the morning monitoring noisy hot spots and investigating noise complaints.

Up to a 1000 noise complaints a year across the county are made to the environmental protection team, with a 50% increase over the summer months. The majority of these are about loud music, parties and barking dogs.

Noisy equipment that is audible from businesses can also cause complaints, especially if they operate through the night.

Marc Willimont the head of development management and environmental health said “We accept people have the right to enjoy themselves and some noise is inevitable in work and home activities. However we are asking that residents and businesses consider the noise they are generating and think about how excessive and prolonged noise could be affecting their neighbour’s quality of life.â€

 â€œWhether it keeps them awake at night when they have to be up early for work, or stops them enjoying life at home during the day, noise can be a real problem. Simple steps such as informing neighbours of a planned party or leaving contact details if a barking dog is going to be unattended can prevent complaints and mean you can be contacted directly if any problems arise.â€

“Fortunately, most residents and businesses in Herefordshire are considerate of their neighbours, but we will take firm action against the small minority who persist in causing noise nuisance. Where people refuse to comply with requests from the service to keep the noise level down, notices can be issued. Non-compliance of a notice can lead to a criminal investigation and substantial fines in the court. The council can also seize equipment such as stereos and TV’s.â€

If you are suffering from excessive and prolonged noise disturbance during this time contact the team via the councils out of hours number 01432 260 000. You will be required to provide your details, the details of the noisy premises and how the noise is affecting you. Also access to the affected property will be required to monitor the noise. Excessive noise, duration and repeat offenders will be given priority on the night. 

Herefordshire Council

Anyone recognise this late night thief ?

https://www.facebook.com/antony.gostling/videos/747372352046485/?pnref=story

Please come along and support our armed forces

I just thought I'd share this new lunch service in Hereford I just became aware of. It appears to be a way to order some healthy workplace lunch online and you can either collect it from Union Street or get it delivered for free by Will Vaughan's Pedicargo bicycle service.

Gofreshbox

Menu

Most stuff appears to be priced at £2.80 per item .... Looks interesting! 

Ancient relic, Nanteos Cup, once thought to be the legendary Holy Grail, stolen in burglary at Weston under Penyard, near Ross

AN ancient relic that was once thought to be the Holy Grail has been stolen from a house in Herefordshire.

In the last few minutes, West Mercia Police has issued a statement saying that a wooden chalice, known as the Nanteos Cup, has been stolen in a burglary at Weston under Penyard, near Ross.

The property was broken into between 9.30amon Monday, July 7, and 9.30am yesterday (Monday, July 14). The police name the Nanteos Cup as reported stolen, describing it as a dark wood cup kept in a blue velvet bag.

Worcester News

Wikipedia

Reports state that a man has been arrested for allegedly brandishing what appeared to be a handgun, at members of the public in the grounds of Hereford Cathedral yesterday afternoon.

It turned out to be a BB gun, though if one was waved at me in a threatening manner, I would be unable to distinguish, and would be in fear of my life.

The arrest was made within seven minutes of receiving the call.

Well done, to our local policing team for dealing with this so quickly.

Been over there most of the afternoon, good atmosphere good burgers and good strawbs. Plenty to keep kids occupied, without breaking the bank, as quite often these events do like to hike up prices cause the can. But for just a quid my 3yo bounced away a few hours! Good community spirit.

Then tucked away in the corner, our friend Fil. I overheard him say to one of the Hufc lads, "well done lad, your quite good, and keeping the kids entertained. Councellor phil Edwards Newton farm I ....." The lad walked off before he could finish.

I did try to have a few words with him, but I didn't get chance to, to busy making himself known to others, especially the ethnic majority! I quote "if you need help (signs a house & writing) come to me, I will help you".

Why doesn't Fil organise something like this on his patch instead of stealing someone else's thunder?

Still not even the few showers dampened spirits. A good afternoon out. Well done Belmont.

Taken from Herefordshire Council web site
 

Hereford scooped gold in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Green-fingered Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) helped secure the coveted accolade with vibrant floral displays.

Cllr Paul Rone, Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, said he was delighted that the city had secured top horticultural honours.

“This is a wonderful award and richly deserved by everyone who has worked so hard to make the city an even more attractive place, both for the people who live here and for our visitors. 

“I am delighted that BBLP has been able to support this campaign which brings communities together and does something that genuinely brightens local environments.â€

BBLP crews pulled out all the stops from designing colourful displays to reflect the 50th anniversary of the competition and the start of World War 1 to planting and maintaining the flower beds, planters and baskets.

Trevor Swindells, chairman of Hereford in Bloom, added: “I cannot praise the workforce of Balfour Beatty enough. They did a great job to ensure the judging went well.â€

Sean Pockett, BBLP’s ground maintenance supervisor, spoke of the pride the whole team felt about the competition: “This is much more than just a job for us. We are hugely proud that the planting schemes we’ve nurtured have proved a hit with the Britain in Bloom judges.â€

Among the colourful floral displays were swathes of poppies and many gold flowers to mark the two anniversaries.

Hereford in Bloom secured sponsorship to ensure the city bloomed and the City Council funded the watering.

Also, Pembridge and Lyonshall were awarded gold, Bromyard and Leominster were awarded silver gilt and Burghill picked up silver.

Judging criteria for the competition are: horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.