Following the recent flooding event, Cllr Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member for Roads and Regulatory Services, has visited Ross-on-Wye to hear from local people and follow the ongoing investigation.

Broad Street has now been reopened to traffic, however, for safety reasons some parts of the walkways remained closed. Brookend Street is open to traffic and most of the shops are trading, which is good news. It is important to support businesses, especially with this type of emergency event, so that they are able to function effectively and get back to normality as soon as possible. Most of the shops along both streets are open and a letter has been hand distributed to properties affected by the flooding event, providing further information and advice.

The initial response phase is now coming to a close and Herefordshire Council has undertaken all of the work that it can, until investigations and work by Welsh Water are completed. We will now be working closely with Welsh Water going forward, to determine how and when to commence the recovery phase.

When appropriate, permanent works will need to be undertaken to the highway along Broad Street and the walkways to be made safe. However, we are constrained from the issuing of permanent works until Welsh Water are able to confirm that they have reviewed and dealt with their sewer issues. Without that assurance, it would not be appropriate or prudent to issue a programme of permanent works. Once confirmed the Council will commence this phase as soon as possible to enable a permanent programme to be issued and Broad Street to be reinstated at the earliest and safest opportunity.

Cllr Durkin, following his visit to Ross-on-Wye, said: “On Tuesday I visited shops along Brookend Street to better understand how they were individually impacted by the flood event. It was heart rending to see the damage caused and the effect of the disruption to shop owners and their premises, by the events of Sunday’s storm and sewer collapse, but importantly, Ross-on-Wye remains open for business. The emergency response to these events by Balfour Beatty Living Places was exemplary and their work has been much appreciated and indeed their ongoing work attending to issues remains first class. Further, my thanks to members of the Town Council for their reporting of events locally as they occurred for social media. I spoke with a town council member today and listened to her immediate concerns regarding the substrate of the footpaths; which has been investigated.

“I have spoken with a number of shop owners and residents and seen some of the remaining damage to their shops and houses, caused by the heavy storm water and the collapse of the sewer, running down Broad Street and through Brookend Street. The collapse in a section of one of the sewers that runs down Broad Street has been found and Welsh Water are working to investigate and repair those sections identified.

“Cross-organisational work continues between Herefordshire Council, Welsh Water, and the Environment Agency officers each carrying out their individual assessments and assessing works required. Drainage investigation work has been undertaken by Herefordshire Council, with highway gullies and associated pipework being checked and cleansed. As soon as possible and in conjunction with Welsh Water’s upcoming work programme, a permanent repair programme to reinstate the Broad Street highway and walkways will be implemented.”

Three drug dealers were sentenced at court yesterday (Monday 13 May) for running an operation supplying cocaine into Hereford.

Lee Jones, 37, of Whitecross Road, Hereford, pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was sentenced to three years at Worcester Crown Court.

Lewis Hughes-Cound, 26, of Hever Road, Lower Bullingham, Hereford pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of cocaine and was sentenced to 33 months.

Emelia Lal, 24, of Whitecross Road, Hereford pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was given a 21-month suspended sentence.

Jones and Hughes-Cound were arrested by police after suspected drug dealing was reported in the city centre. Officers from Hereford Proactive CID located them in a local pub.

Hughes-Cound was found in possession of class A drugs and Jones was found with cash.

A search of addresses linked to the suspects resulted in the discovery of a large quantity of cocaine with a street value of £11,500.  Police also recovered scales, cash, deal bags and other drug supply paraphernalia.

All three were arrested on Monday 11 March, charged, and pled guilty at court.

Detective Constable Verity Farr, of Hereford CID, said: “We welcome yesterday’s sentencing which reflects the severity of offending.

“The supply of controlled drugs into our communities causes misery and suffering and destroys lives.

“Officers from the proactive CID team work tirelessly to combat drug supply and work with partners to ensure those who cause harm to our communities are relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.

“Jones, Lal and Hughes-Cound were involved in a drugs supply operation benefitting financially from the suffering of others.

“Their imprisonment simply marks another step in the fight against drug supply, and officers continue to track those who operate at the highest level of criminality.”

Herefordshire Highways Update 5pm 13/05/24 | Broad Street and Brookend Street, Ross-on-Wye Herefordshire

"Our teams continue to make every effort to safely reopen the areas of Ross-on-Wye closed after flooding and storm damage yesterday.

Brookend Street reopened earlier this afternoon after clean-up works were completed, however further safety checks and repairs are required before Broad Street can be reopened to traffic.

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water are on-site supporting ongoing investigations into a collapsed combine sewer pipe at the top end of the road (outside Peacocks). The outcome of these investigations will determine what further works are needed before the road can be reopened.

Areas of the collapsed block paving on the footway are being cleared and prepared for temporary reinstatement, which will be done using asphalt until a permanent repair can be put in place. Pedestrian management barriers are being installed to ensure all properties can be accessed by tomorrow morning.

Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts more rain. We are monitoring the situation and have provided sandbags for the area in case of further flooding. Waste cage trucks are also on site to support those who have been affected by the flooding with their clear up efforts"

📷 Herefordshire Highways

A Leominster man was last week found guilty of theft and handed a restraining order after an incident at the Halo Leisure Centre in January.

Daniel Dixon, 36, from High Street, Leominster was attending a public swimming session at the leisure centre on Wednesday 17 January when he secretly and intentionally stole underwear from a woman’s locker. He followed his victim and loitered in the same area as her until she left. His victim notified police of the incident and an investigation was started, resulting in his arrest.

Dixon was later charged and was found guilty at Hereford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (7 May) where he was also sentenced.

He was ordered to pay £500 compensation, a victim surcharge of £114 and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work as well as being handed a restraining order to stay away from his victim which lasts until 2027.

Police Constable Adam Stobbart, from Leominster Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This incident was very upsetting and understandably, no one should have to experience this type of behaviour.

“It was concerning for them to not only have a such an intimate and personal item taken but to then feel scared and intimidated seeing the perpetrator and being followed.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the strength and resilience that the victim has shown throughout the investigation which help obtain this positive result.”

The new facility looks fabulous!

All welcome on Sunday 19th May for the Grand Opening of Scouts Corner

The Trustees of South Marches District Scout Council warmly invite you to the grand opening of our new District Scout Headquarters on Sunday 19th May.

There will be a formal opening ceremony at 10am where His Majesty’s Lord of Lieutenant of Herefordshire will formally open the new building. The hall will stay open for tours until 2pm and light refreshments will be provided.

Please note that there will be no parking on site.

This is not only the Hereford Scouts HQ but a community hub with some excellent facilities including a fully equipped kitchen with a double oven and fridge and rise and fall sink and hob for all to access. Here is a sneak preview! 

Scouts Corner,
Eign Rd,
Hereford
HR1 2RX

Mrs Lyndsey Evans was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to the Community in South Wye in the New Years Honours list and she will be presented with her medal in Hereford in June by lord lieutenant, (who is king’s representative in Herefordshire)

Today Lyndsey and her husband John today at Buckingham Palace. 

Also today 4 amazing volunteers were also invited to the Buckingham Palace garden party in recognition for their year's of volunteering at The Kindle Centre and in the community.

Cllr Kevin Tillett for Hinton & Hunderton , Luz Trinidad Perez Andrew Bridges and Cissy Smith

Herefordshire Council will receive £750,000 from Arts Council England, thanks to its Government-funded Capital Investment Programme.

The funding is going towards supporting the major refurbishment and extension of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, located on Broad Street, to create a state-of the-art museum and art gallery for Herefordshire.

The redevelopment of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery is a flagship project for the Herefordshire Council and Stronger Hereford. Once complete, the redeveloped museum and art gallery will significantly enhance the county’s cultural offer, support community engagement and attract new visitors to the area.

The project will extend and transform the Grade II-listed museum building on Broad Street. The new museum and art gallery will include new galleries and display spaces, temporary exhibition spaces, the restoration of the historic Woolhope Club Room and new commercial areas. All areas of the museum will be fully accessible with lifts and full flat access throughout.

Councillor Harry Bramer, cabinet member community services and assets, said:

“This funding will enable us to continue providing high quality creative and cultural experiences for people in Herefordshire. Museums are no longer just repositories of artefacts; they are dynamic spaces for learning, creativity and social connection. This funding will ensure that our county museum is the cultural centre it has always aspired to be.

“When it opens, the new museum and art gallery will offer visitors a new experience with a variety of exhibitions and events, and showcasing remarkable collections such as the Herefordshire Hoard. We are grateful for the support of Arts Council England and our other funders, whose investment is enabling the transformation of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery.”

The refurbishment of the museum and art gallery has also received funding from Herefordshire Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Stronger Towns Fund.

The Capital Investment Programme supports the Arts Council’s mission to ensure communities across the country have the infrastructure where creativity for everyone can thrive.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said:

“This infrastructure investment will help a whole range of different cultural organisations across England to flourish, increasing opportunities for people to enjoy creatively excellent cultural events close to where they live. It’s particularly important that we’re making this happen in communities where cultural investment has historically been low.”

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Libraries, said:

“Cultural venues enrich our lives, and it’s vital that their infrastructure matches the excellence of the creative work that goes on inside them.

"Our funding is helping both to create new venues and to adapt existing ones to make them more accessible, helping to deliver the Government’s plan to make sure that everyone, no matter where they live or what their background, has access to excellent, life-changing cultural opportunities.”

A new large accessible toilet with specialist equipment such as a hoist, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers has been opened at Maylord Orchards centre in Hereford.

The changing places toilet is in addition to the public toilets that have been brought back into use with a new, modern look.

The toilets have been provided thanks to funding from Herefordshire Council and grant funding from the Department for Levelling up Housing and Communities working with Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Councillor Carole Gandy, Cabinet member adults, health and wellbeing, said:

“I’m delighted we’ve opened this Changing Places Toilet in Maylord Orchards, providing much needed facilities for visitors to Hereford.

“People who need Changing Places Toilets will now be able to visit our City with confidence that they will have the facilities to enable them to be out and about without restrictions.”

There are more than 2,350 Changing Places Toilets registered across the UK and this one will offer a safe space for users to enjoy everything Hereford City has to offer, with adjacent parking facilities.

The firm behind the Wildwood chain - which has a restaurant in the Old Market Hereford revealed plans to shut a raft of sites as part of a major restructuring.

Tasty, which also runs locations under Dim T brand, said it plans to exit around 20 loss-making restaurants after a “challenging” start to the year.

Under the plans, the group would shut 18 branches, with two of these sites already closed to diners.

Tasty currently operates 43 Wildwoods and six Dim-T pan-Asian restaurants, as well as two non-trading sites and three sub-let venues.

The group's board has put forward a restructuring plan it said would help ensure its long-term survival.

Tasty's 43 Wildwood restaurants serve pizza, pasta, burgers, and steak and occupy a number of heritage buildings.

The hospitality group said on Tuesday its financial performance"continues to be inhibited by a tail of underperforming sites".

A spokesperson said:

“The use of a restructuring plan is considered the most effective means to reorganise the group to return it to profitability and secure its long-term future which should change the financial viability, profitability profile and long-term prospects of the group."

Tasty said it expects to operate around 30 restaurants by the end of the current year.

But, it hasn't yet confirmed the locations of the sites earmarked for closure or when they could shut.

Here is the full list of Wildwood sites at risk:

• Dim T, Charlotte Street, London
• Dim T, Hampstead, London
• Dim T, Victoria, London
• Dim T, Whiteley, Hampshire
• Dim T, Winchester, Hampshire
• Wildwood, Epping
• Wildwood, Bicester
• Wildwood, Braintree
• Wildwood, Maidstone
• Wildwood, Taunton
• Wildwood, Market Harborough
• Wildwood, Crawley
• Wildwood Skipton
• Wildwood, Lincoln
• Wildwood, Billericay
• Wildwood, Birmingham
• Wildwood, Salisbury
• Wildwood, Whiteley
• Wildwood, Peterborough
• Wildwood, Kingston
• Wildwood, Canterbury
• Wildwood, Gerrards Cross
• Wildwood, Newmarket
• Wildwood, Bournemouth
• Wildwood, Chichester
• Wildwood, Ely
• Wildwood, Rushden Lakes
• Wildwood, York
• Wildwood, Llandudno
• Wildwood, Plymouth / Royal William Yard
• Wildwood, Hornchurch
• Wildwood, Cambridge
• Wildwood, Wantage
• Wildwood, Chelmsford
• Wildwood, Brentwood
• Wildwood, Didcot
• Wildwood, Hereford
• Wildwood, Stratford-Upon-Avon
• Wildwood, Port Solent
• Wildwood, Telford
• Wildwood, Hinckley
• Wildwood, Cheam
• Wildwood, Nottingham
• Wildwood, Seven Dials
• Wildwood, Northwich
• Wildwood, Liverpool
• Wildwood, Covent Garden

The Wildwood restaurant opened in Hereford's Old Market Shopping Centre in May 2015, see our original article - https://hfd.news/HX9i6

Mr Campion’s campaign focused on fighting crime, supporting victims and putting policing back in the heart of communities.

Following the result, which was announced at the Tennis Centre in Telford & Wrekin, Mr Campion said:

“I would like to thank communities across the three counties who have once again put their trust in me to deliver a Safer West Mercia.

“I am proud of what I have achieved as your PCC over the last eight years, but I know there’s much more that needs to be done.

“My promise is a simple one, to work hard to ensure you are safe and feel safe.

“Committed to putting your voice at the heart of policing, I will build on the significant investment I have made and will continue to support and challenge your police force to deliver on your policing priorities.”

All tobacco products are damaging to health, however Illegal tobacco products can have additional harms. The products sold are often counterfeit and do not meet the safety standards required by law, and the illegal trade also has an impact on local, legitimate businesses.

The council’s trading standards team are committed to tackling illegal tobacco sellers in the county, carrying out targeted enforcement operations. This may then lead to the prosecution of those involved in illegal activity.

To report a seller of illegal tobacco in Herefordshire, please contact Trading Standards on 01432 261761.

Recent prosecution

A director of a Hereford shop was recently given a 12 month community order for offences relating to illegal tobacco in a case taken to court by Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards service.

Iulian Alexandru Mirica from Hereford, pleaded guilty to three offences relating to the supply of illegal tobacco. He was caught in possession for sale of 497 packets of cigarettes and 12 pouches of hand rolling tobacco, none of which complied with UK health warnings and plain packaging requirements. A large percentage of the illegal tobacco products were also found to be counterfeit.

The illicit products were located by officers inside two purpose built concealments, one inside a commercial fan unit operated by electromagnets and another by a hydraulic ram built into a partition wall. 

The 12 month community order included 15 rehabilitation days, 150 hours of unpaid work and an order to pay costs of £1,114.

Head of Regulatory and Technical Services Charles Yarnold, said: 

“This case demonstrates the commitment by the trading standards officers in tackling illegal tobacco sellers in the county. Not only are the products sold often counterfeit and do not meet the safety standards required by law, but it is imperative that we help support local, legitimate businesses, in these uncertain times, by tackling the criminals."

A planning application from Műller Property Group has been submitted to Herefordshire Council for a new 80 bed care home on a 1.9 acre brownfield site in Hereford with car parking, external landscaping and private gardens. 

(Outline planning application for the development of a care home (Use Class C2), including detail of appearance, access, layout and scale with landscaping reserved for future consideration)

Illustration courtesy of Müller Property Group 

The site is located on the outskirts Hereford and benefits from superb transport links, with the A438 connecting to the M50 motorway 16 miles south. Hereford Railway Station is located north-east of Hereford town centre, a 9-minute drive or a 16-minute bus journey to the site. Hereford Station offers direct train services to Birmingham, Worcester, and Shrewsbury. The closest bus stop is a 3-minute walk to the Three Elms Inn which connects a comprehensive bus network to the wider Herefordshire region.

Hereford is a cathedral city and the county town of Herefordshire. It lies on the River Wye, approximately 16 miles east of the border with Wales. Hereford is commonly referred to as the heart of Herefordshire, with the cities of Worcester and Gloucester both within 25 miles. With a population of 53,000 it is the largest settlement in Herefordshire.

Land opposite Three Elms Pub

The proposal for a new 80 bed care home split across two floors will address the needs of Herefords care bed need. Areas of landscaped communal gardens are planned surrounding the care home to promote active lifestyles, comfort, relaxation and stimulation.

The new build care home will include a number of facilities that will include:

• A range of Dayspaces/Cinema/Library
• Hair and Nail Salon
• Ancillary facilities, offices and staff spaces
• Spacious bedrooms with ensuite (a handful of bedrooms on ground floor with access to the secure gardens
• Secure, high quality landscaped gardens for residents

Bedrooms within the care home feature an en suite bathroom with showers that have been designed for privacy, safety and accessibility for all residents. Ancillary facilities such as nurse stations, drugs stores and treatment rooms have been located centrally, allowing the staff to monitor the residents. Stores and other ancillary facilities have been located throughout the corridors, reducing the travel distance for staff to the reach the essential equipment.

The proposal has been developed to maximise the benefits of the site, whilst reducing the impact on the neighbouring properties and surrounding context.

Planning application P240662/O

Land at Tillington Road, Hereford.
The site sits to the west of the Three Elms Public House and to the south west of the Gospel Hall.
Nearest postcode; HR4 9QQ

Congratulations to these new firefighters at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service 🚒🚨🧑‍🚒 👏👏👏

As we always say '𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘' 🧡

📸 HWFRS
 

Sign carersUK petition on Carer's Allowance reform and overpayments

In response to parliamentary questions we asked Margaret Greenwood MP to table, the Government released new data last Friday showing it was attempting to recoup Carer’s Allowance overpayments from 156,000 unpaid carers, with around 11,600 of these carers involving carers with debts of over £5,000.

This is simply unacceptable and urgent action is now required.

To help raise awareness of the issue, we have today launched a new petition calling on the Government to urgently review and reform Carer's Allowance, to increase the financial support available to carers and to reduce overpayments.

Sign petition here:

Just like the Post Office fiasco, another scandal inflicted on people looking after loved ones. Roll on May 2nd elections.

A group of concerned Herefordshire residents upset at the impending loss of the Three Counties hotel have launched a last-minute legal challenge to try and stop the clearing of the site by persuading the Council to strike out the planning permission given last month for the demolition of the landmark hotel and the building of a new Lidl store.

They hope to take their fight to the High Court if the Council refuses and will attempt to persuade a judge to quash the permission instead through a Judicial Review.

If Herefordshire Council or the Judge agree the planning committee decision was made incorrectly the permission could be rescinded and, the campaigners hope, further applications will be refused. They hope that the hotel will then reopen and serve as a community asset to the residents of Belmont, Newton Farm, and the County in general.

They say the hotel was successful until new owners from Oxfordshire took it over in 2016 from the Price family, who had run the business at a profit for two decades.

They also say the hotel was the only facility within easy walking distance for residents of Belmont and Newton Farm that offered a public bar and restaurant of the same standard – as well as being the only hotel in the area – and the demolition of the hotel would be a great loss to the community.

They say the Council’s planning officers made mistakes in advising elected members on the planning committee in the course of the meeting, in particular stating that Councillors couldn’t refuse permission on ‘loss of community asset grounds’ because officers had already decided the Three Counties wasn’t a community asset and that there were alternative facilities in the area (without naming which facilities they were referring to).

They are also worried about the impact that another supermarket with 1800-2000 odd vehicle movements a day will have on congestion South-side and particularly on the stretch of the Belmont Road adjacent to MacDonald’s.

Council officers had recommended approval for this second application in less than three years despite a large number of objections from members of the public and local Councillors. The planning committee voted to grant permission on officer advice after two hours of deliberation.

They say time is very short in terms of submitting a legal challenge should Herefordshire Council refuse to strike out the permission (JR applications must be before the courts no less than 6 weeks after the decision is made) and anyway who wants to help with costs to contact the organisers via the email below

Email | savethethreecounties@proton.me

#HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #HerefordshireNews | #HerefordCommunity | #HerefordLife | #HerefordshireCouncil | #Hereford | #ThreeCountiesHotel

Herefordshire Council and Hereford Football Club confirm agreement that secures the Bulls’ future at Edgar Street

Paul Walker, Chief Executive Herefordshire Council, Chris Ammonds, Chairman Hereford FC and Councillor Harry Bramer at Edgar Street Stadium

Herefordshire Council and Hereford FC have today (Saturday 20 April) confirmed that a deal has been agreed that will see the club remain at the iconic Edgar Street stadium until 2070.

The new agreement secures Hereford FC’s home in the city and provides vital security as the club seeks to continue its development on and off the field.

In addition to agreeing a long-term lease for the club to remain at Edgar Street, the council is also exploring options for the wider development of the Blackfriars End, working closely with Bulls’ officials so Edgar Street once again becomes a four-sided stadium as part of the project.

Work will begin at the Blackfriars End this summer with the demolition of the old stand.

Councillor Harry Bramer, cabinet member community services and assets, said:

“Hereford FC and the Edgar Street ground are an integral part of life in our city, and an asset to the whole county. We’re delighted to have this arrangement in place and are looking forward to working in partnership with the football club on future developments at Edgar Street”

Hereford FC Chairman, Chris Ammonds, said:

“This is a huge moment for Hereford FC as it secures our long-term future at Edgar Street.

I am thrilled we can make this announcement jointly with Herefordshire Council today and am very excited to see what the future holds once the Blackfriars End has been demolished this summer.

On behalf of all Bulls fans and everyone at the club, I would like to sincerely thank Councillor Bramer and his colleagues at the council for the willingness they have shown to work with us and reach this agreement.

I’d also like to thank Phil Pratt from Alder King for the support he has provided to the club in our discussions regarding a new lease

Today, Prince William attended a service at Hereford Cathedral to honour Major Mike Sadler, the last founding member of the SAS, who passed away at the age of 103.

Image courtesy of Karwai Tang/Getty

The Special Air Service veteran received the Polar Medal, military medal and military cross for his service, and his actions were portrayed in the BBC series SAS: Rogue Heroes.

Other attendees at the private service included close family, friends, and professionals. Mike was the last surviving member of the renowned combat team known as L Detachment SAS. Mike served as the chief navigator for the famed squad known as 'The Originals'.

New drone assists the county’s community protection team to gather evidence of fly-tipping and other environmental crime

The council’s community protection team is now able to more easily gather information about illegal waste disposal in areas not easily and safely accessed on foot, thanks to a new drone.

The drone has already helped to gather evidence of fly-tipping at remote spots, and on the full extent of illegal waste disposal which is not clearly seen at ground level.

The community protection team uses the drone to investigate following reported incidents of fly-tipping and other similar issues. The drone, which is operated by a fully trained and accredited pilot, collects high quality footage which will be used to assist in the prosecution of any person carrying out environmental crime.

Councillor Barry Durkin, cabinet member roads and regulatory services, said:

“It’s important we protect our outstanding natural environment, and we will use all the technology we can to do this. The new drone is already proving to be a valuable tool in supporting our community protection team to investigate reports of waste being dumped illegally. So our message is clear to anyone thinking they can dispose of waste or carry out any illegal activities in any area where they think that it will go undetected – we won’t hesitate to use our Eye in the Sky to protect Herefordshire.”

The drone was purchased through a government grant for projects to help protect the environment. When not being used for investigations by the community protection team the drone is used to support other council departments, such as planning, estate management and ecology, when access is an issue.