This week's Wyenot News is down to the bare minimum and consists mainly of photos. To save time I have put it all on one page and have included as much text information as I can get in with the time left available for prep. Press releases have been published, unedited. My apologies for this - I have spent most of the past week in Hereford, just nipping home when necessary. Just once in a while, something happens which becomes more important than anything else going on and has to take priority but things will be back to normal as soon as humanly possible.

Some local readers who have seen either myself, Bernice or Tina this week will already know that there has been a problem.

Since last September, my 20 year old son, Matt has been suffering some pain which has been treated as an infection, with antibiotics. These had been relieving some of the pain but it never fully went away.

Matt was due to go off travelling, had given up his job at Morrisons and had a ticket to fly to Amsterdam on Tuesday, 11th July this year. As the pain was not going away, a scan was arranged for him later in the year. Due to his travel arrangements however, Matt spoke to the hospital and they agreed to bring the date forward so he could have the scan before leaving on his adventure.

Unfortunately, the scan showed a problem which required immediate treatment and Matt had to postpone his trip abroad. He has since undergone two operations - one on his neck and one on his abdomen - both exploratory. We are awaiting biopsy results.

This is all we know at the time of writing but we are all certain that everything is going to be fine long term and that Matt will eventually be able to travel the world and also enjoy his hobbies of making and playing computer games, listening to heavy metal music and driving everybody mad with the noise as he plays along with the guitar riffs, through a 200 watt valve guitar amp in his bedroom.

Ashfield Park Year 3 pupils had a new experience last Tuesday when violin virtuoso Ken Aiso and pianist Howard Moody brought Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata live to the school. Divided into groups of 28 and 29, they listened, they sang in German, they played, they improvised and they conducted under the expert guidance of these two accomplished musicians. Concentration never wavered during the two morning sessions which together lasted almost three hours. Resuming after lunch, one more group session was followed by a concert attended by parents, with all joining in the singing. To have introduced 7 and 8 year-olds to one of the great classical masterpieces might have been thought to have been taking them a stage too far. 'Not at all' said Howard Moody ' they understand it perfectly well at their own level, and enjoy it every bit as much as experienced concert-goers.' No one could argue with this having heard some of the comments made by the children afterwards.

The workshop, organized by Ross Live! was the first in what is intended to be a continuing project bringing classical music to young people, to let them experience top quality live performance in the hope that they may be encouraged to learn an instrument or at least come to see classical music as an art form for all, for a lifetime's enjoyment. Ken Aiso returns to Ross with pianist Simon Crawford-Phillips on Wednesday 16th August at 7.30pm in the Baptist Church, when he will again be playing the Kreutzer Sonata, together with works by Brahms and Enescu. Parents are invited to bring up to three children to sit in the gallery at a cost of £5 with children under 17 free of charge. Stalls tickets are £15 each, all obtainable from The County Collection, 1 Market Place or the Tourist Information Centre, Swan House, telephone 01989 562768 or at the door on the night. The workshop and outreach programme is funded by Awards for All and the principal sponsor of Ross Live! is Ross Labels Factory Shop.

ALPS (Alternative Pathways Learning to Success) is an innovative project introduced across the whole of Herefordshire to allow a number of students to undertake extended work experience with an individualized school curriculum programme. A relatively large number of students, mainly in Year 11, have worked in conjunction with their local school the Robert Owen Learning Academy, Learning Skills Council, Herefordshire Council and a number of local employers.

Jason Neville, a Year 11 student at John Kyrle High School, was chosen by two independent judges to receive the ALPS Student of the Year Award. This is based upon his excellent work experience and liaison with school. Jason has also been offered a full-time job with Bowens Garage at Ross-on-Wye which further confirms the success of this programme.

The picture shows Jason receiving his award with members of the school, ALPS co-ordinators and a representative from Bowen’s Garage.

Pictured with Mike Donoghue (Head of P.E.), Nigel Griffiths (Headteacher) and Carlos Felices (Castle Lodge) are the John Kyrle High School Tennis Finalists. All boys had played and won 4 games to reach the finals which were held on Tuesday 11th July. In the Year 7 Final Jacob Jones beat Danny Robinson 6-1, 6-2. In the Year 8 Final Tom Dryden beat Laurence Minton 4-6,6-4,6-4 and in the Year 9 Final Greg Wills beat Dan Moran 6-2,6-4.All finals were keenly contested and for all the winners their games were certainly the most difficult they had had throughout the whole competition.

This past two weeks I have had to spend a lot of time visiting Hereford Hospital. Where possible, I was buying the £4.00 twenty four hour parking tickets but on shorter visits, either the £1.50 three hour or the £2.00 four hour.

Towards the end of last week, I noticed that there was some work going on, installing barriers but did not pay much attention.

On Monday of this week, I went along, to discover a new pay method. I though nothing much of it at the time and took a pay as you leave ticket and went to visit my son. I was there for a total of five hours.

When I went to leave, I put my ticket in the machine to pay. It cost me NINE QUID for FIVE HOURS!!!

I do not usually go into politics on this web site but here, I make an exception. Is this just another stealth tax inflicted by this useless, incompetent government or is it Hereford Council being greedy? I have no idea but in future, I shall be dropping Matt off and finding somewhere else to park!

So far, this past two weeks, I estimate that I have paid over £30 in parking fees alone, taking my son for treatment and visiting him during recovery. I would think that it is now pretty much impossible for the average Herefordshire person to afford to be ill!

Never mind though: at least you get a free doughnut if you pay £1.19 for a cup of tea in the canteen and watching TV only costs the patent from £2.50 per day!

Following a request from Richard Mayo last week to help identify the John Hill trader's token coin he had found with his metal detector, and for information on when John Hill walked the streets of Ross. Thank you to Jim Rourke, who pointed out that John Hill was the founder of the first brewery in Ross, in 1824, later to become Alton Court Brewery.

Carnival Week in Ross-on-Wye this year runs from Saturday 29th July to Saturday 5th August. There are plenty of events planned for all ages and abilities - at least one every day of the week - full details of which are in the Carnival Brochure available at the Heritage Centre, the Library and the Tourist Office.

The Annual Odd Object Competition starts at 9am on the 29th and runs until noon on the 4th. Once again there are so many shops taking part there will be two competition walks. Both sheets are available from the Heritage Centre, the Library and the Tourist Office. Entries must be returned to the Heritage Centre for marking and the results will be announced on Carnival Day on the Riverside.

The usual Coffee Mornings for local charity will be taking place at the Market Place during the week, running from 9am to midday. Monday will be supporting the Air Ambulance, Tuesday the Ross Pre-school Playgroup and Wednesday St Michael's Hospice. As well as coffee there will stalls with bric-a-brac and other items for sale. Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be Market Days.

Saturday 29th July sees a new venture - a Family Fun Day at the Sports Centre in Wilton Road. There will be events and competitions for all the family starting at 12noon.

Quiz Night will be at the Hope and Anchor at 7.30pm on Sunday 30th July and Prize Bingo at the Prince of Wales on Wednesday 2nd August at 7.30pm. Both of these events have become very popular over the years so make sure you get there in plenty of time.

The Heritage Centre is supporting two new events for this year. On Tuesday 2nd August there will be a workshop to make Carnival Masks. Open to all ages this will be a free drop-in activity between 11am and 3pm. Children will have to be accompanied but this will be a good opportunity to make a Clown Mask to wear on Carnival Day. The second venture is a Historic Guided Walk around the town. This will start from the Heritage Centre at 2pm. There is no need to book but numbers will be restricted so it is best to turn up early. The cost will be £2 per person. Children under 11 will need to be accompanied but they can take part for free. Wear suitable footwear, bring appropriate clothing for the weather and make sure you have a drink with you. The walk will last approximately two and a half hours.

The week culminates on Saturday 5th August with Carnival Day. The Carnival Princess, Walkers and Floats will assemble at the Ashburton Estate ready to tour the town from 1pm. The route will take in Cantilupe Road, Gloucester Road, Broad Street, Millpond Street, Cantilupe Road, Gloucester Road, High Street, Wilton Road and Wye Street. The procession will be led by the Police, the Town Crier and the Princess with all other entrants joining in behind, including bands and the ever popular Belly Dancers from Newport, making another return visit to the town. Events at the Riverside will start at 11am, culminating in the Duck Race at approximately 4pm. There will be stalls and events for all ages with food and drinks available all day. A truly splendid week of events for the town - will plenty of local people taking part.

Congratulations Rachel!

Rachel Jennie Barter recently graduated from Warwick University with a BSc(Honours) First Class, in Business Management. Rachel, who lives in Greytree, attended Brampton Abbotts Primary School before going to Denmark Road High School for Girls in Gloucester. She will soon start work for Ernst Young, a well known International Business company, in Birmingham in September. The family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who helped Rachel especially during the past six months after she had lost the support of her mother, Jennie, who sadly died before Christmas..

Alan,
I got your details via Google and your helpful web-site. I and a couple of friends are coming down to the Ross area for a week in early October, our main plan is to fish the Wye for barbell, chub and pike and we have fished the stretch previously. However we are coming down a bit later than we usually do and want to build in a contingency plan should the weather produce an unfishable river. Could you advise us on any still waters in the vicinity and provide details of species and availability of day tickets?

John McLaren

What I know about fishing could be written on a postage stamp, leaving white space, I'm afraid. Wye Angling will probably be able to help or, if anybody out there knows the answer, if you email me, I will forward your mail to John.

Ed.

Ross Heritage Centre has something for everyone for this years summer holidays during July and August, with an interesting and varied programme of exhibitions and events.

The Annual Exhibition of the John Kyrle High School Art Exam Work is up and running. "Structures" gives a very wide showing of work by both the GCSE and A Level students and will run until 14th August. Well worth a visit, the great talent of some of the local young people needs to be seen to be appreciated.

From 18th to 30th August talent of a different scale can be seen. The Botanical Illustrators will be exhibiting the work from their weekly classes. This is the first time the group will have exhibited in such a way and it is worthwhile visiting the Heritage Centre to see what they have to offer. Mary Brewin, the tutor is always looking for new people to join her group and this will be an ideal time to consider enrolling.

During Carnival week, 29th July to 5th August, there will be a small exhibition of the photographs of Carnivals Past.

Younger members of the community are not forgotten. Each week during the summer there will be an event they can join in with their families and friends.

On Wednesday 26th July "Buzzy Bee Books" is an activity for all running from 10am to 12.30pm. Participants will be able to make their own storybook.

To celebrate Carnival Week, young visitors will be able to make Clown Masks on Tuesday 1st August between 11am and 3pm. These would be ideal to wear on Carnival Day.

A Guided Walk is the order of the day on Thursday 3rd August. Anyone who wishes to participate in the two and a half hour visit to some of the more historic sites in Ross need to assemble at the Heritage Centre promptly by 2pm. The qualified member of the Heritage Staff conducting this walk will be charging £2 per person towards Carnival Funds. Anyone can join in but those aged 11 years and under must be accompanied, but will be free of charge.

On Wednesday 9th August, visitors will be able to "Make Musical Instruments" from junk materials from 10am to 12.30pm

"Butterflies" will be seen flying around the Heritage Centre on Tuesday 22nd August between 11am and 3pm. There will be a contrast with "Bizarre Bugs and Fantastic Flowers" on Wednesday 30th August from 10am to 12.30pm. Visitors will be able to make their own wildlife to take home.

On Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August, the Mobile Museum on the Move will be making its first visit to the Market House this year. It will be open from 10am to 5pm with its new exhibition "Its Good To Talk".

On Sunday 22nd August the Heritage Centre Staff will be joining forces with Ross-in-Bloom to support Ross Pre-School Playgroup. A Family Treasure Hunt is being arranged to help with playgroup funds. Full details will be published nearer the time with posters on display throughout the town. The event will start at 2pm and there will be something for all ages to take part in.

All the above events are free to take part in, except for the guided walk and treasure hunt. There is no need to book - participants can just drop-in. Children must be accompanied at all times. There is access for all with a lift for those who cannot manage the stairs. For more details on any activities at Ross Market House Heritage Centre on (01432) 260675 between the opening hours 10am - 5pm, Monday to Saturday, 10.30am to 4pm on Sundays. The centre is closed for lunch between 1pm and 1.30pm daily, if there is no relief staff available.

Ross-on-Wye Weather Station is located by the tennis courts and bowling green at 'Crossfields' and is one of the important stations around the country which regularly sends data to the Meteorological Office. This is why Ross-on-Wye is sometimes mentioned on the BBC weather reports. It is currently still a manually monitored station and readings are taken twice per day by husband and wife team, June and Rex Swallow.

This year, a 'Summer Spectacular' will be taking place on the Rope Walk site which previously hosted Ross International Festival. (Full details of which can be found by clicking here.)

Wyenot News has tickets to each of the three 'Summer Spectacular' concerts, which would normally cost £35 per pair to give away. Six readers will win a pair of tickets to one of the shows. If you and a partner would like a chance to go to one of the concerts for free, all you need do is email the answers to the following questions. Entrants to this competition must be aged 18 years or over. All of the answers can be easily looked up in back issues of Wyenot News.

What type of mammals were photographed swimming in the River Wye at Wilton earlier this year:

a: hump back whales?
b: beavers?
c: otters?

What is the surname of June and Rex, the couple who monitor Ross-on-Wye Weather Station:

a: Swallow?
b: Sparrow?
c: Peregrine Falcon?

TV presenter, Chris Tarrant recently visited the White Lion Inn and Broome Farm. What is the first name of his wife:

a: Enid?
b: Ingrid?
c: Tracy?

Which famous historical character who died 201 years ago once visited Ross-on-Wye?

a: Ludwig Van Beethoven?
b: King Cnut?
c: Admiral Lord Nelson?

Please click here to email your answers. (Wyenot News is absolutely 100% against spam, so neither your email or postal address will not be harvested, passed on or added to any mailing lists.) A draw from entries received will take place at The White Lion Inn on Saturday, July 29th at 5:30 pm and a list of winners will be published in the following week's Wyenot News. Please state your name and postal address (where you want the tickets sent), along with your first and second choice of concert. Winning tickets are subject to availability. First names drawn will have the first choice of concert.

These concerts are not arranged by Wyenot News and tickets are distributed in good faith. Wyenot News will not accept responsibility for any cancellation or postponement of concerts. Wyenot News will not accept telephone entries to the competition. No correspondence will be entered into regarding this competition. Those wishing to purchase tickets should contact the organizers of the events at www.summersoundsspectacular.com.

If you have a local news item or story of local interest which you would like to appear on Wyenot News you are very welcome to submit it by email, telephone or by post.

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Many Wyenot News photographs appear in various local newspapers and magazines. This does not imply that Wyenot News or any other part of this web site belongs to those publications. Wyenot News is a totally independent news magazine.

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