Hereford Voice

Councillor Paul Stevens reopens the Hereford Museum of Cider as his first engagement as the new Hereford Mayor. The museum has been closed for over a year because of the pandemic and during that time also suffered from a flood. Photographs courtesy of the Museum of Cider The Mayor was accompanied by former Mayor Cllr Kath Hey and they were welcomed by museum director Elizabeth Pimblett. Also attending the reopening were craft cider makers from the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association, Fenella Tyler trustee and CEO of the National Association of Cidermakers, conservator Catriona Ward and Councillor Diana Toynbee. Full details can be found here

Homes and businesses in Ross-on-Wye will soon benefit from gigabit capable broadband. Wholesale broadband provider, Full Fibre Limited, will build new Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) network across the town, providing access to some of the fastest broadband in the country. Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) known as ‘full fibre’ is the newest form of fibre broadband and is considered more future proof as it can deliver gigabit download speeds (1,000Mbps). The rollout is thanks to a small grant project to connect businesses in the Alton Road area that still require a superfast connection. Fastershire’s Marches & Gloucestershire business broadband grant is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and has enabled Full Fibre Limited to establish a foothold in Ross-on-Wye from which they will expand their network into the rest of the town using their own investment. Full Fibre Limited CEO, Oliver Helm, said Councillor Paul Symonds, said, Over 93% of Herefordshire properties can access a superfast connection of 30mbps or greater, according to ThinkBroadband’s figures, with over 35% mainly in rural areas able to access a gigabit capable full fibre connection, well above the national average of only 21%. Councillor Ellie Chowns, the Cabinet member for environment, economy and skills at Herefordshire Council said, To find out if your property can access faster broadband, visit www.fastershire.com.

Some very mixed messages here, people must be very confused as to what they can and cannot do legally...

E-Scooters | We have been asked this question many times. Why in some cities and towns across the UK these E-Scooters are completely legal to use and yet in other cities and according to the law, they are illegal to use in public areas. We noticed these in Kettering earlier this week..

AFC win the Buildbase FA Trophy with a 3-1 win Hereford FC today at Wembley. Fantastic effort from our team!

An online marketplace that provides an environmentally friendly, one-stop-shopping experience with independent businesses has won an award for its commitment to sustainability at the Small Awards. Herefordshire e-commerce start-up Local e Sourced enables shoppers to choose from over 90 local suppliers with single local or national delivery. It won the inaugural national 'Net Hero Award' for its unique, environmentally friendly approach of storing stock from independent suppliers in its own warehouse, to reduce packaging waste and transportation emissions. said owner Hamish Light, who brought forward the planned launch of his business at the start of the pandemic to support local businesses and consumers. Hamish Light Hamish was surprised at his home with a trophy during the virtual Small Awards ceremony that increasingly stunned guests, as eleven businesses across the UK were crowned winners on their doorsteps. Local e Sourced impressed the Small Awards' panel of expert enterprise judges for its dedication to sustainable logistics. It utilises compostable WoolCool thermal insulation and recyclable packaging, as well as two courier services - one to reach areas outside of Herefordshire, and a bicycle courier within the county. In its fifth year, the Small Awards is a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates small businesses in the UK. The new 'Net Hero' award also follows the launch of its Small Business Planet campaign to engage and encourage entrepreneurs and small businesses to commit to reducing their carbon emissions to Net Zero before 2050, supporting the broader call to action and efforts in this area by the UK Government. "Congratulations to Hamish and the team at Local e Sourced – they really impressed our judges with their inspiring creativity and dedication to sustainability," said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, and the Small Awards. "It has been a difficult year for the whole small business community, but it is so positive to celebrate the amazing contribution of small firms, especially when they are taking action on such crucial issues like protecting the environment. So many small businesses are hugely passionate about sustainability, and it's important to recognise and encourage this as they can play a vital role in tackling climate change and reducing the UK's carbon emissions." The Small Business Planet campaign will kick off with a series of special weekly events in the run up to COP26 on Small Business Britain's digital channels, including webinars, Facebook Lives, Power Hours, Drop-Ins and live streamed sessions on Instagram and LinkedIn.

We originally ran an article highlighting the fabulous Trust back last year 👉 https://hfd.news/8gw Actor Ross Kemp officially opens new housing for military veterans A military veteran housing scheme has been officially opened today by the well-known actor, author, presenter and investigative journalist, Ross Kemp, on behalf of The Buchanan Trust. During the opening ceremony, Ross, a long-term supporter of the Armed Forces community, assisted in cutting the ribbon for the four new Almshouse cottages that have been built specifically to help ex-service personnel make a successful return to civilian life. Ross Kemp said: Funding from both Herefordshire Council and Homes England through the Almshouse Consortium has enabled The Buchanan Trust housing scheme to go ahead and has seen the construction of four properties on the rural 700 acre Bosbury Estate in Herefordshire. The Buchanan Trust is a not-for-profit charity set up to support ex-military personnel in 1918 in memory of Alan Buchanan who fell in the First World War. Run by a board of voluntary trustees, the Trust still continues to this day with its vital work in supporting veterans with their transition from military to civilian life. The Trust provides temporary residential accommodation for up to 40 former service men and women and their families, to help them readjust after their time in the forces has come to an end. In addition to housing, the veterans are also provided with access to work experience, accredited training skills and employment opportunities in the rural and construction sectors. Councillor Barry Durkin, Herefordshire Council’s representative for the Armed Forces, said: Robert Buchanan, trustee and direct descendant of the original benefactor, added: General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE, Patron of The Buchanan Trust, said: Sue Missin, Housing Development Manager, Saffer Cooper Consultancy, said:

Eight men have received prison sentences for Courier Fraud offences they committed in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Sutton Coldfield in 2019. The group of offenders based in London targeted elderly and vulnerable members of the public pretending to be police officers, encouraging them to help an investigation by withdrawing money from the bank. Couriers would then be arranged, also pretending to be police officers, to attend the victims’ addresses and collect the money. Two were arrested following a high speed pursuit in Hereford in which they rammed police cars and other vehicles before they were detained. More than 200 victims were identified by police, with many more targeted by the and with over 1,000 unique and known landline numbers contacted. The benefit amount of the conspiracy, for money stolen or attempted to have been stolen was just under £200,000. Full details 👉 https://bit.ly/3442FQQ

Congratulations to Hereford Pegasus Ladies winning the Herefordshire FA Ladies County Cup with a dominating 4-1 win over Bartestree LFC at Edgar Street last night. Photograph courtesy of Hereford Pegasus Football Club

Update | Police officers searching for a missing 47-year-old man can confirm that a body was recovered from the River Wye in Hereford on Tues. Formal identification confirms that it is sadly Steven Tattum from Hereford. The death is not being treated as suspicious, the Coroner has been informed. Our thoughts go out to Steven's family and friends at this difficult time. Officers are growing increasingly concerned for Steven Tattum who is missing from Hereford. He was last seen at around 2.40am Wednesday morning (19 May) near to Greyfriars Bridge Hereford but has not been seen since. Steven, aged 47, is described as white, with brown and grey hair. He is around 5ft 8in tall and was believed to be wearing a grey tracksuit and a blue coat. Anyone who believes they may have seen Steven is asked to please call 101 immediately quoting incident 40i of 19 May.

7 cases of variant identified but contained within small work bubble Herefordshire Council is working with Public Health England (PHE) Midlands to support a farm in the county following an outbreak of COVID-19 among a small number of their seasonal workforce. The small number of workers affected had all been routinely tested during their period of isolation when arriving on the farm. Fourteen workers have been found to be COVID-19 positive, seven of which have been confirmed with the variant B.1.617.2 (Indian variant). The farm involved has strict control measures in place to limit transmission, including a period of isolation for all workers on arrival who then live and work in small groups (bubbles). Herefordshire’s Acting Director of Public Health, Dr Rebecca Howell Jones, said: If you have COVID symptoms, no matter how mild, you and your household should isolate and book a COVID test online or dial 119 from any phone to book. Everyone should also take twice-weekly rapid lateral flow device (LFD) testing when symptom-free. There are a number of testing sites available for residents who live or work in Herefordshire, alternatively you can pick up a test from participating pharmacies or you can order tests for home delivery. More information can be found on the council website. To protect yourself and others, you must remember: Hands. Face. Space. Fresh Air. Hands – wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water often, and as soon as you get home - use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available. Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet. Space – stay at least 2 metres away from anyone you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble. Fresh Air – it is safest to meet outdoors. If you do meet friends or family indoors stick to guideline limits, keep the visit short and ensure good ventilation. Vaccination – take up COVID-19 vaccination when you are invited to do so.

Here is a great photograph from our Instagram page showing the new novelty Piaggio seats at The Coffee Cart Company, in the Old Market Shopping Centre Hereford. How cool are these! 😎 Follow Us 👉 on Instagram

DfE issues non-statutory Improvement Notice following recent High Court judgment Herefordshire Council has today (Tuesday 18 May 2021) received a non-statutory Improvement Notice from the Department for Education (DfE). The notice follows significant concerns raised in a recent High Court judgement which led to an urgent and thorough external review of Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services. The Improvement Notice includes the appointment of Gladys Rhodes White OBE as an Improvement Adviser for a minimum of 12 months, and until such time that the Secretary of State is satisfied that she is no longer required. Mrs Rhodes White will provide advice to Children’s Social Care Services and Herefordshire Council, and she will chair the Improvement Board which is being established from the beginning of June 2021. Paul Walker, newly appointed Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council said: A review of Children’s Social Care services is underway to understand and address any failings and immediate actions are being taken to deal with any serious concerns. Herefordshire Council continues to offer residents the opportunity to report a concern following their experience with its Children’s Social Care services. A dedicated team, led by the Interim Director of Children’s Services, are working through these concerns and while we seek to understand the full extent of past decisions made within Children’s Services, we regret that we may find further instances that do not meet the required standards. If you have any concerns about the way you or your family have been treated by Herefordshire Children’s Social Care services, you can contact us at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/careconcerns or email careconcerns@herefordshire.gov.uk

His family, friends and colleagues all paid tribute today in a fitting service for a true gentleman who was tragically killed in an accident last month. Photographs courtesy of West Midlands Ambulance Service

Thank you to Dan Guerche and Steve for their very kind invitation to a private viewing of Saxtys Bar & Club last night. Saxtys Bar & Club has undergone a very tasteful refurbishment as you will see from the photographs below. We were fortunate to sample some of the delicious food. The starters were well presented and we had a variety of options to tease our taste buds. The main meal was a fabulous steak that arrived on a 🔥HOT STONE🔥 and slowly continues to cook at your table until it reaches your desired preference. There is a superb choice of drinks and cocktails on offer and the service for their first night was impressive to say the least, the staff worked tirelessly throughout the evening and they all made us feel very welcome. 👏👏 We are looking forward to returning again over the coming weeks and months. We have missed Saxtys and are so pleased that this brilliant city centre venue is back open in Hereford!! Saxtys Bar & Club is open from Thursday at 5pm till midnight. Friday from 12 till late for food and cocktails. Saturday from 12 till late for food and cocktails. Sunday roast from midday till 5pm (last table at 4pm) We would encourage you to book for food 👉 www.saxtys.co.uk

A new car parking charge structure that has been introduced across the county today (17 May) will make it easier than ever for you to make an informed decision about where best to park your car. The new structure, which divides the price of parking into bands relative to proximity to the City or town centre, gives you the option to balance spending less on parking with a short walk, and ensures there are plenty of spaces available in the centre for short term users. Parking is now free in all market towns on Sundays and after 6pm every day, while in Hereford parking is now free after 8pm every day. Prices have been frozen at Merton Meadow in Hereford which is our largest car park out of the town centre, while prices at St Martins (swimming pool) have been reduced from £1.20 to £1.00 per hour. The off-peak hours season ticket, which allows parking in any car park between 5pm and 9am for £75 per year or £25 per quarter, has also been extended to all Market towns. The new structure, along with details of charges at each location can be found on the Herefordshire Council website. Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said: Funds generated from parking charges are used to maintain local car parks, and any surplus funds provide vital contributions to other important services for local people, including school transport and public transport.

Some coronavirus restrictions are being lifted across England today, as Government move to Step 3 of roadmap. Here’s what you need to know 👉 https://bit.ly/2QniMFJ

Positive Hereford | Huge congratulations to Hamish at Local E Sourced awarded ‘Net Hero’ Winners at The Small Awards This is a fantastic achievement and well deserved 👏👏 Interview with Hamish here https://fb.watch/5x7XYzdWfv/ Local E Sourced are absolutely delighted with their win and have written a few words here https://hfd.news/r99

Embrace Hereford | Fabulous news that Hayley at CULT Vintage opened her new store in Maylord Orchards yesterday!! Most pubs, wine bars, hotels, and restaurants reopen to welcome customers back inside from tomorrow. Saxtys Bar & Club is opening this month and they are taking bookings NOW!! www.saxtys.co.uk If you're looking for some brilliant entertainment a visit to Matrix Hereford is an absolute must! Check out 'Mad Dogs' Axe Throwing 🪓 The Children's Bookshelf - Specialists in Children's Books have a new store also in Maylord Orchards and they have a provisional opening day of 29th May Let us celebrate Hereford and all the good things that our wonderful city has to offer. Hereford Voice will also be announcing some exciting news soon! Please share our positivity it's become 'contagious' Shop local and visit some of our fabulous local independent retailers including all those lovely shops, cafes and boutiques in The Independent Quarter and Hereford Butter Market We have a new a nail salon, mobile phone shop and the new tasty Yorkshire wrap! A new pizza restaurant, as well as some fabulous coffee bars, take-aways, bistros, wine bars and pubs and the all new outside seating! Outdoor markets and events in the city centre are very popular and bring vibrancy, together with some unique products and produce from many independent traders. New eateries offering Korean BBQ at your table and Amazing Asia all coming soon to the Hereford Old Market Shopping Centre and we have some superb hotels too and let's not forget Saxtys Bar & Club which is reopening in this month!! June brings Knife Angel Hereford to the Hereford Cathedral and Hereford Voice is proud to be a 'working partner' with this fabulous charity. We also have some wonderful new planters with seats and trees in the city centre which will look beautiful once they fully blossom. Take a walk along the River Wye and maybe enjoy a coffee by the Victoria Jubilee Bridge or just relax on the Castle Green. We love our city and county and we like to shout about it and promote everything POSITIVE. It's all too easy to moan but we are truly privileged to live in such a beautiful part of the World. Hereford Voice will continue to promote local business and encourage people to visit Hereford and Herefordshire. Look out for our continuous and 'contagious' headlines EMBRACE HEREFORD | POSITIVE HEREFORD | POSITIVE NEWS The lockdown has been a very challenging time for people and businesses alike but there is light at the end of the tunnel.. Join us in our campaign and 'BE POSITIVE' about this fabulous city of ours. 'Positive Hereford' ❤️ 'Embrace Hereford' Follow our latest hashtags #embracehereford #positivehereford

Union Street continued..

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the U80011 - Union Street, Hereford.

The beautiful 400-year-old Old House in Hereford will be undergoing some much needed repairs if the recent planning application to carry out these repairs is approved. The Black and White House Museum Hereford. As you can clearly see from our photographs below, many of the infill panels need to be repaired and brought back to their former glory. Donald Insall Associations - Chartered Architects and Historical Building Consultants Herefordshire Council appointed Insall to undertake a condition survey of the first and second floor level external elevations, to identify the condition of the timber frame, infill panels and associated external joinery i.e. windows, bargeboards and finials, and provide budget costs to allow a capital funding bid for the work. The findings of the inspection were to inform recommendations for improvement works sufficient to allow tenders to be invited from suitably experienced contractors. Recommendations Timber Frame and Joinery Necessary repairs to joinery on the upper-level elevations are minor in nature and largely focused on arresting the further loss of the delightful decorative details which are such a feature of this eye- catching building.  Repair 5no carved pendant characters adorning gable apex. Introduce discreet lead cover flashing over upper surfaces of all 8 pendants following repair and redecoration.  Repair several other missing or damaged decorative joinery features.  Numerous previous patch repairs to frame and joinery require refixing.  Remove extensive modern sealants before repair and redecoration.  Remove leaching bird deterrent gel on transoms and sills before repair and redecoration.  Prepare and redecorate external timber with linseed oil paint.  Arrange close inspection by a suitably experienced structural engineer when access is next available during planned works. Infill Panels The constructional build-up and layered provenance of each panel is difficult to determine as the building has undergone may phases of adaptation and repair, but some original panels are likely to have survived at least in part and these are of high significance. Consequently, a cautious approach to repair is required where the type of construction is not apparent in a defective panel. The cause of panel defects may often be the result of a combination of factors. It appears that many of the defective areas are of modern construction and relate to recent phases of repair. Remove defective and delaminating coatings to panels and perimeter sealant at junctions with frame. Progressively open up defective areas recording existing individual panel construction on reference sheet.  Where defective panel is supported on modern woodwool slab or expanded metal lathing, assume complete replacement with new wattle and daub panel construction.  Where defective panel is of modern, or historic, wattle and daub construction, assess soundness of panel and integrity of wattles/ laths to establish suitability for stabilisation or patch repair. Samples of any soil or lime-based daub should be carefully salvaged and bagged for analysis by others. Replacement panels of new wattle and daub construction – refer to specification and drawings. Repairs to existing wattle and daub panel construction – refer to specification. Prepare and redecorate panel exterior with mineral paint – refer to specification. Prepare and redecorate panel interior with distemper – refer to specification. Ancillary Items Minor repairs to fixed leaded light windows in timber frames. Renew isolated broken clay plain tiles to bay window roofs. Repair/ renew sections of lead cover flashing to south elevation 2nd floor bressummer beam. Remove sealant joint over lead cover flashing at top abutment of tiled roofs – refer to specification for repair detail. The Condition Survey and Recommendation for Improvement Works PDF from Donald Insall Associates is attached below; ProposalAttachment.pdf

The Knife Angel (Also referred to as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression) is a contemporary sculpture formed from 100,000 confiscated knives and is an incredible 27ft in height and weighing over 3.5 tonnes, created by artist Alfie Bradley (pictured below) and the The British Ironwork Centre based in Oswestry. This thought-provoking angel artwork is scheduled to be hosted by the magnificent Hereford Cathedral from 14 June for 28 days. Hereford Voice is proud to be a 'Working Partner' with this fabulous charity. Donations https://www.justgiving.com/knifeangelhereford About Knife Angel Hereford Alison Davies lost her son Mark Hamilton to knife crime in 2018, together with friends Meryl Cain, Pauline Strong and Jan Jefferies they decided to bring the Knife Angel to #Hereford in 2021 to help raise awareness of the catastrophic impact of violent crime on communities, families and individuals. Visit the website www.knifeangelhereford.co.uk During the Knife Angel’s visit, the Knife Angel Hereford team will run a series of workshops and interactive events. It is envisaged that this initiative will continue after the Knife Angel leaves Hereford. Another reason to Visit Herefordshire this year!

Regular rapid lateral flow tests for people without covid symptoms can help prevent outbreaks by helping detect positive cases that would not otherwise be found. In Leominster, the testing site at the Old Priory will close from Wednesday 19 May, with rapid lateral flow tests instead being offered at the following pharmacies: Westfield Walk Pharmacy, Westfield Walk WS&B Rees Pharmacy, Morris Mews, 20 High St There are also four local pharmacies that where home test kits are available for residents to collect: Leominster Pharmacy, 21-23 West Street Boots, 18 Corn Square, Westfield Walk Pharmacy, Westfield Walk W S & B Rees Chemists, 20 High Street You must be aged 18 and over to collect the kits, however kits can be used by any age group; See the Herefordshire Council Website for details of other testing sites across Herefordshire.