Many of you will be aware by now that the JAMSTAND 2010 event, which was scheduled to take place this coming weekend will no longer be taking place. However, there is good news. A new application is being made to hold this fantastic two day event and it is hoped that JAMSTAND will now take place on Saturday, 2nd and Sunday, 3rd October, so if you were looking forward to the event, put those dates in your diary.

Due to misunderstandings over the application for this coming weekend, both Herefordshire Council and the police will be working closely with the organizers, every step of the way as they, along with everybody else would like to see plans for the JAMSTAND event go ahead without the problems encountered recently.

It is looking highly likely that the same great line up of artistes will be performing, along with all of the other attractions that promise to make JAMSTAND the best end of season festival ever.

Wyenot News was visited by Festival Director, Jack Baldus, who has the recent troubles behind him and has adopted an optimistic approach to this new application. Jack spoke to us for WNTV News and you can hear what he had to say by clicking the video link above.
My apologies for the sound quality in the video above - trying to get this out with limited time, I forgot to switch on the wireless microphone.

JAMSTAND ANNOUNCES OKTOBERFEST!
'Jamstand Festival is thrilled to announce a new date for the postponed event as 2nd and 3rd of October 2010. Re-applications of the Premises Licence have been submitted by hand today and signed receipts have been obtained from ALL Responsible Authorities - this is a date and reschedule that has been proposed in conjunction with and the full endorsement of the Assistant Director of Public Policy and the Licensing Department at Herefordshire Council. Obviously we are disappointed that this weekend's event cannot proceed as planned, but being of a positive outlook, we are using this opportunity to ensure that the Jamstand Oktoberfest will be the BEST Jamstand yet!

Most of the acts are able to reschedule and a final line-up will be announced very shortly. The newly proposed date has meant that other artists and attractions that were unable to make this weekend will now be able to attend the Oktoberfest. We are confident and will do everything in our power to ensure that Jamstand gives the community the best free music and arts festival that we have ever done and the extra time we now have means it can be even better than planned!

We would like to thank the Council for working with us, Jesse Norman MP for helping and supporting us and most of all, the local supporters and Facebook petitioners who have rallied around Jamstand to help ensure that it does go ahead. Jamstand is nothing without local support so it means a lot to everyone here to see how high passions are raised when the future of your free festival was called into dispute; if this had not been forthcoming then there would be no point in continuing with what we are trying to achieve.

Furthermore, Jamstand would like to reaffirm that we are working with the Council to ensure the event takes place and we will not dwell on any negative speculation and supposition regarding either party, nor will we enter into any form of public debate or comment at this time regarding the situation thus far. Jamstand chooses to look to the future without bitterness or finger-pointing - instead we are solely concerned with ensuring Jamstand will constitute one of the most successful festivals of the 2010 season, so dust off your lederhosen and join us for the BEST (and still free) Jamstand Oktoberfest ever!'

The fabulous Jump 'n' Jive band the Jiveoholics are back in town on Saturday evening, bringing their brilliant Jive music to the White Lion Inn at Wilton.

The band have enjoyed a busy year touring the UK and producing their CD, which has proved very popular. Led by front man, Johnny Cool, the Jiveoholics' ability to keep an audience entertained knows no bounds, with their great musical talent and wicked sense of humour. They are well worth going to see, even if you don't jump and jive, and if you do ... you'll be up on your feet all night.

Why not go along to the White Lion and see for yourself. The entertainment begins at 8:30.

Ross and District Motor Sports Club celebrated it’s 60th birthday with a great party at Broome Farm, Peterstow on Saturday.

The party was a 'non-motorsport' event, although it did have a motor sport theme, with flags and 'Be Quiet' signs en route to the farm as well as some original table decorations. Around 120 people attended the party who, along with enjoying a lovely two course meal were entertained by the very talented and celebrated singer/songwriter Amy Wadge. Apparently a great time was had by all.

...I took her to the Orles Barn, where I knew there was bound to be one in the car park she could take a look at.

The car belonged to an anonymous guest at the Hotel. Being a 'blue van man' myself, I know absolutely nothing about cars but I do know several people who are, would love to own one just like it and who will be pleased to see the picture.

A charity shop with a difference will be opening at 8 Crofts Court on Monday, 16th August, for there will be not one, but three charities benefiting from the temporary bargain store. The shop will be open for six weeks only, with the proceeds from the first two weeks going to Help for Heroes. The second fortnight will benefit Ross Pre-school Playgroup, with proceeds from week three going to Ross Rowing Club.

If you have any unwanted clothes, books, toys, bric-a-brac etc. please take them along to the shop at Crofts Court on either Friday, 13th or Saturday, 14th August between 10am and 1pm. If you cannot get your goods there during those times, please telephone Iris Price on 01989 564180 to make alternative arrangements. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

The shop will be open from 10am until 4pm each day. Why not go along and find yourself a bargain?

Volunteers from Age Concern Ross-On-Wye and District and Sainsbury' s helped pack customers shopping on Saturday, 31st July and their efforts were rewarded with a massive £504.35. This is the largest amount raised in a single day since the store opened in 2009.

Alison Fletcher, Age Concern's volunteer and office co-ordinator said, 'I would like to say a huge thank you to all of Sainsbury's customers who were so generous last weekend. Our volunteers thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the money raised will directly help the elderly who live in and around the Ross area.'

Local people are being warned by Herefordshire Council not to fall for a devious telephone scam in which fraudsters claim to be able to help them claim back a rebate on their council tax.

The council were telephoned by a customer last week who said he was telephoned by a company who told him that they could get 14 years of council tax repaid if he paid them £75 and gave them his bank account details. Unfortunately, the customer did disclose his bank details and he has been advised to contact his bank and the police. Similar warnings have already been issued by local authorities nation-wide, as variations on the scam are growing across the country. Herefordshire Council issued a similar warning in January this year.

'Herefordshire Council will never contact a resident in this manner on such issues,' said Mike Toney, head of the council's benefits and exchequers service. 'And we would never ask for your bank details over the phone to make refunds. Please be suspicious of any company that requests your bank details over the phone and avoid doing so.

If possible keep a close eye on vulnerable older family members or neighbours and let them know about this scam which unfortunately is prevalent at the moment.'

It was 'Eyes down' in Tudorville last Friday evening as the committee held yet another successful bingo night to raise money for the necessary repairs and refurbishment of Tudorville & District Community Centre There were lots of prizes won on the night and the event raised £199.95.

Tina Knappman called the numbers loud and clear and due to the success of the event, it is planned to hold a bingo night at the centre on the first Friday of each month. After a brilliant fashion show and a very well supported football tournament, many other fund-raising events are in the pipeline, including a table sale at the centre on Saturday, 21st August, followed by a family Karaoke evening on the same day.

Herefordshire Council and Amey Herefordshire are delighted to congratulate Alan Clarke, Gang Leader, on being highly commended in the National Transport Awards 2010 for Frontline Employee of the Year.

Marc Thomas, Amey Herefordshire service director said, 'Alan has worked on the county's roads in a variety of roles for the past 35 years, showing great dedication in each and every one. I am delighted he has been honoured, especially after his sterling work operating gritters during the past winter when we experienced the worst weather for almost 30 years. Throughout this prolonged spell of cold weather, Alan showed his dedication by not only completing his gritter routes during the night when the weather was at its worst, but also helping other less experienced drivers in a combined effort to ensure roads were open and safe.'

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation said, 'We are fortunate that residents in the county are so well served by employees like Alan who go out of their way to be helpful and ensure public safety. Alan, a former employee of Herefordshire Council and now part of Amey, shows how well our partnership is operating and the excellent service being received when compared with other places in the country.'

Ross Town Band have been entertaining the people of Ross-on-Wye for 25 years now and to celebrate, they are holding a fete in the Caroline Symonds Gardens on Sunday, 22nd August to coincide with their Bands in the Park performance on the Bandstand.

There will be a range of stalls, food and drink, and fun activities for the children too. The event begins at 2pm.

Hereford will soon be 'in the pink' with the arrival of an innovative new chewing gum recycling product called Gumdrop. Herefordshire Council, Safer Herefordshire and Amey are delighted to announce that Herefordshire is one of only twelve areas in the UK selected by Keep Britain Tidy to participate in the 2010 Chewing Gum Campaign.

The campaign will run from Wednesday, 18th August until Wednesday, 15th September and aims to encourage people to correctly dispose of their chewing gum or face an £80 fine. During the four week campaign, chewing gum waste will be removed from 10 locations across Hereford City Centre, including Eign Street Underpass, Hereford Railway Station and Commercial Road.

To launch the campaign an event will be held in High Town, Hereford on Wednesday 18th August from 11am - 3pm. The Gumdrop Event will offer something for everybody including live music and entertainment from Sunshine Radio, face painting and a fantastic competition to win a free hot air balloon flight. As part of the initiative to encourage residents to correctly dispose of their chewing gum waste, Herefordshire is also proud to have been chosen as only the second location in the country to trial an innovative new recycling product called Gumdrop. Gumdrop allows chewing gum to be recycled instead of being dropped on the floor or in a bin. When the Gumdrop is full it's taken away and the whole thing is recycled into a number of different items including mobile phone covers, children's toys, car tyres and more Gumdrops.

Councillor John Jarvis, Chair of Safer Herefordshire said, 'Although chewing gum litter isn't a significant problem in our county, it is imperative that we all do our bit to correctly dispose of our gum. This is why Gumdrop is such an exciting new proposition. Not only does it allow us to dispose of our gum litter, but also to recycle it into everyday items, which helps us to continue working towards a cleaner and greener Herefordshire.

With statistics revealing that it costs the Government approximately £150 million a year to remove 3.5 billion pieces of irresponsibly disposed of gum in the UK, it is important for Herefordshire Council to take positive steps towards helping reduce this amount. This is why we are so delighted to be working with Keep Britain Tidy and Gumdrop and look forward to a successful campaign.'

Rebecca Joinson, spokesperson for Keep Britain Tidy's Chewing Gum Action Group said, 'This year we are hoping more people than ever will take the campaign message to heart and think more seriously about how they dispose of their chewing gum. By continuing to drive awareness of the negative effects that littered gum can have, we hope to help create a cleaner environment for everyone to enjoy.'

The Gumdrop trial will run for 6 months, so don't forget to look out for the pink Gumdrop bins at the following locations across Hereford and remember……… Don't just drop it - Gumdrop it!

High Town (Outside M&S), Widemarsh Street (At the junction with Bewell Street), Commercial Street (McDonalds), Hereford Railway Station, Hereford Bus Station, Dusk Nightclub, Capuchin Lane, Union Passage, Play Nightclub and Eign Street Underpass.

If you are at a loose end next Wednesday, why not pop along to High Town Hereford and join in the fun at The Gumdrop Event. For further information on the Gumdrop Campaign call Safer Herefordshire on 01432 383523 or visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/saferherefordshire.

Herefordshire Council is warning all parents in the county who have received a Bookstart Baby pack that one of the books may contain a potential health and safety hazard. The council stopped supplying the affected books as soon as they were alerted to the potential danger of plastic film on the mirror at the back of the 'This Little Baby' board book.

Julie Goodwin, Herefordshire Council's early years officer said, 'As soon as we were made aware of this nation-wide problem with one of the books, we stopped supplying the affected books. However, some of them already have been delivered and we would urge parents to check that there is no plastic film on the mirror at the back of the 'This Little Baby' book. If there is, they should remove it before sharing the book with their child.'

The Heritage Services Team is asking county residents if they know the identity of the fisherman in this photograph which has just been unearthed by one of the museum's dedicated volunteers. The volunteer had been cleaning, marking and scanning a whole batch of glass plate negatives that have been stored in the museum's attic at Broad Street, where they have laid untouched for at least 40 years, when she found this fantastic image of a fisherman of days gone by.

Alexia Clark, Herefordshire Council's visitor services officer said, 'We would be very interested to know if anyone locally knows anything of the story behind the image; do they know who the fisherman was and was the fish significant in some way? It is certainly a big fish with the ruler beside it, marked in inches, indicating that the creature was around 4 feet long from nose to tail.

There are other photographs in the same batch which relate to Boer War stories, and from this the museum's curators have been able to estimate that the picture may have been taken in around May 1901, and it is possible that Alfred Watkins, the well known photographer, beekeeper and local historian, might have been involved.'

If anyone has any information, please contact the museum on 01432 383620.

The number of children under 5 years old visiting the county's libraries has increased, says the annual report for the county's Bookstart scheme. Bookstart is based on the principle that every child in the UK should have the chance to enjoy book sharing from babyhood and was launched in Herefordshire in 1999.

Julie Goodwin, early years officer said, 'As part of the scheme, we run a Bookcrawl, where every time a child visits a library, they collect a sticker and after collecting four stickers they receive a certificate. This year we have issued 416 certificates, a five per cent increase on last year, which shows more youngsters than ever make return visits to the county's libraries.

In the county, 90 per cent of babies received their first Bookstart pack at nine months and 90 per cent of toddlers received their Bookstart+ pack at two years. This figure rose to 99 per cent for four to five year olds receiving a treasure chest from a pre-school group or their local library and we had 66 requests for Polish language sets as well as five for a Russian version.

Libraries also run story times and Bounce and Rhyme sessions, aimed at getting parents and their children to enjoy stories and rhymes. This year, 2,743 children and carers enjoyed storytimes while 3,858 attended bounce and rhyme, an increase of three per cent on the previous year.'