Due to other events taking place on the same evening, and involving a lot of the same people - not the least of which is my own daughter, Sarah's 18th Birthday Party we have had to change the date of the event. The other events would have made attending the Potters Bar difficult for us, as well as many guests. Rather than the reunion fail, we decided it best to change the date for the Potters Bar Reunion Party. The event will now take place on Saturday, 22nd November 2008, starting at 8.00pm.

We are sorry for the short notice and apologize if this has caused any inconvenience. I have tried to let as many people know as possible, prior to this notice. The clash was not realized on my part right until the last minute. And I do know that this is very silly of me - especially as Sarah and I share the same birthday!

Coincidentally, the new date for the Potters Bar party will coincide with the 45th anniversary of the death of President Kennedy. Perhaps that could be an added extra theme for the event. We could build a grassy knoll in the car park - you could come dressed as Lee Harvey Oswald or Jack Ruby. Those packing heat though must sign the book on the way in!

If you know of anybody planning on coming who may not see this notice, please inform them of the new date. I called into 'Clinton Cards' in Hereford on Monday and left a note for Irene, Isobel etc. as I know for certain the Hereford contingent were definitely coming on Saturday. I do hope the information was received.

Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.

Following an initial consultation stage to identify the issues that matter to the residents of Ross, which ran from November 2007 to January 2008, and a period of time spent analysing responses, The Ross Town Plan Steering Group hosted the first of a series of Planning for Real Events at Ross Larruperz Centre on Thursday.

A large map of Ross was laid out on a table at the Centre, on which places which need action taken on various issues were identified by visitors. Topic cards and pins were available for sticking on the map at locations in the town or on the periphery.

Issues raised included the one way system, shabby shop fronts, policing and anti social behaviour, the need for a cinema, parking, road signage and sporting facilities. About 100 people filled out Topic Cards on Thursday, resulting in nearly 300 opinions on various aspects of Ross.

If you missed your chance to have your say on Thursday, further opportunities will be avaiable on Tuesday, 7th October at Tudorville Youth Centre, Friday, 17th October under the Market House and Saturday, 1st November at the Library. All times are between 10am and 4pm. Dates for Brampton Abbotts and John Kyrle High School are yet to be confirmed.

Parliamentary candidate, Sarah Carr attended Thursday's meeting. 'I was so impressed by the hugely innovative yet simple Ross Town Plan consultation,' she said. 'The Planning for Real event is a huge map of Ross where residents can directly stick on pictures of the facilities they want and their likes and dislikes about Ross! It is an easy way for people of all ages to get their views across about living in Ross and what their elected representatives should focus on. I hope lots of local people will attend the 'Planning for Real' events and make their voices heard.'

Natalie Lawrence was born and bred in Hereford and has been interested in ghosts and hauntings for as long as she can remember.

'I first saw a ghost at the age of 4, when I lived in a severly haunted farmhouse in the Herefordshire countryside,' said Natalie. 'The haunting was that bad that it drove my family out'. Natalie saw another ghost at the age of 8, and at this age, started to understand what it was that she actually saw. She started to pick up and read her father's ghost books and that was when her passion for the paranormal began.

Since then Natalie has been reading stories, visiting haunted places and collecting Hereford ghost stories. 'I was always on the look out for local haunted spots and regulary cut out newspaper clippings of ghostly sightings in Hereford'. She told Wyenot News. 'Over the past five years I have always thought that one thing Hereford was seriously lacking was a good informative website on all of the City's ghosts as there is absolutely nothing in Hereford, not even a book, which was a shame because Hereford is so damn haunted!'

After spending three years collecting, researching and writing ghost stories , Natalie thought that the ghost stories should be on a website for the public to read. She built her own Haunted Hereford website and so far it has proven to be a big hit, with over 3,000 visitors in eight weeks.

The website includes a 'D.I.Y. Ghost Walk', which visitors to the City can print and walk the 'Ghost Walk' for themselves. The web site also includes a 'Your Stories' section, where people can send Natalie their Hereford ghost stories for inclusion.

Natalie's aim is to really get the public involved. She does this by allowing members of the public to join her during her paranormal investigations. Nothing else in the City offers the public that chance.

'My last succesful overnight ghost hunt was in JD's pub last week,' said Natalie. 'I am now currently on the look out for some locations in Ross-On-Wye to investigate. So if you know of any haunted places that I could investigate, or if you would like your property investigated please contact me'.

To find out more about the ghosts of Hereford or to contact Natalie about a haunted house, building, pub or inn in Ross, visit www.haunted-hereford.co.uk. WNTV may even come along to film the investigation.

Every year Macmillan Cancer Support hold a 'Big Coffee Morning' to raise further funds for the charity and the Ross-on-Wye branch held theirs at Ross Baptist Church on Saturday. Armed with pots of coffee and tea and a range of tasty goodies, the Macmillan crew had a good day, raising lots of money for the group.

Local man Ken Element commented: that he usually went to Wetherspoons for his coffee, but thought buying from Macmillan was a far better idea as it was all for a good cause. 'And you get a proper teaspoon to stir your coffee here!' added Alan.

In the photograph below are the Macmillan Ross Committee: Lois Knowles, Jo Fowkes, Jenny Thornton, Vicky Drake, Sarah Grout (Fund-raising Manager), Soosie Pinnell, Ruby Price, Thelma Green, Mrs. Joyce Thomas MBE-DL, Anne Endear and Fay Lerego.

.Wyenot News received the following letter from Jamstand organizer, Jack Baldus.

Dear All,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in Jamstand 2008, on the 26th July. Whether it was giving financial support, helping to run the event as smoothly as possible, or even just coming down to the day festival itself.

I would like to thank all of the financial sponsors of the event without whom the event would not have been possible:

The Herefordshire Youth Opportunity Support Fund, Ross Gazette, Shawcross Solicitors, Balthasar Limited, The Rotary Club, The Lions Club, Kings Head Hotel, Riverside Inn, Ideal Carpets, Wyenet Internet services, Morris Bricknell Estate Agents, Ross Town Council. Brandon Tool Hire. Kemps of Ross and Ermin Plant.

I would especially like to thank Alan Wood and Tina Jones of Wyenot.com for all of their spectacular help, right from word go, documenting the very long road up to the event, and helping me in the right direction, as well as my family and close friends who co-ran the festival.

I would like to add that Jamstand 2009 will be back on, over the space of 2 days in early August, subject to finalising of the correct licenses from Herefordshire Council. If there are any objections to this event taking place, please feel free to contact me on my email address supplied.

Many Thanks,

Jack Baldus
jacksonbaldus@hotmail.co.uk

Rancid Tart, the (pastry) case continues. . .

We recently published a letter from 'Brian' generally complaining about his visit to this lovely area, and in particular a tart he had purchased from the Country Market. The article reached the attention of the County Controller of the Saturday Country Markets who asked that the following letter be forwarded to us.

Dear Alan,

Ross Country Market operates every Saturday morning between 8.30 and 11.15 from the Royal Hotel and our 60th Birthday celebration was covered by Wyenot News in the 12th September 2007 issue, with a good report and photographs. We are no relation to the Saturday market held in the Market place and it was the Ross Country Market that supplied the offending fruit tart sold to 'Brian'.

We pride ourselves on very high standards and all our suppliers who are truly 'home bakers' have up-to-date food hygiene certificates. All our produce has to have proper packaging and labelling, hence 'Brian' was able to identify the maker of the fruit tart he purchased. Mrs Preece is a long established producer and customers come to the market specifically for her produce. We always appreciate comments on our market's produce - normally good - but unfortunately, life being life, very occasionally mishaps occur and we assume this appears to have been one such occasion.

Ross Country Market has taken the necessary steps to ensure this problem will not happen again and if 'Brian' would supply us with his address, his money will be refunded. Finally, anyone is welcome to call in to our market any Saturday morning to see the wide range of baked goods, wonderful fresh, locally grown fruit, vegetables and plants, preserves of all descriptions and craft products available. We are sure that you will not be disappointed.

Yours sincerely,

Cicely Palmer
County Controller Herefordshire Country Markets.

Thank you for your letter, Cicely. Hopefully Brian will read this and respond to your offer.

Six Herefordshire councillors took democracy into the classroom at John Kyrle High school on Friday and will be visiting other Herefordshire schools during the next few weeks to show how relevant and important democracy is…even to youngsters. The Councllors were taking part in 'I'm a councillor, get me out of here.

'This is a great opportunity to help youngsters understand what their local councillors do, how they could get involved, and make suggestions as to how their local communities could be improved,' said Councillor John Stone, chairman of the council who is leading the group. 'Many people feel that politics is irrelevant - which is why so many don't bother turning out to vote when we hold elections. But the council provides more than 800 different services across all corners of the county and to people of all ages. It's by getting involved in local politics that you can really help to shape our communities and have a say on the kind of services the council provides'.

This is the first time Herefordshire councillors have participated in the local democracy event and the schools taking part have been sent teaching materials for groups to use when studying citizenship. Teachers at JKHS are encouraging their young people to question councillors on various topics both when they have them in the classroom, and also via a specially created website www.bigvote.org.uk during the first week.

The councillors taking part, Ursula Attfield, Patricia Morgan, Sally Robertson, John Stone, Alan Taylor and Julie Woodward - have already posted their manifestos on the website so the youngsters know what they stand for.

Following a week of visits to schools and a week of on-line question sessions, the pupils will then vote for the councillor who they feel will best represent their views - with one councillor being voted off each day until there's one councillor left standing.

'It's a bit nerve-wracking - none of us wants to be the first councillor voted off, said Stone, 'but it's for a very good cause, and if we help some of youngsters understand better what councillors do, then we will have achieved our aim'.

It was a very busy night at The Prince of Wales on Saturday as lots of people turned up to watch Silverfish perform their first gig. They were not disappointed and danced away to a great range of covers. As ever, front man, Paul Randell sang brilliantly.

Ex Zebras' drummer John Brown kindly stepped in to play drums for the evening as the band's regular drummer, Terry has injured her back and was unable to play. Get well soon Terry. Terry used to play with female rock band 'Underwired' with bassist, Jen who did really well with the backing vocals on Saturday and well done to rhythm guitarist Tigger who now has his first gig under his belt.

When Silverfish had finished their first set, 'Random' took to the stage and were very well received. Ex Zebras, Steve Randell and Dylan Stokes gave a great performance with their new band, who are well worth going to see and will be available for full gigs very shortly.

It was a great night, thanks guys. We are looking forward to seeing you again in the very near future.

It has been 3 years since the last Potters Bar Reunion Party,

so we have decided to hold another.

All who remember the Potters Bar
and those who would just like an evening of great '70s music

are Invited to come along on

Saturday 22nd November at 8.00pm

to the The Original Potters Bar
(Now the Hope & Anchor Conservotary)

Original Juke Box Records! - Football Table! - Meet Old Friends!
Bring all your old photographs!

Please invite your friends!

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

A 78 year old Birmingham man has finally found the Ross home where he was evacuated to during the Second World War, thanks to Ross-on-Wye Tourist Information Centre.

John Ferriday, who lives in Great Barr has tried three times to find the home and the only things he could remember were that it was near a church and a row of cottages. Mr Ferriday, together with his wife and son, Jon, toured all possible streets they could come across in their car but had no success.

Refusing to give up, Mr Ferriday made a last ditch attempt to find the home he lived in for one year from 1939, aged just nine, and visited Ross-on-Wye TIC. Staff at the TIC immediately contacted local lady, Joan Crisp who then arranged to meet the family at The Royal Hotel.

After a few minutes of conversation, Joan was able to work out exactly where John had been billeted, because she knew the family he had stayed with. Joan then took the Ferriday family to visit the home, where its current owner, in typical Herefordshire fashion, showed them around.

Councillor Adrian Blackshaw, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for community services and economic development, said, 'There were tears all round when Mr Ferriday finally found this house which meant so much to him. It is wonderful that our staff have such good local knowledge and can help people in this sort of way.

This was certainly an unusual request, but shows that our staff are always pleased to help and everyone was overjoyed with the result.'

We are pleased that Mr Ferriday finally managed to locate his war time home. However, while such a request may be unusual to Herefordshire Council and Ross TIC, Wyenot News receives many requests of this nature every week and solves them.

Herefordshire Council is to undertake a formal review of the ambulance response service in the county, with particular focus on the market towns of Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye. The review will also ensure that there is no drift of the emergency resource from Herefordshire to other parts of the region, following the creation of the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Councillor, Dr Kay Swinburne, chair of the health scrutiny committee, praised the work of paramedics and the ambulance service and said she anticipated that the review would highlight improved levels of service overall as well as any potential deficits in the county's service provision.

'It is important that the county's residents are confident that when they dial 999, an appropriate response is delivered,' she said. 'This review will look behind the target response figures and seek assurance that our residents are receiving the level of service that they need and deserve.'

The committee will discuss the scope, aims and time scale for the review with the ambulance service before it is launched. In line with the role of the scrutiny committee, which is to probe, investigate and ask difficult questions on behalf of the people of Herefordshire, it drilled down into ambulance response figures since April this year by postcode and focused on HR8 (covering the Ledbury area) and HR9 (covering the Ross-On-Wye area).

Response times for category A or life threatening incidents varied for Ledbury. In May, June and July this year, 50.0, 57.1 and 57.9 per cent of calls respectively were responded to within eight minutes, although in August it increased to 72.7 per cent. In Ross, 73.1 per cent of calls were responded to within eight minutes in June, but in August it was just 47.8 per cent.

The scrutiny committee felt these performance levels merited particular focus in the formal review, especially when response times in Hereford city were between 80 and 90 per cent for the same period. The committee also welcomed the news that the projected response times for the county for the month of September brought Herefordshire into line with those experienced in Worcester and Shropshire.

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

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