Pupils from Stoke Prior primary school launched the Big Wild Read in Herefordshire at Queenswood Country Park, where they took part in a nature bingo competition and enjoyed two story times As part of the nature bingo, pupils had to correctly identify a number of trees, all signed by numbers as well as names, hence the bingo name. Herefordshire Council's principal countryside officer James Bisset was on hand to tell the youngsters more about the wide variety of trees in the arboretum.

Getting a full house first by finding all of the trees were pupils Megan Alice Hanson-Green and Lucy Nicolson-James. All of the Class 2 pupils then enjoyed lunch in the arboretum around a special tent, kindly donated by Millets of Hereford, and then had staff from Herefordshire libraries put on story times, one being a ghost story read out under the spooky setting of the arboretum's canopy of red cedar trees.

Continued . . .

Anne-Marie Dossett, Herefordshire Council's reader development librarian, said, 'With the summer reading challenge having a nature theme this year, it was a wonderful opportunity to launch the Big Wild Read in the great outdoors. The pupils enjoyed the nature trail and listening to the stories and hopefully they and many other youngsters in the county will now go on to complete this summer's reading challenge.'

Youngsters taking part in the Big Wild Read are challenged to read any six books from the library over the summer, keeping track of them in a special folder. For every book read, youngsters can stick a tree token in their folder and, at the end of the challenge, all the tree tokens will go towards planting real trees thanks to the Woodland Trust's Tree for All campaign. The aim is to plant 20,000 new trees this autumn.

As well as reading books, youngsters will find out about endangered animals and ways to help the environment. There are also some great scratch and sniff stickers to collect along the way. To take part, youngsters should go to their local library to pick up a folder and get started. There are book collections for libraries devised specifically to support The Big Wild Read, including books around the theme of nature and the environment, and books that are just great summer reads. Children who complete the Big Wild Read by reading six or more books will receive a medal and/or certificate.

All materials are free from libraries and The Big Wild Read is open to children aged four to 11 during the school summer holidays.

Hereford's new state-of-the-art crematorium in Westfaling Street has now been granted planning permission. The new facility has been carefully designed to reduce its impact on the environment and the developers, Thomas Vale Ltd have also been asked to include measures which will minimize the carbon footprint of the scheme and maximize the sustainability of the development.

One way suggested to achieve this is through the creation of a travel plan which promotes alternative sustainable means of transport for visitors and staff to the site. A spokesman for Thomas Vale Ltd said: 'We are delighted to have been given the go ahead to build the state of the art crematorium and will now be working in close co-operation with Herefordshire Council to ensure the building is as environmentally friendly as possible.'

Other sustainable measures included in the plan are a dedicated area for green burials and the equipment to be installed has also been specially chosen to reduce the facility's impact on the environment. Green burials use a coffin made from biodegradable materials such as willow or cardboard and the extended cemetery will incorporate an area which will be kept as wild and natural as possible. Memorials and headstones are generally not permitted but often trees can be planted to mark the grave.

Cremators at the planned Westfaling Street facility, which will cost £3.1 million to build, will be one of the most up to date ones available to purchase at the present time and incorporate many features designed to reduce carbon emissions and energy usage.

Councillor John Jarvis, cabinet member for the environment and strategic housing, said: 'I'm really pleased the new crematorium will not only provide a state of the art facility for the county's residents but will also be kind to the environment by reducing energy consumption and emissions. Thomas Vale are to be congratulated on the work they have done to ensure our new facility will be one of the best in the whole of the West Midlands.'

The new cremators will be fitted with around 66 per cent of the thermal burner input of cremators supplied some ten years ago and this, together with improved levels of thermal insulation, will greatly reduce the amount of fuel needed to operate them. All equipment for the crematorium will also meet DEFRA guidelines on mercury filtration and the level of carbon monoxide emissions.

A Herefordshire childminder is the first childcare practitioner in the county to gain the government's Early Years Professional Status. Set up by the government in 2006 to promote good practice amongst childcare workers, the Early Years Professional Status raises the profile of childcare workers and is equal to qualified teacher status.

Lizzie McAteer, a quality assured network childminder from Ledbury has just learned she has achieved the status. Criteria for entry is a relevant degree plus experience of working with children aged up to 5 years. Lizzie had to go through a robust assessment process ending with a final full day assessment in her childminding setting.

Continued . . .

Since January 2005, when Lizzie became a registered childminder she has become an approved network childminder, gained a level 3 childcare qualification by distance learning, achieved an outstanding Ofsted inspection, given birth to her fourth baby and run her wonderful childminding business for children of all ages. As well as providing high quality care and education for children under five years of age, Lizzie provides care before and after school and during school holidays for school children at Ledbury Primary School and surrounding area. She is very supportive of other childminders, children and parents in her area and organizes outings and visits to places such as Eastnor Pottery and local farms for her area, all of which goes towards making Lizzie's setting a very happy one for children.

Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people, said, 'This is fantastic news. The council's childminding team and mentor teachers provide incredible support to the county's childminders, helping to raise the profile of childcare across the county and transform the children's workforce. Lizzie is obviously an amazing women with tireless energy. I am sure she will use her new status to support other childminders in her area, as well as continuing to provide excellent care for the children she looks after will continue to benefit from her enthusiasm and dedication. Congratulations Lizzie and the team who have supported her.

Herefordshire Council's childminding team and the network mentor teacher have supported Lizzie in gaining her award and are looking forward to using her experience and expertise to support other childminders in her area. In the words of Jane Haywood, Chief Executive of the Children's Workforce Development Council 'We look forward to working with you to transform the children's workforce'.

As the annual round of summer festivals returns to the county, Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership is urging revellers to remember some important safety messages while they have fun.

As with overall county crime rates, the number of offences committed at Herefordshire festivals is low compared to national figures, making them some of the safest events in the country. However, last year there were a total of 148 crimes recorded by the police.

All of this year's events will be well attended by West Mercia Constabulary and some organizers will be providing extra security facilities such as secure lockups to store valuables in, However, the Partnership is reminding festival goers that there are also some simple precautions they can take to reduce their chances of becoming victims crime.

Personal safety: Stay with friends or people you trust. You are a less vulnerable target to thieves as a group. Avoid dark areas as much as possible, especially if you are alone. Stay in the well lit, main areas of the event. Move away from any dangerous or antisocial behaviour and alert security if they are not already in the immediate vicinity. Look after yourself and those around you, even people you don't know. If you suspect somebody is unwell take them to the first aid tent.

Property and tent security: Only take what you can afford to lose. Don't take your most expensive possessions and camping equipment and don't leave valuables unattended. Carry money, credit cards, mobile phones and cameras with you at all times or use secure lockups. Empty and lock your vehicles, taking any valuables with you. Leave the glove compartment open and conspicuously empty. Mark your tent and property with your name and postcode. Thieves don't want marked property and it will significantly reduce the risk of items being stolen. Leave your tent untidy. Don't make it easy for thieves to grab a bag with everything in it.

Money matters: Don't carry too much money and empty your purse or wallet of everything you don't need before leaving. Don't keep all your cash and valuables together; spread them around in different pockets or use secure lockups if they are available. If you use cash machines after dark, don't go alone. Only take the credit cards you need. Make a note of the credit card numbers and leave it at home, plus the number to call if they are mislaid.

Geoff Hughes, Chair of Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, said: 'For most people, these events are all about enjoying the performances and soaking up the atmosphere. Unfortunately, there are a few people who deliberately take the opportunity to commit offences. We want people to enjoy themselves as much as possible and by taking a few sensible precautions, they can avoid their experience being ruined.

Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership looks at how to reduce crime rates and increase the safety of all our local communities, including temporary communities. There can be up to 30,000 people at a festival, which is actually a higher number of people than the population of some of our market towns.'

Hereford-based firm Thomas and Green has become one of the latest companies to sign up to the Rotherwas Travel Plan, a cost-cutting and environmentally friendly scheme promoted by Herefordshire Council.

The firm, which manufactures food packaging and food-related consumables such as coffee filters, filter papers and absorbent pads, first brought in a compressed working week which not only reduces congestion but also provides economic savings. Instead of working five days a week, most people at the company now work the same hours over four days a week, a move which not only saves travelling costs for employees but also reduces congestion because fewer workers are travelling into Rotherwas on a Friday, one of the busiest days of the week. The compressed week has also reduced the firm's utility bills because lights, heating and computers do not need to be switched on.

Paul Kirsz, operations manager for Thomas and Green, said: 'We are always eager to reduce the impact our activities have on the environment and after introducing our compressed working week, I was reading about the Rotherwas Travel Plan in the Association of Rotherwas Enterprises Newsletter and decided the firm's next logical step was to sign up for this.'

Paula McGivern, Herefordshire Council's Rotherwas Travel Plan co-ordinator, is delighted that T&G have joined the group of forty firms on the estate which have benefited from S.M.A.R.T. @ Rotherwas initiatives. She said: 'T & G has shown that travel plans make good business sense and that eco warriors wear suits too! I am looking forward to working with all the T&G people to help them keep healthy hearts and wallets.'

A recent workplace survey showed that the majority of T&G's sixty employees used cars to travel to work despite the fact they live in Hereford. Following the introduction of a number of incentive schemes to encourage cycling, some workers have swapped their cars for bikes. 'Leaving the car at home even for just a day or two a week has not only reduced the impact our workers have on the environment but has also boosted their health and even those who cannot cycle in because they live too far away have taken the importance of fitness on board and set up a weekly walking club,' said Mr Kirsz.

The next step for T & G is to improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and Herefordshire Council's Travel Fund Grant may be able to help them to do this. If you want to Save Money and Reduce Traffic at Rotherwas then why not contact Paula by calling 07792 880349 or email pmcgivern@herefordshire.gov.uk.

From decking to damp proofing, gardening to guttering, Herefordshire Council's trading standards department is working in partnership with Consumer Direct West Midlands and has some top tips to help the county's residents avoid getting caught out by the dodgy builder, the problematic plumber and the range of people that may call at your door to offer to do the work at a bargain price.

Whether it is repairs to your property due to flood damage or general home and garden maintenance, Consumer Direct can offer people clear, practical, consumer advice. Top tips include:

1. Optional: Before organizing any repairs people should contact their insurance company. Some insurance companies may arrange approved traders to repair damage on your behalf, but people organizing repairs need to check what will be covered.

2. The 3-quote rule: Don't rush into anything! If seriously considering having any work done on homes or gardens, people should get three quotes in writing before making your decision. This should clearly set out the cost of the work to be done and what is and isn't included.

3. How to find a Trader: In Herefordshire the Private Sector Housing section of the council holds a list of tradesmen which is available to the public. Consumer Direct can't recommend a particular tradesperson or company although in some areas there may be a trader scheme, usually run by trading standards, where traders are working to agreed minimum standards. Consumer Direct can tell you how to get more information.

4. Ask around: Try to use a company/tradesperson that has been recommended or used by people in your area. This won't guarantee the work as standards may vary. However, people may be able to get a feel as to whether they are one of the more reputable companies.

5. Check the contact details: Leaflets, flyers and advertisements in local newspapers will advertise a range of home and gardening services. If you have to rely on an advertisement people should ensure they have the trader's full name, address and telephone number. Be aware that unsolicited doorstep callers often appear to have these details but they are often found to be untraceable as the information is bogus.

6. The staged approach: Don't pay for all of the work upfront. Unscrupulous tradesmen may never be seen again once people have parted with their money. People should make sure they have a written agreement to pay in stages as the work progresses.

7. Get a receipt: Consumers should ensure they get a receipt in case of dispute related to payment. This will also by useful if people have to pursue a claim against the trader.

8. Your rights: If the work being done is costing more than £100, people should ask if they can pay by credit card. By paying this way people may gain extra protection. In some cases they may be able to claim through the credit card company if things go wrong.

Have you called Consumer Direct? Consumer Direct is working in partnership with Herefordshire Trading Standards. If anyone is concerned about the activities of doorstep callers operating in their area, unhappy with the work that has been done or are worried about elderly or vulnerable neighbours being targeted, they can contact Consumer Direct by telephoning 08454 040506. Consumer Direct would advise you to use their checklist.

1. Did you get 3 quotes in writing?
2. Have you got a receipt?
3. Is there a registered Trader scheme in your area?
4. Is the work costing over £100? If so can you pay by credit card? Have you agreed payment in instalments?
5. If there is a problem have you called Consumer Direct?
6. Is there anyone you can talk to that has had work done by the trader? Are there enough contact details for the tradesperson if there is a problem?

Consumer Direct is available from 0800-1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900-1300 Saturday, excluding bank and public holidays. Calls cost a maximum of 4 pence per minute from a BT land line Calls from mobiles or other networks may vary. Your service provider may charge a minimum cost per call. The advice and information given is free and confidential.

Girls across the county are developing their football skills the Brazilian way thanks to a huge boost in futsal training funded by the Football Association and managed by Herefordshire Council.

St Mary's High School under 16s team did the county proud last week by coming away from Sheffield's Ponds Forge as the girls' under 16s FA National Futsal champions. On the way to the title they defeated teams from Shropshire, Manchester, Middlesex and Sheffield, scoring six goals (Emily Lovelock, Leya Latham and Anna Mulderrig) and conceding only one throughout the whole tournament. The strong squad of seven earned their place in the finals by winning the Herefordshire FA Secondary Schools futsal league in April.

The council's girls' and women's football development officer also took teams in the under 10s, under 12s and under 14s age groups, together with Hereford Pegasus Ladies football club. The under 10s squad consisted of players from Ross Rockets who are currently using futsal as a vehicle to get local children into sport. Ross Rockets recognize that futsal provides added benefits for young players including movement, balance and co-ordination, which are deemed essential to all round participation in sport.

Weobley under 12s and Whitecross under 14s finished 3rd in their respective age groups with strong performances by both squads throughout the day. Hereford Pegasus Ladies FC, having qualified from the local qualifying league also took centre stage at Ponds Forge in the first ever women's futsal finals. A strong field saw Pegasus come up against Watford LFC, Salford College and the British Muslim futsal team in the group stages and after finishing second, they met Sheffield LFC in the quarter finals narrowly missing out on a semi-final place with a 5-1 defeat. The eventual winner's were Watford LFC.

Special mention to Simone Quinn who scored 10 of Pegasus's 20 goals and Marcella Furness who only conceded 13 goals in her final appearance for the club.

Futsal, often known as Brazilian football, is increasingly being recognized as the alternative to traditional 5-a-side, especially in schools, and is recognized for developing ball skills, which can be adopted by all ages and transferred into the 11-a-side game. Around 20 schools are actively involved in promoting futsal as an alternative to five-a-side football. From September this is expected to increase to around 40 schools thanks to the county's football development team who offer futsal coaching courses and create competition opportunities with schools and clubs.

For further information contact Alexis Lunn (01432) 261977, alexis.lunn@herefordshirefa.com

The newly appointed Minister of the West Midlands, Liam Byrne MP, has been invited to Herefordshire to see first hand the key issues affecting the county. The invitation came about during a meeting between the minister and councillor Roger Phillips, Leader of Herefordshire Council.

'It was a very positive meeting, during which I had the opportunity to raise a number of important issues which are specific to Herefordshire and which differentiate us from the Birmingham conurbation,' said Councillor Phillips. 'We discussed the huge rise in costs we're facing as we cope with the significant increase in the number of older people in the county, the poor road network we have in Herefordshire and also the growing gap between low average wage levels and rising house prices. I also made him aware of the extra costs we face as we have to deliver services over a large geographical area and that we have a relatively weak local economy.'

During the meeting Councillor Phillips invited the minister to visit the county. 'I'm delighted that he accepted my offer and is due to visit Herefordshire in the autumn, during which he will be able to see these issues first hand,' added Councillor Phillips. This was an important meeting. It's very easy for Herefordshire to be overlooked and we need to take these opportunities to put Herefordshire on the map to ensure we get a fair deal for the people of the county.'

Herefordshire Council has received another award for its values education programme. The Leading Aspect Award recognizes leading practice that exists in schools and services for children and families.

Supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, applicants have to evidence eight criteria that demonstrate examples of effective activities in leadership and management, teaching and learning and the sharing of good practice. Herefordshire Council has received an award for empowering school improvement in Herefordshire through values education.

Values education offers a framework to help children become thinking, confident, self-responsible and caring citizens. Positive core values such as respect and responsibility become the focus of the school with role modelling, discussion, debate and reflection being used to encourage positive behaviour, confidence and self-esteem. The framework offers a practical way to bring about real and sustainable whole school change and there is a growing body of evidence which suggests it has a positive impact on families and communities.

In Herefordshire the approach is being used across primary, secondary and special schools and more recently in early years settings and children's centres. The local authority applied for the Leading Aspects Award on behalf of all the schools involved in values education.

'We had to illustrate the work schools have been doing and the impact this has had on leadership, management, teaching and learning,' said Bridget Knight, primary school improvement manager. 'We also had to show how good practice has been shared when our assessor visited us in May and talked to pupils, head teachers and local authority officers,' she continued. 'The majority of schools in Herefordshire have become involved in delivering values education. It is marvellous to be able to have this award on behalf of all the schools who exemplify the principles of values education to such a high standard.'

Councillor Jenny Hyde, cabinet member for children and young people, said: 'Our children deserve the best possible start in life, and it has been proved that threading core values throughout curriculum and non-curriculum activities, gives children and their families confidence and respect that stays with them for life. Congratulations to all our schools who have been involved in delivering this incredibly successful initiative.'

Cadbury Ltd was fined a total of £1 million by Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, 16th July 2007 after pleading guilty to offences under food and hygiene regulations. There were six specific charges from Herefordshire Council against the company.

The prosecution was the culmination of a 12 month investigation by environmental health officers. The investigation began last June after the Food Standards Agency informed the council that salmonella had been found in some Cadbury products. Cadbury's Marlbrook factory, near Leominster, produces the crumb that is later turned into the finished product.

Andy Tector, Herefordshire Council's head of environmental health and trading standards service, said: 'The safety of the consumer is our major concern and the court's sentence reflects this. All of the food and hygiene issues, which led us to take court action in the first place, have since been addressed by us working in close collaboration with Cadbury. We are now confident the factory at Marlbrook is operating within food and hygiene regulations and will continue to work with Cadbury to ensure this remains the case and consumers can be confident the firm's products are safe to eat.'

The six offences related to the cleaning and disinfection of certain equipment, (two offences), the state of repair of parts of the premise,s (two offences), the layout of the factory and the provision of drainage facilities. Each of the six offences attracted a fine of £50,000, making a total of £300,000, with costs of £100,000 awarded.

The offences took place or were discovered between February 2006 and November 2006. Each offence carried a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and / or two years imprisonment. Charges brought by Birmingham City Council received a fine of £700,000 and costs of £52,000.

Herefordshire Council has set a weekend challenge for residents to look at the amount of fruit and vegetable peelings they produce and to consider composting these scraps instead of throwing them in their household bin. Organic material can form up to a third of households' weekly waste, but if it's put into the bin, it goes straight to landfill.

Residents that have material left over from BBQs, parties or Sunday lunch, such as uncooked fruit or vegetable peelings could use this as compost, which is good for the garden and as well as good for the environment. Those who already have a compost bin could be missing out on the great ingredients in kitchen waste, so officers from the Waste Management Team are reminding people that it will help to produce a great compost. Residents who do not yet have a compost bin are encouraged to consider buying one. They are available from as little as £8.

Laura Preece, Herefordshire Council's recycling officer, said: 'It really surprises me how many vegetable peelings are produced when I cook a meal, particularly if it is a Sunday roast for the whole family. I'd urge residents to actually take a look at the amount of peelings that they produce and to consider composting them instead of putting them in their household bin. I think they will be quite astounded at the amount that they produce.

Composting is a great example of recycling and is something that you can do at home. It's like magic. You put in lots of organic kitchen waste and green garden waste and after a year or so you get a new and useful product that you can use in your garden or in pots. It really is amazing.'

Fruit and vegetable peelings are not the only household waste that can be composted; toilet roll tubes, cardboard egg boxes, egg shells, shredded confidential letters, tea bags and coffee grinds will all help to make the perfect compost. Not everything can be composted however, so those looking for further information on home composting can go to www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk or call the Mission Impossible hotline on 01905 766883.

Herefordshire Council and its partner Herefordshire Jarvis Services are currently carrying out this year's main surface dressing programme to the county's roads.

Surface dressing is a cost effective way of restoring and preserving road surfaces. It involves a coating of bitumen being sprayed onto the road surface followed by one or more layers of hard stone chippings. As the bitumen sets, the chippings stick to the road surface and are further embedded by rolling in. The process is rapid, compared to many other surfacing techniques and avoids lengthy closures and disruption to road users, however drivers do need to travel very slowly on the newly laid surface to prevent chippings being dislodged.

Inconsiderate drivers travelling above the recommended speed cause chippings to be thrown up, which can damage vehicles, property and most importantly, people.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: 'This work is a necessary and essential part of our annual road maintenance programme and I would ask motorists to be patient when travelling along roads where surface dressing is being carried out. We are also taking many measures to reduce inconvenience to motorists.'

These measures are to:

Give advance notice of works to residents and drivers,
Provide advisory and warning signs from the time of treatment to the time when the road is ready for normal use, Regularly sweep the road and footways to remove loose chippings,
Ensure that surface dressing is carried out to a high standard,
Minimize hazards and disruption to traffic through effective traffic management,
Ensure complaints are investigated and appropriate corrective action is taken.

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