Ian Rivers and rowsentinel is about to make history, he is arriving anytime in the Isles of Scilly

The land crew are now on St Mary’s Island awaiting Ian's imminent arrival (and Captain Paddles too of course! )

Former SAS soldier Ian has rowed 3400 miles solo from NY to the Isles of Scilly without GPS!

What a fabulous adventure, full of twists and turns and some terrifying force 10 storms too but you're almost home now Ian, we've been following you all the way, it's almost time to get the flags out!

More details - https://rowsentinel.com/

📸 rowsentinel

Former SAS Soldier Ian Rivers has successfully rowed over 3,400 miles solo across the Atlantic Ocean without a GPS! He left New York 85 days ago to begin his voyage to the Isles of Scilly.

We have followed Ian and Sentinel from the beginning and wow what a journey it has been!

A fabulous adventure, full of twists and turns and some terrifying force 10 storms too, Ian is not only a brave man he is clearly very determined and has completed his task, making history today!

Massive congratulations to Ian and the team at rowsentinel from all of us at Hereford Voice, it has been a privilege to have been able to follow you on such a thrilling and exciting voyage. You have truly achieved something incredible today and raised so much money for your charities, the SAS Association's charity and St Michael's Hospice - Hereford, thank you and congratulations!

We hope that you have enough strength left in your arms to raise a well deserved glass or two tonight

#HerefordVoice | #PositiveHereford | #Hereford

The popular Home Bargains store on Holmer Road is extending to almost double its current size into the unit next door, formally occupied by Bensons for Beds.

Home Bargains have confirmed to Hereford Voice that they will be closing their Hereford store on Christmas Eve in order to complete the expansion work before re-opening the newly refurbished extended store in Early 2022, which is likely to create additional employment, which is welcome news for Hereford.

A WELCOME AWAITS….

The land crew are now on St Mary’s Island awaiting Ian’s arrival (and Captain Paddles too of course! 🐻) Ian and rowsentinel are less than 40 miles away so he may decide to keep going and arrive tonight! Ian will be the first person to row across the Atlantic Ocean solo and without GPS from New York to the Isles of Scilly.

ℹ️ Former SAS soldier Ian is rowing 3400 miles solo from NY to the Isles of Scilly without GPS! He hopes to raise £500,000 for his charities, the SAS Association's charity and St Michael's Hospice - Hereford, more details ➡ rowsentinel.com

What a fabulous adventure, full of twists and turns and some terrifying force 10 storms too but you're almost home now Ian, we've been following you all the way, it's nearly time to get the flags out! 🇬🇧 👏

📸 rowsentinel

Ian, sentinel and Captain Paddles are just 60 miles away from the Isles of Scilly.

Ian may get his first glimpse of land for more than 80 days later today as he approaches the Bishop’s Rock Lighthouse.

Former SAS soldier Ian is rowing 3400 miles solo from NY to the Isles of Scilly without GPS! He hopes to raise £500,000 for his charities, the SAS Association's charity and St Michael's Hospice - Hereford more details rowsentinel.com

What a fabulous adventure, full of twists and turns and some terrifying force 10 storms too but you're almost home now Ian, we've been following you all the way, time to get the flags out!

He is 300 miles from Bishop’s Rock lighthouse, his finishing line and he will be able to see it from 20 miles away

What a fabulous adventure, full of twists and turns and some terrifying force 10 storms too but you're almost home now Ian, we've been following you all the way, you've got this!

Follow Ian's journey and donate here https://rowsentinel.com

If McDonald's get the go-ahead a new drive-thru would be located close to where the A449 meets the A40 in Ross on Wye, Herefordshire.

A man has been jailed for the murder of Neil Parkinson, who was found dead in Cotheridge in Worcestershire last December.

Neil, who was 66, from Clifton-Upon-Teme was leaving his partner’s property in Cotheridge on Saturday 12 December when it is believed he was attacked at the end of the driveway. He and his vehicle were driven to a layby on the Ankerdine Road and set alight. 

On Monday (16 August 2021), Mark Chilman, 52, from Pencombe in Bromyard, was given a mandatory life sentence with a minimum of 22 years after a jury found him guilty of murder.

Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Dean Jones, from West Mercia Police’s Major Investigation Unit, said: “I’m pleased that a significant sentence has been handed to Chilman for the brutal murder of Neil Parkinson.

“Chilman committed a senseless act that ended Neil’s life prematurely, and he will now serve a considerable sentence in prison where he cannot cause further harm to the wider public.

“Neil Parkinson’s family have understandably been left devastated, Neil was simply leaving his partners home to return home to take care of his elderly mother when he was tragically killed in a senseless attack and my thoughts and condolences remain with them.”

Neil’s family have paid tribute to him: 

“Neil was a loving, caring, happy person who enjoyed life to the full; his infectious personality will be missed by all of his family and friends in our local community and further afield that he had met throughout his life.

“We would like to express our thanks to all parties involved in bringing the evil, calculated individual to justice that took Neil from us. This includes the Police force members that have been involved from the tragic start, throughout court and continue to support us at this heart-breaking time. We would also like to express our gratitude to the courts and jury members that have heard the case.”

Neil’s family continued: “As a family it’s been a very difficult eight months and our lives have been changed forever. The result from court today means we can have some peace now that the individual responsible for Neil’s death will spend time within the prison system away from society. We take a small amount of comfort that at least he cannot cause harm and the grief to anyone else, like he did to Neil and our family. We hope that during his time in prison he reflects and regrets his actions.

“Neil will be sorely missed by all his family and the memories of him as a loving father, grandfather, brother and son and will be remembered dearly for all the happy times.”

Read the Herefordshire Council statement in response to the publication of an Ofsted letter following a recent planned visit of our children's services department

Ofsted has published their letter this week following a planned visit of our children’s services on 7 July 2021, in line with the inspection of local authority children’s services (ILACS) framework.

During the recent visit inspectors reviewed our arrangements for children in need and children subject to a child protection plan.  They looked at a wide range of evidence, including interviews with staff, discussions with senior leaders and case discussions with social workers and team managers.  They also looked at our performance management and quality assurance information and children’s case records.

Ofsted identified three areas for priority action:

• Address inconsistent and variable social work practice to ensure that children are the focus of assessments, planning and interventions.
• The frequency and effectiveness of case supervision and the monitoring of children who are subject to child in need and child protection planning.
• Shortfalls in case-holding capacity for social workers, including newly qualified social workers, to allow them to respond effectively to children in need of help and protection.

Inspectors recognised the significant changes recently made to the senior leadership for children’s services and stated the following:
 

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“The new leadership team in place since March 2021 has completed a comprehensive critical evaluation of practice across the service.  This team has begun to understand the challenges that need to be resolved in order to improve practice; they have accurately identified the necessary priorities for improvement.  An improvement plan has been developed that appropriately addresses the concerns.  This has corporate backing, including a financial commitment to support the improvement plan.”

Councillor Diana Toynbee, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting and Catherine Knowles, Director for Children and Families, shared:

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“We welcome the findings of the report, Ofsted’s priority actions reflect those identified by the new leadership team.  It was reassuring that Ofsted confirmed we knew ourselves well and recognised that our areas to improve have already been agreed through our newly formed, multi-agency, Children and Families Improvement Board.

“Our Children’s Improvement Plan forms the basis of the long-term vision and changes to Herefordshire’s children’s services.  The delivery of this plan is monitored through the Improvement Board that is independently chaired by Gladys Rhodes-White, Department for Education Advisor, to ensure that real and sustainable improvements are made.  This partnership approach will help to ensure that children are at the heart of everything we do and we support and help children, young people, and their families at the right time, in the right way.

“We are fortunate to have passionate and dedicated staff, managers, members, partners, foster carers and the children and young people themselves and we will continue to work together to achieve a Good Ofsted rating, but we recognise that this will take time.” 

You can view the full Ofsted report for the 7 July 2021 visit here. - We have also attached the pdf below

If anyone has concerns about the way they, or someone they know, have been treated by Herefordshire Children’s Social Care services, you can contact us at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/careconcerns or email CareConcerns@herefordshire.gov.uk

Herefordshire_Focused_visit_of_local_authority_childrens_services_July21.pdf

Over the next few weeks, you may notice some bin collections are later than normal

This is due to staff shortages.

Herefordshire Council are working hard to make collections, so please only report a missed bin if it has not been collected by 5pm - before this time, a crew may still be on their way to you.

The Council are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Landline phones will be axed by 2025: Digital switchover leads to fears elderly and vulnerable will struggle to cope if they're forced to rely on mobile technology

* Millions of customers will be pushed online for first time or must rely on mobile 

* Upgrade will impact services that rely on the existing telephone network like alarms, phones in lifts, payment terminals and red telephone boxes

* Concerns over older and vulnerable households which are not online, do not use a mobile phone or live in a rural area with poor connectivity being left behind

* Around 6 per cent of homes– roughly 1.5 million – do not have internet access

Is this going to affect you and your relatives? Technology taking over humanity. I have a smart phone but hardly use it. Still use the old style flip phone no problems. The internet is getting to be a joke with the sites' cookies wanting to collect all your data to sell on to third parties. The dictatorship wanting to track you 24 hours and social interaction a thing of the past - just do as your told or else. 

Ian and rowsentinel have been at sea for 77 days so he hasn’t seen land for 75 days since he left New York

He is 300 miles from Bishop’s Rock lighthouse, his finishing line and he will be able to see it from 20 miles away

What a fabulous adventure, full of twists and turns and some terrifying force 10 storms too but you're almost home now Ian, we've been following you all the way, you've got this!

Follow Ian's journey and donate here https://rowsentinel.com

Positive Hereford | The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) have been awarded a grant of £3000 from Hereford City Council which will go towards funding new lawnmowing equipment.

This will help the College maintain their grounds for the benefit of RNC students and guide dogs.

Full details can be found HERE

A man who drove whilst drunk and skipped a red light which led to a collision that seriously injured two people last year has been jailed for his reckless actions.

Loic Freeman, aged 26 and of Bullinghope in Hereford, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday, Thursday 12 August, where he was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He was sentenced to three years and nine months reduced to two years and six months to allow for his guilty plea for the first offence, with the same sentence being given concurrently for the second offence reduced to 20 months in recognition of his guilty plea.

He was also sentenced to an extended period of disqualification from driving of 15 months with a further period of three and a half years to run on his release from prison.

Officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary's Roads Policing Unit attended the collision on Halfpenny Bridge in Lechlade at the end of May last year shortly before 10pm which involved Freeman, another vehicle and members of the public who were watching the NASA launch of the SpaceX rocket.

Upon attendance it was found that Freeman's car, an Audi A5, had collided with a Mercedes-Benz which was travelling along a narrow bridge operated by traffic lights.

Freeman had driven through a red light when the vehicle he was driving collided with the Mercedes, it caused the car to spin, mount the pavement and collide with a wall.

A group of four pedestrians were in the area at the time with one woman, 47-year-old Nadine Wood from Lechlade, being pinned between the Audi and a wall which caused serious injuries.

She was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford by air ambulance and was later treated for fractures to her right leg and pelvis, both of which were life changing.

As a result of the collision she now has multiple metal plates in her pelvis and blood clots within her lungs. She is still suffering from her injuries more than a year after the collision and has reduced mobility.

The front seat passenger of the Mercedes, a man in his 40s from Swindon who does not wish to be named due to still coming to terms with what happened, suffered life changing injuries to his abdomen. He was taken to Great Western Hospital in Swindon where he received an operation to fit a stoma and nearly died twice. 

He too is still suffering from his injuries and like Nadine Wood has had several operations as part of his on-going treatment and care.

Freeman walked away from the scene leaving the pedestrian, Nadine Wood, trapped between his car and the side of the bridge screaming in agony, and when officers attended his whereabouts were unknown.

There were a large number of members of the public and emergency service workers who were able to assist officers in locating Freeman, who was found nearby.

He was detained by officers from Wiltshire Police, who noted that he smelt strongly of alcohol when he admitted to driving the car at the time of the collision. Officers required Freeman to provide a sample of breath and conducted the roadside breathalyser procedure, with a reading of 127; this being nearly four times the drink drive limit.

He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle whilst over the prescribed alcohol limit and causing serious injury by dangerous driving before being charged with two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving earlier this year.

Gloucestershire Constabulary has now released dashcam footage of the collision, with permission from the victims, which shows the recklessness of Freeman's actions and the impact it had on those who were in the area at the time.PC Tim Griffiths said:

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"Freeman showed no remorse for his actions that night, and both of his victims sustained life changing injuries, in particular the

front seat passenger of the Mercedes who was extremely lucky to survive the collision as he was resuscitated twice whilst being operated on.

"In interview Freeman provided a written statement in which he said that he didn’t realise that he was over the limit and didn't feel intoxicated, and wouldn't have driven if he had, yet nearly three hours after the collision he provided an evidential sample at the Constabulary's custody suite which was still nearly three times the drink drive limit.

"The dashcam footage that we have issued, which although distressing, shows just how serious the consequences of drink driving can be and I hope that others will remember this story when considering if they are safe to drive after drinking.

"Nobody made him drive, he made the decision to get behind the wheel of his car of his own free will, to drive through the red light without regard for anyone else that night and both victims are living with that selfish act and will probably continue to do so for many years to come."

 

Dashcam footage from the Mercedes Benz which was involved and shows the collision can be found here ➡️ https://we.tl/t-fZKjt37lac (warning, footage shows point of impact of both vehicles)

A man has been found guilty of the murder of Neil Parkinson, who was found dead in Cotheridge in Worcestershire last December.

Neil, who was 66, from Clifton-Upon-Teme was leaving his partner’s property in Cotheridge on Saturday 12 December when it is believed he was attacked at the end of the driveway. He and his vehicle were driven to a layby on the Ankerdine Road and set alight. 

Earlier today (Thursday 12 August), Mark Chilman, 52, from Pencombe, in Bromyard, was found guilty of murder by jury.

Mark Chilman 

He will be sentenced on Monday 16 August at Worcester Crown Court.Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Dean Jones, from West Mercia Police’s Major Investigation Unit, said:

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“I’m pleased that Chilman has been found guilty for the brutal murder of Neil Parkinson.

“Chilman committed a senseless act that ended Neil’s life prematurely, and he will be sentenced on Monday.

“Neil Parkinson’s family have understandably been left devastated, Neil was simply leaving his partners home to return home to take care of his elderly mother when he was tragically killed in a senseless attack and my thoughts and condolences remain with them.”

 

After discussions with the Ward Councillor, who has been in discussion with parish council, residents and local businesses, the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport has asked that the works planned along the B4224 at Fownhope village and Fiddlers Green, which were due to commence on 23rd August 2021 are postponed to later in Autumn, therefore the B4224 will NOT be closed during this period.

Photograph courtesy of Google Maps

We had planned to deliver these works during the school summer holiday to minimise disruption to commuters and school traffic, but in response to concerns over the impact on local tourism and leisure, particularly following the full easing of COVID restrictions, these works will now be delivered during Autumn – the exact dates to be confirmed in the next couple of weeks.

Initial analysis from the Knife Angel Hereford team shows that at least 102,000 people visited the statue during its recent visit to the city.

Photograph courtesy Jon Simpson

In addition, more than 700 school children took part in associated workshops to learn about and discuss issues related to violent crime. A further 30 free to attend events were organised for the general public, including sessions about coping with stress after lockdown and bereavement workshops. The Herefordshire Walking Festival even included a visit to the Knife Angel along two of its routes!

During its four week stay, the Knife Angel became a focal point for visitors to the city. Nearly 200 volunteers were recruited to provide advice and information. These included Samaritans and Vennture team members who were available to offer additional support for those who needed it.

Thousands of photographs were taken of the Angel, including stunning shots from the official photographer, Jon Simpson.

The Knife Angel was free to visit, but nearly £11,000 was donated on site by members of the public. Thanks to their generosity and to grant awards from West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, West Mercia Police, The National Lottery Community Fund, High Sheriffs of Herefordshire (2020/1 & 2021/2), Eveson CharitableTrust, Community Safety Partnership and the Clocktower Foundation, the Knife Angel team has gathered a legacy fund of more than £30,000 to continue with its work to raise awareness of the devastating impact of violent crime.

The Knife Angel’s visit to Hereford was organised over 18 months by a core team, led by Alison Davies and Meryl Cain. Alison, who lost her own son to knife crime in 2018, says:

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“We are thrilled by Hereford’s response to the Knife Angel and would like to thank everyone who supported us, volunteered, or visited the statue.

Many visitors were visibly moved and deeply affected by this stunning work. It certainly helped to stimulate debate and discussion around the subject of violent crime of all sorts and how we can prevent it. That can only be a good thing, and we are now planning how we can continue the debate into the future.”

 

More than 350 knives and two guns were surrendered to the two Knife Angel amnesty boxes (one located at the Knife Angel site at Hereford Cathedral, the other at Hinton Community Centre). These will now be melted down to produce a commemorative sculpture for the city.

The Knife Angel left Hereford in the early hours of 12 July. It is currently at its home base in The British Ironworks in Oswestry, awaiting its next public appearance in Chelmsford, Essex in the September.

Partner organisations

We are very grateful for the support of the following organisations:

John Campion West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, West Mercia Police, The British Ironwork Centre, The Chapter of Hereford Cathedral, Hereford Diocese, Herefordshire Council, The Herefordshire Community Foundation, The Clocktower Foundation, Herefordshire Business Board, Golden Valley Web Design, Herefordshire High Sheriffs (20/21, 21/22), Eat Sleep Live Herefordshire, Hereford Voice, Signs & Labels Hereford, Safeguard Medical, The Green Dragon Hotel, Wyvern Flooring, Tudor Building Supplies, Hereford Rotary, Herefordshire Lieutenancy, The Beaumont Trust, West Mercia Youth Justice Service, Gabbs Solicitors, Your Herefordshire, Hereford College of Art, Herefordshire & Ludlow

College, No Wrong Door/HVOSS, BBO/HVOSS, Close House, The Samaritans, Vennture, Hereford City Youth Council

The National Monument Against Violence & Aggression - The Knife Angel

The Knife Angel is a stunning 27ft tall, 3.5-ton sculpture of an angel made out of 100,000 confiscated knives received from 43 Police Forces across the UK. Originating from The British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry and created by sculptor Alfie Bradley, it took two years to construct.

Prior to lockdown, the Angel toured around the UK and has become a national monument against violence and aggression in all its forms.

Ian and rowsentinel have endured a terrible 48 hours but they’re still going. Ian has no power on board and just one channel of communication left. It’s a very difficult situation but he can row, he’s going in the right direction and he can use a compass to navigate.

Food stash!

Then, like a gift from the Gods, he found a stash of food he’d forgotten about Beef jerky, nuts and dried fruit and hot chocolate. He’s so chuffed, it made a huge difference to his morale at the toughest of times. rowsentinel now need your help…

We’d love to get the charity total past £100,000 to give Ian a massive push in these really difficult days. Please spread the word about the huge effort that this former #specialforces soldier is making.

Donations for St Michael's Hospice - Hereford and the Special Air Service Regimental Association https://hfd.news/guy

#HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #SASRegiment