A Historic pub in Herefordshire opened its doors again this week for the first time in five years and in spite of the current pandemic. The New Inn at St Owen's Cross, a sixteenth-century coaching inn,  has been a labour of love for three local businessmen, investor Mark Green and family, developer Mark Freeman and chef Michael Fowler. The team is delighted to be opening the doors this week creating new jobs, supporting local producers and offering a stand-out community-hub for those living locally. 

L - R: Front row - Mark and Julie Green, middle row - Michael Fowler and Lizzy Condrad, back row - Danielle Lavender and Stephen Robbins. 

Set to be another exciting destination pub in the Herefordshire food scene. The New Inn under the direction of Michael Fowler will be offering a British-modern menu centring on local and seasonal produce. And for those that want to make the most of their stay, there are also three sympathetically renovated rooms to enjoy all the luxuries of a night away on your doorstep.   

Mark Green says

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"I am passionate about keeping our pubs open, they are the heart of our local communities and giving The New Inn a new lease of life is more important now than ever. We hope people will enjoy a fantastic Herefordshire welcome when visiting, we have focused on sourcing local, using local services and of course, our menu will be locally focused too."

The pub will, of course, be serving Mark's well-known Two Farmers crisps at the bar as well as for the first-time a Two Farmers draught cider, alongside a daily changing lunch and dinner menu focused on locally sourced produce. Currently open Wed-Sunday

To book a table visit www.thenewinnherefordshire.co.uk or call 01989 55 33 87

2Faced Dance Company has been awarded £148,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today. 

2Faced Dance Company is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks. 

2Faced Dance Company have worked locally, regionally, nationally and internationally over the past 21 years, to not only produce fearless contemporary dance works for audiences of all ages but also as advocates for the industry they work in. This vital funding will enable the organisation to continue their ambitious programme of work, support the vital work of the artists that surround them and continue to lead the local arts ecology.   

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

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“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery. 

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

 

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:

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“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

Tamsin Fitzgerald, Artistic Director of 2Faced Dance, said:

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"This crucial investment in our company and community will enable us to protect jobs, forge plans to fully reopen and support the wider local arts ecology in Herefordshire and further afield. 2Faced Dance are just one part of an extraordinary collection of local theatre and arts makers in Herefordshire who have all been affected by this crisis.  We will continue to work alongside our community to ensure that it can thrive now and in the future.  We will soon announce our ambitious plans for a programme of work that will nurture new talent, nourish established artists and engage audiences from many walks of life”.

Registered Charity Number 1178796

2Faced Dance Company is based in the stunning rural city of Hereford. Under the helm of artistic director and choreographer Tamsin Fitzgerald and executive director Ian Abbott, the award winning, international dance company produces innovative, accomplished and aspirational artistic performances alongside an ambitious participation programme and captivating community dance initiatives that truly reflect the landscape in which they are based. This allows the company to tell new and original stories, generating distinctive new work, whilst striving to stay relevant to their audiences. 2Faced Dance tours extensively across the UK and internationally and aims to work with cutting edge and culturally diverse collaborators, venues, organisations and individuals. The company supports and mentors local artists whilst advocating on behalf of the wider dance industry by challenging and inspiring different sectors of society. 2Faced Dance is a registered charity and is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. 

www.2faceddance.co.uk

The start of #OpTutelage, a week of added activity around uninsured vehicles saw Hereford Cops (OPU) take 3 vehicles off the road today. 

Tickets were also issued for driving without a licence and for cords exposed on a tyre.

One driver was arrested for suspected drug driving.

(#operationtutelage is a vehicle whereby the registered keeper has driven it without insurance multiple times. They have been sent a reminder letter by us to get it insured and have ignored it).

A man is in hospital with multiple fractures a suspected stab wound and a bleed on the brain following an unprovoked attack by a gang of youths in High Town Hereford on Saturday night. 

3 people have been arrested so far and remain in custody.

‼️Please contact the police if you witnessed this attack or if you have any information that may help‼️ 

Please see his mothers appeal below 👇

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"Looking for witnesses!

My son was badly assaulted last night ( Saturday 17th) outside Santander bank in high town. He was walking home with his girlfriend and some friends when about 12-15 boys aged between 16-18 ( you know the ones who hang around town because they can’t get into pubs) confronted my son and his friends, started pushing him and then beat him. 
They smashed his head into the window of the bank then as he fell to the floor kicked him repeatedly in the head. He is currently in hospital with a bleed on the brain, broken bones, broken jaw and a suspected stab wound to the back of the head. He is a hard working 21 year old who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Because of covid we could not travel in the ambulance or go into the hospital with him. This assault took place about 21:30. There was a group of boys hanging around by the Hereford Bull. We have got some witnesses and a few names ( a couple being repeated more than once) The police arrested 2 at the scene and are looking at cctv. If you witnessed the assault or in fact were with this group but didn’t participate in the assault then please do the right thing. My son is alone in hospital with horrific injuries because he didn’t fight back! That’s just not what he does."

This was an unprovoked vicious attack, please contact West Mercia Police if you can provide any information by calling 101 or contact CrimeStoppers 0800 555 111.

#herefordvoice #hereford

Planning permission has been granted for a 'Centre of Excellence' in Hereford.

React-Club are an Award Winning, all inclusive club that welcomes everyone to come and enjoy the amazing sport of Gymnastics, Trampolining, Double Mini Trampolining (DMT), and Tumble.

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Change of use from a vacant B2 industrial building to a D2 Sports/Leisure facility to provide a "Centre of Excellence" for multi-disciplined Gymnastics, Tumbling, Trampolining, Acro Gymnastics DMT, Dance and Cheerleading facility built on an ethos of "Equality" and "Inclusion for all", in a fun and safe environment structured to develop skills from fundamentals to elite performance.
A passionate team of coaches that will guide the development of the next generation, while supporting and mentoring young aspiring leaders through the development of their sports coaching qualifications, social and life skills helping to build opportunities in Herefordshire.

This new facility will allow dedicated resources unprecedented in Hereford where "full inclusion" of all social groups can be achieved.
We have taken into account the site needs in terms of its location and design and have worked with the landlord to provide a safe environment for the members to arrive, attend their classes and exit the site with a minimum of risk. Primary site alterations are; moving the main entrance location to the rear of the unit through the car park access where designated walkways and allocated parking are being provided and clearly marked, re-location of existing yellow metal barriers to provide a safe walk zone and pedestrian safety zones at the entrance/exit point away from the main access road, thus removing the risk of any pedestrian access via the front of the building. New clear signage at the front and rear of the building clearly showing directions for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. Additionally, bright lighting at all major safety zones will be installed for use with access needs in the evening.
As the club is NOT open to the public as a "drop in" facility but private membership only, we have full control of the timetable of sessions and therefore know in advance who will be attending at any given time. Additionally, the majority of the members will remain for longer durations so parking needs are kept to a minimum as parents generally "drop and go".
We feel by segmenting/allocating the available car park space utilising designated areas and physical barriers and moving the main entrance away from the main road we have minimised any associated risks for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

Full details https://www.react-club.com

Planning number P201890/F

The closure is from 7.30am to midnight every day between Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, November 1st.

Motorists driving from Hereford to Worcester will need to leave the A4103 at Newtown Crossroads and follow the A417 to Burley Gate, then the A465 to Bromyard and then the A44 to Worcester.

Planning for 24 hours service at McDonalds Belmont Road Hereford has been refused with objections from both West Mercia Police and local residents

Don't forget to put your clocks back one hour this Sunday!

Sunday, 25 October 2020, 02:00:00 clocks are turned backward 1 hour to 01:00:00 local standard time instead.

EU Wants to Remove DST Permanently

In 2019, the European Parliament voted in favor of removing Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanently. It will be up to each Member State to decide whether to remain permanently on “summer time” (DST) or to change their clocks back one final time to permanent standard time, also known as “winter time.”

Would you prefer that the clocks remain on "summer time"?

EU Wants to Remove DST Permanently

In 2019, the European Parliament voted in favor of removing Daylight Saving Time(DST) permanently. It will be up to each Member State to decide whether to remain permanently on “summer time” (DST) or to change their clocks back one final time to permanent standard time, also known as “winter time.”

DST Removal Not Likely in 2021

The likelihood of the EU abolishing DST in 2021 is very slim. Europe, like the rest of the world, has been busy handling the health and economic effects of Covid-19.

Negotiations have not yet started in the European Council, making it very unlikely for the new rules—even if agreed rapidly—to apply in 2021.

The draft law proposes that 2021 will be the last time EU Member States and affiliated countries follow the seasonal clock change. For this reason, all subsequent clock changes in European nations are marked as preliminary on timeanddate.com.

News: Following the vicious attack on a 21 year old man in Hereford city centre over the weekend, his mother has confirmed that he is now home recovering after the ordeal.

Christine Fraser Graham said

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"We got to bring him home today. ☺️ He’s very sore and bruised but the bleed on the brain is stable and all his other injuries will be dealt with soon at Worcester and Hereford."

Wishing Aidan a speedy recovery from all of us at here at Hereford Voice. ❤️

If anyone witnessed this attack or can provide any information please do not hesitate to contact West Mercia Police on 101 or you can call CrimStoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

#herefordvoice #herefordnews #hereford

West Mercia Police Statement: Three teenagers have been arrested after a man was seriously assaulted on Saturday evening (17 October) in Hereford.

A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident which happened at just before 10pm in High Town.

Officers are carrying out enquiries as part of the investigation and are appealing for witnesses.

Detective Inspector Chris Percival said: “We believe that there were a number of witnesses in the area at the time of incident and we would ask anyone with information to contact us.”

Anyone who saw the incident or has any information is asked to report it online under the Tell us About section of this website using reference 00781i of 17 October or call 101. Alternatively information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Three teenage boys, two aged 16 and one aged 15, all from Herefordshire, were arrested on suspicion of assault and have been released on police bail.

90 minutes to debate Coronavirus Act

And a lifetime of being consigned to serfdom.

David Ellis speaks to Ann Widdecombe, former Brexit Party MEP and former Conservative Shadow Home Secretary, and Rusty Firmin, former 22 SAS; the "man with no gloves" of Iranian Embassy seige-breaking team.

They discuss the drive for more military involvement in the civilian response to Coronavirus, defence review and military involvement in building the media narrative.

https://youtu.be/NQkCSEjdpoM
 

I've just received a parking ticket from Hereford Morrisons for a total time of 2hrs 51 minutes. I was given a parking ticket from a lady with about an hour and a half on. I used the ticket and then returned to my car an hour later to put a 2-hour ticket on. Is this insufficient?

Someone help please!

You will notice that we have upgraded our forum script and also paid and added a new ''theme' called 'Infraskew' You can change this back to the default theme or our usual 'Fresh' theme by scrolling to the very bottom of the forum and select your preferred choice from the drop down. 

Please note that we are still waiting to update the usual 'Fresh' theme, so even though it is available to you there are a few colours missing at present.

On the new 'Infraskew' theme you can select anyone of 3 mode options by clicking on the moon shape circle and selecting your choice and then clicking the little tick.

Each theme has different options and you will notice a news ticker moving across the screen with this one, enjoy!

Lugg Ward at Hereford County Hospital has been closed to admissions and visitors after a number of patients tested positive for coronavirus.

A spokesperson for Wye Valley Trust confirmed the news and said;

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“Lugg Ward at Hereford County Hospital is closed to admissions and visitors due to increased inpatient cases of Covid-19,” 

“These patients are being cared for in isolation and Covid-19 testing for all inpatients on this ward has been carried out. The trust has also undertaken testing of relevant staff as a precautionary measure and visitor contact tracing.”

“Patient safety is paramount and the trust has stringent infection prevention and control measures in place to help minimise the transmission of this virus within its hospitals.

“The trust has tried and tested plans in place and our hospital is set up to care for coronavirus patients.

“All inpatients are tested for Covid-19 on admission to hospital and cared for in isolation if their test is positive.

“This testing is also undertaken during the hospital stay in line with national guidance and when patients need to be transferred to care homes or a community hospital.”

 

Positive Hereford: There are lots of good things happening in our wonderful city. 

We have new independent retailers opening including within the recently purchased Maylord Orchards. We have new restaurants, coffee bars, bistros, wine bars and pubs! Hereford has 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.

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

#herefordvoice #hereford #positivehereford

A planning application has been submitted to Herefordshire Council by Micro Urbanicity for their new restaurant to open in Broad Street at the unit previously occupied by Ask Italian. 

The restaurant would serve mainly pizza, salads etc as well as alcoholic drinks and cocktails. Planning has also been sought to serve customers outside with kerbside seating on the pavement.

The Broad Street premises will have permission to open from 8am until 11.30pm Monday to Sunday if the licence is granted.

Ask_consultation_ends_15102020.pdf

Check COVID alert level in your area or somewhere you are visiting with the postcode checker: 👉 HERE

Considering adopting a child? Get in touch with us this National Adoption Week

Adoption Central England (ACE) is supporting National Adoption Week and the #YouCanAdopt campaign which sets out to debunk myths around adoption and urging people who are considering adoption to take the next step.

The national campaign runs from 12 - 18 October and reinforces that the key attribute for adopting a child is providing a loving, safe and stable home and that factors such as occupation, salary, the size of someone’s home, home ownership or age are not important.

Sarah*, a single adopter, talks about adopting Theo*, a dual heritage 8-year-old with autism. Theo had four ‘chaotic’ years with his birth family followed by four years in foster care before being adopted by Sarah. Sarah explains:

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“Theo lives in the moment and is a very glass half full person, despite his autism he grabs every opportunity and lives life to the full.

“In the early days we bonded over a mutual love of theatre, music and cinema and we had our first holiday. All in all a nice honeymoon period of about four months. Then he really let me know he felt.

“He ran away from me on many occasions, he would sit down in the street and refuse to move. He learnt a few choice swear words at school and used them to great effect.  All of these incidents ended with him sobbing in my arms.  One day when we were swimming, he came up to me in the pool and whispered very quietly in my ear, “mummy I don’t want to move house anymore, you won’t send me away will you?” He broke my heart, and I made a promise to him that I would never, ever send him away.  

“And things slowly got better. He learnt to trust me, to believe that it wasn’t an empty promise. He settled in school, made friends, and we enjoyed celebrating his birthday and Christmas together. He learnt to swim and ride a bike. We found our new normal.

“We have also started therapeutic life story work. Over time the therapist gained Theo’s trust and we would carry on talking for hours after the therapist left.  He started the work as a little boy in pain and emerged showing me glimpses of the young man he will become.

“I’ve also found support in a community in fellow adopters. You can’t beat peer support and advice. We are great friends with other single adopter families and we regularly meet up. It’s great for the adults because we all understand the children's ‘quirks’ and they can be themselves without any judgement.

“Adoption is a hard road to walk. It will take everything you have to give. For me there are no regrets. I have an amazing son who inspires me every day.  I love him, he loves me – we are a family and that’s all that matters.”

Councillor Felicity Norman, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, added:

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“National Adoption Week is the perfect opportunity to encourage anyone thinking about adoption to take those next steps.

“Children from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities are over disproportionately represented in the care system and ACE are particularly interested in speaking to more BAME and mixed-race families interested in adoption who could provide a safe and loving home for children in our care.”

If you want to find out more about adoption, visit www.aceadoption.com or call 0300 369 0556