There does seem to be an urban myth regarding disabled parking (and motability cars, for that matter) and I would like to put that right via the local media. Disabled badges are only given out to people in receipt of benefits for disabled people. To get these benefits you need the support of your GP and other healthcare professionals to sign your application. Benefit is given for two reasons and in several tiers, depending upon your disability and how it affects you. To get a badge you need to get benefit for severe problems with mobility - this might mean having limb problems, breathing problems, heart problems etc.

Motability cars (which seem to provoke amazing degrees of jealousy for some reason) are in essence a contract or lease car. They are not free, or given to disabled people by the Government. People use the mobility part of their benefit to pay for a lease car. That's it. Nobody gripes if someone on jobseekers allowance uses their allowance to buy a car, so why people get so worked up about Motability cars I just don't know.

The driver of one car parked in a disabled bay yesterday told me that there "wasn't any parking for you lazy b******* in Ross any more. You'll have to walk like the rest of us."

That's the point really, isn't it? People with disabled badges can't "walk like the rest of us" and that's why society needs to give them a bit of a helping hand. Is it really too much to ask that someone who finds walking painful or makes them breathless or gives them an angina attack can actually park a bit closer to the shops? Thanks to the van and car drivers parked in the disabled bays Amy was in agony with her knees and had to go home without finishing her shopping - all she wanted was to buy a new pair of jeans.'

They have some wonderful signs in France next to disabled parking bays. They say (in French, obviously!) "If you want my space, then you can have my disability as well".'

Through the generosity of Ross Labels at Overross, the rugby team at Bridstow Primary School have recently been the recipients of new shirts. Luke Conod of Ross Labels attended Bridstow Primary School on Thursday, 9th March to make a presentation of the dynamic new shirts to Paul Socket, Head Teacher of this very sporting local primary school.

Despite Bridstow School only having been constructed within the last ten years, the strong pupil numbers and expanding range of facilities at the school have necessitated an extension which is currently taking place at a rapid pace.

A range of fund-raising activities is planned over the coming weeks and if any former pupils, associates or friends of the school would like to make a donation to the building fund/buy a brick campaign, then their names will be recorded for posterity having contributed to their former alma mater. Any such donation may be made via Yvette Naylor, School Secretary, at Bridstow CE Primary School. Tel: 01989 562623.

In the photograph below, Luke Conod of Ross Labels can be seen presenting one of the rugby shirts to Paul Socket, Head Teacher at Bridstow Primary School during Assembly on Thursday, 9th March.

Three of the schools in Ross-on-Wye held their World Book Day event on Friday of this week, 10th March so did not make itno last weeks edition. These were Ross Pre-school Playgroup, Brampton Abbots Primary and Bridstow Primary. In all three schools, children dressed as their favourite characters from books.