Latest news with #Herefordshire
BBC News
15 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Hereford firm sees 'phenomenal' rise in callouts over wasp nests
A Herefordshire pest control expert said he had seen a large rise in callouts over wasps this year, with about 40% more than usual. Dave Atkinson, who owns ARD Pest Control in Hereford, believes the population had risen "phenomenally" this year, which included "such a mild winter and early spring".His work has escalated because of multiple wasp nests at sites, including one client who had 11 nests at their property over about four or five weeks. Mr Atkinson said the wasp increase had kept the firm very busy for the past eight experts have said very warm and dry conditions can "commonly coincide" with strong years for wasps. Mr Atkinson said in previous years "you would just get one or two nests at a site".He added for the client with 11 "you can imagine the problems that they would have had, if they had been left".The pest control expert said: "I'm getting in lots of fours, fives and sixes at clients' properties now."So as far as client callouts [are concerned] it's probably gone 40% more than usual."Asked if he had seen the wasp population increase over the years and especially in 2025 because of the heatwaves, he replied: "I would say particularly this year."This was "due to the fact that we had such a mild winter and early spring", he said. He added the "population has increased phenomenally this year, as far as the pest control service callouts" requested were concerned. Mr Atkinson stressed he dealt with a wasp nest "cautiously", adding "you use specialist chemicals that are registered for that job specifically within the health and safety industry"."Mostly it's a powder that you inject directly into the nest or in close proximity to the nest... The wasps then carry the material into the nest and [it] actually wipes the whole nest out." The UK has about 9,000 species of wasps, most of them are solitary and do not live in large colonies and these are generally not a nuisance to humans. Wasp experts say they also are an important part of our eco-system, capturing insects such as caterpillars and greenfly. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Scheme enlists farmers, meadows and hedges to help River Wye
The River Wye in Herefordshire has become a symbol of all that is wrong with England's waterways. Like many others, it is dealing with climate change-driven water flow also has pollution issues caused by everything from sewage overflows to intensive now a project called Wyescapes is aiming to restore the health of these rivers by thinking both big and very long-term. According to Natural England the health of the river is "unfavourable - declining" - official shorthand for "pretty bad and still getting worse". From insect life to fish and water quality, not much in the river is thriving, despite it in theory having the highest possible level of and nature experts in the area want to come together to try and help the Wye and its tributary, the Lugg recover. But the people behind Wyescapes said if they can convince enough farmers along the Wye to change the way they farm, then the future of the river could be much is run by Herefordshire Rural Hub in partnership with Herefordshire Meadows, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, and The Wye and Usk on a very wet bridge over the river itself, programme manager Max Exckert explained how interest in the project had said: "We've been blown away by the enthusiasm from our farmers and land managers. "We started off with 36 at the start of this project. We've now 49 and over over 5,000 hectares."It means much of the farmland along the Wye could end up in the project, and there is a waiting list of those keen to take idea is for farmers to stop intensive arable in the fertile land along the river's edge. Instead, they would grow meadows rich in different grasses and flowers that can be grazed by Herefordshire cattle, as much of the land would have been in years gone by. Pilot for a long-term project Rory Johnson from the charity Herefordshire Meadows said it was "fantastic" so much land might be returned to meadow again. "There's a story that the meadows were so valuable they helped pay to build Herefordshire Cathedral," he to the bare earth under arable crops, meadows hold onto soil and flood water, meaning less pollution in the Wye and lower flood peaks course, for farmers used to crops like potatoes or wheat, switching to cattle is a big change. But the Wyescapes project is set to last for 20 years, aiming to help farmers transition at a realistic pace for their farmers I met huddling under a tree out of the rain were keen to stress there was "a real willingness to change" and that the number of farmers taking part across such a large area made the project "hugely exciting".This is very much a pilot, and if it works here then other parts of the country will be looking to do the same thing. A final government decision on cash is expected early next year. If all goes well the aim is to use public money to unlock private investment problems the Wye faces are complex, as are the solutions. But by thinking in terms of decades rather than just three or four years, those in charge of the project believe the way they are working may be the river's best hope. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Decision made on plans for snail-cooking cabin
A Herefordshire supplier of premium edible snails used by chefs including Heston Blumenthal has been given permission to turn a cabin where he cooks them into a single-bedroom holiday let. Richard Fishbourne of Fownhope southeast of Hereford applied for planning permission for the switch in June. But it was not wholly popular locally. Fownhope Parish Council maintained that the property was both outside the settlement boundary and within the Wye Valley National Landscape, and was also 'highly visible' from the village, so should not be considered for residential use. RELATED NEWS: Heston Blumenthal's snail porridge supplier's plans Revealed: 110-home plan for Kington, Herefordshire Planning appeal over replacing leylandii hedge in Ledbury Village resident Oliver Slane also feared the plan could 'begin a precedent to put more residential buildings on the area'. But there were no objections from highways or ecology officers, or from Welsh Water. Planning officer Joshua Evans concluded that 'small-scale holiday accommodation and the associated cooking cabin' were in line with local and national planning policy, with 'no significant harm to landscape character, residential amenity, or protected views'. OTHER NEWS: Lower voting age could swing Herefordshire seat River named among worst for 'under-the-radar' chemicals Setback for farm's bid for bigger chicken sheds Conditions with the approval prevent its future use as a home, as well as restricting lighting and noise. Mr Fishbourne previously said that getting permission to diversify a rural business 'can be an uphill battle'. His 'niche' business of supplying top-end restaurants will continue, as the snail cooking operation is being relocated to an already permitted hay store at the site.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Hereford County Hospital to get three nature-inspired murals
An artist is creating a series of nature-inspired murals to add colour to the outside of a Hylton rolled up his sleeves to commence spray painting three large art works on the walls of the MRU and Radiotherapy Unit at Hereford County new creations are said to celebrate Herefordshire's "natural beauty" and will feature apple blossoms, robins, kingfishers and woodpeckers. Work to create them began on for the murals was provided by donations to the Oncology Trust Fund, which supports enhancements that benefit patients and staff beyond essential service delivery needs. The post on the Wye Valley NHS Trust's Facebook page said passers-by wanting to watch the progress would be welcome to during the next couple of weeks. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Rare opportunity' to create two family homes at farmhouse for £725,000
A "rare" opportunity to purchase a Herefordshire farmhouse and barns for redevelopment has arisen. Agents Savills are marketing Little Corras Farm in South West Herefordshire, which lies between Kentchurch and Pontrilas. (Image: Savills) The unlisted, stone farmhouse, which is set within 1.65 acres, comes with flagstone floors, exposed timber beams and open fireplaces. There is a sitting room, dining room, kitchen and two further reception rooms to the ground floor, while upstairs has three good-sized bedrooms with open fireplaces and "impressive views", along with a fourth smaller bedroom and a shower room. There is also a cellar. (Image: Savills) Little Corras Barns is a collection of traditional barns with Class Q planning consent for conversion into a single residence. According to the plans, the house will offer around 3,971 sq. ft. of accommodation, plus garaging of around 484 sq. ft. The ground floor will comprise an entrance hall, open plan kitchen and dining room, sitting room, library, master bedroom with a dressing room and en suite, a further bedroom with an en suite, and a boot room leading to a two-car garage. A separate building provides space for a home office, gym or leisure facility. (Image: Savills) A spiral staircase leads to the first floor, which will be home to two further bedrooms, both with en suite facilities. Outside, there is an outdoor entertaining space in the middle of the courtyard, with stairs leading up to a terraced patio. To the rear of the house, there is "ample opportunity" to create an enclosed garden and parking area. Savills says that alternatively, the barns could provide stabling or equestrian facilities, conversion to a pool or gym, or could be used as a party barn. Read more: Bluetongue cases confirmed in Herefordshire cattle Farmer hits out at 'short-sighted' decision to close farming scheme The 'stunning' farmhouse up for sale for £1m with views of Black Mountains Grace Gardiner, who is marketing the property for Savills, said the sale represents a "rare opportunity" to create two family homes in the heart of rural Herefordshire. "Its elevated position affords the property incredible views, taking in the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons," she added. The property is being offered for sale as a whole or in two lots for a guide price of £725,000 as a whole or £495,000 for Lot 1 and £230,000 for Lot 2. For further information, please contact Grace Gardiner on 07816 184 103 or email
