dippyhippy

Hmmm. I know of several folks who have left the local Unison and gone over to GMB. It's a real worry when those who really should be in the little guys' corner, are actually hand in glove with employers. It does nothing to instil confidence that they have members best interests at heart. I know I have said before that it seem to me that in a place the size of Hereford, where everybody seems to know everybody else, folks are too worried about causing offence, or upsetting the apple cart. Union reps are supposed to be strong, honest individuals - capable of holding their own - not cow-towing, in order to maintain the status quo. If they can't /won't do this - they aren't representing the people who pay their subscriptions.

That climbing wall looks brilliant! Is it just for the youngsters, or are big kids allowed to have a go??? As my children are all grown up, I may borrow a neighbours small child, and pop along for a bit!

Hi Bobby. It's most definitely their loss! I would be quite happy for your time and talents to be completely monopolised be Hereford Voice. However, I feel you have been treated so very unfairly, that you absolutely should be reinstated immediately.....and possibly receive an apology for the emotional trauma you have suffered. We know that several Bulls Banter members read these pages, so your thoughts on the fact that you were quite correct in your assertion that the Meadow End would be safe, will not have escaped their attention. It takes a decent person to throw their hands in the air, and acknowledge they have made a mistake. Sadly, I'm not sure that those in charge at Bulls Banter will be able to do this. In the meanwhile, your literary offerings will always find an appreciative audience on these pages.

Good grief! I've just noticed that my post above is slightly jumbled.....and therefore, I am appearing even more dotty than usual! It should read..... There is definitely a divide between those who genuinely have a need for information, and genuinely have obstacles placed in their way, and those who are abusing the system. Apologies for my random thought processes!

Hey Clarkester! Great to hear from you again! Don't you dare apologise for your contribution....it was extremely valid! The best discussions are the ones with lots of contributors!

Brilliantly put GDJ - succinct, and to the point. Can we trust them? No. They lie,and have been proved to lie. And this is the crux of the problem.

Hi Stilton! Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post, it's a really interesting point isn't it? There is definitely a divide between those who genuinely have a need to have information, and they are genuinely encountering obstacles being put in their way.To my mind, there needs to be - and there may already be - some safeguards put in place to ensure that those seeking truth can get to it, and those seeking to be a nuisance are stopped in their tracks. Some independent monitor perhaps? Who both sides can turn to. I don't know! But discussing this can only be a good thing! I completely agree that in these cash strapped times, resources need to be used where they are most needed, and the time and money spent dealing with requests etc.must be a consideration.However, there are occasions where it seems this route is being sought more to protect guilty parties, and that will never sit comfortably with me! I will definitely take the time to look at the link you have provided, as I am keen to learn more! On a related note, I see a new thread has been started about this specific subject......long may these great debates continue!

The whole report doesn't seem to make any sense to me. "The victim was punched.......admitted to hospital with slight injuries." "A 24 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing "grievous bodily harm." These two statements do not appear to add up. There must be more to this than we currently know.

Blimey Stilton! There's that word...."vexatious" again! This has cropped up several times recently on various threads! Is it me, or does this seem to be becoming quite a common way now of stopping folks in their tracks? Whether issues with local authorities, housing associations or the legal system....it would appear that to label a person "vexatious" prevents them - rightly or wrongly-from pursuing them putting right a wrong. I'm not sure I think this is always the best way of dealing with a situation. Surely if an issue remains unresolved....potentially the issue (and it could be a whopper of an issue!) still remains!

This is why I love Hereford Voice! Here we have a subject, which I don't know an awful lot about! However, reading back through this thread in its entirety, I have learnt so much. Megilleland and Stilton Cheesewright in particular have made some brilliant contributions. I have read links supporting both sides of the argument, and now feel I have gained a tad more knowledge than I had before! It's this balance of views and perspectives which makes Hereford Voice so different to other forums. And it's a great thing that we can take the time to understand another differing opinion. I truly wish that more folks would grab the bull by the horns and jump in with a comment, observation or opinion! C'mon all you readers and viewers of these pages......get yourselves involved!

I have no words.

My God. Sometimes, I do not recognise this so called society that we live in. Was this mans life worth so little? When are folks going to start waking up to the fact, that things need to change. So much now needs to be done,to repair the damage, that I fear much of it will not be achieved in my lifetime. Truly depressing.

Not me, Green Knight! I am completely invisible to the naked eye in my cloak of anonymity. (Although I feel I should add, that should my cloak of anonymity be at the dry cleaners, I quite like a poncho, it gives me a "devil may care" look, which I quite like!)

£25 MILLION POUNDS! And it's not even going to begin to tackle the real traffic issues that Herefordshire faces. This is madness. Pure and simple.

Anyone see last nights news report? It featured a Swedish High Tech company, which was offering its employees the opportunity to get themselves micro chipped! This would mean they could enter buildings, rooms, access computers etc. without the need for key cards or pin numbers. They are hoping to extend the range of functions available to include paying for lunch in the staff canteen. I hope Herefordshire Council don't pick upon this idea........!!

Some excellent feedback you have given us there, Green Knight. It will indeed be interesting to see how the results are spun from this "consultation." If those there running this cannot provide the answers, the question has to be asked, why were they there??Surely they are supposed to be able to provide the information, at an event they are organising? I take it there was no mention of alternatives to the route which has been proposed - ie. An Eastern road, with second river crossing? Until there are clear costings for both, I fail to see how they can continue to insist that this is the best way forward. We need to be able look at the whole picture, not just a skewed snapshot.

Hi Ubique! It is my understanding that The Red Cross also have a loan system for equipment in Hereford. They operated this service from Harrow Road, although they may now have moved. When my son was on crutches a few years ago, these were issued by the occupational therapy team, and were returned to this department when no longer required. My neighbour also needed crutches for a short while......not being as quick to return them, he was sent a reminder letter!!!

Great question, Green Knight. Perhaps I could suggest that if Chris doesn't have the answer, then it should be asked at the meeting? With maybe an invitation extended to the council to field a representative on the panel?

Hi Mick, thanks for the reply! We may have very different views on the way forward for Herefords City Centre, but the fact we can listen to each others view point is a real positive! It will be very interesting to see what difference the 2.5 million pounds, which Herefordshire Council have announced has been earmarked for the city centre, will make. Will their priorities be the same as either mine or yours I wonder? I also think if the vote to back Herefords BID goes through, these guys will have plenty to add to the mix, with ideas for revitalising our centre. Made up of local business owners, they more than any other group, have the expertise and know how, we should perhaps be listening to. Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to France....au revoir for now!

Afternoon Mick! I apologise if my post came across as negative, re-reading it, I guess it does. I still feel that the other stores you mention, Joules, Paperchase, L'Occitane and Tiger could easily have been accommodated within the many empty units we have.....which leaves Debenhams. Many years ago, I believe Debenhams were going to be the anchor store within what was then, the new Maylords Orchard - but the Chadds family scuppered this plan, and so we got C and A instead! However, as Green Knight said, I am not against progress - I just question what that progress is precisely, when we can leave our city centre to rot. My only course of action is to continue to spend my money with independent traders, and support High Town businesses where I can. Tourists come to Hereford for The Cathedral, The Mappa Mundi, The River Wye....the list goes on. I don't believe Nandos will attract tourists! But we are where we are, which means we do need a radical re think,if Hereford City Centre is to be prevented from falling even further into decline. Imagine for a moment, that all businesses in Eign Gate, were moved to plug the gaps in High Town, Widemarsh Street and Commercial Street. Imagine that Eign Gate became a greener space, with grass, trees and affordable housing for our younger population? Wouldn't this make Hereford feel more vibrant and bustling?? More attractive to both locals and tourists alike? I don't believe we are ever going to fill all those empty shops, so lets re think what the "foot print" of the city centre should be. We all want a better Herefordshire, I believe that making the best of what we have is a good starting point!

"....these bigger companies would never have come ...." Hmmm. Such as Fat Face, Pandora, H and M, Dorothy Perkins, TopShop, Clarkes Shoes, Next, and TK Maxx??? Stores that were already trading in Herefords High Town?? Perhaps you refer to Waitrose Supermarket.....to add to the seven supermarkets we already had? Which kind of leaves Debenhams....which, according to staff working in several of the franchises, have so few customers, they are struggling to hit sales targets. The cinema....a definite plus. Much needed, and from what I hear, used by many. Otherwise, it is a food outlet village...chain restaurants which can be found up and down the country. It's a real shame that incentives cannot be offered to our Independent traders, and perhaps a rethink on astronomical business rates on High Town properties, which are currently empty and making such a negative impact on the appearance of our historic city centre.

Oooooh!! A new fancy job title - how very exciting! I asked, because I could see no mention of these individuals in the second flow chart......perhaps the job descriptions, person specifications and salaries are still being negotiated??? ( I also clocked the huge increase......we're certainly paying the best, the question is - are we getting the best???)

Well done Paul! I'd say this sounds like a bit of a result!

Doesn't everyone just love a flow chart?? Comparing the two in the second link.....are we losing one or two well known names? Helen Coombes....Peter Robinson???

Spot on as usual Bobby! I was over at HT earlier....there new annoying banner advert??? For none other than Taurus! "A new type of GP service" it proclaims....before changing to ..."7 days a week!".....before changing to....."Ring 111" So still not actually wanting to disclose their location to the great unwashed!