The new look Ross Gazette was launched with a party at Ross Market House on Thursday, 6th April 2006. At 10:00 am Town Crier, Clive Beddows announced the Mayor of Ross, Councillor Gordon Lucas, who officially opened the party.

Feedback on the new look newspaper has so far been extremely positive, most people commenting that the new, smaller size has made the publication far easier to read. First published as a broadsheet newspaper containing national news in January 1867, the Ross Gazette has become South Herefordshire's favourite newspaper. The change last week from traditional broadsheet size was made as a result of the opinion of readers and the Ross Gazette is happy to receive feedback so that it can deliver exactly what the reader is looking for.

Ross Gazette General Manager, Lee Whiteland told Wyenot News that, 'Last Thursday's launch went extremely well and the management and staff at the Gazette are extremely pleased with the positive response from the newspaper's readers'.

Pictured below, Town Crier, Clive Beddows announces the Mayor of Ross. Wyenot Television footage of this announcement can be seen by clicking here. The middle photograph shows Bernard Mew, Managing Director of Tindle Newspapers, Lee Whiteland, General Manager of the Ross Gazette, Neil Powell, Tindle Distribution Manager, Chris Robertson, Editor of the Ross Gazette and Mayor, Gordon Lucas last Thursday. In the bottom photograph, the Mayor and Mayoress can be seen cutting the cake with General Manager, Lee Whiteland. The cake was made for the launch party by staff member, Sue Kirby.

Unbeaten all season, Ross RFC First Team's last league game this year ended rather suddenly on Saturday with the Captain of the Minchinhampton side being airlifted to hospital. He had sustained what at first was thought to be a serious neck injury. An ambulance was called because the referee was not sure if he had heard a crack when the accident occurred but luckily, the injury turned out to be muscular - still painful but not life threatening.

Ross RFC would like to thank Doctor Cook of Alton Street Surgery, who was watching the game and helped until the first responders team arrived, as well as the first responders themselves and the air ambulance.

I was at the match with Tina to interview the Captain of Ross RFC following their successful season but circumstances changed and windy weather took over, causing too much noise on the film so we filmed the air ambulance instead. That television footage can be seen here. Hopefully the captain of Ross RFC will be appearing here next week.

Paul Haley's report on the match can be seen below the photographs.

A young craftsman has received national recognition at a prestigious show thanks to Herefordshire Council. Will Catcheside, 28, from the Ross-on-Wye area, won a prize for 'Wow' factor with his impressive two-metre diameter loveseat. The iron sculpture, which he has affectionately called his 'stargazers loveseat', loops around in a giant circle and was so impressive that judges at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate presented it an award.

Will was only able to display at the trade fair thanks to Herefordshire Council's Creative Industries, which helps establish, support and develop arts and crafts across the county. 'I was only able to attend this event thanks to the support of Herefordshire Council's Creative Industries which offered tremendous support,' said Will. 'I've already had interest in commissioning the seat as a direct result displaying at this event. By going to the right show you can secure work for as long as a year, that's how important they are. The seat is really impressive. It is designed in such a way that you lie down on it and look up through the giant loop into the sky. That's why I called it a stargazers loveseat.'

Will graduated from Hereford College of Technology before working as a blacksmith for four years. Now he has set up his own workshop on the Wye Valley reclamation site. Here he is also able to display his work. 'Crafts such as a blacksmith have evolved into an art. Those who have evolved are known as artist blacksmiths and they do all sorts of interesting work,' said Andy Dawson, Co-ordinator of Creative Industries. 'The aim of the Council's Creative Industries is to develop arts and crafts across the county by offering sound advice, business plans and support. It is a growth area and we are assisting that expansion,' added Andy.

Herefordshire Council's Creative Industries is based at Plough Lane, Hereford and can be contacted on 01432 383064.