Hereford Voice

The Food Warehouse (Iceland) is due to open soon in the former unit previously occupied by Oak Furniture Land on Holmer Road Hereford. Hereford Voice broke the news about Oak Furniture Land intentions to close their Hereford branch back in April 2021 in our article here The Food Warehouse is open to the public and trade alike offering the wholesale experience, without any membership required. The Food Warehouse was formed in 2014 which makes them rather young! As part of Iceland Foods, Iceland's history goes right back to 1970 when Malcolm Walker and another retailer founded the very first Iceland store. Iceland now has over 800 stores and The Food Warehouse, over 120 with Hereford due to open soon hopefully creating up to 25 new jobs locally. Vacancies now available for the new Hereford store include Team Leaders and Retail Assistants full details and how to apply here 👇 https://www.thefoodwarehouse.com/vacancies/

The Food Warehouse (Iceland) are due to open here soon!

West Mercia Police have confirmed that today, Ben Armstrong, aged 48, from Dyfed, Wales, has been charged with murder and assaulting an emergency worker. He has been charged in relation to the murder of a 78-year-old woman that occurred on Thursday 6 January in Moreton Eye, Herefordshire. The area is still cordoned off whilst their enquiries are ongoing.

Janet Edwards from Tillington in Herefordshire was last seen one month ago today. In a statement to West Mercia Police, the family said: "We dearly miss Jan. Christmas without her was painfully sad. "We are infinitely grateful for the support of Jan's friends, and the community, the volunteers, and the emergency services. Everyone involved has worked tirelessly to look for Jan. "Very sadly, we are no closer to finding her. We would be so very grateful if everyone seeing this would continue to look out for anything, however small, that might aid the search efforts. We thank everyone sincerely for their support." Janet was last seen in the area of Beechwood Court, Hereford at 3pm on Friday 10 December 2021. CCTV images of her on the day she went missing show her wearing a green Raab jacket, blue jeans and casual brown boots with a white trim and sole. The 66-year-old is a well-known and well-liked member of the Herefordshire Community and served with the NHS. She is also healthy and a keen runner. Officers from West Mercia Police have been conducting enquiries and carrying out searches using specially trained officers, police dogs and volunteer rescue groups. Supt Edd Williams said: “We’re appealing for information, no matter how small, from members of the public that might help us find Janet. "The social media engagement has been brilliant and I’d like to thank the communities of Herefordshire who’ve been sharing our appeals and ask that they continue to do so. "Janet’s disappearance is completely out of character and we are extremely concerned. We’re continuing to work with and support the family at this very difficult time with specialist officers.” Anyone who may have seen Janet or come into contact with her is asked to contact us. We also ask that anyone who was driving in the area of Beechwood Court, Penn Grove Road, Venns Lane, College Road, Aylestone Hill, Folly Lane, or Bodenham Road between 3pm and 7pm on 10 December who has dash-cam footage, to please review it to see if they can see Janet and if so to contact officers. Similarly, we ask anyone with CCTV/or a doorbell camera in the above areas who has not yet received a visit from the police to review the footage from that day and time bearing in mind the description of Janet; and if they see someone fitting her description then to contact the police. Anyone who has any information is urged to call 101 or visit our website, quoting incident 654i of 10 December, 2021, or report it online via our website www.westmerciapolice.uk/tua/tell-us-about/ Alternatively, if you have information but don’t 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 IP address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.

Hereford City Council agreed to release this year’s grant of £15,000 to Close House in order to help fund their numerous projects, following a report presented by Ben Lea. Close House is a Youth Centre located in Hereford City Centre, and Hereford City Council have long been proud to support their brilliant work with young people. The Close House Project aims to be a safe, supportive and inspiring place for Hereford’s youth, breaking the cycle of negative experience and behaviour that some young people face, helping them find hope and aspiration and enabling them to control the direction their own lives take. The ongoing funding from the City Council covers the cost of running their drop-in service, as well as the Idle Hands programme. Close House also help run the Hereford City Youth Council, which gives young people a voice on the Parish Council and helps introduce them to the inner workings of Council and office environments. As unfortunately expected, the Covid-19 pandemic has made the work of Close House very difficult. Face-to-face appointments and meetings have not been possible, leaving many young people without the support they need without Close House. Though the group is now making a fresh start after the recent lifting of lockdowns, it has been difficult for staff to manage as several staff members have moved on and there is a marked lack of gap year students and volunteers. However, Close House has made progress on branching out to more young people to seek able and willing help, and business is picking up rapidly. It’s no surprise that young people are keen to delve into Close House’s inspiring work. The Idle Hands project has worked through three outreach programmes in large spaces to enable meetings during the pandemic; this helps tackle risks posed to young people such as County Lines drawing them into drug-related issues and associated crime. Close House enables those vulnerable to these issues turn negative behaviour into positive behaviour; a truly applaudable goal. City Councillors agreed that Close House’s work in the City is vital for young people in Hereford, and many spoke to express their appreciation for their ongoing work and support. It was agreed that the annual grant of £15,000 be released to help Close House continue their projects. For more information on Close House, visit: www.closehouse.org

Hereford City Council awarded an annual grant of £10,000 to the Hereford Citizen’s Advice Bureau, to help them continue providing their vital services. Hereford Citizen’s Advice Bureau work to give local people advice on issues which are causing them problems in life, whatever that problem may be. From unemployment and benefits, to relationship troubles and child support, Hereford CAB tackle issues in every corner of our community. When Hereford City Councillors last caught up with Hereford Citizen’s Advice Bureau in May 2021, they asked how their previous £10,000 grant had been put to use since awarded it in 2020. As expected, the pandemic had put a huge strain on the team, and enquiries had risen substantially. From people losing their jobs to housing evictions and money issues, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau had dealt with a variety of unforeseen circumstances, aiding those who had been hardest hit by the lockdowns. Sadly, many more people throughout 2021 have had to deal with these challenges. The team have dealt with a massive amount of cases, most of which were due to Covid-19. Many who had never had experience of the benefits system had been forced to claim universal credit after entering troubled times, and in a number of cases those people did not have access to the internet or knowledge of how to navigate the system. Now that the eviction moratorium has been lifted, the courts have a backlog of cases and the CAB maintain a desk at the court to offer advice, which often achieves last minute stays of action while better solutions are found. Roughly 44% of cases are related to benefits and 40% of claimants have a long term disability. People in crisis are currently desperate for help, and the City Council fully supports the work the CAB do in helping them. It was agreed by City Councillors that the annual grant of £10,000 be released to Hereford Citizen’s Advice Bureau to help these incredible efforts continue. For more information on Hereford CAB, visit: www.herefordshirecab.org.uk

Construction will soon begin on a new Retirement Village development on Roman Road on the outskirts of Hereford. The site in Holmer will provide 80 one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent and is being brought to the city by Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group. Platform, who run a similar development at Harling Court in Ledbury, will also provide onsite care and support services plus various communal facilities for the residents. Cllr Ange Tyler, Cabinet member for Housing, regulatory services, and community safety, said: “Providing affordable housing is a key issue for Local Authorities across Britain, and Herefordshire is no different. One of our key priorities is to deliver safe, comfortable and affordable housing, particularly for vulnerable people. We are therefore delighted to be working in partnership with Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group on this project, and look forward to the new Retirement Village taking shape.” Darren Beale, Regional Managing Director at Vistry Partnerships West Midlands said, “We have extensive experience designing and constructing extra care schemes and we’re very pleased to be working in partnership again with Platform Housing. As one of the country’s leading regeneration specialists we recognise the need to support our partners to build homes across all tenures, particularly homes and care services for older people.” Steve Eaves, Director of Regeneration at Platform Housing said, “This is a fantastic partnership that will provide much needed older persons housing in a very popular and strategically important area for our partners at Herefordshire Council. We are also very much looking forward to working with Vistry again. They have a great rack record of successfully delivering large schemes with Platform.“ Some £19m is being spent on the project which is anticipated to begin in the spring.

Several reports had been received between 18 December and 3 January but no injuries had been reported. Officers carried out enquiries and yesterday (Wednesday 5 January) arrested a 34-year-old man from Hereford on suspicion of sexual assault. . He was bailed pending further enquiries. Anyone with any concerns about an incident is urged to visit https://www.westmercia.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

West Mercia Police Statement; Today a murder investigation was launched after a woman was found dead at a property in Herefordshire. At around 8am this morning, we received a report of a collision whereby a car crashed into a telegraph pole on Eye Lane, Luston in Herefordshire. Officers responded and, following enquiries, attended an address in Moreton Eye, Herefordshire with colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service. Sadly, a 78-year-old woman was found dead at the address. The death is being investigated as a murder and a 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. West Mercia Police officers remain at the scene whilst enquiries are ongoing.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews attended a fire at a derelict building on Eign Street in Hereford this afternoon. 4 sets of breathing apparatus, 1 hose reel jet and 1 covering jet were used to extinguish the fire on the ground floor. There was a fire at this derelict building back in November.

Hereford Cops are appealing for any witnesses or people in the area who may have CCTV/Dash Cam footage following an incident on Belmont Road on the evening of 2nd January at approx 21:35. A female has been approached and followed by a male who is described as 6ft, Olive Skinned, Slim Build with approximately 3/4 weeks of stubble/beard growth. The male is believed to have walked from the Poole Close area and approached the female near to Farm Foods. He has then followed her for a short time and left the area running up Belmont Road towards the bridge. Anyone with any information or footage should contact police immediately with reference 00529_I_02012022.

The 2022 New Year Honours list has been announced MP Bill Wiggin receives a knighthood for his Political and Public Service (Member of Parliament for North Herefordshire - Upton Bishop, Herefordshire). Other local recipients of are; Sally Jane ROBERTSON, awarded British Empire Medal for her services to the community in Burghill, Herefordshire (Hereford, Herefordshire) Susan Jane ROBERTS, also awarded British Empire Medal for services to the community in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, particularly during Covid-19 (Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire) Anthea Elizabeth Joy MCINTYRE, receives a CBE (Lately Member, European Parliament, West Midlands) for Political and Public Service (Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire). Paralympian Daniel Dean PEMBROKE, receives an MBE For services to Athletics (Hereford, Herefordshire) Full List attached below 👇 new-year-honour-list-2022.pdf

Merry Christmas to you all. Another year almost over and a new one about to begin. We would like to thank you all for your continued support and hope that you all have a fantastic Christmas. Colin.

Some drivers certainly need re-educating

Raising the road.

Hereford Voice understands this morning that temporary black tape will be placed along the low kerbs in Widemarsh Street within the next 24hours, marking the infamous kerbs that many of us (or folks we know) have taken a tumble over. Hereford Voice have been advised that works will begin at the end of March next year, for approximately 8 weeks (keeping road open for access as much as possible). This work is long overdue, over a decade after the road was redesigned and this hazard has been allowed to continue for too long. Hereford Voice would like to thank campaigners like Barb Tilling and Anna Gardiner from local group Widemarsh Street Trips and Falls for their hard work over the years to raise awareness on this issue and also want to thank the coalition administration who have took the decision and secured the funding for the levelling of the kerbs after nothing was done by the previous administration. We appreciate things take time but are very pleased that common sense has prevailed here.

Our friend Dave Throup (Environmental Agency manager) has announced his retirement at the end of this year afer 22 years service with the Environment Agency. Dave is a flood expert and has kept us all up to date with the weather and dramatic photographs over the years.He made the announcement on his official Twitter account. Hereford Voice would like to thank Dave personally for keeping us up to date over the years with up to the minute accurate information and wish him a long and happy retirement, more time for them bike rides!

Latest News | Driver Arrested Suspicion of Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs and Dangerous Driving Following Collision with Person on Mobility Scooter Causing Serious Injuries. West Mercia Police have issued the following statement; Officers were called to a road traffic collision on the A49 near the Asda store in Hereford at 7.05am (Wednesday 15 December). The incident involved a white VW Polo and a mobility scooter. The man on the mobility scooter has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. The two men in the Polo stopped at the scene. The driver was initially arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs, and was further arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He is currently in custody. The A49 northbound at the pedestrian crossing from Asda fuel station/Drybridge Walk was closed but one lane has since reopened. The A49 southbound has also been reduced to one lane. There is considerable congestion and motorists are advised to avoid the area. Anyone who has any information or dash-cam footage is urged to call 101 or visit our website, quoting incident 059i of 15 December, 2021 or report it online via our website www.westmerciapolice.uk/tua/tell-us-about/ Alternatively, if you have information but don’t 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 IP address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.

Historic builders’ merchants, Robert Price, has welcomed Hereford-based building supplier, Tudors, into its group. The acquisition of Tudors Building Supplies, and its two specialist branches (Roofing and Kitchens, Bathrooms & Landscaping), will see the Robert Price network expand to 27 branches across South East Wales, and now Hereford too. As the largest independent builders’ merchants in the South East Wales region, Robert Price run multiple traditional merchants branches, as well as a selection of specialist divisions for roofing, timber, insulation and agricultural supplies. Although Tudors are integrating into the Robert Price Group, the newly acquired building suppliers will continue to trade under the Tudors name. Customers will also experience some additional benefits, which include access to other branches in the Robert Price network, their additional specialisms, an increased range of stock availability, and the Robert Price group expertise. “We are delighted to welcome such a trusted and respected local merchant, and its team, into the group” Marketing Director at Robert Price, Molly Pike, explains. “Both businesses share many of the same service priorities: a commitment to our loyal customer base, reliability, and integrity within our communities. “Tudors have an excellent reputation for service, and Robert Price is looking forward to expanding our business on the other side of the border.” Suppliers or customers with any queries relating to the acquisition are encouraged to cont

We are so pleased with these incredible numbers in such a short space of time this evening our 'HEREFORD LIVE' High Town HD Cam reached over 100,000 visitors. LIVE FEED ➡️ https://hfd.news/q7a Sponsored by Hereford Voice and hosted live 24/7 by our good friends at WorkHere: Community Workspace, Hereford. Hereford Voice is part of the Skyline network of high definition panoramic webcams scattered around the world with the sole goal of promoting tourism, art and culture! Web | www.herefordlive.uk Host | https://www.workhereford.co.uk More exciting news coming soon!

Two crews from Hereford, two from Ross and one each from Fownhope and Ewyas Harold were called at 03:18 to a house in the village where a fire in the roof space had spread to an adjoining property. All residents were able to leave the properties safely. "This incident was attended by many of crews and officers who have been at Kidderminster in last few days," said Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce. "Superb efforts and commitment, thank you." 📸 Fownhope Fire Station

This is not just a coffee shop... After months and months of hard work and a lot of investment, locally owned Eden Coffee House Hereford officially open their doors this Wednesday. Herefordian’s, Phil and Karen decided they wanted to create a very cool space in the middle of our fabulous city and what better location than right opposite Hereford's most famous Black and White House museum landmark. As an advertising partner, Hereford Voice were given exclusive access before the soft opening earlier this afternoon to be able to capture some photographs of this fabulous completely renovated property. Over the past few months we have been talking with the new owners to find out how this coffee shop differs from some others. Karen and Phil told us that their mantra is to have an independent coffee shop, sourcing quality local produce where possible as well as offering something a little different and creating at least 10 new jobs! There will be a big focus on being a friendly and relaxing environment, where everyone will enjoy the warmth and personality from the staff. Eden Coffee House is going to be full of plants too, many of which will be for sale. This lovely old building has been sat empty for a long time and has now been transformed into a relaxing space where people will be able to enjoy this beautiful building once again. Phil and Karen have financed this project at great expense to themselves and they wanted to bring this building back to its former glory and in doing so have exposed some beautiful old hidden beams, wonderful brickwork and during the renovation work their builders have unearthed lots of historic features, such as the original butchers bricks from back when the butchers shop ceased trading in 1930 and predates back into the 1800s. The building now showcases, much of the original features, and includes some modern twists, such as the new amazing steel staircase. We already got a great vibe during our visit today and the coffee is lush! All the produce and cakes are daily fresh and not frozen and they also have the wonderful award winning Peter Cooks Bread available. Best of all Eden Coffee House is DOG FRIENDLY Hereford Voice will be keeping you up to date with the progress and any special offers over the coming months, so keep an eye open, in the meantime, please support our local independents and pop in and check out this fabulous new business which officially opens this Wednesday. We would like to wish Phil and Karen all the very best of luck with their new venture

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have deployed 20 fire engines which are on scene at a massive fire currently at Hoo Farm Industrial Estate in Kidderminster. Firefighters togther with other crews and partners will be on-site for next few days. Residents as far as Worcester and parts of Herefordshire are being advised to keep their windows and doors shut due to the large amounts of smoke being produced by the blaze. 📸 HWFRS