It is wonderful to see the Hergest Croft Gardens, Kington listed in the Guardian's top 10 places to visit in the spring.

Photograph: Alex Ramsay/Alamy

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There’s a scene in Herefordshire, my favourite springtime outing, that’s like something from the Himalayas. Park Wood, at Hergest Croft Gardens, Kington, is a secluded valley hidden deep in an ancient oak wood containing over 30 acres of giant rhododendrons and exotic trees around a magical pool. Created more than 120 years ago, it has a unique collection of over 5,000 rare plants, trees and shrubs. There are flower borders, a kitchen garden, azalea garden, maple grove, and Park Wood. Springtime is spectacular, but this is a garden for all seasons.
• £7/free, hergest.co.uk

Guardian article HERE

Sometimes we see an image that speaks volumes, this powerful image says it all, so we just felt compelled to share it.

Artist MJ Hiblen Art

THANK YOU to our NHS, such courageous dedicated people confronting this horrible virus head on!
#HerefordVoice #NHS #Herefordshire #Hereford

Turkish Air Force Deliver 250,000 Items of PPE Equipment in Brize Norton for Our NHS.

See the Royal Airforce tweet below: 

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A Turkish Air Force A400M has landed at 
@RAFBrizeNorton to deliver 250,000 items of PPE equipment for our @nhs.uk
Thank you to Turkey, valued friend and ally, for such a vital contribution in the fight against #coronavirus  
#WeAreNATO #InThisTogether"

It's great to see all these countries working and supporting each other.

Paying Our Respects When Funeral Procession Passes

During these extraordinary times with this unrelenting Coronavirus pandemic and where funerals are limited to just a few family members and the much needed support during bereavement is almost non existent. How about we revive the old tradition that would show grieving families and friends that their loss is noticed and shared by us all.

If you see a funeral procession, please stop for a moment as it passes, remove any hat and just bow your head as a sign of respect. This would mean the world to these families in their time of sadness.

This kind act will make you feel good, just think if this was one of your family members and you were in those cars, seeing a member of the public offering this kind gesture would go a long way.

We're all in this together.

The NHS is opening seven new hospitals across the country to fight Coronavirus.

• London 4000 beds
• Birmingham 2000 beds
• Manchester 1000 beds
• Bristol 850 beds
• Harrogate 500 beds
• Sunderland 350 beds
• Exeter 200 beds

These sites will provide hundreds of extra beds to help make sure the NHS capacity remains higher than required during the peak of the #Coronavirus.

Stadium Fest has been postponed with a new proposed date - Bank Holiday Sunday August 30.

The Edgar Street event was originally due to take place in May and has now been postponed due to the continued Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement the organisers have said;

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"That this is based on social distancing guidelines from our government, but we are confident that given this new dates is almost 5 months from now that things should be back to normal by then" 

Tickets purchased are valid for the new date and refunds can be made via the ticket provider for those that can’t make the new date

Club launches food parcels scheme

Hereford City Rotary Club has launched a new food parcels scheme to assist families disadvantaged by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The City has received an overwhelmingly positive response to its latest initiative in supporting the community against the Coronavirus.

The club had already set up a Facebook information portal and a fund to assist charities and community groups.

And now, after being approached by Cllr Jim Kenyon about helping vulnerable people in the pandemic, the Rotarians have launched an emergency food parcel scheme.

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“The club decided to focus on how best to support families with school-aged children,”

said club president Katie Farmer.

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“Many of these families were struggling financially even before the pandemic. Some parents were on zero-hours contracts, with many losing their jobs and having to claim benefits for the first time.

“This scheme will be delivered through schools to supplement the food vouchers being given to many families.”

Schools contact vulnerable families and explain that the City of is offering food parcels. If they wish to accept the offer, they reply to the school and a parcel is delivered to their home.

The content of the parcels has been agreed with the Public Health Team and is being sourced from a variety of wholesalers and local businesses.

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“We are not asking for food donations, as we do not want to detract from the needs of the Hereford Food Bank,”

said Katie Farmer.

The club is working with three local businesses. The School Uniform Shop is co-ordinating the sourcing of the food with Cllr Kenyon; Shack Events, who are providing a warehouse for storage and packing, and Pedicargo are then helping Rotarians deliver the food parcels.

The first 96 parcels were delivered last week with 59 going to families from The Church of England Hereford Academy School while 37 were delivered by Vennture to the families that they support.

The system put in place worked well and there is now the capacity to deliver 200 parcels a week.

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“The Hereford Church of England Academy was pleased to work with the Rotary Club to help support our wider community: as well as the donations we have already made during these challenging times,”

said Academy headteacher Mike Stoppard.

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“We recognise the challenges for some of our families during this time and the need for us all to pull together.

“The actions of the Rotary Club reflect the core value of charity which is crucial during this period.”

One of the parents said: “Thank you so very much for my boxes; I’ve got tears in my eyes and a massive smile.”

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“So far, the club has funding for 650 parcels but we know there are 1,000 vulnerable families in the city alone,”

said Katie Farmer.

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“We are grateful to , Allpay, Alvara Foods, Hereford Community Foundation, Hereford City Council, Harrison Clarke Rickerby and Hereford Society for Aiding the Industrious for their generous donations.”

For details about the scheme, contact Bobby Morris, City of ’s chairman of Community and Vocational Service on robertamorris01@gmail.com. To make a donation, contact club treasurer John Tallis on john.tallis@btopenworld.com

Madley Aerial 1 illuminated Blue at 8pm tonight.

To all the keyworkers - NHS, delivery drivers, post office, retail shops, police, fire, ambulance and many many more - including communication workers maintaining all our comms in the UK and globally, too many wonderful people to mention - Thank you.

An application to determine if prior approval is required for a change of use to form a 'community hub' at the former International Food store in Commercial Road Hereford.

Project will include: a cafe/sandwich bar; a community larder; affordable clothing outlet; meeting and counselling rooms with all profits going to ETHOS - reg. no. 1177809. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has used a national TV address to set out strict new measures aimed at protecting people from the coronavirus outbreak. This is his statement in full:

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"Good evening,

The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades - and this country is not alone.

All over the world we are seeing the devastating impact of this invisible killer

And so tonight I want to update you on the latest steps we are taking to fight the disease and what you can do to help. 

And I want to begin by reminding you why the UK has been taking the approach that we have.

Without a huge national effort to halt the growth of this virus, there will come a moment when no health service in the world could possibly cope; because there won't be enough ventilators, enough intensive care beds, enough doctors and nurses.

And as we have seen elsewhere, in other countries that also have fantastic health care systems, that is the moment of real danger. 

To put it simply, if too many people become seriously unwell at one time, the NHS will be unable to handle it - meaning more people are likely to die, not just from coronavirus but from other illnesses as well. 

So it's vital to slow the spread of the disease.

Because that is the way we reduce the number of people needing hospital treatment at any one time, so we can protect the NHS's ability to cope - and save more lives.

And that's why we have been asking people to stay at home during this pandemic.

And though huge numbers are complying - and I thank you all - the time has now come for us all to do more. 

From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home. 

Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households.

That is why people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:

*  Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible

*  One form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;

*  Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and

*  Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

That's all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home.

You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say no.

You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home. 

You should not be going shopping except for essentials like food and medicine - and you should do this as little as you can. And use food delivery services where you can. 

If you don't follow the rules the police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

To ensure compliance with the government's instruction to stay at home, we will immediately:

*  Close all shops selling non-essential goods, including clothing and electronic stores and other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship

*  We will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public - excluding people you live with

*  And we'll stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals

Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed.

No prime minister wants to enact measures like this.

I know the damage that this disruption is doing and will do to people's lives, to their businesses and to their jobs.

And that's why we have produced a huge and unprecedented programme of support both for workers and for business.

And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to. 

But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost and yet it is also true that there is a clear way through. 

Day by day we are strengthening our amazing NHS with 7,500 former clinicians now coming back to the service. 

With the time you buy - by simply staying at home - we are increasing our stocks of equipment. 

We are accelerating our search for treatments. We are pioneering work on a vaccine.

'Halt the disease'

And we are buying millions of testing kits that will enable us to turn the tide on this invisible killer. 

I want to thank everyone who is working flat out to beat the virus. Everyone from the supermarket staff to the transport workers to the carers to the nurses and doctors on the frontline.

But in this fight, we can be in no doubt that each and every one of us is directly enlisted. Each and every one of us is now obliged to join together. 

To halt the spread of this disease. To protect our NHS and to save many many thousands of lives.

And I know that as they have in the past so many times, the people of this country will rise to that challenge and we will come through it stronger than ever. 

We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together and therefore I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.

Thank you."

 

We have also attached the PM's full speech in a PDF format.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson Statement.pdf

Herefordshire Council, like other local authorities across the country, is preparing for an increase in the number of deaths as a result of COVID-19. A temporary mortuary has been created and the facility will act as a secure, dignified holding point before a respectful cremation or burial can take place. 

The site at Three Elms is owned by Herefordshire Council and will provide extra capacity to the Wye Valley NHS Trust at Hereford County hospital. The site will not be open to the public and we are working with funeral directors to ensure a safe and respectful process during this difficult time.

Superintendent Sue Thomas, Head of Herefordshire’s emergency response team, said: 

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"Sadly, we know that the number of deaths to coronavirus will rise and we need to be prepared. As part of the government's response, additional mortuary space is being identified in every county. This demonstrates why it remains so important that you reduce your risk of contracting coronavirus and don’t put lives at risk by aiding its spread. Keep washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds, stop unnecessary journeys by staying at home and keep a distance of 2 metres from others if you do need to go out."

Cllr Ange Tyler, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regulatory Services, and Community Safety, said:

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“We are making these arrangements in a sensitive and measured way to let people know that we are thinking ahead, but appreciate this is enormously difficult for all of us to contemplate. We hope we never have to use it. We must all do as much as we possibly can to ensure we prevent the spread of Coronavirus and within our families and throughout the community.”

Herefordshire Council is working closely with funeral directors and faiths across the county to provide them with support and information that they will need to help guide grieving families.

It is crucial that we all observe government guidance. Keep washing your hands regularly, stop unnecessary journeys by staying at home and keep a distance of 2 metres with others if you do need to go out.

Breaking News: Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to intensive care after condition worsens.

The prime minister was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in London on Sunday night - 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus - after continuing to display symptoms of COVID-19.

He was initially admitted "as a precaution" but Mr Johnson's health has since deteriorated, Number 10 said.

The prime minister has now asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise for him "where necessary".

A Number 10 spokesman said: "Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital.

"The prime minister has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.

"The prime minister is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication."

From Hereford Voice:

Boris Johnson has given so much in such as short space of time to make this country a better, safer prosperous place. People of all political hues should be hoping and praying for his swift recovery.

Stay strong Boris! You are one of our best Prime Ministers and your country and family need you sir!

Over £13million in grant funding has been paid to help support local businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak, and a further £2.7million is currently being processed – with a further 320 payments being made today.

Due to the pandemic, businesses are operating through a period of unprecedented economic uncertainty. The Government recently announced a package of business support, and Herefordshire Council has been working to identify local businesses that will be eligible for grant funding.

There is no need for businesses to contact us. We will be in contact with you directly and will work with you throughout this time. We appreciate that emails asking for bank details may be concerning, so we can provide your property reference number if required or we can send you a cheque if you provide the payee name on the business account.Cllr Ellie Chowns, Cabinet Member for Environment, Economy and Skills, said:

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“This is a time of unprecedented difficulty for us all, and the pressure on our local businesses as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic is extremely worrying. It is important that everybody is aware of the support that is on hand, and we are pleased to announce that we have paid over £13million in grant funding to local businesses, and we are processing a further £2.7million.

“Please remember that you do not need to contact the council, as our dedicated staff are working hard, including over weekends, contacting businesses directly to make sure that support gets to those who need it as soon as possible.

“I would like to offer a huge thank you to staff, along with our emergency services, key workers, and volunteers, for all the incredible work you do to help protect others.”

 

A Dalek has been spotted patrolling the streets of a small village and ordering "all humans to self-isolate".

In a video captured by amused residents, the Doctor Who villain passes through the deserted street while ordering people to comply with "the order of the Daleks".
People across the UK have been urged by the government to stay at home and only leave the house for essential needs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Video HERE

A wonderful tribute to the NHS embossed into the Hereford FC pitch.

See the clubs message from their Twitter page below;

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Fantastic work from @benbowen1979 and @Highground1999 on the pitch to show our support for the frontline services. ❤️ #ThankYouNHS

Herefordshire Council to re-open the Hillside Care Centre to support the NHS COVID-19 response

Former rehabilitation unit at Redhill will reopen and will be used to support the NHS through the coronavirus outbreak

A former Hereford rehabilitation centre will reopen to provide additional community services for the NHS and Herefordshire Council to use as part of the COVID-19 emergency response.

The re-opening of the Hillside Care Centre is part of a strategic plan involving the council and other Herefordshire organisations to find suitable premises across the county.  The 22 bed care unit will be made available to health and social care services with immediate effect to support during the coronavirus outbreak.

Councillor Pauline Crockett, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Wellbeing said:

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“It is incredibly important that during this pandemic that we do everything we can to support the health service. 

“We are very fortunate that we are able to offer the Hillside Centre as a facility to support the NHS and social care for patients requiring ongoing healthcare. We will also continue to look at other ways in which we can support our health partners during the COVID-19 response.”

The council will continue to explore redevelopment options for Hillside with a view to creating a high quality care facility that focuses on specialised long term care for older members of the community who are living with aged related conditions, including individuals diagnosed with dementia in the future.

A farmer in Devon has created a huge a tribute to the NHS into a field in support of the healthcare workers on the frontline against COVID-19.

Matthew Alford had the idea at the end of last week after seeing other farmers in the country showing their thanks and decided that Devon needed something to show how grateful we are.

Matthew, from South Molton, said: "I saw a farmer that did something in the midlands and thought Devon should do their bit for what's going on and had a bit of inspiration."

How nice is this!

Virtual Tours: The British Museum.

During this time when many people are staying at home, why not check out these virtual tours. 

We will publish a new virtual tour each day to keep you occupied while learning at the same time.

British Museum Tour Here

London's British Museum covers the history of cultures across the world. You can take a virtual walk through the museum at Google Arts & Culture, or take a look at this interactive timeline dating back to 2,000,000 BC, where you can select various artefacts that are housed in the museum and learn more about them through images, text and audio.

Enjoy and share with your friends and family