A message announced on their Facebook page today reads;

"Hello everybody.

Sadly Cotto (the restaurant) is now Closed.

We had a great time and made some real friends for life and thank you so much for your support during these 5 years.

However do get in touch as we will carry on doing our catering events and festival work.

We are super excited for the next adventure.

See you soon. Ciao ciao

F&A"

Public Holidays for England and Wales 🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

⭐ Get 58 days off work by requesting 28 days of annual leave.

England and Wales have eight bank holidays in 2025. 

• New Year’s Day – Wednesday, 1st January 2025
• Good Friday – Friday, 18th April 2025
• Easter Monday – Monday, 21st April 2025
• Early May Bank Holiday – Monday, 5th May 2025
• Spring Bank Holiday – Monday, 26th May 2025
• Summer Bank Holiday – Monday, 25th August 2025
• Christmas Day – Thursday, 25th December 2025
• Boxing Day – Friday, 26th December 2025

⭐ Get 60 days off work by requesting 27 days of annual leave.

Scotland has nine bank holidays in 2025. 

• New Year’s Day – Wednesday, 1st January 2025
• 2nd January – Thursday, 2nd January 2025
• Good Friday – Friday, 18th April 2025
• Early May Bank Holiday – Monday, 5th May 2025
• Spring Bank Holiday – Monday, 26th May 2025
• Summer Bank Holiday – Monday, 4th August 2025
• St Andrew’s Day (substitute day) – Monday, 1st December 2025
• Christmas Day – Thursday, 25th December 2025
• Boxing Day – Friday, 26th December 2025

Public Holidays in Northern Ireland

⭐ Get 65 days off work by requesting 29 days of annual leave.

Northern Ireland has ten bank holidays in 2025. 

• New Year’s Day – Wednesday, 1st January 2025
• St Patrick’s Day - Monday, 17th March 2025
• Good Friday – Friday, 18th April 2025
• Easter Monday – Monday, 21st April 2025
• Early May Bank Holiday – Monday, 5th May 2025
• Spring Bank Holiday – Monday, 26th May 2025
• Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)(substitute day) – Monday, 14th July 2025
• Summer Bank Holiday – Monday, 25th August 2025
• Christmas Day – Thursday, 25th December 2025
• Boxing Day – Friday, 26th December 2025

APRIL - If you book off Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 17 2025, as well as Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 25 2025, you can enjoy a whopping 16 consecutive days off work for just eight days of annual leave.

MAY - By booking four days off between Tuesday, May 6 to Friday, May 9 or Tuesday, May 27 to Friday, May 30, employees can enjoy nine consecutive days off. For those seeking an even longer holiday, booking all eight days off will extend the break to 16 days in total.

AUGUST - By scheduling leave from Tuesday, August 26 to Friday, August 29, you can enjoy nine consecutive days off - perfect for basking in the sunshine without exhausting too many leave days.

DECEMBER - To maximise your Christmas break next year, consider booking just six days off between Monday, December 22 to Wednesday, December 24 and Monday, December 29 to Wednesday, December 31. This will provide workers with a festive 13 consecutive days off.

'Proposed erection of 31 no. key worker dwellings, including access from Clubtail Drive with associated infrastructure and landscaping'.

The site is located on land subject to an outline planning permission for residential development, known as West Holmer. A further housing development known as Holmer House Farm is located to the south of the site, adjacent to the A49.

Outline planning permission was granted for the development of 460 dwellings and associated infrastructure at West Holmer. A full application for a further 105 dwellings was also granted on part of the West Holmer site. An additional 83 units has also been delivered by Bloor as part of the Holmer House Farm Development. The majority of the West Holmer development has now been constructed.

The application site forms part of the area approved for a new Buffer Planting ‘Park and Choose’ facility within the outline application.

The proposed development for 31 new dwellings will be located in the west of the wider ‘Park and Choose’ site on land identified for ‘potential future expansions’.

Planning Application - P243045/F

MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire)

Miranda Abigail Appleton. Principal, Hereford College of Arts. For services to further education (Hereford, Herefordshire).

Photo courtesy of Hereford College Of Arts 

The Reverend Dr Kenneth Victor John Hopkins. Chair of trustees, Heart of Mercia Multi Academy Trust, Hereford. For services to education (Hereford, Herefordshire).

Gareth William Ratcliffe. Deputy chair, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and councillor, Hay on Wye, Powys County Council. For charitable services to Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) (Hereford, Herefordshire).

Karen Anne Rogers. Chief executive, Herefordshire Care Homes Group. For services to social care (Malvern, Worcestershire).

BEM (Medallist of the Order of the British Empire)

Elizabeth Fryer Davies. For services to the community in Kimbolton, Herefordshire (Leominster, Herefordshire).

MVO (Member of the Royal Victorian Order)

Ronald George Whitfield. Royal visits co-ordinator, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Lieutenancies (Herefordshire).

• Full list below 

NEW_YEAR_HONOURS_LIST_2025.pdf

The award was made in recognition of Wendy's services to children with cancer.

Photo courtesy of The Little Princess Trust

The Little Princess Trust was founded in Hereford in 2005 in memory of Wendy's daughter, Hannah Tarplee.

A year earlier, Hannah had been diagnosed with a Wilms Tumour and the loss of her hair was especially traumatic.

Wendy and Hannah's father, Simon, had struggled to find a wig suitable for Hannah when she underwent treatment, and felt the most fitting tribute to the five-year-old would be a charity dedicated to providing wigs for children.

In the first years of the charity, Wendy dedicated much of her available time helping to build the charity.

Phil Brace, Chief Executive of The Little Princess Trust, said it was this dedication that helped the charity grow and develop - and today the charity helps around 2,000 children and young people every year through its free wig service and has now helped nearly 18,000 children and young people in total.

The Little Princess Trust, which moved into its own purpose-built home - The Hannah Tarplee Building - in Hereford city centre in 2021, is also now one of the UK's largest charity funders of childhood cancer research.

In her current role, Wendy ensures the children and young people with hair loss helped by the charity receive the very best service available.

She also liaises with the childhood cancer researchers that The Little Princess Trust funds to search for kinder and more effective treatments for all childhood cancers.

Mr Brace said the honour is a "reward for Wendy's selfless work and dedication to help so many children and young people".

"She is such a modest person but all of us associated with LPT know how much she deserves this wonderful accolade,"; he added.

"What she has achieved in memory of her daughter Hannah is incredible and I know she inspires everyone associated with our charity every day."

On receiving the award, Wendy said: "I am honoured to receive this recognition, but I can never forget the huge personal trauma and how it affected my family having lost Hannah, but I am so aware of how many families are still being affected by childhood cancer today.

This is what drives us on to do more, so I would like to accept this honour on behalf of all the families affected by childhood cancer.

"I would also like to thank everyone who has supported The Little Princess Trust over the past 20 years, particularly my fellow co-founders Simon Tarplee and Tim Lowe without whom the charity would not be here today."

The Little Princess Trust

The Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) has received the prestigious award of the King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM) in the New Year Honours List 2025.

Photo courtesy of HWFRS

CFO Jon Pryce said: “I am proud and humbled to receive the King’s Fire Service Medal in this New Year Honours List, something I never expected to receive in my career. Whilst this honour is personally something I will cherish, more importantly I accept it on behalf of all the staff in HWFRS who together deliver such amazing services to our communities every day. My holding of the KFSM is only a reflection of the superb Fire and Rescue Service that I have the immense privilege to lead.”

The Chairman of Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority, Cllr Kit Taylor said: “The Fire Authority are delighted with the announcement. The awarding of the King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM) to Jon Pryce, our Chief Fire Officer is very well deserved and is testimony not only to his hard work but also to his dedication and support given to all of us at the Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.”

CFO Jonathon Pryce KFSM has served more than 32 years in the Fire and Rescue Service, starting his career in 1992 as a Firefighter in Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. He later transferred into HWFRS in 2001, and was appointed Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive in April 2021.

📢 Hereford Voice - 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲

A refurbishment costs £225,000 is scheduled to start in the New Year. The Volunteer Inn pub will close from January 1 and is expected to reopen by early March.

Image courtesy RussellLewisPhotography.co.uk

In August 2023, Suzie Tortalino took charge of the Volunteer when it was closed and boarded up. Since then, she has dedicated herself to revitalising the pub, alleviating residents' concerns about its future, and creating six new jobs in the process.

A commercial kitchen will be installed, allowing Suzie to expand the menu with traditional pub classics. The offerings will include a variety of options, from small sharing plates to fish and chips, burgers, and hearty Sunday roasts.

The Volunteer Inn in Harold Street revamp is being undertaken by Heineken-owned Star Pubs.

Midlands Air Ambulance reveal their new helicopter 🚁

Midlands Air Ambulance

It will now undergo additional work before becoming fully operational as call sign Helimed09 early January 2025.

This is excellent news for this wonderful charity

Herefordshire CAMRA, organisers of the popular Beer On The Wye Festival, have announced the event will not be running in 2025. The annual riverside festival, that has taken place in a marquee at Hereford Rowing Club since 2005, was due to take place next July.

Mark Haslam, Chair of the festival’s organising committee and original creator of the festival, had this to say:

“It is regrettable that this decision has had to be made, and I appreciate a lot of people are going to be disappointed: not just the many visitors who enjoy coming to the festival, but our small army of volunteers who work so hard to make it happen each year. However, it was difficult to see an alternative with so many changes and challenges that the festival currently faces.

“Over the next few months a number of significant changes are to be made to our site as part of improving the facilities at the festival’s Rowing Club home. Whilst the organising committee are comfortable that these alterations will not prevent us from running the festival in the future, we can see great merit in waiting for the works to be completed. This will then allow us to organise with 100% certainty based on with what is actually ‘on the ground’. It is vital to minimise all risks to the event, particularly as it involves a considerable financial outlay to stage.

“More significant is the fact we need more people to step-up and get involved in planning and organising the event. It’s ironic that over 130 unpaid volunteers were recruited to work at the festival this past summer, but we do not have enough bodies on the organising committee to do all the necessary planning in the months beforehand. We have now arrived at a situation where we have too few people trying to do too many tasks. An appeal has now gone out to our members and past festival volunteers to persuade more of them to get involved, and it is hoped that this will bring the ‘new blood’ that is needed onto the organising committee.

“With all these changes in the pipeline, it is also considered that now is the right time to undertake a thorough root and branch review of the festival. Such an exercise is long overdue, and to achieve this aim it is essential to stop the treadmill of monthly planning meetings, so as to provide the time and space for those on the organising committee to devote themselves to this important process.”

It is anticipated that Beer On The Wye Festival will return in July 2026.

Beer on the Wye takes place each July in a marquee adjacent to Hereford Rowing Club, HR4 0BE.

It is run by the Herefordshire Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) with the help of unpaid volunteers.

Next July’s event would have been the nineteenth Beer on the Wye festival.

In July 2024 it attracted in excess of 5,200 visitors, who between them consumed nearly 20,000 pints of beer, cider and perry.

We will not be publishing multiple links about the same topic, please just bookmark this one and we will update road closures as often as possible.

• Follow This Link For Updates - https://hfd.news/Darragh

Official Road Closures (updated 14:00- 08/12/2024)

• B4399 Holme Lacy Causeway - Closed due to flooding
• U75220 Bredwardine Hill, Bredwardine - Closed due to fallen tree
• U81244 Greyfriars Avenue, Hereford - Closed due to flooding
• U93605 Newtown Lane, Leominster - Closed due to flooding
• C1268 Holme Lacy Road - Closed due to flooding
• U72016 Watery Lane, Lower Bullingham - Closed due to flooding
• C1222 Allensmore - Closed due to a fallen tree
• U72413 Shelwick Lane, Munstone - Closed due to fallen tree
• U72621 Litmarsh Road Marden - Closed due to fallen tree
• U90131 Brickyard Road, Kingswood - Closed due to fallen tree
• U70409 Bulls Hill, Walford - Closed due to fallen tree
• A438 Letton - Closed due to flooding
• C1197 Stretton Sugwas to the A438 - Closed due to tangled power cable
• U92403 Lower Yatton - Closed due to fallen tree
• U92412 Buzzards Lane - Closed due to fallen tree
• C1308 Little Marcle Road - Closed due to a sagging cable
• A4113 from A4110 to Manor Farm - Closed due to flooding
• C1098 Bridge Sollers - Closed due to a fallen tree
• U71205 Boat Lane, Glewstone - Closed due to an abandoned vehicle in the road
• C1122 Wellington - Closed due to flooding
• C1195 Peterchurch - Closed due to flooding

Please do not remove flood road closure signs or barriers OR attempt to drive through road closures or flood water for your own safety, even if the flood water looks like it has receded the road won't officially reopen until it has passed a safety inspection.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻.

Following an information request from Hereford Voice we can today confirm that Lidl GB Ltd purchased The Three Counties Hotel just before the end of the 2023 financial year on 2nd April 2024.

PROPRIETOR: LIDL GREAT BRITAIN LIMITED (Co.Regn. No.2816429) of Lidl House, 14 Kingston Road, Surbiton KT5 9NU.

The price stated to have been paid on 2 April 2024 was £5,760,000.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁!

The demolition of the Three Counties Hotel marks the end of an era in Hereford's history. The founding stone plaque from the hotel, built and financed in partnership between Alfons Sikora and a prominent local landlord, has been gifted to a family friend by Wye Valley Demolition.

The site on Belmont Road (A465) is being prepared for the construction of a Lidl discount supermarket, scheduled to begin in early 2025. Wye Valley Demolition has nearly completed levelling the former hotel, which was granted approval for demolition in April.

Alfons Sikora’s family friend shared insights into the hotel’s history while collecting the stone from Stuart Crowe, a supervisor at Wye Valley Demolition. He recounted that the hotel was established in the late 1970s by two Polish émigrés, Alfons Sikora and Frank Taday. Both men came to Herefordshire after World War II, drawn by the county’s existing Polish community and opportunities for a fresh start.

Sikora, who had built a successful business producing computer flooring and suspended ceilings under the company Sikora Ltd (later Intek Flooring), financed much of the hotel’s construction.

Taday, a well-known publican and former operator of the Spread Eagle Hotel in King Street, intended to manage the new venture, originally named the White Eagle Motel. Despite its modern design and comprehensive facilities, financial difficulties forced the pair to sell the hotel to Queen’s Moat Houses PLC, then one of the UK’s leading hotel chains.

Over the years, the hotel underwent several ownership changes, becoming the Three Counties Hotel and later operated by the Price family, who expanded and modernised the facility. In its prime, the hotel boasted Hereford's largest conference room and hosted numerous events. However, it ultimately struggled under its final owners, leading to its closure and sale.

In March 2023, the hotel temporarily served as accommodation for asylum seekers under a contract with the Home Office, managed by Serco in collaboration with Herefordshire Council and local partners. By February 2024, the asylum seekers had been relocated to alternative housing, paving the way for the site’s sale to Lidl. Despite concerns over the notorious traffic on the busy Belmont Road, Herefordshire Council approved the new development.

Reflecting on the hotel’s legacy, the family friend expressed disappointment at its demolition, noting the absence of comparable venues in Belmont for events or social gatherings. Nevertheless, he praised Wye Valley Demolition for their professionalism and care during the project.

“I was deeply impressed with the team’s responsiveness and attention to detail, particularly supervisors Ashley Davies and Stuart Crowe,” he said. “The founding stone, weighing a tonne and made of slate, was handled with exceptional care. Their efforts demonstrate the high standards of the Wye Valley Group, a family-run company that combines personalised service with operational expertise.”

The Three Counties Hotel will be remembered as a significant chapter in Hereford’s history, symbolising the ambition and contributions of its founders.

By C. James (Hereford Voice)

The EF Bulmer Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Harriet Murray as its new Chairman, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the charity. 

Harriet succeeds her mother, Penelope Murray, who has served as Chairman with distinction and dedication.

Both Harriet and Penelope are direct descendants of Fred Bulmer, the founder of the trust, whose legacy of philanthropy has had a profound and lasting impact on Herefordshire and beyond.

Harriet Murray brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the Trust’s mission of supporting the well-being of Herefordshire communities. As the newest custodian of the Trust’s vision, Harriet is eager to build on her family’s proud heritage while bringing fresh ideas to address contemporary challenges.

Penelope Murray steps down after a significant tenure during which she oversaw reorganisation of the charity, significant funding of local community projects, continued financial support to former employees of HP Bulmer PLC as well as further improvements to the thriving Fred Bulmer Centre in Hereford - home to a dozen local good causes. 

At the same time, Mrs Murray and her Board of volunteer family trustees always ensured everything they did aligned with the Trust’s core values.   

Under her leadership, the EF Bulmer Trust has continued to honour Fred Bulmer’s vision of creating a positive, lasting impact in the community.

Commenting on her new role, Harriet Murray said:

“It is an immense privilege to take on this role and continue the work my family has championed for generations. My mother’s leadership has been an inspiration, and I am excited to build on her achievements as we strive to meet the evolving needs of our community.”

Penelope Murray also shared her thoughts on the transition:

“It has been an honour to serve as Chairman of the EF Bulmer Trust. I am confident that Harriet will bring both passion and expertise to this role, ensuring that the Trust remains a vital force for good in Herefordshire.”

In 1938, Fred Bulmer gave over a tenth of his personal wealth to a welfare fund for the employees of the cider firm. This became the EF Bulmer Trust for the provision of help to former employees of HP Bulmer plc, and for the people of Herefordshire, suffering from want, need and hardship. The Trust continues to honour his legacy by continuing to support former employees of HP Bulmer plc and by supporting a wide range of local good causes across Herefordshire.

Pictured is Fred Bulmer 1865-1941

For more information about the EF Bulmer Trust and its ongoing work, please visit https://www.efbulmer.co.uk/

MandM, UK’s leading off-price retailer is proud to celebrate a remarkable 20-year partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust. Since 2005, MandM has provided unwavering support and donations to Teenage Cancer Trust through event sponsorship, staff fundraising, and corporate donations. This collaboration has reached an incredible milestone, with over £3 million raised to support young people facing cancer.

Mike Tomkins and Honorary patron Roger Mike Tomkins and Honorary patron Roger Daltrey CBE. Frontman of The Who

MandM’s contributions have been instrumental in providing critical resources, including the equivalent of funding 100,000 hours of expert care from Teenage Cancer Trust nurses. These nurses are trained to meet the unique clinical, social, and emotional needs of young people undergoing cancer treatment, helping them navigate one of the most challenging periods of their lives.

The funds raised through MandM’s ongoing initiatives have enabled Teenage Cancer Trust to provide vital care and services. Honorary Patron of Teenage Cancer Trust, Roger Daltrey, emphasised the impact of these contributions: "The work Teenage Cancer Trust does is life-changing and life-saving. Thanks to the unwavering support of partners like MandM, teenagers and young adults treated in Teenage Cancer Trust wards see significantly increased life expectancy. MandM’s dedication over two decades has helped ensure that young people get the specialist care they deserve, at a time when they need it most.”

Reflecting on this longstanding partnership, Mike Tomkins, Chairman of MandM, said: "It’s an honour for MandM to be Teenage Cancer Trust’s longest-standing corporate partner. Reaching the £3 million fundraising milestone is an incredible achievement for everyone and is a reflection of the passion and dedication of our employees, customers, and event participants who have supported this cause over the years. As we approach the 20th anniversary of our partnership, we are more committed than ever to supporting the charity and ensuring that young people with cancer have access to the expert care they need.”

MandM’s support extends beyond financial contributions. The company donates branded performance tops for Teenage Cancer Trust challenges, such as major running events and treks, helping thousands of participants proudly represent the charity. Staff members also enthusiastically participate in these events, embodying the company’s commitment to the cause.

Kate Collins, Chief Executive at Teenage Cancer Trust shared her appreciation for the partnership: "MandM has been an incredible partner to Teenage Cancer Trust over the last 20 years. Their dedication has had a profound impact, enabling us to provide essential services to thousands of young people across the UK. As we mark this milestone, we’re deeply grateful for their commitment and look forward to continuing our journey together.”

MandM’s contribution to Teenage Cancer Trust has allowed the charity to fund important projects and continue providing services that ensure young cancer patients receive the highest level of care. The £3 million raised is vital in helping the charity reach more young people and support them through their cancer journey.

As both organisations look ahead to the next chapter of their partnership, they remain focused on expanding their impact and continuing to support young people across the UK who are living with cancer.

Some wonderful photographs captured by our Hereford Voice Photo Studio regular contributor Louise Amos yesterday.

A superb annual festive event and providing lots of kind gift donations to the Children’s Ward at Hereford County Hospital.

Well done to everyone involved and taking time out of your weekend to be part of this fabulous motorbike ride 🎅🏍🛵

Green is the way to go for Herefordshire’s latest recycling vehicles

As part of a drive to make recycling and waste collections across Herefordshire ever cleaner and greener, two brand new, state of the art eCollect all-electric Collection Vehicles (RCVs) will take to the roads this month.

The vehicles, which will be the first ever all-electric RCV’s to join the fleet in Herefordshire, adding to the ever-growing number of eCollects in service across the UK - currently in excess of 100.

Purchased as part of the new recycling and waste collection services contract between Herefordshire Council and its partner FCC Environment, the two new eCollect vehicles join the 26 new RCV’s which will serve residents and businesses alike across the County.

These range in size from 7.5-tonne to 26-tonne RCV’s; including 15 26-tonne vehicles, seven 18-tonne vehicles and four vehicles ranging in size from 7.5-tonnes to 12-tonnes. All of these vehicles have been chosen to deliver the best solution for the residents of Herefordshire over the next eight years of their service.

The two new eCollects have been manufactured by Dennis Eagle in Warwick.

The vehicles will be servicing residents and businesses in Hereford close to the depot on Ross Road as this area is ideally suited to the mileage range of the vehicles. Powered by renewable electricity, the eRCV’s will be charged up at the council depot from renewable sources.

Cllr Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member Environment, said: “These cutting edge vehicles are an exciting part of our new waste service. The benefits they will bring to residents and those who visit the city include a reduction in air pollution including particulates and nitrogen oxide gases, and a reduction in noise pollution.

“The Authority declared a climate and ecological emergency in March 2019 and is committed to achieving net zero by 2030, the introduction of the eCollects is a positive climate change action and a corner stone of this commitment.”

Steve Longdon, FCC Environment Chief Executive Officer said: “FCC Environment is one of the UK’s leading recycling and resource management companies and we are committed to the fight against climate change. We are actively working with our partners in Herefordshire in its aim to be carbon neutral. As a result, we are delighted to be bringing two all-electric vehicles into the fleet and we are looking forward to continuing the journey to Net Zero across the county.”

A convicted terrorist is suing a pub landlord over its sign, which he alleges is racist and “deeply offensive”.

The Saracens Head Inn is a historic pub, built in 1530 using timber from old ships, thirty miles from London in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Saracens Head Pub Amersham

The pub name, The Saracens Head, is said to be linked to the Crusades and seen as a sign of respect of the fighting qualities of enemies.

Khalid Baqa, 60, claims the “depiction of a bearded Arab/Turk incites violence” and is claiming £1,850 in compensation from the pub’s landlord.

In 2018, Baqa was jailed for four years and eight months after admitting five counts of dissemination of terrorist publications. He has since been released.

Baqa says he complained to the pub on several occasions, including visiting in person, but pub staff claim they have no record of this.

The pub’s landlord, Robbie Hayes, 52, said: “It’s a complete joke. This pub has been called The Saracens Head for 500 years.

Although the list of targeted pubs has not been confirmed, there are two pubs of this name in Herefordshire, one in Hereford and one in Symonds Yat.

At its meeting today, Thursday 19 December 2024, Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet received two reports from Children’s Services.

Corporate Parenting Strategy

Cabinet endorsed the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2027 which sets out the ambition, actions and outcomes the council needs to achieve for our children and young people as a Corporate Parent.

Leader of Herefordshire Council, Councillor Jonathan Lester, said:

“Today Cabinet has endorsed an extremely important strategy that reinforces our responsibilities as corporate parents of Herefordshire children. This key document will now be imbedded in the council’s consciousness and will be continually referenced when striving to deliver the best for our children and young people.

“This strategy is a multi-agency document and working with our partners we will do all we can to ensure the children in our care, and those leaving our care, have the best of life chances we can create for them. We will support all children to have the best start in life and help them to achieve their aspirations.”

Ofsted Monitoring Visit Feedback

Cabinet also received the feedback letter from Ofsted following their fifth monitoring visit in October which had a focus on the protection of children at risk of extra familial harm.

Inspectors reported a wide range of positive findings, including effective and timely multi-agency working to identify, support and protect children at risk from experiencing extra familial harm and exploitation.

Feedback included:

Get Safe specialist team - Ofsted found that “Children at risk of extra familial harm in Herefordshire benefit from a committed specialist team, which reduces risk for many of these vulnerable children”. They found the Get Safe team to “work effectively to reduce risks for children and young people and their work to be “timely and well structured”.

Early Help, support, and identification of risk - Ofsted found that a range of early help services were available to support children at risk of exploitation and that for most children who come to the attention of children services their needs and risks are promptly identified though effective systems in place in MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub).

Partnership Working - Ofsted found the external partnership collaboration is helping to protect vulnerable children through targeted interventions and or disruption activity and that this collaboration and information sharing between partners was improved since previous visits.

Quality of practice - Ofsted found that the child and family assessments that they had reviewed in other parts of the service, from front door to children in care and care leavers and completed in recent months, were “an improved quality” to those they have historically observed. Ofsted found these assessments as being “detailed and reflecting overarching needs, with an exploration of risks to the child”.

Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:

“We’re pleased that the report acknowledges positive signs of improvement. We recognise that we have some work to do but we are in a considerably better place than we were two years ago.

“We have a refreshed and more focused Improvement Plan and we are determined to continue our work at pace to provide our children and families with the best services possible.