Monday, June 21 - today the UK will enjoy 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight.

The sun will rise at 4.52am and set at 9.26pm

During the celestial annual journey of the Earth round the Sun, the Summer Solstice is the moment when the Sun is at its furthermost point north of the Equator.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the 2021 Summer Solstice is on 21 June, at 03:32 GMT.

What is a solstice and why does it happen?

The Summer Solstice takes place when one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt towards the sun, offering the longest period of daylight. In the Northern Hemisphere, that is when the North Pole is tilted towards the sun. 

In winter we tilt further away from the sun, and the winter solstice takes place when the North Pole is tilting its furthest away. The shortest day of the year will be December 21.

Dates for equinoxes and solstices in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are the same, but in opposite seasons. For example, the Summer Solstice north of the Equator is mirrored south of the Equator by the Winter Solstice.

Find below precise solstice and equinox dates and times for the Northern Hemisphere, for 2021.

• Date & Time of Solstices & Equinoxes in 2021
• Vernal Equinox (Spring) March 20 2021 09:37 GMT
• Summer Solstice (Summer) June 21 2021 03:32 GMT
• Autumnal Equinox (Fall) September 22 2021 19:21 GMT
• Winter Solstice (Winter) December 21 2021 15:59 GMT

Regrettably there will be no formal Armed Forces Day events in Herefordshire on Saturday 26 June 2021

However, as is usual for the Monday of the week before Armed Forces Day, Flag Raising events have been held. The formal County event was held this morning at the Cathedral and a Flag was raised at Wye Valley Trust Hospital. Here is a photo of the flag raising at the hospital. Flags were also raised in the market towns.

In Herefordshire we continue to be proud of and to honour all those who serve in our military, those who have previously served and all their families. Not only do our military protect us they have also been invaluable during these unprecedented times. 

More pictures can be seen on https://www.facebook.com/HerefordshireAFD

Recycling Reminders

waste_collection_guide.pdf

Below is a photograph of what 400 tyres looks like.

This week Llangattock litter pickers were alerted to fly tipping of more than 5 times what's is in this photo.

Over 2,000 lorry and car tyres were dumped in a quarry in the Brecon Beacons. The group are leading on and working with the landowner and other organisations to bring about their removal. 

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the C1081 - Gorsty Corner to Lower Green, Bearwood in Herefordshire 

Hereford Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the C1091 - Venmore Lane, Dilwyn in Herefordshire.

Cyclists on Footpaths!

Should cyclists be allowed on footpaths?

I ask the question because this morning I was walking along Belmont Avenue and a chap on a bike knocked into me from behind and almost knocked me to the floor as he came speeding past me on along the footpath on his bike. He turned around and shouted sorry pal but to be honest it not only startled me but I will probably have a bruise on my arm. I could have easily lost my balance and fallen into the road.

I thought riding a bicycle on a footpath was illegal? I appreciate that some people do not like riding on the roads and most of the councils in the country are implementing cycle lanes where they can but if the roads are narrow in the first place it makes it very difficult. I always remeber growing up that the police would tell you to get off your bike and walk on footpaths but that does not appear to happen anymore.

I have just seen this article on Sky news

News | Pleasance & Harper Jewellers & Watch Specialists had a stunning swarm of bees arrive at their store today

They called out our dear friend Laura from Hey, Honey to see the most beautiful bee swarm hanging from one of their baskets outside the shop.

Please be aware that there are still bees in the area (scout bees returning looking for their Queen) so if you are allergic to bee stings best to avoid the immediate area.

Hey, Honey have now rehomed them in one of their hives on the The Green Dragon Hotel roof but there will still be some stragglers about for a while so people please take care.

#HerefordVoice #HerefordNews #Hereford

If you travel just a little further out of the City you can find some stunning Countryside with spectacular views.
Two of our families favorite places to visit are in the Brecon Beacons national park.
Llyn y Fan Fach & Fawr in the Black Mountains & the four falls walk ,Ystradfelte.

Today we welcome the awesome thought-provoking Knife Angel Statue to Hereford Cathedral and it looks fantastic!

Hereford Voice is so proud to have been able to promote and support the Knife Angel Hereford project for many months leading up to the arrival of the statue in Hereford today and wish Alison Davies, Meryl Cain and the whole team behind this fabulous event a very successful month ahead.

Hereford Voice have drawn up a complete and comprehensive list of interactive medical workshops and creative activities, venues, dates and times etc https://hfd.news/em9

Donate to support Knife Angel Hereford https://hfd.news/u4c

Meryl Cain, Alison Davies and Colin James from Hereford Voice 

We have no words for this superb set of photographs of the fabulous Knife Angel Hereford they are just breathtaking! 👏👏👏

Thank you to our friend and fellow official 'Working Partner' and official Knife Angel Hereford photographerJon Simpson for sending in these wonderful images captured brilliantly against Hereford's night sky.

The rainbow flag will be flown outside Herefordshire Council buildings and offices to recognise Pride month, a festival of celebration and recognition of the role played by the LGBT community. You will see these flags appearing later on the Town Hall, Plough Lane Offices and Hereford Library and Museum

A large group of children from St Thomas Cantilupe Primary School visited the thought-provoking Knife Angel Hereford statue at Hereford Cathedral, a quote on the schools Twitter page simple read;

Quote

 'An experience to remember'

A planning application to build a three storey apartment building on the site of the former Sportsman Public House Land off Widemarsh Common have been submitted by Reservoir Homes Ltd.

Planning Application P211931/F

Quote

Proposed three storey apartment building to provide six residential apartments along with associate infrastructure including cycle store, bin store, parking and access, the creation of passing bays, landscaping, the provision of amenity space, and green infrastructure.

A previous planning application which was eventually withdrawn by Reservoir Homes Ltd was submitted back in 2018 that we reported on here

After 18 months of preparation and anticipation, the Knife Angel will finally be arriving at Hereford Cathedral later today!

Hereford Voice is so proud to have been able to promote and support the Knife Angel Hereford project for many months leading up to the arrival of the statue in Hereford later today and wish Alison Davies, Meryl Cain and the whole team behind this fabulous event a very successful month ahead.

Knife Angel - Also known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, this magnificent 27ft statue built from 100,000 confiscated knives and blades and will be on display at the Cathedral between Monday 14 June - 12 July.

Events | The Knife Angel team has been able to organise an exciting range of free-to-attend events to accompany the Knife Angel’s visit and in order to stimulate discussion on the devastating impact violence has on all our lives.

These include:

A full day virtual conference, entitled ‘Knife Angel Hereford: Crime in 2021 – From Knowledge to Practice’ (see: etc https://hfd.news/em9 for further information and bookings)

A comprehensive selection of workshops to be held in locations throughout Hereford City from 21 June to 11 July.

Subjects range from ‘Managing post-lockdown stress’ to interactive medical workshops and creative activities.

Further details of these free-to-attend events and booking information can be viewed on the Knife Angel’s website: https://bit.ly/3vSI9in

Hereford Voice have drawn up a complete and comprehensive list of venues, dates and times etc https://hfd.news/em9

Two walks (22nd and 27th June), arranged as part of the Herefordshire Walking Festival, which include the Knife Angel as part of their route (see: https://www.herefordshirewalkingfestival.co.uk/our-walks for further information).

A weapons amnesty, approved by West Mercia Police, where knives, blades and other weapons can be safely disposed.

The team responsible for bringing the Knife Angel to Hereford is headed by Alison Davies, who lost her son, Mark, to knife crime in 2018, and Meryl Cain.

Alison Davies comments:

Quote

“After more than 18 months of planning, we are delighted that the Knife Angel will arrive in Hereford. We encourage everyone to come and see this magnificent statue and to get involved in the events we have organised.

“The statue is incredibly moving to see and we are hoping that it will stimulate debate and discussion around the subject of violent crime and how to prevent it.

Even after the Angel has left us, we are hoping to continue with a programme of legacy events, so that important messages regarding the futility of violent crime are continued into the future.

“We are truly grateful for all the support that we have received from our partners, sponsors and volunteers.”

The Knife Angel will be located outside the cathedral and will be free to visit with no need for visitors to book in advance.

Relevant precautions, including a one-way system around the Knife Angel and volunteer stewarding teams, will be in place during the day to help welcome and guide visitors.

For further information about the Knife Angel’s visit to Hereford, please visit the website https://knifeangelhereford.co.uk/.

Donate to support Knife Angel Hereford 👉 https://hfd.news/u4c

#EmbraceHereford and please make time to visit this thought-provoking 'Knife Angel' statue.

Two perfectly photographed Damselflies mating from our Hereford Voice Studio member Paul Lloyd 

After 18 months of preparation and anticipation, the Knife Angel will finally be arriving at Hereford Cathedral tomorrow!

Hereford Voice is so proud to have been able to promote and support the Knife Angel Hereford project for many months leading up to the arrival of the statue in Hereford tomorrow and wish Alison Davies, Meryl Cain and the whole team behind this fabulous event a very successful month ahead.

Our good friend Jon Simpson is the Knife Angel Hereford official photographer and our long friendship spans back many years, Jon will be providing us with some 'exclusive' photographs which we will publish over the coming days.

'Knife Angel'

Also known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, this magnificent 27ft statue built from 100,000 confiscated knives and blades and will be on display at the Cathedral between Monday 14 June - 12 July.

Thanks to generous grant awards from West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, West Mercia Police, The National Lottery Community Fund, The High Sheriff of Herefordshire (2020/1 & 2021/2), Eveson CharitableTrust, Community Safety Partnership and the Clocktower Foundation, the Knife Angel team has been able to organise an exciting range of free-to-attend events to accompany the Knife Angel’s visit and in order to stimulate discussion on the devastating impact violence has on all our lives.

These include:

A full day virtual conference, entitled ‘Knife Angel Hereford: Crime in 2021 – From Knowledge to Practice’ (see: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../knife-angel-hereford... for further information and bookings)

A comprehensive selection of workshops to be held in locations throughout Hereford City from 21 June to 11 July.

Subjects range from ‘Managing post-lockdown stress’ to interactive medical workshops and creative activities.

Further details of these free-to-attend events and booking information can be viewed on the Knife Angel’s website: https://bit.ly/3vSI9in

Hereford Voice have drawn up a complete and comprehensive list of venues, dates and times etc https://hfd.news/em9

Two walks (22nd and 27th June), arranged as part of the Herefordshire Walking Festival, which include the Knife Angel as part of their route (see: https://www.herefordshirewalkingfestival.co.uk/our-walks for further information).

A weapons amnesty, approved by West Mercia Police, where knives, blades and other weapons can be safely disposed.

The team responsible for bringing the Knife Angel to Hereford is headed by Alison Davies, who lost her son, Mark, to knife crime in 2018, and Meryl Cain.

Alison Davies comments:

Quote

 

“After more than 18 months of planning, we are delighted that the Knife Angel will arrive in Hereford. We encourage everyone to come and see this magnificent statue and to get involved in the events we have organised.

“The statue is incredibly moving to see and we are hoping that it will stimulate debate and discussion around the subject of violent crime and how to prevent it.

Even after the Angel has left us, we are hoping to continue with a programme of legacy events, so that important messages regarding the futility of violent crime are continued into the future.

“We are truly grateful for all the support that we have received from our partners, sponsors and volunteers.”

 

The Knife Angel will be located outside the cathedral and will be free to visit with no need for visitors to book in advance.

Relevant precautions, including a one-way system around the Knife Angel and volunteer stewarding teams, will be in place during the day to help welcome and guide visitors.

For further information about the Knife Angel’s visit to Hereford, please visit the website https://knifeangelhereford.co.uk/.

#EmbraceHereford and please make time to visit this thought-provoking 'Knife Angel' statue.