Hereford Voice

Hereford’s shared bike and e-bike provider, Beryl, along with scheme partners Herefordshire Council, are celebrating a significant milestone. Beryl vehicles have now clocked up more than one million kilometres across the city - the equivalent of around 25 trips around the Earth. According to industry calculations, the 425,000 journeys undertaken since the scheme launched in July 2019 have had a significant impact on regional air quality, saving nearly 40 tonnes of carbon emissions - the equivalent of nearly 20,000 litres of petrol consumption. The scheme has helped to reduce traffic congestion. According to Beryl’s latest annual Rider Report - a survey of thousands of Beryl riders undertaken across all scheme areas last summer - 68% of riders in Hereford have used a Beryl vehicle to replace a car, van, motorcycle or taxi journey (either as a driver or a passenger). This is 14% more than the average across all schemes. With nearly 132,000 hours of rides, the scheme has also helped people across the city to increase their physical activity levels, which is proven to benefit both physical and mental health. Richard Vaughan, Herefordshire Council’s Sustainability and Climate Change Manager said: “This amazing milestone, reached in under five years, shows just how popular the bike hire scheme is in the City and that Beryl bikes are now truly a way of life! The scheme has been great for reducing congestion and improving the health and wellbeing of residents. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Beryl as we continue to improve the bike share scheme across the City.” Beryl CEO and co-founder, Phil Ellis, said: “I’m delighted that our Hereford share scheme has been able to reach this milestone and have a significant impact on regional air quality, congestion and physical activity levels. “We know, from talking to our users, that our vehicles are also encouraging people to adopt more sustainable long-term transport habits. “Of those asked, 60% of Beryl riders in Hereford said they now cycle more often or much more often since joining Beryl, while 46% said they have reduced their use of cars and 44% have reduced their use of taxis. “We will continue to work with our scheme partners and stakeholders, as well as our riders, to ensure the scheme remains as accessible, simple-to-use and convenient as possible.” Beryl currently provides 200 bikes and 104 e-bikes for riders in Hereford to use. You can hire a Beryl e-bike through the Beryl app, available for free download on the App Store for iOS, and the Google Play Store for Android users. For more info, visit beryl.cc/scheme/hereford

Hereford Voice are proud once again to sponsor the brilliant Wessington Juniors Teddy with his Hereford Voice Award Club Statement: "We at Wessington Juniors are thrilled to share the exciting news from our club! In our second annual awards ceremony, Teddy Smith, who joined us just over 12 months ago, was awarded the highly coveted "Most Improved Player" trophy, sponsored by the generous folks at Hereford Voice, covering teams from U7s to U9s. Teddy's journey from being a novice to becoming a key player has been truly inspiring. Having never played in a team before, Teddy initially found himself in unfamiliar territory. However, through sheer determination and a willingness to learn from his coaches, Teddy has grown into one of our most dependable defenders. His commitment to improving his skills and understanding of the game has impressed everyone at the club. Teddy's mum, Miranda, who was also recognized for her hard work as First Aid Officer and part of the fundraising team at Wessington, expressed her joy, saying, "Teddy is still in shock about his trophy. He woke up on Sunday morning saying he can't believe it." We would like to give a huge shoutout to Hereford Voice for their generous sponsorship. It's amazing to see sponsors who genuinely care about empowering aspiring players and building a strong sports culture. We appreciate their support immensely! As Wessington Juniors celebrates Teddy's remarkable journey, we're excited about what the future holds. Teddy's achievement serves as an inspiration for other young talents within our club, demonstrating what can be achieved through hard work and determination. His story encourages them to persevere, learn, and grow, regardless of where they start. We are always looking for new players to join our fantastic team! If your child is interested in playing with us and experiencing the joy of football, please get in touch. We welcome players of all skill levels and are dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive environment. Join us in congratulating Teddy and the entire Wessington Juniors club for their fantastic achievements! Let's continue to foster a supportive and encouraging environment for all our players. Together, we can create a bright future in sports!"

Constituency candidates for North Herefordshire / Hereford and South Herefordshire announced Herefordshire Council’s electoral services has published the ‘Statement of Persons Nominated’, which details the constituency candidates standing for the UK Parliamentary General Election on Thursday 4 July 2024. North Herefordshire County Constituency: Jon Browning – Labour Party Ellie Chowns – The Green Party Andy Dye – Reform UK Michael Guest – Social Democratic Party Cat Hornsey – Liberal Democrats Bill Wiggin - The Conservative Party Hereford and South Herefordshire County Constituency: Nigel Ely – Reform UK Joe Emmett – Labour Party Jesse Norman – The Conservative Party Dan Powell – Liberal Democrats Diana Toynbee – The Green Party Mark Weadon To vote in the General Election, you must: be registered to vote be 18 years old or over on 4 July 2024 be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen or from Cyprus or Malta be resident at an address in the UK or living abroad and registered as an overseas voter or posted abroad and registered as a service voter People without a fixed address can also be registered to vote via a declaration of local connection. Forms and more information are available on the gov.uk website Types of election, referendums, and who can vote: General election - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) If you are already registered to vote you do not need to re-register. The deadline to register to vote for the General Election is midnight on Tuesday 18 June 2024. Registering to vote is quick and easy online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote you will need your national insurance number to hand. Photographic ID Electors voting in person must bring an acceptable form of photographic ID to their polling station. Some of the most commonly used ID includes: Passport Photo driver's licence (including provisional) Over 60s travel passes

A dealer whose class A drug trafficking cause harm to the community of Ross-on-Wye has been sentenced to five years eight months at court. Joshua Moore, 32, of no fixed abode, pled guilty to several counts relating to the possession and supply of crack cocaine and heroin at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 5 June). He was given credit for his early guilty plea and sentenced to five years and eight months to run concurrently for four counts of being concerned in the supply of heroin, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply heroin and possession and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine. He was further sentenced to six months to run concurrently for possession of criminal property and ordered to forfeit the sum of £1653.81 and possession of cannabis for which there was no separate penalty. All of Moore’s drugs, drugs paraphernalia and phones linked to his offending were ordered to be seized and destroyed. Detective Constable Emily Holder of Hereford CID said: “We welcome this sentence as a reflection of the severity of Moore’s offending. “He managed a drug supply line trafficking class A drugs into the local community of Ross-on-Wye. “The misery of drug supply is well known - it motivates offending and destroys lives. “Moore showed no concern for the impact of his offending and benefited from the financial gain of his criminality. “I hope that this sentence stands as a deterrent to those who are involved in drug supply. “Officers from Hereford CID will not tolerate this type of offending and will work with our partner agencies to bring these offenders to justice.”

On Sunday 26th May The Right Worshipful, Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Kevin Tillett "opened" the magnificent Victorian building & working engines. Richard Curtis, former Museum Chairman, officially opened the Sisson Engine display Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Kevin Tillett Richard Curtis, former Museum Chairman, officially opened the Sisson Engine display Waterworks Museum - Hereford

After seven years of dedicated service, Colin James from Hereford Voice and Keith Mars are handing over Hereford Duck Pond Clean Up Group Project to the Hereford Elgar Rotary Club. Left to right Keith Mars and Colin James This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance our cherished duck pond, ensuring its beauty and ecological health for years to come. Since its inception, the Duck Pond Project has been a labor of love for Hereford Voice and Keith Mars. Together, we have worked tirelessly to clean, maintain, and improve the pond, transforming it into a vibrant habitat for local wildlife and a peaceful retreat for the community. The project's success is a testament to the power of community spirit and volunteerism. Over the years, numerous volunteers have contributed their time, energy, and resources to support this initiative. From routine clean-ups to more extensive restoration efforts, the collective efforts of these individuals have been instrumental in achieving the project's goals. Their dedication has not only preserved the pond's natural beauty but also fostered a sense of community and shared responsibility. Vets for Pets Hereford also kindly donated signs to show how best to care for the Ducks. As Colin James from Hereford Voice and Keith Mars pass the baton to the Hereford Elgar Rotary Club, the next phase of the project promises to build on this solid foundation. The Rotary Group's involvement will bring new ideas, energy, and resources, ensuring the continued success and sustainability of the duck pond. Their experience in community service and environmental projects will be invaluable as they take the project to new heights. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the volunteers and local businesses who have played a part in Hereford Duck Pond Clean Up Group Project over the years. Your contributions have made a lasting impact, and your legacy will continue to inspire future efforts. As the Hereford Elgar Rotary Club steps in to lead the project, we are confident that the duck pond will continue to thrive as a beloved community asset. There are far too many people and businesses to mention but thank you for your unwavering support and commitment. 👏🫶 Together, we have made a difference, and together, we will continue to preserve and enhance our natural environment for future generations. Below are some fabulous photographs taken from over the years. Good luck to everyone involved in the next phase of this brilliant project. Colin James - Hereford Voice and Keith Mars #HerefordVoice | #HerefordNews | #HerefordshireNews | #HerefordCommunity | #Herefordshire | #HerefordZone | #HerefordLife | #HerefordDuckPond

Child serial killer Lucy Letby has been denied permission to appeal against her convictions for the murder and attempted murder of babies in her care when she worked as a neonatal nurse. Letby, of Hereford, was convicted in August 2023 of the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016. She had asked three senior judges to allow her to challenge the convictions at the court of appeal in London. Letby had put forward four grounds of appeal, each of which involved the submission that the trial judge wrongly refused applications she made during the trial at Manchester crown court. However, she was refused permission on Friday by Dame Victoria Sharp and Lord Justice Holroyde. Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Lord Justice Holroyde, said they had refused Letby's request to bring an appeal at a short Court of Appeal hearing earlier. The full reasons for the judges' decision were not made public, with the full details of Letby's appeal bid also unable to be published for legal reasons. Dame Victoria said: "Having heard her application, we have decided to refuse leave to appeal on all grounds and refuse all associated applications. "A full judgment will be handed down in due course."

Kevin has lived in Hunderton for over 30 years and was elected to represent the Hinton and Hunderton ward on the City Council in 2017. Since 2019, he has also represented the same ward on Herefordshire Council. He is a trustee of the Kindle Centre and RSPCA Herefordshire and is a governor of Riverside Primary School. He studied biology at university and was a secondary school science teacher, including at several local schools. He has also worked in the court service and as an actor, trainer and presenter. Hereford Voice - Congratulations Kevin, have a fabulous year! 👏

The man who sadly lost his life after a fatal collision on Saturday morning (18 May) has been named by his family as Jake Campbell. The collision happened at around 12.40am on the A44 at Docklow in Herefordshire. Despite best efforts by emergency services, the 26-year-old was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene. An investigation into the collision is on-going.

Hereford Voice Proud Sponsors of Burghill Tillington & Weobley Cricket Club

Following the recent flooding event, Cllr Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member for Roads and Regulatory Services, has visited Ross-on-Wye to hear from local people and follow the ongoing investigation. Broad Street has now been reopened to traffic, however, for safety reasons some parts of the walkways remained closed. Brookend Street is open to traffic and most of the shops are trading, which is good news. It is important to support businesses, especially with this type of emergency event, so that they are able to function effectively and get back to normality as soon as possible. Most of the shops along both streets are open and a letter has been hand distributed to properties affected by the flooding event, providing further information and advice. The initial response phase is now coming to a close and Herefordshire Council has undertaken all of the work that it can, until investigations and work by Welsh Water are completed. We will now be working closely with Welsh Water going forward, to determine how and when to commence the recovery phase. When appropriate, permanent works will need to be undertaken to the highway along Broad Street and the walkways to be made safe. However, we are constrained from the issuing of permanent works until Welsh Water are able to confirm that they have reviewed and dealt with their sewer issues. Without that assurance, it would not be appropriate or prudent to issue a programme of permanent works. Once confirmed the Council will commence this phase as soon as possible to enable a permanent programme to be issued and Broad Street to be reinstated at the earliest and safest opportunity. Cllr Durkin, following his visit to Ross-on-Wye, said: “On Tuesday I visited shops along Brookend Street to better understand how they were individually impacted by the flood event. It was heart rending to see the damage caused and the effect of the disruption to shop owners and their premises, by the events of Sunday’s storm and sewer collapse, but importantly, Ross-on-Wye remains open for business. The emergency response to these events by Balfour Beatty Living Places was exemplary and their work has been much appreciated and indeed their ongoing work attending to issues remains first class. Further, my thanks to members of the Town Council for their reporting of events locally as they occurred for social media. I spoke with a town council member today and listened to her immediate concerns regarding the substrate of the footpaths; which has been investigated. “I have spoken with a number of shop owners and residents and seen some of the remaining damage to their shops and houses, caused by the heavy storm water and the collapse of the sewer, running down Broad Street and through Brookend Street. The collapse in a section of one of the sewers that runs down Broad Street has been found and Welsh Water are working to investigate and repair those sections identified. “Cross-organisational work continues between Herefordshire Council, Welsh Water, and the Environment Agency officers each carrying out their individual assessments and assessing works required. Drainage investigation work has been undertaken by Herefordshire Council, with highway gullies and associated pipework being checked and cleansed. As soon as possible and in conjunction with Welsh Water’s upcoming work programme, a permanent repair programme to reinstate the Broad Street highway and walkways will be implemented.”

Three drug dealers were sentenced at court yesterday (Monday 13 May) for running an operation supplying cocaine into Hereford. Lee Jones, 37, of Whitecross Road, Hereford, pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was sentenced to three years at Worcester Crown Court. Lewis Hughes-Cound, 26, of Hever Road, Lower Bullingham, Hereford pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of cocaine and was sentenced to 33 months. Emelia Lal, 24, of Whitecross Road, Hereford pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was given a 21-month suspended sentence. Jones and Hughes-Cound were arrested by police after suspected drug dealing was reported in the city centre. Officers from Hereford Proactive CID located them in a local pub. Hughes-Cound was found in possession of class A drugs and Jones was found with cash. A search of addresses linked to the suspects resulted in the discovery of a large quantity of cocaine with a street value of £11,500. Police also recovered scales, cash, deal bags and other drug supply paraphernalia. All three were arrested on Monday 11 March, charged, and pled guilty at court. Detective Constable Verity Farr, of Hereford CID, said: “We welcome yesterday’s sentencing which reflects the severity of offending. “The supply of controlled drugs into our communities causes misery and suffering and destroys lives. “Officers from the proactive CID team work tirelessly to combat drug supply and work with partners to ensure those who cause harm to our communities are relentlessly pursued and brought to justice. “Jones, Lal and Hughes-Cound were involved in a drugs supply operation benefitting financially from the suffering of others. “Their imprisonment simply marks another step in the fight against drug supply, and officers continue to track those who operate at the highest level of criminality.”

JESSE CALLS FOR "LONG TERM SOLUTIONS" AFTER ROSS FLOODS Local MP Jesse Norman has called for "long-term solutions" after Ross-on-Wye was struck by huge flash flooding on Broad Street and Brookend Street late on Sunday. Torrents of water following a thunderstorm undermined the road surface and pavement in places, flooded shops, homes and basements and brought down a huge quantity of sand and debris. Herefordshire Council and Balfour Beatty's local roads team were on site from 930 am on Monday morning. They were joined later on by staff from Welsh Water. But there are still serious questions about what exactly caused the flooding, and how this damage can be prevented from recurring. Commenting, Jesse said "I congratulate Councillors for their local leadership, and thank Council staff, Balfour Beatty and Welsh Water on the response to date. "However, we really need to get to the bottom of this. Brookend Street was flooded a few years ago, but this looks far worse, and the damage to Broad Street has been horrendous. "Only a few weeks ago we managed to secure an additional £102 million from central government for our local roads in Herefordshire, over and above the £106 million long-term roads settlement. So the funding should be in place to support a long-term solution for Ross, and it is vital that we have one. "I am sure that Herefordshire Council and Balfour Beatty will want to prevent any possibility of further risk, which might occur with patched-up repairs to the road surface and pavements, which have already proved suspect in places and could potentially give way again. "We need a long-term solution. But first of all we need to understand exactly what has gone wrong here, and why." Jesse has also given an interview to BBC Hereford & Worcester today expanding on these points: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zBcqmGqTE0

Herefordshire Highways Update 5pm 13/05/24 | Broad Street and Brookend Street, Ross-on-Wye Herefordshire "Our teams continue to make every effort to safely reopen the areas of Ross-on-Wye closed after flooding and storm damage yesterday. Brookend Street reopened earlier this afternoon after clean-up works were completed, however further safety checks and repairs are required before Broad Street can be reopened to traffic. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water are on-site supporting ongoing investigations into a collapsed combine sewer pipe at the top end of the road (outside Peacocks). The outcome of these investigations will determine what further works are needed before the road can be reopened. Areas of the collapsed block paving on the footway are being cleared and prepared for temporary reinstatement, which will be done using asphalt until a permanent repair can be put in place. Pedestrian management barriers are being installed to ensure all properties can be accessed by tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts more rain. We are monitoring the situation and have provided sandbags for the area in case of further flooding. Waste cage trucks are also on site to support those who have been affected by the flooding with their clear up efforts" 📷 Herefordshire Highways

A Leominster man was last week found guilty of theft and handed a restraining order after an incident at the Halo Leisure Centre in January. Daniel Dixon, 36, from High Street, Leominster was attending a public swimming session at the leisure centre on Wednesday 17 January when he secretly and intentionally stole underwear from a woman’s locker. He followed his victim and loitered in the same area as her until she left. His victim notified police of the incident and an investigation was started, resulting in his arrest. Dixon was later charged and was found guilty at Hereford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (7 May) where he was also sentenced. He was ordered to pay £500 compensation, a victim surcharge of £114 and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work as well as being handed a restraining order to stay away from his victim which lasts until 2027. Police Constable Adam Stobbart, from Leominster Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This incident was very upsetting and understandably, no one should have to experience this type of behaviour. “It was concerning for them to not only have a such an intimate and personal item taken but to then feel scared and intimidated seeing the perpetrator and being followed. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the strength and resilience that the victim has shown throughout the investigation which help obtain this positive result.”

The new facility looks fabulous! All welcome on Sunday 19th May for the Grand Opening of Scouts Corner The Trustees of South Marches District Scout Council warmly invite you to the grand opening of our new District Scout Headquarters on Sunday 19th May. There will be a formal opening ceremony at 10am where His Majesty’s Lord of Lieutenant of Herefordshire will formally open the new building. The hall will stay open for tours until 2pm and light refreshments will be provided. Please note that there will be no parking on site. This is not only the Hereford Scouts HQ but a community hub with some excellent facilities including a fully equipped kitchen with a double oven and fridge and rise and fall sink and hob for all to access. Here is a sneak preview! Scouts Corner, Eign Rd, Hereford HR1 2RX

Mrs Lyndsey Evans was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to the Community in South Wye in the New Years Honours list and she will be presented with her medal in Hereford in June by lord lieutenant, (who is king’s representative in Herefordshire) Today Lyndsey and her husband John today at Buckingham Palace. Also today 4 amazing volunteers were also invited to the Buckingham Palace garden party in recognition for their year's of volunteering at The Kindle Centre and in the community. Cllr Kevin Tillett for Hinton & Hunderton , Luz Trinidad Perez Andrew Bridges and Cissy Smith

Herefordshire Council will receive £750,000 from Arts Council England, thanks to its Government-funded Capital Investment Programme. The funding is going towards supporting the major refurbishment and extension of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, located on Broad Street, to create a state-of the-art museum and art gallery for Herefordshire. The redevelopment of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery is a flagship project for the Herefordshire Council and Stronger Hereford. Once complete, the redeveloped museum and art gallery will significantly enhance the county’s cultural offer, support community engagement and attract new visitors to the area. The project will extend and transform the Grade II-listed museum building on Broad Street. The new museum and art gallery will include new galleries and display spaces, temporary exhibition spaces, the restoration of the historic Woolhope Club Room and new commercial areas. All areas of the museum will be fully accessible with lifts and full flat access throughout. Councillor Harry Bramer, cabinet member community services and assets, said: “This funding will enable us to continue providing high quality creative and cultural experiences for people in Herefordshire. Museums are no longer just repositories of artefacts; they are dynamic spaces for learning, creativity and social connection. This funding will ensure that our county museum is the cultural centre it has always aspired to be. “When it opens, the new museum and art gallery will offer visitors a new experience with a variety of exhibitions and events, and showcasing remarkable collections such as the Herefordshire Hoard. We are grateful for the support of Arts Council England and our other funders, whose investment is enabling the transformation of Hereford Museum and Art Gallery.” The refurbishment of the museum and art gallery has also received funding from Herefordshire Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Stronger Towns Fund. The Capital Investment Programme supports the Arts Council’s mission to ensure communities across the country have the infrastructure where creativity for everyone can thrive. Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: “This infrastructure investment will help a whole range of different cultural organisations across England to flourish, increasing opportunities for people to enjoy creatively excellent cultural events close to where they live. It’s particularly important that we’re making this happen in communities where cultural investment has historically been low.” Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Libraries, said: “Cultural venues enrich our lives, and it’s vital that their infrastructure matches the excellence of the creative work that goes on inside them. "Our funding is helping both to create new venues and to adapt existing ones to make them more accessible, helping to deliver the Government’s plan to make sure that everyone, no matter where they live or what their background, has access to excellent, life-changing cultural opportunities.”

A new large accessible toilet with specialist equipment such as a hoist, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers has been opened at Maylord Orchards centre in Hereford. The changing places toilet is in addition to the public toilets that have been brought back into use with a new, modern look. The toilets have been provided thanks to funding from Herefordshire Council and grant funding from the Department for Levelling up Housing and Communities working with Muscular Dystrophy UK. Councillor Carole Gandy, Cabinet member adults, health and wellbeing, said: “I’m delighted we’ve opened this Changing Places Toilet in Maylord Orchards, providing much needed facilities for visitors to Hereford. “People who need Changing Places Toilets will now be able to visit our City with confidence that they will have the facilities to enable them to be out and about without restrictions.” There are more than 2,350 Changing Places Toilets registered across the UK and this one will offer a safe space for users to enjoy everything Hereford City has to offer, with adjacent parking facilities.

Mr Campion’s campaign focused on fighting crime, supporting victims and putting policing back in the heart of communities. Following the result, which was announced at the Tennis Centre in Telford & Wrekin, Mr Campion said: “I would like to thank communities across the three counties who have once again put their trust in me to deliver a Safer West Mercia. “I am proud of what I have achieved as your PCC over the last eight years, but I know there’s much more that needs to be done. “My promise is a simple one, to work hard to ensure you are safe and feel safe. “Committed to putting your voice at the heart of policing, I will build on the significant investment I have made and will continue to support and challenge your police force to deliver on your policing priorities.”

All tobacco products are damaging to health, however Illegal tobacco products can have additional harms. The products sold are often counterfeit and do not meet the safety standards required by law, and the illegal trade also has an impact on local, legitimate businesses. The council’s trading standards team are committed to tackling illegal tobacco sellers in the county, carrying out targeted enforcement operations. This may then lead to the prosecution of those involved in illegal activity. To report a seller of illegal tobacco in Herefordshire, please contact Trading Standards on 01432 261761. Recent prosecution A director of a Hereford shop was recently given a 12 month community order for offences relating to illegal tobacco in a case taken to court by Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards service. Iulian Alexandru Mirica from Hereford, pleaded guilty to three offences relating to the supply of illegal tobacco. He was caught in possession for sale of 497 packets of cigarettes and 12 pouches of hand rolling tobacco, none of which complied with UK health warnings and plain packaging requirements. A large percentage of the illegal tobacco products were also found to be counterfeit. The illicit products were located by officers inside two purpose built concealments, one inside a commercial fan unit operated by electromagnets and another by a hydraulic ram built into a partition wall. The 12 month community order included 15 rehabilitation days, 150 hours of unpaid work and an order to pay costs of £1,114. Head of Regulatory and Technical Services Charles Yarnold, said: “This case demonstrates the commitment by the trading standards officers in tackling illegal tobacco sellers in the county. Not only are the products sold often counterfeit and do not meet the safety standards required by law, but it is imperative that we help support local, legitimate businesses, in these uncertain times, by tackling the criminals."

A planning application from Műller Property Group has been submitted to Herefordshire Council for a new 80 bed care home on a 1.9 acre brownfield site in Hereford with car parking, external landscaping and private gardens. (Outline planning application for the development of a care home (Use Class C2), including detail of appearance, access, layout and scale with landscaping reserved for future consideration) Illustration courtesy of Müller Property Group The site is located on the outskirts Hereford and benefits from superb transport links, with the A438 connecting to the M50 motorway 16 miles south. Hereford Railway Station is located north-east of Hereford town centre, a 9-minute drive or a 16-minute bus journey to the site. Hereford Station offers direct train services to Birmingham, Worcester, and Shrewsbury. The closest bus stop is a 3-minute walk to the Three Elms Inn which connects a comprehensive bus network to the wider Herefordshire region. Hereford is a cathedral city and the county town of Herefordshire. It lies on the River Wye, approximately 16 miles east of the border with Wales. Hereford is commonly referred to as the heart of Herefordshire, with the cities of Worcester and Gloucester both within 25 miles. With a population of 53,000 it is the largest settlement in Herefordshire. Land opposite Three Elms Pub The proposal for a new 80 bed care home split across two floors will address the needs of Herefords care bed need. Areas of landscaped communal gardens are planned surrounding the care home to promote active lifestyles, comfort, relaxation and stimulation. The new build care home will include a number of facilities that will include: A range of Dayspaces/Cinema/Library Hair and Nail Salon Ancillary facilities, offices and staff spaces Spacious bedrooms with ensuite (a handful of bedrooms on ground floor with access to the secure gardens Secure, high quality landscaped gardens for residents Bedrooms within the care home feature an en suite bathroom with showers that have been designed for privacy, safety and accessibility for all residents. Ancillary facilities such as nurse stations, drugs stores and treatment rooms have been located centrally, allowing the staff to monitor the residents. Stores and other ancillary facilities have been located throughout the corridors, reducing the travel distance for staff to the reach the essential equipment. The proposal has been developed to maximise the benefits of the site, whilst reducing the impact on the neighbouring properties and surrounding context. Planning application P240662/O Land at Tillington Road, Hereford. The site sits to the west of the Three Elms Public House and to the south west of the Gospel Hall. Nearest postcode; HR4 9QQ

Congratulations to these new firefighters at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service 🚒🚨🧑‍🚒 👏👏👏 As we always say '𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘' 🧡 📸 HWFRS