Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday, which happens at least once every year but can occur up to three times in the same year. 

There are two Friday's that fall on the 13th in 2023 - Today, January 13th and Friday, October 13th.

What is fear of Friday the 13th called?

Fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia.

The panic associated with Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia.

The scientific term arises from the Greek words Paraskeví meaning Friday and dekatreís meaning thirteen.

Other names for this phobia include friggatriskaidekaphobia which originates from Norse mythology where Frigg is the Norse Goddess for Friday.

Many call superstitions an irrational belief of the supernatural, actions that stem from ignorance or fear of the unknown. But these “irrational” acts are actually more normal than you may think.

The fear of the number 13, is such that many high-rise buildings, hotels, and hospitals skip the 13th floor, and many airports do not have gates numbered 13. 

Here are a few common superstitions..

• Don't Break A Mirror: According to folklore, breaking a mirror is a surefire way to doom yourself to seven years of bad luck. The superstition seems to arise from the belief that mirrors don't just reflect your image; they hold bits of your soul. That belief led people in the old days of the American South to cover mirrors in a house when someone died, lest their soul be trapped inside.                                              
   
• Opening An Umbrella Inside: Bad Luck 
  It seems like a no-brainer that opening an umbrella inside brings bad luck, since it presents a risk of breaking valuable items and poking someone in the eye.
  But one common superstition holds that because umbrellas shade us from the sun they’re somehow magical.
  When the umbrella is opened inside – out of the way of sun’s rays – it offends the sun god.
  It may even signify impending death or ill fortune for both the person who opened it and the people who live within the home.

• Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder: European/Christian, ancient Roman
  Perhaps the next most common superstition, at least in the West, involves tossing salt over one’s shoulder. Like ‘knocking on wood,’ this superstition also involves the idea of ‘warding off evil’ - in this case, the Devil himself. In Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, Jesus’ betrayer, Judas Iscariot, is portrayed as having accidentally spilled salt. Since Judas was associated with doing something bad, the argument goes that, ipso facto, so was salt, and throwing it over your shoulder would blind the devil waiting there.

• Walking Under A Ladder: European/Christian, possibly Egyptian
  The superstition of not wanting to walk under a ladder also has roots in Christian symbolism: the “Holy Trinity” of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit led to an association of the number three with something sacred. The triangle, with its three sides, came to be regarded as sacred as well, and a ladder of course forms a triangle, so, naturally, to walk under that ladder would be to destroy the sanctity of the Trinity and thus incur punishment.

• Keep Your Shoes Off The Table:
  Not only is it gross, but in Britain it is considered bad luck because it symbolizes the death of a loved one.

• Touch Wood:
  Lots of us find ourselves ‘knocking on wood’ or ‘touching wood’ to secure good luck or avoid bad luck. Some people believe the tradition began with the Pagans who believed that good spirits lived inside trees and that people once laid their hands on trees to ask for good luck. Others believe the wood in question was from Christ’s cross, or the fragments said to be from the cross which found their way across the world. There are more theories, too: that the practice dates fro the Spanish Inquisition when Jewish communities used a system of knocking on wooden synagogues to avoid persecution, that sailors knocked on wooden decks to have good luck at sea and that miners would tap the rafters inside mines to check for rot that could cause a collapse.

• A Black Cat Crossing Your Path Is Unlucky:
  The ancient Egyptians revered cats, linking the sleek companions with deities, women and a prominent place in the household. Cats toppled from their revered pedestals around the 13th century, however, when Pope Gregory IX issued a warning against having or associating with cats. He portrayed the felines as Lucifer in disguise, cavorting with witches to place curses while purring beside a bubbling witch’s cauldron.

• Crossed Fingers: 
  This is a way to ensure that lucky things will happen. It really means “Let’s hope it happens!” or “Let’s hope for good luck”.
  “Fingers crossed!” = good luck! “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you today!”
  Also, crossing your fingers is considered a way to get away with telling a lie. This isn’t related to the good luck superstition.
  For example, if someone says “I won’t tell anyone” but they secretly have their fingers crossed behind their back, it means that they’re lying!

• Seeing A Single Magpie:
  If you see a single magpie make sure to tip your hat (especially if you’re not carrying onions).Until the arrival of Christianity, magpies were seen as a lucky bird. But the story that they refused to weep at the crucifixion or enter Noah’s Ark changed their reputation into one of misfortune. In 1507, it was reported that “whan pyes chatter upon a house it is a sygne of ryghte evyll tydynges” and the fact that they could often be seen around places of death looking for carrion only cemented their reputation. 
  By 1780, the superstition around the magpie was so strong that the UK had developed a rhyme recounting the different types of luck a magpie could bring. It’s still commonly recited today: “One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl and four for a boy.” There are several regional variations on what that sorrow can be, including a sign of an impending death in Scotland, a hazardous journey in Wales, and a day without catching any fish in Devon. In Northampton, three magpies predict a fire rather than a girl.
  There are ways, however, to negate the bad luck, the most common being to doff your cap and say “Good morning general (or captain).” Again this varies by region, and other greetings include making the sign of a cross, asking after the magpie’s wife, and spitting three times over your shoulder. The oddest is practiced by the people of Somerset, who are encouraged to carry an onion with them at all times to protect themselves from the evil effects of seeing the magpie.

Do you have any superstitions that you routinely follow? 

Save the River Wye! Demand moratorium on all new poultry units in Powys

Kate Bull started this petition to Powys County Council

Every summer now, the River Wye is turning a putrid green and its delicate ecology is being destroyed by algae blooms that are caused by effluent from poultry farms flowing into it. If this goes on, we will lose everything that we treasure about the Wye. It will turn a horrible, ugly green every time it gets sunny. The fish will go, and they will be followed by our kingfishers, our dippers and our herons. It is very, very worrying.

There are now 116 intensive poultry units (IPUs) in Powys, each raising more than 40,000 birds. With an estimated 8.5 million chickens on permitted units in the county, that is 64 times more chickens than people.

Powys County Council and Natural Resources Wales have a legal responsibility to protect Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) such as the Wye. They have, however, been apparently unwilling to use the existing laws to protect the river from the damage caused by a proliferation of poultry units in the county. When granting planning permission, the Council has consistently refused to consider the impact of new poultry developments individually and cumulatively on the local environment, including the county's rivers and water courses.

Enough is enough. We call on Powys County Council to instate an immediate moratorium on planning permissions for new or extended poultry units in the county until the full environmental - and community - impacts of those we already have can be assessed and reduced.

Sign petition here.

In a message on The Den restaurant Facebook page the owners announced the sad news that the business was to close due to a 'Challenging Few Years, Covid and Cost of Living' writing;

"It is with our deepest regret and sadness that we have had to make the decision to close The Den Restaurant.

After months of contemplation we tried our best to stay but now is the right time to announce our closure as we have no other choices.

The hospitality industry has suffered huge challenges over the last few years mainly due to covid and now the cost of living. We have been constantly finding ways to save money and stay competitive while maintaining the quality of the food and service but this has become consistently more difficult. This was not an easy decision to make yet we are grateful for the 10 years we have had. It’s been a blast!

We would like to thank all our loyal customers, and apologise to anyone this may cause an inconvenience to. For those of you with gift voucher please email us at thedenrestaurant@gmail.com.

We would like to wish you all the best for future as we bow out of The Den.

Goodbye……for now"

This is indeed a sad day for this popular local restaurant, let's hope we see the good people from The Den again in the near future. 🤞

HEREFORD LIVE River Wye HD Webcams

Old Bridge Hereford

LIVE CAMERA 1 FEED 👉 https://bit.ly/HfdFloods

Victoria Bridge

LIVE CAMERA 2 FEED 👉 https://bit.ly/WyeWebcam 

Work is planned to begin week commencing the 13 February to repair the fencing along the river path near the Old Bridge.

All of the debris from the floods of storm Dennis back in February 2020 were removed last July which we reported in this topic 👉 https://bit.ly/fencerepairs however, this latest development is a welcome news and long overdue.

Road and path closure from 13 Feb - 17 Feb 2023

Remember where you heard it first..

West Mercia Police Officers are investigating a burglary offence that occurred in the Kington area of Herefordshire.

If you can help, please contact 101 quoting crime reference number 22/125218/22.

A farmer from Garway has been fined, given an 18-month community order and banned from keeping livestock for 10 years from 16 February 2023 in a case brought by Herefordshire Council’s trading standards service.

Richard Sparey of Lodge Farm was sentenced by Hereford magistrates after previously pleading guilty to 10 charges of failing to correctly store and dispose of a large quantity of animal carcasses. Trading as HJ Sparey and Son, the farmer was also guilty of ensuring the needs of sheep and cattle he managed met required good practice.

As well as the ban and community order, the farmer was given 20 days’ rehabilitation, fined £2500, with a victim surcharge of £95, and ordered to pay costs of £5165.83 on 22 December 2022.

Complaints about dead stock in fields were made to Herefordshire Council’s trading standards service between March and June 2021. Animal health officers visited sites where the farmer kept animals. They advised him on the needs and conditions of animals in his care. He was also informed of his requirement to properly dispose of all animal carcasses. Despite the warnings, officers found dead sheep in water where animals drank as well as carcasses that had not been collected from fields. Officers also found a dead cow next to animal feed.

Marc Willimont, Herefordshire Council’s head of public protection, says:

“This was a particularly serious and distressing case for everyone involved. Officers uncovered a very unsuitable farming environment with dead stock left in fields and within water that other animals could drink from. The council will continue to support farmers and all livestock keepers to ensure that best practice is maintained on farms and smallholdings. We do not tolerate animal suffering and take action against anyone who disregards the welfare of farmed animals.”

In aid of 'Save Hereford's Athletics Track' the team wrote;

"Today was a special one 💚 

From the bottom of our hearts, thanks to everyone who took part and got involved in the Hereford Couriers Dawn til Dusk Run 
The response was incredible. Over 150 athletes from over 15 clubs in and around the county to help raise awareness of the Save Hereford's Athletics Track campaign. 

Today we demonstrated how much the Herefordshire running community wants to save our much loved track! 
We had all abilities and ages taking part in distances from 400m to 40 miles as we set off at 8:19am and finished just after 4:15pm 🌅🌇

Huge kudos to those who completed the full 40 miles 👍
A big thank you to Couriers Chris, Graeme, and Ben for co-ordinating today's event ❤️

But we couldn't have done it with our all of your support and involvement. Please continue to get involved in the events planned in the future to help Save our Track 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💚

Today, we've had air time on Free Radio, tomorrow we will be on BBC Hereford & Worcester and Wednesday evening at will be on BBC Midlands Today" 

For those who would like to donate to the campaign please visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/herefordathleticstrack

Well done to everyone involved 👏👏👏

📸 Photographs courtesy of Hereford Couriers Running Club 

📣 POLICE APPEAL | ID SOUGHT 

Hereford Police are seeking to speak with this male to assist with enquiries regarding damage to cctv cameras in the Whitecross area in Hereford. If you think you have information on the identity of this male, please ring 101, report online at https://www.westmercia.police.uk or email herefordnorthside.snt@westmercia.police.uk

Men who stole Herefordshire treasure hoard ordered to repay £600k each.

Two men who stole an Anglo-Saxon treasure hoard worth in excess £3.2m have been ordered to repay over £600k each.

The Confiscation Order, under the Proceeds or Crime Act 2002, was made on 21 December 2022 at Worcester Crown Court.

On 21 November 2019 George Powell, 41, and Layton Davies, 54 were found guilty of theft, conspiracy to conceal criminal property and conspiracy to convert criminal property. They were sentenced to ten years and eight years six months respectively, later reduced to six years and five years following a successful appeal.

His Honour Judge Cartwright rejected the evidence presented by both men at the contested hearing giving a number of reasons, which mainly centred around conflicting evidence presented in both the 2019 criminal trial and the Confiscation Contested Hearing.

He also rejected Davis’s claims that he played a reduced role in the criminal enterprise claiming he didn’t stand to benefit equally with Powell. The Judge disagreed and made a hidden assets order whereby he determined that they both still possess the coins and that the value of these coins is £600,00 each.

George Powell must repay £601,250 and Layton Davies £603,180 in full within three months from 21 December 2022, or they will serve five years and four months imprisonment each in default of payment. This term is in addition to their original sentence.

The convictions followed a lengthy investigation by West Mercia Police following several reports from the metal detecting community and the British Museum of an unreported large treasure find near Eye in Herefordshire in 2015.

It was discovered that the men had visited the site of the hoard, which included Anglo-Saxon coins, jewellery and silver ingots during Spring 2015. They not only failed to disclose the extent of their discovery - a requirement under the Treasure Act 1996 - but also sold a large number of the items for significant personal financial gain.

The treasure was described by experts as being of national importance both for Anglo-Saxon coinage and for the wider understanding of a key period in English history.

Superintendent Edd Williams, local policing commander for Herefordshire, said: “I’m delighted with today’s result, which brings closure to an investigation which we have been working on for seven years.

“The Confiscation Order, coupled with the sentences Powell and Davies received, send a strong and clear message that we take this sort of crime very seriously and will take action. It is a criminal offence to not declare finds of treasure to the local coroner’s office.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our partners, including Herefordshire County Council’s conservation and environment team and The British Museum, for their support in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”

Wishing you all and Merry Christmas 

Colin

These tractors look absolutely fantastic! So much work has gone into making these all look so magical! Well done to Hamish Grundy and everyone involved in the wonderful festive event. If you would like to donate CLICK HERE

Photo from Hamish Grundy (event organiser) 

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far 👏👏👏 All the photographs were kindly sent to us from TJ Gibbons Photography

Hereford has had its say in the Best Xmas Shop Window Awards, with The Children’s Bookshelf and Principality Building Society voted the public favourites in the Independent and National categories, respectively.

Now in its fifth year, the awards, organised by Hereford City Life, provided opportunity for the public show their support for local businesses during the festive season. A great variety of Hereford businesses took part, submitting images of their decorated store fronts to be added to the Facebook album for the public to cast their votes. The contest ran from mid-November to the 18th December with over 1600 votes cast. 

In addition to the People’s Choice vote, the Best Xmas Shop Window Awards held a separate Judges’ Choice vote with shortlisted businesses reviewed in person. This year’s Judges: Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jacqui Carwardine and Colin James of Hereford Voice. Windows were assessed based on their creativity, innovation and overall festiveness, with The Children’s Bookshelf picking up another award and Oxfam Books & Music claiming first place for the Nationals. 

“The Awards are a fantastic Christmastime tradition in Hereford that we have been very pleased to deliver for the last five years,” commented Rhiannon Burns, Hereford City Life Marketing Manager. “We are very grateful for everyone who showed their support for Hereford’s businesses by voting, as well as the judges for giving us their time.”

The results for the People’s Choice were:

Independent Category

Winner: The Children’s Bookshelf

Runners-up: Lunaria Lifestyle and Pear-Laine Lingerie 

National Category

Winner: Principality Building Society

Runners-up: RSPCA and Pandora

The results for the Judges’ Choice were:

Independent Category

Winner: The Children’s Bookshelf

Runners-up: June Lacy Gowns and Make-it Happen Creative Dreams

National Category

Winner: Oxfam Music & Books 

Runners-up: Principality and Pandora

A Hereford man has been sentenced to three years imprisonment following his conviction for multiple sex offences.

70-year-old Douglas Baker of Marlbrook Road, Hereford, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday 14 December.  He pleaded guilty earlier this year to 5 offences which he committed between 2019 and 2022.

The five charges for which he was convicted were:

Two counts of inciting an underage girl to engage in sexual activity.

Engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Voyeurism – recording of a private act.

Making an indecent photograph of a child.

Baker is now listed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Harriet Wheadon-Hill said:

“This sentence shows that abusing young girls will not go unchallenged or unpunished.  Following extensive police investigations, together with the courage of the victims to come forward, we can uncover the truth and bring offenders to justice.”

“West Mercia Police remains committed to seeking justice for rape victims and survivors of sexual abuse, and we, the police, and wider support services are here for them.”

If you feel you are, or have been, a victim of any sexual offence you can report it to us online, on 101 or via West Mercia's Victim Advice Line on 0800 952 3000 or visit www.victimadviceline.org.uk. This is a free, independent and confidential support service. In an emergency always dial 999.

If you do not feel comfortable speaking to police officers, you can contact a Rape Crisis Centre which specialises in helping victims of rape and sexual assault - including providing medical care and counselling. For information and details on how to contact or refer please visit Rape Crisis England & Wales

Two men have been sent to prison for the conspiracy to distribute drugs in Herefordshire.

Jack Davis who is 33-years-old and from Hill Acre, Stoke Lacy, Bromyard and Ben Scotford who is 36-years-old and from Hereford appeared at Hereford Magistrates court on Friday 2 December and pleaded guilty to all charges.

Pictured on the left is Jack Davis. Pictured on the right is Ben Scotford.

Davis was given a five-year prison term and Scotford was handed a 30-month sentence, both for Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs.

Detective Constable Fiona Morgan said “I welcome the sentence from the court who recognise that Davis and Scotford are a blight on our community. Drug dealers take advantage of vulnerable people and ruin lives, and we are determined to protect our communities. These sentences show we will prosecute anyone involved in drugs supply and at any level.

“We urge anyone with any concerns about drug crime to please get in touch as working alongside our communities is vital to tackling drug crime.”

Concerns about County Lines or drug related crimes can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

This royal visit to mark the 150th anniversary of The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC).

The King said;

“I could not be more pleased to see how all these obstacles are being overcome and to know that the college and its students are ready to face the future with confidence and hope.”

The King has met students who are being equipped with the skills to live independently, and to prepare for university and work.

The RNC champions the teaching of Braille, whilst exploring new technologies to help with communication.

Alongside academic studies, students are encouraged to take part in varied activities, from practical skills like cooking, to assisted team sports. In the sports hall, The King was shown a demonstration of Blind Football, where players are guided by the voices of their teammates.

📸 The Royal Family

Samantha Smith, 55, of Waterfield Road in Hereford, pleaded guilty to a single charge of attempted murder at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday 1 December and will be sentenced on Friday 24 February 2023.

Smith’s conviction relates to an incident in Rothesay Mead, Hereford on Sunday 3 July for which she was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Smith, who will remain on remand until her sentencing next year, had attacked a 59-year-old man with a knife leaving him with significant injuries.

The investigating officer, Detective Constable Emma O’Hare said: “This was a brutal attack which could have very easily have made this a murder trial. Thankfully, the victim was strong enough to work with us in preparing this case and I’m happy to report he is making a good, physical recovery.

“Domestic abuse isn’t isolated to women victims. Many men are in abusive, coercive, controlling, and violent relationships and quite often, they keep their abuse to themselves.

“I want to reassure any victim of domestic abuse that we are here for you. Regardless of your gender, we will listen, we will investigate every report and we will support you.

“I want to thank the survivor of this horrendous ordeal for their trust in police, their courage and their openness. My only hope is that they can now perhaps close one chapter of this book and start to rebuild their life.”

West Mercia Police will act on all reports made and offer our full support to anyone who feels they are a victim of domestic abuse.

For details of what constitutes domestic abuse and for reporting any concerns to us, including contact details of our partners, please visit https://www.westmercia.police.uk/.../support-organisations/.

The Courtyard is pleased to announce that Bruce Freeman has taken over as Chair of the Board.

Bruce has been a member of The Courtyard Board for four years, and replaces previous Chair Joanna Cobb, who held the position for three years before retiring in November 2022. 

L-R Chief Executive of The Courtyard Ian Archer, newly appointed Chair of the Board Bruce Freeman, Courtyard Operations Manager Phil Pearcy.

Image credit: More Creative Studio

Joanna Cobb sat on the board for six years and chaired through Covid closure, post-pandemic recovery and the Transform The Yard development. Joanna will continue to be a Trustee of The Courtyard.

Bruce, who was elected as Chair in December, spent 30 years as a science teacher. Including 25 years as Head of Year at Aylestone School, where he left as a Deputy Headteacher in 2007. His affiliation with the arts grew when he was Stage Manager for 13 shows and the Producer for 4 musicals during his stint as a teacher.

“It is a huge honour to have been elected as Chair of the Board at the Courtyard Centre for the Arts, and I’d like to thank my fellow Directors for placing their trust in me.” Said Bruce, “I very much look forward to working alongside a fantastic group of people who work at The Courtyard, and to help steer The Courtyard towards a brighter and more secure future.”

As well as teaching, Bruce has spent 27 years in school governance, including the last 7 years as Chair of Governors at The Hereford Academy. After teaching, Bruce set up his own Project Management Company and helped to convert 13 schools around the country to academies.

Between 2000 and 2011, Bruce led two major appeals and project managed the total refurbishment of the interior of St. Martin’s Church, and the replacement of its roof. When Bruce joined the Board at The Courtyard it was his project management skills that were quickly utilized, as he was asked to Chair the Development Committee, which was responsible for delivering the recent transformation of the building. He played a pivotal role in completing the £1.6 million project on time and on budget.

The Courtyard Board is made up of passionate members of Herefordshire’s community, businesses and creative arts industry. For more information about The Courtyard Board or to apply to be a Board Member visit courtyard.org.uk/the-board.