Hereford Voice

Hereford Diocese’s plans to demolish the rectory of St Nicholas Church Hereford and build six two-bedroom homes and three three-beds in Breinton Road were given the go-ahead a few weeks ago on March 29. The Victorian Society said in Tweet

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the U91424 - Manley Cresent, Pembridge in Herefordshire.

Sad to learn the sad news of the passing of Sir Clive Richards, he was a great supporter of so many good causes in Herefordshire and throughout the UK, including a huge generous donation of 1 Million pounds to St Michael's Hospice - Hereford. Sir Clive Richards - Photograph courtesy of St Michael's Hospice Hereford. The Hospice said; Charity The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity (CSRC) was established on 16 May 1986 by Clive Richards, a serial entrepreneur and his wife Sylvia. The Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity is committed to supporting Education, Healthcare, Heritage and Arts CSR Charity Website

Herefordshire Council contractors Herefordshire Highways (Balfour Beatty Living Places) have been working collaboratively with Highways England and Kier to clear litter safely on a Highways England night closure of the A40 Monmouth bound on Friday 16th April. The teams worked through the night and removed 1100kgs of litter from the central reservation and the junction of the A4137 to the Ganarew Bridge Herefordshire.

The road has now reopened.

A Bartonsham Dairy refrigeration lorry caught fire at the top of Aylestone Hill in Hereford this lunch time. Emergency services are at the scene and the road (A465) has been closed in both directions while firefighters and police deal with the incident. Photo courtesy of Karen Pardoe

Hereford planners have approved outside seating for both The Green Dragon hotel and The Pizza Works in Broad Street Hereford Outside seating at The Green Dragon Hotel In a message posted on their website The Pizza Works wrote; This along with the recent approval of outside seating for the The Green Dragon Hotel will revitalise Broad Street and help boost business for the hospitality sector which has suffered greatly during the lockdowns.

The Bromyard Centre owned by Herefordshire Council and managed by Social Enterprise and Registered Charity Halo Leisure was forced to close in March 2020 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The plan to reopen in August 2020 along with all other leisure facilities wasn’t possible due to severe and deliberate damage caused to the roof of the Centre through vandalism. Since then the contractors working on behalf of the Council have made the building watertight and the internal works to repair the substantial water damage caused by the vandalism is progressing. Alex Haines, Halo’s Partnership Manager said, Herefordshire Council and the Contractors are doing all they can to progress as quickly as possible within the demanding constraints of a Covid compliant workplace. They have developed a scheme of work which indicates a handover to Halo by the end of the Summer 2021. Chris Jenner, Assistant Director for Technical Services at Herefordshire Council, said: Alex Haines went on to say, “Everyone involved is working hard to reopen the Centre. We care passionately about keeping community leisure centres open and viable for the long term. We've done it for nearly 20 years in Bromyard and we intend to continue to do so for many years to come.” Halo has developed a number of options for local people to help them keep active during the Centre's closure. Visit haloleisure.org.uk/news/1460-your-options-whilst-the-bromyard-centre-is-closed

Over the next week more seating, planters & trees will be added creating a more attractive environment for residents, workers, shoppers & visitors to enjoy. Photograph courtesy of Herefordshire Council More info from Herefordshire Council 👉 http://orlo.uk/q2Fmg

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews from Ewyas Harold Fire Station were called to a car fire in Garway yesterday, upon arrival the crew found the vehicle was well alight. Using BA and hose reel they crew extinguished the fire. Unfortunately the car was totally destroyed, even the alloys had partly melted. Thankfully no persons were injured. 📷 HWFRS

Have your say on the future of rubbish and recycling in the county. Monday 7 December 2020 to Sunday 7 February 2021. This consultation is closed. Consultation reports are available. The council's current rubbish and recycling collection contract is due to end in 2023. Since the current service was introduced the government has announced a new national resource and waste strategy and we will have to make changes to collections to ensure these new requirements are met. Also, in 2019 the council declared a climate and ecological emergency and has an ambition to make changes for a more sustainable county. In December 2020 – February 2021 we asked for your views on the future of rubbish and recycling collection services in the county. You can read the outcome of the consultation in the documents below: Summary consultation outcome Full consultation outcome report All of the feedback gathered during the consultation will now be considered along with other reports before councillors make a final decision on how rubbish and recycling collection services are provided in the future. This decision is expected to be taken in April/May 2021. Other documents: Future of waste summary - residents Future of waste summary - businesses

Herefordshire Council asked people across Herefordshire to let them know their thoughts on the future of waste and recycling in county. Find out what was said, take a look at the results of the consultation & find the next steps, HERE

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews from Ross on Wye Fire Station used their Restricted Access Vehicle from to assist West Midlands Ambulance Service with casualty care for a man with injuries after falling whilst mountain biking in Weston Under Penyard, Ross-On-Wye. They assisted him from the Woodland to the Ambulance. #herefordvoice #herefordshirenews #rossonwye

Disappointing to see that Wetherspoons in Commercial Road Hereford do not appear to have any social distancing measures in place this afternoon for customers queuing outside to use their beer garden. Although as adults we all have a responsibility to social distance to protect one another and follow the guidelines, failure to do this may result in further lockdowns.

Positive News | Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the C1083 - Bearwood Lane, Pembridge in #Herefordshire. #herefordnews #positivehereford #hvroads

Absolutely, it is starting to look superb already!

Good to see the market traders setting up in High Town early this morning. There are already many people around and the coffee stalls are both busy with people. Support our local economy and independent businesses. We have all new tree's ready to bloom this summer with additional seating around. It's bright and sunny have a great weekend in our fabulous city of HEREFORD!! #lovehereford #herefordvoice #positivehereford #herefordnews

Traffic & Travel | Delays again on the A465 Belmont Road due to motorists entering and leaving the McDonalds drive-thru in both directions. We witnessed several near misses and people sounding their car horns in the last 20 mins, this is potentially an accident just waiting to happen ! #herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford

FUNERAL of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH Saturday, 17th April, 2021 at 3.00pm During the service, a choir of four singers (three of whom are Lay Clerks of St George's Chapel Choir) will be conducted by James Vivian and the organ will be played by Luke Bond. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Funeral will be a “Ceremonial Royal Funeral”, the same as that of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. It will not be a “State Funeral” - something that is generally reserved for Monarchs. The Dean of Windsor will conduct the Funeral Service and the Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the Blessing. Due to the current public health guidelines, some elements of the Funeral plan have been modified, although the day will still be very much in line with His Royal Highness’s wishes. The Funeral will be broadcast live on TV and radio to allow people around the world to take part in mourning The Duke. Running Order On Saturday 17 April at 2:40pm, the coffin will emerge from the State Entrance of Windsor Castle into the Quadrangle, followed by the members of the Royal Family who will be walking in the procession. All those in the Quadrangle will give the coffin a Royal Salute before the coffin is placed onto the Land Rover. The Queen will depart from the Sovereign’s Entrance in the State Bentley. The Procession will move towards St. George’s Chapel, through Engine Court, Chapel Hill Parade Ground and into Horseshoe Cloister, arriving at the West Steps. The procession route will be lined by representatives from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Highlanders, and 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Royal Air Force. Minute Guns will be fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from the East Lawn of Windsor Castle for the duration of the Procession. The Curfew Tower Bell will also toll. The members of the Royal Family who will follow on foot behind the coffin are: The Princess Royal The Prince of Wales The Earl of Wessex and Forfar The Duke of York The Duke of Sussex Mr. Peter Phillips The Duke of Cambridge Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence The Earl of Snowdon The National Anthem will play as the coffin arrives at Horseshoe Cloister, to met by representatives from the Commonwealth and a Dismounted Detachment of the Household Cavalry. The Bearer Party will carry the coffin up the West Steps of the Chapel before pausing for a National Minute Silence at 3pm. The Dean of Windsor and the Archbishop of Canterbury will then receive the coffin. As the doors to St. George’s Chapel close, the Royal Navy Piping Party will pipe the ‘Carry On’. Members of the Royal Family The following Members of the Royal Family will attend the Funeral Service in the Chapel: The Duchess of Cornwall The Countess of Wessex and Forfar Viscount Severn The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor The Duchess of Cambridge Mr. and Mrs. Mike Tindall Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Princess Eugenie, Mrs. Jack Brooksbank Mr. Jack Brooksbank The Lady Sarah and Mr. Daniel Chatto The Duke of Gloucester The Duke of Kent Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy The Hereditary Prince of Baden The Landgrave of Hesse The Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg The Countess Mountbatten of Burma The congregation will wear masks for the Service and Members of the Royal Family will wear Day Dress or Morning Coat with medals. During the Service, a small choir of four will sing pieces of music chosen by The Duke of Edinburgh. The choir will be located in the Nave, away from the seated congregation, and in line with public health guidelines there will be no congregational singing. The Funeral Service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, and is expected to last for approximately 50 minutes. At the conclusion of the Service, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault. The Archbishop of Canterbury will pronounce the Blessing and the National Anthem will be sung by the Choir. Her Majesty The Queen, Members of the Royal Family and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Family will then depart the Chapel via Galilee Porch.

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the U92415 - Easthampton Lane, Easthampton, Shobdon in #Herefordshire.

A new Click & Collect service is being offered from Monday - Saturday 8am-8pm - Sunday 10am-4pm at Tesco in Abbotsmead Road, Belmont in Hereford. This new service could be beneficial for people who are unable to obtain delivery slots

Statement from Claire Ward, Acting Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, Herefordshire Council Claire Ward I am upset by this judgment and deeply sorry that we have failed this family. We have neglected the needs of the children and their Carers and deprived the parents of their rights. I am saddened that our actions deprived a Mother of her right to say goodbye to her child and my deepest sympathies are with the family on their loss. We will provide the family with any required support and care to rebuild relationships and to help repair some of the damage we have done. I have taken immediate action to address the serious issues highlighted by this judgment. There is a clear need for an urgent and thorough external review of Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services. The attitudes, culture and professional practice demonstrated in this judgment is shocking and well below the standards we expect. Appropriate action will be taken on the conclusion of our investigations, in accordance with the council’s HR procedures, any relevant professional body requirements, and the law. It is evident that our previous commitments to improve our social care services for children have fallen sadly short of the standards expected and we have failed to provide the expected and appropriate support to this family. This is indefensible. The incoming Chief Executive, Paul Walker, has been working closely with the senior management team to ensure we make real and sustainable changes to our Children’s Social Care services. We have appointed Cath Knowles as Interim Director of Children’s Services, who is a qualified and registered Social Worker, to provide professional experience, leadership and assurance for the coming months. Our Social Workers continue to do their best, often in very difficult circumstances, to support families and protect vulnerable children in our community. We will ensure our staff have the support they need and the confidence and commitment to report any concerns as we make significant and lasting improvements to Herefordshire Children’s Services. We have notified Ofsted and we are working closely with regulators and partner agencies to ensure we protect and safeguard the children of Herefordshire. We have added further reassurance measures within Children’s Services to ensure appropriate checks are undertaken for decisions relating to children in our care. The judgment also identified incorrect legal advice being given to management. This advice was plainly wrong and there have been significant changes made to the management and staff within the Children’s Legal Team to ensure processes are observed and advice is sound. I requested a Department for Education review of our Children’s Social Care services to assess whether children in care are safe in Herefordshire. This review took place last week and found no immediate actions were required on the cases they reviewed but clearly further external reviews will be required to make sure our service is fit for purpose. 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 If you are a child or young person and need someone to talk to Childline is free, private and confidential. Call 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk The Samaritans are also available any time of the day or night - call 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org

A man has been arrested in connection with the report of a rape in Craven Arms. The 19-year-old from Shropshire was arrested yesterday evening (Thursday 15 April) on suspicion of rape and currently remains in custody in Shrewsbury. Police were called around 1.45am yesterday morning to reports that a 17-year-old girl was attacked in an alley near Craven Arms Railway Station.