I can recommend the Over 50s for us old uns at The Kindle Centre on the 3rd Tuesday of each month that starts at 2pm.

The 20th September meeting has the return of the Singing Vicar - Steve Hollinghurst. An entertaining afternoon for all.

Other meetings to watch out for:

18th October 2022 - My work at Cadbury - Colin Bates

15th November 2022 - Hop picking in Herefordshire - Marsha O'Mahony

20th December 2022 - Christmas Special

17th January 2023 - Lunch at Burghill Valley Golf Club

Further information from Jeff Jones, Secretary, Telephone 01432 851029

Why not bring a friend or two along, I am sure you will enjoy it.

A police cordon is currently in place on the river path near Victoria Bridge in Hereford following a reported serious sexual offence at around 1.50am this morning (Sat 20 August).

West Mercia Police have just confirmed that a man in his 30s has been arrested and remains in police custody.

Many local people including Councillors, the former Hereford Mayor and West Mercia Police joined us at the Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group Vigil last night to stand in unity with victims of sexual assault.

West Mercia Police have confirmed that they arrested a 48 year old man on suspicion of attempted rape in connection with a reported sex attack on the riverside close to the river Wye in Hereford.

The alleged sexual assault happened between Hinton Road and King George V playing fields on the river path in Hereford on August 12 at around 10pm.

A 48-year-old man from Hereford has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, police said.

“He has been bailed with conditions pending further enquiries,"

Last night the Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group held a vigil pledging support to sexual assault victims on the riverside close to the Victoria Bridge.

Farmers working togther with the Fire Service

Meet ‘the league of extraordinary farmers’ who are helping firefighters protect homes, the countryside and food growing in fields. This is actually in Hertfordshire however, farmers across Herefordshire and our neighbouring counties have really gone that extra mile to assist Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Gloucestershire fire and rescue service, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Fire Service, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and MAWW Fire and Rescue Service Powys Community safety during the very hot and dry conditions so far this summer.

Fantastic people and emergency the services all working together in communities to protect lives and businesses.

We love to share so good news and positive stories!

Thank you to the NFU Online for sharing this inspiring video with us.

A motorcyclist has sadly died in a road traffic collision in Shropshire overnight.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received several 999 calls reporting a collision involving a motorcyclist and a lamppost on the A49 Shrewsbury Road in Craven Arms at 11.34pm (Wednesday). Two ambulances and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived on scene, they found an off-duty police officer and two off duty nurses performing CPR and using a defibrillator on a man who had come off his motorcycle.

“Crews quickly took over treatment but sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone at the scene, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead a short time later.”

What's going to happen after Coronavirus

Where are we going when Coronavirus fades away and the government has run its course in keeping us at home.The sheer economic disaster coming and affecting everyone is already being discussed by some MPs. One remedy is to impose a one off wealth tax. The idea is that everyone – households and businesses, rich and poor – has to pay a sum equivalent to a chunk of their net assets. This would reverse taxation regimes across the world which tax income far more than the taxation of wealth.

Ed Conway, the economics editor at Sky News, writing in the Times, roughly calculates that a one-off 10 percent levy on all household net wealth in the UK would generate over £1 trillion ($1.24 trillion) of revenues. That would be enough to pay off all the costs of Covid-19. It would provide for the NHS for generations and reduce the national debt from wartime levels to something more like normality. 

The government reduction plans for local authority council funding on the basis that the shortfall can be made up with councils keeping the collection of business rates now looks a dead duck.

The desire to give us all an identity card accompanied with a vaccination certificate looks pretty certain. Get ready for all citizens to be given a free smartphone and be fined if not carried on one's person at all times to enable tracking at all times.

This quote says it all:

“The telephone was not his favorite object, and more than once he had considered getting rid of his. What he disliked most of all was its tyranny. Not only did it have the power to interrupt him against his will, but inevitably he would give in to its command.”
― Paul Auster, City of Glass

Today West Mercia Police have confirmed that a fourth riverside sexual assault in the city but have siad that they have arrested two people on suspicion of rape and indecent exposure.

There are additional Police patrols along the riverside paths in the city as detectives continue to investigate four sexual offences reported in the past few weeks, a spokesperson for West Mercia Police has said.

Police are now investigating two counts of rape, one indecent exposure and one sexual assault.

These are the words to describe the fire in Herefordshire this afternoon between near Marden by Malcolm Russell, founder of Prometheus Medical and a Mercia Accident Rescue Service doctor who kindly provided us with these images..

Would you feel safe walking along here after dark??

We have reported on three separate sexual attacks along the riverside on women in Hereford in the past few weeks.

• Sunday 31st July | A police cordon was in place on a riverside path all morning and into the afternoon after a rape was reported on Sunday, July 31. The attack happened on the opposite side of the rowing club between the Old Bridge and Great Western Way, close the the Hunderton bridge.
   
• Sunday 7th August | An investigation has been launched following a rape near Victoria Bridge in Hereford yesterday (Sunday 7 August). Police were called by the ambulance service shortly after 11pm when the victim disclosed to paramedics that she had been raped. It’s believed the incident took place on the river path between the tennis courts and Victoria Bridge between 9pm and 10pm on Sunday 7 August.
   
• Friday 12th August | A cordon is currently in place on the river path between Hinton Road and King George V playing fields in Hereford following a sexual assault at around 10pm last night (Friday 12 August). West Mercia Police were called after a man grabbed a women from behind and exposed himself. The incident took place on the river path between King George V playing fields and Hinton Road between 9.45pm and 10.15pm.

West Mercia Police Statement;

Superintendent Rebecca Love said: “I’m aware that there have been a number of incidents along the river path recently, and understandably this is causing concern within the local community.

“I totally understand these concerns and would like to reiterate that we are investigating all reports and are using our specially trained officers in supporting the victims.

“We have already increased patrols along the river paths, especially after dark, and these will continue. In addition, we are working closely with partners to discuss measures to increase the safety of these areas.”

Hereford Voice succesfully campaigned to have CCTV installed on the Hunderton Bridge back in 2015 https://bit.ly/3pjMTM6

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙙 ??

A motorcyclist has sadly died following a road traffic collision near to the English and Welsh border in Monmouth last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called by the police to reports of a single motorcycle RTC on the A40 in Monmouth, near to the Welsh border, at 10.09pm yesterday (Thursday). A local community first responder, a paramedic officer, an ambulance, two critical care paramedics together with Wales Air Ambulance from Cardiff were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance crews arrived they found a motorcyclist, a man, in a critical condition. Police officers were already on scene providing CPR to the man. When ambulance crews commenced emergency treatment, it sadly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed deceased a short time later.”

A cordon is currently in place on the river path between Hinton Road and King George V playing fields in Hereford following a sexual assault at around 10pm last night (Friday 12 August).

West Mercia Police were called after a man grabbed a women from behind and exposed himself.

The incident took place on the river path between King George V playing fields and Hinton Road between 9.45pm and 10.15pm.

The suspect is described as a white male with a local accent, 5ft 7in tall, aged 35-40, with a dirty appearance, short light blonde hair and wearing square framed glasses. He was carrying a backpack and wearing black trousers and brown walking boots which were muddy.

Officers are particularly keen to trace a man who was walking a large white Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog along the path as it is believed may have seen the suspect in the moments following the incident. If you are this man, or you know who he may be, please get in touch.

Investigations are continuing today with officers carrying house-to-house enquiries as well as reviewing available CCTV and video doorbell footage. Searches of the area will also continue.

The cordon will remain in place for much of today while evidence gathering continues.

Superintendent Rebecca Love, said: “I’m aware that there have been a number of incidents along the river path recently, and understandably this is causing concern within the local community.

“I totally understand these concerns and would like to re-iterate that we are investigating all reports and are using our specially trained officers in supporting the victims.

“We have already increased patrols along the river paths, especially after dark, and these will continue. In addition, we are working closely with partners to discuss measures to increase the safety of these areas.”

“Lastly, we believe a man who was walking his white Staffordshire Bull Terrier along the river at the time could be a key witness and we would urge him, or anyone who may know who he is, to come forward.”

Anyone who was in the area last night and saw anything suspicious or have any information which may help the investigation is asked to report it online at https://www.westmercia.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/ quoting reference 717i of 12 August. If you are unable to report online please call 101.

Police have cordoned off the riverside path and Victoria bridge following an incident which occured overnight.

A spokesperson for West Mercia said;

"Please avoid Victoria Bridge, Hereford - including the pathway going to and from - until further notice! Police crews are on scene and dealing with an incident!"

A man from Hereford has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for non-recent sexual offences.

Charles Taylor, 68, of Ross Road, Hereford, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Hereford Magistrates' Court on 9 August for non-recent sexual offences against a male child and an adult female. The offences occurred between 1984 and 1998.

Investigating office, Detective Constable Leah Lowe, spent 12 months gathering evidence which proved critical to convicting Taylor. It was a comprehensive and often distressing investigation and one that could not have been resolved without the strength and conviction of the victims and witnesses.

DC Lowe said: “Whilst the sentence given can never make up for the pain and suffering Taylor has caused, I am hopeful it can provide some measure of solace to the victims and help them begin the road to recovery.

"Taylor is a dangerous offender and the community is a safer place now he is beginning his sentence in prison. I hope this reassures the community that West Mercia Police will investigate all offences of this nature, regardless of when they occurred, in the pursuit of justice and the protection of our communities.”

We would like to reassure anyone who has been the victim of sexual assault, whether recently or in the past, that they can report the crime at any time. More information on how to do this can be found here

However, should you feel unable to report the assault yourself, someone can do this on your behalf.

Struggling NHS, rising energy costs, rising food costs, banks being closed ready for digitisation. Unfortunately all this is deliberately planned and unless you are totally committed to your smartphone you will be left behind and no one will care. All this happening under a Tory government which is no surprise as they will always go where the money is. However what are the alternatives - all political parties appear to offer little hope of returning to a Great Britain, everything is in chaos and the message appears to be Everyone for Themselves.

An example is my energy bills. I pay by direct debit each month and have increased my payment from £100 a month to £150 and then to £200. OVO now want me to increase my direct debit to £324 a month to prevent me being £3,092 in debt by the end of my fixed rate 2 year plan. At the moment I am in credit and read my meter each month, send the readings to OVO and usually get a bill within a couple of days, a straight forward process. If you want to increase your Direct Debit on their website it will only increase it as their suggestion. I tried to increase it to £200 as I didn't want to pay £324 at the moment and had to phone them to stop their suggested increase. 

Also since November last year I am getting bills staggered over two months with different invoice dates and the bills consists of 7 pages compared with 3 pages before.

I have been with OVO for many years and found everything to function well, however in line with the chaos created by this government and supported by corporations and financial institutions we need a radical change to stop this "We are Alright Jack" mentality.

How is everyone else coping?

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Crews Tackle Combine Harvester and Large Crop Fire in Herefordshire. Yesterday evening firefighters from Kingsland fire station and Leominster Fire Station were mobilised to a field fire near Dinmore Hill in Herefordshire.

A spokesperson from Kingsland fire station said; “Busy day yesterday for Kingsland firefighters starting early with a call for relief crews to a scrap yard in Knighton then in the afternoon dealing with standing crop and a combine along with Leominster Fire Station.”

📷 HWFRS Kingsland

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Following our 'Breaking News' at the weekend HERE

Herefordshire Council confirm that the 'Viking Hoard' coming home to Herefordshire!!

Successful campaign brings treasure back to the county

The Herefordshire Hoard is coming home. Over 1,100 years since being buried in a field near Leominster, the precious Viking treasure will be looked after by Herefordshire museum service. Opening days are being agreed to give the public plenty of opportunities to see the hoard in its temporary home in Hereford’s Museum Resource and Learning Centre before it’s re-housed in Herefordshire’s prestigious new museum.

The news follows the success of the campaign to raise the funds needed to purchase the hoard, valued at £776,250. That four-month endeavour ended on Saturday 6 August.

A host of events and activities around the county were organised to help raise awareness and generate public donations. Herefordshire’s museum service is delighted so many residents engaged with those activities, with many donating cash towards the campaign.

Behind-the-scenes, applications were being made to national funding bodies. The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) provided the lion’s share of the money needed. The large grant NHMF awarded was backed up by other significant grants from the Art Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation and the Headley Trust.

Simon Thurley, chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund says:

“We are delighted to support the acquisition of the Hereford Hoard, which will not only be an exciting addition to Herefordshire museums but also to the story of the county and its history. The public support the campaign has received demonstrates just how important heritage treasures are to so many and it’s fitting that the hoard will ‘come home’ to the place where it was buried 1,100 years ago.”

Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund, says:

“We are so excited to have played a part in bringing the Herefordshire Hoard home. The story of this extraordinary treasure, which lay undisturbed for over 1000 years only to fall into the wrong hands, cannot fail to fascinate. Hereford Museum and Art Gallery is the best possible place to share these evocative objects with as many people as possible, now and for future generations. It is thanks to our members that Art Fund can support such important acquisitions.”

Karen Everett, chief executive of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, of which the Headley Trust is one of the largest trusts, says:

"Our trustees are delighted to be able to help save the Herefordshire Hoard for the county and the nation. The Headley Trust has been helping regional museums acquire treasure and valuable archaeological finds of considerable local, and sometimes national significance, for nearly 20 years. During that time the trust has awarded grants to over 90 different regional museums, art galleries and heritage centres for over 350 items, and the trustees are very pleased to be able to help on this occasion."

Councillor Gemma Davies, cabinet member for commissioning, procurement and assets, says:

“I feel genuinely emotional about this. First, I want to say a massive thanks to the organisations that looked so favourably on our applications and awarded us funding to secure the hoard for the people of Herefordshire. Without the unbelievably generous support of the NHMF, the Art Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation and the Headley Trust, it’s highly unlikely we would be here celebrating the conclusion of our fundraising campaign.

“It’s also impossible to know how to adequately thank members of the public for their generosity. In the midst of a cost of living crisis, it’s amazing that our residents had the presence of mind to grasp how important it is to house the hoard in its home county. Playing a starring role in a redeveloped museum means the treasure will turbocharge our tourist economy by attracting vastly more visitors to Herefordshire. As well as people coming in from outside the county, the exquisite artefacts that make up the hoard will also support education programmes run in Herefordshire schools and colleges, helping our young people better understand the county’s ancient history. Huge thanks must also go to HMSSG, our partners who, as a charity, were able to successfully secure grant funding for the campaign.

“For me, this sensational success marks a new beginning for Herefordshire’s cultural offering. Thanks to absolutely everybody involved for making this happen.”

Judy Stevenson, Hereford Museum team leader, adds:

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about this. Everyone at the museum service is over the moon knowing the hoard is coming home, where it can be cherished by the people who deserve it most – the people of Herefordshire. Thanks to everyone involved.”

For future updates, please visit the Herefordshire Hoard website.

'Remember Where You Heard It First'

At just before 21:00 hours last night, multiple fire crews were mobilised to a fire at a commercial scrapyard between Knighton and Clun in our neighbouring county of Shropshire.

Firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub CGC / MAWW Fire and Rescue including crews from Leintwardine Fire Station and Clun Fire Station continue tackling the fire this morning.

A spokesperson from Clun Fire Station said;

"At 2053 last night, Clun crews were mobilised to a fire at Five Turnings. En route to the incident, large smoke plumes could be seen from several miles away.

Our Incident Commander requested Make Pumps 3, Water Carrier 1 and Light Pumping Unit 1.

This incident was a fire involving scrap at a commercial yard.

Once in attendance a further message was sent requesting make pumps 4. This incident then went to level 2 where a make pumps 8, water bowers 3 and ALP 1 was requested.

Fire crews worked swiftly with the help of the occupiers to tackle the blaze and stop it spreading further to the surrounding area and buildings.

This incident required the assistance of our colleagues from across the county, plus firefighters from over the border in Mid and West Wales and Hereford and Worcester.

Please be aware that this incident is still ongoing, so the road is likely to be closed. Also, due to the large amount of smoke in the area, we would advise nearby residents to keep their windows closed"

📸 SFRS

#HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #HerefordshireNews | #Shropshire | #HWFRS | #Clun | #Knighton