Hereford Voice
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This gentleman of the sport once owned and had a financial share in The Temple bar in Ewyas Harold Herefordshire and can be seen in the pub in this photograph taken in May 1984.
Professional snooker player Doug Mountjoy playing at the Temple Bar in Ewyas Harold. 03-05-1984.His last season on the tour was 1996/1997 and he then went on to coach in the Middle East for two years before coaching back in Wales.
Doug Mountjoy was from Tir-y-Berth, Gelligaer, Glamorgan, Wales. He was on the professional snooker circuit during the sport's golden era of the late 1970s and 1980s, and remained within the top 16 of the world rankings for 11 consecutive years.
He won both the 1978 UK Championship and the 1979 Irish Masters, and reached the final of the 1981 World Snooker Championship where he lost to Steve Davis. He also finished in second place at the 1985 Masters.
Doug Mountjoy | Photo Credit: PA SportDoug Mountjoy passed away on Sunday 14th February which was Valentine's Day - RIP
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13 year old Frank has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Frank has osteosarcoma a rare bone cancer and is having intense treatment in Birmingham and Hereford Hospitals.
Let's help Frank achieve his bucket list and give him and his family all the love and support that we can.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/joanne-smith-659?utm_term=pEYkxxNAM
Frank has already received some wonderful messages of support from celebrities and football starts including - Sir Kenny Dalglish, Matt Lucas, Phil Neville, Alan Shearer, Jamie Carragher to name just a few and the list is growing rapidly.
More details and updates can be found on the Team Frank Facebook page.
#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford
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Having Your Say | Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions' Q&A Continued - Part 4 - Emergency Active Travel Measures across the county inc the closure of the Old Bridge in Hereford
At Hereford Voice our slogan has always been 'Having Your Say' and through our network we are going to give you the opportunity to ask your questions to some of our Councillors.
Cabinet Member - Infrastructure and Transport Councillor John Harrington agreed to be put under the spotlight and to answer as many questions put to him in our first exclusive 'Councillor Sessions' series here https://hfd.news/eec
Tonight in part 4 of our series Cllr Harrington responds to questions about the Emergency Active Travel Measures across the county inc the closure of the Old Bridge in Hereford
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Harrington for agreeing to be the first of many councillors who will be engaging with you all this year as part of our 'exclusive' Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions'
#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire #hfdvcs
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Hundreds of staff paid tribute to a much-loved colleague at Hereford County Hospital this morning. Theatres logistics manager Dave Morgan died in January after testing positive for Coronavirus. Members of the WVT family lined streets clapped in tribute as the cortege passed.
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We have received a number of reports in the past few days advising that us that people were having problems trying to use Beryl Bikes in Hereford.
We have been informed that both Wednesday and early yesterday morning there was a connectivity issue with Beryl Bikes in the city however, we have been assured by the team at Beryl that everything is now back to normal.
In an email to us this morning Jack from Beryl Bikes wrote:
Quote"On Tuesday 17th February we encountered a connectivity issue with some of our bikes in the Hereford scheme. This has now been resolved and all bikes are online with minimal disruption to service."
#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford
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Max and Simon in the Masons' Yard (2019)Simon Hudson, of Hudson Stonework Ltd based in the Cathedral Close, has been awarded 'The Master Craftsman Certificate' by The Worshipful Company of Masons in 2021.
Simon in the Masons' YardWith over two decades of working as stone mason and carver in Herefordshire, Simon’s work can be seen not just at Hereford Cathedral but also many churches and heritage sites within the county and further afield.
Hudson Stonework Ltd has been a resident of the Cathedral Close for ten years and its location means that the art of this traditional craft can be shared with all who pass by. The Masons’ Yard provokes much interest from visitors to the cathedral and it is not an uncommon sight to see Simon explaining his latest project or answering questions from those who have stopped to watch him at work.
Alongside his work Simon has shared his wealth of knowledge, gained over almost 40 years, and trained two apprentices who have both received national recognition as a result of his mentoring. Alec Curtis and Max Cotterill received The Journeyman Certificate and The Apprentice Certificate respectively from The Worshipful Company of Constructors in 2019, making this latest award a hat trick of success for the company.
l-r Simon Hudson, Alec Curtis, Mr Terry Withers FRICS & Max Cotterill c. Phil McCarthy receiving awards in 2019The Revd Canon Andrew Piper, Precentor & Acting Dean at Hereford Cathedral, said, “The Chapter offers Simon our warmest congratulations on being awarded The Master Craftsman Certificate in recognition of his dedicated and exceptional work. It is a rare privilege for us to have such a skilled stonemason based in the Cathedral Close, and it is a pleasure to watch him practise and teach his craft on a daily basis. The work of Simon and his former apprentices can be seen on the cathedral and many churches across our diocese and beyond it: we all value their expertise, and we appreciate their friendliness and generosity in sharing their talent and enthusiasm with us. It is a delight to have Simon and his apprentices as part of our cathedral community.”
The Worshipful Company of Masons is number thirty in the order of precedence of the Ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, as set by the Aldermen of the City in 1515. Their focus is to preserve and encourage the use of natural stone in the built environment, including supporting the training of craftsmen as well as the preservation and appreciation of iconic historic stone buildings. The Worshipful Company of Masons is at the forefront of supporting the craft of stonemasonry in education and preservation.
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Having Your Say | Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions' Q&A Continued - Part 3 Hereford Transport Hub
At Hereford Voice our slogan has always been 'Having Your Say' and through our network we are going to give you the opportunity to ask your questions to some of our Councillors.
Cabinet Member - Infrastructure and Transport Councillor John Harrington agreed to be put under the spotlight and to answer as many questions put to him in our first exclusive 'Councillor Sessions' series here https://hfd.news/eec
Tonight in part 3 of our series Cllr Harrington responds to questions about the Hereford Transport Hub
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Harrington for agreeing to be the first of many councillors who will be engaging with you all this year as part of our 'exclusive' Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions'
#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire #hfdvcs
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Part 2 - B4224 - Fiddler's Green - Fownhope
At Hereford Voice our slogan has always been 'Having Your Say' and through our network we are going to give you the opportunity to ask your questions to some of our Councillors.
Cabinet Member - Infrastructure and Transport Councillor John Harrington agreed to be put under the spotlight and to answer as many questions put to him in our first exclusive 'Councillor Sessions' series here https://hfd.news/eec
Cllr Harrington will do this in a series of short videos over the coming week, here is the second video in the series;
Part 2 🔷 B4224 road from Fiddler's Green to Fownhope 🔷
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Harrington for agreeing to be the first of many councillors who will be engaging with you all this year as part of our Hereford Voice 'Councillor Sessions'
#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire #hfdvcs
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Staff at Wye Valley NHS Trust will stand shoulder to shoulder on Friday this week in honour of a colleague who sadly died recently.
Dave Morgan, logistics team leader in the theatres team at Hereford County Hospital, died on Thursday, January 28, having tested positive for COVID-19.
Dave Morgan - a much loved colleague at Wye Valley NHS Trust who will be missed by everyoneHis funeral is to take place this Friday, February 19, at Hereford Crematorium.
The hearse bearing David’s coffin will drive along Stonebow Road and through the County Hospital grounds where staff will have the opportunity to line the pavements in honour of their popular colleague.
Dave, 59, was born in Hereford and went to the local Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School and Hereford Sixth Form College before joining the RAF where he worked as an Electronics Technician working on flight simulators.
He had worked in Theatres at Hereford County Hospital since 2014 and was described as much loved and everyone’s “go to guy” at the heart of the Theatres’ team by colleagues.
His knowledge of theatres, its equipment, cost and location was encyclopaedic and he was always ready with a kind word, a helpful nod or a funny story.Jane Ives, the Trust’s managing director, said:
Quote“Dave was a great example of what we stand for in this Trust. He played a big part in co-ordinating theatre supplies across the surgical division and will be remembered for his diligence and loyalty.
“Colleagues have vowed that Dave’s vision for more efficient logistics will be completed as his legacy in the Theatre department.
“The whole WVT family is deeply saddened by losing Dave, and our thoughts are especially with his wife, Penny, and his family.
“Our condolences go out to them at this time - we know that through the passion and professionalism he brought to a key role in the Theatres team, many patients – most of whom never met Dave - will have had successful operations and gone on to make full recoveries.”
Dave’s wife, Penny, said:
Quote“The whole family is truly devastated at the sudden loss of David. He was my amazing husband and incredible father and grandfather.
“The sadness we feel is more than words can express.
“We would like to thank Hereford County Hospital for the compassionate and outstanding care of David and the extraordinary support from family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
“All donations will be forwarded to Aylestone Park, a favourite place for all the family and pet dog, Emma.”
The funeral procession will pass along Stonebow Road to the mini roundabout and then turn right past the path labs and out of the hospital site via the rear access road onto Union Walk at 10am this Friday, February 19.
Jane added:
Quote“Dave’s passing has left a huge void in the Theatres’ team and he will be very much missed by us all”.
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Herefordshire Council are helping you to stay safe while casting your vote in this May's elections
On Thursday 6 May residents in Herefordshire will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them at the Police and Crime Commissioners elections, plus various local by-elections and Neighbourhood Planning Referendums.
While the elections are not until May, they’re already making plans to help you stay safe while casting your vote.
There are a number of ways to have your say in the elections in May - you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.
Colette Maund, Electoral Services Manager for Herefordshire said:
Quote‘’We’re thinking about these elections now so that, however you choose to cast your vote in May, you can do so safely. We’re putting arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station; you can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to in shops and banks over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face masks. But you also have the option to apply to vote by post or by proxy’’
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission said:
Quote“The choice on how to vote at this May’s elections is yours – you can have your say in person, by post or by proxy.
“If you’re thinking about voting by post, you can apply now. This will make sure your application is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly. It’s easy to apply and you can find out how by visiting the Electoral Commission website.
“You need to be registered to vote in order to have a say at the elections – the easiest way to register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote”
Residents can visit the FAQ page on the Herefordshire Councils website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/forthcomingelections to find out more about the elections on 6 May. The page will be updated with new information as it becomes available. Any residents who have questions can also contact their local elections team at elections@herefordshire.gov.uk or by phoning 01432 260107.
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Herefordshire Council has now received its percentage of local authorities £500 million to fix potholes across England.
- Department for Transport (DfT) allocates £500 million to local authorities in England for highways maintenance
- funding will go toward ensuring potholes and other road maintenance issues across the country are fixed
- the equivalent of 10 million potholes could be filled in as a result of today’s allocations
Councils across England have today (15 February 2021) been allocated their share of £500 million for highways maintenance, with the funding expected to fix the equivalent of 10 million potholes across the country.
It is the second of 5 equal instalments from the £2.5 billion Potholes Fund, providing £500 million a year between 2020/21 and 2024/25, announced by the Chancellor in the 2020 Budget – and is part of wider funding the DfTprovides for road maintenance, totalling over £1.1 billion across England in 2021/22.
With the average pothole costing around £50 to fill in, the funding will ensure that the equivalent of 10 million potholes can be rectified, making thousands of local roads both safer and easier to drive and cycle on.
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said:
QuoteWe know potholes are more than just a nuisance – they can be dangerous to drivers and cyclists alike, and cause damage to thousands of vehicles every year.
The funding allocated today will help councils ensure roads in their area are kept up to standard, and that the potholes that blight road users can be dealt with promptly.
The DfT has already invested heavily in pothole filling since 2015, including the £296 million Pothole Action Fund, which ran from 2015/16 to 2020/21. It also topped up highway maintenance investment in 2018 with a one-off £420 million boost to all highway authorities in England, including London.
The government is committed to supporting motorists. Through Road Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2), the government is investing £27 billion in the biggest ever roads programme – with £10 billion of the record-breaking sum specifically for road maintenance, operations and renewals.
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On 11/02/2021 at 20:15, ragwert said:
What happened to the trial turning off of the Asda lights after you were given aproval from Highways England to do so.
Cllr John Harrington has replied to your question Andy here 👉 https://fb.watch/3Fexn12GRQ/
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The riverside railings were severely damaged during the floods of early 2020 and again this year.
As you can see from these photographs the railings are clearly unsafe and look like they could fall into the river at anytime.
The gap that has been exposed is clearly dangerous even though Herefordshire Council contractors have placed barriers across but this needs addressing as a matter of urgency and we will be pushing the Council for an answer this week on when the public can expect these railings to be repaired.
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A woman suffered minor injures after an assault in Pamona Place Hereford on Saturday night.
Police and Fire crews were called to the scene.
West Mercia Police said;
Quote“Officers attended Pomona Place in relation to a report that a woman had been assaulted. She suffered minor injuries and a man has been arrested. The fire service attended as the fire alarm was activated.”
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The public riverside footpath which runs down alongside the Saracens Head Pub has bee closed to the public since February 2020.
Rone Properties who own the Saracens Head from our understanding are responsible for the cellars underneath which support the footpath.
Whilst the council has responsibility for the top layer of a footpath like this the sub base is the responsibility of landowner, in this case, the owners of Saracens Head.
We understand that the landlords of the pub believed that the cellars were no longer their responsibility but Herefordshire Council disagreed.
After a year of nothing being done we believe that the pub owners have now agreed to do some shoring up work beneath the footpath (between the underside of the footpath and the top of the old cellars) in order that the Council can then reinstate the footpath for public use once again.
#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford
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Sadly the Duck Pond has once again fell into disrepair, Balfour Beatty were handed the baton after many hours of hard work by a dedicated team of volunteers. Since lockdown measures have been implemented it has been impossible to organise anymore clean up days but hopefully later this year or next year we can try again.
We are very disappointed that this area has once again been neglected.
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Council Tax set to rise by 4.99% as council faces long-term Covid-19 cost pressures on its budget
Full Council has approved the 2021/22 budget today (12 February 2021). This includes the setting of Herefordshire Council tax rates which will come into effect from April 2021.
The final budget takes into account the 2021/22 final local government finance settlement announced by central government. This includes:
A new ‘Lower Tier’ Services Grant of £0.25m
Revenue Support Grant funding of £0.6m
New Homes Bonus funding of £1.7m
Rural Services Delivery Grant of £5.3m
The council is continuing to face long-term Covid-19 cost pressures on its budget. The council has looked first to find savings within its core activities to offset these costs. This has resulted in £11.2m in savings being identified across the council’s services – the largest one-year saving this council has ever had to make.
Councillor Liz Harvey, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, said:
Quote“2020 didn’t turn out the way any of us expected, and none of us anticipated the impact the Covid-19 pandemic would have on us nationally and locally. The council’s 2021 budget has to address a shortfall of £15.1m in a base budget of £157m – that’s almost 10% savings in-year – whilst continuing to deliver on core and statutory public services.
“We have managed to identify more than £11m of internal savings, but following consultation with the public and stakeholders, we do need to set a 4.99% Council Tax increase to bridge the funding gap.
“We are mindful that this is a very challenging time for everyone, so alongside this tax rise we have also increased the Council Tax discount scheme to 100%, for those that qualify, and we are providing £1.9m to fund this alongside the council’s local assistance fund for others experiencing financial hardship.”
Council Tax funds around 29% of the council’s budget. A 4.99% total increase to Council Tax has been recommended. This is an equivalent rise of £1.51 a week for a Band D property. The increase is made from a 3% increase to the ‘adult social care precept’ and 1.99% increase to ‘core Council Tax’. In total this will provide £3.2m towards the cost of council services.
Residents on a low income may be eligible for help to pay their bill through the Council Tax Reduction scheme. Some residents will continue to pay no Council Tax at all, such as young adults who have left care and, with effect from 2021, also all the council’s Foster Carer families.
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Charles Byrne, aged 24, from Waterworks Road, Worcester, has been charged with murder and attempt murder. He is remanded to Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court to appear tomorrow (Friday 12 February).
He was charged in relation to an incident that occurred in Worcester on Wednesday 10 February.
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59 minutes ago, ragwert said:
What happened to the trial turning off of the Asda lights after you were given aproval from Highways England to do so.
They were not given permission for a trail and this is still ongoing we spoke with Cllr Harrington about this earlier today.
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At Hereford Voice our slogan has always been 'Having Your Say' and through our network we are going to give you the opportunity to ask your questions to some of our Councillors.
Cabinet Member - Infrastructure and Transport Councillor John Harrington has agreed to be put under the spotlight to answer your questions in the first of our 'exclusive' Q & A sessions.
Rules: Abuse will Not be tolerated and offensive comments will be deleted and may also result in that person being banned.
Please ask sensible questions on any subject that Cllr Harrington maybe able to address and answer in his capacity at Herefordshire Council.
- Hereford Link Roads (Bypass)
- Turning Off Traffic Lights or making them Part-Time (Hereford Voice Campaigns)
- River Crossings
- Closure of the Old Bridge
- Pot Holes
- Maylord Orchards Shopping Centre
- Electric Buses
- Roundabouts
Please ask your questions below 👇 and Councillor Harrington will answer as many as he can in a video which we will publish over the weekend.
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New ‘Kickstart’ scheme will benefit local businesses and give 16-24 year olds the opportunity to gain work experience
Herefordshire Council is set to support local young people and businesses through being a gateway organisation for the delivery of the government’s Kickstart scheme in the county.
Across the UK younger people have been some of those worst affected economically by the pandemic. In Herefordshire there has been a 108% increase in people aged between 18 and 24 claiming out of work benefits since March 2020.
As part of the Covid-19 recovery programme, the Kickstart scheme will provide 6-month work experience placements to 16 to 24 year olds receiving Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment.
The Kickstart scheme fully meets the salary and costs for each placement, as well as providing the individual with skills and wrap around support during their placement - such as coaching, mentoring, work skills including supporting job applications, CV writing and interview skills.
Cllr Ellie Chowns, cabinet member for Environment, Economy and Skills, said:
Quote“We are delighted to be able to act as a gateway organisation for the Kickstart scheme. It has been a difficult time for everybody, but the economic impact of the pandemic has been felt particularly by young people, so it is fantastic that Kickstart will provide young people in Herefordshire with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and develop employability skills.
“The scheme is part of the council’s objective to help people most impacted by the pandemic, including young people and businesses, to feel safe and supported. It also reinforces the council’s key commitment to work with partners to expand our focus on those at risk of long term unemployment, and young people at risk of not being in education, training or employment.”
Hoople will lead the delivery of the scheme on behalf of the council, and will support 105 placements in 22 of the organisations that have offered placements to date, including 30 within the council and Hoople.
It is anticipated that the number of placements may increase, as once selected as a ‘gateway’ it is possible to request support for additional placements as they become available up until end of December 2021.
Employers have a choice to either access Kickstart through a gateway employer or apply directly to DWP. Further information about the Kickstart scheme.
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These are the plans said Infrastructure and transport cabinet member John Harrington and work on this will begin immediately.
The original Western link road would have taken at least 10-12 years so this is the best and fastest option.
#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford
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Alister Walshe has announced he is stepping down as Chair and Trustee of St Michael’s Hospice.
Mr Walshe has been involved with the Bartestree-based charity for over 17 years but says the time has come to hand over to someone else.
Quote‘Like many people, I didn’t really know what St Michael’s did until a close friend needed the hospice,’ he said.
‘I was so amazed by the level of professionalism, care and compassion shown to my friend in his last few months that I wanted to give something back. I wanted to help make sure other people would get this vital support too.’
Mr Walshe started offering his experience as a volunteer in the gardens and then became a Trustee. For the last 11 years he’s been the Chair of the Trustees.
Quote‘It’s been an absolute privilege to hold this position at a charity that is respected not only across Herefordshire but also much further afield,’ he said.
Mr Walshe, who owns Hereford-based estate agency Stooke Hill & Walshe, said so many people help to make the Hospice a success.
Quote‘We have 1,000 fantastic volunteers who each give up their time to help a cause so close to their hearts, and over 200 staff. I can’t thank them enough for their commitment and dedication.
‘The last year has been especially challenging, but everyone at St Michael’s has stepped up to keep our services going for the people that need them, which leaves me bursting with pride.
‘Trusteeship is an important volunteer role and I think it’s important that new people join the board to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to ensure St Michael’s continues its fantastic work.
‘Although I’ll miss the role, I plan to stay involved and help in other ways – wherever I’m needed.’
Mr Walshe’s successor will be announced by the end of March.
Mike Keel, the Hospice’s Chief Executive, said the Chairman leaves big boots to fill.
Quote‘Everybody in Herefordshire seems to know Alister and this has been one of his greatest assets in getting St Michael’s more widely known. We’re obviously sad he’s stepping down, but he should be hugely proud of what’s been achieved during his tenure,’ said Mr Keel.
‘During his time as Chairman, Alister has overseen a great many changes, the two most significant are the expansion of the buildings and the introduction of the Hospice at Home service, which has just celebrated its fifth birthday. More than twice as many people are now supported by St Michael’s than when he took over.’
The Volunteers and staff wish him well and look forward to hearing who his successor is.
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The Castle Green Pavilion project will enhance a much-loved but neglected community asset, open up access to the River Wye and add significantly to the infrastructure of Hereford’s visitor economy. The refurbished pavilion will provide a revitalised home for
the Youth Canoe Club, cafe facilities, a multifunctional and flexible community meeting space and a gallery celebrating local arts and heritage.
The Pavilion has the potential to become the heart of creative and innovative youth development in the city.
RATIONALE
Developing the Pavilion brings a “whole day offer” to people visiting Hereford. We will add to commercial developments in the city by balancing the strong retail development on the north-west of the city with an art and heritage offer on the south-east side; all in walking distance, giving visitors a chance to enjoy the essence of the city’s rural/urban feel.
There is also huge potential for Castle Green to become the Festival Village
for Hereford, having successfully hosted large scale events with up to 3,500 people on site. The green is a natural amphitheatre and with the transformed Pavilion as the anchor point, Castle Green can become nationally recognised as a vibrant space of culture, commerce, and community activity.This project will support Hereford’s creative sector and underperforming visitor economy, delivering the Towns Fund Intervention Framework objective of:
Improved arts, cultural and heritage offer that is more visible and easier for residents/visitors to access.
FUNDING
Total Cost: £1,560,000 | Towns Fund: £1,560,000
Towns Fund will facilitate the full refurbishment of the Pavilion.
New £6 million sustainable facilities open at Herefordshire primary school.
in Redhill
Posted
Herefordshire Council’s project provides new state of the art facilities for pupils and staff at Marlbrook Primary School
New state of the art facilities opened for pupils and staff at Marlbrook Primary School at Green Croft this week following a £6 million investment project by Herefordshire Council.
The council funded sustainable scheme has provided six new classrooms, a new hall and a special hygiene and physio room. The school has also benefited from new netball courts and improvements to the car parking area.
Local company, Morgan Sindall Construction, were contracted by the council to carry out the work which they completed in time ready for when pupils return to school after February half term.
The school – rated Outstanding by Ofsted, has experienced a significant rise in pupil numbers in recent years and the council’s investment has enabled the size of the school to be significantly increased.
Councillor Felicity Norman, Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, and Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet Member for Commissioning, Procurement and Assets, said they were delighted that the scheme had been completed on time and within budget by a local construction company, using the council’s new project management system.
Head teacher Tracey Kneale said the opening of the new facilities to pupils and staff was a much-needed boost to Herefordshire primary school education in the midst of the continuing coronavirus situation.
Robert Williams, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, added: