Slim

The title's a bit harsh, don't you think? However, yes these are mass producers. If you can afford free range chicken and eggs, fine. Buy them. A lot of people cannot, and so rely on cheaper cuts of meat. And as to the spread of disease, the best place to catch something is our local hospital. I live within smelling distance of Sun Valley. OK, sometimes it's a little off putting, but think of the people they employ. The economic value to Hereford. Protest if you must, it's your right to, but think of others as well. The poultry industry provides a living to a lot of people. You may think intensive farming is wrong, so ,surprisingly, do I. However, if the population needs feeding and the fields need fertilising, then unless there is an alternative, provide it, don't moan. Sir.

I had a very short conversation last Saturday with Len Tawn and Charles Nicholls about this proposal. I was re-assured that unless there were proper plans in place for sewage, flood alleviation and traffic then it would be fought. Also mentioned was the new Industrial Estate(shown on Colin's map). This is supposedly to provide employment for all the people moving into the 1000 houses! The general consensus in Bobblestock(at the bar @ the Elms), is only provide the housing if the employment demands it, not the other way round! I feel strongly about this development. Walking down Huntington Lane with my daughter to feed the ducks is a pleasure because of the hedgerows and fields. Also the beautiful view you get of Huntington Court and the pool. All will be lost.

Thanks for the replies TWG & Roger and Dippy. I only ask out of personal interest, in that I am an active member of the Bobblestock & Westfields community in helping Charles Nicholls to renovate the Westfields Park. Now he still got elected onto the City Council, and will be the next Mayor. If canvassing on polling day is forbidden, does that mean the result for the county council is invalid, or should the vote be done again. I know it sounds a bit like favouritism, but if the rules have been broken, or flagrantly ignored, who would make the decisions on electoral malpractice?

Am I allowed to say on here, that the Conservative candidate for Bobblestock Ward was dropping leaflets through doors at 0800 on polling day.

Damn. I was going to make a special visit to "The Commercial" tomorrow to ply Bobby with beer to find out where these sites where!

Charles Nicholls in the new Bobblestock Ward

I have been following this thread and wonder why can't a cross between tram and rail and bus be used. Similar to the Docklands Light Railway. Somebody will know why an automatic system can't be used, cost maybe? Brilliant idea. Should be done!

I don't really do politics, but I just wanted to say what a superb job Charles Nicholls, IOC, has done for the Three Elms Ward and I fervently hope that with the new Ward demographics, that he continues in the Bobblestock Ward. His drive and energy with the community based Bobblestock & Westfields group has been fantastic. Also, I believe, if he is re-elected, he becomes Mayor!

I remember talking in a pub to a gent from Amey about this a couple of years ago. He was a civil engineer and could not think of any viable reason why the project should not happen. Seems to me that because some "lard a*se in the council hasn't thought of it, then it gets ignored, i.e. "I can't say it's my idea therefore no votes, so sod 'em!" It would be a great way to connect North and South City. Less traffic and less pollution. The only downside that I can envisage, is the prospect of vandalism during dark hours. Then again, if we electrified one of the rails.....?

Thanks for this. We were looking for somewhere different to go to this weekend, and this looks ideal from the website.

Just asking. If the pub is a viable business, why doesn't the landlady buy it?

Dippy. With regard to your point on disabled customers. There have been two, to my knowledge, convictions resulting in fines of taxi drivers, both Asian by the way, for refusing to take passengers with Guide Dogs. My view is exactly the same as yours on this topic. If you proffer yourself as a taxi driver, take the fare no matter how small.

I once had occasion to hire a taxi from outside Tesco's in Bewell St. to go home to Bobblestock. First driver in the line did not know where to go and asked me to direct him! I'm afraid I will not pay for a taxi who does not know where they are going. I asked the next in line if he knew where to go and he answered yes so I got into that cab. On the journey, the driver said that there was an influx of drivers from Worcester, as they had to sit a "knowledge" test there and most of them could not pass it therefore could not get a license to operate.

I like Christmas lights, they remind me of councillors. Some don't work and most aren't very bright.

Why don't the committee listen to the Trading Standards and Police. After finding them breaking the law, they get a kick in the bol****s and the shop does it all again! Pathetic.

Well, getting back on topic and with schools, why don't the council say to the developers of the housing estates - " build your houses but also the infrastructure, i.e. schools, doctors surgeries, dental practice, newsagents, grocers etc." ?

Great debate, but to me the one bit that stands out, is the line by John Harrington about getting the school children to walk or use buses. I am continually amazed at how swiftly I travel around the city during school holidays and half- term.

I agree Roger. The council could make a better effort than this! After all the revenue is mostly during the day so allowing free parking from 1400 should be ok.

Well done sir for posting this. Hopefully all that use this site will read it and pass on to those that don't.

No idea what he said. Knew please, thank you, beer, hello, goodbye.

What a wonderful insight into old Hereford. Having come here to retire, I love poking and prodding around the old buildings, and looking at old photographs to try and find out where the buildings were. Thank you for the link. New places to explore now between pints of ale!

Having served in Submarines in Royal Navy and then spending 11 years in the Merchant, I remember 3 of my ship mates every year. Rest in perpetual peace.

Ubique. I spent just over 2 years in Nagasaki working for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at their ship yard advising on placement of hotel equipment when they were building 3 cruise liners. Wagamama's is as authentic as you can get in Britain in my opinion. In Japan, the chefs training is from 4 to 8 years, but I doubt that happens here. My wife and I had a wonderful meal, a bit pricey but you do get what you pay for. Service was excellent, with the traditional Japanese way of serving individuals and not the whole table at the same time.

fantastic. When do they do 60's music, real ale and pole dancing. Joking apart, excellent news.

Sorry. Sport does not agree with this council. Football - the debacle of Edgar Street. Rugby - the back handers to get the grounds moved. Golf - great that you can have unlimited rounds for £15 a month, however, at 3 hours a round- you will pay circa £200 parking charges. Tennis - if not for the involvement of Charles Nicholls, the council would have bulldozed the Westfield courts. As with a lot of things, this council does not care.