From Sue Berrett Community Support Officer 6439 Tel 101 (non emergency) or 999 (emergency)

With the arrival of some good weather (at long last), please be mindful of doorstep callers.  In particular, those offering to pressure wash drives, patios, fence panels etc.  Also, anyone offering to fix so-called leaking gutters, loose roof tiles, cut back trees, tarmac drives.  Cold callers who offer to do building work, gardening or driveways are highly likely to be rogue traders.

From the Ledbury Reporter

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HEREFORDSHIRE Council is to shed 300 jobs and responsibility for the likes of libraries and museums as it covers the cost of a 2013/14 savings plan that did not add up.  Rubbish collection is one service under scrutiny.  The council now has just days to back a new plan that secures at least £8.4 million of savings which the previous plan couldn’t make happen and which cuts services back to essentials only.

From Cllr Roger Page

As the former Chairman of the Town Council Boundary review working group I am shocked to discover,that without any consultation,    Bromyard & Winslow Town Council has itself been split in to two wards,Bromyard West and East for the purposes of election to the    Town Council.Currently there are 18 seats on the Town Council and if more than that number are nominated then there is an election    and the top 18 are elected (by votes) across the whole of Bromyard & Winslow.

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is seeking to recruit additional on call firefighters to join the retained duty system at a number of its fire stations, including Bromyard.   There will be an "awareness" session for anyone interested at Bromyard Fire Station New Road, Bromyard HR7 4AJ on Monday 20 May  at  7pm

Gill is a very generous and committed volunteer as part of the Age UK “Chance to Chat” social befriending project. She regularly visits older frail and socially isolated people in and around Bromyard. She is also a driver for Bromyard Community Transport and can regularly be seen ferrying people around and visits to hospitals. Along with her husband, Aubrey, now deceased, Gill was very instrumental and involved in developing the Bromyard Archery Club 

In the short time that Chris has been in Bromyard he has become involved with many of  the events which take place. His contacts within the media have enabled him to support with publicity and really put Bromyard on the map. He acts as a compere at Bromyard Gala, he is on the Hop Festival Committee, and gives his time to many other organisations within the town. Last year he was the Arena Director for Diamond Day and responsible for the entertainment programme including the parts watched by Her Majesty.    

From the Worcester News.

TESCO has this week confirmed plans to bring a small supermarket to Bromyard creating 80 jobs.  A formal application will be submitted to Herefordshire Council in the summer, but the retail giant has said it plans to build the store on the site of the former Post Office on Tenbury Road. Tesco is also promising a 120-space car park that will offer motorists three hours’ free parking.

From the Hereford Times

SRI Lanka Test all-rounder Dinusha Fernando made a flying start as Bromyard opened their Worcestershire League Division One programme with a winning draw against Worcester Dominies.  Fernando blasted 94 from 90 balls, with five sixes and seven fours, as Bromyard posted 237-9 from their 50 overs.  Ashley Bullock gave solid assistance with 56.

Patty has been described as the glue that holds the Conquest Theatre together and keeps the whole thing running. The theatre is such an important part of Bromyard and Patty’s contribution to its survival is huge and vital. She sits on the Management Committee, organises the programme of productions and films, runs the box office, organises Front of House and is always there to listen, advise and help withal aspects of production. The thing is that she has been doing this for years and is now being recognised for her work in the community.

At a well attended Town Meeting on Monday 29th at the Falcon Hotel the latest Distinguished Citizens awards were announced. These were to Gill Ison who  for her involvement with Community Transport and services to the elderly. Pat Rimell for her work with the Conquest Theatre and Chris Barltrop for his contribution to  Bromyard cultural activities and his help with the  festivals.

From the Hereford Times

Herefordshire Council’s chief executive has written to all staff to alert them to the fact that revised plans to reduce spending by £9million are to be taken to the council’s cabinet in May. The local authority has made Alistair Neill's letter public in order to ensure that partners, customers, businesses and residents in Herefordshire understand the financial pressures the council is facing. 

At the Town Meeting in the Falcon the trustees of the Community Pool Trust explained that there was no prospect of funding a swimming pool in Bromyard in the foreseeable future.  The funds donated over many years now amounted to £64,000.  It was proposed to allocate these funds to suitable objectives.  Preferably with a connection to swimming.  Suggestions for the uses for the money are needed by May 31st.  Please send to Mike Cresswell at Bromyard and Winslow Town Council – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

From the Hereford Times

A MEETING of Herefordshire Council’s Independent group has been confirmed for next Tuesday evening (May 7) at Hereford Shirehall. Group leader Councillor Bob Matthews confirmed to the Hereford Times this morning that he was stepping down after 10 unopposed years at the top. The council’s ruling Tory group meets on May 9 to elect a new leader of its own with council leader councillor John Jarvis confirmed he was stepping down for “health reasons”.

Its that time of year once again. With the popularity of last years window spotting competition, this year we thought it was only fitting to go back in time ( to when we ourselves spent hours searching the shop windows for the Gala completion ), where you will be searching for items the shops DO NOT SELL.

From Cllr Roger Page
The time limit for any submissions on the Porthouse Housing development planning application has been extended to 16th May (from 2nd May) due to technical difficulties with the Herefordshire planning portal, i.e. people not being able to access the site for information and more importantly,only today(Monday) are the legal notices being displayed on the application site.

 We have been told that some comments posted on bromyard.info referring to members of the Town Council and Tesco and suggesting unethical behaviour may be defamatory. We have therefore removed those comments from the bromyard.info website and the associated Facebook page and will not publish similar comments in the future.

From the Ledbury Reporter

A WINDOW was smashed at the Time Machine Museum of Science Fiction in Bromyard following an earlier altercation in a pub.  Police were called to the Hop Pole in Market Square at 9.40pm on Saturday following reports of an altercation involving about 30 people. There have been no allegations of assault or injuries sustained, but enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting reference 200-N-270413.

From the Hereford Times

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CONTEMPORARY folk singer songwriter Valeryan, who will be performing at The Conquest Theatre in Bromyard on Saturday, May 11, was a member of The Settlers in the mid-70s, leaving the band to pursue an international solo career. By chance in 2010 she met up with musician and producer Pete Goodall (Thunderclap Newman) who she first worked with while still with The Settlers.

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Visitors looking to pick up a good book and enjoy some old fashioned storytelling should head to one of Herefordshire’s top country estates this Bank Holiday.  On Monday 6 May the National Trust at Brockhampton Estate near Bromyard is hosting their first second-hand book sale.
Visitors can browse a range of fiction, non-fiction, hard and paper back books in the courtyard at Lower Brockhampton.There will be a collector’s corner for those looking for something more unique, including some old children’s books and first editions. Pictured Laraine Williams and Mary Penny with an assortment of books.

With a reputation for quality and enjoyment, Bromyard Choral Society will be singing Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s Nelson Mass with a full orchestra and soloists on Saturday 4th May at 7.30pm in St Peter’s Church. This 12th century venue will receive the proceeds from this charity concert. Having spent nearly £100,000 on masonry and roof repairs, more money is now needed for other exciting projects. Tickets, available on the door and from Food for All, are only £10 which is extraordinary good value for what promises to be a special Bank Holiday weekend treat!