Hereford Pedicabs and Cargo launch recycling scheme for City Centre businesses. First they brought pedal powered taxis to Hereford then they brought pedal powered delivery bikes, now Will Vaughan and Ben Matthews have a new goal. To enable business in Hereford to have easy access to affordable recycling. Their innovative emission free caged recycling bikes, will make regular pickups of paper, cardboard, plastic film and ink cartridges. They also offer a secure shredding service to City Centre Businesses.

Will told us 'Currently the majority of city centre business waste goes straight to landfill. This is not because businesses want it to go there, it is because until now there hasn't been another option. Now it will be very easy and cheap. We will pick up from the businesses within their opening hours, we are offering a service they need at an affordable rate and all with no emissions. It will be cheaper for businesses to use the Pedicargo scheme than the existing orange Council bags.'

To launch the scheme Hereford Pedicargo are offering a free consultation and initial paper recycling trial to businesses within 3km of High Town.

For more information simply email: info@herefordpedicargo.com or call Will Vaughan on 07718320195. Since their launch in April 2007, Hereford Pedicabs have helped over 8000 people get around the town. Pedicargo, launched in August, has already exceed 8000 items of freight.

As part of its long-standing commitment to making the county a greener place to live in, Herefordshire Council is urging people to consider car sharing, which not only saves money but also reduces congestion and cuts pollution. The council's Steps to Sustainability campaign aims to get everyone in the county to think about the impact their activities, such as driving, have on the environment and car sharing is one way to reduce both congestion and pollution.

The Council accepts that in rural counties such as Herefordshire, many people have to drive to go to work, college or to go out with friends to the cinema or a football match. With the soaring costs of petrol, however, journeys are getting more and more expensive. Car sharing could significantly cut the costs of your journeys, both in terms of money and the environment. For example, by sharing their car journeys someone making a 30-mile round trip every weekday could save well over £400 a year in petrol costs alone, not to mention reduced wear and tear on their vehicle and parking costs. (Based on 7,200 miles a year at 40mph with fuel costing £1.05 per litre)

Launched in June 2004 by Herefordshire Council, www.twoshare.co.uk is a free service that enables to share car journeys so they can save money and reduce congestion. It isn't just for drivers - non-drivers can also register their journeys and look to find a suitable lift. Figures show 80 per cent of people who commute to work do so on their own. However, most of these commuters will notice the same cars making the same journey every day.

Twoshare matches people who travel on the same routes so they can share. There are no rigid rules on how to share. Two or more drivers could agree to drive alternate days or weeks. Some people, who need their car for work during the day might offer lifts while others, without cars, might be looking to find a lift. Sharing can be daily or weekly, regular or occasional, whatever works best for the individuals concerned.

The map of current twoshare members shows that, wherever you live, there is a good chance of finding someone to share your journey with. Most journeys to work converge on larger towns and cities where the majority of people work. So, if you don't find a share from your start-point, there is every likelihood that you will find a match along the way. There are already many members who commute along the main 'A' roads into Hereford, many from the neighbouring counties of Worcestershire, Powys, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire. Car sharing saves cash and the planet.

Many people living in rural areas do not have access to cars which can make attending college or getting to work very difficult. For these people, www.twoshare.co.uk can offer a lifeline. John, a student in Hereford, said, 'As I am not old enough to drive yet, I was concerned about getting to college on time because there are not many buses where I live. Then I heard about car sharing and was able to get a regular lift with someone who drives past my home on their way to work. I contribute to petrol costs and my sharer even travels the same route some evenings so I am able to meet up with friends then as well'.

Even if you feel regular car sharing is not for you it can still be worth registering at www.twoshare.co.uk Then, if one morning your car won't start, you might already know someone who might be able to give you a lift. www.twoshare.co.uk is free to anyone who lives or works in Herefordshire. Just register your journeys and search the site to show any possible matches. If you find a suitable match, make contact and choose a public place to meet up and discuss how sharing could work for you. If you feel comfortable, give it a try. If you are not sure, you don't have to commit to anything, Just try another possible match from your list.

To find out more about car sharing log onto www.twoshare.co.uk or call 08700 111199. For more information on the 'Steps to Sustainability' campaign contact: the Sustainability Unit on 01432 261930 or email gem@herefordshire.gov.uk

Herefordshire Council Highways and Transportation Department is stressing Ledbury town centre is still accessible to shoppers despite works which are being carried out by Welsh Water. A one-way system has been set up to allow the works to take place but traffic can still access all of the town's car parks and on-street parking.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: 'I have been to Ledbury to see the issue for myself and can appreciate the concerns of both residents and traders with the effect theworks are causing. However, following discussions with Welsh Water, actions have been agreed to help to improve the situation. These are:

• The access to High Street from Top Cross has now been re-opened to two-way traffic but through traffic will still be encouraged to use the bypass.
• The works will operate longer hours and at weekends so this will reduce the time the town is affected.
• The proposed increases in car parking charges will be delayed until after the works are completed.

I have been advised alternate traffic flows or the use of traffic signals is not an option because of the length of road involved. However, I am mindful of the disruption the works are causing to traders in the town and will be keeping the issue under close review, making changes if and when circumstances allow'.

In consultation with the traders, Welsh Water are arranging for adverts to be placed in the local press to advise everyone that the town is open for business and support the traders by encouraging people to come shopping in the town.

Visits to key businesses on the Rotherwas industrial estate have been organised by the South Wye Regeneration Partnership. The trips will allow key local people - including invited representatives from bodies such as Herefordshire Council, Advantage West Midlands, Job Centre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council - to get a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes on the estate. Attendees will be told about the opportunities that the estate offers the county and the aspirations and plans of some of its bigger employers.

'Many people are simply not aware of what a great asset Rotherwas is to the economy and the prosperity that already lies within the estate,' said Chris Brooks, LuK UK Ltd and South Wye Regeneration Partnership Director. 'We are organizing the coach tour for a number of reasons: To promote and assist the businesses at Rotherwas; to encourage and recognise the opportunities for the local economy and the provision of jobs by allowing Rotherwas to expand; to develop links between local businesses and the local communities,' said Will Lindesay, Herefordshire Voluntary Action Chief Executive and South Wye Regeneration Partnership chairman.

The visits, which start from the Kindle Centre and include visits to a handful of businesses, take place on Friday, 1st February and Friday, 15th February. Anyone wanting more details should contact Mandy Evans on 01432 383230, or via e-mail aevans@herefordshire.gov.uk.

Many households in Herefordshire are paying more than £200 too much in order to keep their properties warm, according to Steve Winmill, manager of the Keep Herefordshire Warm initiative.

The scheme, supported by Herefordshire Council, suggests home insulation is the best way to help reduce energy bills. Steve Winmill said, 'By insulating your home, you can ensure a more comfortable environment to live in while not paying more than you should be. The Keep Herefordshire Warm campaign can help the public to combat these price rises.'

Figures in the national press claim one in six households in the UK are spending too much on their heating, meaning the nation's fuel poverty figures are at their worst for a decade. The Consumer group, Energywatch suggests that 4.5million households in Britain spend at least 10 per cent of their annual income on heating their properties, with three million of those homes in England alone.

The UK has recently seen energy prices rise significantly including a 15 per cent increase in prices by British Gas and up to 27 per cent by EDF Energy and NPower. This could mean that two thirds or households in Britain will be paying higher tariffs in the near future. It is likely that other suppliers will follow suit.

Keep Herefordshire Warm provides homeowners and private tenants receiving benefits with free cavity wall and loft insulation. Free insulation is also offered to people over the age of 70. Households that do not qualify for the free measures are offered large discounts with up to £250 off the cost of insulation. These are time limited offers and people should not delay in contacting the Keep Herefordshire Warm team.

County residents are asked to ignore a story about the schools review in the current edition of Herefordshire Council's magazine, which was printed and distributed before the review was recalled.

The February edition of Herefordshire Matters has been falling through letterboxes onto doormats of around 80,000 homes this week. To meet printing deadlines the schools review article was written on Friday, 11th January. However, on the afternoon of Monday, 21st January, Council announced its decision to recall the proposals to allow more time for discussion and consideration with schools and their communities.

'This is an example of news moving faster than the publication can be distributed and we apologized for any confusion caused by the article,' said a spokesperson. 'For the latest information, please visit Herefordshire Council's website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk.'

Herefordshire Council's Road Safety Unit and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are joining forces to take a new kind of safety show into some of our high schools.

SMARTRISK Heroes is an injury prevention show unlike any other, designed to take the audience on an emotional journey, highlighting risks we all take in our daily life and demonstrating how we can all take a smart risk. It is about developing people's own skills to recognize and manage risks so that they can keep taking smart risks for the rest of their lives.

The show uses a mixture of DVD presentation with fast moving images and loud music and a live presentation from injury survivors who speak candidly about the choices they or someone else made, which led to the injuries that changed their life. It shows that injuries can be prevented and that they don't always happen to other people.

The audience are challenged to take responsibility for their own actions and are presented with five choices; Buckle Up, Drive Sober, Look First, Wear the Gear and Get Trained. These five choices represent smart risk strategies which can and should be incorporated into their lifestyles in order to significantly reduce the chance of injuries.

'This is an excellent show which puts across really positive messages', said Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation.

''Risk is a part of life; rather than telling students and young people not to do things it talks to them in their own language and presents them with strategies for managing risk.'

SMARTRISK Heroes will be going to four of our high schools during the week beginning on Monday, 4th February and will be seen by approximately 2,000 pupils.

Since building a huge wall to keep the children out of his garden, the only visitors the Selfish Giant gets are Lady Snow and her friends. One morning he hears the most beautiful music coming from his bedroom window and is delighted with the sight that greets him..

Herefordshire Libraries are proud to present The Sea Legs Puppet Theatre which is appearing in libraries during February half term with its imaginative puppet show of Oscar Wilde's The Selfish Giant. Using beautifully crafted puppets, the show features a brilliant musical soundtrack and superb storytelling..

Booking in advance is essential, as places are limited but a magical afternoon is guaranteed. Tickets £2 and are available from host libraries. The show is suitable for children from 5 years old upwards.

Performances are at:

Leominster Library - Monday, 11th February 2008 at 2.30pm.
Hereford Library - Tuesday, 12th February 2008 at 2.30pm
Ross on Wye Library - Wednesday, 13th February 2008 at 2.30pm
Bromyard Library - Thursday, 14th February 2008 at 2.30pm.

Have you ever wondered what life was like for the countless generations of people who have lived in the Bodenham area? Are you interested in the spectacular archaeological discoveries which have been made at Wellington/Moreton Quarry over the last 20 years?

Would you like to know more about the origins of Bodenham village and the evidence of past life which is still visible in today's local landscape?

If so, then the archaeology event day at Bodenham Village Hall on Saturday, 16th February, organized by Herefordshire Council's archaeology service, aims to answer your questions.

Archaeological finds from Wellington Quarry and Sutton Walls will be on show and will include the spectacular grave goods from the burial of a 4,000-year-old chieftain. Multimedia displays will tell the long and fascinating story of past life in the Lower Lugg Valley.

An archaeological reconstruction artist will be at work during the day and there will also be a chance to see the remarkable evidence of ancient settlements, fields and ceremonial sites revealed on aerial photographs of the Bodenham area. Local archaeologists will generally be on hand to answer your queries and also to identify any ancient artefacts you may have so please bring along your mystery objects.

The day will run between 10.30am and 4pm and everyone is welcome to drop in at any time (light refreshments will be available throughout the day). There will also be a guided walk, exploring local history and archaeology which will leave the village hall at 2pm and all are welcome.:

The day is being organized as part of a Herefordshire Council archaeology service project supported by English Heritage via the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund.

For further information contact Ian Bapty, Senior Project Archaeologist, Herefordshire Council on 01432 383353.

An inspector's decision on polytunnel development at Pennoxstone Court, Kings Caple, has supported Herefordshire Council's new policy requiring all large scale polytunnels in the county to have planning permission.

Clive Whitehouse, the inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to consider the appeal over Pennoxstone Court, said, 'Each block of polytunnels at Pennoxstone Farm, by virtue of its size, degree of permanence and physical attachment to the ground amounts to a building. The polytunnels subject to the enforcement notice amount to development for which planning permission is required.'

In his decision on the appeal, the inspector allowed part of the site to be used for polytunnels but he dismissed the appeal on the majority of the site. The inspector also upheld the enforcement notice but ruled that the period of compliance should be extended until Wednesday, 31st December 2008.

Councillor John Jarvis, Herefordshire Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Strategic Housing said, 'The inspector has given us clear guidance on polytunnels which has come at an opportune time. Our officers are currently dealing with one polytunnel application and are in negotiation on a further five sites. In addition, our development control manager has been meeting a succession of growers over the past few weeks to discuss what they need to submit with their planning applications to have a reasonable chance of success.'

Herefordshire Council is also currently consulting over a supplementary planning document to cover polytunnel development and a draft document is likely to go to the council's planning committee in February.

Preparations are now under way for the fifteenth Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair, which will run from Friday, 14th November 14 until Sunday, 16th November at The Courtyard Centre for the Arts.

Applications are invited from contemporary designer makers working in traditional and non traditional media and selection will consider the best in design and technical skill.

Apply now for this important regional showcase of the finest in contemporary craft from Herefordshire and around the UK. No commission is taken on sales.

A New Exhibitor Award is open to Herefordshire makers applying for the first time and includes a subsidized stand and extra promotion.

A Best Product Award is also made, as voted by visitors to the fair, and the Mike Gell Jewellery Gallery sponsors a special stand for the Alloy Jewellery Group graduate.

The deadline for applications is Monday, 14th April.

There was a 10 per cent rise in visitor numbers last year, and exhibitors also reported overall sales up by 3.4 per cent on 2006. They told us:

· 'Exceeded my expectations in terms of sales!'
· 'I made contact with a well known collector (featured in Crafts magazine) and she bought a piece from me.'
· 'I met local collectors, and there's a possible magazine article and gallery exhibition.'

For an application form, or further information, contact Rachel Pritchard, Crafts Officer, Cultural Services, Herefordshire Council, PO Box 4, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0XH. Alternatively you may telephone 01432 260129, e-mail rpritchard@herefordshire.gov.uk, or request a form from the website at www.craftfair.uk.com.

Show your loved one how much you care by coming along to Hereford Museum and Art Gallery on Wednesday, 13th February for a special Willow Hearts event.

Boys and girls attending will have the chance to make a hanging willow heart for Saint Valentine's Day and weave in feathers, leaves and yarn or ribbons, buttons and beads.

The free drop in session runs between 10am and 12.30pm and children with accompanying adults are welcome to attend.

Siriol Collins, Herefordshire Council's Heritage Learning Officer, said, 'Valentine's day is a perfect opportunity to make someone you love a special gift. Families can make a fairy tale heart at our workshop in Hereford, decorated with tokens of love.'

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