Hereford Voice

Two men have been charged with drug dealing offences relating to Hereford and have appeared in court. Clive Symonds, 37, of Emperor Way, Holmer, Hereford, was charged with possession with intent to supply a class A drug – cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class B – cannabis, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of criminal property. Anthony Anderson, 51, of Sandown Drive, Hereford, was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine. Symonds and Anderson appeared before Kidderminster Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday 9 December) and were bailed with conditions. They will next appear before Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday 6 January 2026.

Following a recent fly-tipping report from a member of the public, Herefordshire Council’s Principal Enforcement Officer took swift action to attend a site on a Public Right of Way in Checkley, east Hereford. Items fly-tipped on a Public Right of Way in Checkley On arrival, the Officer found three single mattresses, a large amount of bathroom material, wooden tiles, cardboard and other rubbish. There was also some asbestos in the waste, which led the Officer to request urgent attention from the Community Protection team to remove the items within 24 hours. The waste was dumped in this rural location in mid-November under cover of darkness, either side of a public bridleway. Despite a thorough investigation by our enforcement officers, no evidence has so far been found to link the rubbish to those responsible. Any members of the public who have any information on this incident are urged to email: prow@herefordshire.gov.uk Councillor Dan Hurcomb, Cabinet Member for Local Engagement and Community Resilience at Herefordshire Council, said: This was a despicable act and we are disappointed that so far we have been unable to find out who is responsible. However, we will pursue any new lines of enquiry with the aim of securing the evidence we need to bring about a prosecution. Herefordshire is a beautiful county with spectacular countryside, tranquil landscapes and awe-inspiring views. Fly-tipping spoils this for all of us and will not be tolerated. Those responsible should be aware that we will take robust enforcement action against anyone who fly-tips in the county – including the use of resources such as CCTV cameras – to bring them to justice. Recent cases of successful fly-tipping prosecutions undertaken by council enforcement officers include a husband and wife who were fined over £1,500 for dumping a caravan in a beauty spot near Ross-on-Wye, and a Bromyard woman who was ordered to pay nearly £1,000 for long-standing waste and anti-social issues.

Thanks to funding from the Government’s Libraries Improvement Fund and fundraising by library Friends’ groups, customers at six Herefordshire libraries now have access to tablet computers free of charge! The tablets have been funded for use by customers at Hereford, Ross, Leominster, Ledbury, Kington and Colwall libraries. They are free of charge for use in the libraries on production of your library card and are in addition to the existing PC (personal computer) service. You must be a member of the library to use the tablets, but joining is quick and easy and can be done online or at any of our libraries. An additional set of tablets has been purchased to enable outreach work at all library sites. These will provide enhanced opportunities for us to work with partners such as the DWP, Youth Employment Hub, Age UK and Healthy Lifestyles Service. Councillor Harry Bramer, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Assets at Herefordshire Council, said: Having these tablets available in our libraries and for outreach work helps to improve digital access and enables us to offer a wider programme of creative and digital activity with partners. We are confident that this will lead to an increased number and diversity of users and more people being supported to be more digitally self-sufficient. Jon Chedgzoy, Libraries and Archives Manager at Herefordshire Council, added: We are very grateful to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports for providing this funding and also to the Friends of Ross Library, Friends of Leominster Library and Ledbury Library Development Group for their additional fund-raising efforts. The tablets are now ready and waiting and our team are really looking forward to supporting members in their use.

Construction work has begun today (Monday, November 24) to deliver a package of transformative travel improvements on Holme Lacy Road, in Hereford. David Noblett, Regional Operations Director, Cambrensis and Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure Councillors and officers visited the site to officially mark the start of works being delivered as part of a £19.9 million investment from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The Holme Lacy Road scheme will bring significant benefits to residents, businesses, and commuters by improving safety, accessibility, and traffic flow along a key route into the city. Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “These improvements will make a real difference to everyone who uses Holme Lacy Road, whether by car, bike or on foot. “We’re delivering better surfaces, safer crossings and more space for walking and cycling, giving people the choice to travel in a way that best suits them.” The scheme will upgrade the stretch of Holme Lacy Road from Oak Crescent to the Thorn Business Park junction, with a comprehensive set of improvements including: ▪️Resurfaced carriageways for a smoother and more reliable drive ▪️Safer pedestrian crossings to support walking and local access ▪️Raised tables and high friction surfacing to reduce vehicle speeds ▪️Dedicated cycle lanes and quiet zones for cyclists ▪️Widened shared spaces for cyclists and pedestrians ▪️A new signalised junction at Holme Lacy Road/Chestnut Drive/Hoarwithy Road to improve traffic management ▪️A shuttle system for vehicles at the railway bridge to ease congestion and give pedestrians and cyclists more space Councillor Price said: “The scheme will enhance travel choices to Skylon Park, the Hereford Enterprise Zone and the wider Rotherwas area, a key location for employment and growth in the city. “Holme Lacy Road will become the spinal route for cycling to the south of the river linking in with other routes to ensure movement is possible in all directions allowing safe passage from the residential zones to the employment zones and in towards the town.” Work will be completed in phases to minimise disruption with the full scheme expected to be complete by next winter.

Continental Street Market over the next few days in Hereford. He is WOKE for sure but he ain't woke up yet as this one took Stefan 32 minutes to spot! 👇

Ross-on-Wye Town Council is pleased to confirm that the official Twinning Agreement between Ross-on-Wye and Ovruch, Ukraine will be formally signed on Friday 5th December at 3pm. This historic signing marks the beginning of a long and supportive partnership between our two towns built on solidarity, collaboration and a shared commitment to recovery and resilience. The partnership aims to promote cultural understanding, friendship and the celebration of shared heritage between the communities of Ross-on-Wye and Ovruch. The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Cllr Linden Delves, said: “I am delighted to be signing the twinning agreement between Ross-on-Wye and Ovruch in Ukraine. The agreement will strengthen the cultural ties between our towns and demonstrates our support for, and solidarity with, the people of Ovruch” The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Cllr Linden Delves and the Chairman of Ovruch, Korud Ivan Yaroslavovych, will take part in an online signing ceremony to commemorate this special occasion.

Herefordshire Councils Cabinet is today set to sign off the proposed new Local Transport Plan, which sets out a clear strategy and priorities to improve the county’s transport network for everyone who lives, works in, and visits Herefordshire. The plan will then go to the full Council for final approval at its meeting on 5 December 2025. The Local Transport Plan (LTP) is designed to give local people more travel options and quicker journeys, whether driving, using public transport, walking, cycling or wheeling. It covers a wide range of new developments over coming years across the county including Hereford’s Western Bypass; new walking and cycling routes; upgraded train stations and bus stops, and more frequent services; additional electric vehicle chargers; targeted traffic calming and road safety investments, and much more. Councillor Philip Price, Cabinet member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “We’re committed to building a better transport network that gives people more choice about how they travel, and makes their journey times quicker. “This Plan sets out the path to a more sustainable, accessible, efficient and resilient network, connecting every corner of our county and meeting the evolving needs of our residents, businesses, and visitors. It’s about improving people’s quality of life, boosting our economy, and will be a cornerstone to building an exciting future for Herefordshire.” A series of action plans set out both major capital infrastructure developments and innovative local projects. It follows consultation with more than 500 local people and organisations. The LTP’s key areas of focus are to improve transport in: Hereford city: the county’s largest urban centre, where congestion is highest and the potential for sustainable travel is greatest Market towns and rural areas: home to around 70% of the population, where challenges including dependency on using cars, and limited public transport The county-wide Transport Network: underpinning infrastructure that enables us to get around, including highways, rail, freight, and digital connectivity The Plan sets out five main objectives, to: Support a thriving and prosperous economy for Herefordshire. Give people more choices and opportunity for Active Travel, helping improve health and wellbeing Tackle climate change: protecting and enhancing our natural and built environment Improve accessibility and inclusion, so everyone has the choice to travel how they want Make travel across the county safe and secure The full Local Transport Plan and a short summary guide will be published when the document is fully approved by Herefordshire Council at its meeting on Friday 5 December 2025.

We notice over 13 years later, same issues! Yet when the lights at this junction are off as Colin says 'The Traffic Just Flows'

West Mercia Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision in Herefordshire yesterday evening (Saturday 8 November). The collision happened around 5:30pm on the C1125, between Hereford and Sutton St Nicholas when a grey VW Polo, black BMW 1 series and grey Mazda 6 collided. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, a man in his 80s who was driving the VW Polo, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody. We would like to hear from anyone who saw, or who has dashcam footage, of the collision itself or the vehicles in the minutes before. In particular, we would like to hear from the driver of a Tesla who we believe could be a key witness of the grey VW Polo minutes before the collision. Please email sciusouth@westmercia.police.uk and quote reference number 00342_i of the 8 November.

Yes and Stefan has now also copied our Good Morning! feature and we noticed this some time ago but now he is also copying our idea of 'Motivational Quotes' too! We have been sharing quotes like these for years. Here is today's example Oh look 👀 👇 He thinks we do not notice, but we notice everything and so do plenty of our followers. We should be flattered by this but it's becoming very very odd, it's like do they have no originality? 'We Lead Others Follow'

Today will published a topic about fireworks with Bonfire night just around the corner 🎆 This promoted our stalker to also share a topic on fireworks not long after...

Hereford Voice have supported this fabulous event since it began and we’re excited to announce the return of the incredible local event this Christmas season: The Hereford Christmas Tractor Run promises to be spectacular celebrations of festive spirit, community, and charitable giving. 🚜 ✨ Hereford Christmas Tractor Run 📅 Saturday, December 20th Get ready for a festive convoy of brilliantly decorated tractors as they light up the streets of Hereford. Expect a dazzling display that’s sure to bring joy to all ages! Routes: Keep an eye out for route details to be announced soon – these routes will allow you to enjoy the best views of these stunning vehicles in action! 🌟 A Community-Focused Event The Hereford Christmas Tractor Runs have become much-loved fixtures in the local holiday calendar. This fabulous event we have supported since it began has raised thousands ££££'s for charity, highlighting the powerful impact that such community-driven events can have. With hundreds of spectators lining the streets, the atmosphere is always vibrant, fun, and family-friendly. The involvement of local businesses, farmers, and families in decorating the tractors adds a unique personal touch that truly embodies the Christmas spirit. These events are not just about seeing the spectacular display of lights and festive décor—they’re also about giving back to those who need it most. 🎄 Why Participate? Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Christmas Tractor Runs offer a fantastic opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones. It’s an event that welcomes people of all ages to come together, enjoy the festive displays, and take part in the broader spirit of giving during the holiday season. 💫 Get Involved! If you’re interested in taking part—whether by decorating a tractor or helping with event organization—reach out to the event coordinators. Every year, more families, groups, and businesses get involved, making the event even more special. 🚜 Details | When Farmers Do Christmas Let’s make this year’s Christmas Tractor Run bigger and better than ever before! Keep your eyes peeled for the route details, and get ready to spread the festive cheer! 🚜✨🎄 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁! 📸 Just Jon Simpson #Hereford | #ChristmasTractorRun | #HerefordChristmasRun | #FestiveFun | #CommunitySpirit | #CharityEvent | #Herefordshire

The restaurant located at Hereford Retail Park, Newtown Road Hereford is now closed with the independent unit in SouthWye remains open. DC London Pie, the firm running Pizza Hut’s UK dine-in restaurants under a franchise deal, appointed administrators from corporate finance firm FTI on Monday. Pizza Hut is restructuring and will shut 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites American hospitality giant Yum! Brands, which owns the global Pizza Hut business, said it has now bought the UK restaurant operation in a pre-pack administration deal, saving 64 sites. Here are the locations of Pizza Hut restaurants set for closure: Dine In restaurant locations Ashton, Lancashire Beckton, London Bolton, Lancashire Bournemouth, Dorset Bradford Vicar Lane, West Yorkshire Brighton Marina, East Sussex Bristol, Avon Cardiff, South Glamorgan Carlisle, Cumbria Chatham, Kent Clacton, Essex Cortonwood, South Yorkshire Crawley, West Sussex Cribbs Causeway, Avon Croydon, Surrey Dudley, West Midlands Dundee, Dundee Durham City, County Durham Eastbourne, East Sussex Edinburgh, Scotland Edinburgh Fountain Park Edinburgh Kinnaird Park Enfield, Middlesex Falkirk, Scotland Feltham, Middlesex Finchley Lido, London Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Greenwich, London Grimsby, Lincolnshire Hartlepool, Cleveland Hayes, Middlesex Hereford, Herefordshire Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Hull, East Yorkshire Inverness, Scotland Kettering, Northamptonshire Kidderminster, Worcestershire Lancaster, Lancashire Leeds Colton Mill, West Yorkshire Leeds Kirkstall Road, West Yorkshire Leeds White Rose, West Yorkshire Liverpool, Merseyside Llanelli, Dyfed Lowestoft, Suffolk Manchester Fort, Lancashire Middlesbrough, Cleveland Norwich, Norfolk Oldham, Lancashire Portsmouth, Hampshire Preston, Lancashire Reading Gate, Berkshire Rhyl, Clwyd Rochdale, Lancashire Romford, Essex Russell Square, London Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire Shrewsbury, Shropshire Silverlink, Tyne & Wear Solihull, West Midlands St Helens, Merseyside Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire Thanet, Kent Tower Park, Dorset Truro, Cornwall Urmston, Lancashire Wellingborough, Northamptonshire Wigan, Lancashire Yeovil, Somerset Delivery site locations Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire Bletchley, Milton Keynes Coventry North, West Midlands Coventry West, West Midlands Dunstable, Bedfordshire Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire Luton, Bedfordshire Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Rugby, Warwickshire Uxbridge, Middlesex Wolverton, Milton Keynes

'Should Have Gone To Specsavers' 🤓 Photo courtesy of Chris Powell On a serious note, a UPS Van has made contact with Specsavers unit in Ledbury. Fire crews from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are currently dealing with this incident. There are no reports of any injuries thankfully.

A rapist who preyed on a woman he met in a nightclub has today (Friday 17 October) been sentenced at court to eight years. Twana Azize, 29, of College Road, Hereford, was sentenced for the attack which took place in Hereford city centre in the early hours of a Sunday morning in May this year. He met his victim in a nightclub in the city. Azize was found guilty of rape at Worcester Crown Court on 22 August. Today he was sentenced to eight years and further ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Azize took advantage of the woman, isolating her from friends at the club before preventing her from getting a taxi home. He then led her away from the taxi rank and raped her in a secluded street away from members of the public. The victim managed to get a taxi home and reported the incident. Azize was then arrested following a CCTV trawl and subsequent searches by police. Despite denying the offences, forensic examination of his clothes supported evidence leading to the charge. Detective Constable James Smith of Hereford Reactive CID said: “We are pleased to get justice today with this custodial sentence for Azize - a sexual predator who belongs behind bars. “Azize preyed on a woman who was on a night out with friends, taking advantage of her and forcibly preventing her from getting home safely so he could rape and attack her. “We know the sentencing will not remove the memory of this awful incident for his victim, but we hope it may help her to start to move on in her life. “We hope today’s result shows we will always listen to anyone who has concerns about or has been a victim of rape or sexual abuse and prosecute where appropriate, and that it may encourage anyone who has suffered similar abuse to come forward and speak to us. “We will always take your concerns seriously and protect you from predators like Azize.” You can report sexual offences and rape on West Mercia Police Website and Always call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org