Sarah Keefe

At our Local History meeting on Thursday February 27th we will be celebrating an important part of Herefordshire’s farming history with a showing of “Stories from the Hopyards”.

Hops have been an integral part of our county’s life for centuries and this documentary uses archive film and photographs to capture the lives of the pickers, farmers, hauliers and brewers who were involved with this essential component of our national drink.

Whether you shared in those days yourself or simply enjoy a good pint you will find something to enjoy in this film.

We meet at the New Bridge Community Centre at 7.30pm, admission £3 to include coffee and biscuits. Visitors welcome

NEW BRIDGE TALK COMMUNITY HUB at the New Bridge Community Centre, Bridge Sollars will next be open on Wednesday 4th March 2020 from 10-30 – 12 noon. Drop in for a coffee and chat or visit the lending library. Volunteers can help you connect to groups, activities and support in the local community to help you stay independent, happy and healthy.

Lesley Handscomb
(Community Hub Volunteer)

Here is information about local organisations that are co-ordinating help to those badly affected by flooding in Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Community Foundation
One of the main points of contact for financial donations is the Herefordshire Community Foundation www.herefordshirecf.org (who have now teamed up with the Hereford Times I think).

Hereford Diocese
The Hereford Diocese has just set up a Giving Fund to help those most in need too. www.hereford.anglican.org

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army (Canonmoor St, Hereford – near Courtyard – 01432 264543) will take warm clothing, bedding, shoes, food & small household items etc and will liaise with other charities on the ground.

Herefordshire Council
A grant and other support is available for those homes and businesses affected by the latest floods. Wider support is through this link Recovery under way in parts of Herefordshire as response continues and this link takes you straight to the application.

We begin the year on an unexpectedly topical note with Iran Unveiled, an illustrated talk by popular speaker Penny Platts.

In her talk Penny will tell us about her travels in Iran and give us an insight into its people and their history, often forgotten in the heat and noise of current political problems.

We meet at the New Bridge Community Centre at 7.30pm on Thursday January 30th, admission £3 to include coffee and biscuits. Visitors welcome.

On Friday January 24th we have a Beetle Drive with a Ploughman’s Supper in aid of the  New Bridge Community Centre.

Come and join us at 7pm for a run evening.  Pay on the door, admission £7 for adults, £4 for children and there is a draw, tickets £1.

For more details contact Muriel 01981 590233 or Jo 01981 590620.

Our first film to kick off 2020 is Rocketman on Saturday 4th January at the New Bridge Community Centre.

This 2019 musical drama is based on the troubled early life of Elton John with Taron Egerton in the lead role. The film starts at 7.15pm, admission £5 to include coffee and biscuits and draw. Visitors welcome.

“It’s going to be a long, long time before a rock biopic manages to capture the highs and lows of an artist’s life like Rocketman.”
Critics Consensus, Rotten Tomatoes
89% Audience Score

February’s film is The Keeper being shown on Saturday 1st February. The Keeper tells the incredible true story of Bert Trautmann (David Kross), a German soldier and prisoner of war who, against a backdrop of British post-war protest and prejudice, secures the position of Goalkeeper at Manchester City, and in doing so becomes a footballing icon.

Herefordshire Council appreciates what a difficult time this has been for people recently and has launched hardship schemes to residents and businesses whose homes or businesses have been flooded. This includes a Community Flood Recovery Grant worth £500 to each affected household.

In order to qualify for the assistance, flood water must have entered the habitable areas of their property, or the residence has been considered unliveable for any period of time due to flooding. Alongside this is a Business Flood Recovery Grant, which will provide up to £2,500 per eligible small and medium-sized business.

To qualify, businesses must be able to demonstrate that they have directly impacted or have directly suffered a loss of trade as a result of the flooding that cannot be recovered from insurance.

The application process has now opened and those affected can  apply online at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/floods.  Please tell anyone who would benefits from this assistance.

In addition, a 100% Council Tax discount is available for 3 months for primary residence where, as a result of the relevant weather event:

• Flood water entered into the habitable areas; OR
• Flood water did not enter into the habitable areas, but the local authority regards that the residence was otherwise considered unlivable for any period of time, for example:
  –  where access to the property is severely restricted (e.g. upper floor flats with no access);
  –  key services such as sewerage, draining, and electricity are severely affected;
  –  the adverse weather has resulted in other significant damage to the property such that it would be, or would have been, advisable for residents to vacate the premises for any period of time.

Furthermore, 100% business rate discount for 3 months (up to state aid de minimis levels) is available for primary residence in the following circumstances:

• The hereditament was directly impacted by the relevant weather event – for instance flood damage to the property, equipment, and/or stock; or; the business could not function due to lack of access to premises, equipment and/or stock as a result of the relevant weather event, and no alternatives were available; AND
• On that day business activity undertaken at the hereditament was adversely affected as a result; AND
• On that day the rateable value of the hereditament was less than £10 million.

If the above criteria is satisfied, email counciltax@herefordshire.gov.uk or  businessrates@herefordshire.gov.uk to arrange for a visiting officer to attend the property to verify the situation.

We are aware that not everyone who suffered from flooding contacted the emergency services or the council for help and so would like to encourage anybody who has been affected by flooding to get in touch and report any issues online at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/floods

We’ve just taken delivery of 50 sand bags for residents of the Bishopstone, Byford, Kentchester, Mansell Gamage and Bridge Sollars.  These are stored down Bishon Lane, Bishopstone at Stone House by kind permission of Charlie and Dean.  Call them on 01981 590346 if you’d like to come and collect some.

Looking for unusual handcrafted, homemade and home baked presents for Christmas?  The Christmas Craft Fair being held in the New Bridge Community Centre on Saturday 30th November is definitely an event not to be missed.

Admission is free so why not come along 10am – 4pm on the 30th November. A wide selection of craft stalls will be available including:

• pottery
• jewellery
• wood turning
• knitwear
• candles
• soap
• honey
• picture framing
• weaving
• pictures & cards

Refreshments including bacon rolls & home bakes and of course, there’ll be the ever popular Raffle on the day.

Come and meet our friendly volunteers at a Talk Community Hub on Wednesday 6^th November where you can find help about services, groups and activities taking place locally to help you stay independent, happy and healthy.

The session runs from 10-30 a.m. – 12-00 noon; a coffee morning and a small lending library will also be open.

This is the first Talk Community Hub running at the New Bridge Community Centre, future sessions will be held  on the first Wednesday of every month.