Rachel Jones has been appointed as the Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing and Operations at West Mercia Police and will join the force in the middle of June 2020.

Rachel’s first twelve years’ service were in Gloucestershire Constabulary, where she undertook a wide range of uniformed, detective and business related roles, as well as tactical firearms, public order and major incident command, including Gold Control for the 2007 floods and subsequent loss of water to 350,000 people for two weeks. Culminating in the positon of Director of Intelligence, as South West Regional Lead for Intelligence, she oversaw the creation of the then South West Regional Intelligence Unit prior to transferring to West Midlands Police in 2008.

Working in Local Policing, Programme Change and Child Protection in her first few years in West Midlands Police, in 2012 Rachel was appointed Head of Professional Standards where she led the development and implementation of the Force Integrity Programme.

Rachel became Local Policing Commander for the North of Birmingham in 2013. Reframing the role of the Partnership Team, she worked with partner agencies and communities to uplift services to vulnerable people. She also led on delivery of the Troubled Families Programme and proposals for broader adoption of early intervention and prevention practices across the Force and partner agencies regionally. This resulted in her appointment in 2016 to lead the West Midlands Combined Authority Public Service Reform Programme with responsibility for developing the framework for more joined-up working across the public sector. She also held complementary positions of Force Intervention and Prevention lead and Commander for Corporate Integrated Offender Management.

As Head of Force Criminal Investigations Department, Rachel delivered a change programme which brought all investigative functions, from Homicide to those previously delivered by Local Policing Commands, into a Force-wide investigative model and saw the creation of additional disciplines focusing on harm prevention, diversion and vulnerability. Later as Temporary ACC for the Crime Portfolio, Rachel had responsibility for Forensics, Criminal Justice Services; Force CID; Public Protection and Intelligence.  

Most recently, Rachel has been working for the NPCC on police pay and conditions, pay reform and the Police Uplift Programme. 

Rachel lives in Worcestershire with her partner and young daughter.

Herefordshire Council leaders have agreed in principle to spend £4.5m on buying Maylord Shopping Centre in Hereford

Council officers say the purchase would give them the opportunity to develop the site in line with their plans to grow the county’s economy.

They expect the rental income from the property to cover maintenance and running costs, leaving a surplus cash return for the council to meet its key priorities.

According to council documents the cost of purchasing the premises and paying stamp duty amounts to £4.25m while the purchasing costs and legal fees amount to £200,000 and £50,000 respectively.

The council’s decision report says it will need an agent to manage the site who would provide a fully managed service dealing with the rental and the maintenance requirements.

They say an agent would provide them with the expertise for managing the commercial elements of the site.

They believe the management company’s fees would be covered by the rental income.

However, a number of councillors are concerned about purchasing properties at such an uncertain time for the economy when the valuation at present and immediate future is questionable.

The decision to purchase the freehold premises is subject to the chief finance officer being satisfied that appropriate heads of terms have been agreed, due diligence has been completed and the purchase provides value for money.

The director economy and place, in consultation with the cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets, has been authorised to complete the acquisition and to take all operational decisions necessary to appoint a management company.

Source: Sunshine Radio

As you now have to pay for most things in life it comes as no surprise that the Internet is now a cash cow. Companies which once put information and news into the public domain to attract business from potential clients now expect you to pay up front to tell you they can help you. I have always said that before the internet if you were interested in something, you went out of your way to specifically find out more information or purchase the item. Now the marketing pattern has evolved in that these businesses now throw everything at you and you have to waste more time sifting through a tsunami of irrelevant matter which you have no interest in. The pressure to take out subscriptions and register means that we now have to be particularly discerning onto what we log on to. Having gone to so many sites with articles masked out and increased pop up ads, I now only bookmark about half a dozen sites and these will most probably be censored in the coming year as these corporations working with the government regulators/agencies only allow sites to promote their own narratives. It won't be long before we will watching sponsors' programmes with possibly some news or entertainment thrown in. Everything will be presented by celebrities, with political leanings, to inform us what is proper and correct - even the BBC is showing a lack of impartiality through its news reporters and commentators.

The BBC is holding interviews for a new Director General, supposedly this coming month, with four applicants on the interview list. I predict that one applicant looks highly likely to get the job - Will Lewis, the outgoing chief executive of the publisher of the Wall Street Journal. In 2010, following his time at the Telegraph, Mr Lewis became group general manager of News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publishers of the News of the World and the Sun, and was there at the height of the phone hacking scandal. Today he is accused of aiding the concealment and destruction of millions of emails relating to phone hacking at the News of the World and the Sun. It is ironic that News Group newspapers is owned by Rupert Murdoch who has shown interest in "taking over" the BBC and Mr Lewis could be the man to help achieve his. Ironically the government also has a say in who can be appointed to the BBC. So maybe we will be subscribing for individual programmes authorised by our government.

Mr Lewis, while editor of The Daily Telegraph, did expose the Expenses Scandal in 2009 when a person unknown in a government office copies an entire terabyte of data from a classified computer to a portable hard drive, which is then whisked away from under the noses of colleagues and security alike and ­spirited out of Westminster. That hard drive contains revelatory material – all the expense claims made by 646 members of parliament over the last five years. Two million documents in all, including copies of expense claim forms, handwritten comments scrawled in margins, even attached sticky notes. 

That the person who gave the files to The Daily Telegraph in 2009 had connections with Hereford shows that there are people who are willing to expose a system, rotten to the core and able to expose the corruption. Whether they do it for purely moral/ethical reasons or for personal gain is not important. In the future we are less likely to get real news and the truth behind government and corporations financial motives.

So it does look true that no news is good news. 

Well done to the Herefordshire Council street cleansing teams who have been making the most of the lower levels of traffic on the network on the A40. In just 3 days, 4.5 tonnes of litter and road debris was removed by their sweepers and litter pickers. 

Please help keep it this way, take your litter home!

The NPCC National Speed Operation is now in full swing for the next 2 weeks.

West Mercia Police aim is to educate people on the dangers of speeding to reduce the amount of people dying on our roads.

Please, watch your speed.

McDonalds Drive-Thru Reopening Next Week. 🍔🍟🥤

We have been reliably informed that the Belmont Road 'Drive-Thru' could reopen from as early as Monday or Tuesday, initially offering a limited menu. 

This follows the news that KFC will reopen in Hereford next Wednesday.

Have you missed your fast food in Hereford and which is your favourite?

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews called to a large barn fire at Lawton near kingsland. 

6 pumps from 3 brigades worked through the night to stop the fire spreading. Crews will remain on site today.

A huge thank you to everyone at Covid-19 support in Herefordshire. You have given local people across our county a invaluable service for the past 10 weeks.

Give yourselves a massive round of applause 👏👏👏

📄 A statement on their page reads; 👇

Quote

It's been a great privilege supporting those in need within Herefordshire during the COVID-19 pandemic but unfortunately we are suspending our services from Sunday 24th May.

Don't worry, for anyone still in need of cooked meals please contact Meals on Wheels, Herefordshire by Bake and Create.

We will be sending out menus and information flyers with tomorrows delivery so PLEASE READ!!!

We have delivery around 4480 cooked meals, desserts and approximately ,plus’s 400 food packages to people in need!!!

So a big thank you to all those that have donated produce, money and time to the cause over the last 10 weeks.

All the best COVID-19 Support in Herefordshire Volunteers!

Light Aircraft Crash Landing Near Kingsland.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service with crews from Kingsland, Leominster, Hereford fire stations all attended the light aircraft incident, near Shirl Heath, Kingsland.

Crews from Droitwich and Malvern stood down en route when the scale of incident was assessed by initial crews.

The incident involved light aircraft crash landing on field. One person self rescued prior to arrival, uninjured thankfully.

Aircraft has been made safe.

Man dies and two others injured after being attacked by water buffalo in Monmouthshire.

It is believed that the animal went on the rampage on a farm near Usk, Gwent.

A statement from Gwent Police said: 

Quote

"We received a report of an incident at a commercial property in Gwehelog, at around 2.50pm on Tuesday, after two men and a woman were attacked by a water buffalo.

A 57-year-old man from the Gwehelog area was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from Wales ambulance service.

A 19-year-old man from the Gwehelog area sustained critical injuries during the incident. He has been taken to the University hospital for Wales for treatment by the Welsh air ambulance.

A 22-year-old woman from the Gwehelog area sustained a serious injury to her leg. Her injuries are not thought to be critical and she has been taken to the Royal Gwent hospital for treatment.

“The water buffalo has been destroyed. Officers received assistance from the National Police Air Service at the scene.”

 According to a report in the Guardian;

Quote

"A neighbouring farmer said he had been told that the buffalo went on the rampage. He said: “The first I knew of it was when I saw the police helicopter and the air ambulance buzzing around. Some people do try to diversify and keep water buffalo, usually for their milk,” he said. “It’s a huge shock to everyone in the area.”

The richness of water buffalo milk makes it a popular ingredient in products ranging from mozzarella to ice-cream. Water buffalo are sometimes also introduced as part of conservation projects and have grazed since 2002 on the Teifi Marshes in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales.

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales said that usually they posed no risk to humans.

Quote

“Given their size, water buffalo are generally intelligent docile creatures, who respond well to gentle handling,” 

Organ donation law in England has changed.

What has changed?

Organ donation in England has moved to an 'opt out' system. You may also hear it referred to as 'Max and Keira's Law'.

This means that all adults in England will be considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

Your family will still be approached and your faith, beliefs and culture will continue to be respected.

You still have a choice whether or not you wish to become a donor. Get the facts about organ donation to help you decide. 

Why has the law changed?

The law has been changed to help save and improve more lives. Every day across the UK, someone dies waiting for a transplant.

What do I have to do?

We are asking everyone to:

1. Record your organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register
2. Tell your family and friends what you have decided

If you would like to speak to somebody about your choices, please call our dedicated line: 0300 303 2094

When did the law change?

The opt out system in England came into effect on 20 May 2020.

Who will the changes affect?

These changes will affect all adults in England unless they have recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the following excluded groups:

• Those under the age of 18
• People who lack the mental capacity to understand the new arrangements and take the necessary action
• Visitors to England, and those not living here voluntarily
• People who have lived in England for less than 12 months before their death

Download the factsheet below

The factsheet explains the changes to the law around organ donation in England, and the choices you can make.

organ-donation-law-in-england-factsheet-updated-010520.pdf

Captain Tom Moore to be knighted

The World War Two veteran, who raised funds by walking up and down his garden, says he is "absolutely overwhelmed" at the award.

Captain Tom Moore, who raised almost £33m for the NHS as it battled to cope with coronavirus, is to be knighted, Boris Johnson has said.The 100-year-old World War Two veteran, who raised the extraordinary sum of money by walking up and down his garden, said:

Quote

I am absolutely overwhelmed. Never for one moment could I have imagined to be awarded with such a great honour.

I'd like to thank Her Majesty the Queen, the prime minister and the Great British public. I will remain at your service.

This started as something small and I've been overwhelmed by the gratitude and love from the British public and beyond.

We must take this opportunity to recognise our frontline heroes of the National Health Service who put their lives at risk everyday to keep us safe.

The prime minister, who recommended the award, which the Queen approved, called Captain Moore a "true national treasure" who "provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus".

His knighthood comes just weeks after he was made an honorary colonel to mark his centenary and fundraising efforts.

Source SkyNews

A woman whose body was discovered in the Forest of Dean last Tuesday (12 May) has been named as Phoenix Netts, aged 28.

Phoenix Netts

A statement released on behalf of Phoenix’s family reads:

Quote

As a family we are devastated with what has happened to Phoenix.

We ask most humbly that our family's privacy is respected whilst we grieve and come to terms with the loss of Phoenix in such tragic circumstances.

Whilst we understand this is a news story, we hope everyone can understand why we need to be left alone at this very difficult time.

We have family and good friends supporting us and our thanks go out to all of them.

We would also like to thank all the police officers involved in the investigation for their hard work and sensitivity.

Our thoughts are with Phoenix's family at this extremely difficult time. 

We've been working closely with detectives from West Midlands Police over the past week and they are now leading the murder investigation. 

Two people charged in connection with the investigation appeared at court this morning (19 May).

Detectives from West Midlands Police have been working closely with colleagues at Gloucestershire Constabulary and are now leading the murder investigation.

Exactly where Phoenix was killed is still unknown and officers continue to follow-up a number of enquiries in a bid to establish what happened.

Our specialist family liaison officers are working with the 28-year-old’s family at this devastating time.

Two people charged in connection with the murder appeared at Gloucester Crown Court this morning (19 May).

Gareeca Conita Gordon, aged 27, from Salisbury Road, Birmingham was charged with the murder of a woman on or before 12 May 2020. Mahesh Sorathiya, aged 38, from Denmore Gardens, Wolverhampton was charged with assisting an offender on or before the 12 May.

Gordon was remanded into prison, while the court granted Sorathiya conditional bail, and both are next due to appear at Bristol Crown Court on 4 August. 

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Griffiths from our homicide team said:

Quote

Firstly, I’d like to offer my sincere condolences to Phoenix’s family.

We’ve worked closely with colleagues at Gloucestershire over the past week and our investigation continues at pace.

We’d urge anyone with any information about the tragic loss of Phoenix’s life to get in touch with us.

Anyone with any information can contact Gloucestershire Police or call 101 anytime.

Local Business Hey, Honey has just launched their online store and it's buzzing!

Head over to their online store here and select ‘shop’ 

New lines & new items are being added each day, so be sure to keep popping back!

Click-&-Collect or home delivery are now available. Either can be curb side/contact free, just let them know at checkout, (include your contact details) please be mindful & adhere to social distancing.

Worldwide shipping with all major credit/debit cards accepted inc ApplePay.

3% of all profit goes to projects directly helping the UK 🐝 bee population 🐝

20% off EVERYTHING for the entire FIRST WEEK with discount code 👉 WBD20 👈 at checkout to celebrate & support 🌍🐝*World Bee Day*🐝🌍 on Wednesday 20th May, 2020.

Please sign up to their mailing list on the website for news, updates, offers & more discounts!

Supporting our local businesses

#HerefordVoice #HfdLocal #Hereford #KeepItLocal

A woman has been charged with murder in connection with the discovery of human remains in the Forest of Dean on the evening of Tuesday 12 May.

Photo courtesy of Gloucestershire Live/BPM Media

Gareeca Conita Gordon, 27 and of Salisbury Road, Birmingham has been charged with the murder of a woman on or before 12 May 2020.

Mahesh Sorathiya, 38 and of Denmore Gardens, Wolverhampton has been charged with assisting an offender on or before 12 May 2020.

The pair have been refused bail and are due to appear before magistrates in Cheltenham via video link today, Saturday 16 May.

Police are awaiting results of DNA tests to establish the identity of the victim.

Over 1.8 Million People (85%) have recovered and been discharged from hospital from Coronavirus worldwide.

Most people who catch coronavirus will only get mild symptoms and make a full recovery.

We are in no way trying to dilute the severity of this virus or the impact of loss and bereavement this disease is having for so many people but just wanted to 'highlight' how many people are recovering each day, rather than publish the daily doom and gloom numbers of deaths being constantly reported.

World statistics of the Covid-19 - Coronavirus pandemic recovery rates last updated: May 17, 2020, 0:50 GMT.
Source: Worldometer
Graphic designed by Freepik
#HerefordVoice #Coronavirus

February, Calm, Coot Calling' a studio watercolour created from outdoor sketches at Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve managed by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust

Thank you to Richard Bavin for painting this superb watercolour for our viewing pleasure.

Richard is a local landscape painter specialising in trees and woodland, Richard seeks to capture the character and atmosphere of particular places in all weathers and seasons.