Archive

  • Long wait for action on drugs

    MADAM, I was shocked and dismayed at something I heard on the local radio. MP Mr Paul Mr Keetch has at last decided to take action about the extremely high drug addiction in Hereford. Has Mr Keetch only just realised this is a problem? After all he's

  • Correcting the electoral facts

    Madam, In your report "MP hits back on city beds crisis" (7 March) you quote local MP Paul Keetch as having said: "Voting Labour in Hereford at the last election almost let a Tory MP back in - I doubt that is what Tony Blair really wants". I am sure it

  • Bonnet parade in aid of hospital

    LEOMINSTER Community Hospital's league of friends is urging supporters to 'have a go' in creating exotic and seasonal headwear. The league is staging an Easter Bonnet Parade as part of its Easter Coffee Morning on Saturday, March 23. There will be prizes

  • Mum's plea over crossing danger

    A LEOMINSTER mum is calling on local drivers to take heed of pedestrians using the town's newest zebra crossings after her four-year old daughter was nearly mown down by a car. Rhiannon Pugh, was walking home from a local nursery with daughter Abigail

  • Managers rule out extra beds

    HEALTH managers in Herefordshire have ruled out a 120 bed or 50 bed addition to the new County Hospital. They say it would cost an extra £6.5 million a year to run the first and £2.5 million to operate the second. Decisions being made now about the number

  • Toe-tapping night

    FOR the first time in two years, toes will be tapping to the strains of Irish bands at Presteigne's Memorial Hall, which was temporarily closed by Foot and Mouth in February last year. Presteigne Irish Music Society will be partying in style on March

  • Homework project sets off a full alert

    A HEREFORD Cathedral School pupil inadvertently added a gem to the list of ridiculous reasons not to hand in homework when an army bomb squad blew up his GCSE project on a train in Birmingham. More than 100 services were cancelled or diverted and Birmingham

  • £15.8 million cash spend for key county projects

    AMBITIOUS plans to trademark Hereford a 'City of Living Crafts' have moved closer to becoming a reality following the confirmation of a £15.8 million package for major county projects. The cash, to be spent on large-scale regeneration schemes in Hereford

  • Health fear over waste on track

    A TEACHER from Hereford is raising a stink over human excrement, which he claims litters the track at Hereford Railway Station. Geoffrey Fresle was waiting to collect his daughter from the train when he was shocked to see rotting effluent that had been

  • Safer crossing

    WORK has started on a new safer crossing for pedestrians in Belmont Road, Hereford. The £35,000 contract is being carried out on behalf of the Highways Agency and is expected to take four weeks to complete. Traffic is being controlled by temporary lights

  • Rents rise threat to market future

    RISING rents and diminishing numbers of traders, coupled with the knock on effect from the foot and mouth crisis could spell the end for Hereford's open market. The annual meeting at the market last week revealed that a variety of problems are causing

  • Worcestershire's win

    THE outcome of the Three Counties Indoor Bowling Festival Cup held at Wormelow was in doubt until the completion of the final series of matches with Worcestershire eventually claiming victory. Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire have competed

  • Double for Aylestone

    AYLESTONE School claimed the honours in the inaugural Herefordshire Schools County Rugby Festival when they won two of the three age groups. Eleven of the county secondary schools took part in the festival with the strong and experienced Cathedral School

  • Mason's try is not quite enough

    Kynoch 8 pts Greyhound 7 GREYHOUND suffered a narrow defeat in an entertaining North Midlands 3 clash. Kynoch attacked from the kick off and, with the wind at their backs, they opened the scoring with a successful penalty attempt. Greyhound did well in

  • Ledbury get away success

    Dunlop 15 pts Ledbury 31 LEDBURY recorded a vital away win in their attempt to carry off the Midlands 4 West (South) crown. The Herefordshire club defended well in the opening exchanges against a big Dunlop pack. With the wind blowing strongly, it was

  • Lucs lose ground with Kenilworth defeat

    Kenilworth 32 pts Luctonians 20 LUCTONIANS lost ground in the Midlands 1 title race when Kenilworth gained revenge for league and Intermediate Cup defeats earlier in the season. A strong downfield wind had a significant influence on the match and the

  • Hereford squander lead in last-gasp loss

    Hereford 24 pts Malvern 26 STRUGGLING Hereford suffered a last-gasp Midlands 1 defeat after squandering a commanding 18-3 half-time lead on Saturday. Hereford's Jeremy Grisman appeared to have secured a vital win for the Wyesiders in the dying minutes

  • Jason's late try earns a point

    Five Ways OE 17 pts Bromyard 17 A LATE try from Jason Evans earned Bromyard a share of the spoils in an exciting North Midlands 1 away clash. Evans crashed over for an unconverted touchdown in the dying minutes to secure an unlikely point for the Herefordshire

  • The word according to the three fine lads from the RSC

    The Reduced Shakespeare Company has resurrected its third and most remarkable offering and is taking the road to Hereford via Worcester in a unique and hysterical tribute to the good book: 'The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)'. This brand-new

  • New puppet show underway

    Hereford-based puppet theatre company, Sea-Legs is currently in production on its new show, provisionally entitled 'One Small Step' and written in collaboration with well-known local writer James Clarke. The show will be set in a ten-foot space rocket

  • Theft attempt

    OVERNIGHT on February 25 and 26, two attempts were made to steal cars from Bridge Street and Lower Cross, Kington. Neither was successful, though damage was caused.

  • Discovered dead

    A LYONSHALL man was found dead in a hedgerow by a team of police dog handlers 40 hours after he went missing. The body of Simon Bufton, 36, was discovered in Holme Marsh near Lyonshall at 4.15pm on Friday (Mar 8). A police helicopter and a mountain rescue

  • New moves in Edgar Street development

    HEREFORD United's Edgar Street headquarters could be part of a major redevelopment incorporating a new leisure centre for the city. That's the desire of Herefordshire Council leader Terry James who is soon to make a statement on the future of the cash-strapped

  • Raising awareness

    A NEW exhibition opened at The Courtyard this week, sponsored by exposure, the Hereford Photography Festival. Local artist Hilary Smallwood ran several workshops at Headway - the Credenhill-based organisation which supports people affected by brain injury

  • Put a spring in your step with new exhibition

    The Spring exhibition currently underway at Old Chapel Gallery, Pembridge strikes a mood of optimism with a collection of new work by six artists/makers. Herefordshire basket weaver, Jenny Crisp shows her latest collection of hand-woven baskets made of

  • Tidal wave of colour

    Mark Rothko (1903-1970) emigrated to the USA with his family in 1913 from his homeland of Russia. After the second world war, much influenced by surrealism which drew him into pure abstraction, he became one of the masters of Abstract Expressionists along

  • Goodman goal is not enough

    HEREFORD crashed to a 2-1 home defeat against lowly Whitchurch 2nd in the Gerrard West of England and South Wales League Premier Division 3. The city club were pipped in their attempt to chalk up a fifth league victory by the team one place beneath them

  • Rethink call over draft plan

    CONTROVERSIAL proposals in Herefordshire's draft Unitary Development Plan are to be bounced back for further consideration. An amendment, proposed by Conservative councillors at Friday's full council, urges the Liberal-Democrat dominated cabinet to take

  • Education budget hits crisis

    THE county's education budget can't meet government spending targets. Schools face freezes on staff, limited maintenance and rising charges for services such as music tuition so sums add up. Dr Eddie Oram, Director of Education, says the Local Education

  • College staff gear up for industrial action

    UNIONS at Herefordshire College of Technology (HCT) have passed a vote of no confidence in the Chair of Governors and intend industrial action against a partial pay award proposed to help the college out of its cash plight. In the six months since a financial

  • Buses instead of trains

    TRAINS between Hereford and Birmingham will be replaced by buses in each direction on Sunday, March 31, and Monday, April 1. Central Trains state the reason for the change to the normal service is due to engineering work being carried out between Colwall

  • Teachers collect accolades

    TWO Herefordshire teachers are among more than 150 from the West Midlands who have been praised for their commitment and hard work after earning a leadership qualification in preparation for the role of headteacher. They are Christine Watkins from Holmer

  • Students out on African project

    A GROUP of Herefordshire students will be going 'into Africa' this Easter as part of a Bulmers development project funded by the company 'community chest'. The six youngsters will be joined by five Bulmers employees who are taking part in the company's

  • Business view of transport, roads

    A NEW voice will soon be heard in the debate on roads and transportation in Herefordshire. Herefordshire Trade Federation members have decided to discuss among themselves and others all the issues to find a viewpoint which meets their needs and aspirations

  • Bishop lashes out on wind farm plans

    THE Bishop of Hereford has accused the Government of behaving like the Taliban over its plans to build a wind farm in unspoilt countryside. Speaking in the House of Lords, the Rt. Rev. John Oliver likened the possible approval of 39 electricity generating

  • Elan Hotel on market

    A GROUP of actors are ready to hit the road after playing lead roles at a popular Mid Wales hotel. The Elan Valley Hotel near Rhayader was bought by four professional thespians looking for a change of lifestyle seven years ago, and is now on the market

  • What's on in city and county

    events/talks to 16 Herefordshire festival for music, dance, speech and drama. Details:01981 250899. 16 Friends of Dore Abbey slide show - 'The Trees of Whitfield', Kilpeck Village Hall, 7.30pm. Details: 01981 570251. 21 Mad March coffee morning, Knowle

  • Under-16s fixtures backlog headache

    THE Under-16 division is now facing a fixtures backlog of worrying proportions after only one match was completed at the weekend. Games involving Leominster Minors, Weston and Wellington were called off as these clubs were unable to raise sides. In the

  • 'Fields still fifth after fourth draw

    Westfields 2 Brierley and Hagley 2 WESTFIELDS recorded their fourth consecutive draw but still hung on to fifth place in the West Midlands League Premier Division. They made an excellent start and after Paul Burton had burst through the visitors defence

  • Blow for referees

    HEREFORDSHIRE referees will have to make an extra commitment if they wish to move up the ladder thanks to the new regulations proposed by the Football Association. The Herefordshire League has lost their Supply League status and the new system means that

  • Pegasus defeated

    Pegasus Juniors 0 Tuffley Rovers 2 PEGASUS Juniors produced another disappointing performance in this midweek home defeat in the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League Premier Division. The Gloucestershire-based outfit secured their victory with a goal in

  • Youngsters hit back to win

    Ludlow Town Reserves 3 Hinton 4 HINTON recovered a two goal deficit to claim an exciting away victory over their south Shropshire hosts and consolidate their position in the top half of the West Midlands League Division 1 South. Without four first team

  • Semi-final shoot-out

    WESTFIELDS are in the final of the Robert Biggart Trophy after a penalty shoot-out success in their semi-final replay with Malvern Town at Langland Stadium. Matt Morris put the visitors in front with three minutes to play only for James Walker to level

  • England beaten by Spain in final

    ENGLAND'S blind footballers finished runners-up in a successful four-nation competition at Hereford's Royal National College for the blind, writes IAN MORGAN. Reigning European champions Spain scored twice in the last four minutes of a competitive final

  • Lacklustre display

    Bustleholme Reserves 2 Leominster Town 0 LEOMINSTER gave a lack lustre performance against bottom club Bustleholme and missed an opportunity to move up to a challenging third position in the West Midlands League Division 1 South. The strong wind made

  • Steve's first is the winner

    Wellington 1 Heath Hayes 0 MIDFIELDER Steve Griffiths chose an opportune time to score his first West Midlands League Premier Division goal for the club when his superb half-volley from the edge of the box secured the winning points. Gale force winds

  • Ross ex-GP dies

    A FORMER Ross-on-Wye family doctor who also played a leading part in other aspects of town life, Brian Spencer Smith has died. Dr Smith, who was a GP at the Pendeen Surgery for many years, took a key role in Ross Rotary Club's Cottage Hospital casualty

  • County chef's goal is £2,000

    A COUNTY chef is racing against the clock to raise enough sponsorship money to enter the London Marathon. With just a month left to go, Mike Carnell, head chef at the Rhydspence Inn at Whitney-on-Wye, is organising publicity and fundraising events to

  • Hampton Bishop swimmer claims fiftieth gold medal

    ANDREW Fieldhouse reached a notable landmark when he won his 50th gold medal in winning the 100m butterfly event at the Gloucester County Championships at the Kingswood Pool, Bristol. The versatile Hampton Bishop youngster, who is accomplished in all

  • Future looking bright for promotion-chasers

    PROMOTION-chasing Ross Town Football Club have been given planning permission by Herefordshire Council to install floodlights at their sports' centre headquarters. The Herefordshire club intend to submit an application to the FA Foundation's Stadium Improvement

  • Upton Bishop

    BELL RINGING -- All those people who would like to try this ancient and fascinating activity are reminded that ringing for beginners and returning ringers takes place every Tuesday from 7pm in the tower of St John the Baptist Church in Upton Bishop. Further

  • Lyonshall

    LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB -- An excellent lunch was enjoyed at The Lion, Woonton by 27 members at the March meeting. Our speaker was our own Jean Richards, her subject Nicaragua. She came to make a three week trip to Bluefields, after Frances Baskerville spoke

  • Knucklas

    POSTPONEMENT - Knucklas Community Centre Management Committee has expressed regrets that the recent beetle drive had to be cancelled because of a power cut which affected the whole of Knucklas. The event will be re-scheduled. BEAVERS - Knucklas Beaver

  • Knighton

    WELSH NIGHT -- Knighton Community Centre Management Committee held a successful Welsh Night on Saint David's Day. Knighton Town Silver Band, under the direction of David Wilson, played a selection of items with a Welsh connection. Mr Wilson also proved

  • Protest in motion over skateboard park plans

    THE wheels of protest are in motion over a proposed skateboard park for Bromyard and both sides are due to slug it out at a public meeting tonight, March 14. Ramp and Rail, a group formed to give the town's young people a safe place to skate, has applied

  • Kington

    CELEBRATION -- On behalf of the Kington Festival Association, Niki Scott and Eileen Thomas (phone numbers 01544 231209 and 01544 230859) are jointly organising a golden Jubilee celebration on Saturday, June 1, at 7.30 pm. 'Come back in time with us to

  • Kingstone & Thruxton

    PARISH COUNCIL -- The February meeting was well attended with nine councillors present, three approved absences of councillors, district Councillor Graham Morgan and local beat officer WPC Fiona Farrington were present; Mrs K Kerridge was also present

  • Gorsley

    VILLAGE HALL -- Another very interesting talk by Brian Draper MBE, has been arranged by the village hall committee on Thursday March 21 at 7.30pm. It will be entitled 'What is a River'? and will be illustrated by Brian's excellent slides. Make a note

  • Edwyn Ralph

    FUNDRAISING -- Towards the end of this month, St Michael's Church's treasurer and her band of helpers will once more work towards raising money for the church. Margaret Lewis and her helpers Barbara Kennedy, Sandra Roberts and Anne Manning are going to

  • Eardisley

    OVER 60s CLUB -- When the Club meets on Thursday, March 28, Ev Hatcher will be relating details of her trip 'Down the Nile.' LITTLE THEATRE CLUB -- Herefordshire Drama Festival. This year Eardisley Little Theatre Club has two entries in the Drama Festival

  • Byton

    HISTORY GROUP DINNER -- The annual dinner of the Byton, Combe, Kinsham and Stapleton History Group took place in the Hatton Restaurant, Radnorshire Arms, Presteigne, on March 6. The venue is named after Sir Christopher Hatton, favourite and privy councillor

  • Aston Ingham

    LENT LUNCHES -- The last two Lent lunches for this year will be tomorrow, Friday March 15 and Friday March 22. A simple meal of soup, cheese and biscuits will be served at 12.30 in the village hall. There is no charge, but donations will be welcome, and

  • Anger over closure of town's pool

    MADAM, We have just been told that the pool in Leominster is closed and likely to remain so. Apparently this is either on health and safety grounds or because the boiler has failed again. My two children are both part way through pre paid courses that

  • Boost not boot our economy

    MADAM, The local council have stated Leominster's economy is fragile, they are spot-on. News the Sydonia swimming pool is now closed adds to the decline of Leominster. Carparking charges are fine when there is something worth visiting, but charity and

  • All ages have been let down

    MADAM, I was very disappointed the swimming baths have closed. My daughter (aged 4)and I were only there yesterday. She has been having lessons since April. I wish the council could have seen her face when I told her the baths had been closed. I bet she

  • Count the cost of these delays

    MADAM - I feel great pity for the people of Hereford who are 'stuck in traffic'. Last Monday I travelled through Hereford from the Leominster direction to South Wales, and it took me 50 minutes to go two miles. If there is ever the need for a bye-pass

  • The view is the farmer's too

    MADAM, From our house we look directly at the polytunnels at Huntington mentioned by your correspondent from London. I would agree the structures do not enhance the view. I understand the farmers concerned are growing organic horticultural produce. This

  • Thanks for help finding homes

    MADAM, On behalf of Hereford Animal Aid and particularly the dogs, can we offer our sincere thanks for printing the article regarding the re-homing of stray and abandoned dogs. The response has been terrific and several of our dogs are already settling

  • Congratulations RNCB on a memorable weekend

    Madam, Hereford staged a magnificent international football tournament last weekend. The four top European countries - France, Spain, Greece and England - competed in the UK's first International Blind Football Tournament at the Royal National College

  • When protests reach ballot box

    MADAM, Paul Keetch (Hereford Times, March 7) shouldn't be too smug when he says that "Labour are almost irrelevant in Herefordshire politics". A ballot box protest against continuous council tax increases could easily make the Liberals the irrelevance

  • Earning the label of 'lag-behind Liberals'

    MADAM, I spotted with interest your headline 'MP Hits Back on City Beds Crises'. As somebody who has direct experience of the major problems associated with Hereford Hospital's inadequate provision, I was surprised to see MP Paul Keetch engaged in bashing

  • Tears of anger over closure of Sydonia

    TEARS and anger erupted in Leominster following the sudden closure, draining out and boarding up of the town's popular Sydonia Swimming Pool. School timetables were disrupted and the training programmes of promising competitive swimmers in the Kingfisher

  • Leominster drama group mourn popular panto member Jimmy

    PANTOMIME fun in a village hall was tinged with sadness as the actors remembered a missing member of the cast, writes PETE BLENCH. Jimmy Johns, 30, a popular member of the Leominster-based ECHO drama group for people with learning disabilities, was taken

  • Surgery with less stress

    THIS smart piece of equipment is called a diathermy machine and has been given to Hereford hospitals by Free Masons in Herefordshire. In some surgery it can be used to seal veins and arteries during cutting with a laser system, reducing stress and improving

  • Nurses backed into a corner over parking

    ANGRY nurses at Hereford's new hospital have accused Hereford Hospitals Trust of letting them down over car parking. Some claim they do not know where to park, changes have been made without them knowing and that parking permits are going up from £40

  • Trust staff celebrate as they merit star rating

    STAFF in Hereford Hospitals are celebrating the news that their work has been recognised as some of the best in the West Midlands, and in the country as a whole. In a nationwide survey the Hereford Hospitals Trust has been awarded seven stars for the

  • Ledbury celebrates its new hospital

    IT cost £4.3 million and is clearly the pride of Ledbury. People in the town fought for six years for a new hospital and it opens next week, writes LIZ WATKINS. But they got more than they bargained for - not just a hospital but a comprehensive Community

  • Feel the rhythm of African beat

    Written and directed by Iain Storey 'Africa Africa' presents a musical of traditional Zulu cultural vibrancy that echoes the essence of The Mighty Zulu Nation and the heartbeat of Africa. A kaleidoscopic blend of rhythm, song and dance - the show tells

  • Picket power in last stand protest

    SUPPORTERS of Churchill House Museum turned to picket power in a colourful last stand protest on the steps of Hereford Shirehall. Councillors arriving for Friday's meeting of Herefordshire Council were left in no doubt about whether the heritage centre

  • Man charged

    A 31-YEAR-OLD man has appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court charged with the attempted murder of a woman in Lower Bullingham on March 8. Paul Jason Williams from Putson, Hereford, was remanded in custody last Saturday and is due to appear at Worcester

  • £40k for painting

    A MAGNIFICENT oil painting of a steam locomotive commissioned by Bulmers has sold for more than £40,000 at a London auction. Painted by Britain's greatest steam train artist, Terence Cuneo, in the 1960s, it went under the hammer at Bonhams on Tuesday,

  • Postal staff protest

    POSTAL workers met at High Town in Hereford on Saturday to raise public awareness of plans to change Herefordshire's postal service. Chairman of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Branch of the Communications Workers Union, Peter Mayne, organised the

  • Bought fake coins in a public house

    A 49-YEAR-OLD man bought fake £1 coins for 50p each in a Hereford pub to use in gaming machines, Worcester Crown Court heard. Ivan Bray was spotted by police as he drove erratically from Hereford towards Worcester. A breath test proved negative but a

  • High Town piper

    SHOPPERS in Hereford's High Town would be forgiven for thinking that they are north of the border after a Highland piper was spotted rustling up a tune in the city. Twenty-two-year-old Simon Addison from Bobblestock has followed in his grandfather's footsteps

  • Drowned in site manhole

    THE owner of a city caravan park drowned while carrying out what he called his 'mucky job'. Alan Edmunds had not flinched from the routine checks and occasional unblocking of drains at Kings Acre Halt Caravan Park. On the afternoon of Wednesday, November

  • Former spy chief guest speaker at the Shirehall

    THE first woman to be appointed Director General of MI5, Dame Stella Rimington will be the guest speaker at an evening with Herefordshire Federation of Women's Institutes at the Shirehall on March 22. Not only was she the first woman to take the post,

  • Canute coin for auction

    A SILVER penny made in a Hereford mint nearly 1,000 years ago is expected to fetch up to £400 when it is auctioned later this month. The centuries-old coin was struck in the city during the reign of King Canute, who was England's ruler between 1016 and

  • Big crowd thrills to a top day of racing

    A BUMPER mid-week crowd was present to witness Hereford racecourse's countryside day last week and the day was voted a huge success as racegoers enjoyed a full day's racing culminating in a Charity flat race. Racecourse commercial manager Simon Kershaw

  • Holly blazes a trail to double qualification

    YOUNG rider Holly Bradshaw secured both qualifying places at the Trailblazers second round competition in the Forest of Dean. Thirteen-year-old Holly, from Bromyard, won her class on her 14hh pony Bohemian and also took second place on the smaller palomino

  • Fifth place finish

    HEREFORDSHIRE fielded three senior and two junior teams at the West Midlands Netball tournament in Walsall and finished fifth overall. The county, who were ranked one of the lowest teams in the competition, fared well and the under-16 squad had their

  • Success after 43 years

    PERSEVERANCE has finally paid off for Ellesmere College in the Herefordshire Schools Invitation Sevens at Kingsland on Saturday. The Shropshire college, who have been attending the tournament since its inaugural event in 1959, came up with their first

  • What's on at your local cinema this week

    Films change on Friday and run for seven days (unless otherwise stated). Phone venue for times. Odeon, Hereford l We Were Soldiers (15). Monsters Inc (U) and Ice Age (U) also playing. Senior Screen: 'Miss Congeniality' (12) on Mar 14. v 0870 5050 007.

  • Off to see the wizard

    Bedstone College enjoys an outstanding reputation for its drama and music. If you were bowled over by 'The Boyfriend', grabbed by 'Grease' or simply serenaded by 'South Pacific', then you now have the chance to enjoy the non-examination years perform

  • One act wonders

    THE Herefordshire Drama Festival of One Act plays takes place at The Courtyard next week from March 20-23. The festival, which is part of the All-England Theatre Festival, shows off the talents of local actors, actresses and directors of all ages and

  • Paint plant plan block

    A CONTROVERSIAL paint storage site at Kington labelled 'a toxic dump' by the leader of Herefordshire Council has had its development plans blocked. The Piggery at Hergest was refused planning permission yesterday on grounds of its negative visual impact

  • Skills on a mark

    A HEREFORDSHIRE mechanic has utilised a newly acquired skill to keep a century old car on the move during one of the UK's best-known vintage vehicle rallies. Richard Naughton is training for his NVQ Level three in Motor Vehicle Engineering at Herefordshire

  • Film in focus...

    FILM makes a welcome return to The Courtyard's programme this week and if it's award-winning, critically-acclaimed movies you're after, then the Edgar Street venue is where you'll want to be this Spring. Directors of the calibre of Robert Altman, Richard

  • Olga's success story

    SHROPSHIRE based artist, Olga Knight spent many years teaching the 'cello before her ambition to paint finally took precedence and she left her teaching career behind in 1987. Early successes included exhibiting regularly at many of the top London shows

  • The secret of salsa

    IT'S ten minutes into the warm-up and most of the eager attendees at the newest Salsa club to arrive in Herefordshire are exuding slightly more than an attractive glow. Venezuelan Thomas Melendez is determined to get surplus layers of clothing peeled

  • Tributes as Ivor stands down after eight years

    RETIRING joint secretary/treasurer Ivor Davies was warmly thanked by representatives of the county clubs at the annual meeting of the Herefordshire County Golf Clubs, held at the Herefordshire Golf Club. He held the post for eight years, and in that time

  • Children's Laureate champions young book owners

    Children's Laureate, Anne Fine, launches a unique project today, World Book Day to encourage children across the UK to make their own library and get reading. The Home Library will encourage children to track down more favourite books - old and new -

  • Sue hits four

    COLWALL thrashed bottom-of-the-table Swindon 6-0 in the West Clubs Women's League Premier Division 1. Player-of-the-match Sue Williams snapped up four goals for Colwall who are fourth in the table. Laura MacFarlane and Nina Emery also found the net. A

  • Young swimmers up in arms

    ANGRY swimmers are demanding Herefordshire Council makes public all documents relating to the closure of the Sydonia pool in Leominster. Kingfisher Swimming Club members, and other regular users, at a protest meeting on Tuesday alleged health and safety

  • Much-loved GP dies in tragedy on roads

    THOUSANDS of people in Herefordshire have been shocked at the news that the doctor who looked after their health for 44 years has been killed in a road accident, writes LIZ WATKINS. And their sorrow has been made worse on hearing that his son, a long-serving

  • MP, synod in cannabis vote

    HEREFORD MP Paul Keetch is 'comfortable' with eventual legalisation, and senior church officials have come out against its possession as a criminal offence - attitudes toward cannabis in the county are changing, driven by wider recognition of a need for

  • Trio off on the last great adventure

    THREE Hereford men from very different walks of life will pool their expertise in the latest attempt to drive the first land-based vehicle from Alaska to Siberia. Longtown Mountain Rescue's Graham Stratford has enlisted the help of two fellow Herefordians

  • Council tax rise looms

    HOUSEHOLDS in Herefordshire will be hit with an increase in council tax of 8.5 per cent in the next financial year. A full meeting of Herefordshire Council on March 8 unanimously agreed a rate of £807.12 be levied on the average 'Band D' household Although

  • Bus bosses reject 'rides to nowhere'

    COUNTY bus operators have rejected claims they sell 'tickets to ride to nowhere'. Martin Perry, who runs the Bromyard Omnibus Company, was responding to county councillors' claims about his and other operators' companies. He points to the numbers of passengers

  • Defeating dodgy doorstep callers

    OFFICIALLY it's called burglary artifice - a grand sounding name for the low crime of conning your way into a vulnerable victim's home and stealing valuables. Better known as distraction burglary, the offence is all too familiar to county police. Now

  • Shared love of outdoor life

    JOHN Middleton had his eye on a pretty girl he had seen around the town. He finally plucked up courage to speak to her as she was walking with her sister. That was back in the 1930s. Bodenham couple John and Mary Middleton, now both 82, were married at

  • Mini-revival continues with first round win

    IN-FORM Leominster maintained their mini-revival with a surprise 1-0 win over a depleted Pegasus in the first round of the HFL Journal Cup. Paul Powell snapped up the winner in the dying seconds of normal time to set up a trip to Weston in the quarter-finals

  • Three dismissed as Kington win away

    Shawbury United 0 Kington Town 2 THREE dismissals in the last 15 minutes took the gloss off Kington's away win which kept them in touch with the West Midlands League Premier Division leading clubs. Controlling the ball was difficult in the blustery conditions

  • Willetts on target with treble as Town hit form

    Darlaston Town 3 Bromyard Town 7 LUKE Willetts led the way with a hat-trick as Bromyard produced some of their best attacking form of the season to romp to a comfortable away victory over their higher placed opponents. Playing with the wind at their backs

  • Fighting back for point

    Headington Amateurs 3 Ross Town 3 ROSS fought back from 3-1 down to salvage an important point in Division 1 West of the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League. The Herefordshire club were indebted to two goals from leading-scorer Billy Davis who has taken

  • Safeway staff winning battle

    STAFF at Safeway in Ross-on-Wye are winning the battle of the bulge as part of the store's national Eat Smart challenge. After just five weeks of healthier eating, 23 members of staff have lost 72 pounds between them. The supermarket is amongst the top

  • Helpers wanted to enhance new image

    THE Cancer Research UK shop in Ross-on-Wye is hoping to find some more volunteers to go with the new look that it received last month. Manager, Margaret Gilbert is looking for fresh faces and willing hands to help with the day-to-day running of the shop

  • Found in woodland

    UNUSUAL Italian figurines standing between five and six inches in height were found in a wet cardboard box in woodland near Symonds Yat. Police are trying to trace the owner of the 16 figurines, made by a company called 'Grasso'. They were found wrapped

  • New heart for a small village

    A SMALL village in the Golden Valley has celebrated the opening of its first community hall. The Escleyside Hall at Michaelchurch Escley, a £160,000 brick and stone building, opened its doors yesterday, Wednesday, seven years after villagers first discussed

  • New moves in Edgar Street development

    HEREFORD United's Edgar Street headquarters could be part of a major redevelopment incorporating a new leisure centre for the city. That's the desire of Herefordshire Council leader Terry James who is soon to make a statement on the future of the cash-strapped

  • Aim is 19th win

    HEREFORDSHIRE County Table Tennis Championships take place this Sunday at Whitecross School, Hereford, at 9am. Defending men's singles champion Mark Owen will be attempting to win the crown for the 19th time. Sharon Powell and her sister Linda Ashman

  • First final of season

    BULMERS and Marriotts will be bidding to carry off the Hereford Times Herefordshire Football League FW Peterson Cup at Wellington Football Club this Wednesday (6.30pm). The Herefordshire Football League's first final of the year promises to be a tight

  • Sellack

    BOWLS CLUB -- It was back to winning ways for Sellack Bowls club after a rather lean spell. Madley short mat bowls club visited to play a second division match and they themselves had been doing rather better than in the earlier stages of the season.

  • Presteigne

    JUDGES LODGING OPENS -- Punctually on March 1, the Judge's Lodging opened its doors for the 2002 season. The historic house is spick and span after weeks of behind-the-scenes cleaning and reordering of the exhibits and furnishings by manager Gaby Rivers

  • Linton

    LINTON AND DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY -- The annual meeting will be held in the village hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 20, and all members are urged to attend. It will be followed by a talk by Donald Pennington on the 'creation of the Oxford Colleges

  • Rail nostalgia tour

    RAILWAY enthusiasts have a rare opportunity to look around some of north Herefordshire's lost stations later this year. To mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Bromyard to Leominster Railway, privately owned stations including Fencote and Rowden

  • Evenjobb

    PRIZE BINGO -- There will be a prize bingo evening on Friday, March 15 at 8pm in Evenjobb Village Hall in aid of Evancoyd Church.

  • Eardisland

    Congratulations -- Sam Gittoes has been selected to represent the Herefordshire Under 10 Cricket Team in the 2002 season. He will play in matches between May and July in Oxford, Newport, Stafford, Gwent and Worcester. The Eardisland Cricket Club wishes

  • Clifford's Mesne

    ST PATRICK'S DAY -- We will be celebrating this special day in true Irish fashion, with Irish stew, potatoes and Guinness in the village hall on Saturday, March 16, from 7.30pm. There will also be singing and dancing to the live music of a folk group

  • Almeley

    CHURCH -- This year the Good Friday Service for the Churches of Almeley and Eardisley, will take place in St Mary's at Almeley beginning at 3 pm. On Easter Day there will be a Service of Holy Communion at 11 am. Anyone wishing to make a donation towards

  • Abbeydore

    PARISH COUNCIL - Abbeydore and Bacton Group Parish Council held their march meeting on Monday, March 4. The main item to be discussed was the Model Code of Conduct. the consensus of opinion was that it was what was already practised in this council and

  • How long must we lag behind?

    Madam, My daughter, along with about 600 other children took swimming lessons at the pool and I always found the staff extremely helpful and the lesson groups far better than any other in the area. Naturally, if there are issues then the pool should be

  • Please find us somewhere

    Madam, I think it's a real shame that the council have decided that the Sydonia pool is not safe. I'm in the Kingfisher gala squad and now where am I to train? The Kingfisher club might not exist for much longer. We were working on a lot of the techniques

  • Hacked through the print jungle

    MADAM, I would like to congratulate The Hereford Times, or Hereford Council Planning Department (perhaps it should be both) for the new layout of the Planning Applications. Highlighting in bold print specific places makes scrutiny much easier and quicker

  • When I hear the phrase ....

    Madam, I must say how much I enjoy reading the letter page every week. There's always something to laugh at - I'm so pleased there are enough with nothing better to do than to write about their gripes, as did R Garratt. I always love it when grandfather

  • Caring takes years to build

    MADAM, May I express the sadness and frustration which I know is shared by many, about the closure of Stratford House Residential Home in Hereford? It has to close because new regulations would be too expensive: I strongly support regulations on safety

  • Make us feel welcome here

    MADAM, The experience of shopping in Hereford is a dismal one! This is not to do with the range of shops or goods, but the service, or lack of it. Last Saturday, my wife and I visited a number of shops, looking for shoes, clothes, furniture and other