The 'MOBI Bus' visited Tudorville Youth Centre on Tuesday, 13th March, much to the delight of local children, who enjoyed playing games both on and off the big blue converted bus.

The new 'Mobile Children and Young people's Resource' bus is currently touring the county to raise the profile of play and to demonstrate to children, young people and adults the possibility of developing play within their local communities.

The 'Play Partnership' is developing a five year plan for the county and is applying to the Big Lottery Fund for money to develop projects across the county.

Pictured below are some of the local young people on board the bus with William Edwards, Development Officer for Herefordshire CVYS and outside the bus, again with William, Emma Peace from EYDCP and Children's Champion, Councillor Anne Gray.

After the photo session, the young people enjoyed games on the Youth Centre playing field.

Those who began their days at Ross Secondary Modern in 1958 were reunited at the Larruperz Centre on Friday at a celebration which was organized by some of the former pupils. One of their teachers, Mrs. Stevens, was also present and a lovely evening was had by all.

In the photograph,, but not listed in order, are: Clive Beard, Pauline Williams, Ann Morgan, Sally Webb, Mrs. Stevens, Sue Dix, Valerie Tancell, Roger Jones, Terry Harradine, Roger Yates, Sheila Edmunds, Cheryl Walker, Betty Phelps, Graham Price, Alan Price, Pauline Burson, Beryl Downing, Pamela Beard, Sandra Oakley, Malcolm Davies and Sandra Meek.

In last week's issue of Wyenot News I published an article about John Kyrle High School student Philip Shaw's success in winning third place in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire biennial art awards 2007. The exhibition in Malvern has been open to the general public who were asked to vote for their favourite picture. We are pleased to say that Philip's painting, 'A Couple in the Rain,' has been voted the favourite, winning him another cash prize. We wish him continued success.

A concert to raise money and the profile of Stop The Traffik, a global coalition of charities against people trafficking, is to be held on the 24th March 7.30pm at Ross on Wye Baptist Church. The concert will consist of local musicians from a range of backgrounds; classical, jazz, folk, singer/songwriter, a rock band and a choir, who will be singing Negro spirituals, (songs sung by slaves before the abolition). There will be something to suit all tastes. During the interval wine, tea, coffee and other refreshments will be served.

Tickets cost £5 and £3 and are available from AC Travel, 1 Henry St, Ross Baptist Office, 18 the Crofts or Beth Underwood 07815 461141. Come and enjoy a varied musical evening and help to contribute to the Stop The Traffik campaign. During the day on the 24th March there will be a petition and a Wall of Freedom that people can sign.

The photograph below was taken at a coffee morning to raise awareness of the forthcoming concert and show some of the people involved in the organization this event. They are, left to right: Beth Underwood, flautist, Monica Irvine, Andy Nuttall, pianist, Dawn Gauntlett, Val Houghton and David Houghton, saxophonist.

Continued . . .

What is Stop The Traffik?

Stop The Traffik is a global coalition of organizations working together to fight against people trafficking. They are doing this by raising awareness on a subject that is little known or understood. Stop The Traffik will call for change and freedom.

There are currently over 300 member organizations involved, including businesses, faith groups, community groups and charities. They aim to grow and build the coalition over the next year. The four key areas that Stop The Traffik is focused on are; advocacy, education, fund-raising and freedom day. Through advocacy and education, Stop The Traffik will demonstrate to the public ways in which they can get involved and help change peoples futures. At the heart of the campaign is the Global Declaration Card. Thousands of cards, signed world-wide will be delivered to the United Nations. These aim to pressurize the U.N and individual governments to bring about a change in legislation and policies, resulting in protection from people trafficking.

Stop The Traffik’s focus is advocacy and education, but we greatly welcome any financial gifts. Donations will be channelled to help anti people trafficking projects run by coalition members. All projects receiving funds will comply and tie in with Stop The Traffik aims.

Community events around the world will lead up to 'Freedom Day' on March 25th 2007 (the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade). 'Freedom Day' will be a time for everyone to celebrate liberty and commit to bringing it to all men, women and children.

Some facts about people trafficking

• At least 12.3 million people are victims of forced labour world-wide. Of these 2.4 million are as a result of human trafficking. A global alliance against forced labour, International Labour Organization, 2005
• 600,000-800,000 men, women and children trafficked across international borders each year. Approximately 80 per cent are women and girls. Up to 50% are minors. US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2005.
• An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. UNICEF UK Child Trafficking Information sheet, January 2003.
• The majority of trafficked victims arguably come from the poorest countries and poorest strata of the national population. A global alliance against forced labour, International Labour Organization, 2005.
• Trafficking is the fastest growing means by which people are caught in the trap of slavery. Anti-Slavery.
• Human trafficking is the third largest source of income for organized crime, exceeded only by arms and drugs trafficking. UN office on drugs and crime.
• It is the fastest growing form of international crime, already generating 7 billion dollars per year in criminal proceeds. There are even reports that some trafficking groups are switching their cargo from drugs to human beings, in a search of high profits at lower risk. UN office on drugs and crime.
• People are trafficked into prostitution, begging, forced labour, military service, domestic service, forced illegal adoption, forced marriage etc. Types of recruitment; include abduction, false agreement with parents, sold by parents, runaways, travel with family, orphans sold from street or Institutions.

  ---

The Bare Bones Theatre Company presented 'The Memory of Water' by Shelagh Stephenson at The New Memorial Hall, Fownhope on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The play is set in the bedroom of a bungalow in the north of England and the action opens on the morning of a winter's day and follows the events of that day. The final scene takes place on the following morning.

If you missed the play in Fownhope, find out about other chances to see it on the 'Whet's On?' page of Wyenot News.

In the photo are the cast: Loraine Worrall as Mary, Jeanette Bennet as Vi, Sally Lomax as Teresa, Beverly Meek as Catherine, Tony Hearn as Mike and Howard Jones as Frank.

I owe the audience an apology for this one. I turned up unexpectedly and rather later than planned to take the photo and the hall was already half filled with audience. I did offer to come back another time but rather than waste the journey, the audience kindly left the room so that I could photograph the whole cast without spoiling the surprise. Thank you very much for that!

DO YOU HAVE A STORY FOR WYENOT NEWS?

If you have a local news item or story you can submit it here
or call Alan or Tina on 01989 763217

Wyenot News, 1, Hillview Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. HR9 7EY

If you would like to order prints from Wyenot News photographs, please click here.

Prints are only available for photographs taken by Wyenot News (Not of those which have been sent in by readers).

Prints of 'people' photographs are only available to those directly involved in the news event covered. i.e. I do not sell prints of people to the general public.