Since my main computer broke down last week and I have had to change for one with that awful Windows Vista operating system, I just noticed when updating this week's programme onto the WNTV News page that the small picture links to back programmes are not working for me (on this WNTV page).

They should open in Media Player (or whatever player you happen to be using) but instead, for me on this machine, Internet Explorer is trying to open them and failing.

I have discovered this whilst putting this week's news to bed at 1:15 in the morning and I am not sure if this is a problem with Vista in general or just my new set-up. The links still work perfectly well on all the other network machines here, which use XP.

Would you please let me know if you are having a similar problem running the back programmes from the page, or from the 'open in stand alone player' links - particularly if you are using Windows Vista - so that I can decide whether or not I have to redesign the WNTV page system, or whether I just need to hit this new machine with a hammer - again!

If it is just me and you do happen to know the answer to my problem - which might just be a media player or Internet Explorer security setting - suggestions would be very welcome.

Thank you for your help.

If you are having trouble watching a back programme, you can still right click the thumbnail picture and 'save target as' to save it to and run it from your own computer.

Well known local story teller Lenny Alsop is appearing at Ross Library today, Wednesday 29th October and will be holding two story telling sessions. The first of these will begin at 2:15, ending at 3pm, with the second beginning at 3:30 and ending at 4:15. Tickets for this event cost £2 and are available at the library.

I have known Lenny for many years, so when we heard that he was appearing at the library, we went along to talk to Lenny about what he's been up to over the last few years. You can see what's in store for the children in this week's WNTV News programme.

Congratulations to Mike and Jane Pritchard and their staff at The Bridge at Wilton for being judged Restaurant of the Year at the 2008 Flavours of Herefordshire Awards. This is the fourth occasion that the Bridge has been given this award, along with the 2007 award for Outstanding Achievement.

The Bridge gained joint first place with 'The Stewing Pot' of Hereford at the awards evening held last Friday and according to Herefordshire Council's Cultural Services Manager, Jane Lewis, the judges had a difficult time in choosing the overall winners in each of the fourteen categories of the competition. The winners were presented with their awards for being the very best at using and promoting local, Herefordshire produce by guests of honour, TV's celebrity cooks 'The Hairy Bikers.'

The fourteen categories of Flavours of Herefordshire 2008 were awarded as follows:

Breakfast of the Year - Walford Court Guest House, Leintwardine
Outstanding Achievement Award - Lower Buckton Country House, Leintwardine
Gastro Pub of the Year - The Wellington Country Pub & Restaurant, Wellington
Pub of the Year - The New Inn, St. Owens Cross?
Restaurant of the Year - The Bridge at Wilton and The Stewing Pot, Hereford
Drinks Producer of the Year (Small) - Olivers Cider & Perry, Ocyle Pychard
Food Producer of the Year (Small) - Court Farm and Leisure, Tillington
Food and Drink Producer of the Year (Large) Wye Valley Brewery, Stoke Lacy
Shop / Retailer of the Year - Glyn Slade Jones Family Butcher, Kington
Best Newcomer of the Year - Withington Village Stores, Withington
Tea-room of the Year - Monkland Cheese Dairy Cafe, Leominster
Tea-room in a Visitor Attraction of the Year - Warren Farm, Brockhampton Park, Bringsty
Outstanding Achievement Award - Broadfield Court cafe, Bodenham
Young Chef of the Year - Scot Davies of 'The Stewing Pot' Hereford
Training at Hereford College of Technology - Rachael Williams

Congratulations to all winners of awards in the tenth year of Flavours of Herefordshire.

The 1st Ross Rainbows were formed on 11th September this year after County Commissioner, Jean Parkes commented on how she had always wished there was a Rainbows Unit in Ross. She had always thought that there was a need for a Rainbow Unit and waited five years to see it finally open.

Jean retires as County Commissioner later this year and so was especially pleased to be asked to hear the Ross Rainbows make their Promise. All eight Rainbows took their Promise together at a party on Thursday, 23 October. They invited people who were important to them and to Ross as a town. Mums, dads, brothers, sisters and grandparents came along and were joined by Rev. Sarah Jones and John and Hannah Davies, the Mayor & Mayoress of Ross.

Members of the Trefoil Guild were also invited. The Guild is the section of Guiding for ladies who were once Brownies, Guides, Rangers and Guiders and who, now that they have retired, meet to plan ways to support Girl Guiding Units. The local Trefoil Guild has supported the new Rainbow Unit in Ross by purchasing Unit resources.

Everyone was very proud of the Rainbows as they stood and whilst making their Guide Salute, made their Promise in very loud voices - clearly a lot of practice had been going on!

In the photo are Jean Parkes (County Commissioner) Julie Morgan (District Commissioner) Rev. Sarah, Jade (Unit Helper), Jo (Senior Section Member and Young Leader), The Mayor - Councillor John Davies, Jules King (Guider 1st Ross Rainbows) and Rainbows, Kayleigh, Ella, Harriet, Milly, Heidi, Millie, Anna and Lucy.

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

You may have noticed that over the past couple of week's I have used the music of my good friend, Steve O'Kane along with my wildlife footage on WNTV. As well as being one of the closest friends - one I have known the longest, Steve is the best singer / songwriter I know! We met back in 1970, just prior to my 30 years working for an office, when I was a record player 'repair mechanic' for 'Magnavox' in Barking and Steve sprayed the record decks black. Somehow, our lives have taken parallel paths, even though there were a few years during which we lost touch when I first moved to Ross. Steve shares my love of wildlife, nature and music and we visit one another when possible and go walking by various rivers and play music together.

Running the 'Talking To The Moon' film last week on WNTV provoked a world wide response from people wanting to know more about Steve's music and so this week, I made another 'video' called 'Down By The River' which can be seen in this week's programme. 'Down By The River' was a song which Steve originally wrote with childhood memories of his Dad in mind but, at the time of writing, he also though that it might be relevant to my wildlife exploits by the River Wye. I have tried to fit the film as best I can to the music and hope you enjoy.

Steve also has a great sense of humour and, following my recent computer problems with that damned new Microsoft Visit operating problem, he wrote me the following poem:

I called up the shop and said "Mister,
I'm having some trouble with Vista,
If you don't put it right,
I will kill you tonight!
Then your mum! Then your dad! AND your sister!

Nice one Steve! My favourite comment of Steve's though was when he was recently trying to send me the music files for the film and they were too large to send. 'I am not good with technology and know nothing about zips and compression,' he said. 'Maybe that's why I keep catching my d#*k in my fly and then suffering from the bends!'

For the three people (including Steve) who have already seen my first shot at making this film, I decided to remove the 'dreamy' effect, other than during the Wilton scenes from high. I decided that it hid the colours of the kingfisher too much and gave the film an, although brighter, an overall fuzzy appearance.

If you would like to find out more about Steve's music, it can be found on his website, www.steveokane.co.uk.

A fashion show with a difference was held at the YMCA shop in Ross-on-Wye last Friday and many people turned up to see the models showing off a whole array of clothing that had been donated to the shop.

Manager, Natalie Morgan told us that the show was being staged to raise peoples' awareness of the shop as well as to demonstrate the type of quality goods that can be found there.

As well as the clothes modelling, there was a dance demonstration, a cake sale and live music performed by new local band 'Blue Herring' who were excellent. You can see some of the fashion show as well as some of the band's performance in this week's WNTV News programme.

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

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