This is the new state-of-the-art NMITE Campus at Rotherwas in Hereford.

New NMITE campus buildings at Rotherwas in Hereford 

Local MP Jesse Norman the chance to visit the new NMITE university campus buildings at Rotherwas with Stuart Brisbane and Harriet Dearden of NMITE.

Jesse said; "The new space is absolutely fantastic! Beautiful, superbly designed, highly sustainable.

Perfect for students, and a fantastic new resource for local businesses and the community"

We agree, the new facility for students is superb and is a welcome addition to the city.

The world’s fifth oldest zoo, Bristol Zoo Gardens, will close for good tomorrow - after 186 years.

The animals are being moved to make way for a housing development before a new zoo opens at a different site in 2024.

On Saturday 3 September, the historic Clifton attraction will shut at 5.30pm. Bristol Zoological Society, the charity which owns and operates Bristol Zoo Gardens, will create a new Bristol Zoo at its Wild Place Project site, just off Junction 17 of the M5.

Simon Garrett, head of public engagement, said: “These last few days will mark a moment in the city’s history. Bristol Zoo Gardens has been a staple part of Bristol life for 186 years and recognised globally.

Thousands of families will have memories dating back decades. For many the Zoo has been a significant part of their life. This week marks the end of a momentous chapter. In recognition of that, we want to give as many people as possible the chance to say their goodbyes before the gates close.”

So it's goodbye to the Zoo’s famous occupants, including the penguins, seals, lions, tree kangaroo, meerkats, and Livingstone fruit bats, which will start moving onto their future homes once the Zoo has closed to the public. Some animals, such as the gorillas and red pandas, will stay at Bristol Zoo Gardens until their enclosures are built at the Wild Place Project site.

Bristol Zoo Gardens has been working with Bristol-based Bakehouse Theatre on a summer programme to mark the final opening weeks. The BIG Summer Send-Off features Wilder, an enormous wooden interactive sculpture of a Western Lowland gorilla and her baby Monty-Alan, a Past, Present, Future exhibit showcasing the Zoo’s history and plans for the future and the Into The Wild theatre show.

Since opening its gates to the public in 1836, it has been home to tens of thousands of animals and earned international acclaim for its conservation breeding programmes.

More than 90 million people have visited over the 186 years – and introduced to the much-loved animals that have lived within the 12-acre landmark.

Among them were Zebi the Asian elephant, who arrived in 1868 and became renowned for removing and eating straw hats. Rajah, who replaced Zebi, gave rides to children for many years. Rosie the elephant was also very popular, and many local people have fond memories of rides on Rosie during the 1950s.

The Zoo’s more recent elephants, Wendy and Christina, were known for being taken for walks to Whiteladies Road during the 1960s. And Roger, a rare black rhino, was the first black rhino ever born in the UK, in 1958.

Arguably Bristol Zoo Gardens’ most famous resident was Alfred the gorilla, who lived at the Zoo from 1930 to 1948. He was, at the time, the only gorilla in captivity in the country and was a very popular Bristol citizen. Now his taxidermic form stands in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.

As well as running the visitor attraction and its sister site Wild Place Project, Bristol Zoological Society focuses on breeding endangered species, conservation and scientific education, and working to protect wildlife in their natural habitats in four continents.

The Society’s vision for the new Bristol Zoo highlights that focus, with 80 per cent of the species for the new Bristol Zoo linked to conservation breeding and conservation programmes around the world – a higher percentage than any other zoo in the UK.

While Bristol Zoo Gardens will close to the public on Saturday 3 September, Wild Place Project will remain open as usual to visitors while the new Bristol Zoo is constructed.

To find out more about the future plans and Bristol Zoological Society’s vision visit future.bristolzoo.org.uk

We rarely publish news items from outside Herefordshire or our immediate surrounding counties but we are sure most local people will have visited Bristol Zoo, so worthy of this news article.

1.       This proposed development site is on a flood plain Figure 1. This is not an optimum development site and would be better utilised as a flood water retention zone for the downstream urban conurbation. The site has a natural tendency to flood during peak storms and could retain much more water if developed as a City Flood Retention Area as part of the Climate Emergency Measures. A new reservoir would also be much more beneficial for biodiversity off-setting impact elsewhere.

2.       The surface water run-off from this development will compound the existing flood levels in the downstream urban conurbation, Figure 2. Yazor Widemarsh and Eign Brooks will flood the City. This excess run-off could result in considerable increased liabilities for City residents and businesses.

3.       The proposed development site surrounds a Conservation Area, best conserved for the residents of the City as a Historical Hamlet in an area of natural beauty. This brook and surrounds are noted for the rich array of wildlife using the brook as a corridor to migrate through from the country into the City and back. This is currently refuge and habitat for many fish, birds, bats insects and mammals including badgers and otters.

4.       The proposed development is over a vulnerable commercial aquifer (Figure 3) with a complex, near surface, geological boundary of intermixed clay and gravels. Site not suitable for development. Reports on the complex geology by WYG expose the risks of breaking into perched water tables or releasing near surface secondary aquifers into the site and downstream into the City. The term superficial aquifer means it is hosted by superficial deposits. It is far from superficial in its importance to the region.

5.       Hereford City has two major industries, employers and taxpayers who depend on the commercial aquifer that underlies this proposed site. Excavations for footings and drainage of houses, roads and ponds could contaminate commercial groundwater. The main commercial aquifer is below and upstream of proposed developments and layouts have already changed to reflect the complexity and risk of contaminating the ground waters. Why risk such a great loss to the City and County for just 350 houses?

6.       The aquifer boundary Source Protection Zone 2 is poorly defined (Figure 4) given investigation by WYG and Groundsure shows greater than 10m of groundwater below the proposed site and recharge from the west and north. The proposed development site straddles the boundary, but the boundary does not cover the full extend of the water source. Detailed investigation showed extensive groundwater extends north under the site. In the light of evidence presented by WYG the Environment Agency should revisit the poorly defined SP2 zone and extend it further North.

7.       Future liabilities for the proposed development will be passed on to the householders via a company to administer the site specific but who will be responsible for future issues arising from floods and contamination downstream? We will all pay more council tax.

The probability of a risk occurring has been reviewed by a hydrogeologist and adjustments made based on professional judgement, to take account of specific local circumstances relevant to the site.’ Tetra Tech Hydrological Risk Assessment Report
This is the key statement from the hydrological risk assessment conclusions. It states adjustments were made based on professional judgement to take account of specific local circumstances relevant to the site. This raises several RED FLAGS 
8.    The Tetra Tech risk assessment report is based on the author's conceptualisation of the current ground conditions and assumption that they will largely remain the same between the time of this assessment and the commencement of development, but ground conditions have already changed. Tetra Tech and the Environment Agency did not locate the underground water course that now runs permanently above ground as a stream South through the middle of the proposed development site, west of the Beeches Business Park under the Roman Road along the small valley and down to the highly sensitive area around the Yazor Brook. The intention to cover low lying areas with clays removed from higher areas risks breaking secondary perched water tables, generating saturated unstable ground and pollution of the vulnerable commercial aquifer.      
9.    Why roll the dice with reserved matters for outline planning permission when a geophysical survey could clearly assess the risk of failure more accurately by measuring the depth of clay cover over the Yazor gravels and vulnerable aquifer gravels. The presented maps of clay thickness for staged site construction are based on sparse sampling and exhibit a typical naive ‘fried egg pattern’ expected from a poor data set. A geophysical survey could identify precisely how thick the cover is in between the sparse sample points. The clay layer over the gravel above the aquifer is, in part, less than 0.5m thick according to Environment Agency observations in its response. Given the strongly worded disclaimer in the WYG desk study, used to inform the Tetra Tech risk analysis, the Council is exposed to significant risk due to the unknown geological variables. A detailed survey would enhance the current modelling assumptions and may negate key geological and hydrological assumptions used in the development proposal.       
10.    Why is the local knowledge of the connectivity between brooks and abstraction rates not considered as part of the professional judgement. The observations of groundwater levels from just two boreholes compared with water levels in the Yazor Brook are stated as evidence that the surface flows are not connected to the aquifer.  City residents know the Brooks can rise and fall irrespective of rainfall in the catchment, clearly pointing to variable abstraction rates. Licensed boreholes give Heineken and Avara (formerly Sun Valley) rights to pump over 4.38 Olympic swimming pools a day from the gravels (10.98 million litres daily) and the average abstraction is 1.75 Olympic swimming pools a day (4.38 million litres daily).    

11.    Tetra Tech noted that building on a floodplain requires bigger drainage and flood retention tanks to protect the downstream environment. Surely this statement is enough to rule out any long-term major housing developments across the floodplain so why start developing it? It is proposed to provide increased flood storage by undertaking excavation. The excavation constraints limit the storage volume that can be provided within above ground SuDS. It is expected that additional below ground storage will be required within the areas of public open space to the south of the Site to provide the storage volume required. It frequently floods immediately south of the site and the City can’t afford to keep its existing underground sumps and drainage systems clear of blockages.      

12.    The risk to this County of failure in developments over a vulnerable commercial aquifer have not been spelt out to the public. Breach of the surface gravels and pollution of the aquifer could result in loss in jobs and quality of life for generations in Hereford City. Why has the professional judgement based on local knowledge not laid out the full risks of proposed excavations in plain English. Is it inherent bias in this technical reporting that errs towards development when professional judgement sweeps the detailed risk of failure into the small print of an appendix? The presentation for public relations is a glossy brochure but the inherent risk to the City and County is buried in the appendices.  

13.    The Environment Agency stated, in December 2021, it was adjusting the boundaries of the Source Protection Zones around onsite boreholes. The current SPZ merged data set on the National system has not changed. The boundary of aquifer source protection zones relates to proximity of boreholes and the time it takes for water to travel in the aquifer to the borehole. The on-site boreholes, shown as A and B in Groundsure report sect 5.6, could be re-designated SPZ1 and prohibit any development in the South-eastern portion within 100m radius. SPZ2 is technically defined as 400 days of flow away from or 250-500m away from the nearest abstraction points. The new SPZ2 boundary for the active on-site boreholes should extend further north and east by 250m-500m reducing the proposed development area. The new Source Protection Zones 1 and 2 boundaries should envelop a wider area of the proposed development site given the strict technical definitions. This does not appear to be taken into the design of the latest development plans which closely follow the original SPZ2 boundary.                        THIS IS A BIG RED FLAG
    
Impact on development of the redefined Source Protection Zones 
a.    A 250m radius around Borehole A takes out all proposed housing south of the Huntington Lane roughly 20-25% of development and 
b.    a 500m radius takes out all proposed housing north of the Huntington Lane and between Beeches Business Park and the Farm, say 40-50% of development

14.    How can we as the public be expected to make informed comment before the Environment Agency has published its new source protection zones which should negate 25% to 50% of the proposed development site?
 
The current published SPZ boundaries for Hereford are on the National system. They do not yet reflect and enlarged protection area around the on-site abstraction boreholes, close to the intersection of Bakers Lane and Three Elms Road. 
https://environment.data.gov.uk/arcgis/rest/services/EA/SourceProtectionZonesMerged/FeatureServer

Background notes and comments
DEFRA/Environment Agency response with reference to SPZ designation dated December 2021
 

Congratulations to Leominster based business Leisure Depot who together with their entire team are proud winners of the Morris Biss Memorial Cup for the Best Trade Stand Entry 2022 at the Great Dorset Steam Fair this year.

Web | https://www.leisuredepot.co.uk

Always a pleasure to share "POSITIVE' business stories

Councillor Gemma Davies has had to take leave from her council work due to constant threats and abuse.

Councillor Gemma Davies 

Councillor Gemma Davies wrote;

Quote

I’m currently taking some time away from council business. There are a whole host of reasons but one huge factor is the hatred that is on social media.

Over the past two days I have seen a number of clickbait articles that incite hatred. I call out this behaviour as a trade unionist and yet I’ve kept my mouth relatively shut about this. In my first year as a councillor I was told by fellow members that you need to be careful what you put on social media and to ‘play the game’. This has meant losing a huge part of me.

Last year Conservative MP, Sir David Ames’s was killed. In June 2016 Jo Cox was killed. Both were killed during their consistency surgeries.

I personally have had threats against me, had private messages telling me to fuck off and die (lovely) plus countless others telling me how I’m not qualified to be a councillor. Let’s not include the rape threats and comments about my personal life. I’ve had people I’ve considered to be friends tell me that maybe I’m not cut out for it because it’s something that ‘comes with the territory’.

Well it’s not. It’s time to hold people to account for the things that they put on social media. Your actions have consequences. One day something seriously bad will happen to a councillor or council worker and everyone will hold a vigil and say we didn’t think something like this could happen. Well it can, and it will if we carry on the witch-hunt that appears to be never ending.

You’ll never find a bigger advocate for free speech. I respect people have opinions even if I think they’re abhorrent. But inciting hatred and then just taking a step back and saying ‘it weren’t me gov’ just doesn’t cut it.

We are all responsible for the things that we put on social media be it at an organisational level or a personal.

Any person who puts anything on to me or others which I consider offensive I will be taking it through the police and their employer.

I will also be keeping this account ONLY for council business. I will be on my personal Facebook account for my friends and family where I can actually be myself and not have to put up with all the hate that comes with being a councillor.

And to everyone who’s been supporting me through the last three years through this I just want to say I love you so much, I’d 100% be under if it wasn’t for you. Even if it’s been people taking the piss like Stephen Grainger and Tom Quirk, you’ve made me laugh regardless.

Hereford Voice comment; 

It is disgusting what has been happening and people should think about their actions before leaving nasty comments.

Thank you Cllr. Gemma Davies for opening up and revealing how you feel and how this has had a huge impact on your life recently by some of the nasty threats you have been receiving, some of these people are just keyboard warriors and bullies.

Keep doing what you are doing (which is all we can ask of you) because so many local residents including myself appreciate each and every councillor, often giving up their own free time.

If people want change there is nothing stopping anyone becoming a councillor if they think that they can do better.

Thank you Gemma 🧡

A new price cap of £3,549 has been announced by Ofgem, the energy regulator, an 80% rise on the current cap.

The cap comes into effect on 1 October and will determine how much 24 million households pay for their energy.

Analysts at Cornwall Insight have said to expect further increases in January, when the price cap is due to be updated again. They predict the cap will rise to £4,650 a year.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile our MPs are still on holiday and won't return to parliament until 5th September. Maybe they should turn off the heating in the Commons and Lords as we head towards winter.

Hereford Voice understands that the new 'e-Bikes' will be coming to Hereford in the near future, would you also like to see the e-Scooters across the city?

The new e-Scooters are already being trialled across the UK and have been well received by the pubic.

In a news brief the company wrote;

Since the very beginning of our company, we've focused everything we do on getting more people in cities on bikes. Today, we're really excited to be bringing the Beryl e-Scooter to the streets, and opening up another micromobility option to even more people.

A new option in Beryl Bays

Our network of Beryl Bays across our operating areas make it easy for riders to find bikes and e-bikes, while keeping pavements clear of clutter. Now, there'll be another option available in the bays - the Beryl e-Scooter, which uses the same geo-fencing technology as our bikes and e-bikes.

Going for a longer trip with lots to carry? An e-bike might be the choice for you. Need to get somewhere quickly without breaking a sweat? Choose an e-scooter. Fancy an active journey around town? The classic Beryl pedal bike is there for you.

New ways to get around

With the COVID-19 pandemic restricting capacity on public transport such as buses, national and local governments have been working hard to find new ways to help people get around cities without getting in a car.

Beryl e-Scooters are being launched as part of a trial run by the Department for Transport, to understand how they can safely and efficiently add to existing transport networks. We're excited to learn how our riders use scooters to get around, and to develop the scheme in partnership with local authorities to make sure there are bays located where they're most needed.

We'll also be working closely with partners in the local community to educate users on how to safely and responsibly use scooters. Our operations team will be on hand to make sure scooters have batteries charged and ready to go, and to respond to reports from the community when scooters need to be moved or rebalanced to another location.

Designed for a nice ride

Since the beginning of Beryl (when we were still a small bike lights company called Blaze!) we've cared about good technology and good design. Our Beryl Bike has won many fans for being a quick and nimble ride, suitable for all type of riders. We wanted our e-scooter to be the same - a comfortable option to encourage everyone to choose micro-mobility over a car journey.

Our e-scooter has 12" front wheels and front suspension forks for a comfortable and stable ride. An extra wide standing board makes it easy to ride and the "always on" lights keep you visible whatever the time of day or the weather.

A truly multi-modal city

Today, we launch Beryl e-Scooters in Norwich. They'll join Beryl Bikes and Beryl e-Bikes that have already been warmly adopted by residents, students and visitors alike to get around. All three will be available to hire from the same app and account, making it easy and convenient to choose the best option for your trip.

We're looking forward to seeing the Beryl e-Scooter land in more cities throughout the UK and beyond - stay tuned for our next launch!

Phtoto | Beryl e-Scooters are parked in marked Beryl Bays and parklets, keeping pavements tidy for everyone

Photo | New Beryl e-Bike

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford

Officers from West Mercia Police stopped in this 'cloned' car in Hereford during the early hours of this morning.

The driver got quite a shock when Police from the Operations Patrol Unit together with their colleagues from the Police Dog Section suddenly surrounded the vehicle.

The driver had purchased the vehicle believing it to be genuine. Enquiries are ongoing.

Good to see so many people enjoying the fabulous music, local produce, food and drinks on this warm Summer evening in our wonderful city of Hereford!

Photo Credit: Jaymz G Chamberlain 

Positive News from Hereford Cops 👇 (Sat 27 Aug 2022 - 23:29)

"Just bumped into these three lovely people whilst out patrolling the Great Western Way.

They are from Vennture and are also out patrolling most nights wanting to reassure the public. Whilst out patrolling they are connected to the Police and the CCTV via a radio so that they can call up for assistance at any time and be kept informed of what is going on in the area.

They are all volunteers and a real help to the community.

Great work" 👍

A partnership of five local authorities across the Midlands region, alongside Sub-National Transport Body Midlands Connect has led a successful bid for almost £1million of funding aimed at getting more electric vehicle chargers into areas with limited off-street parking.

The bid, aiming to deliver hundreds of new electric vehicle charging points across the Midlands, was made in June focusing on the first tranche of money offered as part of Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Pilot.

A partnership of five local authorities across the Midlands region – Lincolnshire County Council, Herefordshire Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council - alongside Sub-National Transport Body Midlands Connect, submitted the bid. The resulting award of £935,355 is to be distributed between the five councils.

It is expected that this support from Government will now attract an additional £2.8million of private sector investment, with the cumulative funds being used to install a total of 322 standard and 27 rapid public EV chargers across the Midlands.

Analysis by Midlands Connect found that the Midlands needs 17,461 new public EV charging points by the end of 2025 to meet the needs of the growing EV market and it’s hoped that this latest good-news around the Government funding will spur on more region-wide installation of charging points.

Estimates suggest that the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging points will also create an influx of jobs in the region with over 42,000 related roles set to be created in the Midlands by the end of 2032.

At present, 93% of electric vehicle owners have access to off-road parking. It’s hoped that increasing the number of public charging stations will make it easier for those without a driveway to make the switch to an electric vehicle, while also increasing the ease of travel and charging for all EV users.

Councillor John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport said: “I’m delighted that this successful bid means that we will be able to offer more electric charging facilities across the county which will support our residents and business to make the shift to ultra-low emission vehicles as part our strong commitment to addressing the climate and ecological emergency.”

I can recommend the Over 50s for us old uns at The Kindle Centre on the 3rd Tuesday of each month that starts at 2pm.

The 20th September meeting has the return of the Singing Vicar - Steve Hollinghurst. An entertaining afternoon for all.

Other meetings to watch out for:

18th October 2022 - My work at Cadbury - Colin Bates

15th November 2022 - Hop picking in Herefordshire - Marsha O'Mahony

20th December 2022 - Christmas Special

17th January 2023 - Lunch at Burghill Valley Golf Club

Further information from Jeff Jones, Secretary, Telephone 01432 851029

Why not bring a friend or two along, I am sure you will enjoy it.

A police cordon is currently in place on the river path near Victoria Bridge in Hereford following a reported serious sexual offence at around 1.50am this morning (Sat 20 August).

West Mercia Police have just confirmed that a man in his 30s has been arrested and remains in police custody.

Many local people including Councillors, the former Hereford Mayor and West Mercia Police joined us at the Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group Vigil last night to stand in unity with victims of sexual assault.

West Mercia Police have confirmed that they arrested a 48 year old man on suspicion of attempted rape in connection with a reported sex attack on the riverside close to the river Wye in Hereford.

The alleged sexual assault happened between Hinton Road and King George V playing fields on the river path in Hereford on August 12 at around 10pm.

A 48-year-old man from Hereford has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, police said.

“He has been bailed with conditions pending further enquiries,"

Last night the Herefordshire Women’s Equality Group held a vigil pledging support to sexual assault victims on the riverside close to the Victoria Bridge.

Farmers working togther with the Fire Service

Meet ‘the league of extraordinary farmers’ who are helping firefighters protect homes, the countryside and food growing in fields. This is actually in Hertfordshire however, farmers across Herefordshire and our neighbouring counties have really gone that extra mile to assist Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Gloucestershire fire and rescue service, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Midlands Fire Service, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and MAWW Fire and Rescue Service Powys Community safety during the very hot and dry conditions so far this summer.

Fantastic people and emergency the services all working together in communities to protect lives and businesses.

We love to share so good news and positive stories!

Thank you to the NFU Online for sharing this inspiring video with us.

A motorcyclist has sadly died in a road traffic collision in Shropshire overnight.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received several 999 calls reporting a collision involving a motorcyclist and a lamppost on the A49 Shrewsbury Road in Craven Arms at 11.34pm (Wednesday). Two ambulances and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived on scene, they found an off-duty police officer and two off duty nurses performing CPR and using a defibrillator on a man who had come off his motorcycle.

“Crews quickly took over treatment but sadly, despite the best efforts of everyone at the scene, nothing could be done to save the man and he was confirmed dead a short time later.”

What's going to happen after Coronavirus

Where are we going when Coronavirus fades away and the government has run its course in keeping us at home.The sheer economic disaster coming and affecting everyone is already being discussed by some MPs. One remedy is to impose a one off wealth tax. The idea is that everyone – households and businesses, rich and poor – has to pay a sum equivalent to a chunk of their net assets. This would reverse taxation regimes across the world which tax income far more than the taxation of wealth.

Ed Conway, the economics editor at Sky News, writing in the Times, roughly calculates that a one-off 10 percent levy on all household net wealth in the UK would generate over £1 trillion ($1.24 trillion) of revenues. That would be enough to pay off all the costs of Covid-19. It would provide for the NHS for generations and reduce the national debt from wartime levels to something more like normality. 

The government reduction plans for local authority council funding on the basis that the shortfall can be made up with councils keeping the collection of business rates now looks a dead duck.

The desire to give us all an identity card accompanied with a vaccination certificate looks pretty certain. Get ready for all citizens to be given a free smartphone and be fined if not carried on one's person at all times to enable tracking at all times.

This quote says it all:

“The telephone was not his favorite object, and more than once he had considered getting rid of his. What he disliked most of all was its tyranny. Not only did it have the power to interrupt him against his will, but inevitably he would give in to its command.”
― Paul Auster, City of Glass