The fifth annual Summer Garden Party took place at The Old Court Hotel at Whitchurch on Sunday. It was another hot sunny day and the event attracted a large audience. Proprietors of the Old Court, Victoria and Jonno put this event on each year to raise money for Whitchurch Primary School, where in a few years time their sons will be attending school, as well as for St. Dubricius Church.

The event was held in the beautifully kept grounds of the Old Court and the audience were entertained with some brilliant live music performed by Banshee, The Hickory Stick Boys and many others.

Ross and District Motor Sports Club is celebrating it’s 60th birthday this year and to celebrate, the club are holding a party at Broome Farm, Peterstow.

The party will be a 'non-motorsport' event, although it will have a motor sport theme, and will take place on Saturday, 7th August and everybody is welcome to go along and enjoy a great social evening, where celebrated singer/songwriter Amy Wadge will be providing the entertainment.

Tickets to the event cost £15.00, which includes a delicious, two course meal. Ross Cider Company world famous Cider will of course be available at the bar together with local guest beers, wines and soft drinks. Camping is available on site so that everybody can enjoy themselves to the full without the worry of having to drive home.

Tickets to the party are limited, so book yours now to avoid disappointment. For further information, please contact Gary Bollands on 07905 440655 or by email at gary@bollands.net.

Five children from Herefordshire had a VIP visit to West Mercia Police headquarters recently as their prize for being the first children to collect all 25 of the force's Cop Cards. Since their launch in April, the trading cards have proved to be a huge hit with local children, many of whom have now collected all 25 of the playing card-sized laminated cards. Only the first five in each of the five policing divisions however, were invited for a behind-the-scenes visit of Hindlip Hall outside Worcester.

The lucky five from Herefordshire were the first to present their completed set for checking at a local police station front counter or to a local community support officer. In return, on Saturday, 17th July, they were able to see their Cop Cards brought to life by visiting a number of operational policing departments, including the Dog Section, Roads Policing, Crime Scene Investigators and the Firearms School.

West Mercia Police hopes the cards, which are aimed at children aged seven to 14, are a fun way to for them get to know their local officers and CSOs as well as learning essential safety messages. Each card carries a picture and description of a different policing role and a message to help children stay safe, ranging from internet safety to stranger danger.

CSO David Alexander from the Ledbury Rural team, who accompanied the winners from Herefordshire said, 'The day went very well and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The winners loved the prize and learned a lot about how West Mercia Police operates. They asked lots of questions of the many police officers and staff they met and even got to try on their uniforms.

Cop Cards have been brilliant. Some children are too shy to come and talk to the police and the cards really broke down a lot of barriers. When I visit schools I feel like the Pied Piper because I'm surrounded by children keen to get hold of the cards! The children have learned that we're here to help, not just deal with them if they have been naughty. They've also proved popular with the parents, who are happy to see them build good relationships with their children.

One mother said she had never been to a police station before visiting with her children to get the cards and now they see their local station in a new light.'

The children from Herefordshire who attended were: Jason Jenkins, aged 10 from Ledbury, who was joined by his brother, Antony, aged 4; sisters Katie and Emma Robinson, from Ross-on-Wye; Alicia Foxwell, from Ross-on-Wye; Helena Lima, from Ross-on-Wye; and Fraser and Ellie MacLeod, from Bishop's Frome.

Until recently, Ross Youth Forum featured regularly in Wyenot News, but over the last few months, members have had a commitment to their end of year exams. These exams are now behind the young people who are back, giving 100% to their efforts in improving the town for the people, in particular the young people of Ross-on-Wye.

The structure of the Forum's meetings has undergone a change in that instead of a group of Youths meeting in a small room at the Y-Zone, discussing what might benefit everybody in Ross on Wye, the public are now welcome to come attend, listen to and contribute to the meetings. There will be regular guest speakers attending the meetings, such as MP'S, Councillors and people in authority, such as head of policing in the area etc. and so will give local poeple the opportunity to directly ask their questions to the allotted person.

Instead of the weekly meetings once held, Ross Youth Forum will be meeting on the first Thursday of each month. Refreshments will be provided and agendas will be distributed to the attendees.

Welcome back guys. We look forward to publishing your news.

On behalf of Ross-in-Bloom I am writing to thank everyone who helped in any way, large and small, towards the very successful visit last week of the Heart of England in Bloom Judges. Despite the weather forecast we all had an excellent afternoon. However this would not have been achieved if there had not been so many people helping my committee out. We would not have managed it without you. There was a festive atmosphere during the afternoon, everyone being happy and smiling. The sky looked overcast for most of the day but this did not seem to dampen anyone's spirits.

I hate to mention names as I do not like to miss any one out. However, I do feel that special mentions should be given to a few. Charmaine Danter came up trumps by allowing us to use her mother Jacqui's car; the Lions, John Kyrle Club, Giles Mason, Andy Callwood and Sons, the Police, the Town Council, and the team of volunteers who made sure the Pigs Alley Project was completed. (It was still be worked on up to an hour or so before the judges arrived); ART, who made sure the town was a blaze of colour with hanging baskets made by Alison and Glyn at the Garden Store; Jules King who organized the Guiding aspects for the day. The Ross Gazette , Wyenot.com and Ross Journal also help by giving us plenty of publicity throughout the year, which we are always grateful for.

Herefordshire Amey always does good work around the town but leading up to and on Tuesday they seem to have pulled out all the stops. The town was looking very clean and tidy and the planted beds and baskets were also immaculate. This was especially remarked on by the judges when they were overheard to say this was the cleanest town they had visited this year so far.

Colin Parcell and the staff at the Chase Hotel also deserves a mention. Not only did they open up their grounds and the Garden Room to us but they also laid on a super tea for my guests. Unfortunately, on occasions such as this I am unable to invite the whole town as I would like, but each guest was invited to ensure that they were representatives of all the groups and associations that work with us throughout the year.

A special mention should be made to all of those who work on the committee and on special projects linked to Ross-in-Bloom. Without their help and support I would not have been able to achieve all that I had set out to do this year. Neither would I have been able to manage without the help of my family who have taken over jobs and organization for me on many occasions during the past three months. As I said, I cannot mention everyone so please accept my personal thanks no matter how much or how little you have done this year. You all know who you are.

I will be travelling to Newcastle-under-Lyme on 16th September with a member of the RiB team to collect our results. Unfortunately we only get 2 tickets for this event but we will be going with all the other county blooming representatives (Herefordshire and Wye Valley in Bloom) and I will let everyone know as soon after that what the results are. The neighbourhoods will be collecting their own results the week before that I believe.

Thank you all very much again. I am also very grateful for all the help given whilst I have been out of action leading up to the day. Ross would not be the same without you all and everything that you do in your own ways.

Margaret Lucas Chairman, Ross-in-Bloom

PS. The new judging co-ordinator has asked if there is anyone who still has an award or cup from last year, could they please drop it into the Heritage Centre so arrangements can be made to present it again this year. Thank you.

The Heritage Services Team is offering youngsters in Ross-on-Wye the opportunity to get monstrously creative at a special workshop being held at Ross Heritage Centre on Thursday, 5th August.

The children will be able to make monsters inspired by the strange creatures on the Mappa Mundi, an outstanding treasure of the medieval world which records how 13th century scholars interpreted the world, as well as animals from Hereford Museum's natural history collection.

The workshop will be held from 10.30am until 11.30am and is suitable for accompanied children aged five to eleven years. The workshops cost £3 per child and bookings should be made by calling 01432 260675.

Ross Lions are again supporting the Mobile Chemotherapy Unit which treats local Ross patients as well as patients in the surrounding areas in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

Initial treatment is carried out at the main hospitals in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire but as Chemotherapy treatment generally takes many months, the unit then provides treatment close to patients' homes. This has obvious benefits to both patients and their families and carers at what can be a difficult and stressful time. Ross Lion, Martin presented a cheque of £1,000 to Barbara Watkins, Secretary and Joint Treasurer of Forest Dean Supporters Group. Also in attendance from the Supporters' Group were Rosina Turner, Dave and Joan Atherley and Lions Bernard, Sam, Trevor, Mel, Tony and Keith.

Having access to a mobile chemotherapy unit is an invaluable service, especially in rural areas, and, following the tremendous success of the first unit, the fund raising continues to ensure this service continues as well as raising funds for a second unit in neighbouring Somerset. Both the Supporters Group and the Ross Lions would like to thank the generosity of the general public who, despite the current difficult financial climate, continue to contribute to the causes supported by Ross Lions and thus support those most in need.

To contact Ross-on-Wye Lions Club please telephone 0845-833-5786 or view the web site at http://www.rossonwyelions.org/

The Royal Arms Book Group has sponsored the Reading Challenge at Llangrove School since March this year and children have been challenged to read five books, score them out of five and then complete a task related to the reading they have done. A book token prize is given for each completed challenge. Parents have designed fabulous leaflets, certificates and posters to be used by staff and children during the challenge.

A book sale to raise more funds will take place at The Royal Arms, Llangrove over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 29th to 31st August. Please go along and support them.

The Royal Arms Book Group meets once a month on Tuesday at the pub. Contact 01989 770267 for further information. New members are very welcome.

Last weekend the Ross club decamped to Bewdley Regatta in order to compete against regional and national rivals on the river Severn. It was another very successful weekend with the Ross Club picking up 16 wins over the two days.

On Saturday, the Masters B 4+ of Paul Carpenter, Steve Randell, Philip Davies and Antony Dixon-Gough, coxed by Morgan Baynham-Williams beat Stourport easily and went on to win their final against the Ross Masters D4. The Ross Masters D4+ of Jeremy Picton-Turbervill, Graham Watling, Paul Brodholt and Dave Sykes, coxed by Frazer Blackwood made up for the defeat in the Masters B event by beating Bewdley by 6 lengths in their final.

On Sunday, Masters D4+ rowed impressively in a Masters C4+ event against Royal Chester and won by 2 ½ lengths and also in a Masters D4+ event against City of Sheffield and also won by 2 ½ lengths. The Ross Masters Novice 4+ of Tony Allen, Andrew Morris, Richard Jennison and Mike Phillips coxed by Molly Phillips were entered at Open Novice 4+ and only just lost to a much younger crew from Burton Leander. There was an impressive win for the Novice Double scull of Lenny Colling and Mitch Browning, who beat Bewdley in their final. This is a tremendous result for Lenny Colling who has worked tirelessly with bringing on a new oarsman and a brilliant result for Mitch who only took up the sport 8 weeks ago! The men's senior results were capped by a wonderful result in Masters E single scull, Mike Jones, who beat Northwich in his final. We are delighted for Mike who is a resilient competitor and stoic supporter for the clubs progress.

The senior tally was added finally by a brilliant win for the ladies senior 2 crew of Holly Campbell, Geraldine Calcraft, Emily Preeece and Geenee Watling, with Rhodri Morris coxing who beat tough opposition from Stourport in their final. The Junior section had another very impressive day on Sunday and chalked an impressive 10 wins. In the girls singles event wins were acheived by Scarlet Brodholt WJ11, Piipa England Wj12 , Catrin Morris Wj13 and Roise Brandram Jones Wj15. In the doubles events Livi Baynham Williams won Wj13 2x and Megan Jephcote and Jess Boon had another victory in Wj12. All Showed great determination to win their races. Johan Lai and Henry Jones having narrowly won their semi final against another Ross crew by six inches, went on to win their final versus Bristol convincingly.

The Wj12 quads was a keenly contested Ross v Ross final. With the Kingfisher crew leading coming up to the line, the Haigh crew of Sky Jenkins, Alice Reynolds, Pippa England and Megan Jephcote, coxed by Molly Phillips sneaked a win by a bow ball ( 2 inches). Unfortunately the J13 quad had no opposition in the age group and had to compete up a year. They came up against the Ross J14 quad in the final who had already beaten a big crew from Stourport in their semi final, The young boys put in a good fight but were vanquished by the older boys who were too strong for them. Nick Burden was the star of the day, winning all 3 of his races by 3 to 4 lengths in his J12 single events.

The Club regularly draws favourable comments on the quality of the Juniors' rowing, but this weekend was the first time we received praise from another club on the helpfulness and the number of parent the club has. It was a busy day with a tight race schedule and without the help of so many parents, the junior success would not have been possible.

Club Junior coach, Jackie Baynham-Williams echoed this feedback, adding that the Ross support from parents makes a huge difference to the enjoyment of all the athletes through the day and has a big impact on the results. We are very proud and very thankful for all their support.

Added congratulations should be added to the Rowing Club team that won the in the 'It's a Knockout' competition on Saturday, in aid of Help for Heroes.