Sorry but we did not want to announce this in advance last week because, in this day and age it would have left our house and office vulnerable whilst we were away but . . . Guilty as I feel about not producing a proper issue of the news this week, both Tina and I desperately needed to get away from it all for a while so we took the week off. (Although I have been covering some events since our return to Ross on Saturday.)

This week's publication is extremely limited, containing just a couple of items which were sent in and only needed minor editing. Things will be back to normal next week though, and both the regular news and WNTV NEWS will include the events we have covered since our return. Next week's edition will be the 200th edition of 'Wyenot News' and we will run the Carnival Princess then. I know that there will be quite a few little 'princesses' waiting to see that bit of film on WNTV.

(As an aside - I was asked to redesign this year's Carnival programme, to move it away from the old format. I did it and it has just been printed. Mel has asked me to announce that it will be available free from various local outlets within the coming week. A.J.W.)

We apologize for the very limited edition this week but we really, really, really did need to get away - running this news and TV service with no staff other than ourselves is a very stressful business and leaves us no time to get on with our own lives - just occasionally we have to make time to do just that.

If you are interested - we went to Burnham-on-Sea and did absolutely nothing for four days and three nights. Other than perhaps that we watched the sunset over the sea on Wednesday evening.

'I had better film that because it's probably the last time we will see the sun until we are back at work,' I said to Tina. You know what - I was right. And that was the only time I got the cameras out of the boot of the car, the whole time we were away. The weather was dull and cloudy, we ate at Wetherspoons every day, watched TV in the evenings and just enjoyed not rushing here, there and everywhere - in a town where nobody knows who we are or what we do. As much as we love Ross - it was absolute bliss and neither of us wanted to come home again on Saturday. I never would have imagined that, working for myself, doing something I enjoy, I would ever experience that 'end of holiday and back to work blues' feeling again. I am - as I write this, it is our last night, I am about to go to bed and I am experiencing it big time!

We have published the weather this week as, when we don't do this we get so many email queries from weather anoraks that replying to them all makes the time saved by not publishing it completely null and void. From experience - people looking for the weather stats are generally ONLY looking for the weather stats and will almost certainly not read this. Perhaps I should consider encoding future editions of 'Wyenot News' in binary or something to make it interesting for statisticians and boffins to decipher. We have also run the banners of all 'Wyenot News' supporters in one block.

Photos below: If you are interested in historical or mythical trivia... It is said that, 2000 years ago, the boy Jesus came to England with Joseph of Aramathea and visited Glastonbury Tor, and that when they arrived, their boat landed on Burnham Beach - pictured below at sunset on Wednesday last.

John Davies was installed as the Mayor of Ross for the next twelve months on Monday, 12th May. Not only has John got a full time job as a builder but he is also a busy member of the Ross-on-Wye Lions Club. This is typical of the type of people who become members of the Lions. They wish to do all they can for the good of their town and its residents. Within the Ross Lions Club there are three town councillors, all of whom have been mayors of the town. Most of their spare time is spent doing things for other people, same as all the other club members.

Two of the Lions run the Basement Youth Trust which, in partnership with the Herefordshire Youth Service and the Courtyard, is putting on a fantastic programme of sessions for the young people of Ross and District, raising in excess of £30,000 every year to fund them. The Basement Youth Trust was a project of the Lions Club way back in 1993. It was launched in 1995 and has been going strong year on year. The Lions Club has continued its support for the organization ever since and will continue to do so.

Just recently the Ross Lions have donated £1,040 to the ‘Hope for Tomorrow’ mobile Chemotherapy project for the purchase of equipment. A further £1,500 was given to the Paediatric Unit at the Hereford Hospital for the purchase of 2 Pulse Oximeters and many smaller donations to individuals and organizations have been made within the local area.

The above are only a few of the projects the Lions get involved with and the public will be kept informed of what they do through regular articles in Wyenot News. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Ross Lions Club or just seeking more information should ring 0845 8335786 or visit their website at www.rossonwyelions.org

Following the success of last year's 'Gathering May' concert in the barn at Broome Farm, Peterstow, local soprano Clementine Lovell will be returning to perform operatic arias and duets with talented young baritone Nicholas Morris and pianist Anna Channon on Sunday 1st June. They will perform some of the most well loved scenes from operas such as Mozart's Don Giovanni and Rossini's Barber of Seville, as well as arias including 'O mio babbino caro' by Puccini and 'Tickling a Trout' by Benjamin Britten. The afternoon will include lighter music such as a duet from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Last year Clementine performed duets with Alexander Baker, including a hilarious fly scene from Orpheus in the Underworld, causing much laughter amongst the audience. This year there will be more of the staged duets, promising a delightful fun afternoon for all. Clementine and Nicholas both recently completed vocal training courses at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. Tickets for the concert cost £7.50 each, and there will be a £5 ploughman's lunch available from midday, which must be booked in advance if required. Concert starts at 2pm; lunches and licensed bar from midday. Please call 01989 562824 for lunches and 01989 567232 to book concert tickets. It is hoped that money will be raised towards Acorn West Midlands Children's Hospice.

The concert is proudly supported by Nick Fisher Music, Hereford, who generously agreed to lend their services for this charity event. Contact 01432 267 099.

Ross residents were probably surprised to see arboricultural aerobatics early this month when a famous landmark Ash Tree in Wilton Road went under the tree surgeons knife. The tree was one of the first to benefit from a generous grant scheme administered by the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and funded by the National Grid. It aims to help owners in the maintenance of these old and crusty veterans and allow them to grow into a ripe old age.

The Ash, growing in the grounds of The Court House Bed and Breakfast occupies a high, prominent position opposite the Leaping Salmon sculpture. It was examined by Brynmawr specialist tree surgeon Steve Ambler, and found to be in need of remedial work to ensure its survival into venerable old age. The work was carried out by a team of tree experts at the beginning of May and provided quite a spectacle for the public.

Landowners with veteran and ancient trees growing within the area of the gas pipeline installation, including Ross-on -Wye, are eligible for a free inspection and grant money towards their preservation. To find out more please contact Andrew Nixon on 01600 710841, email: development@wyevalleyaonb.org.uk

Dave and Jacqui Newman would like to welcome you to the White Lion 16th Century Riverside Inn. Situated right on the banks of the River Wye at Ross, the White Lion is a picturesque local inn with an interesting history and is noted for its spectacular river views. The White Lion has long been a favourite place to relax by both local people and tourists alike.

The White Lion's extensive and picturesque gardens reach right down to the river's edge and are a wonderful place to enjoy views of the river. It is a great spot to watch the local otters, nesting swans and other wildlife.

Accommodation

Log Fire

Old Gaol Restaurant

Meals served every lunch time
and evening in the bar and restaurant

CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2008

NICK KISS & SON
PLASTERERS AND GENERAL BUILDERS

All types of plastering work undertaken
Clean and Tidy - Free Quotes

Telephone: 01989 763441
Mobile: 07810 174670

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

The absolute deadline for Wyenot News stories and other items is 12:00, midday on Tuesday, for inclusion in the following day's edition.

PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER: This is an absolute deadline and not the time I am asking for articles to be sent in. Mondays and Tuesdays here at 'Wyenot News' are Hell with by far, the most events I cover occurring at the weekend. The photography that the public sees happening is only one tiny part of the whole picture (please excuse the pun) of running this weekly news publication and the bits of prep that people do not see, are actually the most time consuming part of getting the story out.

If at all possible, please send your story in as early as you can, rather than wait until the very last minute, so that I can have at least a fighting chance of getting to bed before 3:00 am every Tuesday and Wednesday morning after what has lately become two 18 hour working days on the trot.

Thank you very much for your understanding and help.

Alan

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

There is no charge for publishing NEWS items - a small discretionary charge may be made to cover travel expenses for photographic coverage of events

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