Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Hereford County Hospital this week, one of the twenty hospitals getting a major new upgrade thanks to a boost in NHS funding. 

In a letter to sent to our member Megilleland Jesse Norman said:

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Dear Martin,

As you may have seen, I was delighted to welcome the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to Hereford yesterday as he visited the County Hospital and the site of the new Hereford Medical Centre. 

It was fantastic for him to see the work being done to replace the old hutted wards with new builds, with the PM even getting his hands dirty with some plastering work in the new units. But I was also extremely pleased to show him the site of the new Medical Centre, which will bring five GP services across Hereford city under one roof with some brilliant new facilities.

The centrepiece of his visit was the announcement of £2 million in new funding for the Hospital A&E Department, alongside the previous £23 million for the new build. This, combined with the £9 million for the new Medical Centre, will make a huge difference to healthcare in the County. 

Finally, it was great that he was able to make the time to meet lots of staff, and to recognise all their hard work to keep us safe in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. He got a terrific reception from everyone, and was clearly delighted by the visit.

A big day for Herefordshire!

With all good wishes, as ever,

Jesse

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and local MP Jesse Norman

The PM also pledged making sure A&Es are ready for winter with a £300m package.

Mr Johnson was accompanied by local MP Jesse Norman, they also visited the new Station Medical Centre to witness how they are progressing with this project and to see some of the new facilities on site.

Even though it is now compulsory not everyone can wear one. Be mindful not to challenge anyone as not all disabilities or health conditions are visible.

This information relates to the use of face coverings in public spaces where social distancing is not always possible. It is important to follow all the other government advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) including staying safe outside your home.

What a face covering is

In the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a face covering is something which safely covers the nose and mouth. You can buy reusable or single-use face coverings. You may also use a scarf, bandana, religious garment or hand-made cloth covering but these must securely fit round the side of the face.

Face coverings are not classified as PPE (personal protective equipment) which is used in a limited number of settings to protect wearers against hazards and risks, such as surgical masks or respirators used in medical and industrial settings.

Face coverings are instead largely intended to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

If you wish to find out more about the differences between surgical face masks, PPE face masks, and face coverings see the MHRA’s (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) regulatory status of equipment being used to help prevent coronavirus (COVID-19).

When to wear a face covering

In England, you must wear a face covering in the following indoor settings (a list of examples for each is included in the brackets):

public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams and buses)

transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)

shops and supermarkets (places which offer goods or services for retail sale or hire)

shopping centres (malls and indoor markets)

auction houses

premises providing professional, legal or financial services (post offices, banks, building societies, high-street solicitors and accountants, credit unions, short-term loan providers, savings clubs and money service businesses)

premises providing personal care and beauty treatments (hair salons, barbers, nail salons, massage centres, tattoo and piercing parlours)

premises providing veterinary services

visitor attractions and entertainment venues (museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, cultural and heritage sites, aquariums, indoor zoos and visitor farms, bingo halls, amusement arcades, adventure activity centres, funfairs, theme parks, casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas including soft-play areas)

libraries and public reading rooms

places of worship

funeral service providers (funeral homes, crematoria and burial ground chapels)

community centres, youth centres and social clubs

exhibition halls and conference centres

public areas in hotels and hostels

storage and distribution facilities

You are expected to wear a face covering before entering any of these settings and must keep it on until you leave unless there is a reasonable excuse for removing it. More detailed advice on the application of these requirements in different settings can be found in the Government’s guidance for working safely.

You should also wear a face covering in indoor places not listed here where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Face coverings are needed in NHS settings, including hospitals and primary or community care settings, such as GP surgeries. They are also advised to be worn in care homes.

Enforcement measures for failing to comply with this law

Premises where face coverings are required should take reasonable steps to promote compliance with the law.

The police can take measures if members of the public do not comply with this law without a valid exemption and transport operators can deny access to their public transport services if a passenger is not wearing a face covering, or direct them to wear one or leave a service.

If necessary, the police and Transport for London (TfL) officers have enforcement powers including issuing fines of £100 (halving to £50 if paid within 14 days). As announced we will bring forward changes which mean fines for repeat offenders will double at each offence, up to a maximum value of £3,200.

Cont..

West Mercia Police are asking people in the Eign Gate, Whitecross Road area of Hereford, to be vigilant after two reports of sexual assaults on Whitecross Road in the early hours of the morning.

The first was on Sunday 26 July 2020 at 00:30 when a woman was walking home after a night out with friends. She was approached by a man offering her money before he attempted to assault her. She was able to run to a nearby house and raise the alarm. She described him as white, aged approx. 21 years old, possibly Eastern European, with dark hair and a slim build. He was wearing a hooded top.

The second assault was on Monday 10 August, 2020 again at approximately 00:30. Another woman walking home after a night out was approached by a man who offered to walk her home and then is believed to have assaulted her. She described him as white with a skinny build and wearing a baseball cap.Det Insp Mark Peters said:

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"These incidents are very concerning and we are conducting numerous enquiries to trace the offender or offenders. Part of this is appealing to the public for information if anyone saw anything or has any information that might aid the investigation.

“At this stage we are keeping an open mind but there is a possibility these assaults could be committed by the same person.

“We want people to be alert to and aware of these incidents to keep themselves safe, and to work with us to identify the person or persons involved. As per our normal advice, try to avoid walking home alone or book a taxi if possible; and if you do walk home alone then avoid headphones and stick to well-lit roads. However I do want to reassure people that incidents such as this are rare in this area.

"We have officers working to provide support to the victims who have, understandably, been left extremely shaken.“

 

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference: 0040_i_100820. Or you can report it online via the West Mercia website. If a crime is in progress or someone is in danger always call 999.

“If you don’t wish to speak to police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call and you could help prevent a crime and keep your community safe.”

Herefordshire crisp producers Sean Mason and Mark Green are championing another taste of Herefordshire with the launch this week of their new flavour, Herefordshire Sausage and Mustard.  This time the Two Farmers duo has teamed up with well-known rare and wild meats producer, Tudges. The Tudge family has been rearing Berkshire pigs for over 20 years in Herefordshire and like other producer partnerships that two Farmers are working with they put low food miles, quality and sustainability at the heart of what they do.  

Sean comments

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"This new addition will really compliment our current range and we hope meets our retailers' and consumers' requests for new discovery flavours. The Tudge family has an excellent reputation in the county and we felt that a Herefordshire Sausage and Mustard would be a winning flavour"

The Tudge partnership fits well with the Two Farmers philosophy of being kind to the planet and managing the countryside in a sustainable way. Two Farmers is the UK's first sustainable crisp brand, pioneering the UK's first plastic-free and compostable crisp packet.

The launch follows other good news as the brand has recently been nominated by leading grocery trade title, The Grocer, as Startup of The Year and this week the duo has reached the finals of the Great British Food Awards. 

For more information visit www.twofarmers.co.uk

The Prime Minister arrived in Hereford early this morning at Hereford County Hospital and said he can see how extra funding is helping them build new wards and prepare for winter as the government pledges an additional funding of £300m for NHS England.

The PM also gave his approval of Herefordshire Council temporary traffic scheme making the city safer for both pedestrians and cyclists and has made additional funding of up to £2 million available in order to support the scheme. 

Mr Johnson also supports a much needed bypass for the city.

With the sudden severe storm and rainfall last night we saw flash floods across the city and across the county.

 
Asda junction, where the A465 meets the A49

Hinton road

Photographs courtesy of Joe James

We rarely report on National News but sometimes there are exceptions and this huge fire in Birmingham tonight is one of them.

Statement from West Midlands Fire Service:

Tyseley fire Birmingham

At 4.47pm this afternoon (Monday 10 August 2020) we started to receive multiple 999 calls to a severe fire on the Tyseley Industrial Estate, Birmingham. 

As of 9pm this evening, 100 firefighters were continuing to tackle the incident at a plastics site on Seeleys Road.  

Twenty fire engines were at the scene, together with hydraulic aerial platforms and a specialist high-volume water pumping unit.Assistant Chief Fire Officer Sarah Warnes, the Incident Commander, said:

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“This has been a significant incident, to which our crews have responded safely, effectively and assertively. 

“In spite of extremely hot and arduous conditions, they have drawn on their skills and professionalism to ensure that the fire has been contained to the one site, saving nearby premises from harm. 

“As well as twenty fire crews we have also had a number of specialist resources at the scene, including our hazardous materials specialists and a high–volume water pumping team.  

“I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of our partners from many other agencies, with whom we will be working tirelessly throughout the night to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.” 

 

Our fire control received dozens of 999 calls from people for miles around who spotted the plume of thick, black smoke which rose from the fire. 

People who live or work nearby are asked to keep doors and windows closed for the duration of the incident, and the public are being urged to avoid the area while our operations at the scene continue.  

Crews are working extremely hard in very challenging conditions which meant that some firefighters had to be withdrawn from certain areas of the incident for safety and to minimise the risk of heat exhaustion. 

A plan has been put in place for the safety of crews and to ensure that they get adequate rest and hydration.  

We expect to be at the scene throughout the night.   

 No further cases in farm outbreak 

Herefordshire Council and Public Health England (PHE) Midlands have confirmed that all remaining workers have tested negative for COVID-19 at an outbreak on a farm in Mathon, Herefordshire. The majority of farm workers are now able to return to work and daily life- a few workers remain living in self-isolation as contacts of positive cases.Katie Spence, PHE Midlands Health Protection Director, said:

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“This has been a significant outbreak, and the first of its kind. We have worked closely with the farm management to support the health and wellbeing of their workforce and wider public health.

“The management at AS Green and Co are to be commended on the way their swift and responsible reporting has helped contain the outbreak on the site and prevented transmission into the community. This outbreak highlights the importance of the need to self-isolate when you know you are COVID-19 positive, or have been in contact with someone who is, especially if you live with other people.”

 

Karen Wright, Public Health Director for Herefordshire Council said:

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“This outbreak has been successfully contained by the multi-agency response, the farm management, and the workers based on the farm. We are all learning about the impact COVID-19 has on our health and our economy. This outbreak has helped shape the national workplace guidance, and how businesses can continue to operate alongside a COVID-19 outbreak.

“There is no doubt that without the actions taken by AS Green and Co, this could have been an outbreak on a much bigger scale. I’d like to thank them for all their support to help prioritise the health and wellbeing of the workforce and the residents of Herefordshire.”

 

A spokesperson for AS Green and Co said: "

Quote

 

We are grateful for the support provided by Public Health England and Herefordshire Council to help control the COVID-19 outbreak. The real challenge has been that of those who tested positive, 98% reported having no symptoms at all. We are pleased to say that due to existing and additional control measures, there was no transmission into the local community and all those tested have now tested negative.

“The health of our workforce and our local community has been and continues to remain our highest priority. We have been overwhelmed by the support from our customers, associated businesses within the industry, the NFU and the local community.

"We continue to focus on the harvesting and packing of fresh healthy vegetables for our customers, ensuring consumers can enjoy fresh British produce as part of a healthy balanced diet.”

 

To prevent further outbreaks and to protect yourself and others, please continue to wash your hands regularly, keep your distance and use face coverings in public spaces, shops and on public transport. Anyone who has a fever, persistent dry cough, or loss or change in their sense of taste or smell should call 119 or go online to arrange a test.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service mobilised crews from Hereford Fire Station, Fownhope Fire Station and Peterchurch Fire Station following numerous calls reporting an agricultural building alight at Hampton Bishop during the early hours. Crews have been tackling the fire this morning, 3 x pumps from Hereford, 1 x Fownhope and the water carrier from Peterchurch attended a storage barn fire involving agricultural vehicles on the outskirts of Hereford. 

The fire was brought under control quickly with pumps from Ledbury and Ross in on reliefs to maintain control and dampen down the fire for the remainder of the morning. Thankfully there were no casualties.

#HerefordVoice #HerefordNews #Hereford

It's great to see Hereford City centre really busy with shoppers today! 

We took this photo within just before 1pm, the shops including the Hereford Butter Market are all busy which is great to see, we also had no problem parking, plenty of people walking and enjoying this fabulous weather.

Good to see all parts of the city centre busy today, we walked along Eign Gate, people everywhere and majority of people adhering to social distancing. It's nice to be able to promote positive news 

Have a wonderful weekend 🌞 😎

Polska Street Food in Union Street currently has a fire and crews from Hereford Fire Station are on scene.

Union Street is closed to traffic 

📷 Kelly Crumpton

As shops re-open, people return to work and more people visit Hereford and the market towns, the government has asked local authorities to introduce temporary measures that give pedestrians and cyclists the space they need to maintain social distancing and travel safely. 

The measures, which will include using temporary barriers and signage to widen footways, some timed or partial road closures and dedicated cycle lanes, will allow more space to walk and cycle in busy areas. Speed reductions to 20mph on some streets will help pedestrians and cyclists feel safer where road space is shared.

The temporary measures, which are being introduced week beginning 20 July, are being funded by government Emergency Active Travel Funding, which has allocated £20,000 to Herefordshire to promote walking and cycling for short and local journeys. The temporary nature of the measures will allow them to be reviewed and additional funding is expected in the coming months to install further measures.

Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet member infrastructure and transport, explains:

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“During lockdown lots of people took the opportunity to travel locally in a different way, with a huge number choosing to walk or cycle instead of using their cars for short distances. This made a big difference to congestion, to people’s health and to general feeling of wellbeing and quality of life. In our City and towns it was fantastic to see people choosing to leave their cars at home if they could and use their bikes or feet. It was particularly nice to see more families cycling together, feeling safer with the reduced traffic.

“As the restrictions are lifted we want to provide as much space to cyclists and pedestrians as possible to encourage them to continue with that and to free up pavements for safe queuing and distancing. We want people to feel relaxed when they come into town and to spend more time and money within our towns and City. It is important that we can adapt how we use space to support this.

“We’ve consulted with the City and town councils and local businesses and amended some of our initial proposals as a result of their feedback. Now is a good time for everyone to consider how they travel locally and what is better not just for our road network around Herefordshire but what is good for us and the planet. There will be further active travel measures considered over the summer.”

Full details including location maps are available on the Herefordshire Council website HERE

The temporary measures being introduced to provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists are:

Hereford

Cycle lanes on Newmarket St, Blueschool St, Commercial Rd, Ledbury Rd (uphill

Extended timed closure in High Town and Widemarsh St – 10.30am – 5.30pm

Closure of Old Wye Bridge except cycles and buses northbound

Closure of Aubrey St at junction with King Street

Parking suspension on Broad Street (west Green Dragon side), King St (south Spread Eagle side) and Bridge St (east Left Bank side)

Shared use footway on Station Approach

Extended 20mph zone (see map for exact area)

Bromyard

Footway widening on High Street and New Road

Suspension of some parking bays

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Ledbury

On way on Woodleigh Rd except cycles

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Leominster

Timed closure (except cycles) on High St, Victoria St, Corn St and Corn Square 10am-1pm Mon – Sat

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Kington

Moderated traffic speed on High St

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Ross on Wye

Moderated traffic speed through the town centre

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Hereford_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Bromyard_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Kington_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Ledbury_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Leominster_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Ross_on_Wye_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Antisocial Behaviour: This is the Spur Retail Park in Holmer Road Hereford this morning.

This is the mess that is here virtually every morning from people’s behaviour from the night before. 

West Mercia Police / Hereford Cops should be handing out regular fines to each of these culprits. 

This is not something new either, this has been going on for a few years.

This is quite frankly disgusting behaviour, why can’t people gather quietly and dispose of their litter properly? We even have wooden pallets being thrown around the car park now..

Please Note: After we took these photographs and video we collected all the litter and put it in the bin correctly and the pallets were also removed and put in a safe area. Herefordshire Council

Horse dies as a result of eating grass cuttings.

Thursday 30th July, in the Hampton Bishop area we have had a report that someone put grass cuttings into a horse’s field. Unfortunately this has resulted in the Horse loosing is life on the 2nd August. 

But why?
The grass cuttings begin fermenting almost as soon as they are cut and the horses will gorge on them as they are so palatable, causing a build-up of gas in the Horses stomach.
As horses have a one-way stomach valve, they are unable to vomit or even burp to relieve the pressure. The gases given off by the fermenting cuttings can expand to the point where they rupture the stomach, causing an agonising death.

Choking hazard
As the grass cuttings have been finely chopped up, horses won’t need to chew as much or at all before swallowing the grass. This results in the horse gorging on the pile of cuttings and therefore eating large amounts very quickly. The cuttings can compact and become lodged in the horse’s throat, causing them to choke. 

Poisonous Plants
There are many plants that are poisonous to horses. These could be mowed up along with the grass cuttings which may cause the horse additional harm. Depending on the plant, the range of problems include severe diarrhea, liver damage, collapse or even death. 

Although feeding horses may seem harmless, your kindness may kill!

https://www.bhs.org.uk/…/horse-health-and-si…/grass-cuttings

The Leader of Herefordshire Council has welcomed a multi-million pound investment into the county, announced by Government and allocated by the Marches LEP.

More than 700 new jobs and 300 homes are to be created across the Marches region as part of the Government’s Getting Building Fund (GBF), and three of the six projects that will benefit are in Herefordshire. 

Planning applications for housing and employment sites in the north of Herefordshire are being delayed because of the elevated level of phosphates in the River Lugg catchment area. As part of the Integrated Constructed Wetlands project, up to 8 wetland sites can be built adjacent to sewage treatment works in the River Lugg catchment area to lower the phosphate levels, creating up to 500 jobs by unlocking development potential for 1,385 homes whilst also delivering strong environmental benefits through these rich bio diversity habitats. The money from the Marches LEP will add a further £1m to this project to add to the funds already earmarked by the Council.  

The council’s refurbishment of the historic centre of Hereford will also benefit from a £3m investment in the streetscape with high quality materials as part of a masterplan to ensure Hereford is vibrant and supports businesses creating new opportunities for visitors and retailers. Again this will add to the funds already earmarked for this project by the Council.

Accelerated funding will also speed up the Skylon Park Campus Development, which is a pivotal component of NMiTE, and will create 26 jobs, 100 construction jobs and 200 new learning opportunities.Cllr David Hitchiner, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said:

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“We are very pleased to hear of the new funding that is being allocated by the Marches LEP to support several projects in the county. Overall the Integrated Constructed Wetlands project will unlock 1,300 potential homes in the county by lowering the phosphate levels in the River Lugg. This means that as well as providing housing potential and creating 500 new jobs, the project will deliver upon the council’s strong commitment to maintaining and improving the environment.

“A further £3m and £1.6m respectively, will contribute to our city centre refurbishment works and the exciting development of campus facilities on Skylon Park. The historic core of Hereford will benefit, with investment to ensure the city is a vibrant and attractive place to work and visit, creating new opportunities for businesses and retailers, and raising the profile of the city as a tourist destination. Skylon Park, meanwhile, is a pivotal component of NMiTE and the additional funding will speed up the delivery of over 100 new jobs and cutting edge learning opportunities for 200 new learners.

“The investment is great news for our local economy which, like the rest of the country, is still working hard to mitigate and overcome the impact of Covid-19.”

 

In The Guardian 6th August 2020

England's planning reforms will create 'generation of slums'

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(extract)

The biggest shake-up of planning for decades has caused fury that moves to fast-track the construction of “beautiful” homes across England will “dilute” democratic oversight, choke off affordable housing and lead to the creation of “slum” dwellings.

Under the proposals, unveiled on Thursday, planning applications based on pre-approved “design codes” would get an automatic green light – eliminating a whole stage of local oversight within designated zones.

Land across England would be divided into three categories – for growth, renewal or protection – under what Robert Jenrick, the housing secretary, described as “once in a generation” reforms to sweep away an outdated planning system and boost building.

New homes, hospitals, schools, shops and offices would be allowed automatically in “growth” areas. In “renewal” zones, largely urban and brownfield sites, proposals would be given “permission in principle” subject to basic checks. Green belt and areas of outstanding natural beauty would be protected.

While the proposed changes are likely to appeal to developers, they prompted stinging criticism from housing charities, planning officers and architects who warned of a new generation of fast and substandard housing.

Boris can move quickly when there is money to be made. Robert Jenrick's got form in helping out his friends developing sites in London. Wait for the free for all with the developers, the council and housing associations building everywhere, especially on the open spaces enjoyed by residents. More blight for the future as these bodies can't look after what they have already got. Interesting to hear the Civic Society views on this one.

The Earl heard about the council’s response to flooding and Covid-19

Herefordshire Council was delighted to be joined by His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex for his first ever virtual Royal Visit on Wednesday 22 July.

The visit was hosted by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, The Dowager Countess of Darnley. The Earl was keen to hear about the experiences of children, adults and communities and hard work of schools, services and Herefordshire Council staff, partners and volunteers who have provided support during the Covid-19 pandemic and local flooding events.

There have been many unexpected changes to teaching and delivering services over the first half of the year. The Earl learned about the impact of these changes on children, young people and adults, and staff.  The Earl also heard about the strong and resilient relationships between the council, schools, partners and volunteers.

The Earl met with staff who have supported vulnerable children and young people through the pandemic, two head teachers shared how their schools have adapted. He met with children from Weobley School and listened to poems they had written about their lockdown experiences. Mariam Njeri, a young person with care experience, read her poignant poem about life under lockdown.

Chris Baird, Director of Children and Families said:

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“It was an honour to welcome His Royal Highness to Herefordshire and to showcase how children and young people in Herefordshire have responded and the fantastic work that has continued by the staff in the county during a very difficult time. To show how we were able to adapt but continue our support, especially to our most vulnerable children and young people is a testament to the county’s commitment to them all.”

The Earl was then introduced to the adults and communities services and heard about Talk Community which has provided support to the most vulnerable during lockdown. Wendy Carter shared her experiences of volunteering as a ‘shield buddy’ during lockdown, which provided extra support for clinically vulnerable people . He then met partners from HVOSS, Vennture and other community leaders who have worked with the council to provide ongoing support to vulnerable people.

Stephen Vickers, Director of Adults and Communities said:

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“It was a great opportunity for our staff, partners and volunteers to explain to His Royal Highness the difficulties faced in Herefordshire over the last six months due to the flooding and pandemic. But it was also fantastic to highlight the partnership working between agencies and amazing people in Herefordshire who stepped up to volunteer.”

RTC involving large goods vehicle carrying farm feed and a tractor/trailer carrying potatoes. 

The A449 Beefeater towards Ledbury and at Fownhope turning, Ross on Wye bound from Ledbury. 

Photo courtesy of Ross-on-Line

People have been treated by West Midlands Ambulance Service. Both drivers had a lucky escape. Ross on Wye Fire Station and Whitchurch Fire Station crews have both assisted with significant fuel leaks which were prevented from entering drains using environmental grab packs and soil. 

Road will remain closed for some time while they await recovery of vehicles.