March 2007

Plans to build two new primary schools in Herefordshire are to proceed following discussions regarding a £2.28million funding gap.

Herefordshire’s looked after children are receiving a good fostering service with some outstanding features, according to an inspection report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).

Herefordshire Council took its  plans for a national blueprint on values education to Conor Ryan, Tony Blair’s education adviser at 10 Downing Street in March.

Plans to merge Wigmore High and Wigmore Primary School are under discussion in an innovative approach to managing falling rolls and the consequent reduction in resources.

A BIG reminder is set to encourage Herefordshire residents to make their mark and vote at the forthcoming local elections on May 3.

One of the county’s high performing secondary schools is to get a new head teacher this September.

Herefordshire Council’s plans for a new crematorium in Hereford have moved a step forward with a planning application due to be submitted in the next few weeks.

Government plans to slash the number of post offices by 2,500 over 18 months will undermine its own policy of strengthening local communities, says Herefordshire Council.

Twelve students from the Royal National College for the Blind got a step closer to achieving the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award when they cycled through Hereford city centre on the world’s biggest bike on Saturday 24th March.

Artists, gardeners, singers and sculptors are going back to school in Herefordshire to share their skills with children and teachers and pick up one or two tips from the children along the way.

Young filmmakers at Almeley Primary School are to have their film about the consequences of global warming screened at a major UK film festival. 

Residents are to benefit from easier access to essential advice in Hereford, as Hereford’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has moved to new improved premises on St Owen Street.

Children in Shobdon and surrounding areas get a great start to their education according to two Ofsted inspection reports just published

Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum now has improved access for visitors with limited mobility.

Herefordshire children and families get an excellent service from the council’s Children’s Information Service (CIS) according to the National Association of Children’s Information Services.

Older people in the county are being given the chance to have a say on the issues that affect them.

Young people across the county are being encouraged to vote at the county’s second Youth Council elections which begin next week (19th-25th March).

The search is on for the county’s top junior mathematicians at the eighth annual 24-Game competition at Broadlands Primary School on Friday 16th March from 10am-12noon.

Herefordshire Council is bringing together professionals who work with schools in order to consider how to improve sustainability in the county’s schools.

Young musicians at Riverside Primary School, Hereford will be performing some of their own musical compositions at a regional music festival this month.

Redundant benches formerly used by weary shoppers in Hereford’s High Town are to be relocated and used for storytelling and outside play at Noah’s Arc Pre-School in Edgar Street, Hereford.

The last of the new feature paths in High Town, Hereford will be laid this week, and no more major work is planned in the city centre until January 2008.

Open spaces in Leominster are set to look their best this spring thanks to a donation from a local company to the town’s Marshfield Centre.

Herefordshire Council has published a booklet offering a wealth of advice on how residents can cut energy bills by reducing their energy and water use.

Following last year’s successful visit to Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Leominster, the team of traders Marche de France are returning to the county later this week.

Herefordshire Council is to levy the smallest increase in council tax since it came into existence in 1998 – despite it receiving 20 per cent less in government funding than other similar unitary councils.

Walkers are being offered the perfect opportunity to explore Herefordshire on foot at the county's annual walking festival.

Garway Primary School children have been invited to share their ideas for looking after the environment at a meeting to discuss sustainable schools next week.

People living on Herefordshire’s Welsh borders are to benefit from a landmark agreement signed between Wales and the West Midlands this week.

Over 300 Herefordshire professionals who work with 0-5 year olds were the first to learn of new ground-breaking research on the effectiveness of pre-school and primary education at an early years conference in Hereford last week.

The county’s most talented young sports people have been selected to participate in a unique multi-skills academy training programme at Easter.

Herefordshire Council will welcome next month a new director of environment to oversee radical plans to put environmental issues on an equal footing with economic and social concerns. 

Herefordshire Council has joined the f40 group of local authorities to lobby government for better funding for schools.

The future of children’s play across the county is to receive a boost as Herefordshire Council and its partners launch a new touring bus scheme to improve access to play.