Hereford Voice

Tributes being paid across Herefordshire and on Social Media this morning following the sad passing of our friend Jamal Haider. Local people have already started placing flowers as a mark of respect to this much loved gentleman at Jamal’s take-away in Bridge Street Hereford. Jamal was a personal friend and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time

Hereford Voice are pleased to announce the launch of our latest 'HEREFORD LIVE' HD Webcam streaming 'LIVE' 24/7 from the heart of our fabulous city! LIVE Stream https://bit.ly/3GMjj8h Check out the Panoramic view of The Old Bridge and River Wye in Hereford, hosted by our good friends at The Left Bank Village. Hereford Voice are part of the Skyline network of high definition panoramic webcams scattered around the world with the sole goal of promoting tourism, art and culture! Statistics | You will be able to see how many people are online as well as how many visitors there have been viewing our fantastic city. Web | www.herefordlive.uk Host | https://theleftbankvillage.co.uk Check out the river levels and they rise and fall during the seasons, especially this time of year when we often see floods in Herefordshire. Follow Hereford Voice to keep up to date with all the latest news and events in Herefordshire

Here is a sneak preview taken this morning of the view from our New 'Old Bridge' HD Webcam due to go live later this week and hosted by our good friends at The Left Bank Village. Now you can view the Old Bridge and River Wye levels 24/7 Web | www.herefordlive.uk Host | https://theleftbankvillage.co.uk Follow us at Hereford Voice for more exciting news coming soon about our fabulous city!

Following a period of public consultation held in the Autumn of last year, two full rounds of Scrutiny by the council’s three committees and Cabinet agreement, the proposals were today (11 February) approved by Council. The budget includes a council tax increase of 2.99%, made up of: A 1% adult social care precept which is ring-fenced to support the delivery of adult social care services A 1.99% increase in core council tax which will fund all other areas of council service This will increase the band D equivalent charge to £1,701.70 representing an increase of £0.95 per week (£4.12 a month). Councillor Liz Harvey, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said: “It continues to be a challenging climate locally and nationally, and the pressure on Local Authorities across the country is as intense as ever. Council Tax makes up around a third of the Council’s budget, so this increase is needed to support the continued delivery of vital services across the county. “Our priority is to get the best possible value for every pound spent, but we acknowledge that it is a difficult time for many local households. This is why we have ensured that the discount on the council tax reduction scheme for any struggling family which qualifies will remain at 100% for the coming year – irrespective of the price banding of their home. “We will also almost triple the budget made available to fund the council tax discretionary hardship scheme from £272,000 to £772,000. Additionally, some residents will continue to pay no Council Tax at all, such as young adults who have left care and also all of the council’s Foster Carer families.” The final setting of Council Tax, which will include the precepts for all the county’s parishes plus Police and Crime Commissioner and Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority charges, will take place on 4 March. More information and advice on reduction schemes and allowances can be found on the council's website: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/counciltax. The proposed budget 2022/23 was approved with one agreed amendment, to delay the inflation uplift of 10p per hour on parking charges planned for 2022/23 and instead to implement an inflation uplift to parking charges in 2024/25. Cllr Harrington, Cabinet member for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to find additional funds to delay the proposed inflation linked increases in car parking charges. I expect we shall soon be able to offer wider choices for reliable alternatives to travel for residents and visitors who travel within the county and between Herefordshire and our neighbouring areas.”

FREE cracking offer and goodie bags for the first 100 customers! 🙌🤸‍♂️ Hereford Voice were kindy invited to the opening today, so check out the fabulous new facilities below! While Gloden wait for the power upgrade to be completed, they will be initially operating with just a selection of cabins open and slightly reduced opening times. Check out the following on offer 👇 💛Fully automated spray tanning by Mystic Kyss 💚Lie down sunbeds including the Ergoline Lightvision! 💜Stand up sunbed featuring collagen red light facial panels Opening Times; 10am - 7pm Monday - Saturday - 10am - 4pm on Sundays. There is no need to book an appointment, just pop down. Find them at unit 4, 109-111 Belmont Road, Hereford, HR2 7JR. There's plenty of free parking right outside. Hereford Voice first published the original planning application details for the tanning studio in the former Greggs unit back in April 2021 👉 https://hfd.news/vfo. We would like to wish our new friends good luck for the future!

A one-off government grant reflecting housing growth in Herefordshire may be used to support insulating the county’s extensive stock of leaky homes making them warmer and healthier. Herefordshire’s Coalition councillors will argue on Friday that the New Homes Bonus, a grant of £1.33 million, should be used as part of the county’s Climate Reserve to support county residents in insulating their homes and keeping warm. ‘Limiting the amount of energy we have to put into our homes, and the amount we are losing out of them is crucial at a time when energy costs are rocketing,’ said Coun Liz Harvey, who will argue that developing the insulation opportunities will benefit everyone in the county and help them to keep their energy bills down. Speaking on the day that BP announced profits of £9.4 billion while householders are struggling to pay energy bills, Coun Harvey said that advice, skills and support for householders in making their homes energy efficient would ‘pay you back every day’. ‘We will use the government bonus payment for new homes that have recently been built in Herefordshire to help householders living in all the homes that already exist to deal with the energy crisis that we are facing. It is the right thing to do for residents and for the environment. Not only will this impact current generations, but future home-owners and occupants for generations to come,’ said Coun Harvey. ‘Things are only going to get worse with energy supply and the easiest and quickest thing we can all do at a local level is to cut down on the energy we use.’ Councillors in Herefordshire will vote on the budget on Friday and it is anticipated that the New Homes Bonus will be an area of contention as some councillors may fail to see the benefits of using the grant to support this sort of action here in Herefordshire. Coun Ellie Chowns said: ‘We already know that there are 87 000 homes leaking heat in Herefordshire. For the sake of the people living in those leaky homes we must address this issue and help residents save money, keep warm and do the right thing for the environment. Insulation and retrofit has enormous potential for residents and businesses in the county – as a responsible authority we must invest in it.’ Insulating Herefordshire’s properties is one of the key issues raised by the Citizens’ Climate Assembly held in January 2022 as a consequence of a unanimous vote by councillors back in 2019 to create a forum to look at environmental issues and solutions in the county. The Coalition is maintaining a Climate Reserve to ensure that important projects addressing climate and ecological issues can access funding when necessary. #HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #Herefordshire

Building work has already began in the former 'Fancy Pants' unit in Bridge Street to transform this shop into a new premises for The Little Cypriot who will be offering traditional Fish and Chips as well as authentic Greek and Mediterranean Deli. We're looking forward to this one!!

Temple Records are moving from their former home in Bastian Mews to their new home in Bridge Street. The new signage is looking fantastic! Web | www.templeofbass.co.uk Hereford Voice wish them good luck for when they open in their new location.

Beryl, the UK’s leading provider of shared micromobility schemes, has teamed up with Google, Apple and transit data experts Ito World to help make two-wheeled travel even easier and more accessible for customers. As a result, all 721 Beryl bays now also appear as points of interest on Apple Maps, highlighting the number of bikes and docks available as well as useful information such as weblinks and customer service contact details. To enable this, Ito World added the Beryl general bikeshare feed specifications (GBFS) - real time data feeds that are available in a uniform format online to aid analysis, comparison and decision making - into their global bikeshare product. Doing this makes the feeds accessible to journey planners such as Apple and Google, allowing them to integrate the data within their own apps and products. By making the feeds available under an open data licence, Apple were able to highlight the 721 Beryl bays currently installed across seven schemes, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Isle of Wight, Norwich, Watford, Hereford, Greater Manchester and Hackney. Beryl CEO, Phillip Ellis, said: “We want to encourage people to try our micromobility schemes, which are a fun, cost-effective and easy-to-use alternative to the car that help reduce congestion while improving air quality and public health. “They are meticulously planned in conjunction with local authorities and local people to ensure they are as convenient and easy to use as possible. “In fact, in some of our schemes, up to 90% of the people living within the service area are just five minutes (or less) walk from a Beryl bay. “By developing strong working partnerships with trusted service providers such as Ito World, Google and Apple, we are working to take accessibility and convenience to the next level and make micromobility an even more positive experience for users.” For more information on Beryl’s innovative e-scooter and bike share schemes, please visit beryl.cc

Her Majesty’s Accession Day statement. The Queen wants Camilla to be 'Queen Consort' when Charles becomes King. Yesterday, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of her Accession to the throne, The Queen wrote a message thanking the public and her family for their support, and looking forward to 'Platinum Jubilee' celebrations over the coming year.

The Chapter of Hereford Cathedral has announced today that it will be welcoming girls to join the internationally-renowned Hereford Cathedral Choir. Hereford Cathedral Choir in the Cloisters (2021/2022) The choir, which has been in existence for many centuries, has until now consisted of boy choristers ranging from ages 7–13, together with the adult professional singers who provide the alto, tenor and bass parts of the choir. This year, for the first time in its history, girls of the same age as the boys will also be invited to audition for the choir and to receive a full musical education as choristers in the beautiful surroundings of Hereford Cathedral. Choristers receive valuable scholarships from the Chapter to attend Hereford Cathedral Junior School and Hereford Cathedral School. In cases of financial need these scholarships can be increased to 100% of the school fees. Applications to join the choir are welcome from potential choristers, whether or not they are currently pupils at Hereford Cathedral Junior School. There will be a Chorister Open Morning on Saturday 12 March which will give prospective girl and boy choristers and their families an opportunity to learn about the life of a cathedral chorister, to meet members of the cathedral’s music department and to hear the current choristers sing. Places for the Open Morning must be booked in advance via the cathedral website. Canon Geraint Bowen, Director of Music, said: ‘We are very excited to be starting the search for the chorister class of 2022: these boys and girls will make history in Hereford as our choir begins this new phase of its centuries-old existence. We are looking for girls and boys who enjoy singing and being part of a team. It is not necessary for them to have had any previous choral experience or to play an instrument, although that is certainly an advantage: when we select choristers, we are looking for musical potential. It is the training they receive at the cathedral and their commitment and dedication which produces the results.’ The Revd Canon Andrew Piper, Precentor, said: ‘For many years the Chapter has wanted to make it possible for girls to sing in our cathedral choir, but we were not able to do so in a financially stable way that would offer equal opportunities for both boy and girl choristers. Thanks to a generous anonymous donation, we are so pleased to be able to make this announcement today. The introduction of a mixed top line will allow us to increase the number of choristers within the choir and to maintain our regular pattern of daily services as girls and boys sing alongside one another. This welcome development is really good news for the cathedral as well as for our music department.’ The Very Revd Sarah Brown, Dean of Hereford, said: ‘Hereford Cathedral has a long and rich history of offering music in the worship of God and our choir’s singing greatly enriches the daily services. Alongside a full musical education, our choristers develop lifelong skills and have the opportunity to travel widely with the choir, bringing their music to congregations and audiences across the UK and abroad. We are delighted to be expanding these opportunities by increasing our number of chorister places and welcoming girls to join us this year.’ Dr Michael Gray, Headmaster of Hereford Cathedral School, said: ‘Hereford Cathedral School was originally founded in the thirteenth century, or perhaps even earlier, for the purpose of educating the cathedral choristers and it is wonderful that this exceptional musical and educational opportunity is now going to be offered to girls as well as boys, further enhancing the cathedral’s offering of worship as well as the school’s sector-leading reputation for music.’ Hereford Cathedral Choir has an international reputation through its radio and television broadcasts, critically-acclaimed recordings and overseas tours (including France, Italy, South Africa and six visits to the USA), but its primary task remains the singing of the daily services at the cathedral. In a recent issue of the BBC Music Magazine it was included in a list of ‘20 choirs you must hear this Christmas’, and it has also featured on Radio 3’s high-profile programme In Tune. The choir regularly broadcasts Choral Evensong live to a large audience on Radio 3, and in 2017 the cathedral’s Easter Day service was broadcast live on BBC1. In 2018 the choir took part in a concert at Buckingham Palace in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales, and also visited Rome, where it sang at a Papal Mass in St Peter’s Square, as well as giving a concert in the Sistine Chapel. In 2019 the choir travelled to Normandy to sing in the 75th anniversary commemoration of the D-Day Landings, which was broadcast live on television worldwide, and later in the year gave a concert in Bologna at the invitation of the British Embassy in Rome. Hereford Cathedral’s Chorister Open Morning will take place on Saturday 12 March. Booking is essential and more details can be found here: www.herefordcathedral.org/chorister-open-morning-2022 Prospective parents are welcome to contact the Director of Music, Geraint Bowen, for an informal discussion about their child’s potential for a choristership at Hereford Cathedral. He may be contacted at organist@herefordcathedral.org or 01432 374238 The choir sings up to eight services per week in the cathedral during school terms and in the days leading up to Christmas and Easter.

Oh yes! Following our news about the Hereford Edition of Monopoly, below is an earlier game with a similar theme with names and places such as Chadds, Browns BMW, BAM Services, Gilbies, Jessons, Heggies Butchers to name just a few, check it out below Hooked On Hereford Made in 1991 it is one of a series of Monopoly style board games developed by local YMCA's in the UK to generate funds for their activities. 📸 Herefordshire Museum Service See our original topic here https://hfd.news/d29 #HerefordNews | #Hereford | #HerefordVoice

La’De Kitchen will be opening up their new restaurant in Hereford, serving selected Mediterranean dishes from Turkish, Greek and Italian cuisines. The family-owned local restaurant aims to present the true hospitality of its Anatolian roots to its guests. The name ‘La’De’ is made up of two parts, derived from the names of the owner’s two children. Using fresh and local seasonal ingredients, chefs at La’De Kitchen take great care in presenting guests with deliciously made dishes. Anatolian hospitality and warmth can be felt immediately as soon as guests step foot into La’De Kitchen, with its complimenting glitzy and buzzy decor. The Restaurant will be an ideal place to mark important occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. The easy-going vibe and cool atmosphere make first dates more memorable. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available. Website | https://www.ladekitchen.com/ #HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #Hereford

HEREFORD WINS FIRST PRIZE IN WEST MIDLANDS BEAUTY CONTEST Hereford has seen off 24 other places from across the West Midlands – including Warwick and Leamington Spa – to land its’ very own official MONOPOLY board, it will be announced later this morning (Wednesday 2nd February 2022) at Hereford Cathedral. How cool is this! 🔹Hereford Mayor Cllr. Paul Stevens will be amoung guest at the official annocement scheduled for 10am, Wednesday 2nd February 2022. Hereford Cathedral, Broad Street entrance from 9.45am. “Hereford is blessed with great landmarks which will get to replace the famous classic MONOPOLY streets like Mayfair and Park Lane,” says Ella Gibbs from the makers of the new game Winning Moves UK. The new unique game will see the multi-coloured property squares all themed around Hereford – with Chance and Community Chest cards customised too. So Hereford Cathedral, tipped to feature prominently in the game, could be yours to own for just a few hundred MONOPOLY dollars, whilst getting stuck in traffic on the medieval Wye Bridge could see players sent ‘Back Three Spaces’. Castle Green could feature on a green square. Hereford Town Hall may land on the Whitehall space. “But everything is up for grabs,” adds Ms Gibbs, Custom Games Executive at Winning Moves UK, makers of this unique edition under official license from Hasbro. “We expect to be wonderfully spoilt for choice putting this game together.” At today’s announcement that Hereford has landed the honour of its very own customised MONOPOLY game, the public will be invited to suggest landmarks to feature on the board. “The game will reflect the flavour and feel of these suggestions,” adds Ms Gibbs. “The public consultation process will last for three weeks.” The property sets will be themed: from heritage to shopping, culture to leisure – and more. The train station quartet set that features on the classic original MONOPOLY will be handed over to a travel theme for the new Hereford edition. That’s because Hereford doesn’t have a multitude of main line stations to select from like in the London MONOPOLY original. Hereford Town Hall could get to land on the famous Whitehall square from the game’s classic original. “There’s synergy there,” adds Ms Gibbs. For the same reason a very old building could get to land on Old Kent Road. “As regards the board’s most expensive exclusive square, Mayfair, that could go to Hereford’s most prized crown jewel,” adds Ms Gibbs. “We look forward to hearing from the public.” Bosses at Winning Moves UK say a variety of factors were used in deciding Hereford from across 25 cities and towns in the West Midlands and western Midlands. These factors include ‘pride’, ‘landmarks’, ‘beauty’ and ‘sense of family’. Hereford has seen off 24 West Midlands cities and towns to land the MONOPOLY honours for this year. There is a famous Community Chance card in the original MONOPOLY version which says: ‘You have won Second Prize in a Beauty Contest’. Well Hereford has very much won FIRST prize! In all 30+ Hereford landmarks and favourites will be showcased in the game. Over the last 25 years Winning Moves UK has produced official versions of MONOPOLY .. from Dubai to Dublin and Palm Beach to Plymouth. Now the dice is rolling upon Hereford. The game will hit the shops this October (2022) - in time for Christmas - but before it goes into production the public is being invited to suggest Hereford landmarks and cards to feature in the game, via these three ways: 1. By email to: hereford@winningmoves.co.uk . 2 Via the official Hereford MONOPOLY Facebook page. 3. Or by post to: Hereford MONOPOLY, Winning Moves UK, 7 Praed Street, London W2 1NJ. Polling starts at 10am on 2nd February and closes at 23.59pm on 22nd February (2022). #HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #Hereford

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed the proposed 2022/23 budget which will now be put forward for recommendation to Full Council on Friday 11 February 2022. Following a period of public consultation held in the Autumn of last year, and after two full rounds of Scrutiny by the council’s three committees, the proposals were yesterday (31 January) agreed by Cabinet. The proposals include a total council tax increase of 2.99%, made up of: A 1% adult social care precept which is ring-fenced to support the delivery of social care services A 1.99% increase in core council tax which will fund all other areas of council service This would increase the band D equivalent charge to £1,701.70 representing an increase of £0.95 per week (£4.12 a month). The proposed increase is needed to support the continued delivery of vital services across the county and our priority is to get the best possible value for every pound we spend on the people of Herefordshire. The discount on the council tax reduction (CTR) scheme for any struggling family which qualifies will remain at 100% for the coming year – irrespective of the price banding of their home. Cabinet also proposes to almost triple the budget made available to fund discretionary housing scheme payments for families just failing to qualify for CTR from £272,000 to £772,000. Additionally, some residents will continue to pay no Council Tax at all, such as young adults who have left care and also all the council’s Foster Carer families. The final setting of Council Tax, which will include the precepts for all the county’s parishes plus Police and Crime Commissioner and Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority charges, will take place on 4 March. Residents on a low income may be eligible for help to pay their bill through the Council Tax Reduction scheme. More information and advice on reduction schemes and allowances can be found on the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/counciltax

Development will be first under ‘Herefordshire Future Homes’ Herefordshire Council has agreed to purchase land in the Widemarsh ward with a view to developing the first new residential scheme under the Herefordshire Future Homes standard. In the County plan 2020 – 2024 the council has expressed an ambition to deliver 1000 new homes and protect and improve the lives of vulnerable people and to reduce the number of people in Herefordshire identified as homeless, and to develop its own housing stock. This development will enable the council to deliver on this ambition in a highly sustainable way, through: Seeking high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency in the construction and operating costs of new homes. Working with partners to minimise our carbon footprint in terms of methods of construction and in seeking the use of local materials and labour wherever possible. Reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable modes of transport - The central location of the land would allow individuals the opportunity to either walk or use public transport to move around. The purchase of site and the delivery of properties will add to the county’s housing stock and it is intended that they will be affordable in perpetuity allowing future households who share protected characteristics to have access to appropriate accommodation. The Herefordshire Future Homes Report was adopted by the council in November 2021, and sets out the environmental building design standards that will govern future housing developments on council-owned land and council retrofit schemes across the county. Herefordshire is amongst the first nationally to set such high environmental standards for housing on council-owned land, which reflects the council’s commitment to tackling climate change. Cllr Ange Tyler, Cabinet member for Housing, regulatory services, and community safety, said: “We are all aware that Herefordshire Council has set an ambitious target on developing new homes, so it is wonderful to see this purchase agreed, with a view to constructing some much-needed new housing in the city of Hereford. “Under the Herefordshire Future Homes standard, these new homes will generate as much renewable energy as they use, through a combination of energy efficiency measures and forms of renewable energy generation and storage. Not only is this good for the environment, it also increases the value of a house, meaning a greater return on investment for the council, for developers, and for homeowners.” To find out more please see the Herefordshire Future Homes report on the council website.

Popular e-scooters are being used in cities all over the world and now many cities here in the UK. Beryl are expanding their use across their network and have e-scooters and have a free trials tomorrow in Bournemouth. We have received many emails and messages from local people who have used e-scooters and would welcome them as an alternative form of low coast transport around the city. Have you used an e-scooter and would you like Herefordshire Council to give the go-ahead for e-scooters in Herefordshire? Hereford Voice first published details about e-scooters back in May 2020 in our article here 👉 https://hfd.news/eif

Be aware the Department of Transport have made changes to the Highway Code Rules which will be implemented from the 29th January 2022. The rules establish a hierarchy of road users, prioritising road users most at risk.

Going out for the night should be a chance to have a great time with your partners or mates. The last thing you want to worry about is someone slipping something in your drink. Sadly, this is a real risk and especially so for women. In 2021, The Independent ran a YouGov survey which found that one in nine women have had their drinks spiked, and one in three knew another woman who had been spiked. What is drink spiking? To spike a drink means putting a substance in someone's drink that they have no knowledge of and have not consented to. This is usually with drugs or alcohol that could affect your body’s ability to function normally, which can potentially cause you harm and leave a person vulnerable. Drinkaware says drink spiking can happen to any type of drink, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Drinks spiked with alcohol or drugs can make a person seriously vulnerable. Spiking someone’s drink carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence in the UK. Always keep an eye on your drinks to make it more difficult for someone to spike it and also help to protect your friends and loved ones by keeping an eye on their drinks if they need to go to the toilet or for a dance and visa-versa.. Yates in Commercial Road, Hereford are one of the local pubs that are giving out foil covers for glasses to prevent spiking of drinks, hopefully other venues may follow helping to tackle this vile crime. Symptoms of drink spiking The effects of drink spiking vary depending on what you’ve been spiked with. Your symptoms could include: Lowered inhibitions Loss of balance Feeling sleepy Visual problems Confusion Nausea Vomiting Unconsciousness The symptoms will depend on lots of factors such as the substance or mix of substances used (including the dose), your size and weight, and how much alcohol you have already consumed. If you or a friend start to feel strange or more drunk than you should be, then get help straight away. More advice and a guide can be found Drinkaware

Mayor of Hereford, Paul Stevens, has been busy planting more perry trees across the County! These rare pear trees were facing a dark future of endangerment before the Mayor took it upon himself to make sure that doesn’t end up the case. The first trees were planted at Brockhampton Estate, near Bromyard. A second set was planted at Ross Cider, and another at Holme Lacy College. These will eventually blossom into fruit baring trees, giving the rare pear a chance to spread across Herefordshire. The Mayor had previously worked on reviving the perry trees last year by planting at Little Pomona Cidery on Brook House Farm. A long time advocate and enthusiast of our County’s rich history in cider and perry, The Mayor was initially dismayed to hear that the famous perry trees were under threat. To prevent this from happening, Paul sought out Jim Chapman of the National Perry Pear Centre in Hartpury to secure scions for grafting, and approached Nick Dunn at the nationally renowned nursery, Frank P Matthews near Tenbury Wells. Marking Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year, these trees have been planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy project, a special invitation to all people to plant trees to mark the important occasion. Not only is this a fantastic initiative to get us outside and proactive, it’s also a boon for the ecological diversity and future of the UK’s environment.

Our Friends of Castle Green and Hereford LIVE camera hosts have announced that they have appointed local architect Oliver Steels of Errand Studio to work alongside the board in the next steps towards rejuvinating The Pavilion, Castle Green as part of the StrongerHereford Town project. As a local, Oliver has a good understanding of the needs of the community in redeveloping the building and has some fantastic ideas that will help FoCG to achieve its vision of transforming the historic Pavilion building to create a modern, accessible space and iconic riverside visitor attraction in the heart of Hereford. Our Friends of Castle Green are very much looking forward to working with Oliver over the coming months. Keep an eye out for updates on the plans!

Jon wrote "An illuminated variation on the Elgar view of #HerefordCathedral in #Hereford, #Herefordshire. I'll have to revisit this sometime as I'm sure I can improve on my light steering effortsElectric light bulb"

Green Party activists and county councillors staged a small protest in Hereford on Saturday against the government’s imminent Policing Bill. Green Party activists in Herefordshire argue that protest won women the right to vote and urged people to ensure their civil liberties are upheld. The bill, threatening draconian measures to make protest a criminal offence, is at a crucial stage. Ellie Chowns, leader of the council’s Greens said: ‘This bill is a threat to basic civil liberties right at a time when we need to hold government to account over so many issues. Our democratic right to protest is being eroded.’ ‘There is a danger we will wake from our trance over ‘party-gate’, and other pantomimes, to find we have lost many of the liberties we take for granted. This legislation has become worse following a series of amendments that have been slipped into the bill at a late stage - without proper scrutiny or debate. We cannot allow that. Please contact your MP about it, this weekend.’ Baroness Jenny Jones formerly of Weobley, and chair of Herefordshire’s Green Party in the late 1990’s said: ‘The government sidestepped the Commons by introducing 18 pages of draconian laws as amendments in the Lords, but if peers vote against them they cannot be reinserted.’ Baroness Jones urged people to contact their MPs and members of the House of Lords immediately to ensure that they voted against the amendments to stop, outright, some of the worst measures of the Policing Bill. Details https://bit.ly/321DAbI

The start of the new year brings some welcome news for Herefordshire’s hard-hit hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses. The government has set aside funding to help them recover from the adverse effects of restrictions introduced to reduce the spread of Covid-19. As part of the government’s £785m Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant package to help UK businesses, the council will manage the county’s allocation of £3,996,378. This means eligible businesses within the county can apply for a one-off grant up to £6,000. The funding is available immediately to support businesses in urgent need. The scheme is open for applications until 28 February 2022 and all payments under this and existing schemes will be completed by 31 March 2022. Government has also confirmed the county will receive an additional £440,262 ‘top up’ to the additional restriction grant allocation (ARG). These funds will provide up to £3,000 of support to smaller hospitality and leisure businesses without a rateable value, and to supply chain businesses that have also been affected. Cllr Ellie Chowns, cabinet member for environment, economy and skills, says: “Many hospitality and leisure businesses have been seriously affected by the recent rise of Omicron, as people minimised their social contact over the Christmas period - a time of year when seasonal businesses would normally generate a large part of their income. “And of course this has come on top of nearly two years of Covid-related disruption. “So, I am very pleased that this new grant is now available to help businesses in the worst-affected sectors. I am sure it will provide much-needed assistance and Herefordshire Council is pulling out all the stops once again to get the funding out to businesses as quickly as possible. “As we have been provided with a limited amount of funding, we aim to distribute it as widely and as fairly as possible to those that need it most.”

This bell was cast, in 1470, by Robert Handley of Gloucester. It has been in the care of Herefordshire Museum Service since 2012 after the demolition of St. Francis of Assisi church. It is finally returning to their original home St. Michael church, Dewsall, near the Callow.