Hereford Voice

New 'Super Green' Clinic opens in Herefordshire A new ‘Super Green’ Clinic has recently opened at Sarum House Surgery, Hereford for people across the county who have been identified as at increased risk of hospitalisation, should they contract Coronavirus. These people are known as ‘Shielded patients’ and will have received letters advising them to stay at home and avoid face-to-face contact with others for at least 12 weeks. The new Super Green Clinic is a nurse-led service, staffed by practice nurses and healthcare assistants from across the county. It is being led by Sister Deborah Suer, an experienced practice nurse from St Katherine’s Surgery Ledbury. As well as a physical clinic, a Super Green service will also be made available in their homes for housebound shielded patients, in collaboration with the district nursing team. The Super Green service offers a safe environment for shielded patients to receive non-COVID related interventions, such as medication, blood tests and essential injections. It complements other GP-led services available throughout the county during the pandemic and forms part of a carefully planned strategy coordinated by all 20 Herefordshire GP surgeries and Taurus Healthcare. Sister Suer says: The first patients to have used the Super Green Clinic have so far given positive feedback. One lady commented: Shielded patients who need nursing interventions such as a blood test or injection should telephone their GP Surgery, who will then refer them to the Super Green service.

Hereford & District Angling Association have submitted a planning application for the proposed construction of 28 fishing platforms along the banks of the River Wye, west of New Bridge in Hereford. Above is a map detailing the proposed locations for the fishing platforms. Above is a photograph of an existing fishing platform already in situ along the riverbank. Ecological Appraisal The proposed work at Belmont will involve installing 28 new timber fishing platforms on the banks of the River Wye (SAC). Minimal vegetation management will be required to create an access route to the pegs. No trees will be removed as part of the works. The ecological appraisal was undertaken on behalf of the Hereford & District Angling Association to give an outline of the ecological receptors on site and identify and protect species or habitat constraints. Full appraisal attached. BiodivRpt_2.pdf

A stunning photo of the nights sky taken from Belmont football pitch over the weekend. Photo courtesy of our moderator @DILLIGAF

Covid-19 Testing Now Available for Key Workers and Their Families Pre-booked drive-through testing is available at Merton Meadow car park in Hereford. If you're an essential worker who is self-isolating, you can now apply for you and your household to get tested in Herefordshire for Covid-19 coronavirus. The drive-through testing is available at Merton Meadow car park in Hereford and tests can be booked on the government website. The test is only for people who have symptoms of coronavirus – whether that’s you, or someone you live with. It involves taking a swab sample from your nose and throat. The test will tell whether you currently have coronavirus. After the test, while you wait for your results, you (and anyone you live with) must continue to self-isolate. Read NHS advice about how long to self-isolate. If your test result turns out to be negative, you can safely return to work, as long as: you are well enough you have not had a high temperature for 48 hours anyone you live with also tests negative If you test positive, or someone you live with tests positive, you cannot return to work. You will need to continue to self-isolate. If your condition gets worse, or you do not get better after 7 days, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online. For a medical emergency dial 999. Herefordshire emergency response lead, Superintendent Sue Thomas said: An Army spokesperson said:

Roll and Scroll Steel Fabrication Grantham, Lincs.

Steel Fabricators 'Roll and Scroll' based in Grantham, Lincs have honoured Captain Tom Moore by manufacturing this stunning bench, which they have kindly gifted to him for his 100th Birthday. Captain Tom's daughter Hannah is pictured here accepting the bench on her fathers behalf, he was resting at the time when the bench was delivered to his home by Managing Director Chris Kennedy. The bench features beautifully crafted images of Captain Tom Moore together with his name and with the words 'You'll Never Walk Alone" at the base. This is such an unselfish and kind gesture from the firm who have manufactured over 100 memorial benches so far. Thank you to Chris for these lovely photographs, which we have pleasure in sharing and we're sure that Captain Tom Moore will be absolutely delighted with his birthday present.

Boris Johnson is back today! The PM returns to lead the government as the country enters its fifth week in lockdown. After more than three weeks out of action this will be a "boost for the country", his deputy has said.

It's good to see that the UK government have started human clinical trials to find a vaccine for Coronavirus.

Since the World is in virtual lockdown it doesn't take long for Mother Nature to reset itself... Enjoy this video with scenes worthy of a Disney film showing Kangaroos hoping through major cities in Australia to Lions relaxing on a Golf Course in South Africa. We loved watching this so much, we just had to share it with our lovely followers in Herefordshire and beyond.

Thank you Damian and welcome to Hereford Voice

Another fabulous photograph taken at Much Marcle how lucky are we to live in such a beautiful county! Photo courtesy of Janey Cotton (Forever Hereford and Beyond) #HerefordVoice #Herefordshire

These measures are working, the curve is being reduced, please continue to follow the governments guidelines.

A beautiful sunset over Much Marcle and it looks like this fine weather will continue today. Photo courtesy of Janey Cotton (Forever Hereford and Beyond)

Please avoid having a bonfire during the Coronavirus lockdown period. Right now with this fine weather the ground so dry it can fuel the flames, spread to neighbouring gardens, properties and endanger lives. It also increases respiratory problems. We reported two fires yesterday, this one at Dorstone and another near Much Marcle both attended by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service but there were a lot more across the counties. Let's all stay safe and be sensible during these challenging times.

Debenhams has announced that more stores are to permanently close. Following on from our article on our Facebook Page last week and this article from last year. The retailer confirmed that four of its premises would not be reopening once the coronavirus lockdown is lifted, impacting 200 staff. The news comes just a week after it revealed that seven other stores across the country were to close, following the company's collapse into administration. Stores in Southampton, Swindon, Kidderminster and Borehamwood are the latest closures confirmed on Friday. Thankfully, Hereford store is still safe at the moment..

Do you enjoy gardening? Well Allensmore Nurseries Ltd have just launched their new national delivery mail order website ‘Golden Valley Plants' No minimum order, you can order just one plant if you would like to and then pay a delivery charge. Orders over £95 will be delivered free of charge. Check them out and keep it local! #HerefordVoice #KeepItLocal #HfdLocal

The show never aired in the end, programming was rescheduled. We wrote to Will Millard and expressed our disappointment having advertising the show and asked when when will it be aired, he kindly responded

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have reported another fire this afternoon. Photo courtesy of HW Fore & Rescue Service Crews from Ross on Wye, Newent and water carriers from both Ledbury and Leominster are in attendance at a barn fire, near Much Marcle. Photo courtesy HW Fire & Rescue Service.

Peterchurch Fire Station crew this afternoon attended a grass fire measuring approx. 100 x 100 metres at Merbach Hill, Dorstone, beaters and back packs used to extinguish and control the fire. Photographs courtesy of Peterchurch Fire Crew Hot spots dampened down.

Kingsland Fire Station crew showing their appreciation to the NHS and Carers. We also appreciate the work that the First and Rescue service provide, thank you!

Planning for Banner Advert on Street Sign Refused. A planning application was submitted to advertise a Fish & Chip shop on a 'banner advertisement' to be positioned under a street sign located on the corner off, Springfield Road and the C1131 Withies Road, Withington, Hereford, The advertising banner would have been placed on a privately owned boundary wall on the entrance house of Springfield Road. Reason for refusal: Were the planning dept right to refuse? Planning Application P200200/A

Captain Tom Moore has been honoured with a special Pride of Britain Award for his astonishing fundraising walk that inspired the nation. The army veteran has so far raised £28million for NHS Charities Together by walking 100 laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, before his birthday on April 30. It is with no surprise that he has already received thousands of birthday cards. You can also send Capt. Tom a virtual birthday message using the hashtag #makeacardforTom. (or should it be Sir TomMoore?) At 8pm will you clap the NHS, Carers, Key Workers, Armed Forces and Captain Tom Moore?

'Thank you' to the fabulous biomedical scientists and technicians, the Infection Prevention team at the microbiology dept at the Wye Valley NHS who have been processing all the COVID19 samples locally to ensure prompt diagnosis for the people of Herefordshire! Photo courtesy Evelyn Williams

Happy St George's Day Who remembers when this knight rode into Hereford? This brilliant photograph from our archive captured outside Hereford Cathedral.

Check out 'The River Wye with Will Millard' this Thursday at 19.30 on BBC2 and BBC iPlayer. This is a short 3 part series. Writer and angler Will Millard begins his journey down the River Wye in the wild mountains of Mid Wales. He goes in search of the river's source on the slopes of Plynlimon, before learning how a local sheep farmer has diversified by turning some of his land into a destination for petrolheads. He explores how a legacy of heavy industry polluted the entire Wye catchment, acidifying its waters and damaging the ecosystem. Now an environmental charity is working hard to right the wrongs of the past with some basic chemistry and some heavy machinery. The way rivers are viewed is changing and Will takes a detour off the main river up one of its tributaries to reflect on the benefits of being immersed in nature. After spending a night in the wilds, Will explores how the waters that feed the Wye have been harnessed as a valuable natural resource. The upper reaches of the River Wye are also an important sanctuary for a diverse range of wildlife, but what we see today is just a fraction of what the river must once have been and could be once more. Will goes in search of a river-dwelling animal that hasn't been seen on a Welsh river for centuries. As an obsessive angler, Will couldn't make a journey down the Wye without trying to hook a fish or two. He's never caught Wye salmon, the river's most iconic species, and it's not going to be easy. We might be stuck indoors for now, but you can escape to the source of the River Wye at 7:30pm this Thursday on BBC Two