In a quarter of a century, Amazon has propelled Jeff Bezos from online bookseller to tech titan. He's the richest man on the planet, and the company he founded is one of the most powerful. Panorama investigates Amazon's rise to corporate superpower and asks whether there is a dark side to our love affair with the company. Former high-level insiders describe Amazon's huge, obsessive data-gathering operation, which enables the company to use what it knows about us to shape not only the future of retail but the workplace and technology too. On both sides of the Atlantic, politicians and regulators are beginning to question Amazon's power and to explore ways to rein it in. But some of Amazon's most senior executives say the company is a force for good, inventing new ways to serve customers and maintain their trust.  

Panorama documentary: Amazon: What They Know About Us

iPlayer download. Duration 59 mins First shown 8:30pm 17 Feb 2020 Available for 11 months

Or watch this

Shoshana Zuboff on surveillance capitalism | VPRO Documentary

The average person, including myself, were always in awe how certain people were blessed in making a lot of money, paraded as successful entrepreneurs and held in high esteem by worldwide leaders. So much money that I thought they must have a unique selling point/product or were part of a gangster/protection racket. I thought that if you worked hard, maybe long hours, your efforts would be rewarded and the money would flow in. Usually this wealth was produced in manufacturing and distribution - getting your product to the marketplace. But surprisingly today that wealth is generated with little effort, 24 hours day, by using data collected from us and resold to third parties - other businesses and governments. You may not realise the full consequences of using your smart phone, but watch these two documentaries to understand what really is going on. Already on its way to becoming your worldwide identity card and a means to strip every item of wealth and privilege you possess.

The river Wye at the Old Bridge is expected to rise to 5.8 mtrs tomorrow which would make it the highest level in living memory
surpassing the 5.66 mtrs it rose to in 1998.
Only the flooding in the 1700's with an unoffical level of 6.1 is higher.

Public advised not to put themselves at unnecessary risk.

Rescue teams along Hinton Road, photograph courtesy of Herefordshire Council

Herefordshire continues to experience significant and widespread flooding from rising river levels and deep surface flooding. There is currently a severe flood warning, meaning danger to life, for the River Wye at Blackmarston. Residents have been evacuated from the Hinton and Putson areas of Hereford city and we expect river levels to remain high over the next couple of days. We are closely monitoring the situation. 

There is potential risk of further and significant flooding over the next few days in Greyfriars and Hampton Bishop in Herefordshire. The River Wye at Ross-on-Wye is expected to peak tomorrow (Tuesday 18 February) with risk of further flooding at Ross and at Symonds Yat. Residents in these areas are advised to activate any property flood protection products they may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers and have a bag ready with vital items like medicines and insurance documents.

All partners are working together to keep people safe and plans have been put in place for the coming days. Emergency response partners including Herefordshire Council, West Mercia Police, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Environment Agency and health partners are working to support residents and protect the most vulnerable. We are concentrating our efforts to ensure vulnerable residents are evacuated where needed and rest centres are being set up for any residents that need to be evacuated at:

Holmer Leisure Centre, Holmer Road, Hereford

thePoint4, Venns Lane, Hereford

Leominster Leisure Centre, Coningsby Road, Leominster

Larruperz Centre, Grammar School Close, Ross-on-Wye

Further rest centres will be made available as required.

The multi-agency lead, Superintendent Sue Thomas said:

“The safety of residents is our priority. The river levels are unprecedented and we are doing everything we can to keep people safe- but we need the public to help the emergency services. Please do not put yourself at unnecessary risk - avoid any unnecessary travel and do not enter flood water. Also, please check on your neighbours, especially if they are elderly or vulnerable.”

Leader of Herefordshire Council, Councillor David Hitchiner said:

Quote

“We are grateful to our local community for stepping up at this time of need, offering help and support to residents and our emergency response teams, including council officers- who have been working day and night. Herefordshire has never seen flooding like it and together with partners, we are doing all we can to ensure residents are safe. Thanks also to the local community groups who are opening their doors to residents who need localised shelter and support. Please keep checking the Herefordshire Council website for the latest information.”

Please do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Many roads are closed and impassable so please respect any road closures and diversions as they are in place to keep you safe. Please do not venture close to swollen rivers or floodwater and follow official flood advice.

Herefordshire Council is co-ordinating all official information such as road closures, live updates and messages from partner agencies. Follow @HfdsCouncil on Facebook and Twitter or www.herefordshire.gov.uk

Please do not enter flood water or put yourself at unnecessary risk. If your home has been flooded and there is no threat to life, dial 01432 260000. If you are in danger, always call 999.

No linked to this subject, but support is needed at 10:00am today (8th feb) outside Town Hall Hereford. Campaign against yet another proposed high increase in CT of 4%. Please support if you feel we are already paying too much in Herefordshire.

The first phase of the demolition of the prefab bungalows along Beattie Ave began this morning.

These prefabs weren't designed to last, the past 30 years have been a compromise between the costs of sustaining the properties vs the costs to redevelop them. 

The demolition of this first phase is due to be completed within 3 weeks.

Hereford Voice previously reported on plans submitted by Hereford Housing back in March of 2018 for the proposed demolition of 41 existing (prefab bungalows) in Beattie Avenue Hereford and the subsequent construction of 71 bungalows and houses with associated parking, private amenity, access and alterations to highway.

Electric vehicles charging in the council’s off-street car parks will soon be entitled to 30 minutes of free parking.

The changes will take effect from Monday 16 March 2020, from which date drivers of electric or hybrid vehicles that need to plug in and charge will be able to obtain a free 30 minute parking ticket to display in their vehicle.

Council electric vehicle charge points are available:

Hereford; Garrick Multi Storey Car Park, Plough Lane, Shirehall and Venn Close Car Parks

Kington; Mill Street Car Park

Ledbury; St Katherine’s Car Park

Leominster; Etnam Street Car Park

Ross; Red Meadow Car Park

New rapid charging points are also to be installed in February 2020 at Edde Cross Street Car Park in Ross, St Martins in Hereford and Broad Street in Leominster. These will be capable of delivering an 80% charge to a vehicle in 20 minutes.

Electricity supplied to the council's charging point network is produced from 100% renewable energy.

Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, said:

Quote

“As part of the council’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, we are delighted to announce this scheme. It is hoped that this incentive will encourage those purchasing a new vehicle to consider alternatives to petrol or diesel engines and in doing so reduce the impact that harmful nitrous oxide and particulate matter in our town and city centres can have.”

Herefordshire Council declared a climate emergency last year, and will publish its new Carbon Management Plan in April this year. The document will outline the council’s plan to reduce carbon emissions over the next five years and set an interim target for its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030/31.

The possible opening of a Shisha Bar near to Asda in Hereford have been blocked because plans have been refused.

The location for a Shisha Bar would have been at the rear of number 8 Belmont Road (behind the Dino Asian market).

Plans were refused by virtue of the siting of the proposal in close proximity to residential properties, it is considered that there would be an unacceptable adverse impact upon the properties from air pollution and noise.

Plans have been submitted by the owners of Play Planet in Widemarsh Street Hereford for the proposed change of use to D2 (Soft-play) of central section of sub-divided Industrial Unit. (former Vision Gelpack Premises, Faraday Road, Hereford).

It is understood that Play Planet have been looking for larger premises in Hereford for a couple of years in which to move Play Planet and expand and if approved will create an additional 25 jobs.

The proposal is to change the use of the two central bays (1028m2 plus ancillary first floor offices) of the former industrial premises.

The application building has been vacant since March 2019 following the former user entering into administration in March of this year. The building dates from the post-war era and requires significant investment to bring it up to current building regulation standards.

In addition to maintaining existing jobs at Play Planet, the proposal would ultimately create around 25 positions, also a range of spin-off opportunities for associated businesses which might benefit from a presence at such as facility.

Planning Application P194006/F

Just when you thought the madness couldn't possibly get any madder (another £0.5m bypass review - please), comes this news via the BBC. Shropshire have Kier - we have BBLP, both in a race to the bottom of the potholes.

Shropshire has its own £1,000 a day pothole consultant

If you needed reminding of the state of Britain's pothole-laden roads, the BBC report that Shropshire Council have appointed a dedicated 'pothole consultant', charging £1,000 a day. 

The council say this is “comparable with usual consultancy costs”, and say they hope the appointment will improve their current “unproductive” strategy and speed up repair of the 3,500 reported road defects in the county. Steve Davenport of Shropshire Council claims even though the consultant will earn £130,000 working five days a week over the six month contract, they will actually save millions in the long run by “getting the right people on the ground doing a better job." Pothole repair in Shropshire is currently outsourced to construction and infrastructure company Keir, who the council say have been “allowed to mark their own homework” for too long. 

A great view of this iconic building occupied by Laura Ashley as you leave the passage leading to Gilbies Bar, (St Peters Close)

Hereford Voice - Turn Traffic Lights Off! Campaign:

Traffic Lights Out! Guess What...NO DELAYS!!

'The Traffic Just Flows'

Councillor John Harrington kindly just send us this video, which clearly shows at 'rush hour' with the traffic lights out how smoothly the traffic just flows!! 

Please continue to support our long campaign to trail turning these lights off, sign our petition:
 

The BBC TV licence fee is to rise - days after the corporation unveiled huge cuts at the public service broadcaster.

The cost of the annual television licence fee will increase from £154.50 to £157.50 from April 1.

This comes just days after corporation unveils huge cuts
and announced 450 job losses and the axing of award-winning The Victoria Derbyshire Show. Meanwhile, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has suggested the licence fee should be optional.

Your thoughts? 

Following the cessation of hostilities of World War 2 and what the world subsequently learned of the Holocaust, the Death Camps were called the German Death Camps. Thereafter, in an effort to ease the pain of the surrendered German people we then began to call them Nazi Death Camps so as to mitigate the disaster that befell Germany and its people. A noble thing? Yes, why not if it meant that Germany could be soothed of the shame and pain of the Second World War.

However, In recent years that language began to change for the worse. These places of cruelty and human shame suddenly became Polish Death Camps. As if Poland and its people hadn’t suffered enough. Brutalised by both Germany and the Soviet Union, something no other nation on earth had to endure, now they’re being given ownership of these terrible places. 

There are no finer more proud patriotic people than those of Poland. During those dark years of German occupation they produced the likes of Irena Sendler (read her Wikipedia page) who saved thousands of Jewish lives, hundreds of RAF fighter pilots who made more kills than any others, they helped save Britain from invasion, and produced a formidable driven force of freedom fighters that terrorised the occupying forces of Germany. Quite simply, the Polish never surrendered. Just like the British, despite the overwhelming power and evil of the Nazi forces, Poland never gave up. 

And so, when you read in some pro EU mainstream media outlets that the Polish Government are now in some way trying to undermine the history and memory of the Holocaust by legislating to end the use of language that now describes these places of evil as Polish Death Camps, it’s simply not true. The Polish Government and their people only want the Camps to be called what they were and still are. Nazi Germany Death Camps!

We have received several complaints from motorists in Hereford who have used Herefordshire Councils chosen parking partner app 'RingGo'

The complains appear to focus of the wrong parking location at the point of payment, we are not sure if this is a glitch with the app or simply down to the app showing the nearest location number 'at the top' which most people would automatically select rather than the correct location number for the street that the motorist is parked in. 

This has resulted in genuine people paying for their parking only to find a parking ticket on their vehicle when they return. Upon investigation they may well have paid for parking but if they are shown as parking in the next street they still end up with a ticket. When this has been challenged with Herefordshire Council more often than not the Council still enforce the ticket and fine, even though you cannot park the same vehicle in two separate streets at the same time, we have given an example below:

Motorist parks their vehicle in Broad Street (location number 85598) near to the Library and pays £3.36 for 2 hours parking however, when they have paid the location selected was for King Street (location number 85995).

Ticket is issued.

Is Herefordshire Council being unfair here by insisting that the motorist still pays the parking ticket fine, even though the motorist has actually paid to park for 2 hours?

Principality Building Society will be opening a branch in the newly build Alban House development in High Town Hereford. 

They currently have a branch in St Peter's Square.

Planning permission for advertising consent has been submitted.

This will breath new life into the former building which was fire damaged and left undeveloped for years. 

At 23:00 GMT on the 31st January 2020 and after 47 years, the United Kingdom formally left the European Union and ceased to be a member of the bloc, Brexit has finally happened.

There is still a lot to discuss and months of negotiation to follow. While the UK has agreed the terms of its EU departure, both sides still need to decide what their future relationship will look like. This will be worked out during the transition period, which now begins and is due to end on 31 December 2020. During this 11-month period, the UK will continue to follow all of the EU's rules and its trading relationship will remain the same.

This morning you are waking up to an exiting new era for the UK, but who will be next? 

Share your thoughts with us..
#HerefordVoice #Brexit

Hereford Voice has an active SSL Certificate (we have had this for over 2 years and renewed again today). You will notice the secure padlock just before our domain, for added peace of mind.

Your will now see our PositiveSSL Trust Logo on the main page of the website.

Why Use a PositiveSSL TrustLogo?

Visible trust indicators, like the PositiveSSL TrustLogo, are proven to improve visitors’ engagement with sites, increasing purchases, use of online services, and the sharing of sensitive information.

A Positive SSL is the most popular SSL Certificate introduced by the most trusted CA Comodo. It's a domain validated SSL that can be issued by just verifying domain ownership. The certificate is designed to encrypt website for low volume online transactions and secure information.

Looks like we are to see continued austerity in Herefordshire. I happened to see this on Twitter yesterday. I wonder what the Jess and Bill have anything to say about this! We are blessed with 2 Con MP;s and yet we are to suffer a cut in our funding 

 https://t.co/sMgyd8GAbS?amp=1