7 cases of variant identified but contained within small work bubble

Herefordshire Council is working with Public Health England (PHE) Midlands to support a farm in the county following an outbreak of COVID-19 among a small number of their seasonal workforce.

The small number of workers affected had all been routinely tested during their period of isolation when arriving on the farm. Fourteen workers have been found to be COVID-19 positive, seven of which have been confirmed with the variant B.1.617.2 (Indian variant).

The farm involved has strict control measures in place to limit transmission, including a period of isolation for all workers on arrival who then live and work in small groups (bubbles).

Herefordshire’s Acting Director of Public Health, Dr Rebecca Howell Jones, said: 

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“We are working closely with a farm who have taken all the right steps when welcoming their valued seasonal workforce, including routine testing and a period of isolation. This has helped to limit transmission in their workforce and there is no evidence of onward spread outside of the household groups in which the workers were isolating.

“Because of the strict measures taken and very limited transmission to date we do not currently have plans to introduce surge testing locally, however we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

“I would like to reassure people that we are working closely with businesses in Herefordshire to prevent outbreaks and limit transmission when positive COVID-19 cases are identified. 

“As restrictions are lifted and people socialise more, it is vitally important for people to stay vigilant for signs and symptoms of COVID-19; self-isolate and request a test if they develop symptoms.”

 

If you have COVID symptoms, no matter how mild, you and your household should isolate and book a COVID test online or dial 119 from any phone to book.

Everyone should also take twice-weekly rapid lateral flow device (LFD) testing when symptom-free. There are a number of testing sites available for residents who live or work in Herefordshire, alternatively you can pick up a test from participating pharmacies or you can order tests for home delivery. More information can be found on the council website. 

To protect yourself and others, you must remember: Hands. Face. Space. Fresh Air.

Hands – wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water often, and as soon as you get home - use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Space – stay at least 2 metres away from anyone you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble.

Fresh Air – it is safest to meet outdoors. If you do meet friends or family indoors stick to guideline limits, keep the visit short and ensure good ventilation.

Vaccination – take up COVID-19 vaccination when you are invited to do so.

DfE issues non-statutory Improvement Notice following recent High Court judgment

Herefordshire Council has today (Tuesday 18 May 2021) received a non-statutory Improvement Notice from the Department for Education (DfE).

The notice follows significant concerns raised in a recent High Court judgement which led to an urgent and thorough external review of Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services.

The Improvement Notice includes the appointment of Gladys Rhodes White OBE as an Improvement Adviser for a minimum of 12 months, and until such time that the Secretary of State is satisfied that she is no longer required. Mrs Rhodes White will provide advice to Children’s Social Care Services and Herefordshire Council, and she will chair the Improvement Board which is being established from the beginning of June 2021.

Paul Walker, newly appointed Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council said:

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“We welcome the appointment of Gladys Rhodes White OBE as Improvement Adviser following the Department for Education Improvement Notice. Mrs Rhodes White is an outstanding leader with substantial expertise and skills in transforming and improving services and outcomes for children and families. I will work closely with Gladys and Cath Knowles, our Interim Director of Children’s Services, to address the serious issues identified by the High Court judgement and Department for Education Improvement Notice and to deliver a sustainable and improved children’s services department.

“We take full accountability for the failings of our Children’s Social Care Services and we will make much-needed changes to our culture and practices. Our Interim Director of Children’s Services continues to lead the improvements to our Children’s Social Care Services. Our social workers continue to do their best, often in very difficult circumstances, to support families and protect vulnerable children in our community. Under the new leadership, we will strive to ensure we offer Herefordshire children, and their families, the highest level of care and support possible.” 

 

A review of Children’s Social Care services is underway to understand and address any failings and immediate actions are being taken to deal with any serious concerns. Herefordshire Council continues to offer residents the opportunity to report a concern following their experience with its Children’s Social Care services. A dedicated team, led by the Interim Director of Children’s Services, are working through these concerns and while we seek to understand the full extent of past decisions made within Children’s Services, we regret that we may find further instances that do not meet the required standards. If you have any concerns about the way you or your family have been treated by Herefordshire Children’s Social Care services, you can contact us at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/careconcerns  or email careconcerns@herefordshire.gov.uk

His family, friends and colleagues all paid tribute today in a fitting service for a true gentleman who was tragically killed in an accident last month.

Photographs courtesy of West Midlands Ambulance Service

Thank you to Dan Guerche and Steve for their very kind invitation to a private viewing of Saxtys Bar & Club last night.

Saxtys Bar & Club has undergone a very tasteful refurbishment as you will see from the photographs below.

We were fortunate to sample some of the delicious food. The starters were well presented and we had a variety of options to tease our taste buds. The main meal was a fabulous steak that arrived on a 🔥HOT STONE🔥 and slowly continues to cook at your table until it reaches your desired preference.

There is a superb choice of drinks and cocktails on offer and the service for their first night was impressive to say the least, the staff worked tirelessly throughout the evening and they all made us feel very welcome. 👏👏

We are looking forward to returning again over the coming weeks and months. We have missed Saxtys and are so pleased that this brilliant city centre venue is back open in Hereford!!

Saxtys Bar & Club is open from Thursday at 5pm till midnight.

Friday from 12 till late for food and cocktails.

Saturday from 12 till late for food and cocktails.

Sunday roast from midday till 5pm (last table at 4pm)

We would encourage you to book for food 👉 www.saxtys.co.uk

A new car parking charge structure that has been introduced across the county today (17 May) will make it easier than ever for you to make an informed decision about where best to park your car. 

The new structure, which divides the price of parking into bands relative to proximity to the City or town centre, gives you the option to balance spending less on parking with a short walk, and ensures there are plenty of spaces available in the centre for short term users.

Parking is now free in all market towns on Sundays and after 6pm every day, while in Hereford parking is now free after 8pm every day.

Prices have been frozen at Merton Meadow in Hereford which is our largest car park out of the town centre, while prices at St Martins (swimming pool) have been reduced from £1.20 to £1.00 per hour. The off-peak hours season ticket, which allows parking in any car park between 5pm and 9am for £75 per year or £25 per quarter, has also been extended to all Market towns.

The new structure, along with details of charges at each location can be found on the Herefordshire Council website.

Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said: 

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“Parking charges have not been increased since 2016, and we appreciate that bringing in rises is always a hot topic but they are increases we need to introduce for a variety of reasons. Effectively managing the demand for parking spaces allows us to ensure the turnover of spaces to help with availability, reduce congestion and improve air quality. We want our historic city and town centres to be clean, vibrant and busy centres where people can meet, shop, eat and work.

“We want people who come to shop or use our hospitality venues to be able to park for longer at a better price just outside the City Centre - like the Swimming Baths - walking into town with time to dwell and spend well locally. Those that want to come right into the City centre, where spaces are much more in demand, will pay a little extra. Motorists with disabilities will still have spaces reserved and the right to park in any parking space in the City centre for free.

“We have listened to key stakeholders around the county and considered the revised parking structure very carefully to try and attain a balance that encourages more active travel without deterring visitors. We really want people who come to shop or enjoy local hospitality to consider staying for longer by parking in one of our car parks that are a short walk from the centre so they don’t have to rush their day or evening out.

“The new banding structure means that parking slightly further from the city or town centre saves a bit of money on the price of parking while increasing footfall which supports local businesses. It also keeps spaces available in the centre of town for those who only need a short stay.”

Funds generated from parking charges are used to maintain local car parks, and any surplus funds provide vital contributions to other important services for local people, including school transport and public transport.

Some coronavirus restrictions are being lifted across England today, as Government move to Step 3 of roadmap.

Here’s what you need to know 👉 https://bit.ly/2QniMFJ 

The beautiful 400-year-old Old House in Hereford will be undergoing some much needed repairs if the recent planning application to carry out these repairs is approved.

The Black and White House Museum Hereford.

As you can clearly see from our photographs below, many of the infill panels need to be repaired and brought back to their former glory.

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Proposed repairs to external joinery, frame and infill panels of 1st floor, 2nd floor & attic level elevations.

Donald Insall Associations - Chartered Architects and Historical Building Consultants

Herefordshire Council appointed Insall to undertake a condition survey of the first and second floor level external elevations, to identify the condition of the timber frame, infill panels and associated external joinery i.e. windows, bargeboards and finials, and provide budget costs to allow a capital funding bid for the work. The findings of the inspection were to inform recommendations for improvement works sufficient to allow tenders to be invited from suitably experienced contractors.

Recommendations 

Timber Frame and Joinery

Necessary repairs to joinery on the upper-level elevations are minor in nature and largely focused on arresting the further loss of the delightful decorative details which are such a feature of this eye- catching building.

  Repair 5no carved pendant characters adorning gable apex. Introduce discreet lead cover flashing over upper surfaces of all 8 pendants following repair and redecoration.

  Repair several other missing or damaged decorative joinery features.

  Numerous previous patch repairs to frame and joinery require refixing.

  Remove extensive modern sealants before repair and redecoration.

  Remove leaching bird deterrent gel on transoms and sills before repair and redecoration.

  Prepare and redecorate external timber with linseed oil paint.

  Arrange close inspection by a suitably experienced structural engineer when access is next available during planned works.

Infill Panels

The constructional build-up and layered provenance of each panel is difficult to determine as the building has undergone may phases of adaptation and repair, but some original panels are likely to have survived at least in part and these are of high significance. Consequently, a cautious approach to repair is required where the type of construction is not apparent in a defective panel.

The cause of panel defects may often be the result of a combination of factors. It appears that many of the defective areas are of modern construction and relate to recent phases of repair.

Remove defective and delaminating coatings to panels and perimeter sealant at junctions with frame.

Progressively open up defective areas recording existing individual panel construction on reference sheet.

  Where defective panel is supported on modern woodwool slab or expanded metal lathing, assume complete replacement with new wattle and daub panel construction.

  Where defective panel is of modern, or historic, wattle and daub construction, assess soundness of panel and integrity of wattles/ laths to establish suitability for stabilisation or patch repair. Samples of any soil or lime-based daub should be carefully salvaged and bagged for analysis by others.

Replacement panels of new wattle and daub construction – refer to specification and drawings. Repairs to existing wattle and daub panel construction – refer to specification.
Prepare and redecorate panel exterior with mineral paint – refer to specification.
Prepare and redecorate panel interior with distemper – refer to specification.

Ancillary Items

Minor repairs to fixed leaded light windows in timber frames.

Renew isolated broken clay plain tiles to bay window roofs.

Repair/ renew sections of lead cover flashing to south elevation 2nd floor bressummer beam.

Remove sealant joint over lead cover flashing at top abutment of tiled roofs – refer to specification for repair detail.

The Condition Survey and Recommendation for Improvement Works PDF from Donald Insall Associates is attached below;

ProposalAttachment.pdf

Positive Hereford | Huge congratulations to Hamish at Local E Sourced awarded ‘Net Hero’ Winners at The Small Awards

This is a fantastic achievement and well deserved 👏👏

Interview with Hamish here https://fb.watch/5x7XYzdWfv/

Local E Sourced are absolutely delighted with their win and have written a few words here https://hfd.news/r99

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the U80011 - Union Street, Hereford.

The Knife Angel (Also referred to as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression) is a contemporary sculpture formed from 100,000 confiscated knives and is an incredible 27ft in height and weighing over 3.5 tonnes, created by artist Alfie Bradley (pictured below) and the The British Ironwork Centre based in Oswestry.

This thought-provoking angel artwork is scheduled to be hosted by the magnificent Hereford Cathedral from 14 June for 28 days.

Hereford Voice is proud to be a 'Working Partner' with this fabulous charity.

Donations https://www.justgiving.com/knifeangelhereford

About Knife Angel Hereford

Alison Davies lost her son Mark Hamilton to knife crime in 2018, together with friends Meryl Cain, Pauline Strong and Jan Jefferies they decided to bring the Knife Angel to #Hereford in 2021 to help raise awareness of the catastrophic impact of violent crime on communities, families and individuals.

Visit the website www.knifeangelhereford.co.uk

During the Knife Angel’s visit, the Knife Angel Hereford team will run a series of workshops and interactive events. It is envisaged that this initiative will continue after the Knife Angel leaves Hereford.

Another reason to Visit Herefordshire this year!

Bromyard Lions a community group of like minded people who wish to assist our community in any way we can.

We act independently of the many other community groups, of which there are many in Bromyard already, without stepping on their toes but bringing something else to the community to enhance what is already there. 

We have made scrubs for the hospital when required, masks for groups as requested.

We have embarked on a couple of big garden projects to assist with tidying the sites at the Hope Centre & Bromyard Community hospital and we are able to do so by fund raising to meet the costs. The rewards are in the pleasure we can bring in helping those in the community who are vulnerable. Other projects as and when funds allow.

We also collect spectacles for recycling, some 500+  to date which will help third world countries improve sight.

Also we have given over 100 Message In A Bottle pots for people to record allergies, people to contact in an emergency and medications, inside and place in the fridge. Stickers are supplied for the window and door for Police, Fire and or Paramedics to see on arrival in an emergency.

We also collected and donated 14 laptops and 5 tablets to Queen Elizabeth High School Bromyard for pupils to continue their education from home during the pandemic.

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organisation.

Lions are an international network of over 1.3 million men and women in over 44,000 clubs within 200 countries who work together through selfless, effective community service to answer the needs that challenge communities. Lions are individuals who volunteer their time to humanitarian causes in their local and global communities, conducting and supporting vision and health screenings, building parks, awarding scholarships, assisting youth, providing help in times of disaster and much more. In the British Isles and Ireland, and the rest of Europe, Lions donate over 5.7 million hours and £88 million to humanitarian causes each year.

As a member of a Lions Club you become aware of the needs of your community and have the opportunity to make a difference. Each Club provides volunteers with project management experience, leadership training, personal development opportunities and organised fund raising programmes. Being a Lion empowers you to help others in a way that no one person could do alone.

Lions International Foundation’s Global Causes
• Diabetes - We serve to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve quality of life for those diagnosed.
• Vision - We serve to prevent avoidable blindness and improve quality of life for people who are blind and visually impaired.
• Hunger - We serve to ensure the community members have access to nutritious foods.
• Environment - We serve to sustainably protect and restore our environment to improve the well-being of all communities.
• Childhood Cancer - We serve to help those affected by childhood cancer survive and thrive.

To find out more, or to join us please contact our President Tony John Richards. tjrichards60@gmail.com or 07885647675.

Regular rapid lateral flow tests for people without covid symptoms can help prevent outbreaks by helping detect positive cases that would not otherwise be found.

In Leominster, the testing site at the Old Priory will close from Wednesday 19 May, with rapid lateral flow tests instead being offered at the following pharmacies:

• Westfield Walk Pharmacy, Westfield Walk
• WS&B Rees Pharmacy, Morris Mews, 20 High St

There are also four local pharmacies that where home test kits are available for residents to collect:

• Leominster Pharmacy, 21-23 West Street
• Boots, 18 Corn Square,
• Westfield Walk Pharmacy, Westfield Walk
• W S & B Rees Chemists, 20 High Street

You must be aged 18 and over to collect the kits, however kits can be used by any age group;

See the Herefordshire Council Website for details of other testing sites across Herefordshire.

Elderly Ross-on-Wye resident was deceived into having unnecessary and expensive roof repair works.

A Bournemouth company, its director and salesman, who targeted an elderly Ross-on-Wye resident, have received fines for unfair trading criminal offences.

Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service took the prosecution case which concluded on Friday 30 April after a three day trial at Hereford Magistrates Court.

The Magistrates found all three defendants guilty of the same charges:

Aggressive practice of carrying out the work two days after the contract was made and failed to give the 78 year old home owner her 14 day cooling off period.

Misleading the consumer into having wholly unnecessary roof cleaning and coating work which ended up damaging the roof.

Misleading the consumer into believing £5640 was a reasonable price for the work when a chartered surveyor stated it was barely worth £1000.

More Than Homes Ltd were ordered to pay £15,000 in fines and £2500 costs.

Director Michael Roche, 45, of Stourview Court in Bournemouth, and salesman Jason Johnson, 46, of Porchester Road, Bournemouth were both fined £500 and £100 costs. The low level fines were simply due to both defendants being on universal credit.Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service Manager, David Hough, said: 

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“We ask family, friends and neighbours to remain vigilant in protecting elderly residents who are often the target of cold calling scams. This is an ever increasing problem now with rogue traders taking advantage of the Green agenda. I would urge people to never respond to unsolicited telephone calls, mail shots, text messages or door-to-door selling.

“The council has a zero tolerance policy on rogue trading and our Trading Standards team will work tirelessly to crack down on anyone preying on vulnerable residents. This prosecution is one of a string of cases against companies based in the Bournemouth area who target the elderly for bogus home improvements. These companies tend to sell waterproof wall and roof coatings and spray foam loft insulation. They target the elderly by using databases of home owners over a certain age and telephone them to coerce them into agreeing an appointment which is then attended by a commission only salesman.

“The products are invariably wholly unnecessary and sold at vastly inflated prices. We urge local residents to avoid becoming a rogue trader victim simply by not engaging with any cold callers, whether on the telephone or at the door.”

 

Anyone concerned about the activity of a doorstep seller is urged to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or visit the Herefordshire Council website for more consumer advice www.herefordshire.gov.uk/scams

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the A4103 - Egleton Bend (SCRIM) in Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on Hafod Road, Hereford.

To see which roads have been repaired and resurfaced across the county recently go here 👉 #hvroads

Hereford Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the A417 - Hillhampton to Burley Gate in Herefordshire.

Emergency services are currently at the scene between Mayberry Avenue and Bradbury Close (Saxon Gate Junction) attending an incident involving a vehicle on its roof.