Why are all of the schools in Hereford now only running until 2pm ? All this week when I've be out the school kids are all leaving at 2 - 2.15pm and going home. I suppose it's now inhumane to have them do a full day of education.

Every year, first quarter, these shops get raided, found to be in possession of countless articles of illegal imports etc. They then either get a fine or shut down and then open up again under someone elses name from the group.

We know who they are even if the HT are censoring that part of the information and, surprise surprise, disabling comments again.

www.herefordtimes.com/news/10995390.Call_to_shut_shops_over_county_s_illegal_tobacco_trade/

This afternoon I had an invitation to complete Jesse Norman's survey " How am I doing".  Checking for feedback - impressive!! 

Quote:  "I am sending it to you as you have previously contacted me about casework or an issue of government policy that concerns you."

One of the survey questions was "Jesse puts constituents before his career"

Do I strongly agree; agree; neither disagree or agree; disagree; strongly disagree?

The other questions were more realistic.         

CCTV Released In Hereford Burglary Investigation

Police officers are releasing a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with a burglary at a Co-operative store in Hereford.

The incident happened at the Co-op shop in Ledbury Road on Saturday 14 December between 2.15am and 3am.

CCTV image

The stock room was broken into and then there was an attempt to enter the shop and office which were locked.

A man captured on CCTV at the premises is described as having dark hair, aged between 28 and 40 years, he has a large wide nose and possibly had a black swollen eye at the time of the offence. He was wearing a dark hoody with white cords in the collar and a grey hoody over the top with black writing on the right upper arm.

PC Cathryn Blake of Hereford Police said: “We would like to hear from anyone who knows this man or recognises him from the CCTV picture. We would also like to appeal to the man himself to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Blake at Hereford police by calling the non-emergency number 101 and quoting incident number 136s 141213.

Alternatively, please remember that information can also be passed on anonymously by calling the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Full Details Here

The following link makes interesting reading

http://herefordheckler.co.uk/councillors-expenses-revealed-what-they-claim-for/

Congratulations to my mate Terry Jenkins reaching the UK Open final 2014. Good luck, I will have my fingers crossed for you mate!

Well the end of on era, St Francis Saviour no more...

I have just found this, lovely photo. 

As we will shortly be approaching the 'moment of truth' for what we are all now being encouraged to call 'Old Market', I thought I'd go and take a really good look at it yesterday (perhaps Colin could treat us to one of his excellent pics later in the week?).  Well, peeps, the optimum vantage point is a few paces north of the entrance to the Moorfields Surgery at the top of Edgar Street; and the optimum viewing time is 4.30pm - especially if its sunny.

Ranged in front of you is a vast curving windowless wall, already seriously stained with what building surveors call 'efflorescence' (salts being leached out of the bricks through the warmth of the sun) - first spotted by the ever-vigilant King Bobby last Decermber.  It will get worse before it gets better.  Towering above this inhuman Alcatraz-like 'cliff', Stanhope's talented designers have chosen to place a row of five irregularly-profiled metal-clad rooftops.  Why five?  Why metal?  Why lop-sided?  Who knows.  Just architectural whimsey, I suppose.

After I'd got my breath back from witnessing this architectural monstrosity (a passer-by offered me a tot of brandy from a hip flask), I came up with the following solution.  Before all the big cranes are taken off the site, McAlpines should fix five projecting gibbets from the five roof 'peaks'.  On each would be suspended a life-size fibreglass effigy of the five 'culprits' responsible for this Nightmare on Edgar Street.  My nominations would be: Jonathan Bretherton, Roger Phillips, John Jarvis, Stanhope's Managing Director and the senior partner of designers Allies & Morrison.

I found this on the Facebook Hands Off Our Village it makes interesting reading

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/greenpolitics/planning/10679048/Developers-to-get-incentives-to-build-new-homes-in-towns-and-cities.html

Can someone please, for the love of f***, explain to me how the people running this city STILL maintain that they are doing the right thing?

Please, I cannot comprehend the ignorance.

We've had several weeks without lights Northbound on the A49 and traffic flowed perfectly.

Today the city is in gridlock because the lights have been put back on. Queuing starting at the Broadleys on Ross Road (I didn't dare venture up Belmont Road), all the way down to Currys. Locked, cars sitting with their ignitions off.

You do not need a masters degree in traffic architecture to see that the lights are making things WORSE.

Are you people that ******* blind and that ******* ignorant that you think this is acceptable?

For f*** Sake.

I notice that work has started on the demolition of the flats in Beattie Avenue and St Francis Saviour Church.

I also notice that the demolition contractors are DES who are based in Henley in Arden Warwickshire, was there not a suitable local Hereford company able to carry out these works?

Anyone got any pictures of this hole in Caple Avenue? 

I never knew the Council had a starling distress caller to lend out! ... I'm not sure if this is a joke or whether Marc Willimont (head of environmental health at Herefordshire Council) is sub letting this bird control device out as he said previously that the Council would not get involved ... 'Marc Willimont, head of environmental health at Herefordshire Council, said: "Starlings are protected wild birds so Herefordshire Council will not take any action to harm or control them."' ~ is the quote from the bbc website ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-26340928

http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Online-sales-car-parking-charges-business-rates/story-20582949-detail/story.html

I mention this for 2 very good reasons.

1: There is a new development making it's way into Cheltenham ("The Brewery") which is said to be driving local traders out. At the new development you can find such names as Nandos, Chiquitos and Frank & Benny's, as well as a new multiscreen cinema (sound familiar?)

2: Hutchinsons owns the Sony center in Hereford. Hutchinsons also owned the Panasonic Store in Hereford which, as I'm sure you are aware, closed down as the OLM began.

I also note this comment at the bottom of the page which makes a lot of sense:
 

I heard on the radio this morning that Poundstretcher are opening a shop at Brook Retail Park (I believe this is Blockbuster?)

So I'm assuming the shop in Eign Gate is going/gone?

Our colleague, Councillor Chris Chappell has been appointed 'champion' for our fellow citizens who are disabled because of Learning Disability.

This is really good news for those of us who understand this issue and I know that this appointment is an excellent one and one which will provide a great deal of comfort to Moms, Dads, Siblings and Carers who devote their lives to caring and providing love and support.

Having been the recipient of his biting teeth, I am confident that our Chris Chappell will fight, bite and snarl to protect those less fortunate than you and I and I congratulate him on this appointment and wish him luck during the forthcoming months which will require a great deal of challenging decisions to ensure we provide the proper care for those who have this disability.

For my part, if there is anything that I can do to assist and help Councillor Chappell in this role, I'll do all I can to support him and his colleagues. Congratulations Mr Chappell.