Leominster Blog - A diary of Leominster events, gossip and Leominster information

Leominster Blog

The Leominster Blog contains Leominster news, gossip and other Leominster related information

Summer fun at Queenswood Country Park
If you're stuck for something to do this summer, get along to Queenswood Country Park as, whatever the weather, lots of events are planned for the school holidays to keep you busy!

Join local textile artist Lisa Pendlebury for “make and take” craft workshops in the woods on Tuesdays July 22 and 29.

“Take a leaf,” on July 22, will use textured papers, fabric, handmade beads and fallen natural objects to create your own little book based on leaf shapes.

“Knot just for kids,” on July 29, will see the return of last year's most popular workshop - Lisa will teach basic knots, such as those used in macramé and scoubidoos, then you can create your own jewellery or key ring to take home. You could even weave in found natural objects for decoration! This is very easy and great fun.

Three workshops take place each day starting at 10am, 11am and midday and the cost is £3.50 per child. Booking in advance is essential to help manage numbers in each workshop.

Queenswood's feathered friend Bertie Buzzard will be back again throughout the school holidays with a trail around the woods to help you discover more about nature.

And if you go down to the woods on Thursday, July 24, between 11am and 12.30pm, you'll be in for a very big surprise as you will find Herefordshire libraries will be there for a special Teddy Bears Picnic Rhyme and Storytime.

This event has been organised in partnership with Bookstart, a national charity that encourages parents to share and enjoy books with their children, and is a great way to find out more about introducing your child to books - however young they are.

You will need to book your place on this free event and you'll need to bring a picnic for you and your toddler as well as a suitable picnic blanket to sit on. There will be lots of fun and rhyming games to play with your child and as you settle down to enjoy your picnic under the dappled shade of the trees you can listen to a story or two! (This event will be cancelled in very wet weather.)

Abby Marshall, interpretation and promotion officer, said: “Don't miss out - book your child's place on these events now by calling Queenswood Tourist Information Centre on 01568 797842.

“Full details of all the events taking place between now and November can be found in our special Events & Family Fun leaflet available now from Tourist Information Centres, libraries and of course the country park.

“Alternatively, you can get up to date information by checking out the Queenswood pages on Herefordshire Council's website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/queenswood,” she added.

Queenswood is Herefordshire's only country park and has free car parking, toilets and a licensed café (opening hours vary please call 01568 797880 to confirm it will be open when you visit.)

There is a picnic and barbecue area situated near to the very popular adventure play area and there is also a free seaside style telescope at the view-point.

There are three way-marked trails and easy access paths so that everyone can enjoy the park and electric mobility vehicles are available to hire from the Tourist Information Centre – they can be contacted on 01568 797842.

Queenswood Country Park is on the A49 between Hereford and Leominster – follow the brown signs at the top of Dinmore Hill. Alternatively the 492 bus service departs Hereford and Leominster at regular intervals throughout the day.


Posted : 03/07/2008 12:08:01

Council helps safeguard food on our plates
Herefordshire Council’s animal health department has linked up with other local authorities to educate the public on how their service safeguards the food on our plates.

The Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA), which covers Herefordshire, commissioned a DVD “Healthy and safe – a journey to your plate” to show how local authority inspectors play a leading role in animal welfare and protecting public health.

Mike Higgins, Herefordshire Council’s animal health and welfare manager, is chair of the Central England Animal Health Group and he introduced the DVD to the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) annual conference in Bournemouth recently.

He said: “The film stars Staffordshire mum Corinne Caddy and her four-year-old son, Conrad, and shows how animal health officers act to safeguard the food on our plates throughout its journey from farm to fork.

“They learn how local council inspectors guard against headline diseases such as bird flu and mad cow disease and find out how much councils do to protect animals from the farm to the plate,” he added.

Other characters – including butchers, farmers and livestock keepers – are played by real people from across the CEnTSA region, which includes Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Shropshire, Solihull, Telford & Wrekin, Walsall, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire.

The DVD, produced by Corinne’s public relations company Conkerzoo, is now being offered to local authorities throughout the country to highlight this aspect of their work and to educate businesses and the public.

Councillor John Jarvis, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for the environment and strategic housing, said: “Media interest in animal welfare, highlighted by celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall and Gordon Ramsey, have demonstrated the importance of animal health and welfare in the food chain.

“This DVD highlights how much is done to protect animals and our food – all the way from the farm to the plate. We use some very hi-tech methods – even DNA testing – to make sure that the animals from which our meat comes are of the quality and age that livestock keepers and meat suppliers claim. This in turn provides reassurance to the public of the product they are eating.”


Posted : 01/07/2008 17:56:59

Extended deadline to save lifeline telephone boxes
Don’t let BT off the hook, says council

People in Herefordshire overwhelmingly want to save their local public telephones from being axed by telecommunications giant BT. Herefordshire Council is fighting BT’s proposals to scrap over 100 country phone kiosks and so far, parish councils and local communities have contacted the council concerning 60 separate pay phones. In all but two cases, they want the phones to stay.

Herefordshire Council says it believes more communities will rally round their local telephone boxes and has secured an extension to the deadline for consultation until Friday 18 July 2008.

“Don’t let BT off the hook”, said Anthony Bush, parish liaison and rural services officer. “There is still time for people to make a plea for their local telephone box to be saved”.

“Communities are worried that if the telephone boxes are taken away, then people will be vulnerable Their argument is that in most cases the telephones are in areas that suffer poor or non-existent mobile telecommunications coverage, and in the event of an emergency, the kiosks provide an all-important lifeline, especially for the elderly and children”.

“Some telephone boxes are located near to schools or in tourist areas and for many people will be only way of contacting the emergency services in that location. BT’s data on use for paid-for calls shows that in many cases the phones are still being used several times a day. But BT does not themselves know how many times the phones are relied on for emergency calls, and this is the crucial concern of residents and parish councils.

“Under BT’s service agreement with the telecommunications regulator, it is not allowed to close pay phones purely on the basis they do not pay them enough to keep them open”, adds Anthony Bush. “The company also has an obligation to maintain access to communications in remote and rural areas”.

Herefordshire Council has a number of concerns about BT’s consultation.

BT has provided no evidence to show how telephone kiosks are used in emergencies, they have said only that they are not used sufficiently for them to be profitable. The service obligation with the regulator means that BT cannot use money as a reason for closure.

BT needs to undertake a survey of mobile phone coverage in Herefordshire as part of their evidence supporting any proposals for pay phone closure, as this issue is crucial to BT’s obligation to maintain this line of communication in the event of an emergency.

BT has failed to present options for local people to consider – other than closure. Communities need to be allowed to put forward other ideas that might result in the telephone boxes becoming more viable.

BT’s notifications of possible closure in the telephone kiosks did not make it clear that residents needed to contact Herefordshire Council’s planning department.

People concerned about losing their local pay phone can contact Anthony Bush on 01432 260611; or email: abush@herefordshire.gov.uk or write to him at Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, PO Box 4, Hereford, HR4 0XH.


Posted : 01/07/2008 15:52:56

Love food hate waste roadshows in Herefordshire
Herefordshire Council’s Waste Challenge Team will be encouraging residents to learn more about the Love Food Hate Waste campaign this summer.

Road shows have been arranged at venues across Herefordshire promoting the campaign which offers everyday tips and advice to help prevent residents throwing away on average a third of the food that they buy.

A recent study highlights that a staggering £10 billion a year of food is wasted needlessly by UK households, which amounts to £420 per year for the average household and £610 for a family with children (Waste Resources Action Programme May 2008).

Over half of food thrown away is untouched, such as 5,500 whole chickens and 440,000 unopened ready meals which are thrown away every day.

Herefordshire Council is urging residents to buck this national trend, which impacts both on the environment and the pocket. The Love Food Hate Waste campaign should not only raise awareness, but also provide information on what simple steps can be taken to combat the problem.

Advice on home composting and food waste disposers will also be on offer, helping to deal with inevitable leftovers such as vegetable peelings and chicken bones.

Road shows will take place between 10am and 2pm at the following locations:

Thursday 31 July Morrisons, Leominster
Friday 1 August Asda, Hereford

Help and advice is also available for residents who are unable to attend the above dates. For more information visit www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk or call 01905 766883.

Posted : 30/06/2008 13:55:44

Master composters clock up 2,000 hours
Herefordshire County Council is celebrating a special milestone in its successful Master Composter scheme.

The Master Composters have been spreading the word about composting through a variety of activities since the programme’s launch in April 2006. Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council are now celebrating after the volunteers have clocked up a total of 2,000 hours between them.

The well-regarded scheme involves volunteers throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire giving up their time to promote home composting and share their composting knowledge with less experienced residents.

Activities have included visiting schools, attending local events, carrying out compost bin inspections for friends and neighbours, giving talks to local groups and holding composting road shows.

Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council have sold more than 77,000 compost bins in the last four years, an achievement which the Master Composters have played a part in.

Councillor John Jarvis, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Well done to all the fantastic volunteers who have led to us hitting this impressive milestone, their work is really appreciated. The Master Composter Programme is a fantastic scheme which allows local people to become involved and make a real difference. I hope it will continue to flourish.”

Compost bins are available from as little as £12 and can be ordered from www.recyclenow.com/compost or by calling 0845 077 0757.

Residents wanting more information about home composting should call the Mission Impossible hotline on 01905 766883 or visit www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk


Posted : 30/06/2008 13:52:37

National study shows Herefordshire people will liv
Herefordshire people generally enjoy better health than the average for the rest of the country - and can expect to live longer than average too.

According to new health profiles issued by the government, death rates from all causes have fallen in the county over the last ten years, together with instances of early death from heart disease and stroke or cancer.

Very few areas of Herefordshire fall into the most deprived 20 per cent of areas in England and none fall into the least deprived 20 per cent either.

However, rates of road injuries and deaths are higher than the England average; the estimated proportion of adults who are obese is higher; and levels of tooth decay in five-year-old children are higher than the average too.

Rates of death from smoking-related causes are lower than average as is the estimated proportion of adults who smoke.

Herefordshire Primary Care Trust and Herefordshire Council are working with a range of partners to challenge the links between high social deprivation and poor health with a particular emphasis on services for children, promoting healthy lifestyles and packages of care for older people.

Said Dr Akeem Ali, Herefordshire’s director for public health: “The health profile for Herefordshire is largely positive and adds to the high quality of life that local people generally enjoy in the county. However, the primary care trust and the council are working more closely than ever before, with a new range of integrated strategies, to address health inequalities”.

The government has issued health profiles for every local authority and region across England to capture a picture of the nation’s health down to local level. The information is intended to give the NHS, local authorities and other partners an insight into the health of their residents, and to help them target resources and initiatives.


Posted : 26/06/2008 22:52:18

Herefordshire under the spotlight
Herefordshire under the spotlight in bid for national Enterprising Britain Award

The judges from the national Enterprising Britain Award have been in the county to meet key business representatives.

The main judge, Polly Gowers, founder of Everyclick.com, with observers from the Government Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, were welcomed by Cllr Roger Phillips, Leader of Herefordshire Council.

The group met Debbie Gittoes, of Arctic Circle, based at Rotherwas, as an example of a local business grown to compete globally, before visiting Broadfield Court Café as one of the winners of Flavours of Herefordshire Awards.

During the visit the judges also met Heather Gorringe, from Wiggly Wigglers, and Jonathan Evans, from Muddy Boots Software Ltd, to learn about running thriving enterprises in rural communities, as well as Mike Gell and Sue Lane to hear about support for creative industries.

They had the opportunity to discuss the training challenges in the county with Chris Brookes, Director of LUK, Ian Peake of the Technology College and Jackie Hughes of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training.

During their whistle-stop tour of Herefordshire, the judges were also able to learn about future ambitious schemes, including the Edgar Street Grid development and the establishment of the Learning Village.

"During the visit the judges and observers were able to gain a flavour of enterprise in Herefordshire, meeting people who have benefited from the different projects and programmes taking place in the county,” said Natalia Silver, the council’s head of economic and community services.

“The day very clearly showed that by the different businesses, organisations and sectors working together we can address the challenges facing the county and building on our strengths".

The result of the national competition will be announced in September.


Posted : 26/06/2008 18:28:05

Fuel prices bring people back to public transport
Herefordshire could be on the verge of a new golden age for public transport, according to statistics issued by the council. The number of journeys to and from the county’s four railway stations increased by one third to 1.2 million over three years, compared with the UK average increase of 7 per cent for the same period. And bus travel is also on the rise, bolstered by over one million free bus journeys in Herefordshire last year by the over 60s or disabled people.

Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and transportation Councillor Brian Wilcox believes the increased popularity of public transport is fuelled partly by reduced price rail tickets and free bus travel, against the relentlessly rising cost of petrol and diesel. Even cycling has increased by ten per cent in five years according to the council’s traffic monitoring systems.

The Quarterly Economic Bulletin produced by the council’s research team used station usage statistics from the Office of Rail Regulation to show that the biggest increase in rail travel could be seen in Leominster, with an 83.8 per cent rise in three years. Hereford train station showed an increase of 32.9 per cent with Colwall and Ledbury showing only modest increases of 1.8 and 0.8 per cent respectively. Over half of rail tickets sold in Herefordshire were reduced price tickets.

On the bus scene, the council replaced all bus stops in Hereford last year and promoted text codes for timetable information. Nearly 48,000 community transport journeys were undertaken, exceeding the council’s target of 45,000.

“Of course a good highways infrastructure continues to be essential if business is to thrive and prosper in Herefordshire”, said Councillor Brian Wilcox. “And there is an urgent need for new investment in road travel, including a new river crossing, but the mix and nature of transport use is changing noticeably, thanks also in part to the authority’s strong promotion of public transport and cycling in the last few years”.

Councillor Wilcox’s views were backed up with further evidence of changing travel patterns this month (June 2008). The petrol retail industry reports that fuel sales have slumped by as much as 20 per cent over the last year, due to rising prices. The cost of a litre of petrol has increased from 92.8p in March 2007 to around 117p today.

According the International Energy Agency, more motorists are opting for public transport, which in many cases offers a better deal.

“With predictions of a further doubling of oil prices in the next year, the move away from the car, to more sustainable travel, such as the train, the bus or even the bicycle, is bound to continue”, added Councillor Wilcox.


Posted : 24/06/2008 21:01:44

Get free health information at libraries
As part of Health Information Week (July 7 to 12), Herefordshire Council’s libraries are working in partnership with the Primary Care Trust to promote the wealth of free health information available.

Throughout the week libraries at Hereford, Ross and Leominster will have displays of health information books that are free to borrow from libraries.

On Wednesday, July 9 the PCT Health Information Team will be in the foyer of Hereford library giving out health information leaflets and advice on a wide variety of health issues.

Anne-Marie Dossett, Herefordshire Council’s reader development librarian, said: “Libraries are an excellent place to go to help you find out more about your health and well-being because they stock a wide range of books but can also help people find the most up-to-date information whether in a book or on the internet.

“Health Information Week is a region-wide campaign to promote the good quality health resources available to the public and these sessions will make the public more aware of them,” she added.


Posted : 23/06/2008 14:43:48

Emergency call to save country telephone kiosks
BT needs to “think outside the box” says Herefordshire Council

As Herefordshire faces the loss of 111 public pay phones, the council has accused BT of failing to meet industry consultation guidelines or communicate adequately with local people. The council is encouraging rural communities to have their say before it is too late.

The telecommunications giant wants to scrap what many remote communities see as a ‘lifeline’ because they no longer make enough profit. But as part of its consultation obligations, BT is required to inform residents that they should contact the planning department of Herefordshire Council if they have concerns about the removal of their local pay phone. There is also confusion about the deadline for consultation because notices posted in telephone boxes give different dates.

Herefordshire Council says BT has failed to follow its own consultation procedure, has provided no evidence for closure nor presented options for local people to consider. Communities may not be aware that they may lose their local public telephone kiosks and have a chance to save them.

“BT needs to think outside the box”, said Herefordshire Council’s leader Roger Phillips. “This is a multi-billion company that can afford to engage rural communities and parish councils and allow them to make representations, consider options or come up with ideas about how the pay phones could be kept open and viable”.

“The county has several areas where mobile phone coverage is intermittent, and in an emergency a public pay phone may be the only way that someone in distress could get a message to the fire and rescue, police or ambulance services. There are instances where people may run out of credit or battery power for their mobile and may need to make a reverse charge call. Or if your house is burning down, a payphone may be the only option for calling the emergency services”.

“We are at risk of losing more than a few country telephone kiosks, we could potentially lose lives as well”.

Jenny Hope, parish clerk of Longtown Parish Council, added: "We cannot afford to lose any public telephones in our rural areas, many of which do not have any mobile phone coverage. Residents, tourists and rural businesses will suffer, particularly in emergencies when the public telephone is the only means of communication".

People concerned about losing their local pay phone can contact Anthony Bush, parish liaison and rural services officer, on 01432 260611; or email: abush@herefordshire.gov.uk or write to him at Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, PO Box 4, Hereford, HR4 0XH.

Posted : 20/06/2008 00:55:23

The University of the Great Outdoors
Herefordshire hosted the first ever “University of the Great Outdoors” event on May bank holiday.

The two day event attracted more than 3,500 visitors and was voted a top outdoor event by visitors and participating businesses.

The event raised awareness of the range of different activities on offer in Herefordshire and visitors were encouraged to have a go at over 18 different activities including paintballing, land rover driving, zip line, canoeing and touch rugby. Ieuan Evans, the former Welsh rugby player was at Eastnor Castle on both days to join the crowds in having a go.

The businesses participating have also reported follow-up bookings from interested visitors.

“We hope that this will be the first of many such events in Herefordshire. The county has plenty to offer the active visitor and Visit Herefordshire is keen to share that secret and become the UK’s University of the Great outdoors,” said Jane Lewis, Cultural Services Manager at Herefordshire Council.

This is one of many projects being undertaken by Visit Herefordshire to promote the Great Outdoors.

The annual Walking Festival is currently well under way (June 14 – 21) with more than 59 walks over nine days throughout the county. The Walking Festival, now in its 6th year attracts over 1,000 visitors to the county.

The outdoor theme continues with the golf short breaks packages, a new project for Visit Herefordshire that will be launched in early summer.

The packages will offer accommodation and opportunities to play golf at more than 15 different golf courses.

This is an exciting project leading up to the Ryder Cup in Newport in 2010 when Herefordshire hopes to benefit from the demands of visitors for accommodation and quieter golf courses.

Posted : 20/06/2008 00:48:55

Herefordshire's air quality good
Herefordshire Council has just released its annual Air Quality Progress Report for the county, which interprets data collected from more than 50 sites across the county.

Although the report finds that Herefordshire’s air quality is generally very good, it does find that pollution from traffic is still increasing in many areas and that the government’s objective for a pollutant called nitrogen dioxide is still being breached at three locations.

These are at Hereford city’s A49 corridor, Bargates in Leominster and the A40 corridor from Wilton to Pencraig in south Herefordshire.

The report also finds that the Air Quality Management Area declared in Hereford in 2001 will need to be extended further down Whitecross Road to take into account raised levels found there since the last report.

It also concludes that rural ozone seems to be increasing, being formed by pollution drifting into the county from industrialised areas such as South Wales, the Midlands and the Bristol area.

The progress report and its later revisions will provide an excellent benchmark to review the impact of the council’s newly released ‘Hereford City Air Quality Action Plan’, which was approved by the government in January.

This January action plan looked at and recommended 15 traffic management measures that are currently being or can be implemented to reduce congestion in the city and therefore lower traffic pollution.

The action plan used computer models to predict the impact of these traffic improvements over the coming years, including the development of the Edgar Street Grid, new park and ride facilities and the effects of an outer distributor road.

The recently published progress report also provides invaluable information to help finalise the draft ‘Bargates Air Quality Action Plan’ and an emerging A40 action plan.

Further information on either the new Air Quality Progress Report or the Hereford City Air Quality Action Plan can be found on the council’s website.

Posted : 19/06/2008 09:16:35

Council call for tougher penalties for fly tippers
As Herefordshire Council prepares to bring more fly-tippers to court, it has called for bigger fines and more powers to stop, search and seize vehicles suspected of being involved in waste crimes.

The council has welcomed a new government consultation launched this month (June 2008) on how to target criminals who profit from polluting the environment by illegally dumping waste.

“Illegally dumped waste is the scourge of the countryside”, said cabinet member for the environment Councillor John Jarvis.

“It can be found in roadsides, lay-bys and private land, and ranges from fridges and mattresses, to waste that is potentially hazardous to health and difficult and costly to clear up. We are committed to keeping our beautiful local landscape free from fly tipping and will not hesitate to bring wrongdoers to justice”.

Herefordshire Council is bringing to court several alleged waste offences cases in the near future.

The consultation from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) proposes new measures, including doubling the maximum fine for waste carrier offences to £10,000 and giving local authorities the power to stop and search vehicles.

Herefordshire Council asks for anyone who has witnessed fly tipping locally to please report the incident to its environmental health team on 01432 261761.


Posted : 18/06/2008 17:34:54

Ten out of ten for The Flavours of Herefordshire
One of the very first schemes in Britain to recognise and reward the use and promotion of local produce, the annual "Flavours of Herefordshire" competition, is set to reach a new milestone in 2008 as organisers prepare to mark its 10th birthday.

Widely viewed as one of the best examples of how an area can celebrate its regional flavours, the scheme has also been responsible for raising standards of quality and service throughout the county since its inception ten years ago.

And the recent launch of this year's competition has sparked a flurry of activity amongst the county's chefs, restaurateurs, publicans, accommodation providers and food producers.

It will all reach a climax once again at the third annual Flavours of Herefordshire Food Festival, which is scheduled to be held at Hereford Racecourse over the weekend of October 25/26.

Celebrity cooks and TV personalities "The Hairy Bikers" will take centre stage at this year's event, and will also be the guests of honour giving the prizes to the Flavours of Herefordshire winners at the pre-festival awards dinner on Friday, October 24.

Two other unusual highlights of the Food Festival are the Marcher Apple Network Apple Day exhibition, which will celebrate the varieties of apples which have come "Back from the Brink,” and the launch of Tyrrells new "Herefordshire Vodka," distilled from their potatoes.

The link between Herefordshire's rural landscape and the food and drink which is on offer to its residents and visitors is set to become even stronger this year with the introduction of a new competition inviting members of the public to devise a recipe for a main meal, costing under £5 and using only local produce.

Entrants will be invited to submit their recipes throughout the summer, before being short-listed, and then asked to take part in a "cook off" at the annual Food Festival in October.

A “Food Market” will feature more than 100 local producers who will bring with them a mouth-watering array of food and drink which has clocked-up the smallest number of food miles possible.

And while local and celebrity chefs cook-up a storm in the Food Theatre, youngsters will be able to join in the fun on a specially designed “Food Trail”.

Festival admission prices (www.herefordshirefoodfestival.com) are adults £5, concessions £4.50, under 14s £1, and children under 3 free.

Copies of the current Flavours of Herefordshire Food Festival leaflet can be obtained free of charge by telephoning 01432 260621. Anyone interested should visit www.visitherefordshire.co.uk for further details.

Posted : 18/06/2008 16:31:35

Council extends waste consultation
Herefordshire Council is extending its consultation of local people on how household waste should be collected and recycled in future. As more and more local residents contact the council’s web site to make their views known, the deadline has been put back to 10 July.

The council has proposed that it continues with its ‘black bag’ weekly collection service, rather than moving to fortnightly collections like many other local authorities. It has also decided against national ideas about inserting microchips in wheelie bins to record how they are used, and has rejected any moves to impose draconian rules or fines.

Instead, the authority wants to know what people think about the idea of using wheelie bins for collecting a wider range of recyclables, such as glass, every two weeks. This would enable the council to provide a kerbside recycling service to every home in the county, an improvement on the current 72 per cent of households.

Herefordshire currently recycles 30 per cent of its household waste but needs to do more to meet a government target of 40 per cent by 2010.

According to a web ‘blog’ discussion site set up by the council, there are mixed views on wheelie bins and whether they are suitable for all locations.

“Herefordshire people care very much about how the council collects and disposes of the waste we all produce”, said Councillor John Jarvis, cabinet member for environment. “We listen to and value all views, as this will help us come to the right decision.

“The online consultation is proving to be very popular and the numbers of people logging on and having their say shows no sign of slowing down. For this reason we are extending the period of consultation for a few more weeks until Thursday 10 July”.

People can have their say by visiting the council’s web site, on www.herefordshire.gov.uk or they can speak to an advisor by telephoning the council on 01432 260051.


Posted : 17/06/2008 20:18:40

Plans for new school on display
Parents, children and residents in Leominster are invited to comment on architect’s plans to build a new modern school building to replace the Minister College in Leominster.

Contractors are currently preparing detailed designs for further approval, but initial feasibility plans for the new building have been drawn up and placed in the school foyer for people to look at. The draft plan shows three-storey and two-storey teaching blocks, together with a new vehicular access and car park off South Street.

A planning application has been submitted to install five portable buildings on the college site which will provide ten classrooms and allow demolition work to begin in the summer holidays. It is hoped to start building work in the autumn term with an anticipated completion date of December 2010.

The new school will cost in excess of £20 million and will provide accommodation for 900 pupils, which includes a sixth form for 120 pupils.
A replacement youth centre will also be created in the old craft design technology workshops.

There will be a formal consultation meeting arranged later in the year, but the college is keen for parents and children to have a preview of the plans now.

Minister College principal, Richard North, said: “We are very excited about the plans and want to share them with as many people as we can. There is still time to incorporate people’s views into the plans before building work begins. Many professionals will be involved in developing the detailed plans, liaising with staff and council officers to make sure the final design of the building will enable us to provide the best possible education for our pupils.

“It is very important that pupils, their parents and the local community also have their say on the design of this new facility which is why we are inviting visitors to come and look at the draft plans prior to formal consultation.”
Posted : 16/06/2008 22:16:53

No risk to fuel supplies...
No risk to fuel supplies as council delivers services as usual

Herefordshire Council has announced it will be providing all services to local people as usual over the next few days – despite the planned industrial action by fuel tanker drivers serving Shell-branded filling stations.

The council has ensured it has sufficient supplies to continue to run waste collection and recycling and other transport related services over the period of the dispute, which runs from today, Friday, June 13, to Tuesday, June 17.

The action, over pay and conditions, is by drivers subcontracted to deliver fuels to Shell. Nationally the drivers involved deliver ten per cent of the UK’s fuel so 90 per cent of fuel stations will be unaffected by this action.

The council says assessments show that the risk to fuel supplies in Herefordshire is low. People are advised to continue to purchase fuel normally as 90 per cent of filling stations will be working and supplied normally.

Michael Hainge, director of environment and culture, said: “There are no problems at this time and motorists are advised to continue buying fuel as normal to meet their needs. However, contingency plans are in place to ensure that all agencies can deliver essential services should there be a problem with fuel supplies”.


Posted : 13/06/2008 22:42:39

Teachers From Pakistan Visit Herefordshire
Teachers from across Pakistan and Bangladesh are visiting schools in Herefordshire this week to forge closer links with the UK and to build greater cultural understanding with young people and their teachers.

The teachers come from a range of schools in their own countries, representing state, private and Madrassah schools. They will meet their UK partners face-to-face for the first time at a contact seminar on the 17th June, before going on to visit primary and secondary schools around the county. They will tour the area and see the pupils who will work on projects with them for the next three years.

These projects will explore shared learning on topics like climate change, broaden their international horizons, stimulate innovation and motivation in learning and teaching and challenge their perceptions of each others societies and cultures. Many of the schools’ pupils from the UK come from a range of diverse backgrounds, and the project is seen as an opportunity to build positive feelings in regards to their heritage and identity.

Sharon Menghini, director of children’s services at Herefordshire Council, said: “Greater cultural knowledge and understanding is an important and growing aspect of the education of children in Herefordshire and nationally and we are very pleased to encourage links to enhance this.

“Herefordshire is a very forward looking authority in looking outwards to the wider world exemplified this month with the celebration of the 20 year old link with Tanzania. This new link with a cluster of schools in Pakistan will go a long way to develop not only a better knowledge of life in another country but will enhance the understanding of the commonalities of children and young people across the world. “

Schools will also be able to apply for a shared grant of up to £36 000 whilst involved in the project to support their activities. It is hoped the creation of these school links and the associated activities will bring to life international issues in the classroom, as well as encourage social action projects which reach out to the wider community, contributing to community cohesion. There will also be the opportunity for professional development of teachers and head teachers, and awards in internationalism for all involved.

Olga Stanojlovic, Director of Schools in Education at the British Council, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for young people and teachers in both countries to learn from each other, ranging from different cultural traditions, different ways of life, and the different ways in which we have access to the earth’s resources. They act as an amazing way to open young people’s eyes to what life is really like in other countries and show that young people share many of the same characteristics. “

Posted : 13/06/2008 22:40:12

Leominster Enterprise Centre
A first for Leominster as enterprise centre opens its doors to rural entrepreneurs

Leominster's £1.5m Rural Enterprise Centre has opened its doors to the local business community, offering high quality workspace for entrepreneurs and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Part of the £16m Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ) project, the Rural Enterprise Centre has been designed to provide sustainable workspace for up to 22 businesses and, once full, could create up to 100 jobs.

The Leominster centre is the first to be completed within the RRZ project, which has been created to develop a strategic network of eight centres to support entrepreneurs and SMEs across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Peter Pawsey, Chairman of the RRZ, said: “The opening of the first Centre here in Leominster marks a significant milestone for the project, which is unique in that we have matched the best aspects of the public and private sectors to deliver this development.

"Encouraging entrepreneurship amongst the rural communities is essential and this is just the first step in a bigger picture."

Tom Stokes, Evans Easypace Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to see the first Rural Enterprise Centre open its doors, providing high quality enterprise space for the business community in Leominster. The provision of flexible workspace in the current economic climate is essential for the future growth of the UK's SMEs as the renting of workspace is usually their biggest cost.

"The unique flexibility we offer provides quality accommodation at competitive rates and with a rolling two month licence deal, so our clients don't have the anxieties associated with a long term lease."

The centre promotes sustainable design and has been built to achieve a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of 'Very Good' for its environmental performance. This included the use of local and recyclable materials and the reduction of CO2 emissions and general energy consumption through efficient lighting, heating systems and insulation throughout the life of the building. As a result, the businesses who locate here can do so with confidence, knowing that they are working in an environmentally approved building.

The Leominster centre will offer 9 offices and 13 workshops and, when fully operational, will provide homes for up to 22 businesses. Boasting telephony and broadband to promote remote conferencing and communications, all clients will also have access to marketing tools and networking opportunities via Evans Easynet; the online business community for all Evans Business Centre clients across the UK.

Herefordshire's other Rural Enterprise Centre, currently under construction in Hereford, is on programme for completion in August 2008. This large £3m hub centre will offer 42 offices and 6 workshops, which have also been designed to achieve a 'Very Good' BREEAM rating.
Posted : 10/06/2008 17:27:39

New focus on regeneration aims to reinvigorate
Herefordshire Council has formed a new directorate to reinvigorate its economy and create more jobs and opportunities for all who live here.

Led by Geoff Hughes, previously the council’s director of adult social care and community services, the new Regeneration Directorate will develop a new blueprint for enterprise and wealth creation. It encompasses strategic economic development, affordable housing, transport, community safety, planning regulations and enforcements, building control and community developments.

“The new structure supports a fresh emphasis on how public services can, by working in partnership with the community and business, effectively promote the major selling points of Herefordshire,” said Geoff Hughes.

“The county presents a stunning landscape and ideal environment for commerce to thrive. We have a strong sense of community, low crime, high educational standards, entrepreneurial spirit and tradition of working together to achieve success.

“What we need to do now is ensure that all the building blocks are in place to enable everyone to share in that success in Herefordshire. It’s essential there are good transport links, affordable housing, skills and workforce development and broadband technology. And we need to ensure that rural economic issues in Herefordshire are taken into account in policy development at regional, national and European level.”

Councillor Adrian Blackshaw, cabinet member for economic development and community services, added: “The public and private sector working together can build on its strengths and sustain a positive environment and culture of enterprise, in which business thrives, where opportunity, prosperity and jobs are created, and where all our diverse communities have a stake in the county’s success.

“Our young people generally are prepared with a good education and have no shortage of ambition and aspiration.

“The council aims to develop a blueprint to achieve a vibrant and rich mix of economic opportunities for the future, backed up with more affordable housing, better transport links and making the most of Herefordshire’s assets for recreation, leisure, tourism, enterprise and investment”.

Posted : 02/06/2008 11:34:51

Get on your bike with Herefordshire Council
Herefordshire Council has just recruited a team of adult cycle trainers to encourage more people in the county to cycle to work.

The idea behind the training is to help people who may not have ridden a bike since they were children to gain confidence in cycling, especially when they are travelling on roads and need to know how to negotiate roundabouts and other junctions.

Janette Barrett, Herefordshire Council’s sustainable travel officer, said: “Many adults would love to cycle to work, not just to save money but also to improve their health, but lack the confidence to do so.

“Cycling to work is a great way to achieve the 30 minutes of moderate exercise recommended for all adults. Regular cycling can help control body weight and to reduce the risk of heart disease. It can also reduce stress and anxiety and imporve sleep quality.

“People travelling to work by car, often for only short journeys, are the main cause of congestion in the city so these sessions can make a real difference and help to cut our carbon emissions as well. I would encourage anyone wanting to cycle to work to get in touch and we can assess their current ability and book suitable sessions for them,” she added.

One recently recruited adult cycle trainer is Sylvia Koster and she has been helping a variety of people to gain confidence in cycling, including 53-year-old Heather Stanton who has never ridden a bicycle before.

Sylvia is one of a team of four cycle trainers along with Jonathan, Martin and Tom, spread throughout the county.

The adult cycling training sessions are free to anyone over 18 years of age who wants to cycle to work.

People do not even have to have their own cycle as the trainers can provide one for the sessions.

Training sessions are run on a one-to-one basis and tailored to individual needs and will focus on choosing the best routes, bike security and guidance on buying a bike.


Posted : 22/05/2008 21:01:34

Plenty of walks for children...
Looking for something to entertain your children with over the summer? Want to get them out of the house, away from the computer?

Then why not take them on one of the many walks available this year around the beautiful county of Herefordshire during the walking festival.

Organised by Herefordshire Council, with sponsorship from M&M Direct of Leominster, the festival runs from Saturday, June 14 until Sunday, June 22 and offers a wealth of walks suitable for children.

They can enjoy creepy crawlies in Ross-on-Wye, wander through Lugg Meadows and orchards seeking out marvellous minibeasts or travel back in time to discover history at Wapley Woods.

There is also a fun walk with The National Trust at Brockhampton and, if your children are animal lovers, why not head to Kington where they can see miniature horses, pygmy goats and stroke an owl.

There is so much to choose from, so why not book your place today! Call 01568 797842 for further details.

The walks suitable for children are:

Walk 6. Boatmen, Beetles & Butterflies
Sat 14th June 2pm – 4pm
Suitable for children of all ages but not buggy friendly
Cost: Adult £3 Child FREE Distance: 1 Mile Meet: Ross on Wye

Walk 11. Marvellous Meadow Minibeasts
Sun 15th June 10am – 12 noon
Suitable for ages 5 – 12 and families but not buggies.
Cost: Adult £3 Child FREE Distance: 1 Mile Meet: Hereford

Walk 51 Iron, Rabbits, Fields & Deer
Sat 21st June 10am – 12.30
A walk for families looking at the changing roles which Wapley Woods has played through history.
Cost: Adults £3, Child FREE Distance: 1 _ Miles Meet: Stansbatch

Walk 54 Family Fun Walk
Sat 21st June 6.30pm – 7.30pm
A walk with a ranger around Brockhampton parklands for all ages. A level area with stunning views.
Cost: Adult £3 Child FREE Distance: 1 Mile Meet: Brockhampton

Walk 59 Hedwigs in Herefordshire
Sun 22nd June 2.30pm – 5.30 pm
A walk across fields and a guided tour to meet Dexter cattle, miniature horses and owls.
Cost: Adult £8 Child £5 inc entrance fee, Meet: Kington Distance: 3 miles

Posted : 20/05/2008 12:19:37

Hereford to host EarthWatch event
Herefordshire residents are being urged to attend a special event being held in Hereford to mark World Environment Day 2008 and find out more about climate change and the steps they can take to make a difference.

The EarthWatch event will take place at Hereford’s Kindle Centre, from Saturday, June 7 until Monday, June 9, and people are free to attend on any of the days.

Aims of the event are to raise local awareness of climate change and other environmental issues, while empowering local people and communities to take action to minimise their impact on the environment. This will promote sustainability by building new and strengthening existing community networks.

Some of Herefordshire Council’s own climate change initiatives will be represented at the event. These will include offering advice on the grants and energy-saving measures available to people in the county.

Andrew Powell, Herefordshire Council’s energy efficiency administrator, who will be at the event said: “As a council, it is important we help to educate the county’s residents about what they can do to limit their impact on the environment.

“Our energy efficiency grants and advice can make a real difference because the more efficiently energy is used, the lower domestic fuel bills will be. Thermal comfort also offers positive benefits to an individual’s health,” he added.

The event is free to attend and open to all on all three days. The event will comprise an exhibition, fun activities for adults and children, stands, talks and films presented over the three days.

Schools will also be invited to attend by appointment on Monday, June 9.

People attending will be able to learn more about the evidence for, the science behind and the potential effects of climate change as well as receiving practical tips on how to reduce their individual carbon and environmental footprints.

For more details please contact Christianne Wakeham on 01547 560021 or 07740 680568, email christianne@kyreoak.co.uk


Posted : 19/05/2008 16:18:39



Posted : 15/05/2008 16:00:31

Swords, skulls and strongholds
Herefordshire’s new Museum Resource & Learning Centre will be featured on Channel 4 next Monday, May 19, along with Herefordshire Archaeology’s excavations at Credenhill.

The Time Team special programme, Swords, Skulls and Strongholds, takes a look at Iron Age hillforts in Britain.

Herefordshire has many great examples of hillforts, a handful of which have been investigated by archaeologists.

Superb objects found at the hillforts at Croft Ambrey and Sutton Walls include a complete saddle quern used to grind grain for bread making and early iron tools used by Iron Age and Romano-British carpenters.

Phil Harding of Time Team and Judy Stevenson, of Herefordshire’s museum service, were filmed discussing these objects in the new museum storage facility on Friar Street in Hereford.

Meanwhile, out on Credenhill, trenches are opened amidst dense trees which now cover the massive hillfort, one of the largest in the country.

Excavations by a team of students and volunteers, led by Herefordshire Archaeology’s Peter Dorling, revealed new evidence on the Iron Age occupation of the site, and also confirmed that occupation continued under Roman rule when the nearby town of Magna had already been established.

For anyone interested in the history of Herefordshire, this is a programme not to be missed.

The details are: Time Team Special: Swords, Skulls and Strongholds, Monday, May 19, Channel 4, 9pm.

To view the Iron Age and Roman artefacts stored at the Museum Resource and Learning Centre, contact Judy Stevenson on 01432 383593.

Excavations at Credenhill are continuing this Summer, open days will be announced in the press.


Posted : 14/05/2008 10:19:11

Licence suspended for 7 days after under age sales
Local, 28 High Street, Leominster, has had its licence suspended for seven days after being found selling alcohol to under age people.

The suspension comes into effect at midnight on May 31 which allows the applicant 21 days to appeal against the decision.

Mike Pigrem, Herefordshire Council’s trading standards manager, said: “This sends out a message to all licensees that they must be vigilant in checking people’s ages before they sell alcohol and any illegal sales could result in licence conditions being imposed and the potential of them having their licences removed.”

West Mercia Police sought the review of the licence after the store was subject to two separate test purchase operations in three months and two 15-year-old females were served. The persons who made the sale were given fixed penalty notices.

Herefordshire Council’s regulatory sub-committee met on Friday, May 9 to review the licence for the premise. Members agreed to add further conditions to the licence and these are:

• Ensure a personal licence holder is on the premises at all times, after August 1, 2008.
• Ensure comprehensive training is given to all staff. This training should be recorded and refreshed at least once every six months
• Ensure staff are trained on how to spot underage purchasers and to handle refusals safely
• Adopt a NO ID NO SALE policy
• To adopt a challenge 25 policy where anyone who looks under 25 has to provide suitable ID to prove they are over 18 before being served.
• Only accept the following forms of ID: Valid British passport, photo driving licence and proof of age cards carrying the PASS hologram
• Use a refusals log; monitor its usage to ensure all staff are being vigilant
• Display posters and notices at entrance and points of sale, advising customers of the age restrictions and that they will be asked for ID if they look under 21.
• Have a CCTV system installed. Tapes/recordings must be kept for a minimum of four weeks. These tapes/recordings should be produced for any agency that requires them
• Install a till prompt system
• Become a member of the Leominster HAND scheme


Posted : 12/05/2008 18:37:17

24 License suspension after under age sales
Spar, 3/5 Bargates, Leominster has had its license suspended for 24 hours after being found selling alcohol to under age people.

West Mercia Police sought the review of the licence. The store was subject to two separate test purchase operations and sold alcohol to a 16-year-old female and 15-year-old female. The persons who made the sale were issued with fixed penalty notices.

The suspension comes into effect at midnight on May 31 which allows the applicant 21 days to appeal against the decision.

Mike Pigrem, Herefordshire Council’s trading standards manager, said: “This sends out a message to all licensees that they must be vigilant in checking people’s ages before they sell alcohol and any illegal sales could result in licence conditions being imposed and the potential of them having their licences removed.”

Herefordshire Council’s regulatory met on Friday, May 9 to review the licence for the premise. Members decided to add the following conditions to the licence:

• Ensure a personal licence holder is on the premises at all times, after August 1, 2008.
• Ensure comprehensive training is given to all staff. This training should be recorded and refreshed at least once every six months
• Ensure staff are trained on how to spot underage purchasers and to handle refusals safely
• Adopt a NO ID NO SALE policy
• To adopt a challenge 25 policy where anyone who looks under 25 has to provide suitable ID to prove they are over 18 before being served.
• Use a refusals log; monitor its usage to ensure all staff are being vigilant
• Display posters and notices at entrance and points of sale, advising customers of the age restrictions and that they will be asked for ID if they look under 21.
• Have a CCTV system installed. Tapes/recordings must be kept for a minimum of four weeks. These tapes/recordings should be produced for any agency that requires them
• Install a till prompt system
• Become a member of the Leominster HAND scheme


Posted : 12/05/2008 18:36:20

Leominster Cups match reports
Woofferton 0 – Leominster Town 1

A goal early in the game by Matt Williams was enough to give Leominster Town something to cheer about at the end of the season as this enabled them to take the Leominster Senior Cup in a closely fought encounter with local rivals Woofferton.

Williams headed in a cross by Jason Jones and from there on Town held out against this season’s Herefordshire Premier Division winners. There were few chances after the goal at either end as the defences were on top. Leominster’s keeper Jon Jones was called upon on a couple of occasions, but Town’s defence marshalled by John Acaster absorbed the pressure thrown at them particularly during the latter stages as Woofferton sought to unsuccessfully to get back on level terms.

Leominster Town are hoping to run a reserve side next season and for which they are looking for a manager. Anyone interested should contact Bill Bloxsome on 01568 616624.

Wellington Rangers Colts 3 – Shobdon 2

Wellington Rangers Colts retained the Leominster Junior Cup with a 3 – 2 extra time win against Shobdon. Wellington took the lead early in the first half and it looked as if this would be enough as the game entered its final quarter. However Shobdon pulled back on equal terms through Stuart Hammond then took the lead before Wellington equalised near to the final whistle of the half. Wellington took an early lead in the first period of extra time, which they held on to, to take the trophy home again.


Posted : 12/05/2008 09:50:11

School children encouraged to grow fruit and veg.
Herefordshire school children are being encouraged to get active, cultivate their school gardens and enjoy local fruit and vegetables.

Next week is healthy schools week on Teachers TV, the digital informal channel on education. Throughout the week, the channel will be profiling health initiatives in schools, including a series of feature programmes about healthy schools.

In Herefordshire 73 percent of schools have healthy schools status which is above the UK’s national average of 56 percent. This year, Herefordshire’s healthy schools team have been working with schools to raise the profile of local farming. So far just over a third of the county’s schools have adopted a local farmer who visits the school and helps the children learn about where their food has come from.

Building on this successful campaign and fitting in with the week-long TV profile on healthy schools, Herefordshire Council is providing all primary schools with a free bumper resource pack full of goodies to help schools with healthy activities.

The bag contains a new foodie folder in which schools can gather monthly fact sheets detailing seasonal food and what needs to be planted in the garden. Each month, another list will appear on the Healthy Schools website for schools to print off and place in the folder. Farmers’ markets and other events for the month are also listed.

Other resources in the bag include the Lord Scudamore Healthy cookbook created by the school’s pupils, a big book of health, a full set of foodie books (one for each month) and giant teeth models to help teachers in lessons with ideas for lesson plans.

Tess Boyes, healthy schools co-ordinator said: “We want to encourage children and their families to have a go at growing some of their own food. It’s a great way for children to learn about the food they eat and encourages them to try new flavours – it always tastes better when you’ve grown it yourself.

“Getting out into the garden, at home or at school is also a good way of getting some fresh air and physical exercise.

“These monthly fact sheets are being provided for schools, but we hope families will access them too via our web site and get involved in gardening together.”

Posted : 10/05/2008 21:36:24

Leominster to keep free parking
Motorists in Leominster are to keep benefiting from free parking.

In the first review of parking charges since 2003, it has been decided to keep parking at the long stay Broad Street car park free of charge.

Free parking will also remain in the short-stay Etnam Street car park but is limited to three hours maximum stay.

While it has been necessary to introduce modest increases to charges in the other car parks, most of the charges have only been increased by 10p or 20p.
These changes will be introduced on June 2.

In the short-stay Central Area car park, the maximum stay will rise from two hours to three hours and the cost of parking for one hour will be 40p. The charge for three hours will be £1.

Charges at the medium stay Dishley Street car park will be 30p for an hour but season tickets prices remain unchanged at £45 per quarter.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “As part of our policy to encourage people to visit our market towns, we are keeping a lot of free parking in Leominster and increases are only of the order of 10p or 20p.

“The charges also compare favourably with charges currently levied in Ludlow, Monmouth and Malvern where parking all day costs from £2.30 to £3,” he added.

Posted : 09/05/2008 23:10:57

Improvements to pathways at Sydonia Park
Work is due to start this week on improving and re-aligning the pathways at Sydonia Park in Leominster, organised by Herefordshire Council’s parks, countryside and leisure development service.

These works, which will make the path network at the park more user-friendly, follow the recent changes at the site including the upgrade of the children’s play area.

Some of the poorer quality paths that cross the site including those that led to now obsolete features will be removed and the ground will be re-instated.

The re-aligned paths will be widened and improved with concrete kerbs and new surfacing to ensure they are fully accessible and finished to a high standard. The works will be carried out by Amey Wye Valley Ltd in conjunction with Tarmac Construction and Section 106 monies have funded the scheme.

Geoff Dimbylow, Special Projects Officer said: “The new paths will follow the public rights of way and create new accesses to the upgraded play area.

“They will also meet new disabled access standards, provide more direct, safer routes to school and assist with a future scheme to improve the security for residents of Eaton Close,” he added.

The work is expected to take two weeks depending on the weather and surface conditions.

Posted : 08/05/2008 17:12:08

Make a noise about walking to school
Herefordshire should be a much more peaceful place during the rush hour when primary school children take part in Walk to School week this month. This year's UK-wide walk to school campaign which encourages families to leave their cars at home and walk to school, takes place from 19th-23rd May.

The theme of this year's campaign is "Be a Sound Detective". Pupils will be exploring the local environment through sound and finding out just how many experiences get missed each day by being cocooned in cars - whether that's the tweeting of birds, the clip-clopping of shoes or the sound of their friends' voices. It's also an opportunity to highlight the benefits of children getting to know their communities through walking to school.

Herefordshire Council is once again offering free resources to all schools taking part. Every pupil will get a diary to complete during the week, there are booklets with stickers to insert, posters and wall charts for each classroom to record the number of pupils walking. The school travel team will be conducting assemblies at participating schools to publicise the week to pupils and parents.

All pupils can join in, even if they can't walk to school because of distance or safety issues. These pupils can car share with friends or neighbours, or their parents can park a distance from the school and walk the rest of the way. Many schools, especially rural ones where many children cannot walk to school, will be holding their own walking events. For example, Much Marcle Primary School is planning a whole school walk with a picnic.

Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "I hope all schools will get involved in this exciting campaign. Even if it isn't possible for children to walk to school, there are other ways of raising the profile of walking as Much Marcle primary school has shown.

"We live in a beautiful county and you see so much more travelling on foot than in a car. All children and parents can get involved with the walk to school week, even if it's just a case of parking the car a bit further away from school and walking in. Walking is also a great way of keeping fit and can help children develop healthy lifestyles now and in the future."
Tony Armstrong, chief executive of Living Streets (the charity which organises Walk to School week) said: "By leaving the car at home you save money on petrol, avoid parking hassles at the school gate, teach your children valuable road-safety skills and do your bit for the environment."

Walk to School week is a firm feature in the academic calendar and this year provides an opportunity to make some noise about how important the journey to school is.
Posted : 07/05/2008 17:37:50

Children get arty with healthy food
Children in Herefordshire are being encouraged to use healthy food to create art in libraries this half term.

Herefordshire libraries will be running fantastic arts activities during the May half term (May 26-30) which will help children think about healthy food choices and recycling.

Children aged five to twelve are being invited to work with artists to use clean used food packaging to create a series of huge plates of food. Workshops will be taking place at libraries across the county (see below), and the finished works of art will be displayed in the libraries for everyone to enjoy.

The project is a partnership between Herefordshire Council’s Healthy Schools, Libraries and Learning Team, and one of the aims is to encourage children to think about the eat well plate.

The eat well plate is a picture of food used regularly in health promotions which makes healthy eating easier to understand. It shows the types and proportions of foods needed for a well balanced diet.

Healthy Schools Co-ordinator Tess Boyes said: “As well as helping parents make sure their children eat a balanced diet, it’s important that children themselves become more aware of what’s good for them and think about the food choices that they make every day.

“Children will have great fun participating in these arts workshops, as well as learning more about healthy eating in a creative and exciting way.”

Tickets for these two hour workshops are £2 to cover costs, and are likely to sell out fast. To find out more, contact your local library, or check out the Herefordshire Libraries website: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/libraries

Posted : 01/05/2008 17:17:56

Don't miss out on walking festival tickets
There are still a few places left on walks taking place all over the county in this year’s Herefordshire Walking Festival.

People keen to join the walks, which are from one to 12 miles in length and suit all levels of ability, should book now to make sure they are not disappointed.

The festival runs from June 14 to 22 and there are walks to suit a variety of interests and youngsters are included as well.

Special interest walks include Taking Poetry for a Walk, Words of Awareness and Birds of Garway Hill.

Taking Poetry for a Walk, is a circular 7-mile walk on Saturday, June 14, from 10.30am until 4pm, exploring Croft Ambrey and Bircher Common, enjoying poetry inspired by the land.

Poetry also features in the Words of Awareness walk at Rowlestone on Sunday, June 15 from 2.30pm until 4pm. This slow, gentle walk following a river valley will include time to listen to poetry by poets who know the local landscape.

Birds of Garway Hill is a 4.5 mile walk around the slopes of Garway Hill on Friday, June 20 from 9am until 12.30pm, looking out for and listening to the birdlife. People taking part are urged to bring along binoculars.

There are also some wonderful opportunities for children to explore the countryside.

Boatmen, Beetles & Butterflies on Saturday, June 14 from 2pm until 4pm is a one-mile walk being led by Ross Wild Connections and is suitable for children of all ages. During the walk, the damp hollows and grasslands will be searched to find creepy crawlies.

Marvellous Meadow Minibeasts on Sunday, June 15 from 10am until noon is a one-mile walk seeking out a myriad of minibeasts who make the Lugg meadows their home.

Iron, Rabbits, Fields and Deer on Saturday, June 21 from 10am until 12.30pm is a 1.5-mile walk for families and children, led by an archaeologist, looking at the changing roles which Wapley Hill has played throughout history.

Angels of the Night on Friday, June 20 from 8.45pm until late is a one to two mile walk round Bodenham Lake looking and listening for bats or chioptera. People are urged to bring along bat detectors and a torch or headlight. Loan detectors will be available.


Tickets are still available for the Family Fun Walk on Sunday, June 22 from 10am until 4.30pm. A National Trust ranger will lead this one-mile walk around Brockhampton parkland.

With the launch of the sixth Harry Potter film, The Half-Blood Prince, due in November, youngsters have a chance to get up close to owls on the Hedwigs of Herefordshire walk on Sunday, June 22 from 2.30pm until 5.30pm. This three-mile walk includes a guided tour to meet pygmy goats, Dexter cattle, the world’s smallest breed of sheep, miniature horses and donkeys.

Jane Lewis, Herefordshire Council’s cultural services manager, said: “The walking festival is a great celebration of the wonderful countryside we have in the county. We want as many families as possible to enjoy this countryside and enjoy some fun activities as well. We hope they will take advantage of these walks which offer a wonderful taster of what is on offer.”

To find out more, log onto www.walkingfestival.com to book tickets now or telephone the Festival Booking Office on 01568 797842.

Programmes are available from your local tourist information centre or from 01432 260623.

Posted : 29/04/2008 12:00:14

Leominster Cups Competitions
As the football season draws to a close Woofferton and Wellington Colts will both be looking to retain their trophies won last season in the Leominster Senior and Junior Cups respectively. Woofferton face Leominster Town on Tuesday 6th May and Wellington Colts play Shobdon two days later on the 8th May. Both games kick off at 7.30pm at Bridge Street Sports Centre.

In the Senior Cup, it is a while since the two neighbours faced each other in the final. To get there Woofferton beat Hinton while Leominster overcame Bartestree following a 24 penalty shoot out. Wellington Colts route was through wins over Burghill and Stoke Prior while Shobdon beat Weobley and Pencombe.

Posted : 27/04/2008 20:43:36

Parents talk to Council about childcare needs
Herefordshire needs to build on childcare available for newborns to five year olds and have more out of school activities for eight to 14 year olds, according to research into childcare commissioned by the council and published this week.

The government requires all local authorities to undertake an annual assessment of the local childcare market to make sure that the needs of parents are being met. This involves looking at the childcare available across the county and identifying whether there are any gaps.

Herefordshire Council undertook a Childcare Sufficiency Assessment which involved surveying a range of parents from across the county. Findings suggest that overall, the county has enough good quality childcare places for newborns to five year olds, although parents in the remotest parts of the county often have to drive to their nearest nursery, which is not ideal.

The report highlights a need for more out of school provision for eight to14 year olds with a request from parents for more early morning and early evening care as well. Similarly holiday childcare for all ages is an issue in some parts of the county.

Any childcare provided has to be sustainable which makes it particularly difficult to provide in rural areas where numbers are likely to be smaller. A large proportion of childcare is provided by the private and voluntary sector where costs of providing the care have to be balanced with affordable fees for parents.

Another finding is that parents who work part-time demand a more flexible pattern of care for their children. One third of parents questioned stated that they don't use any form of childcare for a variety of reasons including costs – instead they adapt their childcare needs around their working patterns and family.

According to those surveyed, many parents of children with special needs do not use formal childcare as alongside other issues they believe there is nothing available for them.

Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “The government doesn't fund childcare in the same way as it funds schools. Parents are expected to pay for the services they receive which means all childcare providers have to operate as viable businesses and rely on regular bookings to meet Ofsted standards and break-even. Yet this piece of research shows that parents want more flexibility and choice, particularly in relation to care for 8-14 year olds.

“We need to prioritise the issues identified in the report and work with schools, parents and childcare providers to explore how we can bridge the gaps identified and help parents who wish to return to work.”

The full report is published on the Council's web site www.herefordshire.gov.uk.

The assessment will be updated once a year and a further full assessment will be undertaken in 2011.

Posted : 24/04/2008 20:56:58

Extra funding to revitalise shop fronts
Due to the success of the Leominster Area Shop Front Grant Scheme, it has been decided to extend it for a further nine months.

To date a total of 23 commercial premises have received a facelift, thanks to the scheme. This scheme, funded by Advantage West Midlands through the Market Towns Initiative, offers grants of up to £2,500 to help improve the appearance of the town and surrounding villages.

Last year a total of 18 premises in Leominster and a new Community Store in Wigmore received a grant towards improving their shop front.

Further Shop Front grants are available but funding is limited and owners and tenants within the Leominster Area are urged to apply quickly as projects will need to be complete by December 2008.

To request an application form or find out more contact Herefordshire Council’s delegated grants and programmes team on 01432 260753 or e-mail delegatedgrants@herefordshire.gov.uk

Posted : 23/04/2008 18:01:45

Herefordshire gears up for Join a Library Day
Herefordshire Council's libraries are gearing up to receive high numbers of new library joiners on Saturday (26 April 2008), which is national Join a Library Day.

The first ten people to join any of the ten libraries or two mobile libraries in the county will receive a free book – and everybody joining on the day can borrow free of charge a DVD, a CD talking book or a computer game, a library welcome pack and a copy of the Ultimate Book Guide – detailing over 200 great books for children. All children will also get a balloon. Staff will advise on the range of reading opportunities available and on other events and projects taking place in the library.

Supported by all libraries across England, the day is part of the National Year of Reading's campaign to encourage parents, children and young people to join their local library.

For the first time, a simple universal library membership form can be used to join any library in England. All people have to do is take the form along to your local library. The form is available on www.yearofreading.org.uk but is not essential - people need only to come to their local library on Saturday to join up.

Herefordshire Council's libraries offer free resources and services to support reading, including reading challenges, internet access, baby bounce and rhyme sessions, story times, readers' groups and author events.

For more information: Herefordshire Council on 01432 260006
Posted : 22/04/2008 11:35:41

Ten out of ten for Flavours scheme
One of the very first schemes in this country to recognise and reward the use and promotion of local produce, the annual Flavours of Herefordshire competition will reach a new milestone in 2008 as organisers prepare to mark its 10th birthday.

Organised by Visit Herefordshire – the collaboration between Herefordshire Council and the local tourism industry – the event is now widely viewed as one best examples of how an area of Britain can celebrate its regional flavours. The scheme has also been responsible for raising standards of quality and service throughout the county since its inception ten years ago.

And the launch of this year's competition is certain to once again spark a flurry of activity amongst the county's chefs, restaurateurs, publicans, accommodation providers and food producers.

The link between Herefordshire's rural landscape and the food and drink which is on offer to its residents and visitors alike is set to become even stronger this year, with the introduction of a new competition inviting members of the public to devise with a recipe for a main meal, costing under £5 and using only local produce.

Entrants will be invited to submit their recipes throughout the summer, before being short-listed, and then asked to attend the annual Food Festival at Hereford Racecourse for a "cook-off".

The full range of categories for the 2008 Flavours of Herefordshire awards scheme is featured at www.visitherefordshire.co.uk. One of the biggest changes from previous years is that the "Producer of the Year" now features two separate awards – food, and drink.

One of last year's big winners was Bridge House Hotel in Wilton, near Ross on Wye, which scooped a much-prized 'Outstanding Achievement Award' – having been winner of the Restaurant of the Year category for two years, and short-listed for the Regional Food Awards.

The tenth annual 'Flavours' competition will reach its conclusion on Friday, October 24th, on the eve of the 2008 Herefordshire Food Festival.

Television's "Hairy Bikers" have been invited to be the guests of honour at the Flavours of Herefordshire prize-giving dinner, as well as participating chefs at the Food Festival - which will give all members of the public the chance to try and buy some of the UK's finest local produce over the weekend of October 25th and 26th.

Copies the current Flavours of Herefordshire Food Festival leaflet can be obtained free of charge by telephoning 01432-260621. Or, visit www.visitherefordshire.co.uk for further details.
Posted : 22/04/2008 11:34:08

Extension for Community Pride cash in Leominster
Herefordshire Council is urging community groups in the Leominster area to take advantage of additional funding for the community pride scheme.

The scheme has an additional £5,000 to award, extending the scheme for a further nine months. Grants will be awarded on a first come basis so people are urged to apply quickly before the cash runs out.

Community groups in the Leominster area can apply for grants of up to £750 from the Market Towns Initiative Programme via Advantage West Midlands and the Leominster Area Regeneration Partnership.

The Leominster area community pride scheme offers grants for community projects to purchase items of equipment to improve the services provided by the group, or to enhance the area or provide an attraction.

To date the scheme has awarded grants to 43 projects ranging from publicity banners for the Victorian Fair, a projector for the training room at Leominster Age Concern, health and safety equipment for the Leominster Medieval Fair, radios for Leominster St Johns Ambulance, play equipment for children’s clubs and youth groups, litter bins, notice boards, seating, planters and hanging baskets, equipment and curtains for village halls, and mowers and floodlights for bowling clubs.

To be eligible to apply for funding, groups must have a written constitution and be based in the Leominster Regeneration Area. The project must include the purchase of a capital item and demonstrate value for money. A maximum of £750 can be applied for or 75 per cent of the total project costs, whichever is the lesser.

The scheme ends at the end of December 2008 and all grants offered must be claimed by January 2009. Applications will be considered on a first come basis and funding is limited. All applications must be received by October 2008 to be considered.

For further information and guidance please contact Cathy Arthurs from Herefordshire Council’s delegated grants and programmes team on 01432 260753.

Posted : 22/04/2008 11:19:40

Learning champions focus on healthy living
Ever fancied trying aromatherapy, Indian head massage or yoga for free?

If so why not come along to a series of events being run by Herefordshire Learning Champions throughout the county as part of Adult Learners Week (May 17 to May 23).

William Dereham, Herefordshire Council’s learning champions project officer, said: “With the current focus on healthy living, these sessions offer an exciting opportunity to find out how a variety of alternative therapies can improve people’s quality of life.

“All of the sessions are free but booking is essential,” he added.

The sessions are:

Saturday, May 17: Reiki taster at Leominster Community Centre, 10am until 5pm. Contact Jo Alker on 07792 881073 for details.

Monday, May 19: Total relaxation session at Healing Earth, Blackfriars Street, Hereford, 10am until 3pm. Contact Karan McKelvie on 07792 881071.

Tuesday, May 20: Tai Chi Chi Kung taster session at Larruperez Centre, Ross on Wye, 10am to 11am. Contact William Dereham on 07792 881071.

Tuesday, May 20: Aromatherapy at Belmont Library, 10am to 1pm. Contact Karan McKelvie on 07792 881071.

Tuesday, May 20: Reflexology demonstration, Ross Library, 2pm to 3pm. Contact William Dereham on 07792 881072.

Wednesday, May 21: Indian head massage taster session, The Bromyard Centre, 10am to 5pm. Contact Jo Alker on 07792 881073.

Wednesday, May 21: Yoga taster session, Woolhope Room, Hereford Library, 12.15pm to 2.05pm. Contact Karan McKelvie on 07792 881071.

Wednesday, May 21: Acupuncture demonstration, Ross Library, 2pm to 3pm. Contact William Dereham on 07792 881072.

Thursday, May 22: Bach flower remedies, Healing Earth, Blackfriars Street, Hereford, 10am to 3pm. Contact Karan McKelvie on 07792 881071.

Thursday, May 22: Microsoft Publisher and digital cameras, Ross Library, noon to 2pm. Contact William Dereham on 07792 881072.

Thursday, May 22: Animation at Ross Library, 2pm to 4pm. Contact William Dereham on 07792 881072.

Friday, May 23: Bach flower remedies workshop, Burton Hotel, Kington, 10am to 11am. Contact Jo Alker on 07792 881072.

Posted : 21/04/2008 15:21:38

Tickets going fast for walking festival
Tickets are going fast for the annual celebration of the Herefordshire countryside that is the Walking Festival.

The featured Monnow Valley Walk is fully booked but there are still places left on ‘Exploring the Olchon Valley’, ‘A Day in the Golden Valley’ and ‘Secret Valley & Views’ along the way.

The festival runs from June 14 to 22 and there are walks to suit a variety of interests and youngsters are included as well.

Special interest walks include ‘Taking Poetry for a Walk’, ‘Words of Awareness’ and ‘Birds of Garway Hill’ .

There are some wonderful opportunities for children. ‘Boatmen, Beetles & Butterflies’ & ‘Marvellous Meadow Minibeasts’ on the first weekend (June 14 and 15) plus ‘Walking with Llamas’, ‘Iron, Rabbits, Fields and Deer’ – an archaeological walk, ‘Angels of the Night’ (bats), a ‘Family Fun Walk’ at Brockhampton and a visit to the Small Breeds Farm Park to stroke the owls in ‘Hedwigs of Herefordshire’, all being held from June 19 to 22.

Go to www.walkingfestival.com to book your tickets now or telephone the Festival Booking Office on 01568 797842.

Programmes are available from your local tourist information centre or from 01432 260623.

Posted : 21/04/2008 15:20:04

Design a library card for Herefordshire
Herefordshire’s libraries are on the lookout for readers with style to help design some new library cards.

The ten library cards currently in use have proved extremely popular with readers, but members of staff are often asked if the cards could have something which reflects the beauty of the county.

“So now’s the time to produce a photograph, drawing, collage or picture that show reading, libraries or Herefordshire or all three,” said the council’s assistant cultural services manager for libraries Kate Murray.

There are no age categories and no limitations to the style of the designs.

The competition will finish on June 30 when all entries have to be handed in or submitted online to librarycompetitions@herefordshire.gov.uk.

The judging will take place in July.

This event is also being run as part of The Big Picture which is running a world record attempt to collect 100,000 photos to create a piece of public art.

Photographic submissions for the cards can also be added to this attempt.

All the winning entries will receive a prize as well as being seen by thousands on the new cards and be featured in an exhibition at Ross-on-Wye library in August.

Competition entry forms available at every library and can be found at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/libraries

Posted : 21/04/2008 15:19:05

Social worker to retire after 29 years in Hereford
When Claire Rouse left school, her mother insisted she got herself a proper career so she became a secretary but never felt happy doing that type of work.

A few years later, Claire went back to school to discuss possible careers with her former headmistress and social work was suggested - a decision which many people in Herefordshire were later to benefit from.

Claire, 65, is to retire in April, having spent the past 29 years as a social worker in Herefordshire.

Married to Don and with three children and a grandson, Claire says she has thoroughly enjoyed her time as a social worker in the county.

“I really feel I was born to be a social worker and ever since I qualified by gaining my Certificate in Social Work I have never thought about doing anything else,” Claire said.

“I have had an awful lot of fun and feel privileged to have enjoyed my job so much and to have worked with so many wonderful people across the council and within partner organisations,” she added.

Claire first came to Herefordshire from Liverpool when her husband had to move jobs. She had been a social worker in Liverpool where she mainly worked in the city’s hospitals.

“When I first got a social worker post at what was then Hereford and Worcester County Council, I couldn’t believe how nice Hereford was with all its greenery and no homes with boarded up windows,” Claire said.

When Claire first started as a social worker in Hereford, it was a generic post and she could be called upon to deal with anything.

Since 1993, as part of new legislation, Claire was able to specialise in helping adults with learning difficulties.

In 1997, this changed again when Claire joined an integrated mental health team based at St Owen’s Street, Hereford, and she now works with people with mental health problems.

“I have found all of the changes exciting and I have been able to keep learning all of the time. The current team includes medical staff as well as social workers, so it has been interesting to see how the two areas can work together to help people lead better lives,” Claire said.


Claire is now looking forward to retirement and being able to spend more time gardening and walking. She is an active member of her local church in Peterchurch and is also a bellringer and member of a choir.

“I’m sure I will be busy and, with my grandson Stan living in Canada, I’m also hoping to be able to visit him again soon,” Claire said.

Geoff Hughes, Herefordshire Council’s director of adult and community services, said: “Claire has been a magnificent member of our social work team and has adapted well to the many changes that have taken place during her long career.

“She will be very much missed by both her colleagues and clients and I am sure she will enjoy a happy and much deserved retirement,” he added.

Posted : 14/04/2008 12:09:53

Leominster Town FC - Match Reports
Burlish Olympic Ladies 2 Leominster Town Ladies 3

Leominster Town Ladies dented the title hopes of home side Burlish Olympic Ladies when they came away with a 3 – 2 win.

The teams were equal at a one apiece by the half time whistle, with Katie Evans lobbing the Burlish keeper for Leominster's goal. In the second half defender Anna Jones sent Sarah Lamongy away and her speed sent her passed the home defenders to score. Leominster's third came when an Annie Davies shot came off the upright and Lucy Harding reacted quicker than the defence to fire home. The win could have been more emphatic had Jodie Driscoll converted a penalty.

This Sunday the Ladies play their last League game of the season when they visit Droitwich Spa Ladies

Leominster Town's men had no game last Saturday. However on the previous Tuesday they beat Bromyard Town Reserves 2 – 0 to ease their relegation worries. The win came through a goal in each half. James Webb-Davies lobbed the Bromyard keeper in the first half while Dan George weaved his way through the visitor's defence to drive the ball home in the second.

This Saturday Town entertain Colwall Rangers their last league game of the season.
Posted : 14/04/2008 09:26:53

New health and social care watchdog for County
A new health and social care watchdog with powers to inspect premises is about to be formed in Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Council has just appointed the Carers Federation as the organisation which will set up and help run the Local Involvement Network (LINk)

The LINk replaces the previous Public and Patient Involvement Forums and will, for the first time, be responsible not only for health but also social care and older people's issues.

It will involve a wide range of Hereford people whose voices are seldom heard - like busy workers, children, people with disabilities, remote rural dwellers and ethnic minorities – to make sure they have their say in how services are run.

The LINk will be able to enter premises and assess services, collect views of service users and expect responses when requests for information are made to committees and organisations.

Established in 1992, the Carers Federation supports carers, and runs programmes for public and patient involvement, for people with mental health issues, those needing counselling support, and those affected by another person’s drug misuse.

The organisation's first task will be to identify and engage a wide range of LINk members and to support them in addressing Herefordshire’s priority health and social care issues.

“We're delighted to have been able to appoint the Carers Foundation which has a wealth of relevant experience for carrying out the role,” said Cllr Olwyn Barnett, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for social care adults and health.

“The bringing together of responsibilities to act as watchdog for health, social care and older people's issues, is welcomed particularly in Herefordshire where the council and the Herefordshire Primary Care Trust are already pioneering closer working relationships.”

First steps towards the new LINk will be to form a steering group, arrange stakeholder meetings to recruit members, determine governance arrangements and decide a work programme.

Public and Patient Involvement Forums ceased operating on 31 March.

Anyone wanting to know more should contact Kath Soanes, LINks Operations Manager, on 07739 237452 or email k.soanes@carersfederation.co.uk.

Posted : 14/04/2008 09:23:23

Lucky ten win council competition
Ten Herefordshire residents are celebrating after being rewarded by Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council for their waste prevention know-how. They all won prizes in a competition organised by the joint waste prevention team from the two Councils.

The ten fortunate winners correctly answered a quiz in the Mission Impossible News that landed on householders' doormats with the Herefordshire Matters magazine in February this year. The four-page newsletter was jam-packed with articles and tips aimed at helping residents reduce, reuse and recycle their household waste.

Contestants were asked to name five ways of reducing waste, with clues from a drawing. The winners were among hundreds of people who entered the competition to win a range of waste-busting goodies including a Bosch AXT 2200 Rapid Shredder and an InSinkErator 65 food waste disposer.

Correct answers included composting banana skins, reusing carrier bags at the supermarket, recycling paper, glass and plastic bottles and taking unwanted items to charity shops so that they can be re-used.

One of the star prizes was a family trip to the Eden Project in Cornwall and a night's accommodation for two adults and 4 children. This was won by Amanda Bailey from Hereford.

Lucky Amanda said: “I'm delighted we entered the competition. We already recycle a lot of our waste but we now plan to try to reduce the amount of rubbish that we make in the first place.”

Other were:

Mrs Jayne Unwin from Bromyard who won the InSinkErator model 65 food waste disposer

Anne O'Brien from Pembridge who won the Bosch garden shredder

Susan Stone from Ledbury who won a wormery

Christine Price from Hereford who won a pack of real nappies

Mrs Salter from Leominster who won an Innocent Fruit Smoothie Recipe book

Mrs Walcott from Ledbury who won a compost bin

Miss Newth from Hereford who won a re-conditioned washing machine from The Network Worcestershire

Mrs Harrison from Weobley who won a pack of recycled stationery

Elizabeth Alty from Bircher who won a refurbished bicycle from MotoV8

And you men? Perhaps you were all just unlucky this time.

For more information on how to reduce your waste visit www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk or telephone 01905 766883.
Posted : 11/04/2008 16:56:39

Council Launches Tax And Benefits Tracking 24/7
Herefordshire Council has launched a new out-of-hours service to enable people to view electronically their council tax banding or business rates on their home or property.

The new 'self service' system, provided by the council's benefits and exchequer service, also helps claimants to access details of their own housing or council tax benefit entitlement online. Landlords also will have access to information about housing benefits payments that are paid directly to them on behalf of tenants who are entitled to the benefit.

The service has been developed to provide customers with more accessible information. Taxpayers can check securely their individual charges for different financial years, along with any available discounts or exemptions that have been granted, and view their future payment schedules. They can also search for council tax bandings.

To protect the security of information, access to the service can only be gained using an account number or claim number along with a password. The information will be accessed by easy-to-use, menu-driven web pages on the council's web site.

“As the service is available online customers will no longer be restricted to contacting the office to resolve queries during office hours”, said Mike Toney, head of benefits and exchequer services. “Self service will be available twenty four hours a day, every day of the year”.
Posted : 11/04/2008 12:21:02

Apartments in Leominster approved
Plans to convert a former mill in Leominster into nine apartments were approved by members of the northern area planning sub-committee at their meeting on Wednesday, April 9th.

The application was deferred at the meeting on March 12, 2008 for a site visit to be carried out.

The site is within the conservation area.

Plans are to convert the original mill building into three residential apartments and demolish all other buildings attached to the mill. A new three storey block will then be built to house six further apartments.

Network Rail, the Ramblers Association and The River Lugg Drainage Board had no objection in principle.

Herefordshire Council's conservation manager recommended approval subject to certain conditions.

The council’s Public Rights of Way manager said the development would affect public footpath ZC137 and the department would want to be notified on construction of the path so site inspections can be made to ensure it is to the right specification.

Leominster Town Council recommended refusal feeling the plans were over-development.

Leominster Civic Society's chairman Robert Oliver objected saying the site was important but felt this scheme was overdevelopment.

Leominster Rifle Club currently meets in the building to be demolished and was concerned about the club's future.

The site is identified in the Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan as being within an established residential area.

A planning obligation is to be sought in respect of a financial contribution towards off-site play and sports facilities.

Posted : 10/04/2008 17:50:04

New arrangements for out of hours stray dogs
Due to a change in legislation, the out of hours service for stray dogs is changing.

Previously, the police dealt with stray dogs reported out of normal office hours, weekends and Bank Holidays but now Herefordshire Council is taking over this responsibility.

The collection service will operate from 6am until 9am and 5pm until 10pm on weekdays and 6am until 10pm at weekends and Bank Holidays.

Mike Higgi