Charles Byrne, aged 24, from Waterworks Road, Worcester, has been charged with murder and attempt murder. He is remanded to Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court to appear tomorrow (Friday 12 February).

He was charged in relation to an incident that occurred in Worcester on Wednesday 10 February.

New ‘Kickstart’ scheme will benefit local businesses and give 16-24 year olds the opportunity to gain work experience

Herefordshire Council is set to support local young people and businesses through being a gateway organisation for the delivery of the government’s Kickstart scheme in the county.

Across the UK younger people have been some of those worst affected economically by the pandemic. In Herefordshire there has been a 108% increase in people aged between 18 and 24 claiming out of work benefits since March 2020.

As part of the Covid-19 recovery programme, the Kickstart scheme will provide 6-month work experience placements to 16 to 24 year olds receiving Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment.

The Kickstart scheme fully meets the salary and costs for each placement, as well as providing the individual with skills and wrap around support during their placement - such as coaching, mentoring, work skills including supporting job applications, CV writing and interview skills.

Cllr Ellie Chowns, cabinet member for Environment, Economy and Skills, said: 

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“We are delighted to be able to act as a gateway organisation for the Kickstart scheme. It has been a difficult time for everybody, but the economic impact of the pandemic has been felt particularly by young people, so it is fantastic that Kickstart will provide young people in Herefordshire with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and develop employability skills.

“The scheme is part of the council’s objective to help people most impacted by the pandemic, including young people and businesses, to feel safe and supported. It also reinforces the council’s key commitment to work with partners to expand our focus on those at risk of long term unemployment, and young people at risk of not being in education, training or employment.”

Hoople will lead the delivery of the scheme on behalf of the council, and will support 105 placements in 22 of the organisations that have offered placements to date, including 30 within the council and Hoople.

It is anticipated that the number of placements may increase, as once selected as a ‘gateway’ it is possible to request support for additional placements as they become available up until end of December 2021.

Employers have a choice to either access Kickstart through a gateway employer or apply directly to DWP. Further information about the Kickstart scheme. 

The Government have today issued the following press release:

Extensive damage reported on Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) area of River Lugg in Herefordshire.

Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission mount joint investigation into damage reported on SSSI area of the River Lugg in Herefordshire. Legal notices were served and officers have attended the site to gather evidence.

Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission mount joint investigation.

Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission have joined forces to investigate a series of unconsented works on the river Lugg at Kingsland in Herefordshire. The area has SSSI status due to its environmental importance.

With the support of West Mercia police, officers from Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission came together on the scene last week with officers from Herefordshire Council, to investigate and seek formal evidence for the alleged offences.

A legal notice requiring the works to stop immediately was served on the landowner by Natural England last week, while the Forestry Commission issued a stop letter requiring an end to any further felling work. The Environment Agency also requested no further works to be carried out on the river last week.

Emma Johnson, Natural England area manager, said:

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I’m shocked by the destruction I’ve seen to this very special river.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest represent our finest places for wildlife and geology and Natural England is responsible for ensuring their protection, working with landowners and managers to achieve this. We have regulatory powers to prevent damage taking place to SSSIs but when this does occur we can take appropriate enforcement action, including prosecuting offenders.

The river Lugg is a very special place due to the ecology of the river and surrounding area. Natural England and our partners are working together to take strong action to ensure a wide-ranging and thorough investigation is carried out.

The three agencies came together to jointly investigate last week following reports of activities including dredging, illegal felling of trees and profiling of the river banks. The works have the potential to cause significant, long term ecological harm to nearly 1.5km of the river.

Keith Jones, area director for the Forestry Commission said:

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I’m appalled at what has happened. Trees are a precious natural resource, which is why anyone wishing to fell them must ensure they comply with the Forestry Commission’s felling licence requirements.

Dave Throup, area environment manager for the Environment Agency, added:

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This is a beautiful part of the world. To see the changes from last week to this is terrible. We’re working closely with our partners to ensure this is thoroughly investigated.

Further information:

• Natural England is responsible for ensuring the protection of SSSI areas, the Forestry Commission is responsible for issuing and regulating tree felling permits and the Environment Agency is responsible for flood risk management, fish and spawning and the way rivers function.
• Natural England has regulatory powers to prevent damage taking place to SSSIs and to take appropriate enforcement action, including prosecuting offenders where damage occurs.
• Felling trees without the authority of a felling licence issued by the Forestry Commission, where one is required, currently carries a penalty upon conviction in a magistrates’ court of £2,500 or twice the value of the timber felled.
• In certain circumstances, the Forestry Commission is empowered to serve a Restocking Notice upon anyone committing an illegal felling offence, either with or without having secured a conviction, which compels the individual served to restock the land with trees. Failure to comply with the notice may result in a separate offence being committed, which already carries a penalty of an unlimited fine.

Source

Stronger Hereford

This scheme is part of the collective proposed projects planned for Hereford (see pdf attachment) and will establish a transformational world-class contemporary facility in the heart of Hereford with the capacity to accommodate our globally and nationally significant heritage assets such as the Magna Carta, Herefordshire Hoard and collections of antiquities dating back to the Ice Age, in addition to hosting national and international exhibitions.

The redevelopment will embrace the latest technologies such as Virtual Reality to tell the story of Herefordshire and the wider Welsh Marches region.

The new museum will aim to attract progressive funding for heritage, culture and the arts to facilitate educational and cultural activity in the city and county, to strengthen community cohesion and engagement and to support the development of job opportunities in Hereford’s cultural sector.

FUNDING 

Total Cost: £15,000,000 | Towns Fund: £5,000,000

Matched Funding: £10,000,000

Towns Fund and match-funding will support the full refurbishment of the current Broad Street Museum and Library building to EnerPHit design standards to minimise its carbon footprint.

This scheme is part of the collective proposed projects planned for Hereford (see pdf attachment) by StrongerHereford and will establish a transformational world-class contemporary facility in the heart of Hereford with the capacity to accommodate our globally and nationally significant heritage assets such as the Magna Carta, Herefordshire Hoard and collections of antiquities dating back to the Ice Age, in addition to hosting national and international exhibitions.

The StrongerHereford Vision

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"Hereford aspires to be one of the greenest and fairest cities in the country, with fantastic opportunities and quality of life for people of all ages. Deeply rooted in our unique rural heritage, we’re blossoming into a richly creative, digital, connected and highly-skilled place to live, work, study, invest and visit."

Plans and projects also include redevelopments

• Maylord Library & Learning Resource Centre
• Holmer Extreme Sports Hub
• Castle Green Pavilion
• Meadow Arts
• Encore Music Hub
• Digital Culture Hub
• Electric Buses
• River Wye Infrastructure
• Southside Scheme
• Greening the City
• Powerhouse Project
• Soil from the City
• NMTE Future of Work Hub
• HCA School of Creative Digital Futures

#StrongerHereford #herefordvoice #hereford #positivehereford

S20098D-Hereford-TIP-Document-NEW-FINAL-1.pdf

Alister Walshe has announced he is stepping down as Chair and Trustee of St Michael’s Hospice. 

Mr Walshe has been involved with the Bartestree-based charity for over 17 years but says the time has come to hand over to someone else.

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‘Like many people, I didn’t really know what St Michael’s did until a close friend needed the hospice,’ he said.

‘I was so amazed by the level of professionalism, care and compassion shown to my friend in his last few months that I wanted to give something back.  I wanted to help make sure other people would get this vital support too.’

Mr Walshe started offering his experience as a volunteer in the gardens and then became a Trustee.  For the last 11 years he’s been the Chair of the Trustees.

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‘It’s been an absolute privilege to hold this position at a charity that is respected not only across Herefordshire but also much further afield,’ he said.

Mr Walshe, who owns Hereford-based estate agency Stooke Hill & Walshe, said so many people help to make the Hospice a success. 

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‘We have 1,000 fantastic volunteers who each give up their time to help a cause so close to their hearts, and over 200 staff. I can’t thank them enough for their commitment and dedication.

‘The last year has been especially challenging, but everyone at St Michael’s has stepped up to keep our services going for the people that need them, which leaves me bursting with pride.

‘Trusteeship is an important volunteer role and I think it’s important that new people join the board to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to ensure St Michael’s continues its fantastic work.

‘Although I’ll miss the role, I plan to stay involved and help in other ways – wherever I’m needed.’

Mr Walshe’s successor will be announced by the end of March.

Mike Keel, the Hospice’s Chief Executive, said the Chairman leaves big boots to fill.

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‘Everybody in Herefordshire seems to know Alister and this has been one of his greatest assets in getting St Michael’s more widely known.  We’re obviously sad he’s stepping down, but he should be hugely proud of what’s been achieved during his tenure,’ said Mr Keel.

‘During his time as Chairman, Alister has overseen a great many changes, the two most significant are the expansion of the buildings and the introduction of the Hospice at Home service, which has just celebrated its fifth birthday.  More than twice as many people are now supported by St Michael’s than when he took over.’

The Volunteers and staff wish him well and look forward to hearing who his successor is.

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on A44 - Noakes Bridge to The Farthings near Bromyard.

Stay updated with latest roadworks HERE

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #positivehereford

Below are people views and articles drawing our attention to the state of our environment both urban and countryside. Of course it is always someone else's job to clear up, but it would be encouraging to see others doing their bit within their community starting outside their home. Any suggestions to improve matters?

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16th March 2020 - Hereford Times

The reality of Herefordshire's beauty ruined by rubbish, litter picker claims

By James Thomas
     
THE damage caused by littering in Herefordshire is becoming “horrendous”, according to one man who voluntarily tries to keep the county tidy.

Graham Cox, of the Golden Valley litter group, said the council are not prioritising litter clearance, and there is not enough staff to cope.

“Unfortunately it has become apparent that the lanes, rivers, brooks and woods of this county are already defiled and abused with a level of rubbish being dumped that is hard to believe,” Mr Cox said.

“Having removed 300kg ourselves in the last two months via our Golden Valley litter picking group we can testify to the problem.

“The level of visual, environmental and wildlife damage is getting to horrendous levels. Road verges are covered in packaging, open spaces have hideous grot spots where it has built up and animals are being maimed and killed by its dangers.

“Herefordshire is no longer a beautiful place to admire.”

Herefordshire Council said contractors will carry out litter picks when they can.

A spokesperson said: “We work closely with community litter picking groups and greatly value the work they do.

“As well as helping to keep Herefordshire clean and tidy, community litter pickers are a useful source of information for our community protection team, highlighting hotspots of litter, cigarette butts and dog waste, and businesses complying with litter regulations.

“Balfour Beatty Living Places carry out litter picks as and when time and resource allows, with most picks taking place around spring.

“Our picks are coordinated with community litter groups, and we focus our efforts on areas they cannot access, such as high speed roads and verges or areas with potentially dangerous waste.”

They added the council provides guidance and equipment to litter pickers and have so far donated more than 730 sets to community groups.

But don't people drop litter all year round?

Police are appealing for witnesses or information after five puppies were stolen from a farm in Upper Swell overnight.

Three female and two male Border Collie puppies were stolen from an outhouse at a farm sometime between 8pm on Friday 5 February and 6am on Saturday 6 February.

Unknown offenders have stolen the four week old puppies worth approximately £600 each.

They are all black and white with the males also having brown markings on their faces.

Anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area at the time, or has any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 125 of 6 February.

If you want to provide information anonymously you can call independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, you can submit information via this form online:

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire 

Hereford City Council have successfully bid for a project for free electric buses to link significant locations around the City, together with the Herefordshire Bus Users Forum.

The Railway Station, Hospital, the new Primary Health Centre at Station Approach and the city centre shops and tourist attractions will be linked as part of the Stronger Towns Fund bid to Government. The service will cross over the Old Bridge and stop in the car park by the swimming pool to support the ongoing development of the river as a tourist attraction and link with buses from the south of the city.

This is a long-term project, one of many being put forward as groups within the city push for up to £25m of funding to help support economic recovery and levelling up.

The independent Towns Fund board (called the #StrongerHereford board) is a blend of people from private, public and community sectors who all have Herefordshire in their heart. They are a mix of parents, students, educators, business owners, employers and employees, creatives and politicians, and Mayor Kath Hey is also among the board, representing the City.

The City Council hopes that the project will allow Hereford to continue to recover from the ongoing pandemic, and in the coming months and years ensure the City is better linked for residents and visitors alike.

For more information on the Towns Fund Board, visit: www.strongerhereford.co.uk

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford

Yesterday they helped rescue a cat from the river and today they’ve been out with their colleagues from Bromyard Fire Station helping get a horse out of a ditch he’d fallen into this morning.

32 yr old Shirenski found himself in an awkward position and was unable to get up. Great teamwork from the crews, his owners, neighbours and the vet...resulted in Shirenski getting back on to his feet after a few hours.

Another wonderful rescue story from professional and dedicated firefighters who do a lot more work besides tackling fires

📷 HWFRS Leominster 

#herefordvoice #herefordshirenews #herefordshire

Today is 'World Cancer Day', please spare a thought for all those people that are suffering with cancer and let us also celebrate the fantastic work done to help help millions of people around the World who also survive this horrible disease. 

Locally we are supporting St Michaels Hospice and their '3 Day Music Fest' so while we're not allowed to go to any live music events, Hospice supporters Julian Morris and Glenn Parry are lifting our spirits by staging a virtual, online, 3 day dance music festival, with donations going to St Michael's Hospice.

3 Days, 12 DJ's, 25 hours of music.

Friday 5th/Saturday 6th/Sunday 7th February, 2021.

Featuring DJ sets from Glenn Parry, Simon Jones, Brian Griffiths, Tristan Bartholomew, DJ Kaos, Stinger, Neil Preedy, mRB & Julian Morris, Gary McCaw, Keel Gardner and Talia K.

All streamed live on mixcloud.com

For more information and to donate visit the JustGiving page: https://bit.ly/3pCb7Qi

Hello all, 

A few colleagues and I are organising a private outdoor weekend event at the end of June (hopefully) for our hospital department staff to let off some steam and relax after the terrible year we've all experienced. 

We are looking for unsigned and upcoming musicians, singers and bands that would be able to perform on stage and showcase their talent, close-up magicians would be a bonus too; either Friday 7pm-11pm or Saturday noon-night to accommodate. We are looking for around 15 different acts. 

If you would like to be involved please could you send me some details, or even a promo and enter into discussion with us.

On behalf of the team, 

Thankyou.

A cat had got himself into a tricky situation yesterday morning...stuck in a precarious position by the fast flowing river right outside the fire station in Leominster.

Together with additional assistance with their colleagues from Tenbury and Hereford fire stations attempts were made to rescue him and after a brief dip in the river, the cat managed to self rescue further down stream.

A wonderful rescue story from professional and dedicated firefighters who do a lot more work besides tackling fires.

📷 HW Fire & Rescue Service Leominster 

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire 

COVID-19 testing units remain in Hereford and Leominster

One of Herefordshire’s COVID-19 mobile testing units has today (Friday  5 February from 3.30pm) been redeployed to the help the government’s “surge testing” campaign in targeted areas to better understand the spread, and supress, the South African variant.

The least-used mobile testing units, which includes the one at Ross-on-Wye, across the country are being reassigned by NHS Test and Trace to work in those areas where cases of the South African variant, which do not appear to have travel links, have been found.  The areas affected are Ealing, Haringey and Mitcham in London; Walsall in the West Midlands; Broxbourne in Hertfordshire; Maidstone in Kent; Woking in Surry and Southport in Lancashire. As many people as possible within those targeted areas are being asked to take a test.

Herefordshire residents who develop COVID-19 symptoms of a high temperature, a new persistent cough and/or loss of taste or smell, should immediately self-isolate and book a test by going online or ring NHS 119.   There are testing sites at Leominster and Merton Meadow, Hereford; as well as Hempstead Meadow, Gloucester; and Como Road, Malvern; or residents can order a postal test kit if they cannot get to one of the sites.Herefordshire’s Acting Director of Public Health Dr Rebecca Howell-Jones said:

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“It is very important different parts of the country work together to tackle COVID-19 and while we want to provide comprehensive testing for our own residents, it is crucial resources are focused on the areas that need them most.

“Suppressing the transmission of this new COVID-19 variant is not just for the benefit of the people living in those areas where it has been discovered, but for us all.

“Everyone in Herefordshire can still play their part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 - keeping themselves and their loved ones safe - by following the three simple steps of washing their hands regularly and thoroughly, keeping 2 metres apart from others outside their home and wearing face coverings in indoor public settings like shops and businesses

“It is also important, where possible, for people to work from home as this will help to suppress the transmission.”

Adoption Central England – celebrating three years of supporting children and families in Herefordshire

Adoption Central England (ACE) is celebrating three years as a regional adoption agency supporting families in Solihull, Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire to provide children with a loving permanent adoptive home.

In the past year ACE has launched its independent and confidential support service for birth relatives called Family Connexions. The service is available to any birth family member where children in the family have been adopted and supports birth parents through the legal processes involved in adoption and in making necessary life changes.

ACE provides continued support for adoptive families and children. This has recently been further enhanced through their DDP (Dyadic Development Psychotherapy practice) certification. This practice is an approach to preparing and working with adoptive families that is underpinned by an understanding of childhood trauma. This in turn helps adoptive parents to parent their adopted children in such a way that recognises this trauma but also allows for secure and loving attachments can be formed.

Throughout 2020, ACE has faced the challenges of COVID-19 and adapted to new ways of working ensuring adoptive families and children continue to have access to the support they need. Training is now delivered virtually and with an increase in enquiries, ACE has continued to place children with adoptive parents making sure the necessary coronavirus precautions are in place and keeping in close contact with families through telephone calls and online meetings.

To find out more about what it’s like to adopt through ACE, adopter case studies are featured on the ACE Facebook page, providing an insight into the adoption process and what people can expect from the adoption process. Visit the ACE Facebook page @aceadoption.

Councillor Felicity Norman, Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, added: “ACE has gone from strength to strength during the three years since it became established. ACE has continually developed its practice to ensure it can provide a quality service for children across the five authorities that make up ACE and has stepped up to the challenges everyone across the sector has faced in the last year due to COVID-19, to ensure services have continued to be provided.”

In order to find the best possible families for children ACE does not set a bar on who can adopt. The service welcomes enquiries from all sections of the community and is particularly looking to recruit more families for sibling groups of 2 or 3 children. Also, older single children usually up to the age of 8 years are waiting for families. There can be many advantages of adopting a sibling group apart from the obvious reward of being able to keep brothers and sisters together. The needs of older children are invariable better known and understood which means that support services may already be in place or can be more readily accessed to help adoptive parents as they start to share their lives with the child.

If you would like to know more adoption please go to the ACE website enquiries@aceadoption.com or contact ACE on 0300 369 0556.

The Family Connexions service can be contacted at: familyconnexions@aceadoption.com

#herefordvoice 

Sad news today as we learn about the passing of a true hero, Captain Sir Tom Moore, our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

RIP.

Somebody has cut the hedge on the highway verge in Muir Close and failed to clean up after them. This is the second time that the verge has been left untidy this year and will most probably result in me again having to tidy it all up and taking the waste to the local tip. The state of the kerbs with weeds growing out of them are a disgrace throughout the estate, but no one is really interested in keeping the environment clean. No doubt coronavirus will be the excuse for doing nothing this year, but its about time the council, Balfour Beatty and the Housing Associations sorted this matter out. I have been here 20 years and it is a perennial problem. The same goes for the trees in the area - getting too big and blocking light from people's gardens and houses.

The census happens every 10 years with the next one taking place 21 March 2021.

Each household will be asked to take part and the information it collects helps Herefordshire Council plan services across Herefordshire. Find out more about the census, here 👉 http://orlo.uk/cQhLd

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #Census2021