Hereford Voice

The beautiful 400-year-old Old House in Hereford will be undergoing some much needed repairs if the recent planning application to carry out these repairs is approved. The Black and White House Museum Hereford. As you can clearly see from our photographs below, many of the infill panels need to be repaired and brought back to their former glory. Donald Insall Associations - Chartered Architects and Historical Building Consultants Herefordshire Council appointed Insall to undertake a condition survey of the first and second floor level external elevations, to identify the condition of the timber frame, infill panels and associated external joinery i.e. windows, bargeboards and finials, and provide budget costs to allow a capital funding bid for the work. The findings of the inspection were to inform recommendations for improvement works sufficient to allow tenders to be invited from suitably experienced contractors. Recommendations Timber Frame and Joinery Necessary repairs to joinery on the upper-level elevations are minor in nature and largely focused on arresting the further loss of the delightful decorative details which are such a feature of this eye- catching building.  Repair 5no carved pendant characters adorning gable apex. Introduce discreet lead cover flashing over upper surfaces of all 8 pendants following repair and redecoration.  Repair several other missing or damaged decorative joinery features.  Numerous previous patch repairs to frame and joinery require refixing.  Remove extensive modern sealants before repair and redecoration.  Remove leaching bird deterrent gel on transoms and sills before repair and redecoration.  Prepare and redecorate external timber with linseed oil paint.  Arrange close inspection by a suitably experienced structural engineer when access is next available during planned works. Infill Panels The constructional build-up and layered provenance of each panel is difficult to determine as the building has undergone may phases of adaptation and repair, but some original panels are likely to have survived at least in part and these are of high significance. Consequently, a cautious approach to repair is required where the type of construction is not apparent in a defective panel. The cause of panel defects may often be the result of a combination of factors. It appears that many of the defective areas are of modern construction and relate to recent phases of repair. Remove defective and delaminating coatings to panels and perimeter sealant at junctions with frame. Progressively open up defective areas recording existing individual panel construction on reference sheet.  Where defective panel is supported on modern woodwool slab or expanded metal lathing, assume complete replacement with new wattle and daub panel construction.  Where defective panel is of modern, or historic, wattle and daub construction, assess soundness of panel and integrity of wattles/ laths to establish suitability for stabilisation or patch repair. Samples of any soil or lime-based daub should be carefully salvaged and bagged for analysis by others. Replacement panels of new wattle and daub construction – refer to specification and drawings. Repairs to existing wattle and daub panel construction – refer to specification. Prepare and redecorate panel exterior with mineral paint – refer to specification. Prepare and redecorate panel interior with distemper – refer to specification. Ancillary Items Minor repairs to fixed leaded light windows in timber frames. Renew isolated broken clay plain tiles to bay window roofs. Repair/ renew sections of lead cover flashing to south elevation 2nd floor bressummer beam. Remove sealant joint over lead cover flashing at top abutment of tiled roofs – refer to specification for repair detail. The Condition Survey and Recommendation for Improvement Works PDF from Donald Insall Associates is attached below; ProposalAttachment.pdf

The Knife Angel (Also referred to as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression) is a contemporary sculpture formed from 100,000 confiscated knives and is an incredible 27ft in height and weighing over 3.5 tonnes, created by artist Alfie Bradley (pictured below) and the The British Ironwork Centre based in Oswestry. This thought-provoking angel artwork is scheduled to be hosted by the magnificent Hereford Cathedral from 14 June for 28 days. Hereford Voice is proud to be a 'Working Partner' with this fabulous charity. Donations https://www.justgiving.com/knifeangelhereford About Knife Angel Hereford Alison Davies lost her son Mark Hamilton to knife crime in 2018, together with friends Meryl Cain, Pauline Strong and Jan Jefferies they decided to bring the Knife Angel to #Hereford in 2021 to help raise awareness of the catastrophic impact of violent crime on communities, families and individuals. Visit the website www.knifeangelhereford.co.uk During the Knife Angel’s visit, the Knife Angel Hereford team will run a series of workshops and interactive events. It is envisaged that this initiative will continue after the Knife Angel leaves Hereford. Another reason to Visit Herefordshire this year!

Regular rapid lateral flow tests for people without covid symptoms can help prevent outbreaks by helping detect positive cases that would not otherwise be found. In Leominster, the testing site at the Old Priory will close from Wednesday 19 May, with rapid lateral flow tests instead being offered at the following pharmacies: Westfield Walk Pharmacy, Westfield Walk WS&B Rees Pharmacy, Morris Mews, 20 High St There are also four local pharmacies that where home test kits are available for residents to collect: Leominster Pharmacy, 21-23 West Street Boots, 18 Corn Square, Westfield Walk Pharmacy, Westfield Walk W S & B Rees Chemists, 20 High Street You must be aged 18 and over to collect the kits, however kits can be used by any age group; See the Herefordshire Council Website for details of other testing sites across Herefordshire.

Elderly Ross-on-Wye resident was deceived into having unnecessary and expensive roof repair works. A Bournemouth company, its director and salesman, who targeted an elderly Ross-on-Wye resident, have received fines for unfair trading criminal offences. Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service took the prosecution case which concluded on Friday 30 April after a three day trial at Hereford Magistrates Court. The Magistrates found all three defendants guilty of the same charges: Aggressive practice of carrying out the work two days after the contract was made and failed to give the 78 year old home owner her 14 day cooling off period. Misleading the consumer into having wholly unnecessary roof cleaning and coating work which ended up damaging the roof. Misleading the consumer into believing £5640 was a reasonable price for the work when a chartered surveyor stated it was barely worth £1000. More Than Homes Ltd were ordered to pay £15,000 in fines and £2500 costs. Director Michael Roche, 45, of Stourview Court in Bournemouth, and salesman Jason Johnson, 46, of Porchester Road, Bournemouth were both fined £500 and £100 costs. The low level fines were simply due to both defendants being on universal credit.Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service Manager, David Hough, said: Anyone concerned about the activity of a doorstep seller is urged to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or visit the Herefordshire Council website for more consumer advice www.herefordshire.gov.uk/scams

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the A4103 - Egleton Bend (SCRIM) in Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on Hafod Road, Hereford. To see which roads have been repaired and resurfaced across the county recently go here 👉 #hvroads

Hereford Council teams have recently completed a programme of resurfacing and drainage works on the A417 - Hillhampton to Burley Gate in Herefordshire.

A40, Ross-on-wye closed for a brief time yesterday whilst this load was made secure. Driver reported for insecure load offences. Photograph courtesy of West Mercia Police OPU West Mercia Police (OPU) officers are trained to identify HGV load offences, with the aim of education and enforcement to make our roads safer.

Emergency services are currently at the scene between Mayberry Avenue and Bradbury Close (Saxon Gate Junction) attending an incident involving a vehicle on its roof.

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.