Hereford Voice

The family of Mary Bastholm has issued a statement as investigation work continues at the Clean Plate Cafe in Gloucester today. The Constabulary is stressing that the current work relates to assessments of the site, which are likely to take a number of days, and that excavation work has not begun. Officers say that they could be at the site for a number of weeks. Mary's family said: Mary was 15 years old when she was reported missing on 6 January 1968 and she has never been found. Mary’s disappearance had previously been linked to serial killer Fred West and there was suspicion he was involved in her death.

Police activity will be taking place at a location in Gloucester for a number of weeks following a recent discovery. Photograph courtesy of BPM Media On Friday 7 May officers were called to a café in Southgate Street by a production company filming a documentary. They reported how they had found possible evidence to suggest a body could be buried within the property. Detectives attended and the Major Crime Investigation Team has deemed that further assessments are required in order to determine whether an excavation is necessary. In the past, people have linked the building to the disappearance of Mary Bastholm. Mary was 15-years-old when she was reported missing on 6 January 1968 and she has never been found. Mary's disappearance had also previously been linked to serial killer Fred West and there was suspicion he was involved in her death. Family Liaison Officers have now been put in place to provide support and updates to Mary’s family as enquiries continue. Investigating officers expect to be at the location, which is at The Clean Plate café, for a number of weeks.Assistant Chief Constable Craig Holden said: Anyone who has any new information relating to the disappearance of Mary Bastholm can report this to Gloucestershire Constabulary online by completing the following form and referencing incident 99 of 11 May: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ The Force still has documentation and information from the original enquiry into Fred West and therefore anyone who submitted information previously does not need to do this again.

The service will resume Saturday 5th June

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on Church Rd Ledbury.

Members of the Showman's Guild marking what would have been the first day of the Mayfair earlier this week in Hereford City centre. Photograph courtesy of Hereford Markets and Events The Mayfair is celebrating its 900th year and has been rescheduled to 3 to 5 August. More details follow our unique link 👉 https://hfd.news/dsz

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on Church St Ledbury.

Good news to hear that Yeomans Travel number 75 bus service via Hunderton circle will be reinstated on Saturdays as soon as the route has been registered.

Disappointing to learn of such a low turnout. I have literally just got home from working in London for a few days, so too late for me tonight.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to a blaze that was well alight at the Industrial Estate on Holme Lacy Road Hereford during the early hours. Firefighters from Hereford and Peterchurch fire stations were in attendance and used three pumps and a water carrier to extinguish the fire.

As the knife crime awareness week draws to a close these were some of the 83 anonymously surrendered edged weapons in the Amnesty Bin at Hereford Police Station!! 83 less potential weapons on our #saferstreets #OpSceptre

A woman who was found with a dismembered body in two suitcases in the Forest of Dean last year has been sentenced to life in prison. Calculating Gareeca Gordon admitted to murdering and dismembering 28-year-old Phoenix Netts in the multi-occupancy home where they both lived in Birmingham. Phoenix's body was discovered by local officers in Coleford and a murder investigation was launched by Gloucestershire's Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT). At Bristol Crown Court today, Tuesday 4 May, Gordon was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum jail term of 23 years and six months. On the evening of 12 May last year police responded to a call where suspicions had been raised about the manner of a motorist’s driving on the A4136. Local officers attended and spoke to the driver who said he was waiting for a friend. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for a breach of Covid-19 regulations as his vehicle was registered to Wolverhampton. At around 11pm officers then located a woman nearby, Gordon, on the B4228 near to the entrance of Stowfield Quarry, with two suitcases at the side of the road. Due to the late time of night they were initially concerned for Gordon's welfare, however this soon turned into suspicions and she tried to stop officers from opening the two suitcases. A dismembered and burnt body was found within and 28-year-old Gordon was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into police custody. Following an initial investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's MCIT she was soon charged with murder and remanded in custody. The case was then handed to West Midlands Police as it was determined Phoenix had been murdered at an address in Salisbury Road, Birmingham. Colleagues in West Midlands Police carried out an extensive CCTV trawl which tracked Gordon for a month prior. This revealed a series of calculated and organised actions where she had tried to convince people Phoenix was alive, while also taking steps to dispose of her body. It was found Gordon had made several trips to Coleford in a car and by train, had arranged for waste disposal companies to collect carpet and possessions and had ordered industrial strength bleach online. She also used Phoenix's phone to send messages to her family, friends and a housing officer telling them she was fine and going back to London. It is thought Phoenix was killed on 16 April, weeks before she was discovered. She had suffered multiple stab wounds. On 21 April Gordon pleaded guilty to Phoenix's murder and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today, Tuesday 4 May.Detective Chief Inspector John Turner, who led the initial investigation in Gloucestershire, said: Detective Superintendent Scott Griffiths, who led the investigation for West Midlands Police, said:

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the C1262 - Fawley Cross, How Caple in Herefordshire.

This is disgusting! These vandals have caused thousands of pounds worth of criminal damage at the fabulous Avoncroft Museum in Worcestershire. In a message on their website the museum wrote; Photographs courtesy of the Avoncroft Museum. If anyone can help them please get in touch.

Positive Hereford | Starting this week with the great news that our friends at The Children's Bookshelf - Specialists in Children's Books will be reopening in Maylord Orchards!! Let us celebrate Hereford and all the good things that our wonderful city has to offer. Please share our positivity, it's become contagious Our fabulous local independent retailers have all reopened in the last few weeks including all those lovely shops and boutiques in The Independent Quarter and Hereford Butter Market We have a new a nail salon, mobile phone shop and the new tasty Yorkshire wrap! A new pizza restaurant, as well as some fabulous coffee bars, take-aways, bistros, wine bars and pubs and the all new outside seating! Outdoor markets and events in the city centre are very popular and bring vibrancy, together with some unique products and produce from many independent traders. New eateries offering Korean BBQ at your table and Amazing Asia all coming soon to the Hereford Old Market Shopping Centre and we have some fabulous hotels too and let's not forget Saxtys Bar & Club which is reopening in May!! June brings Knife Angel Hereford to the Hereford Cathedral We also have some wonderful new planters with seats and trees in the city centre which will look superb once they fully blossom. We love our city and county and we like to shout about it and promote everything POSITIVE. It's all too easy to moan but we are privileged to live in such a beautiful part of the World. We will continue to promote local business and encourage people to visit Hereford and Herefordshire. Look out for our continuous and 'contagious' headlines POSITIVE NEWS | POSITIVE HEREFORD The lockdown has been a very challenging time for people and businesses alike but there is light at the end of the tunnel.. Join us in our campaign and 'BE POSITIVE' about this fabulous city of ours. 'Positive Hereford' Follow our hashtag #positivehereford

Multiple fire crews from several counties dealing with large fire in the open near to Hergest Ridge, Kington on the border between Herefordshire and Powys. HWFRS We understand that the blaze is at Hanter Hill with crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service including appliances from Eardisley, Hereford, Ledbury, Peterchurch, Kington and Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

There is a car on fire on the A49 in Herefordshire between Dinmore Hill and Wellington, southbound towards Hereford. 📷 Joe James

A man who was tragically killed while riding his motorbike involving a collision with tractor near to Thruxton in Herefordshire last Friday has been named. Mr Gary Edward Houghton, aged 54, from Newton Saint Margarets died as a result of the RTC. An inquest was opened into his death today and was immediately adjourned until a later date in order to gather further information.

The Oval regeneration needs completing and that eyesore of land opposite the Chippy

I think you are being a little negative and unfair guy's, CLICK HERE which will take you to Facebook searching our hashtag #hvroads and you will just how much resurfacing work across the county has been done recently. Credit where credit is due.

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the C1239 - Garway in Herefordshire. (Castlefield Farm)