Hereford Voice

The body of a woman has been found in the river Wye close to the Rowing Club in Hereford.

A member of the public noticed the body this morning (18 July) and fire crews from Hereford & Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to the location along with local police officers.

A body was recovered from the water and while formal identification has not yet been made, officers strongly believe it to be that of missing June Adams, from Bromyard. June went missing yesterday evening around 5pm and was last seen near Hereford train station.

Specialist officers are supporting June’s family through what is an incredibly difficult and tragic time.

West Mercia Police would like to thank the public for their support and for sharing our appeal last night.

KC Maintenance

For all your gardening and landscaping requirements

Demolition of existing retail store/kiosk and car wash facility has began this week.

The erection of replacement retail store/kiosk will follow together with the removal and replacement of existing petrol pumps and canopy, replacement of fuel tanks, re-configuration of car parking layout and installation of plant within an enclosure. 

5 minutes ago, Jules 2020 said:

Since when did people call 119 and not 111.  Also please confirm/advise if the people that want AWOL 3 days ago have been traced or are still out and about potential infecting dozens of other people.

Hi Jules and welcome to Hereford Voice. 

NHS test and trace service & the new 119 telephone number

The NHS test and trace service is now live for people that have tested positive for coronavirus.

This new service aims to ensure that anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 can be tested quickly to find out if they have the SARS-CoV2 virus, as well as targeted testing of NHS and social care staff and care home residents who don’t have symptoms. The service will help trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for the virus and if necessary notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to stop the virus spreading.

Wilson Florists this store was located in Wilsons Chambers, Commercial Street Hereford in the 1970/80s.

Photograph taken from our vast archive at our 'Old Hereford Pics' website

15 July 2020 Update (pm)

Herefordshire Council and Public Health England (PHE) Midlands continue to work with AS Green and Co to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 at their farm. The total number of positive cases linked to the outbreak is 93. Further testing is ongoing.

Wherever a case of COVID-19 is confirmed, close contacts of the case are identified and followed up through Test and Trace. This includes anyone who may have come into contact with confirmed cases within the local community.

Contact tracing with over 100 existing workers continues on-site. In addition, a group of agricultural workers who travelled into the UK by private coach, including some of the workers who went on to work at AS Green and Co, are being followed up.

Another group of workers travelled to the site on a flight bringing agricultural workers to the UK. As an additional precaution, the individuals who travelled on this flight are also being followed up. Seventy-six workers on the flight who travelled onwards to other farms in England have already been offered testing and no further cases have been identified to date. Public health partners in Scotland have been notified of a further group of 63 workers on the same flight who travelled onwards to Scottish farms in order that they too can be followed-up appropriately.

Katie Spence, PHE Midlands Health Protection Director, said: 

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“Information gathered from both the recruitment company and from the workers themselves suggested that those workers who tested positive were not showing any symptoms of COVID-19 at the time they travelled to the UK. We know however, that there is a risk that people can transmit the infection before - or without ever - developing symptoms, and this is why we’ve taken a precautionary approach to follow-up workers who were on the same flight as the confirmed cases.

“It’s encouraging that testing of this wider group has not identified any linked cases at other farms so far, but testing, tracing and monitoring of the situation continues, and along with our partners, we will take any further actions necessary to protect public health if linked cases arise.”

Three workers who previously left the farm have been reached by the agency that secured their employment and have confirmed they are self-isolating. A further worker has left the farm despite being asked to remain on-site and isolate. The worker’s agency is in contact with the worker (who tested negative) and has been advised they are self-isolating.

 

Karen Wright, Director of Public Health for Herefordshire, said: 

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“We continue to test workers at the farm and expect to see the number of cases rise over the coming days before social distancing and infection prevention measures start to take effect. Workers have been asked to remain on site and self-isolate to reduce risk of spread within the workforce and into the wider community. We’re aware that local residents are concerned, but the risk to the general public remains low. We are arranging food and essential supplies to the farm and its workers during the period of isolation.

Another reminder to continue to wash your hands regularly, keep your distance, and use face coverings to help protect yourself and others. If you develop a fever, persistent dry cough, or have a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell, please call 119 to arrange a test.”

 

Buzz Bingo (formally Gala Bingo) in Berrington Street Hereford to remain CLOSED.

In a statement on their Facebook page CEO Chris Matthews wrote: 

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Dear Buzz Bingo member,

I hope that you have been keeping well over the last few months, we’ve really missed seeing you at our clubs.

While we are planning the phased reopening of our clubs from 6th August, as many of you will understand, with our clubs closed since 21st March, Coronavirus has had a significant impact on our business and on the entire leisure and hospitality industry. We have therefore had to make some difficult decisions about how we move forward and ensure that we protect the future of Buzz Bingo.

It is, therefore, with sadness that I need to share with you that 26 of our clubs will not reopen, and will close permanently in a proposed restructure of our retail business. The full list of club closures is below;

Chatham, Salford, Salisbury, Antelope Park, Banbury, Boston, Bournemouth, Bridlington, Carlisle, Chorley, Cramlington, Derby Foresters, Edinburgh Westerhailes, Harpurhey, Hereford, Kilmarnock, Milton Keynes, Oxford Kassam, Stockland Green, Tamworth, Wednesbury, Weymouth, Wigan Robin Park, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Wythenshawe. 

Our Buzz Bingo community means the world to us, and we know how disappointing this news will be – especially for those of our customers who are losing their local club, and of course, our colleagues – we know that we are more than just a club, we are part of your community, and for that, I am really sorry.

We could never have expected this outcome when we closed our doors on 21st March, but the coronavirus crisis is a completely one-off event. The decision to restructure our club portfolio is the right way to secure our long-term future and make sure that we can still bring bingo to our customers in the majority of our clubs around the country and online at buzzbingo.com.

We are reopening 12 clubs on 6th August and the rest of our clubs will be reopening in the coming weeks, and, of course, our online bingo and slots are open to all at buzzbingo.com. I really hope that you will continue to enjoy playing with us.

If you have any questions, we have put together a Q&A below that we hope you will find helpful. You can contact our Customer Service team between 10am and 10pm by email support@buzzbingo.com, or you can reach us via Live Chat on buzzbingo.com. Thank you so much for your continued loyalty, support and understanding.

Keep safe.
Chris

Chris Matthews
CEO of Buzz Bingo

 

 Why is Buzz Bingo closing clubs?

Coronavirus has had a significant impact on our business and on the entire leisure and hospitality industry.

Following government advice, we temporarily closed all clubs from 21st March, meaning we have been unable to generate any revenues from our retail business, and day to day operations have been severely affected.

The affects will be felt for many months to come, so we have had to make some difficult decisions about how we move forward and ensure a sustainable future for Buzz Bingo.

Our Buzz Bingo community means the world to us, and we know how disappointing this news will be – especially for those of our customers who are losing their local club, and of course, our colleagues from those clubs.

The decision to restructure our club portfolio is the right way to secure our long-term future and make sure that we can still bring bingo to our customers in the majority of our clubs around the country and online at buzzbingo.com.

We are reopening 12 clubs on 6th August with more to come and, of course, our online bingo and slots are open to all at buzzbingo.com.

I have credit on my account and my club is closing – will I get it back? How?

Absolutely. Any customers with credit on their account should contact customer services who will organise a refund for you.

Contact our Customer Service team between 10am and 10pm by email at support@buzzbingo.com, or you can chat to one of our Live Chat Stars at buzzbingo.com.

How do I contact you?

Contact our Customer Service team between 10am and 10pm by email support@buzzbingo.com, or you can reach us via Live Chat on buzzbingo.com.

2 hours ago, twowheelsgood said:

I'm seeing quite a lot dumped onto verges and hedges, along with gloves, when I'm out on my bike. Being mostly blue, they are very obvious. People are disgusting for sure.

Sad that people cannot dispose of their litter properly 

As shops re-open, people return to work and more people visit Hereford and the market towns, the government has asked local authorities to introduce temporary measures that give pedestrians and cyclists the space they need to maintain social distancing and travel safely. 

The measures, which will include using temporary barriers and signage to widen footways, some timed or partial road closures and dedicated cycle lanes, will allow more space to walk and cycle in busy areas. Speed reductions to 20mph on some streets will help pedestrians and cyclists feel safer where road space is shared.

The temporary measures, which are being introduced week beginning 20 July, are being funded by government Emergency Active Travel Funding, which has allocated £20,000 to Herefordshire to promote walking and cycling for short and local journeys. The temporary nature of the measures will allow them to be reviewed and additional funding is expected in the coming months to install further measures.

Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet member infrastructure and transport, explains:

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“During lockdown lots of people took the opportunity to travel locally in a different way, with a huge number choosing to walk or cycle instead of using their cars for short distances. This made a big difference to congestion, to people’s health and to general feeling of wellbeing and quality of life. In our City and towns it was fantastic to see people choosing to leave their cars at home if they could and use their bikes or feet. It was particularly nice to see more families cycling together, feeling safer with the reduced traffic.

“As the restrictions are lifted we want to provide as much space to cyclists and pedestrians as possible to encourage them to continue with that and to free up pavements for safe queuing and distancing. We want people to feel relaxed when they come into town and to spend more time and money within our towns and City. It is important that we can adapt how we use space to support this.

“We’ve consulted with the City and town councils and local businesses and amended some of our initial proposals as a result of their feedback. Now is a good time for everyone to consider how they travel locally and what is better not just for our road network around Herefordshire but what is good for us and the planet. There will be further active travel measures considered over the summer.”

Full details including location maps are available on the Herefordshire Council website HERE

The temporary measures being introduced to provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists are:

Hereford

Cycle lanes on Newmarket St, Blueschool St, Commercial Rd, Ledbury Rd (uphill

Extended timed closure in High Town and Widemarsh St – 10.30am – 5.30pm

Closure of Old Wye Bridge except cycles and buses northbound

Closure of Aubrey St at junction with King Street

Parking suspension on Broad Street (west Green Dragon side), King St (south Spread Eagle side) and Bridge St (east Left Bank side)

Shared use footway on Station Approach

Extended 20mph zone (see map for exact area)

Bromyard

Footway widening on High Street and New Road

Suspension of some parking bays

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Ledbury

On way on Woodleigh Rd except cycles

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Leominster

Timed closure (except cycles) on High St, Victoria St, Corn St and Corn Square 10am-1pm Mon – Sat

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Kington

Moderated traffic speed on High St

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Ross on Wye

Moderated traffic speed through the town centre

20mph zone town-wide (see map for exact area)

Hereford_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Bromyard_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Kington_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Ledbury_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Leominster_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Ross_on_Wye_active_travel_response_map.pdf

Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England is to become mandatory from 24 July.

Those who fail to comply with the new rules could face a fine of up to £100, the government has announced.

The move will bring England into line with Scotland and other major European nations like Spain, Italy and Germany.

Enforcement will be carried out by police - not retail staff - and anyone failing to wear a face covering while shopping will be subject to a fine of up to £100, or £50 if paid within 14 days.

Can wearing face masks stop the virus?

Face masks won't stop coronavirus from spreading so you still need to follow health officials' advice for social distancing and washing your hands regularly. What they can do is help reduce the likelihood that you pass it on if you are suffering from the virus – remember that there are also people who don't show symptoms of COVID-19.

As Professor Chris Whitty, the government's Chief Medical Officer, puts it, wearing a face covering "is an added precaution that may have some benefit in reducing the likelihood that a person with the infection passes it on." 

Most retailers producing these commercially-available face masks state that the face masks they sell are not sold as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health and care workers to use in the work place.

Who is exempt? 

Children under 11 and people with certain disabilities will be exempt as they already are on public transport.

Other countries 

The World Health Organisation shifted towards recommending face coverings in June.

Britons have been among the slowest to embrace mass mask-wearing. Many European countries, including Germany, Spain, Italy and Greece, have already made it compulsory to wear face coverings inside shops. A YouGov poll found that 36% of people in the UK wear a face mask in public places, compared with 86% in Spain, 83% in Italy, 78% in France and 65% in Germany.

Tourists visiting the Costa del Sol must wear masks in public places from Wednesday, mirroring moves in Catalonia and the Balearics to fine people up to £90 for flouting the rules.

UPDATE: Health officials in Herefordshire say there's no risk to the general public after more than 70 people working at a vegetable farm tested positive for coronavirus. All 200 staff at AS Green & Co in Mathon are now isolating to contain the outbreak

Joint statement from Public Health Midlands (West) and Herefordshire Council

Herefordshire Council is working with Public Health England (PHE) Midlands to support vegetable producers AS Green and Co, based in Mathon near Malvern, following an outbreak of COVID-19 among their workforce.

Around 200 key workers are employed to carry out picking and packing work vital to the UK food supply chain and local economy. During the harvesting season, the workforce resides in mobile homes based on the farm, so as a precaution, the whole group are being treated as one extended bubble. Workers are being asked to remain on the farm during the period of isolation and stay within household groups, to reduce risk of spread within the workforce and into the wider community. Herefordshire Council is arranging food and essential supplies for residents on the site, while they self-isolate.

Katie Spence, PHE Midlands Health Protection Director, said: 

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“We are working closely with the management at AS Green and Co to support the health and wellbeing of their workforce and wider public health.

“At this phase of the pandemic, we still expect to see cases in the community and within settings where people are closer together, such as workplaces, which is why the Test and Trace system is important, to help us pick up on any potential problems and swiftly to take remedial action to reduce spread."

“To support this workforce of around 200 key workers, the company has put in place a range of infection control measures to try to reduce the risk of staff being exposed to COVID-19. Measures include supporting testing on site, promoting social distancing in communal social areas and in the indoor packaging area; providing PPE for staff where applicable, encouraging regular handwashing for at least 20 seconds, and promoting the use of face coverings in closed areas."

“Despite these measures, a small number of workers became symptomatic earlier this week and they and a few close contacts among the workforce were tested initially and found to be positive. In line with NHS guidance, affected individuals were asked to  self-isolate for 7 days, with their households and close contacts asked to isolate for 14 days."

“As we have seen a global trend of large food producers being subject to outbreaks, as a precautionary measure, the decision was made to test the entire workforce. The initial batch of results showed a significant percentage of positive cases, despite these individuals being asymptomatic. We are still awaiting a few final results, but currently we have 73 positive cases of COVID-19 among the workforce."

“PHE Midlands and Herefordshire Council are therefore working with AS Green and Co to closely monitor and manage the outbreak and support individual workers.”

A spokesperson for AS Green said:

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“Our staff are our priority, they are hard-working key workers helping us provide food for the country during these unusual times. We contacted PHE and we are working closely with them and Public Health at Herefordshire Council to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Karen Wright, Director of Public Health for Herefordshire, said:

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“While Herefordshire is the first to experience an outbreak of this kind, this is not unexpected. Our priority is to protect the health and wellbeing of all residents in our community. Prompt testing on the farm has allowed us to understand transmission and control the spread of infection. We continue to support the farm management, their workers – who form an important part of our local economy, and the local community through this challenging time. Anyone who has a fever, persistent dry cough, or loss or change in their sense of taste or smell should call 119 or go online to arrange a test.”

The Greggs branch on Belmont Road which we originally reported opening here only in November 2017 has closed down with a Cooke & Arkwright TO LET sign in the window.

The branch at 109-111 Belmont Road, next to the existing Domino's was targeting new and existing customers in South Wye Hereford but this strategy has clearly failed.

Greggs is a long-standing client of Cooke & Arkwright, who previously announced that they had helped Greggs bolster its presence in Wales during 2018 by sourcing and securing nine new units, collectively creating over a 100 new jobs. 

During 2018, the bakery giant opened nine new premises in Wales and the Marches which include Belmont Road in Hereford, New Road in Neath Abbey, the former Little Chef in Newtown, a store on Stephens Way in Carmarthen, a prominent roadside unit on the A470 in Builth Wells, a unit in Cardiff city centre within the new BBC building in the landmark Central Square development, and three new units in the Newport area, being on Cardiff Rd, Caerleon Rd, and to the east of the city on the Langland Park West industrial estate.

As part of its ongoing work with Greggs, which has spanned over 25 years, Cooke & Arkwright’s responsibilities have included identifying and sourcing new locations and agreeing new lease terms, assisting with the business rates on the portfolio and renewing expired leases.

Statement from Herefordshire Council strongly rejects the Prime Minister’s comments that ‘too many care homes didn't really follow the procedures in the way that they could have’. Read the full statement from Herefordshire Council in response to the Prime Minister’s recent comments regarding care homes.

Herefordshire Council strongly rejects the Prime Minister’s comments that ‘too many care homes didn't really follow the procedures in the way that they could have’. Cabinet Member for Adults & Wellbeing, Councillor Pauline Crockett, said:

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“Herefordshire has so far experienced the sad loss of 60 people in care homes across the county. Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, and we continue to do all we can to prevent more people and families from suffering. Care homes and care providers in Herefordshire have responded with the highest level of bravery and professionalism throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to provide the highest quality of care under difficult circumstances. By no means are deaths in care homes a reflection of the quality of care provided by a hard working care sector.

“Herefordshire Council continues to work closely with care homes and providers to provide high volumes of PPE to help keep residents safe and to protect staff. Support for the care sector from government was slow and the guidance offered was confusing and changing almost daily. Shifting the blame this way towards local care providers shows poor judgement. In my view, the response from all of our care providers, including care homes has been nothing short of amazing.”

The planning application for the proposed erection of two storey McDonalds restaurant with drive-thru, car parking, landscaping, play place and associated works on land at Morrisons Car Park Barons Cross Road Leominster in Herefordshire have today been withdrawn.

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THE COUNTY OF HEREFORDSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL hereby gives notice that the above application is WITHDRAWN. 

Application P181448/F

The 1.6m (5.2 ft) high bronze statue was sculptured by Brian Alabaster and was funded by a benefactor called Clive Richards as a "thank you to the city".

The city's mayor Councillor Brian Wilcox said of the statue when it was unveiled in July 2012

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"Every measurement has been checked and tested. It's an exact replica of a Hereford bull and it's brilliant"

Brian Alabaster was awarded the commission for a life size Hereford bull for Hereford City centre and he said;

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I modeled the bull from life using a modern working bull on a local farm as inspiration. This involved a fully hands on relationship with the bull and many weeks getting to know him in detail.

The club confirmed the news in a statement explaining that both are asymptomatic but, as part of the procedures introduced by Premiership Rugby as part of Stage Two of the Return to Training Protocols, they will be re-tested. 

Both are currently self-isolating at home.

Stage Two of the Return to Training Protocols require clubs to provide a written declaration to Premiership Rugby that they have met a number of key criteria alongside a full risk assessment informing the operational policy for their training facility. These include:

• All players and support staff must undertake an Education Module and sign a formal “opt in” process for moving to Stage 2.
• All players and designated support staff undergoing weekly COVID-19 testing, and maintaining the high standards of hygiene introduced at training facilities.
• All clubs in conjunction with Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union undertaking a rugby risk assessment to support the mitigation of risk in training.
• The continuation of a daily medical screening for players and support staff, which involves the completion of a symptom checklist and temperature check before entering the training facility.
• A contact tracing protocol which will be supported by GPS data and the videoing of training sessions.
• The provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate for the setting.

Hereford's New Foodie

🇵🇱 Uwaga! Ogłaszamy konkurs! Do wygrania przepyszne specjały kuchni Polska Street Food o wartości £25 !🇵🇱

We have teamed up with our Polish friends at Hereford's latest restaurant and takeaway Polska Street Food

(we've had many dishes already and can assure you the food is lush)🥙🌮🍕🍟🌭🌯🥖🍔

To be in with a chance of winning a superb selection of food from their fantastic menu all you have to do is follow these 3 simple steps...

👉 LIKE & SHARE Polska Street Food & Hereford Voice 
👉 Comment, telling us which dishes you would like to try
👉 Tag a friend who would enjoy some new style food 😜

A lucky winner will be selected at random on Tues 14 July 
(Entrants MUST at least 16 years of age)

☎️ 01432381200 - 'Just Eat' or visit their website HERE

Good Luck 👍
Competition / Giveaway T&C's

#HerefordVoice #hvcomps #Hereford #hfdcomps

CONGRATULATIONS Debbie McCauley who is this weeks winner!! 

Thousands of homeowners across the UK are set to receive vouchers of up to £5,000 for energy-saving home improvements as part of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s proposed £2bn grant scheme in England.

The Green Homes Grant, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer today, will give hundreds of thousands of homeowners vouchers of up to £5,000 for energy-saving home improvements, a move which the Treasury hopes will help to support more than 100,000 jobs in the industry.

The Chancellor also revealed that the poorest homeowners could receive up to £10,000 as part of the plans.

Rishi Sunak set out a £2bn grant scheme in England for projects such as insulation as part of a wider £3bn plan to cut carbon emissions.

Under the Green Homes Grant, the government will pay at least two-thirds of the cost of home improvements that save energy, the Treasury said.

For example, a homeowner of a semi-detached or end-of-terrace house could install cavity wall and floor insulation for about £4,000 – the homeowner would pay £1,320 while the government would contribute £2,680.

The scheme will launch in September, with online applications for recommended energy efficiency measures, along with details of accredited local suppliers. Once one of these suppliers has provided a quote and the work is approved, the voucher is issued.

Get your entries in by tomorrow! We have had a huge response on Facebook to this giveaway

Tesco will be relaxing some of their social distancing measures from tomorrow.

The store will be removing the one way system in the aisles and all arrow floor stickers will be removed with some being replaced with occasional 'Keep Your Distance' stickers.

Tesco feel now is the time to improve the ease of shop across their stores and also remove the need for staff to what are sometimes, difficult conversations with customers. 

We understand that other measures will also be relaxed similar to that now in place at the Ledbury store, where door staff will no longer be restricting customer numbers entering the store, customers will also need to clean their own shopping trolleys.

B&Q have also removed the need to have a trolley when entering their store in Hereford and customers are also required to clean their own trolley, if one is required. Sanitisers and cloths will still be provided.

More photographs..