Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on Church St Ledbury.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to a blaze that was well alight at the Industrial Estate on Holme Lacy Road Hereford during the early hours.

Firefighters from Hereford and Peterchurch fire stations were in attendance and used three pumps and a water carrier to extinguish the fire.

As the knife crime awareness week draws to a close these were some of the 83 anonymously surrendered edged weapons in the Amnesty Bin at Hereford Police Station!!

83 less potential weapons on our #saferstreets

#OpSceptre

A woman who was found with a dismembered body in two suitcases in the Forest of Dean last year has been sentenced to life in prison.

Calculating Gareeca Gordon admitted to murdering and dismembering 28-year-old Phoenix Netts in the multi-occupancy home where they both lived in Birmingham.

Phoenix's body was discovered by local officers in Coleford and a murder investigation was launched by Gloucestershire's Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).

At Bristol Crown Court today, Tuesday 4 May, Gordon was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum jail term of 23 years and six months.

On the evening of 12 May last year police responded to a call where suspicions had been raised about the manner of a motorist’s driving on the A4136.

Local officers attended and spoke to the driver who said he was waiting for a friend. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for a breach of Covid-19 regulations as his vehicle was registered to Wolverhampton.

At around 11pm officers then located a woman nearby, Gordon, on the B4228 near to the entrance of Stowfield Quarry, with two suitcases at the side of the road.

Due to the late time of night they were initially concerned for Gordon's welfare, however this soon turned into suspicions and she tried to stop officers from opening the two suitcases.

A dismembered and burnt body was found within and 28-year-old Gordon was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody.

Following an initial investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's MCIT she was soon charged with murder and remanded in custody.

The case was then handed to West Midlands Police as it was determined Phoenix had been murdered at an address in Salisbury Road, Birmingham.

Colleagues in West Midlands Police carried out an extensive CCTV trawl which tracked Gordon for a month prior. This revealed a series of calculated and organised actions where she had tried to convince people Phoenix was alive, while also taking steps to dispose of her body.

It was found Gordon had made several trips to Coleford in a car and by train, had arranged for waste disposal companies to collect carpet and possessions and had ordered industrial strength bleach online.

She also used Phoenix's phone to send messages to her family, friends and a housing officer telling them she was fine and going back to London.

It is thought Phoenix was killed on 16 April, weeks before she was discovered. She had suffered multiple stab wounds.

On 21 April Gordon pleaded guilty to Phoenix's murder and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today, Tuesday 4 May.Detective Chief Inspector John Turner, who led the initial investigation in Gloucestershire, said:

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"I can only hope that today's sentence will give Phoenix's family and friends some kind of comfort as they try and come to terms with their loss and our thoughts remain with them.

"This has been an extremely distressing investigation which not only impacted the officers who first attended the scene, but also all of those who have been involved in the complex case since that day.

"The officers who attended that night were presented with a set of truly horrific circumstances and if it wasn’t for their inquisitive nature I believe we may not have ever found Phoenix's body.

"As the investigation unfolded it became clear that Gordon had come up with an elaborate plan in order to try and hide her abhorrent actions. She is truly the most callous, calculating and evil person I have ever dealt with.

"This was a painstaking case with meticulous work from both forces which resulted in Gordon pleading guilty, saving Phoenix’s family further distress of hearing the case in court.

"I would like to thank my colleagues in both forces for their determination and hard work throughout – their tenacity has ensured Gordon is behind bars for her horrific and heartless crimes."

Detective Superintendent Scott Griffiths, who led the investigation for West Midlands Police, said:

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"My thoughts remain with the family and friends of Phoenix, she was a much-loved young woman whose life was tragically cut short by the sickening actions of Gordon.

"The details of this very sad case are extremely distressing for everyone who knew Phoenix. It was also difficult for the officers working on this case from both police forces.

"The callous and calculating actions of Gordon after she had killed Phoenix are deeply concerning. She went to great lengths to pretend Phoenix was still alive and had moved out of the area, as well as great efforts to dispose of her body, hoping her despicable crime would go unnoticed.

"Gordon did plead guilty to the murder which has saved Phoenix's family the pain and distress of a court trial, however I imagine their loss and knowing what happened is incomprehensible. I admire their courage, patience and dignity throughout and hope today's sentence offers some solace as they try to come to terms with this tragedy."

Herefordshire have advised that on June 22 Home Point will launch its improved housing allocations scheme to make applying and bidding for properties easier, with more choice over the types of housing people in Herefordshire can apply for 👉 HERE

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the C1262 - Fawley Cross, How Caple in Herefordshire.

This is disgusting! These vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of criminal damage at the fabulous Avoncroft Museum in Worcestershire.

In a message on their website the museum wrote;

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"It is with enormous sadness that we have to announce that the Museum will be CLOSED today, Sunday May 2.

Unfortunately we were subjected to a vandal attack yesterday evening - there is a lot of work to be done by police and forensics, and by our small team to clear up a lot of broken glass throughout the site, and it's just not safe to open.

I know you'll be disappointed, and so are we - yesterday was such a lovely day, and today promised to be fine as well - we hope you'll book to visit us again in the near future.

If you have bought a ticket for today, we will be in touch shortly to reimburse you. Please don't call or e-mail - we will be in touch but we are just a very small team.

Thank you for your understanding - and if you know of a local glazier or boarding up company who is available on a bank holiday Sunday, please message us!! Any help greatly welcomed."

Photographs courtesy of the Avoncroft Museum.

If anyone can help them please get in touch.

Positive Hereford | Starting this week with the great news that our friends at The Children's Bookshelf - Specialists in Children's Books will be reopening in Maylord Orchards!! 

Let us celebrate Hereford and all the good things that our wonderful city has to offer.

 Please share our positivity, it's become contagious 

Our fabulous local independent retailers have all reopened in the last few weeks including all those lovely shops and boutiques in The Independent Quarter and Hereford Butter Market

We have a new a nail salon, mobile phone shop and the new tasty Yorkshire wrap! A new pizza restaurant, as well as some fabulous coffee bars, take-aways, bistros, wine bars and pubs and the all new outside seating!

Outdoor markets and events in the city centre are very popular and bring vibrancy, together with some unique products and produce from many independent traders.

New eateries offering Korean BBQ at your table and Amazing Asia all coming soon to the Hereford Old Market Shopping Centre and we have some fabulous hotels too and let's not forget Saxtys Bar & Club which is reopening in May!! 

June brings Knife Angel Hereford to the Hereford Cathedral

We also have some wonderful new planters with seats and trees in the city centre which will look superb once they fully blossom. 

We love  our city and county and we like to shout about it and promote everything POSITIVE. It's all too easy to moan but we are privileged to live in such a beautiful part of the World. We will continue to promote local business and encourage people to visit Hereford and Herefordshire.

 Look out for our continuous and 'contagious' headlines 

 POSITIVE NEWS | POSITIVE HEREFORD 

The lockdown has been a very challenging time for people and businesses alike but there is light at the end of the tunnel..

Join us in our campaign and 'BE POSITIVE' about this fabulous city of ours.  'Positive Hereford' 

Follow our hashtag  #positivehereford 

Friends of Castle Green (FoCG) are now able to begin the much needed renovations to The Pavilion thanks to significant funding from Herefordshire Council, Hereford City Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The funding will enable the community group to begin the first phase of improvements to the building, which was asset transferred to them by Herefordshire Council in 2018. Work has now begun to install a renewable energy heating system at the Pavilion, using the River Wye as its source. By harnessing this renewable energy source, over 15 tonnes of carbon per year will be saved; a giant step toward carbon reduction and a huge money saving exercise.

Funding has been received from the government’s Towns Fund programme and Marches Renewable Energy, supported by ERDF funds, as well as Hereford City Council, allowing FoCG to replace the existing gas boiler and install this modern, renewable river source system, the first of its kind in Hereford City Centre. 

According to Paddy Nugent, Friends of Castle Green Director;

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“This is an incredibly exciting project and we are grateful for the funding that has allowed us to make these building improvements which will ensure that the Pavilion becomes a multifunctional, flexible and accessible space for evolving community use. We hope that this technology will act as a beacon of innovation and encourage other local facilities to harness the natural resource of the river for renewable energy.”

Friends of Castle Green has also been included by the Hereford Towns Fund Board in their Town Investment Plan funding bid submission to receive up to £25m from the Towns Fund programme. This initiative aims to revitalise and regenerate the City through investment in a number of projects meeting a strict criteria. Friends of Castle Green has applied for funds to further renovate and regenerate the Pavilion building. The extensive community consultation carried out in 2018 highlighted a significant need for improved facilities and this funding will allow FoCG to carry out proposed requirements to further the Pavilion as a building for the whole community. 

1. The project has received £39,778.31 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regeneration. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
2. The project has received £50,000 from the accelerated Town Fund which saw Herefordshire Council receive £750,000 to support a number of improvement projects in the City.
3. Hereford City Council has awarded £7,000 to Friends of Castle Green from its Community Development grants programme.

The Pavilion at Castle Green is a Grade II listed Georgian building on Medieval foundations with rooms available for hire located in the heart of Hereford City.

Now run on behalf of the community by Friends of Castle Green CIC, the Pavilion has three large rooms that make it the ideal venue for private functions, training courses, dance, exercise classes, worskhops, meetings, conferences, parties and a multitude of other uses for groups of all sizes.

The central location of the building, on the banks of the River Wye and overlooking historic Castle Green, make the Pavilion a popular space for community groups and individuals to meet for a number of purpose.

Multiple fire crews from several counties dealing with large fire in the open near to Hergest Ridge, Kington on the border between Herefordshire and Powys.

 HWFRS

We understand that the blaze is at Hanter Hill with crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service including appliances from Eardisley, Hereford, Ledbury, Peterchurch, Kington and Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

There is a car on fire on the A49 in Herefordshire between Dinmore Hill and Wellington, southbound towards Hereford.

📷 Joe James

A man who was tragically killed while riding his motorbike involving a collision with tractor near to Thruxton in Herefordshire last Friday has been named.

Mr Gary Edward Houghton, aged 54, from Newton Saint Margarets died as a result of the RTC. An inquest was opened into his death today and was immediately adjourned until a later date in order to gather further information.

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the C1239 - Garway in Herefordshire. (Castlefield Farm)

We were totally blown away with this lovely gift from one of our local independent clients today.

Angelina from Nail Trend in Hereford Butter Market was so pleased with her recent advertising campaign with us that she spend several hours hand painting this very nice bottle of red wine with so much detail which she kindly gave to us earlier. Angelina told us that she got the inspiration from our #PositiveHereford campaign.

Thank you so so much, this really meant a lot and is really appreciated. How lovely is that!

New parking charges in Herefordshire (where applicable) mentioned below in the attached PDF, will take effect on TBC. If a car park is not mentioned, then the charges will remain the same as at present.

A brief table showing the new prices is illustrated below 👇

NEW CHARGES:

Any queries in relation to the above may be directed to the Parking Office (tel: 01432 260974)

Email : civilparkingenforcement@herefordshire.gov.uk

Many people disagree with increased parking charges by saying it will discourage them from visiting the city however, there are those who argue that people will moan for the sake of moaning and increases are inevitable, yet the people who complain are often the same people who are more than happy to pay £3.50+ for a Latte or some other coffees!

In reality this money is used to pay for essential services across the county of Herefordshire. 

What are the possible options as a scenario ? 

Cllr Liz Harvey (Group Leader for It's Our County (Herefordshire) and Cabinet member - finance and corporate services) explained recently,

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The money generated by car parking charges pays a large proportion of the council's road maintenance costs and subsidises public transport across the county.

It amounts to ~ £6m.

If parking was free council tax would need to go up by a further 9%.

She said, "It's doable, if everyone is happy with that"

She also added;

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The parking charges are changing shortly to standardise on charges for different sorts of car parks (long stay commuter, stop and shop, city centre convenience). Charging is stopping at 2000 rather than 2200 and other changes to help people find the right type of parking to match their needs.

Theres also going to be more info on signage about how to save money with season ticket discounts and on how the income from car parking is used to support public transport and road repairs.

Changes coming to the RingGo phone App means that soon people will be able to pay on exit and thereby only pay for the time they use.

Appendix 3 for Car Parking Charges.pdf

Herefordshire Council has received a planning application for the proposed change of use from A1/A3 retail to Tanning and Beauty Salon  at the former Greggs bakery on Belmont Road in Hereford.

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proposed change of use from A1/A3 retail to Tanning and Beauty Salon (sui generis use) Change existing illuminated signage to reflect new ownership main sign above the entrance Gloden main sign - approx 2. 33m wide x 58cm high - 1500 lumens internal illumination tanning & beauty strapline in main sign - approx 1.50m wide x 10cm high - 1500 lumens - internal illumination projecting sign x 2 projecting sign - 80cm square approx. - 5000 lumens - face illuminated.

Planning Application P211131/F

West Mercia Police is encouraging members of the public to hand-in unwanted knives as part of a national knife surrender.

Monday, 26 April, saw the launch of Operation Sceptre, led by the Home Office, to help tackle knife crime.

Levels of knife crime in the towns and cities covered by West Mercia Police are relatively low in comparison to other parts of the country, however, its vital work to help keep these levels low.

In order to help, police are encouraging members of the public to hand-in unwanted knives to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands and being used in crime.

Throughout the week officers will be working to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife and speaking to children and young people where possible.

Surrender bins will be in place at key locations such as train stations and local schools to highlight the steps police are taking to prevent people from carrying a knife in public.

Warrants will be carried out at addresses where there is information to suggest someone in the home may be involved in knife crime, or crime associated with knives such as county lines drug dealing.

Community sweeps will take place bringing whole communities together to clear areas of discarded sharp objects that could potentially be used as a weapon.

West Mercia Police’s knife crime lead and head of local policing, Chief Superintendent Paul Moxley, said: “Fortunately, we do not experience the same levels of knife crime in our towns and cities as has been seen in other parts of the country, however that does not mean we are complacent. We know it does happen and it is important we take the appropriate steps to prevent young people from carrying a knife and prevent crimes involving knives.

“We have recently invested in ten additional police officers to specifically take on an early intervention and intervention role with children and young people across of three counties. Early intervention is vital and for the past two years our successful ‘Steer Clear’ programme has helped young people involved in, or on the periphery of being involved in, knife crime find an alternative route and we are developing this as a programme to roll out across the force area.

“One knife incident is one too many and the more we can do to stop knives getting into the wrong hands and being used in crime the better.”

During Operation Sceptre which will run until Monday 3 May, unwanted knives can be disposed of anonymously in secure knife bins at Hereford, Worcester, Redditch, Kidderminster, Malinsgate and Monkmoor Police Stations. Each policing area will also have a Knife Arch which will be in place at key locations such as train stations and local schools to highlight the steps police are taking to prevent people from carrying a knife in public.

Anyone who is concerned a young person is involved in or on the periphery of becoming involved in knife crime and carrying a knife can report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More information for young people about the stark consequences of knife crime can be found at www.fearless.org where concerns can also be reported anonymously.

At Hereford Voice our slogan has always been 'Having Your Say' and through our network we are going to give you the opportunity to ask your questions to some of our Councillors.

Cabinet Member - Infrastructure and Transport Councillor John Harrington has agreed to be put under the spotlight to answer your questions in the first of our 'exclusive' Q & A sessions.

Rules: Abuse will Not be tolerated and offensive comments will be deleted and may also result in that person being banned.

Please ask sensible questions on any subject that Cllr Harrington maybe able to address and answer in his capacity at Herefordshire Council.

• Hereford Link Roads (Bypass)
• Turning Off Traffic Lights or making them Part-Time (Hereford Voice Campaigns)
• River Crossings
• Closure of the Old Bridge
• Pot Holes 
• Maylord Orchards Shopping Centre
• Electric Buses
• Roundabouts

Please ask your questions below 👇 and Councillor Harrington will answer as many as he can in a video which we will publish over the weekend.