I hope all Hereford Times readers have had the chance to have a good break, and went easy--but not too easy--on the mince pies and Christmas pud!

Jesse Norman has welcomed the news that local business Pedicargo has won a Government grant enabling it to buy its next e-cargo bike - under a scheme set up by Jesse himself as Transport Minister!

Jesse Norman, local MP since 2010 and now Conservative parliamentary candidate, has welcomed the news that the Government will pay over £1 million to Herefordshire Council under the Bellwin scheme as compensation for damage following the recent flooding.

I sometimes think we should have a speech in Herefordshire every year on “The State of the County”.  Like the US President’s “State of the Nation” speech, only a lot more down to earth!

I have always had heroes. Some famous, some little-known, none of them perfect, all of them human, all of them flawed, but all of them extraordinary to me:  people who have shaped the world around them for the good.

As Hereford Times readers will know, I am a hopeless optimist by nature.  But even I am starting to get really excited about all the new investment taking in place in Hereford.

Local MP Jesse Norman has welcomed new Government spending which will greatly benefit people across Herefordshire.

The past week has resounded to wild cries that the decision to prorogue Parliament is a “coup”, a suspension of democracy, or even fascism in action. 

Jesse Norman MP has warmly welcomed a host of changes announced by Highways England in response to local concerns about roadworks on the A49 between Wilton and Peterstow.