Saturday, 15th September 2007 was a special day for Spar shops around the country as the company celebrated 50 golden years of Spar convenience stores. The branch in High Street, Ross-on-Wye was no exception and was bedecked with celebratory banners and balloons.

Gill and Mervyn Yemm have been running our local Spar shop since 1988, which has since been greatly expanded. They have a good team of staff, some of which have worked with them for many years and they were more than happy to join in the spirit of things by dressing up for the big day.

Tina, dressed to visit the Chinese takeaway, went back into dancing mode on Saturday evening after a break of a couple of weeks to the music of Sofa at the Prince of Wales. I missed Sofa last time they played at the venue as I was outside talking for most of the evening but reports after that event that they were a great band proved to be true. They were extremely good, even though most of the music they play '70s and 80s disco stuff is not the type I would generally go out to listen to.

I spent the evening chatting with Paul Randell about life, the universe etc., thinking 'work' only occasionally and getting up to take the odd photo as our other halves enjoyed their usual dancing escapades.

Hungry after the day, strangely enough, we picked up some Greek grub rather than Chinese on the way home, having enjoyed the evening out.

PAUL AND STEVE RANDELL
GENERAL BUILDERS

Extensions - Renovations - Brickwork
Stonework - Floor Laying - Roofing

Telephone Paul on 01989 564112
Mobile 07812 564112
Steve on 07971 535064

GLYN AND WAYNE WILLIAMS

FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS

Reasonable rates

Telephone: 01989 564041
Mobile: 07800 518353

Ross Community Hospital's League of Friends held a coffee morning on Saturday, which was well attended and visited Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Derek and Mrs. Meryl Bedford.

Although the morning was a general fund raising event for the hospital, the League of Friends are hoping to fund equipment for a new dermatology unit.

In the picture are Mayor, Councillor, Derek Bedford, Jill Ursell, Cicely Symonds, Wendy Ing - Chairman of Ross League of Friends and Mayoress, Mrs. Meryl Bedford on Saturday morning.

Shopmobility at Ross-on-Wye was pleased to have its first visitors from Market Drayton in Shropshire. Mrs Janet M Malkin and two of her friends, recently spent some time shopping and having lunch in Ross.

'I was told about the new shopmobility scheme whilst at work by someone who lives in Ross,' explained Mrs Malkin, 'and we thought we would give it a try. I cannot emphasize enough the benefits of a scheme like this and how it enabled me to see much more of Ross-on-Wye that I would otherwise have been unable to, without the use of a scooter. There is plenty to see here, and we will definitely be back. The service is excellent, and I wish the new scheme every success in the future.'

Shopmobility at Ross is operated by EnviroAbility, a local charity, in partnership with a number of local community organizations. The operation runs from the Scout and Guide Hut in Red Meadow Car Park, along side the Swimming Pool. The service operates from 10.00am until 4.00pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Prior bookings can be made by telephoning 01989 763388 or by e.mail at shopmo@btconnect.com. Alternatively customers can turn up on the day, where they will be welcomed by Victoria Hacker, or Ivan Rickett.

'We love to see out of town visitors as well as local residents using the scheme,' said Ivan., 'This new service opens up all of the town and the riverside walks to people with mobility problems who may not have been able to enjoy these facilities in the past.'

George Smith of Walford Timber, this year's main sponsor of Ross Rugby Football Club officially handed the Club their new shirts before their league match against Painswick on Saturday afternoon.

In the photo, left to right are Brian Harris, Martyn Pocknell, George Smith from Walford Timber, Andy Hunt - Club Captain, who unfortunately is grounded at the moment to a dislocated shoulder and Dave Cooke, Club President.

After last weeks defeat at home to Longlevens, Ross were eager to get back to winning ways and after what was a nervous initial sixty minutes, Ross pulled clear of Painswick to register their second win in three games.

Painswick arrived for Saturday's game unbeaten in Gloucester Division 1 and started the game strongly. However, Ross's defence was able to quell the initial surge from a confident Painswick side and slowly began to ease themselves into the game. With both teams evenly matched in the set piece, territory became essential as both teams searched for the initial score.

With the game twenty minutes old, it was Ross that opened the scoring. From a lineout 40 metres out, Matt Jones secured clean ball and popped the ball off the top of the lineout to Tara Barnett. With the Painswick defence caught flat footed, Tara made 15 metres before offloading to Dave Mince who took the ball deep into the Painswick twenty two. From the ensuing ruck, Simon Gwynne moved the ball quickly left, where TC Leech went clear only for the referee to blow for a Ross penalty. Although denied a try, Alistair Rees converted the penalty to put Ross 3-0 up. Painswick came back at Ross in the last 10 minutes before half time and after Ross were caught offside, the Painswick fullback converted the penalty to take the sides into half time at 3-3.

With the game so tight the third quarter of the match was a nervy affair, with both sides making too many errors. However, as the game entered the last quarter, it was Ross that grabbed hold of the game with the quarter's opening try.

From a scrum 10 yards inside the Ross half, Simon Gwynne moved the ball right to Chay Brine. Seeing the fullback out of position, he chipped over the top. Ross wing, Luke Gray hacked on and outpaced the Painswick fullback to score his first try for Ross. Alistair Rees converted, giving Ross a 10-3 advantage.

The score visibly lifted Ross and they took hold of the game, denying Painswick territory and possession. As the game came to a close Ross added another score from a 5 metre lineout. Ashley Nelms secured the ball and the Ross pack set up a driving maul, driving Painswick over the line. The referee awarded a try and as the bodies cleared, Gavin Oates emerged as the scorer.

Next week Ross are away to Southmead in Bristol and kick off is at 3pm.

Ross wish to thank Saturday's match sponsor, Peter Nash Ford for their support.

After two consecutive wins, Ross looked to continue this early season form in their first league game of the season away against a strong Ledbury 2nd XV.

From kick off, Ross put pressure on the Ledbury pack with K. Davis, T. Clemence and R. Russell repeatedly putting Ross into a strong position early on, only for a poor set piece to let Ross down. As the half progressed, the Ross scrum improved. With A. Clemence and P. Hazelwood making the hard yards to give the backs a solid platform to play off and C. Powell getting quick ball, it seemed only a matter of time before Ross would turn this pressure into points; but Ross could not find a killer ball.

After mostly defending, Ledbury upped their attacking game for the last ten, pushing Ross back deep into their own half then breaking the deadlock with a well worked try and minutes later kicked a good penalty to lead 8 - 0 at half time.

The second half started how the first finished; with Ledbury dominating territory and scoring a converted try early on. Ross briefly rallied winning a penalty, which was converted by G. Holdsworth before, once again, being pinned back into their own half. Only good defensive teamwork and Andy Beven's boot kept the score down as Ross held out for long periods of the second half.

Ross made changes mid way through the half with J. Christopher, M. Winstanly and R. Jode coming on but that could not stem the tide as Ledbury scored again to make it 20-3. With the game approaching the death, Ross pulled off the move of the match from their own twenty-two.

With R. J-Walker tackling well, Ross turned over the ball. D.P and B. Parker moved the ball to J. Christopher, who stepped inside and gave it to P. Smith, who beat his man and the full back pushing Ledbury back onto the five metre line.

Some strong forwards play by T. Morgan and M. Taylor lead to C. Creed crashing over to score. With practically the last kick of the game, G. Holdsworth converted, giving the final score 20 - 10 to Ledbury 2nd XV.

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.

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