September 2007

This year, as we commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, Herefordshire Libraries is proud to present a range of events to celebrate Black History Month.

The miserable summer weather is being blamed for the arrival of the toxic blue-green algae at Herefordshire's Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve.

Herefordshire Libraries are running a series of activities during October half term as part of Family Learning Week.

Herefordshire Council's contractors Owen Williams and Network Rail's appointed engineers are to undertake a new, more detailed inspection of the condition of Colwall Bridge before a decision is made on whether a bailey bridge needs to be constructed or not.

Time Team presenter Phil Harding spent a day filming at Credenhill hill fort in Herefordshire as part of a planned documentary which will be screened on Channel 4 next spring.

Herefordshire Council is launching an innovative campaign to reduce the amount of pupil absences in the county's primary schools.

Children in the county's primary schools are achieving higher standards in their education according to provisional key stage two results for 2007 which are the best Herefordshire has ever seen.

A timetable for the development of the country's first public service trust arrangements has been agreed in Herefordshire. The council and the primary care trust approved yesterday (Thursday 20 September 2007) a 'roadmap' and a new working framework, which includes the appointment of a new single chief executive for both organisations.

Fifteen-year-old Katie Llewellin was named overall winner at the inaugural Pride of Herefordshire Awards, run by the Herefordshire Partnership in conjunction with the Hereford Journal.

Children, staff, governors and parents are celebrating following the publication of an Ofsted inspection report which judges the school to be outstanding, the highest accolade the inspection team could give.

Parents and guardians of the county's 2000 year six children are being asked to apply for secondary school places for September 2008.

Herefordshire Council's electoral registration services can help people to stop receiving unwanted junk mail.

As part of its commitment to promote lifelong learning, Herefordshire Council is staging a free taster workshop in sports coaching with applied Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).

Plans to change the use of the west part of the nave at grade II listed St Leonard's Church, Green Lane, Yarpole, into a village shop and post office were approved by members of Herefordshire Council's northern area planning sub-committee on Wednesday, September 19.

Holders of Herefordshire Council's concessionary bus passes for the over 60s and disabled people are being invited to apply for a new-style bus pass that will allow free bus travel over a much wider area.

Anyone wanting to find out more about Fairtrade products and why it is so important to support them is invited to attend a special event in October.

Hereford's Nappaccino mornings, held on the third Monday of the month from 10am until 2pm, have been moved to a new venue at The Courtyard.

Herefordshire is close to agreeing a timetable to establishing the first public service trust arrangements in the country.

Herefordshire Council has been working with the Herefordshire Football Association to select some of the county's most talented football hopefuls to begin a special 21-week football development training programme for girls this month.

Herefordshire Council's Cultural Services Department has been bowled over by the response to their latest Creative Industries offer.

Herefordshire Council's Master Composter Scheme, run in conjunction with Worcestershire County Council, has earned national praise and will be used as an example for others to follow.

Delicious cheeses, fresh baguettes and sausages from the charcuterie are just some of the delicacies on offer at this year's French Market from Normandy visiting the county next month.

Herefordshire Council is working with groups and local authorities throughout the United Kingdom to promote the Connect 2 bid for £50m lottery cash to fund a series of footpaths, cycleways and bridge schemes.

A new car park opened in Hereford's city centre today (Thursday September 13).

As part of the Hereford (Belmont) Flood Scheme, the historic King George V Memorial Gates are to be moved to a new location.

Parents and children at St Paul's CE Primary School in Hereford have launched a new walking bus to reduce traffic congestion and make it easier for working parents to take their children to school.

A new car park is to open in Hereford's city centre on Thursday (September 13).

Motorists in Hereford are being advised that three-way temporary traffic signals are to be erected on Monday next week, September 17, at the junction of Holme Lacy Road with Gatehouse Road and Chapel Lane.

Herefordshire Council has welcomed further debate on whether the cabinet decision on the Rotherwas Ribbon archaeological find was based on advice from English Heritage and all financial considerations were taken into account. The council's environment scrutiny committee has 'called in' the decision.

On Monday September 10, 2007 Countrywide Farmers Plc admitted two offences at Hereford Magistrates Court under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £10,000 in total for both offences and was ordered to pay £4,649 in costs.

Dolphin-loving Amy Clements and her family are celebrating after being given the keys to a specially adapted new home on the Bradbury Lines development in Hereford.

A six-week archaeological excavation is under way at Credenhill Iron Age Hill Fort to the west of Hereford until the end of September.

The Leominster Pavilion Community Interest Company, which runs a café at the former cricket pavilion in the town's Grange, has won the accolade of Best Market Town Project in the West Midlands as part of the National Market Towns Award Scheme.

Herefordshire residents are being urged to make sure they respond to electoral registration forms - otherwise they may find they can't open a bank account, get a credit card or even get a mobile phone contract.

Herefordshire Council confirmed today (6 September 2007) what it called a 'win win solution' to protect the Rotherwas Ribbon archaeological find, explore opportunities for tourism and safeguard the jobs and businesses that depend on the new Rotherwas access road.

Following extensive consultation, the Herefordshire Partnership has produced a strategy for older people in Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Council’s environment directorate has been awarded ISO 9001, an internationally recognised standard for Quality Management Systems.

Herefordshire Libraries is to start running baby sign and rhyme sessions at Ledbury Library.

Herefordshire Libraries are to start running storytime sessions at Colwall Library from Friday, September 28, for the under fives.

Herefordshire Council has agreed to make an Order that designates parts of the town for the purposes of restricting the consumption of alcohol in public places.

The winners of this year’s Hereford City Floral Decorations Competition have been announced.

Herefordshire Local Access Forum is seeking new members.

Amey plc has purchased the major part of Herefordshire Jarvis Services (HJS), which provides highways and traffic services in the county.