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Match cancellation is 'big blow' for Hereford FC
Match cancellation is 'big blow' for Hereford FC

BBC News

time19 hours ago

  • Climate
  • BBC News

Match cancellation is 'big blow' for Hereford FC

The chairman of Hereford FC has described the decision to cancel a pre-season match as a "big blow".Chris Ammonds said weather conditions conspired against the club after the installation of new floodlights was held up due to heavy rain, followed by dry heat exacerbating damage to the pitch during the work. "The installation was complete over the summer but where the tracking had been laid across the pitch to allow for heavy machinery to operate, the grass hasn't grown back," he keep players safe, Saturday's under 21s friendly game against Leicester City has been cancelled. A small section of the Edgar Street Stadium pitch in front of the Len Weston Stand has been effected."Ben the groundsman was pulling his hair out, because in many areas, the grass has taken brilliantly, but then in a couple of quite large patches. It's not taken at all," Mr Ammonds said."We've gone through a phase where the weather has been baking and that's probably stitched us up a little bit in terms of trying to get the grass growing again."So for safety reasons we just felt it wasn't right to play on the pitch this weekend," Mr Ammonds added. 'Difficult decisions' The stadium installed sustainable LED flood-lights. The project had previously been put on temporary hold due to National Highways needing to approve October 2024 construction workers were met with high levels of groundwater following heavy rain, which delayed the project for a second Ammonds said: "This is obviously a big blow to our plans on and off the pitch but sometimes you have to make difficult decisions even if you don't want to."Although we'd rather not miss out on this extra income from a home friendly, it is something that we're in a position to be able to deal with it much better than maybe we would have a couple of years ago," he added. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Lower voting age could swing Herefordshire seat
Lower voting age could swing Herefordshire seat

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Lower voting age could swing Herefordshire seat

Hereford and South Herefordshire is among constituencies that could be swung by 16- and 17-year-olds at the next election, following the government's announcement yesterday (July 17) of plans to lower the voting age from 18 to 16. The current Conservative MP for the seat Jesse Norman saw off his Labour challenger by just 1,279 votes at the last general election a year ago. But official figures published by the House of Commons Library show there are currently 2,016 young people aged 16 and 17 in the constituency. RELATED NEWS: Jesse Norman puts 'blighted' Herefordshire veterans' case Palestine Action: how Green MP Ellie Chowns voted Jesse Norman MP: 'huge change' in Herefordshire housing is coming Mr Norman was asked to comment on the planned change and its likely consequences. Meanwhile in North Herefordshire, Green MP Ellie Chowns, currently campaigning to become joint leader of the party nationally, tweeted: 'On this one, Labour have got it right: votes at 16 is long overdue.' What are your thoughts? You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here. Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence. With a majority of 5,894 over the Conservatives a year ago, compared to 1,884 16- and 17-year-olds in the constituency, she would appear to be less impacted by the change. OTHER NEWS: Herefordshire road closure confusion cleared up Planning battle over 'eyesore' leylandii hedge 'Horrendous' traffic danger fears on roadworks 'rat run' In both constituencies, young people in this range make up just over two per cent of the population, slightly below the national average. Meanwhile a seat-by-seat analysis by Stats for Lefties based on the polling this week by Find Out Now predicts that if a general election were held now, Hereford and South Herefordshire would fall to Reform UK, which would gain an outright majority in Parliament. Ellie Chowns would retain her North Herefordshire seat for the Greens, who would gain a further six seats nationally, Stats for Lefties said.

I visited an off-grid cabin near Hereford with my husband to rekindle the art of conversation
I visited an off-grid cabin near Hereford with my husband to rekindle the art of conversation

The Independent

time4 days ago

  • The Independent

I visited an off-grid cabin near Hereford with my husband to rekindle the art of conversation

My husband and I used to be great conversationalists, but after having our daughter three and a half years ago, our chat is almost exclusively schedule based. 'What are your movements this week?' has become our most-used phrase, along with 'Your turn to do the nursery pick up tonight?' And while we're both very much aware that this is, like our toddler's tantrums, 'just a phase', we used to love nothing more than a rambling chat that travelled here, there and everywhere, and I miss that about us. And we're not alone. Some studies suggest that 80 to 90 per cent of new mothers feel lonely after giving birth, with many spending hours of the day disconnected from other adults. Unfortunately, for some, that disconnect continues as their babies grow and they adapt to their new normal. I certainly found it difficult to go from babbling baby talk (or worse, silence) to thrilling conversation the minute my husband returned from work, and it's something I feel that I've struggled with ever since; I seem to only have space in my mind these days for discussions about timetables. Which is hardly the key to an enriching tête-à-tête. With this in mind, and with Father's Day fast approaching, in June I began searching for off-grid escapes in the UK and landed on the Kip Hideaways website, gazing longingly at a design-led, eco treehouse in a forest just outside of Hereford. Set in splendid isolation on a private 800-acre estate, the solar-powered two-bed property boasted a decking area with an outdoor hot tub, an alfresco shower, a kitchen and, crucially for me, no wifi. The Kip website features stylish, under-the-radar self-catering accommodation, typically designed to a high standard, and quite often with eco credentials. Along with gorgeous, considered interiors designed by the owner, Harriet Churchwood and her husband, carpenter and musician Matt Pescod, in collaboration with Sophie Rowell of Côte de Folk, The Quist, as the treehouse was named, ticked all the boxes for an off-grid stay that – I hoped – would help my husband and me to reconnect. And so it was that on a Friday after work, we loaded ourselves and our daughter into a hire car, delivered to us in style by its owner from Turo, a car-sharing service that goes the extra mile to deliver (for an additional fee) the car to your door. Our vehicle arrived stocked with snacks, drinks and a toddler car seat. It took us just under four hours to reach the town of Hereford, a creative city set on the banks of the River Wye just 16 miles from the Welsh border. The Quist was 20 minutes from the city centre, and we arrived after dark, making the big reveal of our setting deep within the forest even more special the next morning. The Quist's floor-to-ceiling windows, along with other picture windows throughout the cabin, frame ancient oaks and firs and views of the Malverns. Being a travel editor's daughter, my little one is fortunate enough to visit some incredible hotels and destinations, and even she couldn't contain her excitement when we drew back the linen curtains of the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that opened out onto the decking early the next morning. The three of us sat on the squishy Arlo & Jacob sofa with our coffees and warm milk, wrapped in wool throws from Toast, and watched as the forest around us came to life. Butterflies, squirrels, hawfinch and even – we thought – a white-tailed eagle, native to the area, swooped into view as dappled sunshine bathed the valley in a golden glow, and not once did my husband or I consider reaching for our phones to capture the moment or check up on Instagram. Herefordshire is a dream destination for outdoor adventure lovers. There are hikes in the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons on the doorstep, the River Wye, with opportunities to canoe, paddleboard or kayak to tourist spots such as the village of Symonds Yat, and rock climbing too. Bookish Hay-on-Wye, with its 20 bookshops, famous annual literary festival and independent cafés, is just a 15-minute drive from The Quist, and yet we found ourselves reluctant to leave the comfort of the cabin that weekend. When we did venture out, it was to go for a stomp around the forest, picking our way through the tall grasses, spotting fairy-like woolly aphids and bees dancing amongst the wildflowers. A carved ash staircase leads away from The Quist and is one access point on foot. The other is a rambling track, which you can drive along to park closer to the cabin. A wheelbarrow is supplied to help guests cart their belongings back and forth through the trees, one of many thoughtful touches at the property, along with children's toys, books, local area maps and suggestions from the owners for nearby activities. One afternoon, we ventured out to the wild swimming spot Bredwardine, where, had the water not been so high, we could have taken a dip in the River Wye. A stop for homemade ice cream at the family-run Oakchurch farm shop and to pick up supplies for dinner made up for the lack of a swim. And after that, it was back to The Quist to pore over owner Harriet's collection of interior design books while my daughter and husband took a dip in the just-warmed hot tub. That first evening, after cooking dinner in the neat, Americana-inspired kitchenette with its gingham curtain and salvaged ceramic salting sink, we put our daughter to bed and my husband and I put a record on the player, and I ran a bath in the enormous Lusso Stone tub perched in front of a forest-framing picture window. My husband lit a fire in the ethanol burner. And for the first time in three and a half years, while a canopy of stars dazzled above our heads, we talked. Emilee Tombs was a guest of Kip and Turo. How to visit From London, the drive takes between 2 hours 55 minutes and 3 hours 40 minutes. Hereford Train Station is six miles away or a 25-minute drive. Direct and one-stop train services run regularly from London Paddington, London Euston, Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham. Where to stay The Quist sleeps up to four in two rooms. Toddler cots are available on request. The setting is rural, and there are steps up to the property, along with a ladder to reach one of the bedrooms and as such, the property is not suitable for those with mobility issues.

Hereford bypass plans progress despite opposition
Hereford bypass plans progress despite opposition

BBC News

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • BBC News

Hereford bypass plans progress despite opposition

Plans to build the first phase of a bypass around Hereford have passed another milestone – but strong opposition to the scheme county councillor Tracy Bowes asked cabinet member for transport Philip Price at a cabinet meeting how likely it was, given the aim of "de-trunking" the current A49 north of Grafton, that a 60mph road could be built around to the A465 to National Highways standards "for just £35m".Price said construction standards had not changed since the previously approved scheme, "which had approval from National Highways".The procurement strategy for phase one of the bypass was agreed at the cabinet meeting. Cabinet member for finance Pete Stoddart said the phase one strategy would "bring on board a contractor who is able to refine the design and provide a more informed estimate of cost", which will "inform the full business case" for leader of the Independents for Herefordshire Liz Harvey said that "if this really is such a no-brainer decision, then you really should have come up with the evidence to support it".But Liberal Democrat group leader Terry James said: "What there is, is the overwhelming majority of the public who want this to happen and who are sick to death of the shenanigans trying to stop it," he said. Independents for Herefordshire councillor David Hitchiner claimed the authority was now applying "undue haste on getting diggers on the ground".He also said the design for the road approved nine years ago terminates at a four-arm roundabout at the A465, lacking a fifth arm which would form the start of phase two across the river replied: "When we have planning permission for phase two, for which we will have the outline case by next summer, we will know how we will join the two together" – at "a four-arm roundabout that has the capability of expansion".Details of the council's approach to construction procurement and land acquisition, now approved, have not been made public for reasons of commercial news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Welsh Water fined after sewage plant near Hereford breaches permit
Welsh Water fined after sewage plant near Hereford breaches permit

BBC News

time15-07-2025

  • Business
  • BBC News

Welsh Water fined after sewage plant near Hereford breaches permit

A water firm has been ordered to pay £36,000 in fines and costs after breaking the conditions of an environmental permit at a sewage treatment works seven times in five Environment Agency (EA) said Welsh Water exceeded permitted levels of ammonia at Clehonger Sewage Treatment Works near Hereford between 2020 and firm was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay costs of £11,835.86, as well as a surcharge of £181, at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Shipp, EA senior environment officer, said after the hearing that such incidents were "preventable and are completely unacceptable". Welsh Water said the court accepted there was no evidence of environmental harm. Sewage treatment works treat raw sewage to produce an effluent which is discharged without damaging the local watercourse. At Clehonger, the water is discharged into the Cage Brook which is a tributary of the River Wye, the EA EA said officers were alerted following routine sampling in November Shipp said: "Incidents like this are preventable and are completely unacceptable, particularly at a time when the need to protect the water environment for wildlife and people has never been greater."Water companies are aware that their activities have the potential for serious environmental impacts, and they know that we will take action when they cause pollution." A statement from Welsh Water said the company pleaded guilty at the earliest said: "The site was compliant with its permit before this period and it has been compliant since."It said the issue was caused by overloading at the works following new residential statement said: "We took what action we could to ensure improved capacity at the works was funded by the developers by appearing before a planning inspector to explain the impacts of the original proposal."We upgraded the wastewater treatment works at a cost that was £1million in excess of the funding received from the developers." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

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