Hereford Voice

Area Commander Sam Pink, Hereford Station Commander Alex Hustwayte and Watch Commander Ady Morris with the plaque.

There was not an empty seat anywhere! The Cathedral was packed full of people for the memorial service of David Morris and John Davies who died in a factory fire in the city almost 30 years ago. Jon Pryce Chief Fire Officer & Chief Executive for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said following the service; "An incredible privilege to speak tonight at Hereford Cathedral to commemorate the installation of a permanent memorial to David Morris and John Davies who lost their lives fighting a fire in Hereford city 30 years ago. Thanks to all who worked so hard to arrange this service" Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce with the plaque in the Lady Arbour. Mark, Stuart and Paul representing Leominster Fire Station at the presentation of a memorial plaque to John Davies and David Morris at Hereford Cathedral. A heart felt address given by CFO John Pryce remembering the sacrifice given at Sun Valley on 6th September 1993. Photographs courtesy of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service. 'Thank You For Your Service'

Two men have been sent to prison for an assault that happened in 2018 Darren Sutton, 30 years-old, of Dry Thistle Close in Bromyard in Herefordshire was sent to prison for four years. Samuel Walker, 27-years-old, C/o HMP Hewell - formerly of Kenwater Close in Leominster in Herefordshire was sent to prison for 30 months. Both men were both found guilty at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday 26 April after a 7-day trial. The court heard how the two men attacked the victim at his house in Leominster in the early hours of 4 September 2018, during the attack they kicked the victim to the head and body leaving him unconscious with a fractured eye socket and ribs and heavy bruising to his whole body. Investigating officer Police Constable Stefan Hawes, Hereford Safer Neighbourhood team said: “This has been a long and drawn-out case with delays due to covid and other extenuating circumstances, so we are pleased to finally close this case. This was a violent attack that caused serious injuries to the victim. We are pleased that these two dangerous individuals have now been put before the court for these charges. Incidents like this have no place in society and we won’t hesitate to apprehend and seek prosecution those responsible and, in this case, however long it takes!”

After the unexpected Herefordshire election result, everything changed at the top. Following yesterday's (May 4) elections, the Conservatives defied the national trend to become the largest party in Herefordshire, but they still lack a general majority in the county. In the 53-seat council, the party gained 21 seats, up from 14, but fell short of the 27 needed for an absolute majority.

🟩 Ledbury West ward - Justine Haslewood: GREEN GAIN 🟩 Leominster South ward - Mark Woodall: GREENS RETAIN 🔷Three Crosses ward - Jonathon Lester: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES RETAIN. 🔷 Leominster West ward - Allan Merlyn: CONSERVATIVE GAIN 🔷 Kings Acre ward - Robert Geofrey Charles Williams: CONSERVATIVE GAIN. ◽ Ledbury North ward - IT'S OUR COUNTY INDEPENDENT RETAIN 🔶 Red Hill ward - Dan Powell LIBERAL DEMOCRATS GAIN 🔶 Widemarsh ward - Polly Andrews: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN. ◽ Tupsley ward - Jim Kenyon: INDEPENDENT RETAIN 🔶 Newton Farm ward - Jacqui Carwardine: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS GAIN 🟩 Ledbury South ward - Stef Simmons: GREEN GAIN 🔷 Bromyard West ward - John Stone: CONSERVATIVE RETAIN ◽ Stoney Street ward - David Hitchiner: INDEPENDENTS RETAIN 🔶 Ross East ward - Ed O'Driscoll: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS GAIN. 🔶 Ross West ward - Louis Stark: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN. 🟪 Whitecross ward - Dave Boulter: IT'S OUR COUNTY RETAIN. 🔷 Hampton ward - Bruce Allen Baker: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN. 🔷 Weobley ward - Nicholas Mason: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN. 🔷 Penyard ward - Harry Bramer: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN. ◽ Hagley ward - Ivan Glenn James Powell: INDEPENDENT RETAIN. 🔷 Golden Valley North ward - David Phillip Price: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN. 🟩 Leominster East ward - Jenny Bartlett: GREEN PARTY RETAIN 🔷 Kerne Bridge ward - Simeon Wood: CONSERVATIVE GAIN. 🔶 Saxon Gate ward - Aubrey Oliver: LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GAIN. ◽ Golden Valley South ward - Peter Charles Jinman: INDEPENDENT RETAIN. 🔷 Old Gore ward - Barry Alan Durkin: LOCAL CONSERVATIVE RETAIN 🔷 Mortimer ward - Carole Gandy: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES RETAIN. 🟩 Hope End ward - Helen Ruth Heathfield: GREEN PARTY GAIN. 🔷 Llangarron ward - Elissa Jane Swinglehurst: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES RETAIN 🔶 College ward - Ben Proctor: LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GAIN ◽ Credenhill ward - Bob Matthews: INDEPENDENT RETAIN 🔷 Castle ward - Robert Arnold Highfield, LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN. 🟩 Greyfriars ward - Diana Toynbee: GREEN PARTY RETAIN. ◽ Eign Hill ward - Elizabeth Mary Foxton: INDEPENDENT RETAIN. 🔶 Belmont Rural ward - Mark Eden Dykes: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS GAIN. 🔶 Ross North ward - Chris Bartrum: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN. 🔷 Bircher ward - Dan Hurcomb: CONSERVATIVE GAIN. 🔷 Bromyard & Bringsty ward - Peter John Stoddart: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES RETAIN. 🟩 Bishops Frome & Cradley ward - Ellie Chowns: GREEN PARTY RETAIN. 🔷 Backbury ward - Graham Russell Biggs: CONSERVATIVES GAIN. 🔷 Wormside ward - Richard John Thomas: CONSERVATIVES RETAIN. 🟩 Central ward - Catherine Ruth Gennard: GREEN PARTY RETAIN. 🟥 Aylestone Hill ward - Adam Spencer: LABOUR PARTY GAIN. ◽ Bromyard West ward - Clare Davies: NO POLITICAL PARTY RETAIN. 🔶 Hinton & Hunderton ward - Kevin Tillett: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN 🟩 Birch ward - Toni Anne Fagan: GREEN PARTY RETAIN. 🔷 Dinedor Hill ward - David Eirian Davies: CONSERVATIVE GAIN 🔷 Holmer ward - Frank Cornthwaite: CONSERVATIVE RETAIN 🔶 Bobblestock ward - Robert Charles Owens: LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GAIN 🔶 Kington ward - Terence Morgan, James: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN. 🔷 Roger James Phillips: CONSERVATIVES RETAIN. 🔷 Peter Bryce: CONSERVATIVE RETAIN

A 36 year old man has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years for the murder of his friend in Ross-on-Wye in October 2022. Kestutis Lekunas, 36, of Bluebell Close, was sentenced today, Thursday 4 May at Worcester Crown Court. He was found guilty of murdering Nerijus Liukpetris on 28 March 2023. On 2 October 2022, Lekunas stabbed his friend, 40-year-old Nerijus Liukpetris, on Bluebell Close in Ross-on-Wye following a disagreement. The pair had been at a party at Lekunas’ house that evening and after stepping outside became involved in an argument. Following the argument, an altercation took place where Nerijus assaulted Lekunas. Lekunas then went back into the house and came back outside with a knife, where he delivered the fatal stab wound to Nerijus’s neck. Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Steve Cook, said: “I’m pleased that the case has concluded today and that Lekunas will now pay the price for his actions on that night back in October. “This case is a devastating example of the consequences which can come from a split-second decision when tensions are high. “Our thoughts remain with Nerijus’s family at this difficult time.”

A Ludlow man has been sentenced to 32 months in prison after the court heard how he deliberately gave amphetamine to a disabled 9-year-old boy who had been left in his care. Leon Daniel Weaver, 40-years-old, of Middleton Sidings in Middleton appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Wednesday 26 April and pleaded guilty to the charges of Cause assault, ill treatment, neglect, abandonment of child/young person to cause unnecessary suffering/injury and possession of a controlled drug of Class B. The court heard how the offence became known when Weaver had been filmed covertly due to suspicions he had been cheating on his partner. In the video shown in court he is seen dropping amphetamine into a can of drink before shaking it and saying to the boy “Do you want some of this little man?” On handing Weaver a prison term Judge David Hale said: “To deliberately give amphetamine to a nine-year-old, grossly disabled child is unforgivable. I expect that you now are horrified that you did it and cannot understand how you could come to do it or what you were thinking. But you did it. “It was a deliberate disregard for his welfare. It is beyond belief. It really was unbelievable conduct.” The boy’s mother Terri Smith, 38-years-old of Wheat Common in Ludlow also appeared in court and pleased to guilty to charges of Assault, ill treatment, neglect and abandon a child/young person to cause unnecessary suffering/injury. The court heard how she did not take the boy to hospital until the next day. Smith was sentenced to a community order for 18 months which, as part of its terms, included completing 6 months of alcohol abuse treatment and completing 20 days of rehabilitation which will involve completing various activities set by the Probation Service. Investigating officer Detective Constable Karena Evans, Protecting Vulnerable People team, said: “This was a horrifying incident and hard to comprehend that someone would do something so awful to a disabled child. Thankfully, the little boy has survived his ordeal and he has now been safeguarded.”

West Mercia Police are looking for a key witness to come forward after a little girl was assaulted in Hereford. At around 7.15pm on Saturday 29 April police were called to an incident of public order near to the Tesco store in Bewell Street in Hereford. A man was arrested for drunk and disorderly and assault and remains in police custody. During the incident a little girl aged 4/5-year-old, who we believed was with her father, was assaulted. We are appealing for this man who intervened in the incident to please come forward and speak to us or anyone who was in the area at the time who saw what happened to contact us. Anyone with information is asked to please contact PC Thomas Henry on 07773 052979 or by email Thomas.henry@westmercia.police.uk If you have information but do not feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name and they cannot trace your call or I.P address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.

District ward and parish, town and city council elections take place on Thursday 4 May 2023 Polls open on Thursday 4 May 2023 for the local government elections. Councillor elections for all 53 district ward seats which make up Herefordshire Council will take place. Thursday will also see elections for Herefordshire’s parish, town and city council elections. Due to the number of contested district and parish elections, counting of the votes will be on Friday 5 May 2023. The district election vote count will be completed in the morning, followed by the parish council vote count in the afternoon. Local government elections select councillors who are responsible for making decisions on running services in your local area. These include housing, education, transport, highways, planning, social care and waste management. Polling stations open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 4 May 2023. All polling stations in Herefordshire are accessible and polling station staff are trained to help in any way they can. A magnifying glass, a blind selector device and a copy of the ballot paper in large format are available in every polling station. These elections will be the first time that voter ID will be required to be shown by all voters at a polling station. This has been introduced under the Elections Act 2022. Postal votes must be received by 10pm on Thursday 4 May 2034. If you miss the post, you can hand it in to the electoral team at Hereford Town Hall or at any polling station in the electoral area before 10pm on Thursday 4 May 2023. Find out who is standing for election in your ward or parish on the Herefordshire Council website www.herefordshire.gov.uk/elections-1/elections-4-may-2023 Further information about voter ID can be found at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/voterID

Friends of Castle Green CIC is delighted to have appointed a contractor to carry out the refurbishment works to the Pavilion. Local building construction company Vision BD has been appointed to commence work in May, after a lengthy tender process. The company will realise Friends of Castle Green’s vision to restore and refurbish this iconic building. With Towns Fund funding of £1.5 million from #StrongerHereford, the Pavilion will become a new and much needed thriving and sustainable community hub, a defining visitor attraction in the city and a source of pride for residents. Building Contract 1 from L to R: Bob Heath FOCG Director; Mark Hubbard FoCG Director; Oliver Steels Architect, Errand Studio; Paddy Nugent FoCG Director and Chair; Tom Cooke Vision BD Director, Charlie Wheeler Vision BD Project Director; John Crooks, John Crooks Associates Quantity Surveyor; Katie Bott FoCG Operations and Project Manager Planning permission has been granted by Herefordshire Council to revitalise the building by providing cafe facilities and flexible community meeting space, as well as the opportunity to celebrate local arts and heritage and a revived home for the Hereford Youth Canoe Centre (HYCC). A Grade II listed Georgian pavilion atop medieval foundations, the building has had a variety of uses over the years, most recently as an art college and a training centre. Friends of Castle Green took over the building from Herefordshire Council in 2018 in a Community Asset Transfer and is working to restore the building to its Georgian splendour. In the meantime, it provides a public space for the local community. Work to the building is anticipated to begin in Mid May, with completion and re-opening in Summer 2024. According to Paddy Nugent, Chair of FoCG, “This is a major milestone for a small community group such as Friends of Castle Green. Our team has worked tirelessly over the last three years to get to this stage and we are now on the cusp of realising our ambition of a revitalised and restored building for the community, we very much look forward to working with Vision to achieve this.” Building Contract 2, from L to R: Vision BD Director Tom Cooke and FoCG Director and Chair Paddy Nugent sign the building contract. Managing Director of Vision BD, Tom Cooke says, ”As a well established local building and development company, we are delighted to be involved with the regeneration of this iconic City-centre building. We bring with us extensive knowledge and experience of the industry and the highest levels of professional workmanship. We are excited to bring to the community a much needed flexible community meeting space, as well as other major benefits to the City.” #StrongerHereford is a Town Deals Board that has been awarded £22.4 million by Central Government to put towards the assigned projects outlined in their Town Investment Plan. The Pavilion is one of fifteen projects to have successfully applied for the funding.

Yes this is also our understanding.

In the first major success for the innovative Phosphate Credits scheme, planning permission has been granted for the development of 8 new ‘nutrient neutral’ homes in the River Wye & Lugg catchment area. This means that, when built, no additional phosphate will be added to our rivers. In a world-first, the council is in the process of creating a number of Integrated Wetlands specifically for the purpose of removing phosphates before they reach our rivers, which will enable the damaging ban on development in a large area of the county to be lifted. The wetlands will create ‘Phosphate Mitigation Credits’ for developers to use. The new Phosphate Credit Trading system enables developers to buy credits generated by the reduced pollution from operation of the wetlands. This will mitigate the phosphate generated by new developments. In this way it is possible to ensure that the overall effect of new development is what’s called ‘nutrient neutral’ The Wetlands are not just about helping new development. Twenty percent of the reduction has been reserved for river betterment. The Council still expects all polluters to meet their fair share of reductions and is working with statutory partners and the agricultural industry for the right tools and regulatory arrangements to enable this to happen. The development of 8 new self-build homes to the West of the B4361, Luston, was submitted by the award-winning local construction company, Border Oak, and will be the first such ‘credit-based’ approval. As well as being nutrient neutral, the development will be built from natural, low carbon materials, and have super high insulation values, with additional water conservation and efficiency measures. Air source heat pumps, underfloor heating and electric charging facilities will also be provided. The project also includes a new native orchard, made up of locally historic varieties of fruit trees, the provision of additional habitat features including native hedges, new trees, wide grass verges and wild spaces – designed to support wildlife and integrate the scheme into its edge of village location. Merry Albright, Creative Director at Border Oak, said: “Border Oak are thrilled to be the first scheme to pay for the wetland credits and are very proud of the local construction industry who have always been willing to pay for the wetlands in their entirety. We are also delighted to support a nature based solution that delivers wider ecological benefits for biodiversity and carbon and thank all those who worked on this proposal over many years. “We support the council’s work to find more meaningful actions to reverse the failing catchment by tackling the larger sources of pollution but appreciate the release of some housing while this work takes place.” The Cabinet Commission for the Restoration of the Wye is also continuing to work closely with neighbouring counties and partner organisations to help develop a long term plan to reduce nutrient pollution and restore the county’s rivers.

Our friends at the Hereford Times advised yesterday about two steam trains passing through Hereford today, so we thought we would share the story. And you guessed it! less than 8 minutes later. Some people lead a sad lives while others just LEAD 😉

John Price appeared today at Kidderminster Magistrates Court where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £600,000 and disqualified from being a director of a limited company for three years. In addition, a Restoration Order under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 was imposed requiring Mr Price to carry out a number of actions to restore the river.

UPDATE West Mercia Police Statement; 'Increased police presence in Hereford city centre' Officers in Hereford are currently responding to a concern for a person’s safety at a house in High Town. Whilst there have been no arrests made, there is a continued police presence and an earlier road closure at East Street and an earlier police cordon have both now been lifted. We would like to reassure local people this is an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public. Further updates will appear here and on our social media channels.

This was obviously an April Fool Joke, hope you enjoyed..

Natural England and Environment Agency see justice delivered for nature as landowner sentenced for destruction of part of the River Lugg in Herefordshire. Natural England and the Environment Agency welcome the sentencing of John Price for the destruction of 1.5km of the protected River Lugg in 2020 Habitats of otters, kingfishers, trout and salmon were among those destroyed The damage is the worst case of riverside destruction seen by the organisations and could take several decades to be fully restored This is the first prosecution under Farming Rules for Water Natural England and the Environment Agency have today welcomed the seriousness with which the Court has treated the severe and lasting damage to the River Lugg, which destroyed habitats and wildlife on a stretch of one of the country’s most unspoiled rivers. John Price appeared today at Kidderminster Magistrates Court where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £600,000 and disqualified from being a director of a limited company for three years. In addition, a Restoration Order under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 was imposed requiring Mr Price to carry out a number of actions to restore the river. The sentence is the result of legal action launched last year by Natural England and the Environment Agency following a joint in-depth investigation into environmental harm caused by the work in 2020 and 2021. The River Lugg before destruction by the landowne Mr Price used heavy machinery including bulldozers and excavators to dredge and reprofile a 1.5km stretch of the River Lugg at Kingsland, Herefordshire, destroying the riverbed and banks. The unconsented works were in breach of several regulations, including the Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018, also known as the Farming Rules for Water; and operations prohibited in the notification of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which persisted despite Mr Price being issued with a Stop Notice. After destruction of area Due to the exceptionally high diversity of wildlife, the River Lugg is a designated SSSI, with 121 river plant species that live in the river and provide habitat for invertebrates, fish and birds. The damage to the river and banks removed the habitats of hundreds of these species including otters, kingfishers and salmon as well as destroying trees, aquatic plant life and invertebrates. It is predicted to take decades to re-establish mature trees to provide the stability, cover and shade to restore the diversity of the river. Fish, plants, native crayfish and birds may take years to make a gradual return to previous populations. In sentencing Mr Price, the Judge noted that neither the Environment Agency nor Natural England did anything to encourage these works. Speaking after the verdict, Emma Johnson, Area Manager for Natural England said: “The destruction of this section of the River Lugg was devastating for the abundance and range of species which thrived in this river. The River Lugg is one of the most iconic rivers in the UK and to see this wanton destruction take place was devastating. This is why we have used our powers as regulators to see that justice was done and to act as a stark warning to others that we will take the strongest action against those who do not respect the laws that protect the environment and wildlife we all cherish. “We want to ensure that Mr Price now takes the necessary actions which we hope, in time will restore this much-loved stretch of river to its former condition.” Martin Quine, Environment Agency Place Manager for Herefordshire added: “We welcome the outcome of this prosecution for the unconsented works on the River Lugg. “The Environment Agency is working hard to restore the health of our rivers. It is a complex task that can only be achieved in partnership with landowners. We provide advice and guidance but will impose sanctions or prosecute where appropriate to protect the environment and ensure those who breach regulations are held to account. The vast majority of landowners and users fully cooperate with this process. “While Mr Price’s justification for the works was to help prevent flooding to local properties, his actions did not have any flood prevention benefit. The destruction of river banks is not appropriate flood management. It is important that the Judge recognised that the works significantly weakened flood prevention measures rather than improved them.“We urge landowners never to take extreme measure such as this and instead to always work closely with the Environment Agency around river management to agree the best solutions for both landowners and the environment.” As a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Lugg is afforded the highest level of environmental protection. Works to SSSIs or any watercourses must be done in such a way that protects the environment and does not cause any impact on flooding. Such works can only be undertaken after securing permits from the Environment Agency.

Joao Coutinho, 50, of Widemarsh Common in Hereford has been charged with rape, engaging in sexual activity with a child, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The charges are in relation to a rape which took place in Hereford on Monday 17 April. Coutinho is currently in custody and will be appearing at Kidderminster Magistrates’ court this morning (Wednesday 19 April)

A man has been arrested following a rape which took place at around 12.30pm today in the male toilets at Castle Green in Hereford. Following on from our article earlier HERE Officers responded to the report immediately and an extensive search of the area was undertaken to locate the suspect. As a result of the search a 50-year-old man has been arrested this evening on suspicion of rape, and he remains in police custody. The toilets remain cordoned off while the investigation continues. Detective Inspector Catherine Taylor, said: “I know that incidents of rape and sexual assault can be alarming for the local community, especially when there is a large police presence like there was today. I hope that the swift arrest of the suspect in this case provides some reassurance that we take reports of this nature incredibly seriously. “I’d like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while we carried out our searches this afternoon. You may see an increased police presence in the area this evening and overnight, and I’d urge anyone with any concerns to speak to an officer.”

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police told Hereford Voice; "Police officers received a report of a rape which had taken place at about 12.30pm in the male toilets at Castle Green in Hereford today (April 17). A scene guard is currently in place at the toilets and an extensive search of the area is underway to locate the suspect"

95% of parents are offered their preferred primary school Parents in Herefordshire join those across England today (Monday 17 April) with finding out which primary school their child will be attending in September 2023. Herefordshire Council has made 1729 offers of places in primary schools across the county with the following parental preference success rates: First preference: 1643 offers, which is 95% of the total offers Second preference: 55 offers, which is 3.2% of the total offers with a cumulative success rate of 98.2% Third preference: 10 offers, which is 0.6% of the total offers with a cumulative success rate of 98.8% The balance of places offered, which is 21 (or 1.2%) were to parents whose preferences could not be met and their offer was for the nearest school to their home address with available spaces. Last year, 96% of parents received their first school preference and 99.1% received a place in one of their three preferences. As in previous years, Herefordshire schools continue to be a net importer of pupils, with more pupils from neighbouring counties requesting places in the county’s schools than Herefordshire pupils requesting places in other counties. There are currently 15 Herefordshire primary schools with waiting lists and 58 have available spaces. The council has continued to promote its online application service this year, which was used by 97% of applicants.

Last month the Lions club donated £500 to the Midlands Air Ambulance. Emma Grey their CEO writes; ‘The Lions support will directly help fund our rapid response air ambulance-led service, enabling us to save countless lives’ ‘With your support, the highly skilled doctors and critical care paramedics deliver hospital-level clinical interventions and medicine at the incident scene, giving patients the best possible chance of recovery and survival’ ‘Our essential service relies on donations from kind-hearted people such as the Lions and your fundraising as we do not receive Government funding for our daily missions.’ ‘Without you, we would not be able to carry out 4,500 vitally important missions by air ambulance helicopter or critical care car each year." "Again, thank you for your support, it means a great deal to us and the 12 patients we treat daily." The photo shows members of the Club presenting a cheque for £500 to Nicole Bee from the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Thought we would share the Car Boot news This one took just 3 minutes!

PC Andy Boardman In a statement a spokesperson said; "It is with immense sadness that we can confirm a serving West Mercia Police officer has sadly died whilst on duty. PC Andy Boardman was taken ill and collapsed whilst on duty in Broseley, Shropshire, yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 11 April). He was just 43 years old. Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: “This is a terrible shock for everyone that knew Andy and my thoughts, and the thoughts of all of us at West Mercia Police, are with his wife, Luci, their two daughters and all his family, friends and colleagues. “Andy was a familiar and friendly face across the communities he served and well-liked by his colleagues across the whole force. Today we are flying our flags at half-mast as a sign of respect. “Andy was responding to an incident alongside paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service when he was taken ill. I want to pass on our sincere thanks to the paramedics who did everything they possibly could for Andy and to the officers that were with him.” Andy joined West Mercia Police in 2015, having started his policing career in 2007 with West Midlands Police. Prior to joining the police Andy served in the Armed Forces for seven years. During his service with West Mercia Police he worked in Kidderminster, Stourport and most recently within the Safer Neighbourhood Team for Broseley and Much Wenlock. Andy’s wife Luci has asked us to pass on her thanks to all their colleagues and members of the public who have sent her and their family kind and thoughtful messages of support"

The Courtyard team are delighted to announce that Estelle van Warmelo has won Best Director for Beauty and the Beast in the UK Pantomime Association’s Pantomime Awards 2023. L-R: Ellis Kerkhoven, Estelle van Warmelo and Madeleine MacMahon with the Best Director award for Beauty and the Beast at the UK Pantomime Awards Beauty and the Beast was nominated for two awards this year: Best Script (Lyndsay Maples) and Best Director (Estelle van Warmelo). "What an honour it is to receive this award from the UK Pantomime Association!” says Estelle van Warmelo, “I'm enormously pleased for the whole Courtyard team who have worked tirelessly and devotedly on all the in-house productions since The Courtyard began. Panto is difficult to get right, and every year we strive to improve, develop and bring freshness and quality to the show, a challenge our writer Lynday Maples tackles with aplomb alongside the rest of the creative team. I'm particularly grateful for the support Ellis Kerkhoven and Madi MacMahon have given me personally over the past two years. Bringing them into the directing department has helped us through an enormously difficult time while raising the bar on the integrity of the show. I'm delighted to acknowledge that this award reflects the strength of our department, not just a single person. Huge thanks to the UK Pantomime Association, John Good Ltd for the award and to Ian Archer for letting me go wild every year. Having that artistic freedom is a rare gift from a producer so I'm grateful for his faith in me. Here’s to next year!” The Courtyard prides itself on producing, writing, and directing its professional annual pantomimes in-house. Many members of the cast return to The Courtyard year after year and the seasoned writer and director have been working together on these productions for over 10 years. The Pantomime Awards are the industry recognised awards for celebrating the best of this British theatrical institution. Judges are selected from a range of backgrounds for their knowledge and passion for pantomime. During the judging process, judges watch and mark the show based on a wide-ranging criteria covering all elements of the pantomime, for which they write a detailed commentary. Following its’ best-selling year ever, The Courtyard’s pantomime for 2023/24 will be the classic tale of Dick Whittington. Spirited hero Dick and his feline friend pack up their handkerchief to embark on an epic adventure seeking fame and fortune. Their magical rags to riches tale will take audiences on an exciting journey to London Town… but will the streets be paved with gold? As part of The Courtyard’s commitment to inclusivity, there will be a range of accessible performances including Relaxed, Dementia Friendly, BSL signed and Audio Described performances. Tickets for Dick Whittington are on sale now and can be booked via Box Office in person, by calling 01432 340555 or online at courtyard.org.uk.