Over the past twenty years, The Courtyard has made itself into an amazing centre for the arts and culture in Herefordshire, whether film or theatre or dance or music or the panto, featuring local work and visiting shows alike.

The pandemic has been a very difficult time for the whole country. But if one of its consequences is that more people across the UK come to Herefordshire and visit Ross-on-Wye, that could be a real boost for local businesses and tourism.

Jesse Norman calls out agencies’ “inadequate” response to tackling phosphate pollution in the River Wye.

Local MP Jesse Norman has expressed his delight at the launch of the new UK Infrastructure Bank.

 

I am delighted to write about the wonderful news that Hereford has been awarded £22.4 million from the Stronger Towns Fund. I got a hint of it when I welcomed the Secretary of State for Housing, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, to open the terrific new Shell Store at Rotherwas a week before the announcement.

I am music-mad, whether singing, listening or (incompetently) playing, but I don't need to tell Gazette readers that one of the greatest joys of Herefordshire is its music.

In February 1825 the poet Thomas Campbell wrote a remarkable open letter, in which he drew attention to the fact that there was no higher education of any description in London, and he called for the creation of a London University.  

He once took the wicket of the legendary Tom Graveney. He was one of this country's top polo players. He designed one of the first electric taxis. He competed at Cowes for fifty years. He was President of the National Playing Fields Association for over six decades, trebling the size of its green fields. He had an exceptional war record.

The presentation of the Budget is one of the great occasions in the parliamentary calendar.