When Mayor of Hereford, Kath Hey, was invited to join the independent Town’s Fund board, she welcomed the chance to work towards an ambitious vision where Hereford’s unique rural heritage would complement sustainable future development.

The Towns Fund board, called #StrongerHereford, is made up of local leaders, businesses and communities who have put forward a bid for £25 million to Central Government. The bid was the culmination of months of extensive engagement with people across Hereford and it was instrumental for the City Council to be part of that process to ensure a strategic and cohesive connection.

“This is very much about future proofing the city for the next generation” said Kath. “The City Council is very much about being at the heart of our communities by connecting them, providing grants and an overall commitment to make sure they’re supported. But of course, our many communities are all different so there was a concerted effort to discover how we can make significant improvements whilst retaining what we love about Hereford.”

The guidelines for the bid stipulated that projects needed to focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity, skills and culture. As Kath continues “Hereford needs to recover following Covid when the time is right. Too many people have lost their livelihood and young people have continued to migrate away from the city. Focusing on skills and growth seems particularly pertinent”.

“The Towns Fund is all about levelling up so essentially making Hereford an even better place to live, visit and work in. The public were equally passionate as we were to embrace our rich heritage whilst improving quality of life.”

January saw a milestone with the bid (called the Town Investment Plan) submitted to Central Government. It’s quite an ambitious plan which has evoked strong reactions across the city. But the plan is one that was created fairly and with a clear vision.

“You’ll recognise that the plan features connectivity as a theme and it builds on the community transport legacy already in place” says Kath. “But when we talk about connectivity, we also mean people as well as transport links and that means having things to do.”

The process wasn’t without its challenges and it’s no surprise about how passionate discussions on which projects to support were. What was absolutely clear was a mutual desire to create something that integrated all parts of the city. But what next for those projects that didn’t make the final cut?

Kath says “This really brought to light how many dedicated people are doing inspiring things in the city. As a group we felt we can continue to support them, connect them to the right people and provide guidance on how to secure funding that’s a better fit”.

“We had to continually refer back to our vision to put forward projects that have the best chance of successful funding. Each project is like a part of a puzzle and together they create something fantastic. But we were also conscious that there were so many projects that whilst not suitable for this funding, we didn’t want to forget.”

Hereford City Council is actively looking to work with other partners that are working towards enhancing the city. Contact them for more information.

🔷 Budget and Council Tax Setting Explained 🔷

Herefordshire Council tax setting meeting is tomorrow (Friday 5th March) which is formally ratifying all the parish precepts, the fire authority and police charges and the county council tax rise which have each already been debated and agreed by their respective authorities.

Councillor Harvey will be answering the questions from our previous topic here over the weekend.

#herefordvoice #hereford #herefordshire #hfdvcs

The Knife Angel Hereford team is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a £10,000 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Alison Davies and Meryl Cain are joint leaders of the KAH Team bringing the Knife Angel to Hereford, Alison said:

Quote

“Thanks to National Lottery players for helping to make our project possible. We will be able to make a huge difference by financing youth workshops, schools’ and colleges’ educational programmes, conferences, outreach work and community engagement.  We will be able to increase awareness of the catastrophic impact violence and aggression has on individuals, families and the community as a whole. We are truly grateful for the support of National Lottery Funding.”

Plans are progressing well to bring the Knife Angel to Hereford Cathedral this summer. In the event dates have to be adjusted in line with Public Health England’s advice, further announcements will be made.

Throughout its time in the city, people will be able to visit the Knife Angel (socially distanced or as required by COVID restrictions) free of charge. Contingency plans will be put in place to hold the above listed events remotely, if physical events remain prohibited. 

The Knife Angel stands 27ft tall and is made from over 100,000 knives and blades received from 42 police forces across the UK. Created by Alfie Bradley out of the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, the Knife Angel has toured around the UK and has become recognised as a National Monument Against Violence and Aggression.

The Knife Angel Hereford team would welcome additional donations or offers of support from Hereford businesses or individuals.

For further information, please visit: https://knifeangelhereford.co.uk/ or email knifeangelhereford@gmail.com. There is also a JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/knifeangelhereford

Cabinet Member - Finance and Corporate Services - Councillor Liz Harvey has agreed to be put under the spotlight to answer your questions in the second series of our 'exclusive' Q & A 'Councillor Sessions'.

#herefordvoice #hfdvcs

Max and Simon in the Masons' Yard (2019)

Simon Hudson, of Hudson Stonework Ltd based in the Cathedral Close, has been awarded 'The Master Craftsman Certificate' by The Worshipful Company of Masons in 2021.

Simon in the Masons' Yard

With over two decades of working as stone mason and carver in Herefordshire, Simon’s work can be seen not just at Hereford Cathedral but also many churches and heritage sites within the county and further afield.

Hudson Stonework Ltd has been a resident of the Cathedral Close for ten years and its location means that the art of this traditional craft can be shared with all who pass by. The Masons’ Yard provokes much interest from visitors to the cathedral and it is not an uncommon sight to see Simon explaining his latest project or answering questions from those who have stopped to watch him at work.

Alongside his work Simon has shared his wealth of knowledge, gained over almost 40 years, and trained two apprentices who have both received national recognition as a result of his mentoring. Alec Curtis and Max Cotterill received The Journeyman Certificate and The Apprentice Certificate respectively from The Worshipful Company of Constructors in 2019, making this latest award a hat trick of success for the company.

l-r Simon Hudson, Alec Curtis, Mr Terry Withers FRICS & Max Cotterill c. Phil McCarthy receiving awards in 2019

The Revd Canon Andrew Piper, Precentor & Acting Dean at Hereford Cathedral, said, “The Chapter offers Simon our warmest congratulations on being awarded The Master Craftsman Certificate in recognition of his dedicated and exceptional work. It is a rare privilege for us to have such a skilled stonemason based in the Cathedral Close, and it is a pleasure to watch him practise and teach his craft on a daily basis. The work of Simon and his former apprentices can be seen on the cathedral and many churches across our diocese and beyond it: we all value their expertise, and we appreciate their friendliness and generosity in sharing their talent and enthusiasm with us. It is a delight to have Simon and his apprentices as part of our cathedral community.”

The Worshipful Company of Masons is number thirty in the order of precedence of the Ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, as set by the Aldermen of the City in 1515. Their focus is to preserve and encourage the use of natural stone in the built environment, including supporting the training of craftsmen as well as the preservation and appreciation of iconic historic stone buildings. The Worshipful Company of Masons is at the forefront of supporting the craft of stonemasonry in education and preservation.

£2 billion package to create new era for cycling, walking and trials for e-scooters

Many countries throughout Europe already successfully use e-scooters but currently they are not legal here in the UK, (unless on private land) however, that may all be about to change...

Lime is one of many company offering e-scooter rentals.

Alternative ways to travel, such as walking and cycling, could relieve the pressure on public transport.

• largest ever boost for cyclists and pedestrians
• emergency bike lanes and streets will help support transport network
• trials of rental e-scooters to be brought forward to increase green transport options
• government working with leading tech developers to reduce crowding on public transport

Far more people will be cycling and walking thanks to plans to boost greener, active transport, launched today (9 May 2020) by Transport Secretary Grant  Shapps .

Pop-up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors will be created in England within weeks as part of a £250 million emergency active travel fund - the first stage of a £2 billion investment, as part of the £5 billion in new funding announced for cycling and buses in February.

Following unprecedented levels of walking and cycling across the UK during the pandemic, the plans will help encourage more people to choose alternatives to public transport when they need to travel, making healthier habits easier and helping make sure the road, bus and rail networks are ready to respond to future increases in demand.

The government will fund and work with local authorities across the country to help make it easier for people to use bikes to get around - including Greater Manchester, which wants to create 150 miles of protected cycle track, and Transport for London, which plans a “bike Tube” network above Underground lines.

Fast-tracked statutory guidance, published today and effective immediately, will tell councils to reallocate roadspace for significantly-increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians. In towns and cities, some streets could become bike and bus-only while others remain available for motorists. More side streets could be closed to through traffic, to create low-traffic neighbourhoods and reduce rat-running while maintaining access for vehicles.

Vouchers will be issued for cycle repairs, to encourage people to get their old bikes out of the shed, and plans are being developed for greater provision of bike fixing facilities. Many more will take up the Cycle to Work scheme, which gives employees a discount on a new bike.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Quote

 

During this crisis, millions of people have discovered cycling - whether for exercise or as a means of safe, socially-distanced transport. While there is no change to the ‘stay at home’ message today, when the country does get back to work we need those people to stay on their bikes and be joined by many more.

Otherwise, with public transport’s capacity severely restricted at this time, our trains and buses could become overcrowded and our roads gridlocked – holding up emergency services, critical workers and vital supplies.

We know cars will continue to remain vital for many, but as we look to the future we must build a better country with greener travel habits, cleaner air and healthier communities.

 

An updated Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy will be launched by the Prime Minister in the summer, with further measures to transform cycling and walking to deliver the government’s aims to double cycling and increase walking by 2025 – including:

• the creation of a national cycling and walking commissioner and inspectorate
• higher standards for permanent infrastructure across England
• getting GPs to prescribe cycling and exercise
• creating a long-term budget for cycling and walking similar to what happens for roads

The government will also be launching a campaign to encourage more people to look at alternative ways to travel, to walk or get on a bike for their commute instead of public transport. Today, riders from Team Ineos, including Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, will be telling people to #GetPedalling.

Sir Dave Brailsford, Team Principal of Team INEOS, said:

If ever there was a good time to get on your bike, it’s now. You will be helping take pressure off public transport. You will be looking after your health. You will be looking after the health of others and you will be helping the environment. Let’s all get pedalling and help Britain on the road to recovery.

E-scooter trials will also be brought forward from next year to next month to help encourage more people off public transport and onto greener alternatives. Originally set to take place in 4 Future Transport Zones, the trials of rental e-scooters – which will now be offered to all local areas across the country – will allow government to assess the benefits of e-scooters as well as their impact on public space, with the potential to see rental vehicles on UK roads as early as June.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands said:

Quote

 

The West Midlands is proud to be leading the way on future transport development, and I am pleased the government has put its faith in us again with this new and innovative trial of e-scooters.

This trial will help bring more flexibility, choice, and greener travel solutions for the region, at a time when we are facing a climate emergency and urging people to leave the car at home.

We will also use the trial to look at the current transport challenges the coronavirus pandemic has presented us with and explore how e-scooters could be used to help tackle them.

No region is better equipped than the West Midlands to test, review, and implement trials such as these at pace and scale, and that is testament to the hard work and innovation of those working in our future transport sector.

 

As the government aims to encourage people to choose greener forms of travel when the coronavirus restrictions are lifted, a further push is being made to encourage drivers to purchase an electric vehicle. An extra £10 million - double the current funding amount - is being committed to the on street residential chargepoint scheme which will allow local authorities to install up to 7,200 devices, making it more convenient to charge and own an electric vehicle.

We published this article in May 2020 on a A £2 billion package to create new era for cycling, walking and trials for e-scooters.

Last Thursday we published another article here highlighting that Beryl Bikes had recently launched e-Scooters and e-Bikes and trials for e-scooters across some cities in the UK were already taking place.

We can today reveal that Herefordshire Council have been unsuccessful in their first bid for e-Scooter trials however, all is not lost because the council have been advised that they are still being considered for any expansion of the trials.

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford #herefordshire

Last night at 21.55 a meteor was captured by many cameras and dash cams across the UK. We receieved many reports from across Herefordshire as well as people hearing a loud bang

The UK Meteor Network captured this spectacular footage of the meteor entering the atmosphere on their own camera.

Rail and Bus for Herefordshire in partnership with West Midlands Railway launch a new project for Ledbury Railway Station under the banner of 'Your Community Your Fund'

Ledbury Town

Ledbury is an historic medieval market town on the West Midlands Railway network. It owes its origins to the church and the establishment of St Katherine’s Hospital for travellers by the Bishop of Hereford c.1231 at a crossing of medieval pack-horse routes. The hospital remains todays as well as its Master’s House from which the establishment and small farm was supervised.

Around the cross roads grew the medieval town which is now a jewel of heritage buildings from Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian times.

The Railway

The railway arrived in 1861 after considerable engineering works boring tunnels through the Malvern Hills and spanning the valley of the Leadon at Ledbury by a magnificent viaduct which still carries the trains today. The station at Ledbury was a fine building which also had a licensed refreshment room. There was a large goods yard and a small locomotive shed. In 1885 a branch line through the town to Newent and Gloucester was built with a superb skew bridge over the Hereford Road. The line closed in the 1950s and today it is a town trail that will take you from the station to the town centre.

Town Grows - Railway Declines

By the 1960s Ledbury was a growing town but the railway was in decline. The reshaping of British Railways (the Beeching Report) saw the closure of many stations and lines. Ledbury was lucky to retain its trains but the station was reduced to an unstaffed halt and the splendid buildings were demolished. The station and trains grew remote from the town as cars and buses became the main form of transport.

In the late 1980s a transport geographer living in the town negotiated with British Rail to open a small wooden ticket and information office at the station and operate as an agency. This was eventually agreed and it became one of the forerunners of community rail linking the community and its station. The enterprise still functions today.

Rediscovering the Railway

The project of the late 1980s was but a beginning. Rail usage began to increase. Between 1998 and 2018 the numbers increased by over 100% from 101,387 to 216,606 passengers per annum (source: Government annual station usage statistics).
In 2021 Ledbury is set to further build on the previous success with a new project at the station. The project, funded through a grant from the West Midlands Trains Community Fund, with additional support from Ledbury Town Council and Ledbury Civic Trust, will enable a new glazed display cabinet to be positioned at the station containing an art map of the town and its heritage buildings together with a history of the town and its railway in original calligraphic script.

Local community artists will be producing the art and calligraphic work and the project will be managed for Rail & Bus for Herefordshire by local transport geographer Gareth Calan Davies.
This is an exciting community project designed to bring station, community and town even further together whilst promoting Ledbury as a jewel of a heritage town on the West Midlands Rail network. It will help encourage visitors to the town and strengthen the community whilst at the same time supporting and encouraging use of the train service.

Find out More and Keep in Touch

Regular news items about the project will be produced including more info about the history of the town and railway together with introductions to the artists involved in the project.

To keep in touch contact Gareth Calan Davies, project manager for RBfH onghal@btinternet.com telephone 01531 633594 www.rbfh.org.uk

To find out more about this and other community rail projects throughout the West Midlands contact Fay Easton
Stakeholder & Community Manager at West Midlands Railway onFay.Easton@wmtrains.co.uk www.wmr.uk/about-us/your-community-your-fund

PDF attached

Town and Railway Powerpoint V5.pdf

Having Your Say | Hereford Voice Councillor Sessions.

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 - Finance and Corporate Services - Councillor Liz Harvey has agreed to be put under the spotlight to answer your questions in the second series 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 Harvey maybe able to address and answer in her capacity at Herefordshire Council.

Councillor Elizabeth Harvey

Herefordshire Council tax setting meeting is this coming Friday 5th March, which is formally ratifying all the parish precepts, the fire authority and police charges and the county council tax rise which have each already been debated and agreed by their respective authorities. Cllr Harvey is more than happy to explain all about that however, please be minded that there is no scope on Friday to revisit the 4 99% county tax uplift. Please ask your questions, we have set out a few examples below;

• Finance 
• Council Budget 
• Council Tax
• Value for money
• Corporate Services

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford #herefordshire #hfdvcs

Having Your Say | Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions' Q&A Continued - Part 6 🔷Transport Strategy (Bypass Bikes, Bridges)🔷

These are divided up into 3 separate responses - part 1/3

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 agreed to be put under the spotlight and to answer as many questions put to him in our first exclusive 'Councillor Sessions' series here https://hfd.news/eec

Today in part 6 of our series Cllr Harrington responds to questions about the 'Hereford Bypass' part 1/3.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Harrington for agreeing to be the first of many councillors who will be engaging with you all this year as part of our 'exclusive' Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions'

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire #hfdvcs

The council's public realm contract for providing services includes highways, public rights of way, parks and open spaces, street cleaning and street lighting.

Balfour Beatty were awarded the contract in 2013 and the procurement for the contract set out to achieve the following objectives:

🔸Ensuring our roads, public open spaces and streets are accessible, safe, clean and well-maintained

🔸Maintaining the delivery of essential services

🔸Achieving value for money, facilitated by process improvement and transparency through open book accounting

🔸Achieving service delivery which is efficient and responsive to local needs and priorities and

🔸Contributing to the regeneration of the economy and social capital in Herefordshire

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 agreed to be put under the spotlight and to answer as many questions put to him in our first exclusive 'Councillor Sessions' series here 👉 https://hfd.news/eec

Today in part 5 of our series Cllr Harrington responds to questions about the 🔸BBLP - 'Balfour Beatty Living Places' Contract🔸

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Harrington for agreeing to be the first of many councillors who will be engaging with you all this year as part of our 'exclusive' Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions'

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire #hfdvcs

Sites set up across the county to give workers better access to COVID-19 rapid testing

Essential workers across Herefordshire, who cannot work from home, are being urged to join an initiative to help drive down the number of COVID-19 cases by doing twice-weekly rapid tests (known as Lateral Flow Tests).

Four council test centres for people without COVID-19 symptoms are now open for bookings in Herefordshire. They are in Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury and Leominster, and critical businesses and essential workers who need to attend a workplace, are invited to use the testing facilities.

In addition, tests for people without symptoms will also start to become available at selected community pharmacies across Herefordshire.

The scheme is part of the Government’s Community Asymptomatic Testing Programme and is being run locally by Herefordshire Council.

Around one in three people who are infected with COVID-19 have no symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly, and help break the chain of transmission.

With its targeted approach, this programme aims to improve the detection of positive cases so people can isolate and prevent spreading the disease in the workplace and reduce the prevalence of the virus in some of the highest risk areas. It is being used in addition to the established testing venues, which are for anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 in Herefordshire.

Eligible workers can book an appointment at a community asymptomatic test site by following the link on the Council’s website. The rapid tests produce a result in up to 2 hours and people are notified by text message or email. Anyone who does not receive their result within 12 hours, should take another rapid test.

The rapid testing sites in Herefordshire are:

Hereford City - ThePoint4, Venns Ln, Hereford, HR1 1DT

Monday: 8am – 2pm

Tuesday: 12:30pm – 6:30pm

Thursday: 8am – 2pm

Friday: 12:30pm – 6:30pm

Saturday: 9am – 1pm

Ross-on-Wye - Ryefields Centre, Grammar School Close, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7QD

Monday: 8am – 2pm

Thursday: 12:30pm – 6:30pm

Ledbury – The Master’s House, Bye St, Ledbury HR8 1EA

Tuesday: 7:30am – 12noon

Friday:  2pm – 6:30pm

Leominster - Old Priory, The Priory, Leominster, HR6 8DA

Monday 12:30pm – 6:30pm

Wednesday 8am – 2pm

The first community pharmacy currently offering rapid tests is:

Westfields Walk Pharmacy, Leominster, HR6 8HD

Book a community pharmacy test here.

Herefordshire Consultant in Public Health Sarah Smith said:

Quote

 

It is important we use every means available to help us detect the virus in our communities and make sure people isolate to prevent it spreading. Under the current lockdown arrangements, there are still people who need to attend a workplace and they are the focus of our current community testing programme.

“We know a significant number of those who contract COVID-19 do not display symptoms and are unknowingly passing it to others. These tests are vital to our efforts to suppress the transmission and I urge every essential worker in Herefordshire, who cannot work from home, to use these new testing facilities.”

 

Health Minister Lord Bethell said:

Quote

 

We’ve already come so far since first setting up a national testing programme at an unprecedented pace to help counter COVID-19, but we continue to strive to go further, faster.

“Around one in three people have the virus without symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Broadening testing to identify those showing no symptoms will mean finding positive cases more quickly and break chains of transmission.

“I’m delighted Herefordshire Council is working with us to roll out community testing across the county and I look forward to seeing the results.”

 

Baroness Dido Harding, Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection, said:

Quote

 

NHS Test and Trace continues to play a leading role in the fight against COVID-19.

“Increased community testing is a vital additional tool at our disposal to help identify those who are infected and infectious, but unaware that they might be spreading the disease.

“The work of Herefordshire Council will be essential in driving down transmission rates. I urge all those living in areas where community testing is offered to come forward and get tested.”

 

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

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.

In a time of doom and gloom on the High Street some positive movement on the two empty restaurants on the Old Market site.
Both Prezzo and Chimichenga units are under offer.

https://www.realla.co.uk/details/13157948

Herefordshire Council’s project provides new state of the art facilities for pupils and staff at Marlbrook Primary School

New state of the art facilities opened for pupils and staff at Marlbrook Primary School at Green Croft this week following a £6 million investment project by Herefordshire Council.

The council funded sustainable scheme has provided six new classrooms, a new hall and a special hygiene and physio room.  The school has also benefited from new netball courts and improvements to the car parking area.

Local company, Morgan Sindall Construction, were contracted by the council to carry out the work which they completed in time ready for when pupils return to school after February half term.

The school – rated Outstanding by Ofsted, has experienced a significant rise in pupil numbers in recent years and the council’s investment has enabled the size of the school to be significantly increased. 

Councillor Felicity Norman, Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, and Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet Member for Commissioning, Procurement and Assets, said they were delighted that the scheme had been completed on time and within budget by a local construction company, using the council’s new project management system.

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“Marlbrook Primary School is a real success story during what has been a really difficult time for schools due to the pandemic.

“This significant investment by the council means that pupils and staff can enjoy using the new high quality spacious facilities.  Pupils will now benefit from a state-of-the-art learning environment and the very latest facilities to help make sure they get the best possible outcome from their education.”

Head teacher Tracey Kneale said the opening of the new facilities to pupils and staff was a much-needed boost to Herefordshire primary school education in the midst of the continuing coronavirus situation.

Quote

"The whole school community is delighted with the new facilities.  It’s been a difficult time for our pupils, their families and our staff - this project has given us something to look forward to that will be a really important asset to the school and our community for years to come. We’re also extremely grateful to everyone in the local community, our neighbours have been very patient and tolerant of the increased traffic and difficult parking situation."

Robert Williams, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, added:

Quote

“We are delighted to hand over this important education asset for the Herefordshire community.  We have worked collaboratively with the council and all of the project’s stakeholders to deliver the work safely, efficiently and in line with current government COVID-19 guidance.”

Hereford City Council approved a grant of £1,510.38 for Hereford Canoe Club, which will go towards purchasing another two canoes for use of the club’s members.

Hereford Youth Canoe Club is a voluntary club providing boat-loads of positive paddle-sport opportunities for the young people of Herefordshire.

Vic Gamage, representing the Canoe Club, explained to City Councillors that the application covered the costs of two canoes large enough for their teenage members; the existing canoes simply cannot support the members and larger ones are needed.

The Canoe Club has unfortunately lost much of their income over the last year due to the Covid-19 restrictions which have been in place, and so assistance was needed to cater to their members. Like many of our Youth Clubs, the Canoe Club has been fighting against the tide of uncertainty which the Coronavirus Pandemic has brought about.

Mayor Kath Hey expressed her appreciation for the work the Youth Canoe Club does, and the importance of encouraging young people to undertake outdoor exercise and activity. City Councillors unanimously agreed to grant £1,510.38 for the purchase of two large canoes as stated in the application.

For more information on Hereford Youth Canoe Club, visit their Facebook page.

#herefordvoice #herefordcity #herefordnews #hereford

This gentleman of the sport once owned and had a financial share in The Temple bar in Ewyas Harold Herefordshire and can be seen in the pub in this photograph taken in May 1984.

Professional snooker player Doug Mountjoy playing at the Temple Bar in Ewyas Harold. 03-05-1984.

His last season on the tour was 1996/1997 and he then went on to coach in the Middle East for two years before coaching back in Wales.

Doug Mountjoy was from Tir-y-Berth, Gelligaer, Glamorgan, Wales. He was on the professional snooker circuit during the sport's golden era of the late 1970s and 1980s, and remained within the top 16 of the world rankings for 11 consecutive years.

He won both the 1978 UK Championship and the 1979 Irish Masters, and reached the final of the 1981 World Snooker Championship where he lost to Steve Davis. He also finished in second place at the 1985 Masters.

Doug Mountjoy | Photo Credit: PA Sport

Doug Mountjoy passed away on Sunday 14th February which was Valentine's Day - RIP

Having Your Say | Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions' Q&A Continued - Part 3 Hereford Transport Hub

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 agreed to be put under the spotlight and to answer as many questions put to him in our first exclusive 'Councillor Sessions' series here https://hfd.news/eec

Tonight in part 3 of our series Cllr Harrington responds to questions about the Hereford Transport Hub

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Harrington for agreeing to be the first of many councillors who will be engaging with you all this year as part of our 'exclusive' Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions'

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire #hfdvcs