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Originally this was our 2022 April fools prank on our Facebook page, nut we had a huge response! So seriously would you like to see something like this come to Hereford? They had an event in Gloucester city centre a few years ago, see here 👉 https://bit.ly/3J0DMHB Let us know your thoughts..

Here are some photographs that we have taken to highlight just how bad and BIG these weeds have become along the Belmont Road (A465) in Hereford. The weed on the traffic lights junction just before the Asda garage is that big it is now more of a bush but clearly blocks the view for motorists and has now become more of a hazard. The Belmont Road as we all know, is one of the busiest roads into Hereford and this is what people visiting our city first see... At Hereford Voice we constantly focus on being 'Positive' about our beautiful city however, it becomes more challenging for us when weeds like this remain completely untouched for years with no sign of them being removed. There are plenty of overgrown weeds throughout the city, so come on Herefordshire Council can we please have more pride in our lovely city of Hereford..

On the seventh anniversary of his death detectives investigating the murder of Christian Bagley are making a direct appeal to a potential witness, an Audi driver, to contact the investigation team. Christian, who was 30 years old, was stabbed as he walked under the Hunderton Bridge in Hereford on Father’s Day, Sunday 21st June 2015. At the time a murder investigation was launched and so far several people have been arrested and released without charge but officers have not given up the search for his killer. As enquiries continue, officers are keen to speak to the driver of a dark-toned Audi A4 Avant B8 model, manufactured between 2008 and 2016. The vehicle was seen driving between Sainsbury’s and ASDA between 10.37pm and 10:50pm on the night of Christian’s murder. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Leighton Harding, who is leading the investigation, said: “It has been seven years since Christian was fatally stabbed in Hereford and during this time we have continued to investigate his murder. “However, despite our investigation making significant progress and several people arrested, to date, no-one has yet been brought to justice for his murder. I am absolutely committed to ensuring Christian’s family find out what happened to him on that fateful night and to bring those responsible for his murder to justice, which is why I’m making a further direct appeal today. “We have viewed hours and hours of CCTV footage and have identified a vehicle that was seen travelling between Sainsbury’s and ASDA stores in Hereford between 10:37pm and 10:50pm on the night of Christian’s murder. The vehicle is believed to be a dark-toned Audi A4 Avant B8 model, manufactured between 2008 and 2016. “At 10:37pm the vehicle travels along Eign Street from the direction of the A49 Victoria Street towards Sainsbury’s at Barton Place. The vehicle leaves shortly after and is seen again driving on and off the forecourt of nearby Shell Service Station at Whitecross Road. The vehicle travels back along Eign Street towards the A49 Victoria Street and is next seen again at 10:47pm pulling up on the main car park at ASDA, Belmont Road. Y2Mate.is - Op Concrete murder of Christian Bagley, Hereford in 2015 CCTV footage-Q7P-BF7iM8E-720p-1655796277571.mp4 “The male driver got out of the car and approached the entrance of the store, which was closed at that time. He is believed to have seen another person walking near to the store, who he may have spoken to briefly before returning to the vehicle and leaving. “I want the driver of this vehicle to contact us or Crimestoppers as he may have significant information that could assist the investigation. I would like to offer my assurances to the driver that I do not in any way believe they were involved in Christian’s murder but may be a key witness and have information that can help with our investigation. “I recognise that the passage of time presents difficulties for people being able to remember where they were and what they were doing, however, I hope that by releasing details of the Audi, CCTV footage of the movements and description of the driver’s activities at ASDA will help trigger their memory and cause them to contact the investigation team”. To coincide with the anniversary of Christian’s murder Crimestoppers are offering a £20,000 reward. DCI Harding added: “I know there will be people with information about Christian’s murder and understand they may not want to speak to police. If you have information about Christian’s murder please pass this on to Crimestoppers. “Crimestoppers is an independent charity, separate from police, and is 100% anonymous. Police will never know the identity of anyone who contacts Crimestoppers. “If the information provided to Crimestoppers leads to the arrest and conviction of Christian’s killer you could be eligible for a £20,000 reward.” To provide information to the police, dial 101 quoting incident 717s of 21 June 2015. Alternatively, you can submit information online via the Police Major Incident Public Reporting Site, otherwise known as the MIPP (access here: Public Reporting Site). This is a direct line into detectives investigating the murder.

West Mercia Police are calling for help after a body was found in the River Wye, near to Greyfriars Avenue in Hereford on Saturday morning. The body has been identified as 69-year-old Christopher Cooper. He was last seen near The Black Lion pub on Bridge Street at around 9pm on Friday. He was 5’10” - 6’0” tall, slim build, short brown greying hair and was wearing a navy jumper, black jeans, black trainers & baseball cap. Anyone who saw Christopher from 9pm on Friday - 10am on Saturday is asked to contact Hereford Cops via 101 quoting incident 220i of 18 June.

I met up with Keith Marston yesterday morning to discuss how we can move forward with our Duck Pond Project. We have agreed our next clean up day will be on Sunday 24th October from 0900-1400. I think we need to have a good general clean up, remove any litter and objects from within the Pond, where it's safe to do so. There is plenty of weeding and the clearance of overgrowth from the immediate area around the main part of the Pond and surrounding gardens as well as the other end near to the Fosse. As a group we can check the fencing and decide an action plan for a bigger event in the Spring of 2022, but at least we can get things moving in October. We have already secured funds for aeration pumps and we will also look at purchasing these with a view to having them installed hopefully in the Spring or sometime next year. A full nature plan is what is required with tree surveys etc so we are looking forward to discussing all of these ideas with Herefordshire Council and Hereford City Council. There are some local groups who are also keen to get involved such as our Friends of the Castle Green. I have left a message for George Watkins at the Castle Hotel and I have had a good long chat on the phone tonight with Jim Kenyon to see how we move this forward. Jim has some really good ideas, which we welcome. So please let us know if you can Join us again folks? We need your help! You all did amazing work with us on this project and we would love to see you all again this time. Make a note in your diaries! SUNDAY 24th OCTOBER 2021 - 0900-1400

This is the first of three new moss filters being installed in the Hereford. Moss is one of nature’s best air filters. Moss has the natural ability to absorb and metabolise fine dust and particles, helping to naturally clean the air we breathe. Moss also stores and evaporates large amounts of moisture which cools the air. Also known as ‘city trees’ the moss filters each take up about the same amount of space as one tree, however due to the enormous surface area of moss the moss filter is more efficient at filtering and cooling the air around it. The innovative moss filters have been funded jointly by the council and Marches LEP as part of the ongoing £6m Hereford City Centre Improvement project, which is enhancing the City Centre environment thanks to investment to encourage people to spend more time in the City when they visit, helping to boost the local economy. Moss mats clean about 80% of fine dust and particles from the air, and using ventilation technology filters breathing air for up to 7,000 people per hour. The moss filters will be located in busy traffic areas in the City where they will use specially selected mosses to help naturally absorb pollution from the air. The first is being installed at Eign Gate. The moss filters contain integrated smart sensors which provide performance and condition information, so the impact on the local air quality will be available for all to see on the council’s website. Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet member infrastructure and transport, said: “I am really pleased that we are bringing moss filters to Hereford. This innovative technology provides us with another small but significant step towards cleaner area in the City, which is important for everyone.” “We are working hard in a number of ways to reduce emissions from vehicles in our beautiful, historic City with the aim of cleaner, healthier air for visitors but that takes time. Nature is lending us a helping hand towards this in the meantime. In London in Waltham Forest and in the City of Cork in Ireland, these moss towers have already been working hard filtering the low hanging pollution we have to deal with every day. “Moss works differently to trees. Like trees, moss is great at converting carbon dioxide into oxygen, however moss also actually absorbs pollution particles from the air – metabolising and converting them into natural and harmless biomass. The particles it cannot use are bound in the sediment of the moss. And with their excellent moisture storing ability, the moss filters also work more efficiently to cool the air around them. “I understand one moss filter captures carbon dioxide equivalent to 28 beech trees and cools the air around it like three mature winter lime trees. While trees are also playing an important role in our efforts to improve air quality across the City, the moss filters provide a boost in busy traffic areas where there is higher pollution but little space.” The first moss filters are being installed in the same week as Clean Air Day, the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, which this year is on Thursday 16 June. Air pollution causes heart and lung disease and results in over 36,000 people in the UK dying each year. Clean air is essential for our health, and clean air measures are good for our wellbeing as well as being good for the planet. For more about Clean Air Day, see www.actionforcleanair.org.uk

What's On | 🏴‍☠️ Pirate Themed Wye Float 🏴‍☠️ 15% OFF for our Hereford Voice followers We have teamed up with our lovely friends at Wye Float for another fabulous event this year - 13th August 2022 10:00 till late. Music Inflatable River Floats Live Bands Pirates Camping Families Welcome Fancy Dress Food, Drink and much much more.. Tickets www.wyefloat.com 15% OFF using code: Hereford Voice

At approximately 3pm on Friday the 10th of June Hereford Cathedral had a window smashed. This is the second incident that's happened in 10 days. If anyone has witnessed anything regarding this or if you have any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting this reference-22/57628/22. Any information will be greatly appreciated. 40508

The first piece of artwork is already displayed at the Railway Station end of Hereford College of Arts and NMiTE’s new student accommodation but will be officially launched on 15 June. From June 2022 to April 2023 German artist Lothar Götz will transform the area around No. 1 Station Approach next to Hereford Railway Station. Götz will make two monumental and vibrant geometric artworks that will be displayed on each end of Hereford College of Arts (HCA) and NMiTE’s new student accommodation. A number of dazzling flags designed by the artist will also be sited by No. 1 Station Approach. The artworks will mark the start of a new cultural gateway to Hereford, welcoming visitors and enriching residents’ experience of the city. UK-based Götz’s intervention will be the first of four new bold commissions of public artwork at the site over four years. The No. 1 Station Approach installation is one of fourteen projects in Hereford that have been made possible thanks to a successful £22.4million funding bid to the Stronger Towns Fund. Abigail Appleton Principal of Hereford College of Arts and #StrongerHereford Chair said: “Public art is a wonderful way to signal and celebrate the present and future creativity of our city. I am thrilled that we are kicking off the delivery of Hereford’s visionary Town Investment Plan with a work of such boldness and vibrancy.” #StrongerHereford Board member Lauren Rogers said: “I believe having such eye-catching public art in prominent place – a gateway into city – is inspirational, hopefully sparking creativity and more contemporary public art. Art helps us reflect on who we are and who we want to be. I am incredibly proud that Hereford towns Fund bid has been able to support this work.” An associated engagement programme will reach out to residents, visitors, students, artists as well as the wider community to stimulate debate and showcase Hereford as a cultural destination. Anne de Charmant, Artistic Director of Meadow Arts said: “Having Lothar Götz’s intervention to launch the Cultural Gateway commissions is a great honour and a wonderful opportunity for Hereford.” Götz’s work, typically large-scale paintings, drawings and installations that respond to existing structures have included commissions for South Bank Centre, London (2014); Leeds Art Gallery (2017) and most recently the Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne (2019) to much acclaim. He is a master in the use of colours, and it is appropriate that his work, which celebrates the great Modernist tradition of the Bauhaus, the influential 1920-30s German art school, should be displayed on a building that hosts art students. The artworks will be officially launched on Wednesday 15 June including a talk with the artist at Hereford College of Arts’ College Road Campus. Free tickets can be booked via the Meadow Arts website.

Beryl has welcomed the latest announcement from the Government on the future of e-scooter legislation – which could see e-scooters become legal on the UK’s roads. The Government said that the Transport Bill, which was announced during the Queen’s Speech, will help them take the steps they need to make e-scooters safer and they will now consider how best to design future regulations. While riding a privately owned e-scooter on public land is currently illegal, there are a number of Department for Transport-sponsored trials including the Beryl trials in some cities in the UK. These were sanctioned to help the DfT to better understand the benefits of properly regulated, safety-tested e-scooters and their impact on public space. Currently, e-scooters sold for private use are unregulated and can only be used legally on private land with the landowner’s permission. Have you ever used E-Scooters?

Huge congratulations to The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) football team on winning the FA Disability Cup final today on penalties but also commiserations Brighton for playing such a great game. Fabulous televised coverage from BT Sport, thank you for broadcasting these wonderful matches. Congratulations RNC!

The restaurant temporarily closed for the scheduled work to take place at the end of May and reopened their doors earlier today. There is a new car park layout with repainted lines, separate entrance for delivery drivers from Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo etc.. New touch screens and collection point, with fresh contemporary but subtle decor in the restaurant with new tables and chairs.

Congratulations to our 640th Mayor of Hereford, Cllr Mark Dykes! Taking over from the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Paul Stevens, Mark Dykes was yesterday (9th May) inaugurated into the historic role. Read more HERE

A political row has broken out after plans to improve England’s most expensive piece of tarmac with tree planters was linked to council tax increases. Conservative Herefordshire councillor Ann-Marie Probert has slammed the proposals to install tree planters along Hereford’s City Link Road as ‘disgusting’, arguing that the money should be used for other purposes, including lowering council tax but Independent for Herefordshire's Cllr John Harrington said: ‘The City Link Road, which Coun Probert criticises, perhaps not realising was a Conservative led scheme, was badly designed and badly thought out and has cost £30 million for less than a mile of tarmac, with no segregated cycle path and a huge ugly central reservation.’ ‘We have managed to secure funding to put tree planters along the road that can be re-used when we are able to put in a proper tree planting system. This is not money raised through council tax, this is capital funding, raised and ring-fenced, that can only be used for this purpose - I know Ann-Marie is a relatively new councillor but she needs to get her basic facts right.’ The furore has been caused by calls from the Conservative councillor to ‘help residents first’. Defending the decision Coun Harrington said: ‘We have done exactly that. We have trebled the support for anyone who is struggling with council tax, but we cannot divert money from capital projects specifically for identified works, into revenue pots for running services. If Ann-Marie wants to help residents first then she should lobby her political masters in Westminster who have told councils they must ‘wash their own faces’ and ensure that services are funded by local taxes.’ ‘We've lost £100 million a year in revenue coming in when you compare 2022 to 2010 and both her Conservative MPs voted for those devastating cuts - has she expressed her disgust towards them? This is not our decision; this is Conservative Party policy. We know how hard increased cost of living will be for many and therefore set aside wide-ranging support for anyone struggling.’ Coun Harrington said that deadlines for spending £6 million budget, half of which was from a grant from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, for the city centre improvement scheme were looming. ‘I took the decision not to dig up High Town, as planned by the previous Conservative administration, because I couldn’t justify two years of disruption to traders as a building site moved around High Town simply to replace a surface, that needs minimal repair, with a complete excavation and relaying with several millions pounds worth of Chinese granite.’ Coun Harrington said he had instructed that some of the funds were diverted instead to make improvements to the Widemarsh pavements which ‘have long been overdue and which the Conservatives refused to address’. The funds also ensure the Cycle Contraflow proposals for St Owens Street go ahead and improve the street scene around Hereford. Tree planters were chosen as they could be moved for the May Fair in the City and would give planners time to consider where to plant the planned increase of trees in the ground. ‘This has nothing to do with council tax’ said Coun Harrington, adding: ‘every councillor should know that. This is about spending funds ring-fenced for specific jobs that are important to Hereford, have been identified as needing attention for many years, and will start the process of improving air quality and the aesthetics of the county’s important mother city.’

It is with sad news that we inform you that Glenda Vaughan-Powell passed away last Saturday. Glenda Vaughan-Powell Glenda was an active member on our forum for many years and although sometimes she could be a difficult person, in fairness, she also did a lot of very good things when she was a local councillor in Newton Farm. She campaigned hard to save the Asda Walk-In centre as well as other good projects locally. Glenda Vaughan-Powell served as a District Councillor of Herefordshire Council and a Hereford City Parish Councillor until May 2015, elected as an Independent, serving Belmont Ward for 12 years. In 2003 she won £744,000 for the Wyes Moves community bus company plus a further £126,000 from the South Wye regeneration Fund, to serve the people of South Wye. During her time as a councillor she successfully led a campaign to keep the post office open in South Wye, was responsible for keeping the South Wye police station open and led a campaign to maintain the GP walk-in centre at on the Asda site, as well as acting as a member on the following council advisory groups:- Safer and stronger communities, South Wye Regeneration Partnership. Healthier communities and older people group Children and young people advisory group. Member of the community safety group Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Newton Farm. Member of Herefordshire Housing Steering group for redevelopment of the Oval. She was formally Chair of the Herefordshire Neighbourhood Watch Association for Hereford and Belmont, as well as chair of the Friends of Belmont Haywood Country Park. In June 2011, as a councillor, Glenda was appointed as a member of the Wye Valley NHS Trust and in April 2012 was invited to become a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group representing Herefordshire Independents at the House of Commons, which she accepted. In 2014, again as a councillor, Glenda became a member of the Local Government Association (LGA) Executive group representing all Herefordshire Independents in Hereford and West Midlands. Rest in peace and thank your for all the good things you accomplished locally.

Featured Fire Station 🚒 | In our series, we are focusing on the very important work and training that Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews undergo on a regular basis. Today we look at the remarkable training that Kingsland fire station did yesterday evening. Last nights training was back to basics brushing up on ladder pitching skills for the crews who were kindly allowed by Vaughan farms of kingsland to use their yard and buildings for this essential training excercise. It’s always a benefit using different venues to practice 🚒👍🏽 🪜 'Thank You For Your Service' to the crews at Kingsland Fire Station and to all our emergency services for the vital work and support they provide to the community. 📸 HWFRS Kingsland

Councillors from the Belmont Rural Parish Council Overwhelmingly Objected to the Lidl Planning Application to Demolish the Three Counties Hotel and Build Supermarket. This evening we attended the Extraordinary Meeting of the Belmont Parish Council at The Kindle Centre. There were about 50-60 local residents many who gave their concerns, including employees of the Three Counties Hotel who pointed out that Lidl have given wrong information suggesting that there is only 18 people employed at the hotel, when in fact there are over 30 said one employee. The Parish Council agreed and will be sending their objections to the planning department before the end of the day tomorrow, which is the deadline for residents to submit any letters, whether in support or as an objection. (The Parish Council can only object or support as an advisory and they cannot actually reject the application itself, that is controlled by the Planning department). You can submit your comments in just a few minutes, simply be completing this form 👉 https://bit.ly/3vgx6jE Our petition 👉 https://chng.it/bWYtFHb78S is great and has over 980 signatures but the more INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS AND LETTERS submitted will carry much more weight in planning terms. Belmont Rural Parish Council Website | https://belmontrural-pc.gov.uk from

Lidl are to hold a Public Meeting at Three Counties Hotel on Wednesday 11th May 12:00noon - 19:00 Further to our previous breaking news article here https://hfd.news/bgq regarding the Lidl supermarket planning application to demolish the Three Counties Hotel and change it into a supermarket and immediate backlash this has caused this meeting was inevitable. Lidl have also confirmed that they plan to have a dedicated website and we will advise once this becomes live. It is important that anyone with objections to this planning application, send in their individual letters (can be done on the Herefordshire Council planning portal) outlining their concerns and objections based on planning law ie, traffic, local disturbance, noise levels etc. You can also sign our Petition https://chng.it/bWYtFHb78S #HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #Hereford

Hereford Voice have learned that plans are about to be submitted to turn the Three Counties Hotel on the notorious Belmont Road in Hereford into a Lidl Supermarket. The A465 is possibly the worst main road into the city with daily congestion, adding another supermarket here would just make this road even worse. There are often huge queues of traffic waiting to enter the McDonalds Drive-Thru regularly blocking the road in both directions. On the plans below there is also another Drive-Thru earmarked which could possibly be a coffee Drive-Thru near to to the Brook. Local residents have already started a petition in an attempt to block this going ahead.

Monday 9 May, 9.30am – 10.30am Hereford Cathedral launches a brand-new Toddler Group for young children and their grown-ups. Starting on 9 May, and meeting at 9.30 am every Monday in term-time, the Toddler Group will be open to children aged 1-3, and free for families to attend. Taking place inside the beautiful cathedral, the sessions will be led by cathedral staff and volunteers. After a bible story, children will be able to take part in a craft activity, enjoy playing together and finish the session with a song - lots of fun, and refreshments will be available for both parents and toddlers. Sarah Brown, the Dean of Hereford, is excited, “I’m so happy to invite the tiniest children, and their parents and carers, to come in and discover what a great place this amazing cathedral can be. The cathedral really is a place for little children, because it is God’s house, and He tells us to welcome the little children in his name. This time of fun (with a bit of learning thrown in) is our gift to the little ones, and hopefully a time of rest and refreshment for parents and carers too.” William Talbot-Ponsonby, Head of Education & Family Learning, adds: “we are so looking forward to launching our Toddler Group in May. It’s open to all, whether you visit the cathedral regularly or have never stepped through the doors – we see it as a great opportunity for us to welcome in new people and to share our wonderful building. If you would also like to help out in running the sessions, please contact me at education@herefordcathedral.org, as I am always on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to help share their Christian knowledge and inspire young people.” The Toddler Group will be free to attend, and advance booking is not required – just turn up on the day. If you would like to find out more about the group, please email education@herefordcathedral.org.

West Mercia Police were called to the Hampton Bishop area of Hereford at around 8pm last night following a report of an assault and robbery. A woman was injured during the incident and has been transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for treatment. Her injuries are not life threatening. Officers attended and a thorough search of the local area was conducted, with support from the National Police Air Service. Officers remained on scene overnight and this morning. Insp Dan Pilkington, said “we understand that a heavy police presence can be alarming, but would like to reassure residents that we believe this to be a contained incident with no threat to the wider community. “Enquiries are going, and in the meantime there will continue to be a visible police presence in the area to provide reassurance.”

The new store building work has significantly progressed in the past few weeks and the store is on schedule to open on Saturday 14th May.

Earlier today our Friends of Castle Green announced that they have applied for planning permission to regenerate the historic Pavilion building. Whilst respecting its Georgian heritage, the plans submitted aim to create a modern, accessible space and iconic visitor attraction in the heart of Hereford. The revitalised building will provide cafe facilities and flexible community meeting space, as well as the opportunity to celebrate local arts and heritage and a revived home for the Hereford Youth Canoe Club (HYCC). The once forgotten Pavilion will become a new and much needed thriving and sustainable community hub, a defining visitor attraction in the city and a source of pride for residents. The project has been made possible thanks to a successful £22.4million funding bid for the City of Hereford via the Stronger Towns Fund. The Pavilion project is one of fourteen projects elected for funding and FoCG has submitted a planning application for a £1.56 million regeneration of this historic building on the banks of the River Wye. Our Hereford LIVE first HD camera is kindly hosted by our lovely friends at The Pavilion, Castle Green on this very building overlooking the river Wye and Victoria Bridge. LIVE CAMERA FEED https://hfd.news/k17 Hopefully this will be approved without a hitch becuase we can't wait for this much needed update and modernisation of this fabulous historic building on the lovely Castle Green in Hereford

Significant investment will support continued improvements to Herefordshire Children’s Services Herefordshire Council Cabinet approved £11.49m funding at a meeting held on Thursday 31 March 2022, to support the ongoing improvements in Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services. The funding will help to ensure the council’s Children’s Services are adequately resourced and can provide a more secure and resilient service to Herefordshire children and their families in the future. Corporate Director for Children and Young People, Darryl Freeman, said: “The £11.49m investment provides us with security to support our significant and lasting improvements to Herefordshire Children’s Services. “It means we will be able to offer our valued Social Workers a realistic workload, experienced managerial support and professional ways of working. It will help us to continue to build Herefordshire Children’s Social Care Services into a desirable place to come and work with a good work/life balance in a beautiful, family-friendly environment. “Previous funding has already led to increased stability of our workforce, reduced caseloads for some staff, increased levels of personal and case supervisions, and increased frequency of visits to children and young people and their families. This additional funding will allow us to make many more changes, more quickly to improve our social work practice to support the children and families in the county that are most in need.”