adamski

A few years ago, an old lady visiting Hereford, was knocked over by a cyclist near McDonald's I believe. Not sure of all the ins and outs, but if I remember correctly she sadly passed away as a result. There was a big hoohah, rightly so, and the police promised to take a very tough stance against cyclists in pedestrianised areas - this has not happened - many cyclists regularly in High Town etc. Can anyone fill in the blanks for me?

I believe it will still be free, not absolutely sure, but I seem to remember that it was just going to be drastically reduced from the current two hours.

Excellent. Thanks for the update Colin. Hope they find as many relatives as possible.

Hi Maggie. I believe they are reducing the parking time allowed on Castle Street to either an hour or thirty minutes, I can't remember which.

That all seems fair enough. A fenced off area would be a sensible suggestion. There is such an area in the far South East corner of the King George V fields actually. I've spent probably half of my life living in the country and the rest in the city. Your criticisms are fair actually. Country dogs seem better behaved on the whole, and the owners more responsible and diligent. I do try hard to control my dog and be responsible, but he does need to learn boundaries and also let off steam, but I probably can take on board some of the points you've raised and do a better job. I'm still trying to decipher the post with regards to new regulations from October this year! I hope you get a good response and find things improve for you.

Yes, AV, I'm a cyclist and a motorist. I think I'm in the minority though, as I always stop at traffic lights etc, and never cycle on the pavement. Maybe I shouldn't say I'm in the minority, but there really are so many cyclists on the pavements these days.

Illegal or not, when was the last time anyone saw a cyclist using a pavement being approached by an officer of the law? My front door opens directly onto the pavement. I've lost count of the number of times I've almost had a collision with a cyclist when leaving my house. Now I look both ways, as if I'm crossing the road!!! One more for you. A year ago I was walking along Broad Street, away from High Town. A cyclist was coming towards me on the pavement, no lights (it was dark enough to need them) and effectively going the wrong way on a one way street. I watched in horror as I became aware of a car approaching the cross roads from West Street. I was helpless to stop either of them. The cyclist seemed not only oblivious to how daft they were being, but also to the fact that they were approaching a road crossing, where pedestrians would always come to a stop before crossing. She went straight in to the wing of the car, her wheel hitting the car's wheel, she rolled over the bonnet, bike looked a mess and bloke swearing about the damage to his car, which was a lovely mini less than a year old. Cyclist was having a go at the driver! No insurance to pay for the car damage obviously. What if someone had been injured??

Hi Auron, and welcome. It is a sad post. I'm writing from the perspective of a long term dog owner, hopefully a responsible one, but I would be interested to know the ins and outs on this one. I fully understand how people can be intimidated by dogs, especially big ones, and I know that not everyone is a "dog person". I've had dogs for years, live in the city centre, and regularly exercise them in the areas you're concerned about. I currently have a very old, slow and smelly lab, plus a very boisterous large one year old German shepherd, who is a handful, but not nasty. I feel a fine line has to be struck and we all have to try and cohabit and get along. My dog needs training and socialising throughout his life to ensure he is a well behaved and balanced animal. This includes learning to behave off the lead. I try very hard to avoid getting in the way of others, and am always sensitive to those that aren't fans of big dogs. I will admit that the only issue he has now is with people jogging, so I get where you're coming from. I keep my eyes peeled, if I see someone jogging in time I'll get him back on the lead. The times I've failed, he's just been a nuisance, and sees them as something to chase, which is in his breed. He's never been aggressive, just boisterously playful, and this is annoying, I know. I'm just trying to get him to understand it's wrong. He used to go after people on bikes for the same reason, but that's not an issue anymore. If I thought for one minute he was a risk I wouldn't even do what I do. Around children he's great, but I'm wary of very small kids, as I know he'd knock them flying whilst trying to have fun. I guess I'm saying that I know dogs can be a nuisance, not everyone likes them, some can be dangerous, and there has to be rules, but I'm also saying that if we live in a built up city environment we have to accept everyone's lifestyle choices and all try to get on and adopt a common sense approach. Dogs need exercise, training and socialising, to avoid the type of problems you're experiencing, and this isn't necessarily best done all the time on a lead. I'll be interested to see how this turns out. Best regards. Adamski.

I see camp is now set up on the verge outside Steels!

Google it. Plenty of advice and similar stories freely available.

Ignore everything. Don't even enter into correspondence.

Sofas coming upstairs too, I hear.

All saints was done a couple of weeks ago. They now have the maximum of five.

The council are required to inspect premises at least every 24 months. Sometimes this slips, due to lack of resources, but they do prioritise the lower rated premises, and will visit them about every 12 to 18 months. It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than it used to be. One, or God forbid, zero stars should be avoided at all costs. Remember, this has nothing to do with the quality of the food, only the hygiene surrounding its production! A five star rated premises can still serve very poor food !

Less than a mile, as it goes!!! The scores on the doors scheme has really made establishments in Wales up their game, people were literally walking straight past low scoring premises. I believe it should be made an immediate requirement in England. The scheme is in place, monitored and controlled, the establishments have all been issued with stickers, could be put in place just like that!

I get the distinct impression they are going for maximum effect?

I spotted the same at Kingsland car auctions! They were displaying four stars when their up to date rating was one (I think?!). A quick call to environmental health (01432261676) and the next week the matter was put right!

Yes, twg, you're completely correct! I don't understand why Wales is ahead of us on this one! There, it is a legal requirement to display your rating, whatever it may be....

They were there at 7.10 this morning, two X two men tents! Probably waiting for the sales!

They were there at 7.10 this morning, two X two men tents! Probably waiting for the sales!

I see there are people camping where the willow used to be this morning!

Any firm news following the rumours of closure at the end of this academic year?

Yep, good luck to them. I particularly like the sound of the Irish Guinness!

That is a shame, old high street name going, and another empty premises in town. However, the writing's been on the wall for them for a long time. They diluted their brand some time ago, when they started selling on supermarket shelves.

Obviously sneaked under the jobsworth's radar system then AV, well done. I was made an example of in front of the queuing drivers!