JABA :: St James & Bartonsham - The Village in the City

Welcome to the online version of JABA, our independent community newsletter

Produced by volunteers and funded entirely by advertising, the printed JABA is delivered to 2000 homes and businesses in the St James and Bartonsham area of Hereford, UK. We welcome your feedback, suggestions, letters and offers of help to make both the printed and online versions of JABA even more useful, fun and interesting. If you are able to help in any way, from writing copy to delivering, please let us know. All help is gratefully received as we feel, and you tell us, that JABA is playing a very useful role in our community and we want to keep it going. Some of the paper edition is featured on this site with additional features and news items as they occur. The site is updated every few days so please drop in regularly for the latest news, views and debate.

***NOTICEBOARD and FORTHCOMING EVENTS***
Let us know if you want an event publicising here - click to email us! editor@jaba.org.uk

FORTHCOMING - Community Association meetings and events for 2009: 1 July Residents Parking, details below, more to follow. Check back soon ...

The Summer edition of the printed JABA, No 27, is now available for your entertainment and education. It's got 18 pages! Its heavy! It's packed with pictures and words! It's free! Your very own free copy of the latest JABA will be delivered to your door within days, but let us know if yours doesn't arrive or alternatively pick up a copy from the WRVS or local shops.

We hope you like it, it takes a lot of volunteer manhours to produce! A pdf version (in colour) is available to download, together with all our earlier issues, from our 'Back Issues' page (under Categories >). We also have a few copies of some previous printed editions still available; if you would like a copy let us know.

WEDNESDAY 1 JULY - Public meeting - residents parking - all change?
Cllr Mark Hubbard will outline the proposed changes to residents parking, with Q and A to follow. WRVS, 7pm. See below.
Looking for the Parking Scrutiny Review report? Download it from here (156k).ScrutinyReview.pdf

SATURDAY 4 JULY - Community Coffee at St James' Church
Very popular and welcoming St James' Church coffee morning, usually held on the first Saturday of each month from 10am-noon. All are welcome to drop in. Poranna kawa/herbata odbywa się w kościele St James, w pierwsza sobote każdego miesiaca od 10:00 do 12:00. Wszyscy sa mile widziani by uczestniczyc.

Hereford's monthly Climate Action Carnival needs You!

Did you know that each month there is an opportunity in Hereford to join with like minded people, celebrate our power to change our world, and bring our urgent climate change message out on to the streets so that it is heard by hundreds of others...

This bit is straight forward... we have a lively carnival event, we make lots of information available, and gradually more of us come to understand that the Copenhagen Climate Summit will be crucial, and climate change is really happening.

However, in order to complete the picture, and enable a positive response to this message, we need people who are already engaged with these issues, and making changes in their lives to come forward and share their experiences with others...

This process can be enriching for all involved - the changes we are making in our own homes and communities thrives on the inspiration we gain when we see what is going on along the street, or in a neighbouring town, or what initiative is being taken by another group of local people...

On Saturday 27 June, and every last Saturday until the end of November, there will be a forum for idea exchange and discussion and information, after the Climate Action Carnival.

In June, this forum will be in a gazebo & yurt on Castle Green at the Summer Fayre, from 1.15 onwards, and will include a talk by Richard Priestley at 2.30 on Positive Global Solutions for Looming Climate Chaos!

If you have any ideas for discussions, or if there are areas you would like to learn more about, please do let us know, and come along and join in. Or if you have the time and inclination to lead a discussion, or even give a talk, let us know, and we can schedule you into the yurt space during the afternoon.

www.climateactioncarnivalhereford.info or please reply to kate at flotsam.5@virgin.net

Posted at 09:22 pm Read More

Sun - May 31, 2009

Residents Parking - Public Meeting to discuss proposed changes - 1 July

In the light of proposed changes to residents parking by the Council, outlined in the latest edition of JABA, published tomorrow, Central Ward Councillor Mark Hubbard has asked for the opportunity to present the proposals and answer questions. There will be a public meeting at the WRVS on Wednesday 1 July at WRVS, Vicarage Road. More details here shortly. UPDATE: time confirmed for 7pm. Cllr Mark Hubbard will outline the proposed changes to residents parking, with Q and A to follow

Posted at 12:08 pm Read More

Tue - May 26, 2009

A crucial step forward in the fight against litter

Jesse Norman writes "We have made an important breakthrough in the fight to clean up Hereford City. After a long period the relevant rules and people are now in place, and the Council and Amey and the Police are ready to move forward with a tough and co-ordinated approach, including proper enforcement via the new Enforcement Officers. Accordingly we are organising two litter picks in the centre of town, with volunteers supported by council workers, Amey, Police and enforcement. The goal is to send a clear message that dropping litter will not be tolerated in Hereford City. In due course I want to move on to Ross and other parts of the county.
The dates are Saturday 13 June, 11am
Thursday 18 June, 5.30pm
In both cases we will meet in High Town and pick for an hour, before heading for the pub! Can you possibly spare an hour or so to come and help out? We have all the kit. It's really important, it's right to support good initiatives which involve the Council and other public organisations, and it's good fun. Litter is ugly and expensive to clean up, and it contributes to anti-social behaviour. We need to change the current culture of litter in the City, and in the county. This is a great opportunity to make a difference. I really hope you can come along and take part. Do please let me know if you can."

Contact Jesse via 07930 650 164 or www.jessenorman.com

Posted at 09:35 pm Read More

Bike Week 13-21 June 2009 - local events announced

CycleHereford’s annual bike-fest has a touch of the open road about it this year, with something for most ages and abilities. Turn up to enjoy the freedom of the bicycle, good company and fresh air! Most rides are FREE and all are led by experienced cyclists and fully insured with Bike Week. Download a flyer for full details from the link below.
BikeWek09LowRes.pdf

Posted at 10:29 am Read More

Tue - April 14, 2009

Singer-songwriter Kim Richey performs at Art of Living Cafe Green

In an unprecedented scoop for Hereford, one of America's best female singer songwriters is performing at Art of Living Green Café on Wednesday 6 May! Her latest album, 'Chinese Boxes' was produced by Giles Martin (son of Beatles producer George Martin). She’s written or co-written songs for Mary Chapin Carpenter, Trisha Yearwood and UK pop sensation James Morrison, among others – she’s also made five acclaimed solo albums and had her music featured in films and television shows such as For The Love Of The Game, Angel, Alias and Grey’s Anatomy. Tickets are now on sale - £7 in advance or £8.50 on the night, from the Art of Living. So, don't complain about a lack of quality music in Hereford - get along and support this!
www.kimrichey.com and www.myspace.com/kimrichey

Posted at 06:20 pm Read More

Thu - March 5, 2009

CycleHereford launch their informal 2009 ride season

CycleHereford's informal 2009 ride season gets off to a gentle potter with a family-friendly jaunt to Breinton Springs.
Wednesday 15 April - Led by Rev Mark Johnson, all interested please gather for 12 noon start from the Cathedral Close. The ride will take you along the river and quiet roads to the Springs, returning to the Cathedral to finish. Including stops, approx 2 hours.
Sunday 3 May - Mark's 4 Churches Tour. Approximately 3 hours duration starting from St Martin's Church car park, Ross Road, at 2pm. This ride will loop round beautiful countryside south east of the city stopping at some of our lovely churches en route. Bring water etc as no hostelry en route. You can reference the route at http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Hereford-Circular
Sunday 17 May - 'Cycle Seeing' - back at popular request Martin's Templar Tourist Ride starts from Tourist Office, King Street, at 1.30pm and includes stopping to visit St Giles and the Coningsby museum (by appointment). A tour that exercises the brain as well as the body!

This year Bike Week will take place between 13 - 21 June, for more information: www.bikeweek.org.uk .
Local Bike Week rides will be advertised in the next few months - ie when some lovely volunteers have offered to lead them! Don't forget, as our rides will be registered with Bike Week Org, they will be covered by BW insurance for the entire week. Please email or tel (01432 352559) if you are interested in leading a ride or want to know what it involves.

Friday 21 August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm - First of two rides from Mark Edwards leads us south of the river to Grafton and beyond. Meet at the Volunteer, Harold Street . Cycle routes & plans in the pipeline in the south of the city. Some off-road riding.
Friday 18 September, 6:30pm - 8pm - The route will take us north of the river to Holmer. Mark will show us cycle routes & plans in the pipeline in the north of the city. Some off-road riding. Bring lights.Volunteer Pub start.

So if your bike has been languishing in the shed over winter, or doesn't get used too often, now's the time to give it an M.O.T, check your insurance policy is up to date andessentials like lights, puncture kits and tyre pump are fit for purpose. For more information on any of these things, check out links on www.cyclehereford.com

Posted at 09:18 am Read More

Mon - March 2, 2009

Police to target anti-social behaviour in the Bartonhsam Stores area

It has been brought to the attention of the Police that a trend is emerging in the St. James and Bartonsham area regarding anti social behaviour. Reports have been received that youths are drinking alcohol and subsequently causing a nuisance and anti social behaviour including leaving litter behind. The local policing teams that cover the area will be monitoring and targeting the area and will deal robustly with any offenders by operating a zero tolerance policy. They are also monitoring the sale of alcohol to persons underage and we would like to remind the public that it is an offence to purchase alcohol on behalf of youths and anybody caught doing this will be prosecuted.

The local policing teams want to hear of any incidents of underage drinking and anti-social behaviour in a bid to deter offenders away and ‘clamp’ down on offenders before the lighter night’s draw in. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with them on the number below.

Posted at 05:03 pm Read More

Wed - February 18, 2009

An Evening of Musical Entertainment - Saturday 28 February

Featuring performances from
Bandemonium - Hop Pickers' Feast - Poet Bill Thomas
Doors 6-15pm for 7-15pm start St James' Church, Green Street, Hereford Entry £2.50 (small children 50p). There will be a collection at the door for donations towards The Three Counties £2 Million Appeal for Acorns Children's Hospice and there will be a very short talk about the work of Hospice at the start of the event.
Refreshments inc mulled wine and home made cakes will be available, as well as local jam, preserve and cake stalls. All very welcome. Enquiries tel Pam on 355419
Download a flyer here MusicalEvening.pdf

Posted at 09:04 am Read More

Mon - February 2, 2009

WHEELED BINS IN ST JAMES - Public Meeting - Wednesday 25 February, 6 to 7.30pm, WRVS

It seems that the first many people in the St James and Bartonsham area knew of the proposed changes in recycling our rubbish, was to read an article in ‘Herefordshire Matters’ entitled ‘Recycling… Not a load of rubbish…’ A public consultation was mentioned in the article as having happened in the summer but certainly not many people seem to have known about this.

Once this news was out, however, many local residents sprang into action and one in particular Glenn Storhaug, has with great passion and aplomb started a campaign to, at least, raise awareness and try to get a public meeting in the St James area to discuss the full range of recycling and collection options. This has spurred many other local people to write to Andy Tector and Nicola Percival, at the Environment and Planning Department at Herefordshire Council.

As Glen said in his letter:
‘Wheeled bins might be the best solution for kerbside recycling and waste collection for many types of housing in Herefordshire. The introduction of bins will, we hope, increase the volume of waste that is recycled (particularly glass) and also improve the working conditions for waste-collection personnel. Unfortunately the wheeled-bin system is entirely inappropriate for the narrow streets and Victorian terraces typical of the St James conservation area and many other similar areas in the city. In these areas there is no provision for the discreet placing of bins in back gardens, driveways etc. so they will inevitably be left standing throughout the week alongside the pavements. This is because (a) the space between house frontage and pavement is usually minimal, (b) there are very few passageways allowing for bins to be wheeled from back to front for collection and (c) the passages behind many terraces, linking the back gardens, are too narrow for the collection of all household bins in the terrace.   Because many St James residents do not wish to see their streets permanently cluttered and disfigured by the proposed bins (the 120-litre bins will be hardly less obtrusive than the larger ones) they have opted out of the system --- after discovering, with difficulty, that this is an option. But the continuation of the coloured-bag system for specific opting-out residents can only be a temporary and unsatisfactory solution (a) because so many bags are buried with the waste --- and biodegradable bags are prohibitively expensive apparently, and (b) because of injury to waste-collection personnel from sharp objects and repetitive strain.’

We are now pleased to report that the Environment and Planning Department at Herefordshire Council have been listening to the people, and there will be a consultation meeting on Wednesday 25 February from 6 to 7.30pm at the WRVS, Riverside Learning Centre. It shows how a little dedicated protest can really make a difference!

Posted at 09:20 am Read More

Sat - January 17, 2009

Folly Arts Lectures

Posted at 05:46 pm Read More

Mon - January 12, 2009

Flicks in the Sticks present "Mama Mia"

In a change to the schedule, Flicks in the Sticks are very please to present some light hearted fun to liven up a dull January, showing the widely acclaimed 'Mama Mia'. At the usual venue of WRVS, tickets £3.50, doors 7pm, film 7.30pm, unreserved seating, films subject to availability.

Posted at 10:47 am Read More

Tue - December 9, 2008

Flicks in the Sticks announce Spring Season

Flicks in the Sticks finish their Autumn Season with the widely acclaimed 'Son of Rambow' on 13 December and, not to rest on their laurels, the Spring Season is already planned for your viewing pleasure;
17 January - Mama Mia
14 February - The Baker - filmed locally in Grosmont
14 March - St Trinians
11 April - The Popes Toilet
All at the usual venue of WRVS, tickets £4, doors 7pm, film 7.30pm, unreserved seating, films subject to availability.

Posted at 09:24 am Read More

The Future of the Community Association

The CA was founded in 2002, triggered by the proposed redevelopment of the General Hospital site and the desire for residents to have their say about the proposals. From this, the CA has grown and evolved and the Executive Committee now consider that its aims and objectives would benefit from a review at the forthcoming AGM. The current role of the CA is now more of an 'umbrella', overseeing and supporting a number of vibrant groups underneath it, including the JABA newsletter itself, the JABA web site, the Community Travel Plan, JABA in Bloom and Flicks in the Sticks.

As JABA is now established as a well supported and widely distributed newsletter (with its associated web site), information can be easily disseminated without the need for regular CA meetings. In the last couple of years, it has been harder to persuade residents to attend these meetings (themselves reduced in frequency), despite a number of excellent speakers giving freely of their time, and the Executive Committee consider that these have probably run their course and should be discontinued. Instead, 'Special Events' will be promoted, as and when the demand or need arises. The Executive Committee will ensure that the initial aims of the CA continue to be upheld. If you have any views on these proposals or indeed would like to contribute to the CA in some way, then do please come to the AGM, details above.

UPDATED: Chairmans report now available to download or click on 'Read more'.
FURTHER UPDATE: minutes now available to download.
CAannual08.doc
AGM5Jan2009.pdf

Posted at 09:19 am Read More

Tue - December 2, 2008

Guest Columns from Sarah Carr and Jesse Norman

We asked two of our local parliamentary candidates what they consider to be the three most important issues facing Hereford today. Click 'Read more' for their responses:

Posted at 06:49 pm Read More

Sat - November 29, 2008

It's back, it's big, it's beautiful ...

The Friends of Castle Green Christmas Fayre will be on Sunday 7 December 10am – 4.30pm

Another opportunity to sample the delights of local crafts and produce, enabling you to find those special, unique Christmas presents – and meet the artists who create them. Entertainment will be provided by “In the Pink” clarinet quartet, Bandemonium and a local brass ensemble … and to keep you nice and warm our cafe will be offering hot soup and filled rolls, mulled wine and mince pies and other goodies. Come one, come all, bring your friends and have a wonderful day.

Posted at 10:38 pm Read More

Thu - November 20, 2008

Living Streets audit for St Owen's St - 27, 28 and 29 November

Herefordshire Council has commissioned national public spaces charity Living Streets to carry out a Community Street Audit of the walking environment in the St. Owen Street area of Hereford. This project is part of the Council’s ongoing work to improve walking and cycling routes to and from the city centre.

The aim of this audit is to provide the Council with an overview of the issues facing people using the St. Owen Street area on foot, and to draw up a list of possible ideas that would improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists in the area. The audit may identify opportunities to improve the street scene and change the way road space is used, or indicate a need for better street lighting, removal of obstructions, improvements to footway surfaces, or better crossing points, for example.

We need to know what you think about walking and cycling in the St. Owen Street area. Please come along to one of our informal Community Consultation Meetings being held discuss the audits and to brainstorm the key issues affecting walking and cycling in St. Owen Street – these meetings will take place in St. Peter’s Hall, St. Peter’s Square, Hereford at 2pm and again at 7pm on Thursday 27th November 2008. The meetings will let us explain the processes Living Streets adopts, and will give you an opportunity to raise your issues and ideas for the streets in your area. We also hope to recruit volunteers (of all ages and abilities) at these meetings to come on the audits.

The essential part of the audit process is a live assessment of the streets and public spaces through your eyes, to harness your local knowledge and experience. To achieve this, Living Streets will be conducting a series of short community walking audits with volunteers in the St. Owen Street area on Friday 28th November at 2pm and again at 7pm, and on Saturday 29th November at 10am and 1pm. We will walk the streets in small groups and listen to what you think of the routes, so please do put the dates in your diaries now! Read more ...

Posted at 04:22 pm Read More

Thu - July 3, 2008

Theatre on the Green - "Much Ado About Nothing" - Friday 29 August

Theatre on the Green
The Friends are proud to announce our first outdoor theatre production will be taking place this summer: “Much Ado About Nothing” (or Sex, Lies and Verbosity!). Shakespeare’s celebration of love, intrigue and smouldering desires will be performed in their usual inimitably entertaining, family friendly way by the multi-talented Oddsocks Theatre Company cast on their Elizabethan passion pageant wagon on Friday 29 August 2008 at 7.30pm on the Castle Green. A small bar providing liquid refreshments will be available on the night. Order of Service:  A summer evening outdoors  Strolling Minstrels to warm the guests  Scenes of serenading, soliloquies and song  A little light refreshment  Drama, danger and the denouement  Finale: A happy congregation.
Tickets can be booked online at www.oddsocks.co.uk; £12.00 (seated), £10.00 (bring your own chair/rug), £8.00 concession. www.friendsofcastlegreen.org.uk

Posted at 08:42 am Read More

Sat - June 21, 2008

Change Your World - 30 June to 5 July

It’s easier to achieve than you think. Amazingly, if we all drove just one less journey a week we’d reduce car traffic by 10%. Fancy giving it a go? Swap any car trip between 30 June-5 July and walk, cycle or use public transport instead, or don’t make the trip at all.

Take your first step now at www.changeyourworld.org.uk and for your chance to win a Center Parcs family break, a pair of Ridgeback bikes, a National Trust camping break, T-shirts by Howies, Family & Friends railcards and other prizes.

Change Your World is run by Sustrans  Charity number 326550 (England & Wales) SCO39263 (Scotland)

Posted at 04:05 pm Read More

Mon - June 9, 2008

Hereford Civic Society - Hereford, A City Divided - Question Time ...?

Hereford Civic Society is hosting a debate at the Courtyard Theatre on July 2nd from 7pm. Panel includes Matthew Engel, Financial Times columnist, councillors and developers. Download the programme here.

Posted at 10:55 pm Read More

Fri - May 9, 2008

Bike Week 2008 - 14 to 22 June

It's almost here. Running from 14-22 June, it's the biggest cycling event of the year with thousands of events allover the country. CycleHereford’s annual bike-fest around town invites individuals of all ages to 'Cycle Hereford'. Just bring yourselves and a roadworthy bike to the meeting points below and enjoy the freedom of the bicycle, good company and fresh air! All rides are FREE and led by experienced cyclists.

Sunday 15 June - ‘Breinton Springs Picnic Ride’ - 2.30pm start
Meet at West Door, Hereford Cathedral. A gentle ride to Breinton
Springs for a picnic by the river, using mostly minor roads with a chance to visit Breinton Church en-route, before returning to the Cathedral. This ride is suitable for children accompanied by an adult. Don’t forget to bring a picnic if you’d like to! We aim to leave Breinton at 4.20 to give us plenty of time to get back to the city. For details tel Mark on 01432 353275 or 07882410759

Tuesday 17 June -’Cross Town Rides’ - 6.30pm start
Meet in front of the Shirehall, St Peter’s Square. We will test the proposition that the bicycle is the best way to get around in Hereford. How many times can we cross Hereford in an hour (riding at a dignified pace and not jumping red lights)? For adults who would like to cycle more often. For details tel Paige on 01432 277857, co-ordinator@herefordshirefoe.org.uk

Wednesday 18 June - ‘CycleSeeing’ - 7pm start
Meet at Tourist Office, 1 King St, Hereford (by Cathedral). An evening’s jaunt around Hereford discovering unusual features and sites in the city. For details tel Martin 01432 353971, megilleland@hotmail.com

Friday 20 June - ‘Hereford City Trail’ - 7pm start
Start from The Volunteer Pub, Harold Street, St James. Not suitable for children. This leisure ride for fairly confident cyclists will take people around the city, via main and side roads but also exploring quiet attractive routes, taking in lovely views and key destinations en route; approx 1.5 hours. For details tel Mark 01432 840848 cycling@image.cix.co.uk

All events have been registered with National Bike Week and are fully insured for public liability through them.
www.bikeweek.org.uk

Download a poster of events from here. BikeWeek08rev1-compressed.pdf

Posted at 08:32 am Read More

Tue - April 8, 2008

Not Forgotten and The Great Escape - featured on BBC Hereford and Worcester

If you've heard the ongoing feature on today's BBC Hereford and Worcester about Faith Ford's research into the names behind the War Memorial Boards in St James' Church, please click here and scroll down the opening page.

Posted at 10:32 am Read More

Fri - March 28, 2008

THE HERE 'FOOD' SHIRE CHALLENGE - EATING THE COUNTY with TRISH MARSH

Presented by HEREFORDSHIRE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH & TRANSITION HEREFORD

Trish is a sustainability officer with Herefordshire Council and has taken up the challenge for a whole year to eat only food and drink produced within the county. The only exceptions to this will be for Fair Trade items such as coffee and bananas. She will be talking about the problems and benefits involved and how she is dealing with them.
An excerpt from the film, CUBA – THE POWER OF COMMUNITY will be shown as an introduction to her talk, explaining how the Cuban people learned to feed themselves when their Russian support system and oil supplies were suddenly cut off. Trish will also show a short film about local Herefordshire food and then be issuing a challenge herself to anyone who would like to try the idea for a week or a month to discover what food lies on our doorstep.
Transition Town Hereford and Friends of the Earth urge you to come along and be inspired by Trish’s example to prepare ourselves for the difficult times ahead of oil and energy shortages and food security.
CANAL ROAD DAY CENTRE (behind Morrison’s supermarket) on WEDNESDAY 2 APRIL AT 7.30PM.
A question and answer session will follow and a discussion on local food security.
FAIRTRADE tea and coffee will be available.
ADMISSION FREE – a collection will be made to defray Trish’s expenses.

Posted at 12:42 pm Read More

Fri - February 22, 2008

Community Association meeting - Monday 3 March

Talk by Liz Pitman: An introduction to the idea of Transactional Analysis or understanding ourselves and others just that bit better! This Won’t Change Your Life – but it might help. This talk, the second by Liz Pitman for the Community Association will introduce some of the basic ideas of T.A., a subject which Liz taught for many years and on which she has written two books.
To be followed by Community Asociation Meeting. Start 7-45 pm (doors open 7-15 pm), WRVS, Vicarage Road, Hereford. Enquiries tel Kate on 264146. Refreshments available • all very welcome!

Posted at 12:35 pm Read More

Tue - January 1, 2008

Community Association meeting - Monday 7 January

‘What John Venn did for Hereford' - an illustrated talk by Jean O'Donell

To be followed by

Community Association AGM

Hear reports on the past year (including Community Travel Plan, JABA, accounts etc).
Elect the Executive Committee, plan for the year ahead. Our constitution requires us to add new people to the Executive each year so please come ready to volunteer!
7-45 pm start (doors open 7-15 pm), WRVS, Vicarage Road, Hereford. Enquiries tel Kate on 264146. Refreshments available • all very welcome!

Posted at 01:41 pm Read More

Wed - December 12, 2007

Sustrans Connect2 wins £50 million - Hereford wins new pedestrian and cycle bridge!

This just in from Herefordshire Council: "The result will be formally announced on the ITV news this evening though some of you may have seen it on the lunchtime news. I'd like to echo the words below from Sustrans Chief Executive, John Grimshaw MBE and thank everyone involved - we've had a tremendous amount of support for our project and it was very encouraging when the emails came in from all quarters offering support and urging people to vote.

A process that has been echoed nationally 79 times and even locally, the Wye and Severn rivers between them boast five Connect2 schemes in all: Diglis Lock, Worcester; The Severnside Gap in Shrewsbury; our own Hereford -Rotherwas bridge; Wye and Monnow crossings in Monmouth; and a further Wye crossing at Tintern.

More thanks still are due to the very many people and organisations who got behind Hereford's Connect2 scheme and helped get the message out and about too. The whole process has been a testament to the power of community working and we look forward to the project getting under way soon. Thanks again for all your efforts - you were all magnificent! PLEASE PASS IT ON! Together we have won £50 million. (£350k for Hereford's scheme).

From John Grimshaw, Sustrans CEO: “This is a fantastic Christmas present! We are delighted that Sustrans’ Connect2 has proved itself the peoples’ favourite in the public vote and won the £50million from the Big Lottery Fund. We are immensely grateful to Herefordshire supporters and everyone who got behind Hereford’s Connect2 scheme to bridge the gap between Rotherwas and Hereford to make their votes count.

As a massive public consultation exercise Connect2 has engendered a huge amount of goodwill from all sectors. It has confirmed our belief that people want to walk and cycle more when given the right surroundings. But the hard work starts now and there will be a huge amount to be done to make sure we fulfil all our obligations to the Big Lottery Fund. Ultimately the real winners will be those thousands of people who will now be able to Connect2 their shops, schools, workplaces and each other every day!”

More details at www.bikeradar.com.

Posted at 02:46 pm Read More

Voting has now closed to decide the winner of the People's £50 Million Lottery Giveaway

SITS VAC: more distributors needed

Voting lines now open for Connect 2!

Partial closure of Bishop's Meadow until Christmas

Welcome to our Community Travel Plan Section

Autumn Fete and Open Day - Saturday 6 October

Fresh local produce for sale

New opportunities to work, train and volunteer on County's Leading Youth Magazine

Abergavenny Food Festival - Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 September

Community Association meeting - Monday 3 September

'Start Here' project offering FREE courses available to those that are eligible