October 2007

Herefordshire Council's officers and councillors met more than 100 residents from Colwall and Colwall Green to discuss the latest position regarding Colwall bridge.

Herefordshire Council is to consult businesses on the introduction of a "Scores on the Doors" scheme for eating establishments.

Hereford Art Gallery will host an exciting exhibition dedicated to the work of the talented Hereford artist Brian Hatton from Saturday, November 10 until Wednesday, January 9.

Herefordshire Heritage Services hosted a series of events during the October half-term (October 22 to October 26) as part of the national Big Draw campaign.

Restoration work carried out at Hereford's historic Victoria Bridge has been awarded an excellent rating as part of CEEQUAL, the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme.

Herefordshire Council is urging all of the county residents to stay warm and snug in their homes this winter

Herefordshire Council's Environmental Health and Trading Standards service is warning retailers not to get burnt in the run-up to Bonfire Night by selling fireworks to under-age people.

Herefordshire Council is consulting the public over its licensing policy for 2008-2011, including reviewing the special policy for premises in Commercial Road.

Herefordshire Council's Lifelong Learning Development Unit is running a free taster course in life coaching at the WRVS Riverside Learning Centre on Friday, November 9.

Members of the central area planning sub-committee meeting on Wednesday, October 24 have approved plans for 12 homes on land next to Parsonage Farm, Auberrow Road, Wellington.

A decision on planning permission for the erection of 69 homes and the delivery of Haywood Country Park at land to the rear of Mulberry Close, Belmont, Hereford, has been deferred by members of the central area planning sub-committee meeting on Wednesday, October 24.

Children and young people in Herefordshire get some of the best opportunities for school sport in the country according to figures released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families this month.

The annual Flavours of Herefordshire awards took centre-stage on the eve of the county's second annual Food Festival at Hereford Racecourse.

The case against My Tony Blows, landlord of the Dog Inn public house at Ewyas Harold, was adjourned at Hereford Magistrates Court on Friday, October 26. A trial will now be held on January 21 which will be heard by the district judge.

Youngsters enjoying themselves during the half term holiday were encouraged to "loiter within tent" - or rather "loiter within a tipi" - at Hereford and Leominster libraries.

A Herefordshire farmer who admitted moving cattle and sheep when there was a total ban on livestock movements due to foot and mouth restrictions was given a six-month conditional discharge at Hereford Magistrates Court on Friday, October 26.

Herefordshire Council's cabinet today (25 October 2007) gave the final go-ahead to protect the Rotherwas Ribbon archaeological site for future generations, explore opportunities it might present for tourism and resume full construction of the Rotherwas access road, an essential transport link for the county's key employment site housing 125 companies.

The search is on to find Herefordshire's favourite local attraction as the county joins local authorities nationwide to promote its visitor hot spots.

Members of the central area planning sub-committee have refused planning permission for six two-bedroomed maisonettes and four two-bedroomed flats on land to the rear of Prospect Place, St Martins Avenue, Hereford, expressing strong concerns in relation to the safety of the access onto St Martins Avenue.

Planning permission for the erection of nine homes at 62 Old Eign Hill, Hereford, has been approved by the central area planning sub-committee.

Members of the central area planning sub-committee were minded to refuse planning permission for the erection of 81 homes with associated parking on land at Venns Lane, Royal National College for the Blind, at their meeting on Wednesday, October 24. Members considered that the proposed development would be out of character with the area and harm the amenities of local residents.

Progress to date on Colwall Bridge inspection and assessment

A major project to get millions of people walking and cycling in Hereford came a step closer today as Sustrans' Connect2 Lottery bid entered the ultimate stage of the Big Lottery Fund's: The People's £50 Million contest.

As part of the Hereford (Belmont) Flood Scheme, the Hinton Road end of the Bishop's Meadow footpath and cycle route is to be closed for two months.

Nearly every one of the pumpkins sold each year in Herefordshire is used to create spooky jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween celebrations.

As part of Energy Efficiency Week, which begins today (October 22), Herefordshire Council will be promoting the grants available to help people reduce their fuel bills.

A Herefordshire farmer is to appear at Hereford Magistrates Court on Friday, October 26, charged with moving cattle and sheep when there was a total ban on livestock movements due to foot and mouth restrictions.

Herefordshire Council's waste prevention team is encouraging people this Halloween to recycle and avoid a horror story for the environment.

Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council's Waste Prevention Team will be inviting people to climb aboard its recycling bus in Hereford this weekend.

Hereford charity shop Treasure Island is holding an open day on Thursday, November 8 from 10am until 3pm to promote their domestic appliance re-use project.

Herefordshire Council is urging all dog owners to take extra care to make sure their dogs do not go missing during Bonfire Night celebrations.

This summer's walking festival was such a success that Herefordshire Council is already planning a mid-summer treat for feet for 2008.

More than 40 young people will put council officers through their paces at an event organised to gain their views about future plans for children and young people's services.

Children at Riverside Primary School are getting into shape as the school launches into the new term with Healthy Living Week (29th October-2nd November).

Mature drivers are regarded as being in a low-risk group, because of their experience. Unfortunately though as people mature not only do they gain wisdom but over the years they can also pick up some bad habits, especially when behind the wheel.

Planning permission to build four new homes on land next to 44 Vicarage Street, Leominster, has been refused by members of the northern area planning sub-committee on Wednesday, October 17.

A planning application for the demolition of an existing home and the erection of five three bedroom homes and associated parking at Four Gables, Walwyn Road, Colwall was approved by members of the northern area planning sub-committee on Wednesday, October 17.

Plans to erect six homes and garages on land next to the Methodist Chapel, Hereford Road, Weobley, were supported by members of Herefordshire Council's northern area planning sub-committee on Wednesday, October 17.

As part of the national Big Draw campaign, Herefordshire Heritage Services are hosting a series of events during half term (October 22 to October 26).

Herefordshire Council is planning to boost employment and encourage inward investment in the south of the county by developing Model Farm in Ross on Wye for commercial use.

Young people in South Wye will be getting geared up for this year's Halloween as the council's youth workers bring some ghoulish plans to fruition this month.

More than 120 professionals from agencies and organisations who work with children across the county came together last week to launch new procedures for keeping the county's children safe.

Herefordshire Council has just published the findings of one of the biggest surveys of young people ever conducted across the county. More than 2,000 13 to 18 year olds returned a questionnaire aimed at getting young people's views about the services they use in the county.

Herefordshire Council has pegged charges for providing day centre care for older people at £4 per hour, compared with the national average of £7.30 per hour. The move follows consultation during the summer on proposals to charge fairly for a range of services for older people - such as care in the home or attendance at day centres.

Anyone in Herefordshire seeking to restore an old orchard or trying to trace traditional local varieties of apples should look no further than Herefordshire Council's Fruit Kit Scheme.

Herefordshire Council's funding experts have helped secure £14 million in Heritage Lottery Fund grants over the last five years with 172 separate awards. The funding officers helped communities to develop good quality applications, which have been more successful in recent years.

Outline planning permission to allow residential development on a field opposite Lower House, Pontrilas Road, Ewyas Harold, has been approved by members of the southern area planning sub-committee.

Planning permission for an extension at Pandy Inn, Dorstone, to provide kitchen stores, toilets and owners bedrooms together with a new building to provide eight guest rooms and two staff bedrooms has been approved by the southern area planning sub-committee.

Herefordshire residents will have an opportunity to find out about archaeological discoveries in the county at a one-day symposium being held at the Courtyard Theatre on Saturday, November 10.

Herefordshire Council's archive service is staging a free event to mark the 120th anniversary of the notorious Tupsley Murder.

Repair works are well under way to put right damage caused to Herefordshire's highways during the July floods and it is intended to have all of the repairs fixed this year.

Herefordshire Council is making it easier for residents to register their interest in empty homes by 'text' bidding on their mobile telephones.

Master Composter Sarah Blenkinsop from Ledbury is through to the final of the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) Awards for Environmental Excellence being held later this month in the category for Individual Recycling Champion of the Year.

Herefordshire Council is once again coming to the aid of all those residents struggling with their composting.

Herefordshire Council has been given a financial helping hand to support its work with local social enterprises involved in re-use and recycling.

Following a successful eight-week trial with Herefordshire Council when 2,500 files and building samples were transported across Hereford, Hereford's new pedicargo service has now launched to other businesses in the city.

Leominster Tourist Information Centre is likely to be closed or moved this autumn so the landlord can carry out some essential repairs to the building.

Peter Hands, a former Wales Tourist Board director, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Visit Herefordshire, the tourism organisation for the county, tasked with making Herefordshire a better place to work, live and visit.

City centre shopkeepers in Hereford have been given guidance on what to do should there be a major emergency affecting the area.

County people wanting to organise fantastic festivals in Herefordshire need to book Wednesday, October 31 in their diaries.

A further step in the development of the Masters House in Ledbury was taken recently at an open day and public meeting on Tuesday, October 2.

Herefordshire Council and Hereford City Council are embarking on a new partnership to improve the city's parks and play areas.

My Tony Blows, landlord of the Dog Inn public house at Ewyas Harold, is to be prosecuted by Herefordshire Council for offences under the new smoke-free legislation which came into effect in England on July 1, 2007. He is the first person in the county to be charged under the new legislation.

After the success of the previous funding fairs, it's now time for number seven.

The Leader of Herefordshire Council has greeted yesterday's announcement of the government's Comprehensive Spending Review with "dismay and disappointment".

In the next few weeks, Herefordshire could appoint the country's first chief executive to run both the council and the primary care trust.

Schools in Hereford and the county's market towns are taking part in a road safety campaign this month as part of the international walk to school effort.

Herefordshire Council is consulting on the planning issues affecting the county as a place to live, work, move, improve, grow and enjoy as part of the first stage of developing a new style development plan which will cover the period to 2026.

Report 1 on progress leading towards the re-opening of the bridge

The extent of the difficulties that the closure of Colwall Green Railway Bridge has caused is very much appreciated and is at the front of our thoughts when organising the investigations and subsequent work. Herefordshire Council is making every effort, in conjunction with Network Rail, to return the bridge to full service as quickly as possible.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, has seen for himself how work on the £7million Ross Flood Alleviation Scheme is progressing.

Leominster Library is hosting an evening with internationally recognised crime writer Margaret Murphy.

Mums and carers turned out in force with their babies to the first sign and rhyme session held at Ledbury Library.

A walking and cycling path extending the reach of the Great Western Way formed part of a series of events aimed at promoting Sustrans national Connect2 project.

Herefordshire Council has agreed in principle for South Wye's Wyebridge Sports College to become a 900-place academy with an additional 200 places for post-16 education. The decision was made by Cabinet on 6th September and 'called in' by the Children's Services Scrutiny Committee which met last week.

In a bid to boost careers in childcare, Herefordshire Council has invited Purple Monster to perform their innovative theatre production this month at the Courtyard, Hereford.

Owners of village shops and post offices across Herefordshire are to be given a master class in how to boost business and help guarantee their survival.

Trading Standards Services across the Midlands are warning retailers and the public that the age limit for purchasing tobacco products has now been raised to 18 years of age.

Nearly nine out of ten people receiving care through the council's social care service say they are being treated with dignity and respect.

Herefordshire Council is encouraging parents and grandparents to share their experiences of bringing up children as part of National Parenting Week this month.

Families with young children in Ledbury are to benefit from a new children's centre which will provide a wide range of family support services.

Herefordshire Council is consulting on the planning issues affecting the county as a place to live, work, move, improve, grow and enjoy as part of the first stage of developing a new style development plan which will cover the period to 2026.

Herefordshire Council has responded to the wishes of residents and helped to set up a safer walking route from Wellington Heath to Ledbury town centre.

Today, (1st October, 2007) is the fourth annual World Hepatitis Day, and Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership is aiming to raise awareness of Hepatitis C across the county and encourage people to find out if they may have contracted the infection.

All of the figures add up to the fact that the 2007 Herefordshire Food Festival will have something to suit all tastes over the weekend of October 27 and 28.