Government confirms plans for the return of primary and secondary schools and colleges in January 2021

Today’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, has confirmed that Herefordshire’s primary schools and special schools will return from week commencing 4 January 2021.

Secondary schools will be open from 4 January for vulnerable children and for the children of key workers. From week commencing 11 January, secondary schools will open for years 11 and 13 (exam year pupils). The remaining secondary pupils and college students will work from home initially and then return to face-to-face education from Monday 18 January.

Individual schools and colleges will be making their own arrangements to contact parents, carers and students to confirm the return date. Parents, carers and students are advised to check their school or college website and normal channels of communication for the latest updates.

School transport provision will continue to run as normal from week commencing 4 January 2021.

The MHRA, the UK drug regulator, has given approval to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to be used for immunization on British soil. The formula is the second one given the green light in the country.

The first doses due to be given out to people from Monday 4th January 2021 amid rising coronavirus cases.

The UK has ordered 100 million doses - enough to vaccinate 50 million people.

For safety reasons, the A49 Victoria Street underpass in #Hereford remains closed to pedestrians due to flooding. Highways England have put up additional signs pointing the way towards the nearest crossing point.

For updates follow the @HighwaysWMIDS Twitter feed or call them on 0300 123 5000.

All of the information on the service changes between now and the New Year are available on the

Herefordshire Council website- Click here

The A49 remains closed near Moreton-on-Lugg following a serious accident this morning, please avoid this area.

Congratulations to the The Stagg Inn at Titley it's good to see you in the new The Good Pub Guide for Herefordshire Dining Pub of the Year once again. Keep up the great work!

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!

#goodpubguide #herefordshire #positivehereford

Crews from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service across the county tackle fire at petrol station Christmas Day.

The fire was at Budgens shop and garage at Whitchurch, near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.

Station commander Phil Major said on his Twitter feed

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"Can you believe it, a petrol station fire tonight, crews from across Herefordshire tackling the blaze brought under control in the early hours of Xmas day, great actions from the initial crews to get in and stop the fire spreading to the fuel tanks. Brave and decisive actions".

Photographs courtesy of Phil Major

Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Boxing Day

Merry Christmas to all our lovely members and friends, have a fabulous day.

Some pharmacies in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are available today for advice, medications and prescriptions.

To find your nearest available pharmacy CLICK HERE 

Download the full county pdf file below

Christmas-2020-Pharmacy-Opening-Times-Herefordshire-and-Worcestershire.pdf

A motorist has crashed their car through a wall and into the cider press on Whitecross Road this morning.

The are no reports of any injuries.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service water rescues teams from across the two counties have rescued 44 people from their vehicles, caught out by the rising floodwaters, further crews have assisted homeowners with serious flooding effecting electrics and giving advice.

Please adhere to any 'road closure' signage.

Following the accident Leominster SNT's wrote on their Twitter feed;

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"As a reminder to drivers about driving to the conditions.....please take extra care and slow down. There is lots of surface water, making the roads treacherous in places"

Photographs courtesy of Leominster SNT

A busy night for Hereford Police with 3 x arrests for drink drive and 2 x arrests for drink and drug drive.

West Mercia Police supporting the NPCC drink/drug drive campaign.

A West Mercia Police Specials Officer came across an RTC last night outside Leominster, minutes after it happened. The driver lost control going too fast through the flood water.

It is important to slow down and be extremely cautious in this weather!

New Tier restrictions from today (Sat 19 Dec), Herefordshire has moved from Tier 2 to Tier 1 restrictions.

For the latest on what this means for you & to keep up to date with other local area restrictions visit: http://orlo.uk/DTAYF

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused uncertainty for future funding so the council has to prepare to make savings. Be part of the conversation and let Hereford Council know your priorities on council services next year by visiting here

Herefordshire Council are providing free school meals over the Christmas holidays to help those who already get free school meals during term time, hopefully this will be an extra help - particularly if you have been financially affected by the pandemic.

If you have an eligible child you will receive a local supermarket voucher for the value of £75 to cover the cost of food for the two week Christmas holiday period.

Herefordshire Council will be issuing free food vouchers direct to parents and carers of pre-school age children. If you haven't heard from the team then please email them HERE.

For older children, your school will give out the vouchers.  Your school will contact you in good time to let you know if you are entitled to the vouchers and how to get them. 

If you have a child that receives free school meals during term time but haven’t received a voucher, please get in touch with your child’s school as soon as possible.