The family of Mary Bastholm has issued a statement as investigation work continues at the Clean Plate Cafe in Gloucester today.

The Constabulary is stressing that the current work relates to assessments of the site, which are likely to take a number of days, and that excavation work has not begun.

Officers say that they could be at the site for a number of weeks.

Mary's family said: 

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“We are aware of the ongoing developments around Mary’s disappearance and are being kept up to date and supported by Gloucestershire Police Family Liaison Officers, at this time please may we ask for privacy so we can grieve for Mary and direct any media queries to Gloucestershire Police’s Press Office.”

Mary was 15 years old when she was reported missing on 6 January 1968 and she has never been found.

Mary’s disappearance had previously been linked to serial killer Fred West and there was suspicion he was involved in her death.

Police activity will be taking place at a location in Gloucester for a number of weeks following a recent discovery.

Photograph courtesy of BPM Media

On Friday 7 May officers were called to a café in Southgate Street by a production company filming a documentary.

They reported how they had found possible evidence to suggest a body could be buried within the property.

Detectives attended and the Major Crime Investigation Team has deemed that further assessments are required in order to determine whether an excavation is necessary.

In the past, people have linked the building to the disappearance of Mary Bastholm.

Mary was 15-years-old when she was reported missing on 6 January 1968 and she has never been found.

Mary's disappearance had also previously been linked to serial killer Fred West and there was suspicion he was involved in her death.

Family Liaison Officers have now been put in place to provide support and updates to Mary’s family as enquiries continue.

Investigating officers expect to be at the location, which is at The Clean Plate café, for a number of weeks.Assistant Chief Constable Craig Holden said:

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"This could be a significant development on a case which has gained a lot of public interest over the years.

"On the basis of the information provided to us, we consider this to be new and potentially important evidence in the case of Mary Bastholm, however further detailed assessments will take place over the following few days to determine the extent of excavation needed.

"First and foremost our thoughts are with Mary’s family and we would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.

"This news may understandably alarm those who work near to the premises, as well as those in the wider Gloucester community and beyond.

 "The Constabulary has always said any fresh evidence would be reviewed. This has happened and a focussed and proportionate investigation will now take place.

"Due to the potential scale of this there will likely be some disruption to those who work nearby, and I ask for their patience and co-operation during this time.

"We will have local officers in the area and a visible police presence at the location possibly for a number of weeks.

"We would also encourage anyone who is affected by this news to please seek support."

 

Anyone who has any new information relating to the disappearance of Mary Bastholm can report this to Gloucestershire Constabulary online by completing the following form and referencing incident 99 of 11 May: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

The Force still has documentation and information from the original enquiry into Fred West and therefore anyone who submitted information previously does not need to do this again.

My son recently moved out and I decided to redecorate his old room. I will purchase a double bed and keep it as a guest room. I removed his old tiny 2.6 small single divan and thought I would take it to the tip yesterday (Sunday 27th January). If only I know what a palaver I was in for I would not have bothered! 

I drive a people carrier (Mercedes Vito), like the one below complete with rear seat and glass rear doors as per the photograph. We arrived at the tip at Rotherwas and I was asked by a chap who's name was Tim, what I had to tip, I replied just my sons single bed, he told me it would need to go into land fill and showed me where to park. As I parked up he then seamed to change his mind and asked me if I had a permit? A permit? I have not been to the tip in years so I was not sure what permit he was referring too, I explained that I was driving a people carrier and I was tipping just a bed, he then went to his little office and came out with a lithograph and pointed to a commercial van, I again explained that I have glass panels and seats in the back, he said you cannot tip here without a permit, I asked where do obtain a permit? Because I had the bed loaded already. He explained that it takes a few weeks and that I need to apply online but basically I could not tip this bed, I was frustrated and told him I would dump it on the side of the road (clearly I was not going to do that but I was angry). 

I telephoned a friend and he told me to take it to Ross on Wye, yes Ross on Wye! So I drove to Ross and I was told I could park outside and carry the bed onto the site, which is exactly what I did, how pathetic is this?? 

It is no wonder we so much fly tipping when they make it so difficult to take our old items. 

I am also confused as to how they expect anyone to drop off a bed in the absence of a larger vehicle of a van, you could not get it into a average car anyway, so had I not have the vehicle I would of borrowed my mates van anyway...

Good news to hear that Yeomans Travel number 75 bus service via Hunderton circle will be reinstated on Saturdays as soon as the route has been registered.

Positive Hereford | There are lots of good things about our wonderful city.

We have new independent retailers that will all be reopening again on Monday including all those lovely shops and boutiques in The Independent Quarter and Hereford Butter Market

We have a new a pizza restaurant, fabulous coffee bars, take-aways, bistros, wine bars and pubs! A new eatery offering Korean BBQ at your table is coming soon to the Hereford Old Market Shopping Centre and we have some fabulous hotels too.

We love our city and county and we like to shout about it and promote everything positive. It's all too easy to moan but we are privileged to live in such a beautiful part of the World. We will continue to promote local business and encourage people to visit Hereford and Herefordshire.

The lockdown has been a very challenging time for people and businesses alike but there is light at the end of the tunnel..

Join us in our campaign and 'BE POSITIVE' about this fabulous city of ours. 'Positive Hereford'

Follow our hashtag #positivehereford

Newton Farm Ward

* Community Centre built - as part of the original Oval Development

* Neighbourhood Watch and foot patrols reinstated

* Street Cleaning - ie weeds removed from kerbs

* Tree Pruning - restore some light to affected properties

What about the other wards - any suggestions - only two weeks to go till voting 6th May. Elected councillors will forget once voted in so a reminder/checklist may help them.

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on Church Rd Ledbury.

Members of the Showman's Guild marking what would have been the first day of the Mayfair earlier this week in Hereford City centre.

Photograph courtesy of Hereford Markets and Events

The Mayfair is celebrating its 900th year and has been rescheduled to 3 to 5 August.

More details follow our unique link 👉 https://hfd.news/dsz

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on Church St Ledbury.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to a blaze that was well alight at the Industrial Estate on Holme Lacy Road Hereford during the early hours.

Firefighters from Hereford and Peterchurch fire stations were in attendance and used three pumps and a water carrier to extinguish the fire.

As the knife crime awareness week draws to a close these were some of the 83 anonymously surrendered edged weapons in the Amnesty Bin at Hereford Police Station!!

83 less potential weapons on our #saferstreets

#OpSceptre

A woman who was found with a dismembered body in two suitcases in the Forest of Dean last year has been sentenced to life in prison.

Calculating Gareeca Gordon admitted to murdering and dismembering 28-year-old Phoenix Netts in the multi-occupancy home where they both lived in Birmingham.

Phoenix's body was discovered by local officers in Coleford and a murder investigation was launched by Gloucestershire's Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).

At Bristol Crown Court today, Tuesday 4 May, Gordon was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum jail term of 23 years and six months.

On the evening of 12 May last year police responded to a call where suspicions had been raised about the manner of a motorist’s driving on the A4136.

Local officers attended and spoke to the driver who said he was waiting for a friend. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for a breach of Covid-19 regulations as his vehicle was registered to Wolverhampton.

At around 11pm officers then located a woman nearby, Gordon, on the B4228 near to the entrance of Stowfield Quarry, with two suitcases at the side of the road.

Due to the late time of night they were initially concerned for Gordon's welfare, however this soon turned into suspicions and she tried to stop officers from opening the two suitcases.

A dismembered and burnt body was found within and 28-year-old Gordon was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody.

Following an initial investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's MCIT she was soon charged with murder and remanded in custody.

The case was then handed to West Midlands Police as it was determined Phoenix had been murdered at an address in Salisbury Road, Birmingham.

Colleagues in West Midlands Police carried out an extensive CCTV trawl which tracked Gordon for a month prior. This revealed a series of calculated and organised actions where she had tried to convince people Phoenix was alive, while also taking steps to dispose of her body.

It was found Gordon had made several trips to Coleford in a car and by train, had arranged for waste disposal companies to collect carpet and possessions and had ordered industrial strength bleach online.

She also used Phoenix's phone to send messages to her family, friends and a housing officer telling them she was fine and going back to London.

It is thought Phoenix was killed on 16 April, weeks before she was discovered. She had suffered multiple stab wounds.

On 21 April Gordon pleaded guilty to Phoenix's murder and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today, Tuesday 4 May.Detective Chief Inspector John Turner, who led the initial investigation in Gloucestershire, said:

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"I can only hope that today's sentence will give Phoenix's family and friends some kind of comfort as they try and come to terms with their loss and our thoughts remain with them.

"This has been an extremely distressing investigation which not only impacted the officers who first attended the scene, but also all of those who have been involved in the complex case since that day.

"The officers who attended that night were presented with a set of truly horrific circumstances and if it wasn’t for their inquisitive nature I believe we may not have ever found Phoenix's body.

"As the investigation unfolded it became clear that Gordon had come up with an elaborate plan in order to try and hide her abhorrent actions. She is truly the most callous, calculating and evil person I have ever dealt with.

"This was a painstaking case with meticulous work from both forces which resulted in Gordon pleading guilty, saving Phoenix’s family further distress of hearing the case in court.

"I would like to thank my colleagues in both forces for their determination and hard work throughout – their tenacity has ensured Gordon is behind bars for her horrific and heartless crimes."

Detective Superintendent Scott Griffiths, who led the investigation for West Midlands Police, said:

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"My thoughts remain with the family and friends of Phoenix, she was a much-loved young woman whose life was tragically cut short by the sickening actions of Gordon.

"The details of this very sad case are extremely distressing for everyone who knew Phoenix. It was also difficult for the officers working on this case from both police forces.

"The callous and calculating actions of Gordon after she had killed Phoenix are deeply concerning. She went to great lengths to pretend Phoenix was still alive and had moved out of the area, as well as great efforts to dispose of her body, hoping her despicable crime would go unnoticed.

"Gordon did plead guilty to the murder which has saved Phoenix's family the pain and distress of a court trial, however I imagine their loss and knowing what happened is incomprehensible. I admire their courage, patience and dignity throughout and hope today's sentence offers some solace as they try to come to terms with this tragedy."

Herefordshire have advised that on June 22 Home Point will launch its improved housing allocations scheme to make applying and bidding for properties easier, with more choice over the types of housing people in Herefordshire can apply for 👉 HERE

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the C1262 - Fawley Cross, How Caple in Herefordshire.

This is disgusting! These vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of criminal damage at the fabulous Avoncroft Museum in Worcestershire.

In a message on their website the museum wrote;

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"It is with enormous sadness that we have to announce that the Museum will be CLOSED today, Sunday May 2.

Unfortunately we were subjected to a vandal attack yesterday evening - there is a lot of work to be done by police and forensics, and by our small team to clear up a lot of broken glass throughout the site, and it's just not safe to open.

I know you'll be disappointed, and so are we - yesterday was such a lovely day, and today promised to be fine as well - we hope you'll book to visit us again in the near future.

If you have bought a ticket for today, we will be in touch shortly to reimburse you. Please don't call or e-mail - we will be in touch but we are just a very small team.

Thank you for your understanding - and if you know of a local glazier or boarding up company who is available on a bank holiday Sunday, please message us!! Any help greatly welcomed."

Photographs courtesy of the Avoncroft Museum.

If anyone can help them please get in touch.

Positive Hereford | Starting this week with the great news that our friends at The Children's Bookshelf - Specialists in Children's Books will be reopening in Maylord Orchards!! 

Let us celebrate Hereford and all the good things that our wonderful city has to offer.

 Please share our positivity, it's become contagious 

Our fabulous local independent retailers have all reopened in the last few weeks including all those lovely shops and boutiques in The Independent Quarter and Hereford Butter Market

We have a new a nail salon, mobile phone shop and the new tasty Yorkshire wrap! A new pizza restaurant, as well as some fabulous coffee bars, take-aways, bistros, wine bars and pubs and the all new outside seating!

Outdoor markets and events in the city centre are very popular and bring vibrancy, together with some unique products and produce from many independent traders.

New eateries offering Korean BBQ at your table and Amazing Asia all coming soon to the Hereford Old Market Shopping Centre and we have some fabulous hotels too and let's not forget Saxtys Bar & Club which is reopening in May!! 

June brings Knife Angel Hereford to the Hereford Cathedral

We also have some wonderful new planters with seats and trees in the city centre which will look superb once they fully blossom. 

We love  our city and county and we like to shout about it and promote everything POSITIVE. It's all too easy to moan but we are privileged to live in such a beautiful part of the World. We will continue to promote local business and encourage people to visit Hereford and Herefordshire.

 Look out for our continuous and 'contagious' headlines 

 POSITIVE NEWS | POSITIVE HEREFORD 

The lockdown has been a very challenging time for people and businesses alike but there is light at the end of the tunnel..

Join us in our campaign and 'BE POSITIVE' about this fabulous city of ours.  'Positive Hereford' 

Follow our hashtag  #positivehereford 

Friends of Castle Green (FoCG) are now able to begin the much needed renovations to The Pavilion thanks to significant funding from Herefordshire Council, Hereford City Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The funding will enable the community group to begin the first phase of improvements to the building, which was asset transferred to them by Herefordshire Council in 2018. Work has now begun to install a renewable energy heating system at the Pavilion, using the River Wye as its source. By harnessing this renewable energy source, over 15 tonnes of carbon per year will be saved; a giant step toward carbon reduction and a huge money saving exercise.

Funding has been received from the government’s Towns Fund programme and Marches Renewable Energy, supported by ERDF funds, as well as Hereford City Council, allowing FoCG to replace the existing gas boiler and install this modern, renewable river source system, the first of its kind in Hereford City Centre. 

According to Paddy Nugent, Friends of Castle Green Director;

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“This is an incredibly exciting project and we are grateful for the funding that has allowed us to make these building improvements which will ensure that the Pavilion becomes a multifunctional, flexible and accessible space for evolving community use. We hope that this technology will act as a beacon of innovation and encourage other local facilities to harness the natural resource of the river for renewable energy.”

Friends of Castle Green has also been included by the Hereford Towns Fund Board in their Town Investment Plan funding bid submission to receive up to £25m from the Towns Fund programme. This initiative aims to revitalise and regenerate the City through investment in a number of projects meeting a strict criteria. Friends of Castle Green has applied for funds to further renovate and regenerate the Pavilion building. The extensive community consultation carried out in 2018 highlighted a significant need for improved facilities and this funding will allow FoCG to carry out proposed requirements to further the Pavilion as a building for the whole community. 

1. The project has received £39,778.31 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regeneration. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
2. The project has received £50,000 from the accelerated Town Fund which saw Herefordshire Council receive £750,000 to support a number of improvement projects in the City.
3. Hereford City Council has awarded £7,000 to Friends of Castle Green from its Community Development grants programme.

The Pavilion at Castle Green is a Grade II listed Georgian building on Medieval foundations with rooms available for hire located in the heart of Hereford City.

Now run on behalf of the community by Friends of Castle Green CIC, the Pavilion has three large rooms that make it the ideal venue for private functions, training courses, dance, exercise classes, worskhops, meetings, conferences, parties and a multitude of other uses for groups of all sizes.

The central location of the building, on the banks of the River Wye and overlooking historic Castle Green, make the Pavilion a popular space for community groups and individuals to meet for a number of purpose.

Multiple fire crews from several counties dealing with large fire in the open near to Hergest Ridge, Kington on the border between Herefordshire and Powys.

 HWFRS

We understand that the blaze is at Hanter Hill with crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service including appliances from Eardisley, Hereford, Ledbury, Peterchurch, Kington and Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service.