Hereford Voice

Assaulted On London Underground - Man Arrested following footage of a man harassing Matt Hancock earlier this week in London Matt Hancock confronted on London underground by Geza Tarjanyi-HhOiifikV9w-480p-1654805130150.mp4 No one should harass or assault Politicians like this! This behaviour is completely unacceptable. People have every right to be angry and frustrated with Matt Hancock and other MP's and decision makers over some of their unpopular handling of Covid and lockdowns but we defeat the policies that we disagree with using arguments based on facts, evidence and our values, not with intimidation or violence. A 61-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting former health secretary Matt Hancock on the London Underground. British Transport Police said in a statement: ‘We received a report of a man being assaulted and harassed at Westminster Underground station at 8.47am yesterday morning. ‘A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault and a public order offence and remains in custody.’ Mr Hancock was accompanied during the video by a London Underground worker, who calls for calm during the footage. Video footage was posted online clearly showed a man shouting and following Mr Hancock through Westminster station and onto a train. We understand that Mr Hancock was not thought to have been hurt in the incident - described by his spokesman as an "unpleasant encounter". Hereford Voice covered a similar local story last August where local Cllr Gemma had to take leave from her council work due to constant threats and abuse, that article can be found here 👉 https://hfd.news/j_Cs

❄️ IMPROVEMENT OF WINTER RESILIENCE The purchase of eight gritters is to replace its current fleet. In addition, a further £180,000 will be spent on renewing and updating weather monitoring and forecasting stations across the County as well as £62,000 to be spent on new flood warning sensors including installation and management. Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport Councillor John Harrington confirmed the decision at a meeting last Tuesday. Full details here 👉 https://bit.ly/8gritters

West Mercia Police Update A spokesperson for West Mercia Police has confirmed however a formal identification hasn’t yet taken place but Shane’s family have been informed. 45-year-old Shane has been missing from Hereford since 30 November 2022. A body was discovered shortly after 11am yesterday morning by a member of the public. The road was closed and a scene guard put in place while initial investigations took place. The road re-opened shortly before 6pm. The death is currently being treated as unexplained.

UPDATE: “The path is currently closed after the body of a man was discovered near Escley Drive, Redhill, Hereford. The death is currently being treated as unexplained, a cordon is in place while police carry out further enquiries.”

The GWW (Lines) has been cordoned off by Police between the Iron Bridge and Escley Drive in Redhill Hereford following the discovery of a body. A West Mercia Police spokesperson told Hereford Voice this afternoon.

Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum have shared an update for visitors, with improvement works taking place this month. In an article shared on social media, Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum said; “As part of celebrating 70 years of Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum, improvement works have started at ‘The Viewpoint’ with the kind assistance of the Hoople Group. “All being well, the work will be completed early next month.” The rest of the park remains open as normal. Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum is a 47 Acre Arboretum with a collection of over 500 rare and exotic tree species. 123 Acres of woodland and visitor facilities.

Landmark Levelling Up Fund to spark transformational change across the UK. More than 100 projects awarded share of £2.1 billion from Round 2 of government’s flagship Levelling Up Fund to create jobs and boost the economy More than 100 projects awarded share of £2.1 billion from Round 2 of government’s flagship Levelling Up Fund Projects will benefit millions of people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and create jobs and boost economic growth £672 million to develop better transport links, £821 million to kick-start community regeneration and £594 million to restore local heritage sites Successful bids include Eden Project North in Morecambe, a new AI campus in Blackpool, regeneration in Gateshead, and rail improvements in Cornwall Landmark levelling up funding will breathe new life into more than 100 communities, with up to £2.1 billion awarded today to transformational projects across the United Kingdom. These include Eden Project North visitor attraction in Morecambe, a new AI campus in Blackpool, a new rail link in Cornwall, and a major regeneration scheme in Gateshead that will create jobs and grow the economy. Major government investment will benefit millions of people across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and spread opportunity to historically overlooked areas - with £672 million to develop better transport links, £821 million to kick-start community regeneration, and £594 million to restore local heritage sites. A total of 111 areas have been awarded funding from the second of the government’s flagship Levelling Up Fund, providing greater investment in communities that will create new jobs, drive economic growth, help restore people’s pride in the places where they live, and spread opportunity more equally. Secretaries of State will be visiting winning projects across the UK to see how local leaders will deliver for local people. This will drive forward the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy by levelling up and provide the foundations for building a better future in communities across the UK. By working as one United Kingdom, the country is better able to collectively tackle the individual challenges faced by every region and nation across the country. The government has also confirmed there will be a further round of the Levelling Up Fund, providing more opportunity to level up places across the UK. Levelling Up Fund Round 2 successful bids (ODS, 21.5 KB) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere. That’s why we are backing more than 100 projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities across the United Kingdom. By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in people’s lives and the places they call home. Projects awarded Levelling Up Fund money today include: Eden Project North will receive £50 million to transform a derelict site on Morecambe’s seafront into a world class visitor attraction. It will also kick-start regeneration more widely in Morecambe, creating jobs, supporting tourism and encouraging investment in the seaside town. Cardiff Crossrail has been allocated £50 million from the fund to improve the journey to and from the city and raise the economic performance of the wider region. Blackpool Council and Wyre Council will receive £40 million to deliver a new Multiversity, a carbon-neutral, education campus in Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway Central Business District. This historic funding allows Blackpool and The Fylde College to replace their ageing out-of-town centre facilities with world-class state-of-the-art ones in the heart of the town centre. The Multiversity will promote higher-level skills, including automation and artificial intelligence, helping young people secure jobs of the future. Nearly £27 million has been guaranteed for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands. The service is a lifeline for the island, supporting its residents, visitors and supply chains, and without its replacement the community will become further isolated. A total of £20 million is going towards the regeneration of Gateshead Quays and the Sage, which will include a new arena, exhibition centre, hotels, and other hospitality. The development will attract nearly 800,000 visitors a year and will create more than 1,150 new jobs. A £50 million grant will help create a new direct train service, linking 4 of Cornwall’s largest urban areas: Newquay, St Austell, Truro, and Falmouth/Penryn. This will level up access to jobs, skills, education, and amenities in one of the most economically disadvantaged areas in the UK. There is £5.1 million to build new female changing rooms in 20 rugby clubs across Northern Ireland. The UK government will also today launch an interactive map online so people can see which projects in their area are receiving Levelling Up Fund investment. This will be available at https://levellingup.campaign.gov.uk/. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: We are firing the starting gun on more than a hundred transformational projects in every corner of the UK that will revitalise communities that have historically been overlooked but are bursting with potential. This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth, and help to restore local pride. We are delivering on the people’s priorities, levelling up across the UK to ensure that no matter where you are from, you can go as far as your talents will take you. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: This is a major down payment on local jobs, growth and regeneration, all part of our mission to level up opportunity across the country. To unlock more growth right across the country, we are making it easier for locally-elected leaders to make things happen without banging on a Whitehall door by extending devolution deals to all areas of England that want them by 2030. The successful bids announced today follows the allocation of £1.7 billion to 105 projects from Round 1 of the Levelling Up Fund in 2021. The government confirmed last year that Round 2 funding would match Round 1 but increased this by more than £400 million after receiving a high number of transformative bids – taking the total allocated so far from the fund to £3.8 billion. Today’s allocations also come on top of significant action already taken by the government to level up communities across the country. This includes opening 7 freeports, signing 6 devolution deals, connecting 740,000 homes and business with gigabit broadband, and helping 70 community groups take ownership of their cherished pubs, clubs and local landmarks at risk of closure. The Towns Fund has been providing funding of up £25 million, to 101 towns in order to boost local economies outside of big cities and deliver vital infrastructure. Developing better transport links More than £670 million from the Levelling Fund has been allocated to 26 projects across the United Kingdom to improve transport links. This includes £40 million for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to transform its bus services, especially in areas of deprivation and for communities who do not have access to a car. The North East Combined Authority will receive nearly £20 million to buy more than 50 new electric buses. This will provide more than 3,000 seats for passengers, improve air quality, reduce congestion and support businesses in the region. Belfast International Airport will receive £2.3 million to purchase an electric bus fleet, which will have significant benefits for travellers and local people with better air quality and reduced noise. Nearly £27 million has been guaranteed for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for the Shetland Fair Isle in Scotland, providing a lifeline for the community, visitors and vital supply chains. Revitalising towns and cities Over £760 million is being provided to regenerate towns and cities and unlock thousands of new homes. This includes £20 million to regenerate Accrington town centre, which will see the renovation of the Grade II listed Accrington Market Hall into a bustling food hall and trading space and the refurbish of the vacant and dilapidated Burtons Chambers and Market Chambers into band-new office spaces. There is £18 million for a transformation of Cleethorpes seafront, including the historic market square and regenerating Pier Gardens. The construction of Willenhall Garden City in Walsall will be accelerated by a £20 million grant, which will unlock a £210 million regeneration plan, enabling the delivery of new homes, parks, and a railway station. More £17 million will level up Leek Town Centre through a refurbishment plan that will upgrade the old market halls for new business use, upgrade the public library and museum, and create a swimming facility as part of wider town centre regeneration. Restoring local heritage £545 million will restore local landmarks and protect them for generations to come. This includes nearly £18 million to transform the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, one of the most recognisable buildings in South Wales, which is currently deteriorating after years of piecemeal refurbishments. There is £20 million to restore the Grade II listed Haigh Hall in Wigan, which will rejuvenate the area and make the site a popular destination for culture, community, events and hospitality. All areas were invited to bid for Round 2 by August 2022.

Here is a nice 'Thank You' message from our local Police.

Further to our previous 'breaking news' article here https://hfd.news/DjES back last March regarding the Lidl supermarket planning application to demolish the Three Counties Hotel and change it into a supermarket. Again, Hereford Voice 'break the news' and we can now confirm that Lidl have today (19 Jan 2023) submitted a separate application for a licence to sell alcohol. This is a separate application to the application for Outline Planning Application here https://hfd.news/9rmO. Just to clarify, this is normal business practice however, the planning department have not made any decisions with regards to their original Hybrid application which is still awaiting a recommendation from the Council’s Planning Officer. Anyone wishing to object to this application must raise their concerns on the basis of the alcohol licence and NOT the planning application. They are two completely separate things.

The Saturday before Valentine’s Day, Hereford’s Old Market will be filled with celebration as Hereford City Life deliver their Love Hereford event. In addition to free parking, a photobooth and live music, the City Life team have now confirmed further details about this exciting event, with a mocktail masterclass, family entertainment and an unmissable giveaway announced. This entertainment-filled schedule will have visitors feeling ready for romance while experiencing what’s on offer in Hereford city centre! Couple’s Mocktail Masterclass with The Tipsy Kat Pair up and try your hand at mocktail making in this fun workshop run by local cocktail experts The Tipsy Kat. They’ll walk you through the steps as you shake things up making two delicious Valentine’s Mocktails. Sessions last 45 minutes and you will be able to take your creations (and a handy recipe card) away with you afterward. Tickets (for two people) will cost £20 plus booking fee and are available to book via the link below. Family Fun with a Valentine’s Punch & Judy Show Love Hereford isn’t just for loved-up couples; families are sure to be entertained by a special Valentine’s-themed Punch & Judy show. There will be two free-to-watch performances plus an opportunity to enjoy some expert balloon-modelling in between. The first show will begin at midday. At the event, visitors will be able to pick up handy gift guides and goodies, and enter an exciting Love Hereford giveaway. The prize is a treasure-trove of goodies from incredible local businesses, including The Beefy Boys, Phillip Morris & Sons and The Coffee Cart Company, Hereford. Information about the event 👉 https://bit.ly/LoveHereford2023 Hereford City Life is a consumer brand of Hereford Business Improvement District, run on behalf of BID members. Hereford BID is a non-profit private company (limited) funded by 500 businesses in the city centre. The organisation has 3 core strands underpinning its business plan, a document based on feedback from its member businesses on what they want to see happen, these are: i) High Profile Hereford - Marketing and Events ii) The Hereford Experience – Safe and Clean iii) Business Voice – Lobbying & Support. The company is run by up to 15 board directors who are also levy paying members.

Oh look, last night while shopping we noticed a new Sushi deli coming to Tesco Belmont in Hereford But as predicted below, things catch on really quickly, particularly when there is a lot of local interest and of course 'CLICKS'

This is the other side of Policing that you don’t see… n_jKKw-rcmnhvVWD.mp4 Harry professionally led these officers around his street in full uniform. How lovely is this story to start the week Durham Roads & Armed Policing "Meet future PC Harry! Harry has had a truly awful time recently, and when we heard how much he loves his new Christmas present, an electric Police bike, we had to pay him a visit! Harry professionally led us round his street in full uniform" 👏 (we rarely publish topics outside of our surrounding Counties but decided this one was definitely worth a mention)

I recent years Herefordshire like many other counties have experienced annual floods, well this is like a trigger, some people literally get super super excited about it and start posting endless pictures and even film themselves on live videos on Facebook with the actual floods in the background, it's almost like some sort of therapy especially for people who really seem to thrive on others misfortunes... We try to limit our news articles and we often just update one topic, especially around road closures because there can be constant changes. Unlike some, we do not proclaim to be any type of flood experts or journalists. We have been supporting the local community and providing local news and events since before 2004. We have been working around the clock all week, trying our best to keep you all up to date with the latest road closures and events however, we're certainly not looking for a 'pat on the back' or any self self praise either. So we though we would thank our followers.. Guess what happened just 26 minutes later?? See for yourselves So a new record beating the previous but one minute (new best time 26 minutes). This flood update below 👇 we published expressing our support and relief for local residents and businesses, this was at 08:28hrs And then just 2 minutes later...

Happy News Year! Let's see if 2023 brings any changes or new year resolutions, not to copy We guess not..this one took just 27 minutes, so a new record for a new year, we're confident that this will be improved on during 2023

For many years we always start the day with sometimes mentioning the day of the week or a simple 'Good Morning' which can be quite often accompanied with a positive message... Guess what, our 'Good Morning' ritual is also contagious.. Coincidence right?

Some interesting comments from our friend and retired Environment Agency manager Dave Throup today regarding the annual flooding in Hereford.

Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday, which happens at least once every year but can occur up to three times in the same year. There are two Friday's that fall on the 13th in 2023 - Today, January 13th and Friday, October 13th. What is fear of Friday the 13th called? Fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia. The panic associated with Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia. The scientific term arises from the Greek words Paraskeví meaning Friday and dekatreís meaning thirteen. Other names for this phobia include friggatriskaidekaphobia which originates from Norse mythology where Frigg is the Norse Goddess for Friday. Many call superstitions an irrational belief of the supernatural, actions that stem from ignorance or fear of the unknown. But these “irrational” acts are actually more normal than you may think. The fear of the number 13, is such that many high-rise buildings, hotels, and hospitals skip the 13th floor, and many airports do not have gates numbered 13. Here are a few common superstitions.. Don't Break A Mirror: According to folklore, breaking a mirror is a surefire way to doom yourself to seven years of bad luck. The superstition seems to arise from the belief that mirrors don't just reflect your image; they hold bits of your soul. That belief led people in the old days of the American South to cover mirrors in a house when someone died, lest their soul be trapped inside. Opening An Umbrella Inside: Bad Luck It seems like a no-brainer that opening an umbrella inside brings bad luck, since it presents a risk of breaking valuable items and poking someone in the eye. But one common superstition holds that because umbrellas shade us from the sun they’re somehow magical. When the umbrella is opened inside – out of the way of sun’s rays – it offends the sun god. It may even signify impending death or ill fortune for both the person who opened it and the people who live within the home. Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder: European/Christian, ancient Roman Perhaps the next most common superstition, at least in the West, involves tossing salt over one’s shoulder. Like ‘knocking on wood,’ this superstition also involves the idea of ‘warding off evil’ - in this case, the Devil himself. In Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, Jesus’ betrayer, Judas Iscariot, is portrayed as having accidentally spilled salt. Since Judas was associated with doing something bad, the argument goes that, ipso facto, so was salt, and throwing it over your shoulder would blind the devil waiting there. Walking Under A Ladder: European/Christian, possibly Egyptian The superstition of not wanting to walk under a ladder also has roots in Christian symbolism: the “Holy Trinity” of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit led to an association of the number three with something sacred. The triangle, with its three sides, came to be regarded as sacred as well, and a ladder of course forms a triangle, so, naturally, to walk under that ladder would be to destroy the sanctity of the Trinity and thus incur punishment. Keep Your Shoes Off The Table: Not only is it gross, but in Britain it is considered bad luck because it symbolizes the death of a loved one. Touch Wood: Lots of us find ourselves ‘knocking on wood’ or ‘touching wood’ to secure good luck or avoid bad luck. Some people believe the tradition began with the Pagans who believed that good spirits lived inside trees and that people once laid their hands on trees to ask for good luck. Others believe the wood in question was from Christ’s cross, or the fragments said to be from the cross which found their way across the world. There are more theories, too: that the practice dates fro the Spanish Inquisition when Jewish communities used a system of knocking on wooden synagogues to avoid persecution, that sailors knocked on wooden decks to have good luck at sea and that miners would tap the rafters inside mines to check for rot that could cause a collapse. A Black Cat Crossing Your Path Is Unlucky: The ancient Egyptians revered cats, linking the sleek companions with deities, women and a prominent place in the household. Cats toppled from their revered pedestals around the 13th century, however, when Pope Gregory IX issued a warning against having or associating with cats. He portrayed the felines as Lucifer in disguise, cavorting with witches to place curses while purring beside a bubbling witch’s cauldron. Crossed Fingers: This is a way to ensure that lucky things will happen. It really means “Let’s hope it happens!” or “Let’s hope for good luck”. “Fingers crossed!” = good luck! “I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you today!” Also, crossing your fingers is considered a way to get away with telling a lie. This isn’t related to the good luck superstition. For example, if someone says “I won’t tell anyone” but they secretly have their fingers crossed behind their back, it means that they’re lying! Seeing A Single Magpie: If you see a single magpie make sure to tip your hat (especially if you’re not carrying onions).Until the arrival of Christianity, magpies were seen as a lucky bird. But the story that they refused to weep at the crucifixion or enter Noah’s Ark changed their reputation into one of misfortune. In 1507, it was reported that “whan pyes chatter upon a house it is a sygne of ryghte evyll tydynges” and the fact that they could often be seen around places of death looking for carrion only cemented their reputation. By 1780, the superstition around the magpie was so strong that the UK had developed a rhyme recounting the different types of luck a magpie could bring. It’s still commonly recited today: “One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl and four for a boy.” There are several regional variations on what that sorrow can be, including a sign of an impending death in Scotland, a hazardous journey in Wales, and a day without catching any fish in Devon. In Northampton, three magpies predict a fire rather than a girl. There are ways, however, to negate the bad luck, the most common being to doff your cap and say “Good morning general (or captain).” Again this varies by region, and other greetings include making the sign of a cross, asking after the magpie’s wife, and spitting three times over your shoulder. The oddest is practiced by the people of Somerset, who are encouraged to carry an onion with them at all times to protect themselves from the evil effects of seeing the magpie. Do you have any superstitions that you routinely follow?

In a message on The Den restaurant Facebook page the owners announced the sad news that the business was to close due to a 'Challenging Few Years, Covid and Cost of Living' writing; "It is with our deepest regret and sadness that we have had to make the decision to close The Den Restaurant. After months of contemplation we tried our best to stay but now is the right time to announce our closure as we have no other choices. The hospitality industry has suffered huge challenges over the last few years mainly due to covid and now the cost of living. We have been constantly finding ways to save money and stay competitive while maintaining the quality of the food and service but this has become consistently more difficult. This was not an easy decision to make yet we are grateful for the 10 years we have had. It’s been a blast! We would like to thank all our loyal customers, and apologise to anyone this may cause an inconvenience to. For those of you with gift voucher please email us at thedenrestaurant@gmail.com. We would like to wish you all the best for future as we bow out of The Den. Goodbye……for now" This is indeed a sad day for this popular local restaurant, let's hope we see the good people from The Den again in the near future. 🤞

HEREFORD LIVE River Wye HD Webcams Old Bridge Hereford LIVE CAMERA 1 FEED 👉 https://bit.ly/HfdFloods Victoria Bridge LIVE CAMERA 2 FEED 👉 https://bit.ly/WyeWebcam

Work is planned to begin week commencing the 13 February to repair the fencing along the river path near the Old Bridge. All of the debris from the floods of storm Dennis back in February 2020 were removed last July which we reported in this topic 👉 https://bit.ly/fencerepairs however, this latest development is a welcome news and long overdue. Road and path closure from 13 Feb - 17 Feb 2023 Remember where you heard it first..

West Mercia Police Officers are investigating a burglary offence that occurred in the Kington area of Herefordshire. If you can help, please contact 101 quoting crime reference number 22/125218/22.

A farmer from Garway has been fined, given an 18-month community order and banned from keeping livestock for 10 years from 16 February 2023 in a case brought by Herefordshire Council’s trading standards service. Richard Sparey of Lodge Farm was sentenced by Hereford magistrates after previously pleading guilty to 10 charges of failing to correctly store and dispose of a large quantity of animal carcasses. Trading as HJ Sparey and Son, the farmer was also guilty of ensuring the needs of sheep and cattle he managed met required good practice. As well as the ban and community order, the farmer was given 20 days’ rehabilitation, fined £2500, with a victim surcharge of £95, and ordered to pay costs of £5165.83 on 22 December 2022. Complaints about dead stock in fields were made to Herefordshire Council’s trading standards service between March and June 2021. Animal health officers visited sites where the farmer kept animals. They advised him on the needs and conditions of animals in his care. He was also informed of his requirement to properly dispose of all animal carcasses. Despite the warnings, officers found dead sheep in water where animals drank as well as carcasses that had not been collected from fields. Officers also found a dead cow next to animal feed. Marc Willimont, Herefordshire Council’s head of public protection, says: “This was a particularly serious and distressing case for everyone involved. Officers uncovered a very unsuitable farming environment with dead stock left in fields and within water that other animals could drink from. The council will continue to support farmers and all livestock keepers to ensure that best practice is maintained on farms and smallholdings. We do not tolerate animal suffering and take action against anyone who disregards the welfare of farmed animals.”

In aid of 'Save Hereford's Athletics Track' the team wrote; "Today was a special one 💚 From the bottom of our hearts, thanks to everyone who took part and got involved in the Hereford Couriers Dawn til Dusk Run The response was incredible. Over 150 athletes from over 15 clubs in and around the county to help raise awareness of the Save Hereford's Athletics Track campaign. Today we demonstrated how much the Herefordshire running community wants to save our much loved track! We had all abilities and ages taking part in distances from 400m to 40 miles as we set off at 8:19am and finished just after 4:15pm 🌅🌇 Huge kudos to those who completed the full 40 miles 👍 A big thank you to Couriers Chris, Graeme, and Ben for co-ordinating today's event ❤️ But we couldn't have done it with our all of your support and involvement. Please continue to get involved in the events planned in the future to help Save our Track 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💚 Today, we've had air time on Free Radio, tomorrow we will be on BBC Hereford & Worcester and Wednesday evening at will be on BBC Midlands Today" For those who would like to donate to the campaign please visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/herefordathleticstrack Well done to everyone involved 👏👏👏 📸 Photographs courtesy of Hereford Couriers Running Club

📣 POLICE APPEAL | ID SOUGHT Hereford Police are seeking to speak with this male to assist with enquiries regarding damage to cctv cameras in the Whitecross area in Hereford. If you think you have information on the identity of this male, please ring 101, report online at https://www.westmercia.police.uk or email herefordnorthside.snt@westmercia.police.uk