Despite the rain on Monday afternoon, several people turned up to watch Ross Town Mayor, Derek Bedford open Pots and Pieces, a new tea shop and gallery in High Street.

Formerly the Antique Tea Shop, the premises has been transformed by new proprietors, David and Sarah Bruce, who will not only be serving speciality teas, coffees savouries and delicious cakes. They also have a whole range of beautifully crafted items for sale.

The new arrivals to Ross, (they moved here from Leighton Buzzard) are already getting on extremely well with their new neighbours and Richard and Haley of Truffles Delicatessen will be supplying them with some of their fine foods. We wish David and Sarah every success with Pots and Pieces. You can see the opening and our chat with David and Sarah in this week's WNTV New programme. (Spot the deliberate mistake in the news commentary. I was just testing to see if you know your days of the week!)

GLYN AND WAYNE WILLIAMS

FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS

Reasonable rates

Telephone: 01989 564041
Mobile: 07800 518353

A school reunion for those who attended Ross Secondary School between 1973 and 1978 is planned to take place at the Hope & Anchor Conservatory on Saturday, 29th March.

Organizer, Angie Barnard has already been in contact with many old friends whilst in the process of arranging the event and would like to see as many people as possible there. You can find out more about the forthcoming reunion in this week's WNTV New programme.

Two events have been arranged for Easter weekend which will raise funds for local charities. Both are organized by Mary Sinclair Powell of Ross-in-Bloom.

The first will be the Ross-in-Bloom Charities and Craft Market. This will take place on Monday, 23rd March at the Market House from 10am to 3pm. Pitch spaces are already filling but if you would still like the chance to come along, Mary can be contacted at the Heritage Centre for a booking form. Pitches are £5 each with all profits going towards Ross-in-Bloom funds. There is still some indoor space available but it is restricted. If you have their own tables with cover there is plenty of room left to trade outside on the market apron. Everyone who takes part in this event has a really enjoyable day and history has shown this weekend to be busy with both visitors and locals alike.

The second event is a Guided Walk through the historic places to the south of the town. The walk will start in the Heritage Centre at 2pm and finish at the Royal Hotel at approximately 4pm.

Following last week's successful 'National Shop Mobility Days' the team at EnviroAbility have looked at the questions posed, put on their thinking caps, and with some invaluable support from Debbie at the Transport link Project can offer a number of improved opportunities.

When driving a shop mobility scooter around Ross to promote awareness Dennis Humble was given some ideas and suggestions (some of which are printable!) A couple of these concerned accessibility - not just in terms of where the project is based in Ross but, what if a person's mobility problems make it difficult for them to get into Ross in the first place? Or what if someone wants to use a scooter to get round to do things in their own village?

In the picture Debbie Griffiths, Janet Francis and Graham Cove of the WRVS along with Martin Neicho can be seen testing access to ensure that the WRVS transport link vehicles can load up the Shop mobility Scooters. So, in future if you or someone you know wants to get into Ross to access Shop Mobility Scooters please call 567175 and Debbie will pleased to arrange for you to be collected and dropped off. Alternatively, if you would like the use of a scooter in your own village Debbie will arrange for one to be dropped off at your house and collected later.

Other requests made on the day included: can we please make it known that we will, and do, enable short term loan for people that have had an accident or an operation etc. People are welcome to come and try a scooter out or practice if they are considering whether to buy their own. We can also run courses for people that want to learn how to drive a pavement vehicle, if they have never held a licence to drive, or people that just want to improve their skills. We were asked if we could send out a questionnaire to get other suggestions related to transport needs, we do not have the resources to send out a questionnaire but please know that we do want both ideas and feedback, so, please call 01989-760919 or email us at: ideas@rossshopmobility.org.uk.

For the benefit of local groups/people we need to clarify that Enviroability's main office is still at the Ryefield Centre. A popular misconception is that the Children Centre has taken over the whole building. Indeed they are valued users of the Centre; however the Centre continues to facilitates many other groups from ante natal through to activities for senior citizens. If you think your group could benefit from using this valuable community resource please give them a call on 768273.

Ross on Wye Cub Pack invested six new Cub Scouts last Tuesday. The five boys and one girl have already been working towards the emergency aid badge and a couple have also completed the requirements for the swimming badges. Some of the new Cubs have spent two years in Beaver Scouts while the rest have come straight into Cub Scouts.

As these new Cubs face the exciting prospect of pack life, Akela, Robin Shaw has just celebrated 35 years since he first joined the Cub Scouts in Bedfordshire and 25 years since he first became a Cub leader.

Ross Swimming Club’s long-time President Joyce Thomas MBE DL, last week stepped down from the presidency of the Club. She said, 'I am delighted to have been associated with the Swimming Club for over 30 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my link with a successful and thriving sports association and and I would like to pay tribute to be the parents, children and all of the officers and members of the committee who have been involved in the club over the 30 year period. I want to pay a special tribute to the coach, Trixie Pulsford who has dedicated many years to the club. I would like to thank everyone for the personal support and friendship which I have greatly appreciated'

'In deciding to step down from the post of President I take this opportunity of congratulating Peter Hughes as the new President. He has been a stalwart supporter of the club over many years and I wish him, the committee, the parents and the children every success for the future.'

Ross Junior Academy squad members Amy Surman and Ed Surman competed in the National Junior Indoor rowing championships in London last Friday and came away with Gold and Silver medals.

Amy, competing in the Girls year 7 won her event by rowing 516 meters in the 2 minute row. Ed, rowing against some familiar opposition was narrowly pipped to a silver medal by competitors from Plymouth and Maidenhead who tied for the Gold Medal.

This a wonderful result for them both and a testament to their committed training and support for the Junior Academy structure. Junior Captain Robin Fletcher Commented, 'This is a brilliant result and starts the 2008 season off with a bang. Amy and Ed are excellent Squad members and I am sure both are going to have very strong seasons in 2008.'

The Club next week is sending its largest Junior entry to the inter-regional trails at Worcester with the hope that it will achieve its largest ever representation in the West Midlands Squad. The club is also competing next week in the Tideway Head of the River with two men's eights and the Veteran Head with another men's eight and a ladies eight. The coming season looks like it is going to be a very busy one for the local club.

Both of these teams had been struggling for form over the last six weeks. Longlevens fighting the drop and Ross looking for their first win in five games and as a consequence, the game was littered with errors. After a bruising contest, it was Longlevens who prevailed as they dragged themselves over the finish line with a 10-3 victory.

The home team started strongly. Quickly establishing territory and delivering quick ruck ball for their scrum half, you could sense they were looking for that early score to settle the nerves. The Ross defence, however, was brave and well organized,so although Longlevens had possession and territory, Ross looked comfortable without the ball. It looked as if Ross had weathered the early storm, when Longlevens struck as the game entered the second quarter. After a Longlevens mix up wide out on the left, the ball ran loose. There was no immediate danger as their Number 6 collected the ball, but suddenly a gap opened up in the defence and he cantered through to score unopposed. Their no. 10 converted and they were 7-0 up.

Ross began to play with a lot more urgency after the score. The forwards began to clear rucks and deliver some quality ball to Simon Gwynne, the scrum half and as a consequence they began to look dangerous. First TC Leech was held up just yards short of a score, then Matt Redman went close a few minutes later. However, the Longlevens defence held firm and by half time Ross only had a Chris Gage penalty as a reward for their second quarter dominance.

At 7-3 it was anyone's game in the second half. However neither team showed enough confidence to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Longlevens added a penalty after 15 minutes to lead 10-3. Ross worked hard for that score that would bring the game level, but were undone by poor execution when the opportunity presented itself. As a consequence, Longlevens were able to hang on and consign Ross to another defeat.

The Walford timber Ross man of the match was Simon Gwynne for his tireless work around the rucks and scrums.

Next Saturday, Ross take on Upton upon Severn in the North Midlands Cup. Kick off is at 2.15pm.

The Ross-on-Wye Group of the Ramblers' Association is pleased to announce that their 'Walking to Health' walks are to be launched on Saturday, 12th April 2008 at 2pm at the Riverside Bandstand, Ross-on-Wye.

This project was born from a joint initiative by Ross Ramblers and the GP practices in Ross. A leaflet has been produced, describing in detail eight walks, varying in length from one to four miles. The leaflet is available free of charge from the Doctors' surgeries, Ross Library and other locations in the town.

There are currently eight walks in the series, ranging from pancake flat, riverside strolls to walks that include some hills. It is hoped that those wishing to improve their health, or those who may not have walked for some time will use the leaflet, starting with the shortest walks and building up to the slightly longer ones. As these walks will not be led, individuals will be free to choose the order and speed in which they complete the walks..

The launch on Saturday, 12th April will include one of the shorter, one mile walks and everybody is invited to join in what is hoped will be an enjoyable community event.

Walking to Health Walks is a town based, grass roots project that supports the Government's Health Initiative.

For further information, please contact the Ross-on-Wye Group of the Ramblers' Association by telephoning Sam or Thelma Phillips on 01989 563874 or by emailing samph13@gmail.com.

The Ross-on-Wye Lions invite all walkers to take part in their second 'Ross Round Charity Walk' which will take place on Sunday, 13th April 2008. Please put this date in your diary and come along and help raise much needed funds for the Acorns Childrens Hospice whilst enjoying the beautiful Herefordshire countryside.

The sponsored walk will start at the riverside at the Ross Bandstand and entails distances of 4, 7, 11 and 18 miles depending on how far the walker wishes to walk. A second starting point for the shorter walks is the Moody Cow at Upton Bishop. The Lions will provide transport to and from the second starting point and from the various finishing points. There is adequate free parking for cars at the Wilton Road car park.

Walkers are requested to register with the organizers in advance and a one off registration fee of £5 will be raised to cover an individual or a group. However, walkers are welcome to turn up on the day whether they have registered or not. The fee will cover the provision of a pack providing all details including a copy of the booklet 'The Ross Round' which will be handed over at the starting point. Further copies of the booklet can also be purchased there. Further information and additional copies of the sponsor form can be obtained from the Lions website at www.rossonwyelions.org or from Lion Keith Wilding by telephoning 01989 562145.

The walk is being organized to raise funds for the Acorns Childrens Hospice and Ross Lions Charity Fund and should prove a fun day out for all those taking part. All sponsorship money will be received by the Ross-on-Wye Lions Club, as shown on the sponsor form. The money will be split two ways with 75% going to Acorns and 25% being retained by the Ross Lions for their charities.

Don't forget to put the event in your diary. 'Lions Ross Round Walk' on Sunday, 13th April 2008. Last year walkers commented on how lovely the walk was, taking in the river, valleys and hills surrounding Ross. There was plenty of wildlife to see and of course the occasional pub.

Please look at the Lions website, www.rossonwyelions.org, to find further information on this event and on other events the Ross Lions are organizing.

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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