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    Screwfix Opening in Hereford

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Home Bargains has opened, there are some real bargains on branded products to be had but there is also some tat in there too, but certainly worth a visit. I purchased a few items, in particular a small bottle of Diet Pepsi for 29p!


    Herefordshire Housing Looking To Purchase Ship Inn

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Herefordshire Housing looking to purchase The Ship Inn, Hereford. The Ship Inn has been closed for a number of years and has suffered from vandalism. They are looking to create around 35 new 1 & 2 bedroom apartments.

     

    ship hereford.jpg


    Metal Garden Gates Stolen In Herefordshire

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Garden Gates Stolen From Herefordshire Homes

     

    West Mercia Police are investigating a series of metal gate thefts from properties in Herefordshire.
     
    A total of 12 metal gates were stolen from properties in Hereford City and the village of Lugwardine between Wednesday 22 January and Friday 31 January.
     
    Thieves stole three metal gates from properties in Lugwardine, Herefordshire, overnight on Wednesday 22 January.
     
    A Victorian wrought iron garden gate valued at £300 was taken from one property between 11pm and 23 January and 12.30am on Thursday 23 January while a cast iron gate valued at £100 was taken from another property in the village at around the same time.
     
    Sometime between 11pm on the Wednesday and 10am the following day, a third property in Lugwardine was targeted and a white coloured wrought iron gate, valued at £400, was stolen.
     
    Four metal gates were also stolen from properties in Whitecross Road, Hereford between 2.30pm on Tuesday 28 January and 11am on Wednesday 29 January.
     
    Two gates were taken from properties in Edgar Street, Hereford, from 6pm on Monday 27 January and 6am of Wednesday 29 January.
     
    Another two metal gates were stolen from Barr’s Court Road homes sometime between 6.30pm on Thursday 30 January and 11am on Friday 31 January, while a further gate was taken from a property in Grandstand Road between 6pm on Sunday 26 January and 9am on Monday 27 January. The gates in Hereford are valued from £30 to £200 each.
     
    Sergeant Emma Freer from Police in Herefordshire said: “The thefts in Lugwardine all happened on the same night in the same area and we urge anyone who heard anything or saw any suspicious behaviour or an unfamiliar vehicle to contact us.
     
    “The gate thefts in Hereford all happened within a week and we are linking these crimes.
     
    “Any information that could help us to locate the stolen gates and track down those responsible can be passed on by calling the non emergency number 101 and asking for police in Herefordshire.”
     
    Alternatively information can be passed on anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or completing its online form by logging on to www.crimestoppers-uk.org

    Flooding

    Aylestone Voice
    By Aylestone Voice,

    I don't know - the Council/Hereford Futures spend all that money on a flood prevention scheme and what do we get in all this bad weather. Merton Meadow car park/Newtown Road and other areas flooded for days on end. Why cannot they build something that actually works


    Change rules for live music

    megilleland
    By megilleland,
    Interesting letter from "Have Your Say" in the Hereford Times. Seems to follow along the lines of the hot food debate after hours as discussed here:
     

    Change rules for live music

     
    I NOTE with interest comments in Hereford Times, January 30, regarding under 18s attending live music venues.
     
    The main complaints seem to be as follows:
     
    * Many touring bands will not visit Hereford as many of their fan base are likely to be under 18, and, therefore, they risk playing to a half empty room.
     
    * Bands who are under 18 are not allowed to perform at venues where alcohol is served.
     
    I am extremely concerned and frustrated by the comments, suggesting that to get round this venues can apply for a temporary variation of their licence, and that alternative “dry venues†could be used for music events.
     
    These views are very out of touch and are completely missing the point.
     
    What Hereford needs is a thriving music scene, where bands that tour the country can come and play here, to rooms full of people both over and under 18.
     
    A scene where people are encouraged not to concentrate on getting drunk, downing shots and fighting in the streets, but to develop an appreciation of live music, in a safe and friendly environment, where those of legal age are able to enjoy a few drinks socially while enjoying the performance of the band.
     
    This is an opportunity to completely change the drinking culture in the city of Hereford, something that is clearly a problem.
     
    Many young people feel that there is nothing to do other than to have pre-drinks at home, head in to the pubs about 9pm, and then onto a club, where they are constantly drinking and damaging their health.
     
    If venues were given the opportunity to show youngsters that there is an alternative to this, and get them into the live music scene before they reach the age of being able to go out and get drunk, then this could go a long way to making a very positive change in the next generation of young Herefordians.
     
    Also, allowing young bands the opportunity to play in licensed venues is an experience that can only encourage them to keep going and improve, rather than quitting out of frustration at not being able to perform to an audience anywhere other than their own school/college.
     
    This would also open the eyes of other youngsters to the idea of forming a band themselves, and encourage them to do something constructive with their time.
     
    All the time we’re hearing of funding being cut from various projects for youngsters, putting them in a position where there is less and less for them to do.
     
    Well this is a great chance to actually do something for the good, giving them an opportunity to do something positive.
     
    I suggest looking at Gloucester Guildhall as a fantastic example of a venue that allows everyone 14 and over to attend gigs, with alcohol available to those that are old enough to have it, and very little anti-social behaviour.
     
    Hereford Live is a movement that is trying to encourage and promote live music in Hereford and the surrounding areas, but when a large quantity of people in the catchment area are not permitted to go along and support these events.
     
    Hopefully some of the things that I’ve said will make the council stop and think about what this could mean for Hereford, and see the benefits that changing the rules regarding allowing youngsters attend and/ or perform at gigs in licensed premises could bring to the city.
     
    TRISTAN EDWARDS Kernal Road, Hereford

     

    Any younsters on here with any views? Once musicians get noticed and established they usually leave the area pretty quick ie Ellie Goulding, Mott the Hoople and The Pretenders.


    Hereford Utd sign new lease

    ragwert
    By ragwert,

    Bulls Chairman David Keyte put his signature to the new Edgar Street leases on Friday.

    Keyte's signature comes after a lengthy and thorough process, spearheaded by non-executive Director Bob Pritchard.
     
    Pritchard, who has over 40 years in the development industry confirmed that the leases were received by the club on Friday in the agreed form and that Chairman, David Keyte signed all 8 documents and the 5 statutory declarations with the documents being returned to the clubs solicitors in Birmingham in order to effect exchange and completion on Monday/Tuesday this week.
     
    "This is a special moment in the history of the club in securing it's immediate future at Edgar Street for the next 30 years" said Pritchard "it also provides opportunities for development to be secured on the two ends of the ground, new stands to be built and with those, a 250 year long lease that will help secure the clubs long term future at Edgar Street."
     
    Bob will now open negotiations with the existing telecoms operators who currently have equipment on the floodlight pylons, in order to relocate their equipment when development of either ends takes place.

    Read more at http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/news/article/leases-signed-090214-1349705.aspx#7Ey0G5FivZFCv2d3.99


    Three Counties Hotel Storm Damage

    Colin James
    By Colin James,

    Storm damaged brought these fences down at the back of the Three Counties Hotel last night, notice the fence missing further along too. I contacted the hotel at 7am this morning to notify them and also to draw their attention to the barbed wire and heavy piece of wood dangling which is swinging around dangerously in the wind, it is now 11am and nobody has even looked at it yet.

    Three Counties Hotel.jpg

     


    Newton Farm Regeneration Documentary

    Reel
    By Reel,
    Hi all, aside from being able to keep an eye on what's going on in the South Wye, the main reason I joined up is to hopefully speak to the right people about an idea I've had regarding a documentary being produced following the regeneration of Newton Farm, delving into it's history, interviews with residence, councilors and other key people, story telling etc..etc. 

     

    Although I moved away some time ago I grew up in Kilvert Road, Merryhill Crescent and Honddu Close for 21 years. I have recently completed my degree in Film Arts and Production in Plymouth and as I am a long-term member and contributor on 'Old Hereford Pics' Facebook group it's given me an idea - wouldn't it be nice to properly document the regeneration and get local faces involved?

     

    A friend and colleague of mine produced something of a similar vain when Devonport in Plymouth was regenerated a few years ago and I thought wouldn't it be great if i could do that in Hereford.

     

    If you have any thoughts or feel you can assist me in any way that would be great.

     

    Regards,

     

    Gareth


    A quick and simple guide to community rights

    megilleland
    By megilleland,

    Communities urged to make full use of their rights and join over 800 groups now working on neighbourhood plans.

     
    Department for Communities and Local Government
    Published 28 November 2013
     
    Communities were urged to make full use of their rights and join the hundreds of groups now working up plans that will set out the future vision for their neighbourhood, Planning Minister Nick Boles said today (28 November 2013).
     
    A new landmark has been reached with more than 800 communities now working on getting a neighbourhood plan in place.
     
    Neighbourhood planning is one of the new community rights introduced by government to give people more say over their area and puts communities in charge of setting out the homes, shops and amenities they want in their neighbourhood.
     
    Neighbourhood planning is also beginning to take off in our cities. Places such as Holbeck and Beeston in Leeds, Spring Boroughs and the Blackthorn and Goldings estate in Northampton, Inner East Preston, Somers Town near Kings Cross and a number of communities across Bristol are all making progress towards neighbourhood plans that will help revitalize these areas.
     
    Neighbourhood planning ends the planning resentment that stops the homes, businesses and facilities people want being built by replacing top down regional planning.
     
    It gives communities a new role and strong voice in local planning with the plans having a real statutory weight in the planning system.
     
    In addition to deciding the future of their area, local people will benefit from development in their area, especially if they have a plan. Areas with a neighbourhood plan will receive 25% of community infrastructure levy revenues to spend on projects important to them. There is no upper limit to how much they will receive, as opposed to areas without a plan, who will receive 15%, with a cap.

     

    Abbeydore and Bacton, Ewyas Harold Group and Kentchurch 
    Almeley 
    Bartestree and Lugwardine 
    Belmont
    Bishops Frome
    Bishopstone Group
    Bodenham
    Border Group
    Brampton Abbotts 
    Bredenbury
    Bridstow
    Brimfield & Little Hereford
    Brockhampton with Much Fawley
    Bromyard, Winslow and Avenbury
    Burghill
    Callow and Haywood
    Clifford
    Colwall  
    Cradley
    Cusop 
    Dinedor
    Dorstone
    Eardisley
    Garway 
    Hampton Bishop
    Hatfield
    Holme Lacy
    Hope under Dinmore
    How Caple, Sollers Hope and Yatton Group
    Humber, Ford & Stoke Prior
    Kings Caple 
    Kingsland
    Kington, Kington Rural and Lower Harpton
    Ledbury 
    Leominster 
    Little Dewchurch
    Llangarron 
    Llanwarne
    Longtown
    Lower Bullingham
    Luston group
    Lyonshall 
    Marden
    Moreton-on-Lugg
    Much Marcle
    Orcop
    Orleton and Richards Castle
    Pembridge 
    Peterchurch 
    Peterstow
    Pyons Group
    Ross on Wye and Ross Rural
    Shobdon 
    Staunton 
    Stretton Sugwas
    Upton Bishop 
    Vowchurch and District
    Walford 
    Welsh Newton And Llanrothal 
    Weobley
    Weston-under-Penyard
    Whitbourne 
    Whitchurch and Ganarew Group
    Wigmore 
    Withington
    Wyeside 
    Yarpole 
     
    The majority of plans above are being undertaken by parish councils. Interesting to note that the towns of Bromyard, Ledbury, Leominster, Kington are having a say in their future. Not surprising Hereford City, one of the largest parish councils in the country is not listed. With seven wards in Hereford City residents may wish to have a say in their future. How do they go about creating a plan? Most of my enquiries have not been responed to. Perhaps a city councillor can elaborate?
     
    If the neighbourhood plan had been in place would OLM have gone ahead?

    Teenage girl injured following collision with car in Belmont Road, Hereford

    megilleland
    By megilleland,

    From Hereford Times website:

     

    10:38pm Friday 14th February 2014 in News

     
    Hereford Times: A girl was in collision with a car in Belmont Road, Hereford, tonight.
     
    A girl was in collision with a car in Belmont Road, Hereford, tonight. The girl sustained a head injury following the accident that happened in Belmont Road, near Tesco, at 7.20pm.
     
    She was treated at the scene before being taken to Hereford County Hospital. It is understood that the road is still closed between Tesco and Goodrich Grove as police investigate the scene.
     
    Witnesses can call police on 101.

     

    Came back from the city centre last night at 10.15pm and the police were still there. The road is very busy at this junction and with McDonalds on the opposite side of the road to the estate lots of youngsters cross this road daily and risk their lives even though there is a light controlled crossing at the Oval further up Belmont Road. Hope the girl recovers from her injury.


    Hereford Academy requires special measures

    megilleland
    By megilleland,
    This story follows on from the success of "Hereford Sixth Form College students net Oxbridge places." A bit of a damper on educational attainment locally. At least the problem has been recognised and hopefully everyone - staff,  parents and students at the school will turn it around quickly.
     

    8:29am Thursday 13th February 2014 in Hereford Times News

     
    Ofsted places Hereford Academy in special measures
     
    THE Hereford Academy has been placed in special measures as pupils continue to struggle with English and Maths at the South Wye school.
     
    Under new criteria the two subjects are given a heavy weighting, and while the Academy continues to makes progress in both, that progress was deemed insufficient.
     
    Principal John Sheppard said the school was not hiding from the situation – plans are already in place to recruit a new head of maths – but said that improvements in other areas show the Academy is still moving forward.
     
    The cultural shift that began with a new building is now evident throughout it; the report itself noted that “all forms of bullying are rare†and that students’ “spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding is well developedâ€.
     
    That, to some extent, is why the "inadequate" grading is so frustrating to the school’s leadership team.
     
    “It means that the rest of the school doesn’t get the credit it deserves,†said Mr Sheppard.
     
    “We are not complacent, we are facing up to this and the report mentions the changes that we put in place before the inspection, but we are on an upwards trend.â€
     
    Changes to the inspection process – with a much greater weight placed on the data than on the inspection itself – meant the Academy was only likely to achieve a 'Requires Improvement' grade at best.
     
    Having taken over at the school in 2008, Mr Sheppard has worked at schools in special measures before.
     
    And for the Academy, it will now mean working closely with an inspector until the school is ready to be re-assessed.
     
    Among those areas that will come under scrutiny, English and Maths will head the list, with teaching having been described as “weak†and leaders and managers criticised for not driving improvements quickly enough.
     
    In the report, lead inspector Michael Blakely said: “The proportion of students attaining five GCSE grades A* to C (including English and maths) has improved too slowly and remains stubbornly below levels seen nationally and in schools in similar circumstances.â€
     
    While the maths department will undergo a restructuring process, Mr Sheppard believes the English department is much closer to where it needs to be, and has brought in a former inspector to improve standards.
     
    Like a number of Herefordshire schools who have recently undergone inspections, the success of students receiving ‘pupil premium’ funding was also a key factor.
     
    And according to the November report, those students at the Academy achieve almost two thirds of a grade lower at GCSE than their classmates.
     
    The Hereford Academy was graded a "good" school at its previous inspection in 2011.

     

    The Ofsted inspection regarding Hereford Academy (10 pages).
     
    The Hereford Academy has raised various questions regarding this inspection here on their website.

    Belmont Ward, Hereford City Council Election

    megilleland
    By megilleland,

    Nobody appears to have given a date for the Belmont Ward, Hereford City Council election on this website. The date is Thursday 13th February 2014. The polling station is at Belmont Community Centre, next to the Library. Polling hours are from 7am to 10pm. Don't forget to vote.

    The statement of persons nominated can be seen here:
    https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/media/7615203/spn_hereford_belmont.pdf


    Free Tea & Coffee At Waitrose!

    Colin James
    By Colin James,
    Waitrose.jpg
    A free cup of tea or coffee every day as a myWaitrose member

    Nothing says 'welcome' more than a lovely hot cup of tea or coffee, so let us treat you to a free regular tea or coffee every day! You can enjoy one cup a day - to drink in or takeaway.* Simply present your myWaitrose card at the till and you won't be charged a penny.

    Choose from the following regular drinks - Americano, Cappuccino, Latte, Tea, Mocha and Espresso (Decaffeinated versions available on request. Mocha and Espresso available in selected stores only)

     

    My Sister uses hers where she lives each time she goes into town! Remember you have to order a seperate card for each of you.

     

    Click Here


    Asylum please

    gdj
    By gdj,

    Hello,

     

    Having had my questions about the damage being caused by the new free school deleted by the HT I can no longer log on there.  No message of explanation, so I have either offended the HT or Geoff Hughes.

     

    So please can I join Biomech on the Naughty Step here?

     

    Thanks


    Adrian Bridges & Phil Edwards Plan New Car Park

    chrisbull
    By chrisbull,

    As the vortex was given away to developers does this mean another car park  put in the wrong place that is what happened at Newton farm waterfield road part of an arrangement that was done by the developers do you see a pattern emerging ?


    Changes to the way affordable housing is allocated

    megilleland
    By megilleland,
    From Herefordshire Council website

    06 February 2014

     

    Changes to the way affordable housing is allocated

     

    The way affordable housing is allocated through Home Point, the agency that manages the county’s housing register, is set to change from June 2014.

     

    Under the Localism Act 2011 local councils are able to develop their own approach to determine who qualifies for affordable housing.  There is a shortage of affordable housing across Herefordshire, so Herefordshire Council is changing the criteria to better reflect the needs and circumstances of local people.

     

    For example, applicants must now demonstrate they have a local connection to Herefordshire. In addition, people will only be able to register for affordable housing if they have a recognised housing need and financial limits will be much tighter so that only those who are unable to resource their own housing needs will be able to register.

     

    People who are currently registered with Home Point will receive a letter shortly and be given six weeks to complete the new application form and, where requested, provide supporting evidence. The applicant will then be reassessed on their updated application and if eligible, re-banded under the new system, ready for when the changes take place.

     

    They will need to reply within this timescale to retain their ‘waiting time’, after which it will be lost. If they don’t reply, they will be removed from the register completely.

     

    For some, when reassessed, it may mean that their current housing circumstances will not meet the criteria needed to re-register and they will be offered advice on alternative housing options, such as the private rented sector or home ownership.

     

    All applicants will be able to bid for properties under the current allocations policy until approximately the middle of May 2014.

     

    Details of the new Allocations Policy can be found on either of the websites below:

     


     



    A Question/Thought on HUFC

    Biomech
    By Biomech,

    So if HUFC are going under - completely this time - what happens to the football ground and that god awful carpark?

     

    This could pave the way for and OLM extention right, or more houses/flats.

     

    Another thought is that if HUFC is gone, you've just lost any revenue from visiting and local fans who would - likely - spend some time in the OLM before/after the games


    Indie's Gift

    StaceyM
    By StaceyM,

    Hello all,

     

    I'd like to bring to your attention the charity I have started in my daughters memory.

    She sadly passed away in November.
    She was born 11 weeks early and spent most of her life in hospital, however did come home as a healthy, albeit tiny little girl.

    When she passed away, it caused untold devastation, but I couldn't let her death be for 'nothing'. Something positive had to come from our heartache, and as such Indie's Gift was created.
     

    The 17th October 2013, was the happiest day of our lives, Indie was able to come home. Weighing in at a tiny 4lbs, but perfect in every way.

    Coming home was incredibly special, not only because we had a healthy, beautiful daughter but we have 2 other children, whose life had also been turned upside down by Indie's sudden arrival. It meant our life could resume some normality; I would be able to spend time with all my children, rather than split between SCBU and home.

    The following weeks were full of doctor’s appointments, hospital visits, health visitor appointments etc, but everything went well. Indie was gaining weight, albeit slowly, she was getting there.

    On the 22nd November 2013, our lives were to change forever.

    Our perfect little girl passed away at 3:50am.

     

    As a mum, this makes me feel cheated.
    Cheated because we did all the 'hard work'. The minutes, hours, days, weeks sat by the incubator praying she would make it through, Indie proving what stern stuff she was made of by making the 'perfect' recovery, for her to stolen away from us when she was just settling into our family.

    Personally, I've had every range of emotion for a human to possibly feel.
    Anger, desperation, sadness, helplessness, sorrow, devastation to name but a few, but as the days turned into weeks since Indie passed, the overwhelming feeling I had was one of gratitude. Grateful that I got those precious 11 weeks with my daughter.
     

    Without the support of doctors and nurses at all 3 hospitals that we resided in, we would not have had those 11 weeks and I felt compelled to do something, anything to be able to pay back what they gave us. Nothing will ever be enough for these unsung saints in the hospital SCBU/NICU departments, but if we could just do something to help. After a few days of thinking, Indie's Gift was born.

     

    Our aim is to provide ClothPacks and NeoPacks to the SCBU/NICU in order to help ease a tiny portion of the stress facing parents of children who start life in SCBU.

    Our ClothPacks will contain:
    1 Vest

    1 Sleepsuit/Babygro
    1 Hat

    1 Set of Mittens
    &     1 Blanket

     

    These items are NOT provided for babies on the NHS. These items are sometimes available in SCBUs from donations they receive from other parents; our aim is to have a pack available for every baby that enters the SCBU.

     

    We also aim to provide a NeoPack for parents of SCBU babies, this will contain:

    Shower Gel

    Shampoo

    Face cloth

    Tooth brush

    Toothpaste

    Hot Chocolate

    Cereal Bar

    Notepad & Pen Information and Support Sheets

     

    These items may seem small or even trivial, but when you’re thrown into a situation that you have no control over, the last thing on your mind is to sort these little essential items out. To be able to have a wash and brush your teeth is simply the best feeling - from someone who has personally been in the situation, it really is!

    Hereford County SCBU will be the first to benefit from our charity.
     

    I am a mum on a mission, to help other parents and babies that find themselves in the same position as I did, and hopefully be able to support them with the essentials, as well as an email advice/support service.

     

    I started this alone, and do everything for this entirely by myself. I am hoping to gather more support for Indie's Gift, ultimately our aim for 2014 is to raise the £5,000 needed to apply to become a registered charity.

    If you have any of the items on the list that you would like to donate, I would be ever so grateful. I would also welcome any fundraising idea's you may have!
    I have no experience in working within/running a charity, so please bare with me as I'm learning as I go!

     

    Our website is: www.indiesgift.co.uk - There is a gallery and also an 'About Us' section which has a more detailed story; maybe have some tissue handy? and our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/indiesgift

    Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing from some of you soon.
     

    Stacey Martin.
    Indie’s mummy.


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