I am constantly amazed by the generosity of many Herefordians.

Readers, this is normally a gentle and well-meaning, indeed positively herbivorous, column; a column which, at the Editor’s behest, busies itself with the joys or no of Ross-on-Wye and South Herefordshire, and rarely ventures into the murky waters of National Politics.

Video of opening of GB Electrical and Building Services in Hereford.

It has been said that Herefordshire is one of the UK’s best-kept secrets, and often I wish it wasn’t:  that more people around the country knew about this magical place and visited it, to enjoy the landscape, shin up the hills and chomp happily on our stunning local produce.

Greetings! I hope Gazette readers had a restful summer, and enjoyed the good weather while we had it. When the sun is shining in Herefordshire, it doesn't get much better than that.

Local MP and Roads Minister Jesse Norman said today he was "delighted" at the news that Stagecoach West will launch a new under-19 day-rider ticket for Hereford and the Forest of Dean.

Local MP Jesse Norman has expressed his concern and sadness at the news of redundancies at the Hereford-based packaging company Gelpack, which has gone into administration.

Local MP and Roads Minister Jesse Norman has greatly welcomed the news that Herefordshire will receive £5 million of Government money to improve local roads.

As Gazette readers will know, I was made Minister for Roads by the Prime Minister in June.  It is a fascinating brief, and I am greatly enjoying getting stuck into my work at the Department for Transport.