Hereford Voice

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on A44 - Noakes Bridge to The Farthings near Bromyard.

Stay updated with latest roadworks HERE

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #positivehereford

Stronger Hereford

This scheme is part of the collective proposed projects planned for Hereford (see pdf attachment) and will establish a transformational world-class contemporary facility in the heart of Hereford with the capacity to accommodate our globally and nationally significant heritage assets such as the Magna Carta, Herefordshire Hoard and collections of antiquities dating back to the Ice Age, in addition to hosting national and international exhibitions.

The redevelopment will embrace the latest technologies such as Virtual Reality to tell the story of Herefordshire and the wider Welsh Marches region.

The new museum will aim to attract progressive funding for heritage, culture and the arts to facilitate educational and cultural activity in the city and county, to strengthen community cohesion and engagement and to support the development of job opportunities in Hereford’s cultural sector.

FUNDING 

Total Cost: £15,000,000 | Towns Fund: £5,000,000

Matched Funding: £10,000,000

Towns Fund and match-funding will support the full refurbishment of the current Broad Street Museum and Library building to EnerPHit design standards to minimise its carbon footprint.

This scheme is part of the collective proposed projects planned for Hereford (see pdf attachment) by StrongerHereford and will establish a transformational world-class contemporary facility in the heart of Hereford with the capacity to accommodate our globally and nationally significant heritage assets such as the Magna Carta, Herefordshire Hoard and collections of antiquities dating back to the Ice Age, in addition to hosting national and international exhibitions.

The StrongerHereford Vision

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"Hereford aspires to be one of the greenest and fairest cities in the country, with fantastic opportunities and quality of life for people of all ages. Deeply rooted in our unique rural heritage, we’re blossoming into a richly creative, digital, connected and highly-skilled place to live, work, study, invest and visit."

Plans and projects also include redevelopments

• Maylord Library & Learning Resource Centre
• Holmer Extreme Sports Hub
• Castle Green Pavilion
• Meadow Arts
• Encore Music Hub
• Digital Culture Hub
• Electric Buses
• River Wye Infrastructure
• Southside Scheme
• Greening the City
• Powerhouse Project
• Soil from the City
• NMTE Future of Work Hub
• HCA School of Creative Digital Futures

#StrongerHereford #herefordvoice #hereford #positivehereford

S20098D-Hereford-TIP-Document-NEW-FINAL-1.pdf

Police are appealing for witnesses or information after five puppies were stolen from a farm in Upper Swell overnight.

Three female and two male Border Collie puppies were stolen from an outhouse at a farm sometime between 8pm on Friday 5 February and 6am on Saturday 6 February.

Unknown offenders have stolen the four week old puppies worth approximately £600 each.

They are all black and white with the males also having brown markings on their faces.

Anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area at the time, or has any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 125 of 6 February.

If you want to provide information anonymously you can call independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Alternatively, you can submit information via this form online:

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire 

Yesterday they helped rescue a cat from the river and today they’ve been out with their colleagues from Bromyard Fire Station helping get a horse out of a ditch he’d fallen into this morning.

32 yr old Shirenski found himself in an awkward position and was unable to get up. Great teamwork from the crews, his owners, neighbours and the vet...resulted in Shirenski getting back on to his feet after a few hours.

Another wonderful rescue story from professional and dedicated firefighters who do a lot more work besides tackling fires

📷 HWFRS Leominster 

#herefordvoice #herefordshirenews #herefordshire

A cat had got himself into a tricky situation yesterday morning...stuck in a precarious position by the fast flowing river right outside the fire station in Leominster.

Together with additional assistance with their colleagues from Tenbury and Hereford fire stations attempts were made to rescue him and after a brief dip in the river, the cat managed to self rescue further down stream.

A wonderful rescue story from professional and dedicated firefighters who do a lot more work besides tackling fires.

📷 HW Fire & Rescue Service Leominster 

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire 

COVID-19 testing units remain in Hereford and Leominster

One of Herefordshire’s COVID-19 mobile testing units has today (Friday  5 February from 3.30pm) been redeployed to the help the government’s “surge testing” campaign in targeted areas to better understand the spread, and supress, the South African variant.

The least-used mobile testing units, which includes the one at Ross-on-Wye, across the country are being reassigned by NHS Test and Trace to work in those areas where cases of the South African variant, which do not appear to have travel links, have been found.  The areas affected are Ealing, Haringey and Mitcham in London; Walsall in the West Midlands; Broxbourne in Hertfordshire; Maidstone in Kent; Woking in Surry and Southport in Lancashire. As many people as possible within those targeted areas are being asked to take a test.

Herefordshire residents who develop COVID-19 symptoms of a high temperature, a new persistent cough and/or loss of taste or smell, should immediately self-isolate and book a test by going online or ring NHS 119.   There are testing sites at Leominster and Merton Meadow, Hereford; as well as Hempstead Meadow, Gloucester; and Como Road, Malvern; or residents can order a postal test kit if they cannot get to one of the sites.Herefordshire’s Acting Director of Public Health Dr Rebecca Howell-Jones said:

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“It is very important different parts of the country work together to tackle COVID-19 and while we want to provide comprehensive testing for our own residents, it is crucial resources are focused on the areas that need them most.

“Suppressing the transmission of this new COVID-19 variant is not just for the benefit of the people living in those areas where it has been discovered, but for us all.

“Everyone in Herefordshire can still play their part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 - keeping themselves and their loved ones safe - by following the three simple steps of washing their hands regularly and thoroughly, keeping 2 metres apart from others outside their home and wearing face coverings in indoor public settings like shops and businesses

“It is also important, where possible, for people to work from home as this will help to suppress the transmission.”

Adoption Central England – celebrating three years of supporting children and families in Herefordshire

Adoption Central England (ACE) is celebrating three years as a regional adoption agency supporting families in Solihull, Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire to provide children with a loving permanent adoptive home.

In the past year ACE has launched its independent and confidential support service for birth relatives called Family Connexions. The service is available to any birth family member where children in the family have been adopted and supports birth parents through the legal processes involved in adoption and in making necessary life changes.

ACE provides continued support for adoptive families and children. This has recently been further enhanced through their DDP (Dyadic Development Psychotherapy practice) certification. This practice is an approach to preparing and working with adoptive families that is underpinned by an understanding of childhood trauma. This in turn helps adoptive parents to parent their adopted children in such a way that recognises this trauma but also allows for secure and loving attachments can be formed.

Throughout 2020, ACE has faced the challenges of COVID-19 and adapted to new ways of working ensuring adoptive families and children continue to have access to the support they need. Training is now delivered virtually and with an increase in enquiries, ACE has continued to place children with adoptive parents making sure the necessary coronavirus precautions are in place and keeping in close contact with families through telephone calls and online meetings.

To find out more about what it’s like to adopt through ACE, adopter case studies are featured on the ACE Facebook page, providing an insight into the adoption process and what people can expect from the adoption process. Visit the ACE Facebook page @aceadoption.

Councillor Felicity Norman, Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, added: “ACE has gone from strength to strength during the three years since it became established. ACE has continually developed its practice to ensure it can provide a quality service for children across the five authorities that make up ACE and has stepped up to the challenges everyone across the sector has faced in the last year due to COVID-19, to ensure services have continued to be provided.”

In order to find the best possible families for children ACE does not set a bar on who can adopt. The service welcomes enquiries from all sections of the community and is particularly looking to recruit more families for sibling groups of 2 or 3 children. Also, older single children usually up to the age of 8 years are waiting for families. There can be many advantages of adopting a sibling group apart from the obvious reward of being able to keep brothers and sisters together. The needs of older children are invariable better known and understood which means that support services may already be in place or can be more readily accessed to help adoptive parents as they start to share their lives with the child.

If you would like to know more adoption please go to the ACE website enquiries@aceadoption.com or contact ACE on 0300 369 0556.

The Family Connexions service can be contacted at: familyconnexions@aceadoption.com

#herefordvoice 

Today is 'World Cancer Day', please spare a thought for all those people that are suffering with cancer and let us also celebrate the fantastic work done to help help millions of people around the World who also survive this horrible disease. 

Locally we are supporting St Michaels Hospice and their '3 Day Music Fest' so while we're not allowed to go to any live music events, Hospice supporters Julian Morris and Glenn Parry are lifting our spirits by staging a virtual, online, 3 day dance music festival, with donations going to St Michael's Hospice.

3 Days, 12 DJ's, 25 hours of music.

Friday 5th/Saturday 6th/Sunday 7th February, 2021.

Featuring DJ sets from Glenn Parry, Simon Jones, Brian Griffiths, Tristan Bartholomew, DJ Kaos, Stinger, Neil Preedy, mRB & Julian Morris, Gary McCaw, Keel Gardner and Talia K.

All streamed live on mixcloud.com

For more information and to donate visit the JustGiving page: https://bit.ly/3pCb7Qi

UPDATE: Statement from West Mercia Police

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Anthony Russell Hannay who was wanted on a recall to prison has been located by officers. Hannay, who is 33 years old, will now be returned to prison and we would like to thank the public for their support in sharing our appeal.

West Mercia Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Worcester man wanted on recall to prison. He has links to Worcester, Malvern and Hereford areas.

Anthony Russell Hannay, aged 33, had previously been convicted for a burglary offence and is now wanted for breaching the conditions of this licence.

He is described as a white man, approximately 5ft 11 inches tall, medium build with short brown hair and has a tribal tattoo on the right side of his neck.

If anyone sees Hannay or knows of his whereabouts they should call 101 and not approach him directly. Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name and they cannot trace your call or I.P address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.

Herefordshire Council has taken the decision to cease work on a western bypass for Hereford at Full Council today (Tuesday 2 February 2021). 

Council has determined to stop the progress of the southern link road and western bypass schemes, which are included in the adopted policy. A suggested amendment was debated but not approved.

The decision follows a detailed review of the transport strategy for Hereford which set out to better understand existing and future transport conditions in the city, and to assess alternative options particularly in light of the declared climate and ecological emergency and changes to national transport policy.

The votes cast were 27 for, 19 against and 6 abstentions. All 52 councillors were present and voted.

The decision means that the Hereford Transport Package will be removed from the council’s capital programme.

The council meeting can be viewed again on the council’s Youtube channel. 

Sad news today as we learn about the passing of a true hero, Captain Sir Tom Moore, our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

RIP.

Hereford City Council have successfully bid for a project for free electric buses to link significant locations around the City, together with the Herefordshire Bus Users Forum.

The Railway Station, Hospital, the new Primary Health Centre at Station Approach and the city centre shops and tourist attractions will be linked as part of the Stronger Towns Fund bid to Government. The service will cross over the Old Bridge and stop in the car park by the swimming pool to support the ongoing development of the river as a tourist attraction and link with buses from the south of the city.

This is a long-term project, one of many being put forward as groups within the city push for up to £25m of funding to help support economic recovery and levelling up.

The independent Towns Fund board (called the #StrongerHereford board) is a blend of people from private, public and community sectors who all have Herefordshire in their heart. They are a mix of parents, students, educators, business owners, employers and employees, creatives and politicians, and Mayor Kath Hey is also among the board, representing the City.

The City Council hopes that the project will allow Hereford to continue to recover from the ongoing pandemic, and in the coming months and years ensure the City is better linked for residents and visitors alike.

For more information on the Towns Fund Board, visit: www.strongerhereford.co.uk

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford

Hereford Cathedral has bid a digital farewell to The Very Revd Michael Tavinor, Dean of Hereford, after 19 years of leadership and ministry.

The Dean had originally planned to lead a series of farewell services on Sunday 31 January but, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, those plans were thwarted. Instead, the cathedral community and many around the county came together online on Sunday morning with a pre-recorded video service sharing memories of Michael’s time in Hereford. As well as messages of thanks from members of the cathedral community, the Archbishop of Canterbury sent his best wishes to the Dean via a special video message.
The Very Revd Michael Tavinor said: 

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“It’s difficult for us all, parting at this really challenging time, but I think it’s important to look back together at all the good things of the last nineteen years. When we do so, we’ll recall events, projects, sadnesses and joys, and the cathedral community has been second to none in its faithfulness, encouragement, support and loving care throughout all of them. 

“I shall never cease to be thankful for the friendship I have received from so many who have contributed to cathedral life, and have made my ministry as Dean so enjoyable and rewarding. I thank you all for your kindness and generosity. The cathedral and the city of Hereford will always have a special place in my heart and I shall be thinking of you and remembering you all in my prayers as you prepare for the next stage of your journey.  God bless you all.”

The Rt Revd Richard Jackson, Bishop of Hereford said: 

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“After nearly two decades as the Dean of Hereford, it is with a heavy heart that Michael is retiring in the midst of another lockdown. It is of course very far from the ideal send-off that we had all hoped and prayed for - we hope to bid a more personal farewell in due course. Despite our short time together, I am very grateful for Michael’s wisdom, insight and the warm welcome he offered me on my arrival nearly 12 months ago. 

“He has been a great influence on so many. I am deeply aware of the significant impact of his ministry on the lives of individuals and worshipping communities across the Diocese of Hereford. I wish him every blessing for a long and happy retirement.”

Michael’s gentle leadership has played an instrumental role overseeing many developments to the cathedral buildings during his time in Hereford, including the installation of the Thomas Traherne and Ascension stained glass windows, celebrating St Thomas Cantilupe and St Ethelbert with the restoration of two striking shrines, and the recent completion of the restored Eastern Cloisters, with their new attractions for visitors. As well as his own musical skill and love for the cathedral’s choral and organ music, Michael’s passion for pilgrimage has been shared widely throughout the community, and the warm welcome and hospitality that he has provided for all those who visit the cathedral will be sorely missed.

The celebration of the Dean’s farewell service is available to watch on the cathedral’s website (www.herefordcathedral.org/sunday-morning-worship-deans-final-service) or YouTube Channel. 

Captain Sir Tom Moore, 100-year-old war veteran who raised £33m for the NHS, has Coronavirus and is in hospital.

Sir Tom, who had not been vaccinated yet because he was being treated for pneumonia.

In a tweet from his official account, his daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, said he tested positive last week and was taken to hospital today for help with his breathing.He is not in intensive care.

We are sending Sir Tom our get well wishes and hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery.

At around 12.20pm on Friday 29 January officers received a call notifying them that a woman was in cardiac arrest at her home, in Pembridge, and was believed to be the victim of an assault.

Upon arrival, officers found the woman to have suffered a serious injury to the head and had sadly died at the scene.

A man aged 57 has been arrested on suspicion of murder and has been detained under the mental health act.

Detective Chief Inspector Dean Jones said:

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“We believe this is an isolated incident and our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time."

Even experienced drivers get caught out on icy roads sometimes, a lucky escape for one of Leominster's Police officers this morning on the A49 just outside Leominster.

Thankfully no injuries....

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #herefordshire

Supporting Local Business: Good to see Matrix Hereford is now open!

Once the lockdown restrictions are lifted you'll be able to enjoy this premier venue for FUN and THINGS TO DO in HEREFORD. Their activities will include arcade, soft play, laser tag, mini golf, axe throwing, party rooms and the coolest cafe in town..

They are open only for take-away at the moment but go check it out in Eign Gate Hereford if you're out exercising or shopping.

📷 Matrix Hereford

Hereford Voice wishing you good luck!

Accident on the A4111 this morning, the roads across parts of the county are treacherous due to ice.

Emergency services are at the scene with crews from Kington and Eardisley Fire Stations and West Midlands Ambulance Service

The census happens every 10 years with the next one taking place 21 March 2021.

Each household will be asked to take part and the information it collects helps Herefordshire Council plan services across Herefordshire. Find out more about the census, here 👉 http://orlo.uk/cQhLd

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #Census2021

Anyone else notice this?

Our friend Jon Simpson posted this photograph in our Hereford Voice Photo Studio earlier with the following comments;

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"I've walked through these many times and hadn't noticed the little mitre bishops hats topping each one, or how they mirror the stone pinnacles on the tower. Clever design at Hereford Cathedral"

Well spotted Jon, we had not noticed that brilliant detail until you pointed it out to us today, how lovely.

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford

Proposed budget will now be put forward for recommendation to Full Council 

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed the proposed 2021/22 budget which will now be put forward for recommendation to Full Council on Friday 12 February 2021.

The proposed budget takes into account the 2021/22 provisional local government finance settlement announced by central government last December. This includes:

‘Lower Tier’ Services Grant of £0.25m which will cover around 70% of the cost of the council’s response to the pandemic

Revenue Support Grant funding of £0.6m

New Homes Bonus funding of £1.7m

Rural Services Delivery Grant of £5.3m

The council is facing pressure on its budget over the next financial year, mostly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. £11.2m in savings and a Council Tax increase have been proposed to Full Council to deliver a balanced budget. It has also been proposed that £1.9m of additional funding is provided to increase Council Tax discounts for those facing 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:

3% increase to the ‘adult social care precept’. This will provide an additional £3.2m to be spent on delivering social care services

1.99% increase to ‘core Council Tax’. This will provide £2.2m towards the cost of all other 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. More information and advice on reduction schemes and allowances can be found on the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/counciltax

A binman who was employed by an agency has been informed that he will not be working for Herefordshire Council again after the incident in which he had a momentary 'meltdown' and decided to kick the head off a snowman in Hereford on Tuesday while collecting the bins in the area.

Our View: Although you may argue his behaviour was maybe a little odd, we're not sure that it warranted the man losing his job after he had a lapse of judgment.

His employers are behaving like 'snowflakes' after all, it's just a snowman which would have naturally disappeared within a few days anyway.

We hope that the person who took the time out to actually report this as 'an incident' sleep well tonight in the knowledge that someone has lost their job.

Have a laugh at the cartoon photograph below which just goes to highlight how ridiculous this has become.