Hereford Voice

The purchase will enable the council to safeguard and decide the destiny of this facility in the heart of Hereford Herefordshire Council has today (Friday 12 June 2020) purchased the leasehold interest and a section of additional freehold in the Maylord shopping centre in Hereford. The council had retained the freehold of most the four-acre site since it was developed in the late 1980s. Acquiring the site allows the council to take full control and decide the future of the facility.Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet member for commissioning procurement and assets, explains the reasons why the purchase of Maylord shopping centre is so important: A management company will fully manage the site including rental and maintenance requirements. This provides the expertise for managing the site’s running and doesn’t require additional council resource. The fees of the management company will be covered by rental income

Car park users in Hereford will be able to enjoy 30 minutes of free parking, to make it easier for people to make essential visits. In response to covid-19, Herefordshire Council recognises that there may be many people who need to visit the city centre for essential reasons such as to visit pharmacies. To make this easier, and support local businesses, parking for up to 30 minutes in on street pay and display in Hereford will be free, until 6 July 2020. Herefordshire Council ceased charging at the start of the Covid-19 outbreak so that residents could go about their essential business without the need to find money for parking and enable them to limit social interaction. Parking charges are an essential element in the operation of our city and market town centres. By charging for parking, we are able to limit the length of time vehicles are parked in one place, which allows for greater freedom of movement and more opportunity to find a parking space for all our residents. The council are continuing to support NHS and Critical Care staff during this period by providing free parking, which can be arranged through their employer. Free short stay on street parking is also available in all of the market towns.Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, said: To avoid receiving a Penalty Charge Notice please park considerately and comply with the parking regulations that are in place. If you have a parking problem please contact parking services at civilparkingenforcement@herefordshire.gov.uk

Beattie Avenue, Hereford will be closed from Monday, 15th June for eight months whilst residential development and highway modification works are completed by Harper Group. Please see attached diversion map.

Monsoon Accessorize stores to close as 545 jobs to be axed, unfortunately Hereford store will remain closed. Fashion chain Monsoon Accessorize is to make more than 500 staff redundant after being bought out of administration last night. Monsoon Accessorize’s founder Peter Simon bought the brands and intellectual property, the head office and design teams, and its distribution centre in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire – but not the stores. Around 450 jobs were transferred to Adena Brands, the new group company, while 35 shops have permanently closed and 545 staff were made redundant. The stores which it expects to permanently close are... Basildon Bexleyheath Burton-on-Trent Camberley Canterbury Carlisle Chelmsford Cork Patrick Street A, Republic of Ireland Cork Patrick Street B, Republic of Ireland Crawley Derby Dublin, Republic of Ireland Hereford Hitchin Huddersfield Kilkenny Lancaster Lincoln Liverpool Airport Maidenhead Maidston Middlesbrough Newark Newtownabbey Northampton Southend St Albans Staines Sutton Coldfield Taunton Telford Trowbridg Truro Tunbridge Wells York Davygate

Car parking charges will come back into force from Monday 15 June in line with Government advice regarding the lifting of lockdown In line with Government advice regarding the lifting of lockdown car parking charges will come back into force from Monday 15 June. On 24 March, car parking charges were suspended across the county and the focus of parking enforcement activity has been on tackling unsafe parking, providing free parking for NHS workers and supporting the police to enforce social distancing. The need for good parking management is now greater than ever as the economy recovers, and businesses rely on the population returning to the high streets. The demand for parking is expected to increase significantly as the lockdown eases, and charges are required to effectively manage parking and vehicle movements. The country bus station car park in Hereford will remain free for NHS staff so that they can continue to be supported, while work is on-going in relation to their future parking requirements. Holders of a resident parking permit that has expired or is due to expire, are advised to submit an application if they haven’t already done so. Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, said: To avoid receiving a Penalty Charge Notice please park considerately and comply with the parking regulations that are in place. If you have a parking problem please contact parking services at civilparkingenforcement@herefordshire.gov.uk

Denise click on the forums tab and select the most appropriate forum in this case I would have selected just the Open forum as you have selected Hereford Voice Projects forum, so I have moved it for you.

Herefordshire have advised that on June 22 Home Point will launch its improved housing allocations scheme to make applying and bidding for properties easier, with more choice over the types of housing people in Herefordshire can apply for 👉 HERE

Hillside Care Centre opens to health and social care patients but Herefordshire Council have their locations mixed up. ℹ️ According the the press release from Herefordshire Council, this was the site of the former Hillside Ballroom however, this is not the case! That site that the Council is referring to we knew it as the 'Flamingo' or it was more commonly known as the 'Hostel'. This venue was in Mayberry Avenue nearer to the top and NOT at this location where the Council have re-opened the Hillside Care Centre. Council press release below: 👇 👇 Former music venue site re-opens to support the NHS through the coronavirus outbreak. The site of a former Herefordshire music venue that has hosted some of best known bands in the 60s has been brought back into use by Herefordshire Council and is now open as a care and rehabilitation facility for health and social care admissions. Owned and managed by the council, the 22 bed unit at Redhill has undergone a complete refurbishment to the highest standard. The Hillside Centre will provide patient care and rehabilitation services to some of the county’s most vulnerable residents and will help to relieve the pressure on the NHS during the current Covid-19 pandemic. The Hillside site has a sentimental attachment for many local residents due to its musical history. Before being rebuilt as an NHS community hospital, it was once home to the ‘Hillside Ballroom’ which hosted some of the music industry’s well known faces during the 60s, including the Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Jerry Lee Lewis and Status Quo. Cult star, Screaming Lord Sutch, is also known to have made a lasting impression with his performance at Hillside, long before he formed the Monster Raving Loony party. Bringing the building back into use as a care facility is just the first positive step for the future of Hillside, as the council continues to explore further redevelopment options for the centre. The council is looking to create a specialist facility that focuses on long term care for older members of the community who are living with aged related conditions, including individuals diagnosed with dementia. The project also includes plans for a sensory garden for dementia patients, in memory of the popular Herefordshire councillor and Greyfriars GP, Dr Robin Andrews, who lost his battle with cancer in 2001. Councillor Pauline Crockett, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Wellbeing said:

The traffic queues along the A465 Belmont Road lasted all afternoon and into this evening.. This afternoon This afternoon Just before 20.00 Still queuing at 21.00

Plans have been submitted for the proposed repair and replacement of timber-frame infill panels and both externally and internally at the Black & White House Museum in Hereford city centre. The Black & White House Museum, formerly the Old House Museum, is a Grade I listed, timber-framed merchants house, constructed in 1621, and situated in its original location in High Town, Hereford. Its external and internal fabric has experienced several phases of change over the preceding centuries with the most comprehensive changes occurring in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Further maintenance is now required. Misc.pdf

McDonalds drive-thru on Belmont Road Hereford is due to re-open at 11am today. There are some changes in place ie; No breakfast Wraps or Shakes. Limited menu and reduced staff levels. Maximum of £25 where possible using contactless payment Reduced opening hours 11.00-22.00

West Mercia Police have confirmed that sadly a body believed to be that of Chris West has been found at the Bromyard Downs. Chris, who was 44 years-old, went missing from Bromyard on Friday 29 May. Detective Constable Andrew Curson said: Chris’ death is not being treated as suspicious.

Disturbing seeing rubbish being left on the hills, commons & car parks of Malvern Hills Trust land. If you can't leave it the way you find it then politely consider staying away and not spoiling it for others. Malvern Cops spotted a few youths having a BBQ and made to tidy up. More people were also removed from Gullet Quarry yesterday. Details of those breaking Malvern Hills Trust bylaws taken for potential enforcement. The owners of the disgusting amounts of rubbish left behind couldn't be identified. What is wrong with some people? First of all people shouldn't be having BBQ's particularly with all of their dry weather we have been enjoying these past few months and it is forbidden on Malvern Hills Trust land. There are been many field and bush fires reported recently across the county by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service including another one just today! Crews from Evesham, Ledbury, Pershore, Tewksbury and Worcester have extinguished a barn fire at Bredon near Tewksbury involving 50 hay bales.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at Kingstone. Upon arrival they were faced with a double garage with two vehicles well alight and the fire had spread to the roof space of the adjoining house with crews quickly bringing the fire under control using hose reels and BA. Six pumps and a water carrier together with crews from Hereford, Peterchurch, Eardisley and Ewyas Harold fire stations all attended the scene. As can be seen from the photo the garage and two cars were completely destroyed. Crews were left on scene dampening down hot spots with an inspection organised later in the evening. All persons were accounted for with no injuries reported.

Rachel Jones has been appointed as the Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing and Operations at West Mercia Police and will join the force in the middle of June 2020. Rachel’s first twelve years’ service were in Gloucestershire Constabulary, where she undertook a wide range of uniformed, detective and business related roles, as well as tactical firearms, public order and major incident command, including Gold Control for the 2007 floods and subsequent loss of water to 350,000 people for two weeks. Culminating in the positon of Director of Intelligence, as South West Regional Lead for Intelligence, she oversaw the creation of the then South West Regional Intelligence Unit prior to transferring to West Midlands Police in 2008. Working in Local Policing, Programme Change and Child Protection in her first few years in West Midlands Police, in 2012 Rachel was appointed Head of Professional Standards where she led the development and implementation of the Force Integrity Programme. Rachel became Local Policing Commander for the North of Birmingham in 2013. Reframing the role of the Partnership Team, she worked with partner agencies and communities to uplift services to vulnerable people. She also led on delivery of the Troubled Families Programme and proposals for broader adoption of early intervention and prevention practices across the Force and partner agencies regionally. This resulted in her appointment in 2016 to lead the West Midlands Combined Authority Public Service Reform Programme with responsibility for developing the framework for more joined-up working across the public sector. She also held complementary positions of Force Intervention and Prevention lead and Commander for Corporate Integrated Offender Management. As Head of Force Criminal Investigations Department, Rachel delivered a change programme which brought all investigative functions, from Homicide to those previously delivered by Local Policing Commands, into a Force-wide investigative model and saw the creation of additional disciplines focusing on harm prevention, diversion and vulnerability. Later as Temporary ACC for the Crime Portfolio, Rachel had responsibility for Forensics, Criminal Justice Services; Force CID; Public Protection and Intelligence. Most recently, Rachel has been working for the NPCC on police pay and conditions, pay reform and the Police Uplift Programme. Rachel lives in Worcestershire with her partner and young daughter.

Herefordshire Council leaders have agreed in principle to spend £4.5m on buying Maylord Shopping Centre in Hereford Council officers say the purchase would give them the opportunity to develop the site in line with their plans to grow the county’s economy. They expect the rental income from the property to cover maintenance and running costs, leaving a surplus cash return for the council to meet its key priorities. According to council documents the cost of purchasing the premises and paying stamp duty amounts to £4.25m while the purchasing costs and legal fees amount to £200,000 and £50,000 respectively. The council’s decision report says it will need an agent to manage the site who would provide a fully managed service dealing with the rental and the maintenance requirements. They say an agent would provide them with the expertise for managing the commercial elements of the site. They believe the management company’s fees would be covered by the rental income. However, a number of councillors are concerned about purchasing properties at such an uncertain time for the economy when the valuation at present and immediate future is questionable. The decision to purchase the freehold premises is subject to the chief finance officer being satisfied that appropriate heads of terms have been agreed, due diligence has been completed and the purchase provides value for money. The director economy and place, in consultation with the cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets, has been authorised to complete the acquisition and to take all operational decisions necessary to appoint a management company. Source: Sunshine Radio

The NPCC National Speed Operation is now in full swing for the next 2 weeks. West Mercia Police aim is to educate people on the dangers of speeding to reduce the amount of people dying on our roads. Please, watch your speed.

McDonalds Drive-Thru Reopening Next Week. 🍔🍟🥤 We have been reliably informed that the Belmont Road 'Drive-Thru' could reopen from as early as Monday or Tuesday, initially offering a limited menu. This follows the news that KFC will reopen in Hereford next Wednesday. Have you missed your fast food in Hereford and which is your favourite?

A huge thank you to everyone at Covid-19 support in Herefordshire. You have given local people across our county a invaluable service for the past 10 weeks. Give yourselves a massive round of applause 👏👏👏 📄 A statement on their page reads; 👇

Barn Fire Update: A busy 24 hours for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service. Crew 502 called out at 23.10 last night to a large farm building fire near Eardisland. Additional crews from 8 fire stations battled throughout the night to contain the fire. They have all been working today damping down and making the area safe.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews called to a large barn fire at Lawton near kingsland. 6 pumps from 3 brigades worked through the night to stop the fire spreading. Crews will remain on site today.

Light Aircraft Crash Landing Near Kingsland. Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service with crews from Kingsland, Leominster, Hereford fire stations all attended the light aircraft incident, near Shirl Heath, Kingsland. Crews from Droitwich and Malvern stood down en route when the scale of incident was assessed by initial crews. The incident involved light aircraft crash landing on field. One person self rescued prior to arrival, uninjured thankfully. Aircraft has been made safe.

Well done to the Herefordshire Council street cleansing teams who have been making the most of the lower levels of traffic on the network on the A40. In just 3 days, 4.5 tonnes of litter and road debris was removed by their sweepers and litter pickers. Please help keep it this way, take your litter home!

A second man has died after he and two others were attacked by a water buffalo in Wales. The 19-year-old victim, named in reports as Peter Jump, had been taken to hospital in a critical condition following the incident in Gwehelog, Monmouthshire, on 5 May. A 57-year-old man, believed to be his father and known to family members as Jon Jump, was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 22-year-old woman was taken to hospital with a serious leg injury. Jon Jump, 57, was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency services were called to the incident at a commercial property at about 2.50pm. On Wednesday, Gwent Police confirmed the teenager had died from "critical injuries" the following day on 6 May at the University Hospital for Wales, Cardiff. A neighbour told the South Wales Argus at the time: "One of the buffalo managed to escape its pen and it attacked when they were trying to get it back in. It's an absolute tragedy." In a statement, a police spokesperson said: "A 57-year-old man from the Gwehelog area was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from Wales Ambulance Service.