A Ross-on-Wye Extreme Train Spotting Society
Tea Party Special
with more from David Bristow at Broome Farm, Ross Horticultural Show, Spirit of Cricket, Councillor Phil Cutter as 'Energy Champion' and the Jiveoholics at the White Lion Inn.

If you wish to watch or to keep any back issues of our weekly WNTV NEWS programmes - those which are older than 8 weeks, please download them onto your own computer by using the yellow link below the screen above, or by visiting the WNTV Home Page. This must be done within 7 days or you will lose your chance.

The reason is that the WNTV video files are very large (by web standards) and I need to start deleting older programmes from the 'Wyenot' web server to make room for future editions.

In order to continue running WNTV NEWS, I have two choices: one is to purchase much more web space and bandwidth (Wyenot is currently taking up 5 gigabytes of web space and uses approximately 200 gigabytes of bandwidth per month), the other is to start deleting old files. 5 gigabytes may not seem much compared to the average computer hard disk these days but, believe me, renting that much space on a web server is extremely expensive - especially if one includes the necessary bandwidth to stream video.

Up until now, I have put lots of money into maintaining the necessary web space and bandwidth increases for 'Wyenot', so I have not had to delete, but there has come a point where I have had to decide whether or not I can afford to purchase more space, just for the sake of back issues. I have decided to opt for deleting older WNTV programmes - those which are older than 8 weeks.

In the future, I shall do this automatically - deleting the programme from 9 weeks ago as I upload a new current programme - but in order to give viewers a chance to archive any back programmes they wish to keep but have not yet downloaded, I am giving 7 days notice before I start deleting old video files from the server.

I am not being difficult with the, 'You have 7 days' thing. I do have a measure of leeway and if you are downloading but find yourself running out of time, email me and let me know and I shall not delete the files you are stuck on until you have finished saving them.

We shall still be continuing to upload a new WNTV NEWS programme weekly and if you do miss the deadline, all is not lost. I keep a high quality copy of all programmes here on my home network but it would make life just that little bit easier if you just download them this week. All back issues are also available for viewing at Ross Heritage Centre.

I am sorry for having to make this move but enough is enough and I cannot just keep ploughing money into 'Wyenot' for archiving purposes - money from which I shall never see a financial return.

I never take photographs down (unless for a specific reason), so nothing will change as far as the weekly photographic magazine news is concerned.

Herefordshire Council's regulatory subcommittee decided earlier today that it was unable to consider an application for the proposed 'Roots n Rock Festival' which was to take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend at Much Marcle. The council was therefore not able to issue a licence and the event will not go ahead.

The proposed festival had been extensively promoted with a line-up including some famous rock bands from the '70s and '80s. Due to be staged at Much Marcle, the event was to run for four days and would have attracted daily crowds of up to 5,000 people.

Kevin O'Keefe, Herefordshire Council's legal practice manager, said, 'Unfortunately the applicant failed to advertise his planned event in accordance with the requirements of law. This was further compounded by a combination of other errors he made in the application process. The committee needed to decide firstly whether or not the application had been properly made. They decided it had not. We are acutely aware of the disappointment that this decision will cause to many who have purchased tickets and looked forward to this event but having fully considered this matter, have reached a decision that is consistent with previous decisions and within the relevant legalities'.

The applicant, Mr Mike Stephens, has a right of appeal.

Following the publication last week of Alex Cooper's email, the response was phenomenal. The telephone did not stop ringing all day and the emails came flooding in. Many people read into my article that I was going to close 'Wyenot News' and this included 'Alex' himself, who sent me the following three word response, 'best news ever!'

Alex's response was the only negative one we received however. 100% of the response from our readers and viewers told us what a good job we do and asked us not to stop. I had to laugh because the very first two phone calls we received came from two unconnected people who happen to know Alex. Funnily enough they both described Alex's sex life in exactly the same way - word for word perfect. Let us just hope that Alex does not fall and sprain his wrist, or he might well have to be unfaithful to himself and look elsewhere.

Had I, for just one second, though that Alex's 'anonymous' email was public opinion about ourselves, I would have simply deleted it, closed 'Wyenot' there and then and slipped quietly into obscurity. I would certainly never have embarrassed myself by publishing it!

Nobody actually mentioned this, however I would like to take this opportunity to point out that there is more than one 'Alex Cooper' living in Ross-on-Wye. I do not know them all personally but I know of at least two others. One of them shares some of my own friends on 'Facebook'. I would just like to mention here that I would hate any identification confusion to arise. Not all Alex Coopers necessarily share the same point of view. Although I do not know them personally, the other Alex Coopers are likely to be perfectly nice people with normal, or possibly even exciting lives in every way.

Continued . . .

Back to life as we see it. 'Anonymous Alex aka Lisa' mentioned that Tina and I have a stale marriage and so, to prove this is not the case we have gone out of our way to allow WNTV News viewers an insight into our secret private lives. Alex's statement is absolutely unfounded. Our 'marriage' is far from stale. As a family, we share some wonderful hobbies together, including 'Extreme Train Spotting'.

As you know, there are no trains in Ross any more and so we have to take extreme measures to go train spotting together, using a powerful Ultra Sonic Train Spotting Device, complete with Beat Frequency Oscillator and an even more powerful 12 inch Train Spotting Refracting Telescope.

Last year we formed the 'Ross-on-Wye Extreme Train Spotting Society' and the Society held its first annual Tea Party this week. On the day of the Tea Party we went along to the Old Engine Shed, and we managed to film the 5.58 from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, with such clarity that I was able to jot its number down in my jotter, from 140 miles away - right here in Ross.

And I shall let you into another little secret here Alex. Tina and I are not actually married. My surname is 'Wood' and Tina's is 'Jones' and we go 'train spotting together in sin'. The possibility that somebody might catch us out unmarried and train spotting together adds that little bit of extra excitement to our wonderful hobby.

Watch this week's WNTV programme and you will see just how interesting a family we indeed are - and what jolly fun we have with our powerful train spotting equipment, our jotters and the sound of a distant express train.

Once again I would like to thank you for all your help and support. I would have sent this email earlier but I have been ill. Anyway just to let you know that I am appalled at the email from Alex Cooper seen today on the website, and I do not share in the sentiments. It would be very sad if Wyenot News was to be abandoned as, from a personal point of view, Jack has been helped greatly by your tireless efforts.

Keep going!

Verity Baldus

Alan,

I will be very surprised if you were to rise to the attempt of some jealous "idiot" to stop your efforts with Wyenot News. There is no doubt that your personal approach to life in this wonderful area. However it may seem to some sad people - is much appreciated the whole world over.

DO NOT GIVE IT UP!!!!!!!!!

Richard Barter
A Rossian for 55 years and proud of it as you should be of your efforts.

Just wanted to say please ingore the "anonymous" pratt who sent the (lets face it- fairly malicious) email to Wyenot. I think your site is fantastic and captures the community spirit of Ross (a positive spirit which, it seems is very different from Mr / Ms Anonymous's).

Your style may not be 100% professional but who needs you to be the News at 10?!! So please, Keep up your hard work- most sensible people think it is fab.

Kind Regards,

Liz Price

I've just seen the photos etc. from the carnival last weekend, there great and up to your usual very high standard. My daughter was on the Ross Pre-School float this year (she was on the NCT float last year). It's great to be able to give friends and family your web address so they can see for themselves!

SO PLEASE DON'T GO, ROSS NEEDS YOU, AND WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU.

Sandra Brown

Hi Guys,

Just read that thing from Alex wotisface. Ignore it, though I suspect you have. I enjoy Wyenot News, check it out from time to time although I live in FOD.

Regards Charlie Kyte SnakeOil & Hickory Stick Boys

ps I have spoken to Tina on the phone I didn't realise she was so heavily with Wyenot.

What a boring FART he sounds. You & Tina are doing a great job!!!!!!!

Kevin & Chris
xxx

Hi Alan,

Sorry to be one of the few who reads Wyenot News. I'll try harder not to look, lol. It must have taken you ages to trace the phantom sender. Who but anybody with a small amount of intelligence would have thought to view the senders ip address. Good detective work. I'll have a chat with you Sunday if your down the Lion.

Churz Mike
(Whoops I've put my name to this)

Thank you to all who contacted us!

And I am sorry if we did not have time to respond to you all - we were overcome by the flood of email. We received very many more letters than those which we have published above, and we also received many phone calls and instant messages via 'Facebook' and via 'MSN Messenger'.

For those who were worried. We never had any intention of closing down. Maybe my intentions in that respect were not well communicated and were misinterpreted. We just wanted to show the 'anonymous buffoon' for what he was/is - exactly that.

We hope you enjoy the joke at the beginning of this week's WNTV NEWS programme (which incidentally was the first and only take - and was a completely ad-lib sketch). The sad part about this short film is: all of the costume was found in our own wardrobes!

The Jiveoholics gave a brilliant performance at The White Lion Inn on Saturday, which was well attended despite the awful weather. Their lively music soon had people up on their feet to dance and their in between humour was very well received. I love them!

The Jiveoholics have just released a CD sample of some of their excellent two hour set and includes some great favourites including, 'Choo Choo Ch' Boogie' and 'Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens' which is getting air play on BBC Radio 2 amongst other stations and the boys are getting great reviews.

The CD 'Jiveolution' gives a good overall picture of what to expect from this excellent band, who are going to be touring in October. Don't miss the opportunity of going to see The Jiveoholics live. This band are on the move, so local gigs could become a rarity.

As we have covered The Jiveoholics playing 'Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens' before and most seem to be selecting that particular track to play, we have chosen to make 'Choo Choo Ch' Boogie' downloadable for you. (Right click and 'save target as'.) This is also a track which fits in nicely with our train spotting theme for this week.

More households are taking up the offer of a grant from Herefordshire Council towards installing solar energy systems.

Under the Special Energy Efficiency Scheme (SEES), grants of £500 are available to all homeowners in Herefordshire towards renewable energy measures such as solar power, wind energy, ground source heat pumps, wood fuelled boiler systems and stoves.

Councillor Phil Cutter, Herefordshire Council's energy champion, said, 'So far this year we have given out 20 grants for solar energy systems showing county residents are willing to embrace new technology as a way to reduce their fuel bills. People taking up solar energy will also help the county to reduce carbon emissions and this, in turn, will help tackle climate change'.

SEES was launched in Herefordshire in 1999 and, to date, energy efficiency improvements have been carried out on 10,000 county properties. Half of households in Herefordshire are off the mains gas network and many people also live in older properties with solid walls which are harder to insulate. This year the SEES scheme will be targeting people who live in the wards Ross-on-Wye West, Aylestone (College Estate, Kingsway and Barrs Court areas) and Kington.

The £500 grant households in the target wards who are owner-occupiers or live in homes that are privately rented with tenants receiving the consent of landlords for energy efficiency works to go ahead. The scheme is also open to clients living in Herefordshire who heat their homes by electric storage heaters, electric central heating, solid fuel central heating, LPG central heating or room heaters with no central heating. Residents who pay for their fuel by prepayment meter are also eligible.

To find out more information about the SEES scheme, you are welcome to contact Herefordshire Council on 01432 260398.

Councillor Cutter visited us at Wyenot News HQ to tell us more about what Herefordshire Council is doing to try to reduce fuel poverty within the county. You can hear what he has to say in this week's WNTV News programme.

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

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

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

What's On Events - see page for details

Wyenot News, 1, Hillview Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. HR9 7EY

If you would like to order prints from Wyenot News photographs, please click here.

Prints are only available for photographs taken by Wyenot News (Not of those which have been sent in by readers).

Prints of 'people' photographs are only available to those directly involved in the news event covered. i.e. I do not sell prints of people to the general public.