A ten-day festival of artist blacksmithing begins on 25 March, bringing an array of exciting events to Hereford City Centre. 

Created in partnership with Hereford City Life and Hereford College of Arts, Ferrous Festival showcases cutting edge work and ideas, with international exhibitions hosted alongside popular attractions. Visitors are encouraged explore the city centre and discover the world of forged metal. 

Must-see festival highlights include: 

{Queer} + {Metals}

This Craftspace exhibition is co-curated by Dauvit Alexander and Deirdre Figueiredo in collaboration with Rebekah Frank. It features artists including jeweller John Moore, jeweller and drag artist Fei He, knife maker Gilbert Hadden and metalsmith Theo Somerville-Scott, amongst others. 

Queer + Metals explores the multiplicity of queerness—whether as identity, lived experiences, thinking, cultures, aesthetic, influences, stories, place, and imagination—in relation to metalwork and metalsmithing.

Planet of the Blacksmiths 

For the first time, Japanese photographer, Jun Ishikura’s photographs of blacksmiths in their forges around the world will been shown in the UK. Jun travelled to many different places to create the incredible collection of work on show and it is fascinating to see the similarities and the differences in the way that the blacksmithing community work in the many different countries represented in Jun’s photographs. 

Live Forging 

Forging at Ferrous has once again captured the imagination of visitors, with tickets for the popular Have a Go Forgingevent selling out in advance. Visitors can watch as experienced Hereford Anvils blacksmiths guide novice makers through forging their own tree support at the Live Forging tent in High Town or visit the Old Market Shopping Centre to see demonstrations at The Nowhere Forge, a mobile blacksmithing workshop run by Simon Bushell. 

Ferrous Festival will officially open tomorrow morning at 8:30am with a ribbon cutting by the Mayor of Hereford, Cllr Paul Stevens. Live forging begins at 9:30am, with exhibitions opening between 10:00am and 11:00am.

Learn more at www.ferrousfestival.co.uk

Herefordshire Council’s museum service has launched a campaign to raise the funds necessary to ‘bring the hoard home to Herefordshire’.

The Herefordshire Hoard is a very significant treasure that experts believe may have been buried by the Viking Great Army over 1100 years ago. Discovered in a field near Leominster, it includes three items of gold jewellery, a silver ingot and 29 silver coins, including a number of rare ‘two emperor’ coins.

Organisers are applying to heritage and art funders, corporate bodies and other interested parties to help raise funding towards the £776,250 purchase price of the hoard. The aim is to raise most of the necessary funding through those professional bodies.

If successful, the hoard could be given a permanent new home in the redeveloped, council-run Hereford Museum and Art Gallery*. More details on the hoard can be found at herefordshirehoard.org.uk.

Hoard set to attract more visitors to Herefordshire

The hoard has a truly significant heritage and cultural value and acquiring it would enhance the county’s heritage status and the museum’s collections, which are held in trust for the people of Herefordshire. As well as being of interest to the county’s residents, the hoard is expected to attract significant numbers of visitors from across Britain and beyond. This will help stimulate the visitor economy and benefit local businesses. This has been the experience of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, which houses the Staffordshire Hoard.

Councillor Gemma Davies, cabinet member for commissioning, procurement and assets, says:

“The Herefordshire Hoard is part of the county’s history. The fact that some of the coins from different kingdoms share designs and features actually changes our understanding of the relationship between Wessex and Mercia at the time. The hoard would be an invaluable asset for Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, for the county as a whole and for anyone with the slightest interest in history. I really look forward to seeing it where it belongs, in Herefordshire.”

Jane Adams, chair of Herefordshire Museum Service Support Group (HMSSG), adds:

“It’s really important that this collection is on public display where it was found. For example, bringing the Herefordshire Hoard home will mean that all schoolchildren studying the Anglo-Saxon and Viking period will be able to examine evidence from our local region.”

Vikings to invade Hereford on Sunday 10 April!

HMSSG also hopes to raise £70,000 from the public towards the purchase of the hoard. People will be able to give cash donations during an event held between 10.30-3.30pm on Sunday 10 April at Hereford Rowing Club. This free, fun family day will feature a Viking village as well as a range of activities to suit all ages. The rowing club will be serving hot and cold snacks and drinks as visitors enjoy a flavour of life during Viking times.

Treasure hunters will be able to meet members of a metal detector club, who will offer advice on declaring valuable finds. Visitors will be invited to dress up in traditional Viking clothing and try their hand at everyday Viking crafts and enjoy displays of shield and combat skills. And experts will be on hand to explain the hoard and tell you about the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse invaders during the event.

Judy Stevenson, team leader at Herefordshire Museum Services, says:

“The stretch of River Wye alongside Hereford Rowing Club will provide a beautiful and appropriate backdrop to our Viking-themed family fun day.

“In many ways, we’re very fortunate because Viking culture seems to be more popular than ever, thanks to series like Vikings Valhalla and The Last Kingdom on Netflix. They have helped renew interest in Anglo-Saxon history. Among activities to suit all ages, we also have real experts providing some surprising details of our Viking invaders. Many people know the Vikings caused mayhem in small towns and villages over 1000 years ago. But there is much more to them than that, as our experts will reveal. We also have replicas of the Herefordshire Hoard on display so people will be able to get a sense of how skilful people were over 1000 years ago. The hoard is a really beautiful and surprising treasure.

“The event hopes to raise awareness of what life was like in 9th century England, before it was a united kingdom. We also hope those who can will make a small donation towards our campaign to bring the hoard home to Herefordshire.”

Friday 25th marked the official opening of the international Ferrous Festival of Artist Blacksmithing with a ceremonial ribbon cutting by the Right Worshipful, The Mayor of Hereford, Cllr Paul Stevens, accompanied by Cllr Sebastian Bowen, Chairman of Herefordshire Council. 

Ferrous 22 brings an abundance of exhibitions, talks and events to Hereford over 10 days, hosted in both established and pop-up spaces around the city centre. From international exhibitions, such as Sharing is Caring II, to live forging demonstrations, there is something for visitors of all ages. 

Now in its 3rd year, with previous festivals held in 2017 and 2019, Ferrous celebrates the craft of blacksmithing and Herefordshire’s own reputation for blacksmithing excellence. This popular festival welcomes visitors from near and far, through its offering of events and activities that allow everyone to discover the world of forged metal. 

“It gives me enormous pleasure and pride to declare the 3rd Ferrous Festival open. It is wonderful to see a world class event returning to Hereford and I encourage everyone to try to see it.” - Mayor of Hereford, Cllr Paul Stevens.

The Ferrous team invite you to explore the various exhibitions, demonstrations, talks and workshops that are available both over the main weekend and throughout the full 10 days of the festival, including a free walking trail on the LoyalFree app, designed to connect visitors with nature, as they uncover the various permanent metalwork sculptures on display around Hereford. 

Ferrous Festival is produced in partnership with Hereford City Life and Hereford College of Arts. 

😂 We Gotcha !! 🤣

Sshh 🤫 Don't tell anyone, we need to see how many fall for this one!

Humour | Our friend and local DJ Ian Davies posted this earlier and we thought it was hilarious and thought we would share it will our followers, certainly made us laugh!

Ian Davies wrote - "Only in Hereford, photo taken 23rd March 2022"

WOW! Our latest LIVE HD Camera today reached 50,000 unique visitors and this camera only went live last month!!

How is that for promoting Hereford!!

The view overlooking the Old Bridge looking beautiful this morning.

LIVE view captured at 07:50 today

Check out the Panoramic views of The Old Bridge and River Wye in Hereford with our 24/7 LIVE Stream, hosted by our good friends at The Left Bank Village

LIVE FEED https://hfd.news/i50

Hereford Voice are members of the Skyline network of high definition panoramic webcams scattered around the world with the sole goal of promoting tourism, art and culture!

Web | www.herefordlive.uk

Host | https://theleftbankvillage.co.uk

Follow us to keep up to date with all the latest news and events in Herefordshire

#HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #HerefordLIVE

Test your detective skills as the game opens at Hereford Cathedral starting 21 April 2022.

Exciting challenge for all ages

To celebrate National Lottery Open Week, Hereford Cathedral is excited to announce the launch of its new Escape Room; an immersive clue-cracking and decoding game, hosted in the Old Chapel in the Cloisters. Get a team together and book a session to test your skills this Easter!

It is 1890. You have been accused of embezzling money from the funds of the Vicars Choral. The police have been called and are on their way. You have been shut in the Old Chapel until the police arrive, and you have just one hour to work out who has committed the crime. If you can successfully convince your guard that you are innocent, you will be released before the police arrest you...Can you prove that you are innocent?

Jess Stallwood, Events Officer, is very pleased to launch the Escape Room and welcome visitors in to try out the game; “this is such an exciting thing to introduce to our current events programme! We believe this is a unique offering and one which the team here at Hereford Cathedral can be proud to own.”

The experience lasts one hour and is suitable for groups of up to six people. Each session costs £45. Booking is available on selected days throughout the year, so please keep an eye on the cathedral website for future dates across the year.

The first sessions are available to book on Thursday 21 & Saturday 23 April. For more information, please visit https://www.herefordcathedral.org/.../escape-room-april2022.

The Escape Room was developed as part of the Eastern Cloisters Project which was supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other donors. The Eastern Cloisters Project was a major project to renovate the buildings of the College of Vicars Choral, built in 1475, which are home to many of the cathedral staff as well as housing offices. The project was completed in 2021, and has enabled this beautiful and tranquil area to be opened up to the public for events and activities by creating a more accessible space, improving the facilities throughout, and offering new reception rooms for hire.

Hope Maintenance and its director, Garry Ridley, pleaded guilty to three charges at Hereford Magistrates court on 22 February 2022.

The company and director were ordered to pay a total of £318.00 in fines and costs.

The court heard that in June 2021, enforcement officers from Herefordshire Council investigated a report of fly-tipping on private land at Caplor Farm in Hereford, where Hope Maintenance is based. Officers found evidence of fly-tipping and carried out a full investigation. Garry Ridley was discovered to be promoting waste collection services on Hope Maintenance’s Facebook page. He admitted collecting waste from an address in Hereford for £25.00 in cash. He then dumped the waste in a field at Caplor Farm to save paying to dispose of the waste legally.

Hope Maintenance received a fine of £100.00, was ordered to pay costs of £100 and received a victim surcharge of £34.00. Garry Ridley was fined £50.00 and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £34.00.

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

“Although we are very disappointed with the low level of fines and costs awarded by the court, despite the evidence we provided, we are pleased this case was proven. We very much hope it will deter others from breaking the law by exploiting their own land to dispose of their waste.

“Unlawful waste disposal and fly-tipping costs council tax payers tens of thousands of pounds every year. Businesses do this to avoid the cost of disposing of their waste lawfully. All businesses must ensure appropriate measures are in place so the waste they produce is disposed of correctly. Businesses must also have documentation to show who they have transferred the waste to and keep those records for at least two years. Anyone found fly-tipping waste will be prosecuted.”

The maximum penalty for fly-tipping is a £50,000 fine and/or five years’ imprisonment.

The council’s community protection team regularly carries out spot checks on waste carriers. The team investigates unlawful waste disposal and fly-tipping cases reported via Herefordshire Council’s website or by calling 01432 261761.

Residents and businesses can visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling for information about responsible, legal waste disposal.

Bikers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are invited to attend a free 3.5 hour ‘Biker Down’ course next month, offering potentially life-saving skills.

The courses are available at:

• Wyre Forest Fire Station – Friday 8 April (10:00 to 13:30)
• Ross on Wye Fire Station – Friday 22 April (10:00 to 13:30)
• Worcester Fire Station – Friday 29 April (10:00 to 13:30)

The Biker Down course is 3.5 hours long, and each course is limited to 15-20 attendees.

Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

The first course will take place at Wyre Forest Fire Station and is being run by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

🔸Places must be booked in advance.

Full details will be provided to course attendees once their place is confirmed.

The Biker Down course is being delivered in partnership with a number of organisations who all have a vested interest in reducing motorcycle-related casualties and reducing the severity of injuries sustained, including: Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police, IAM RoadSmart and Midlands Air Ambulance Charity

Designed for motorcyclists of all ages and abilities, Biker Down is a free course which offers bikers the chance to benefit from essential first-aid training and advice on what to do should they find themselves first at the scene of a collision where a motorcyclist is injured, as well as learning practical skills to help avoid being involved in a collision.

The course is made up of three modules: Collision scene management, basic first aid and casualty care (including CPR and helmet removal) and ‘The science of being seen’ – advice on visibility and positioning.

Biker Down is a national course which originated in Kent, and has already been adopted by numerous other areas across the UK including Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Dyfed Powys and West Midlands.

To book a place on one of these courses, please email dying2drive@hwfire.org.uk with your details (name, email address, contact telephone number, preferred course date / time) as soon as possible.

At just after 07:00 this morning Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews from Leominster Fire Station were called to reports of a high voltage cable arcing and giving off flames. The firefighters ensured scene safety, liaised with Western Power Distribution and assisted with access.

Power supply to surrounding properties affected.

Western Power Distribution told Hereford Voice that 86 homes in the HR6 8PR, HR6 8PP, HR6 8HW, HR6 8HP, and HR6 8HL postcodes are without power this morning due to a high voltage incident.

Power is expected to be restored by 12:00noon today.

HWFRS Leominster

We reported on the incident that involved emergency services closing the roads while they dealt with the casualty, which happened on the junction of union Street and Gaol Street just after 17:00 in our article here 👉 https://hfd.news/gb8

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service told Hereford Voice

"West Midlands Ambulance Service were called out at 17.07 to the junction of Union Street and Gaol Street, Hereford to reports of a low speed RTC involving a car and a pedestrian. Crews treated one woman on scene, the pedestrian, who had sustained a potentially serious injury before she was conveyed to Hereford County Hospital"

Wren Kitchens have now moved into the unit formally occupied by Harveys on the Newtown Road Retail Park (next to Curry's) and Hereford Voice were today given a sneak preview.

Wren staff are taking booking and leads ready for when the store opens next Friday morning at 09:00.

New store opening hours;

Monday - Friday 09:00-20:00

Saturdays 09:00 - 18:00

Sundays 10:30 - 17:00 (10:30 - 11:00 viewing only)

Web | https://www.wrenkitchens.com

Councillor defers decision in light of public opinion 

Following a public meeting last week, where Councillor John Harrington listened to the concerns of the community, a decision to introduce car parking charges in Kington has been deferred until a full transport study can be undertaken to understand the issues raised in detail.

The introduction of charges for off-street parking in the town had been proposed as the council considers how it can best meet the needs of residents and promote other ways of travel. It is important that the limited number of parking spaces in any town centre is correctly managed to enable visitors to find a parking space easily and conveniently when they arrive.

The transport study will align with the emerging scoping work set out in the Market Town Investment Plan for Kington, which is due to be considered by Cabinet on 24 March, and identify solutions to address the concerns raised around the parking.

The town council has been invited to review the transport study brief to ensure that it addresses their concerns before it is progressed. The study, which will include further consultation with the town council and local stakeholders, is anticipated to be completed over the summer.

Cllr John Harrington, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said:

“I’m grateful to the town council for arranging a public meeting last week as it was important to fully understand the detail behind the concerns expressed by those who may be affected by the proposed decision.

“I have reflected on the meeting and the issues raised and have agreed to defer the decision on the implementation of parking charges until the challenges and concerns raised by the community can be fully considered.

“By working with the community to align the transport study with the Kington Market Town Investment Plan I’m optimistic we will reach a solution that will help deliver economic benefits.”

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews supported their colleagues from Northfield Fire Station at a very large fire at Kevs Cars and Coaches Ltd in Birmingham Road, Lydiate Ash in Bromsgrove North Worcestershire during the early hours.

📸 WMFS Northfield 

A body located in the River Wye in Netherton, and recovered by officers searching for a missing woman from Hereford, has been formally identified.

Sadly, the body found yesterday morning (Thursday 10 March) has been confirmed to be Janet Edwards.

Janet was reported missing late last year and her next of kin have been informed.

Detective Chief Inspector Emma Whitworth said: "We know there has been a huge amount of hope in finding Janet safe and well, and we are deeply saddened by this outcome.

"I would like to express my thanks to the community for all of their support with our search for Janet over the past three months.

"Our thoughts go out to Janet's family and friends as this very difficult time."

Janet’s family have asked that their privacy is respected at this time.

Emergency services were called to the scene at Netherton in Herefordshire just after 10am this morning.

Later West Midlands Ambuland Service confirmed the body of a person had been found in the River Wye today.

A spokesperson for the West Midlands Ambulance Service told Hereford Voice

“We were called by the fire service at 10.41am this morning following reports of a person in the River Wye near Backney Bridge, Ross on Wye. An ambulance, paramedic officer, community first responder and HART paramedics attended. Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the person and they were confirmed deceased on scene.”

Independent candidate Claire Davies has been elected District Councillor for the Bromyard West Ward in the election that took place on Thursday March 10.

The verified and declared results of the Bromyard West election were :

Claire Davies, Independent 315

Nick Ferguson, Independent 152

Mark Franklin, Local Conservatives 100

Verified voter turnout for the election was 23.49%

Full results can be found on the Herefordshire Council election results page HERE

I was coming into the Council Offices this morning listening to the news from Ukraine, reflecting on the statements being made nationally and wondering what response was appropriate from us in the Council.

We have real connections with Ukraine.

For many years Herefordshire has relied upon workers from Eastern Europe, Ukraine included, to work here. Some have stayed and are bringing up their families here. Many of us travel internationally and might have visited Ukraine. We have a strong global presence in the security industry and there are workers from Herefordshire in Ukraine providing services.

Given the seriousness of war breaking out in Europe today for the first time in over 80 years It is appropriate for me, on behalf of the Council, to send a message of solidarity and sympathy to all democratically elected representatives of the government and of councils across Ukraine and to the people of Ukraine whom they all serve and represent.

The fabric and freedom of their society is under threat and our support, thoughts and prayers are with them all at this difficult and distressing time.

On behalf of the Council I want to reach out to Ukrainians living in our County. Our thoughts are with you and our residents who have friends and family in the region. If we are able to support you, please let us know.

#HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #Herefordshire