Hereford(/ˈhɛrɪfərd/HERR-if-ərd) is acathedral cityand thecounty townof the ceremonial county ofHerefordshire,England. It is situated on the banks of theRiver Wyeand lies 16 miles (26 km) east of the border withWales,23 miles (37 km) north-west ofGloucesterand 24 miles (39 km) south-west ofWorcester.With a population of 53,112 in 2021, it is the largest settlement in Herefordshire.
Hereford | |
---|---|
Cityandcivil parish | |
Clockwise from the top: Hereford City Centre, St Peter's Church,River WyeBridge &the Cathedral | |
Coat of arms of the City Council | |
Location withinHerefordshire | |
Population | 53,112 (2021 Census)[1] |
OS grid reference | SO515405 |
•London | 135.7 miles (218.4 km)ESE |
Civil parish |
|
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Areas of the city | |
Post town | Hereford |
Postcode district | HR1, HR2, HR4 |
Dialling code | 01432 |
Police | West Mercia |
Fire | Hereford and Worcester |
Ambulance | West Midlands |
UK Parliament | |
An early town charter from 1189, granted byRichard I of England,describes it as "Herefordin Wales".[2]Hereford has been recognised as a city sincetime immemorial,with the status being reconfirmed in October 2000.[3][4]Hereford has been acivil parishsince 2000.[5]
It is known for being a trading centre for a wider agricultural and rural area. Products from Hereford includecider,beer,leathergoods,nickelalloys,poultry,chemicalsandsausage rolls,as well as the famousHereford breedof cattle.
Toponymy
editThe Herefordshire edition ofCambridge County Geographiesstates "a Welsh derivation of Hereford is more probable than a Saxon one" but the name "Hereford" is also said to come from theAnglo-Saxon"here",an army or formation of soldiers, and the"ford",a place for crossing a river (cf.Herford,Westphalia, with the same Saxon etymology). If this is the origin it suggests that Hereford was a place where a body of armed men forded or crossed theWye.TheWelshname for Hereford isHenffordd,meaning "old road", and probably refers to theRoman roadand Roman settlement at nearbyStretton Sugwas.Some historical documents refer to "Hereford in Wales".
History
editHereford became the seat ofPutta,Bishop of Hereford,some time between 676 and 688 AD, after which the settlement continued to grow due to its proximity to the border betweenMerciaandWales,becoming theSaxoncapital of WestMerciaby the beginning of the 8th century.[6]
Hostilities between the Anglo-Saxons and theWelshcame to a head with theBattle of Herefordin 760, in which the Britons freed themselves from the influence of the English.[7]Hereford was again targeted by the Welsh during their conflict with theAnglo-SaxonKingEdward the Confessorin 1056 when, supported byVikingallies,Gruffydd ap Llywelyn,King of Gwynedd and Powys, marched on the town and put it to the torch before returning home in triumph.[8]Hereford had the only mint west of theSevernin the reign ofAthelstan(924–939), and it was to Hereford, then a border town, that Athelstan summoned the leading Welsh princes.[9]
The presentHereford Cathedraldates from the early 12th century, as does thefirst bridgeacross theWye.[10]FormerBishops of HerefordincludeSaint Thomas de Cantilupeand Lord High Treasurer of EnglandThomas Charlton.
Hereford was home to a small but relatively importantJewish communityuntil 1290, when Jews wereexpelled from EnglandbyEdward I.Jews fromWorcesterandGloucestermoved to Hereford after their expulsion in January 1275 by the Queen mother,Eleanor of Provence.The Bishops of Hereford campaigned against the presence of the community, including Cantilupe, andRichard Swinefield,who tried to stop social contact between Christians and Jews.[11][12]
The city gave its name (translated to French) to two suburbs ofParis,France:Maisons-Alfort(population 54,600) andAlfortville(population 36,232), due to a manor built there byPeter of Aigueblanche,Bishop of Hereford,in the middle of the 13th century.
Hereford, a base for successive holders of the titleEarl of Hereford,was once the site of acastle,Hereford Castle,which rivalled that ofWindsorin size and scale. This was a base for repelling Welsh attacks and a secure stronghold for English kings such asKing Henry IVwhen on campaign in theWelsh MarchesagainstOwain Glyndŵr.The castle was dismantled in the 18th century and landscaped into Castle Green.
After theBattle of Mortimer's Crossin 1461, during theWars of the Roses,the defeated Lancastrian leaderOwen Tudor(grandfather of the futureHenry VII of England) was taken to Hereford by Sir Roger Vaughan and executed in High Town. A plaque now marks the spot of the execution. Vaughan was later himself executed, under a flag of truce, by Owen's sonJasper.
During theEnglish Civil War,the city changed hands several times. On 30 September 1642Parliamentariansled bySir Robert HarleyandHenry Grey, 1st Earl of Stamfordoccupied the city without opposition. In December they withdrew toGloucesterbecause of the presence in the area of aRoyalistarmy under Lord Herbert. The city was again occupied briefly from 23 April to 18 May 1643 by Parliamentarians commanded bySir William Wallerbut it was in 1645 that the city saw mostaction.On 31 July 1645 aScottisharmy of 14,000 underAlexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Levenbesieged the citybut met stiff resistance from itsgarrisonand inhabitants. They withdrew on 1 September when they received news that a force led byKing Charleswas approaching. The city was finally taken forParliamenton 18 December 1645 byColonel BirchandColonel Morgan.King Charles showed his gratitude to the city of Hereford on 16 September 1645 by augmenting the city's coat of arms with the three lions ofRichard I of England,ten Scottish Saltires signifying the ten defeated Scottish regiments, a very rare lion crest on top of the coat of arms signifying "defender of the faith" and the even rarer gold-barred peer's helm, found only on the arms of one other municipal authority: those of theCity of London.[13]
Nell Gwynne,actress and mistress of KingCharles II,is said to have been born in Hereford in 1650 (although other towns and cities, notablyOxford,claim her as their own); Gwynn Street is named after her.[14]Another famous actor born in Hereford isDavid Garrick(1717–1779).[15]
The Bishop's Palace next to the cathedral was built in 1204 and is continually used to the present day.[16][17]Hereford Cathedral School is one of the oldest schools in England. TheHarold Street Barrackswere completed in 1856.[18]
DuringWorld War I,in 1916, afire at the Garrick Theatrekilled eight young girls who had been performing at a charity concert.[19]
Governance
editThe mainlocal governmentbody covering Hereford isHerefordshire Council.Hereford has a "City Council" but this is actually aparish councilwithcity status,and has only limited powers.
Historically Hereford has been thecounty townofHerefordshire.In 1974 Herefordshire was merged withWorcestershireto become part of the county ofHereford and Worcester,and Hereford became adistrictof the new county. Hereford had formed a historic borough and was reformed by theMunicipal Corporations Act 1835.[20]On 1 April 1998 the County of Hereford and Worcester was abolished, and Herefordshire and Worcestershire were re-established as separate counties.[21]
However the new Herefordshire was aunitary authoritywithout any districts, and so Hereford lost its district status (although, confusingly, the authority's full legal name is the County of Herefordshire District Council).Charter Trusteeswere appointed to preserve mayoral traditions until acivil parishcouncil could be set up, which happened in 2000. Hereford is one of only eightcivil parishes in England which have city status.It is based atHereford Town Hall.[22]
Herefordwas the name of a parliamentary constituency that was centered in the city, from 1295 to 2010, when it was renamed as Hereford and South Herefordshire. The currentMember of Parliament(MP) in theHouse of CommonsforHereford and South HerefordshireisJesse Normanof theConservative Party.
Geography
editClimate
editAs with all of the UK, Hereford experiences amaritime climate,with limited seasonal temperature ranges, and generally moderate rainfall throughout the year. The nearestMet Officeweather station for which 30-year averages are available isCredenhillweather station, about 4 miles (6 km) north west of the city centre. Before 2001, the weather station atPreston Wynne(7 miles, 11 km to the north-east) provided the data.[23]
Since 2001, extremes at Hereford Credenhill have ranged from 33.6 °C (92.5 °F)[24]during July 2006, to as low as −15.8 °C (3.6 °F) during December 2010.[25]
In February 2020 many houses in Hereford were evacuated due to floods.[26]
Climate data for Hereford, elevation: 75 m (246 ft), 1981–2010 normals | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 7.5 (45.5) |
7.8 (46.0) |
10.5 (50.9) |
13.1 (55.6) |
16.6 (61.9) |
19.3 (66.7) |
21.6 (70.9) |
21.3 (70.3) |
18.6 (65.5) |
14.3 (57.7) |
10.4 (50.7) |
7.6 (45.7) |
14.1 (57.4) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.4 (39.9) |
4.3 (39.7) |
6.6 (43.9) |
8.5 (47.3) |
11.7 (53.1) |
14.6 (58.3) |
16.7 (62.1) |
16.4 (61.5) |
14.0 (57.2) |
10.5 (50.9) |
6.9 (44.4) |
4.5 (40.1) |
9.9 (49.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 1.3 (34.3) |
0.9 (33.6) |
2.8 (37.0) |
4.0 (39.2) |
6.9 (44.4) |
9.9 (49.8) |
11.8 (53.2) |
11.5 (52.7) |
9.4 (48.9) |
6.7 (44.1) |
3.4 (38.1) |
1.3 (34.3) |
5.9 (42.6) |
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 66.4 (2.61) |
46.8 (1.84) |
50.5 (1.99) |
51.7 (2.04) |
51.1 (2.01) |
45.3 (1.78) |
44.9 (1.77) |
47.9 (1.89) |
50.5 (1.99) |
78.2 (3.08) |
64.1 (2.52) |
67.5 (2.66) |
664.9 (26.18) |
Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 11.0 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10.4 | 10.0 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 11.9 | 10.9 | 11.6 | 114.9 |
Source:Met Office[27] |
Demographics
editHereford and its surrounding urban area were recorded as follows in the table below at the 2021 Census:
Hereford: Ethnicity:2021 Census[28] | |||||||||||||
Ethnic group | Population | % | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
White | 50,427 | 95% | |||||||||||
Asian or Asian British | 1,167 | 2.2% | |||||||||||
Mixed | 718 | 1.4% | |||||||||||
Black or Black British | 319 | 0.6% | |||||||||||
Arab | 127 | 0.2% | |||||||||||
Other Ethnic Group | 350 | 0.7% | |||||||||||
Total | 53,112 | 100% |
The religious composition of Hereford at the 2021 Census was recorded as:
Hereford: Religion:2021 Census[28] | |||||||||||||
Religious | Population | % | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Christian | 28,092 | 57% | |||||||||||
Irreligious | 20,029 | 40.7% | |||||||||||
Muslim | 426 | 0.9% | |||||||||||
Hindu | 196 | 0.4% | |||||||||||
Buddhist | 173 | 0.4% | |||||||||||
Other religion | 345 | 0.6% | |||||||||||
Total | 53,112 | 100% |
Transport
editRoad
editHereford, as an ancient crossing over the River Wye, has long been important within the regional and national transport network. Today, the town is served by several major routes, including:
- A49 | Southbound:Ross-on-Wye.| Northbound:LeominsterandShrewsbury.
- A438 | Westbound:Hay-on-WyeandBrecon.| Eastbound:LedburyandTewkesbury.
- A465 | South-west:AbergavennyandMerthyr Tydfil.| North-east:Bromyard.
- A4103 | North-east:Worcester.
The nearest motorway is the M50 ,which passes to the south of Ledbury.
Along the northern rim of the city, the A4103 is namedRoman Road,running in a straight line from east to west.
Only one of these major routescrosses the River Wye,the A49/Victoria Street, which is carried by Greyfriars Bridge.
In 2017, Hereford was namedBritain's second slowest city,with an average traffic speed of 14.09 mph. Cambridge topped the list, whilst London came third with vehicles travelling at an average 14.59 mph.[29]
Future
editThere have been plans for many years for a north–southbypass[30]and currently the plan is for a nine-mile (14 km)dual carriageway;however, HM Government as yet has refused to grant permission or supply funds. However, the Hereford Link Road was completed in December 2017,[31]costing around £34,000,000 to build.[32]There are plans to add new homes, a university building and a transport hub to this area.[33]
Plans for the north–south bypass were scrapped in February 2021.[34]
Railway
editRailways in Hereford | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
Hereford railway stationis situated to the north of the city centre.[35]The station is the western terminus of theCotswold Line;it is a through station on theWelsh Marches LinebetweenAbergavennyandLeominster.
The station is managed byTransport for Wales,which operates services to destinations such asNewport,CardiffandSwanseato the south. Transport for Wales also operates services northbound towardsLeominster,Shrewsbury,Chester,ManchesterandHolyhead.
On the Cotswold Line, services are operated byWest Midlands RailwaytowardsBirmingham,via destinations such asGreat Malvern,WorcesterandBromsgrove.Great Western Railwayoperates regular services toLondon PaddingtonviaWorcester,OxfordandReading,amongst other destinations.[36]
A second station served Hereford,Hereford Barton,which closed in 1893.
Cycling
editCycling infrastructurein Hereford is maintained byHerefordshire CouncilandSustrans.
An unbrokenshared-use pathfor cyclists and pedestrians runs along the western rim of the city, from Newton Farm toHolmer.The Great Western Way route crosses the River Wye using Hunderton Bridge.[37]
National Cycle Route 46runs southbound from Hereford to Swansea. The route is signposted and unbroken, and the next destination from Hereforden routeisKilpeck Castle.The route passes throughAbergavennyand theHeads of the Valleysas it entersWales.As of Summer 2020, Sustrans proposes an extension to Route 46 running eastbound from Hereford toWorcester.[38]
National Cycle Route 44leaves Hereford to the southeast and runs as far asRotherwas.The route is incomplete; once completed, Route 44 will run toLudlow Castleto the north andCinderford,Forest of Deanto the south.[38]The nearest bike park is the Black Mountain Bike Park.
Buses
editSince the decision ofFirst Midland Redto pull out of the city in 2015, the majority of bus routes have been operated by Hereford bus and coach operatorYeomans Canyon.The 33 service toGloucester[39]is operated byStagecoachand the 66 service toMonmouthis operated byNewport bus,[40]services historically in the hands ofRed & White.Other bus services are operated by various operators.TrawsCymrulinksHereford railway stationtoHay-on-WyeandBreconon the T14 service.Stagecoach South Waleshas the 23 which runs toAbergavennyandNewport
Military associations
editIn 1999, the British ArmySpecial Air Service(SAS) moved from their base at Stirling Lines (formerly Bradbury Lines) in Hereford, their home since 1960, to a formerRoyal Air ForcebaseRAF CredenhillinCredenhillthat had been redeveloped and was designated asStirling Linesin 2000. The clock tower on which the names of deceased SAS soldiers are inscribed was re-located.[41]
The local Anglican church of St Martin's[42]has part of its graveyard set aside as an SAS memorial, over twenty SAS soldiers are buried there. There is also a Wall of Remembrance displaying memorial plaques to some who could not be buried, including the 18 SAS men who lost their lives in the Sea King helicopter crash during the Falklands Campaign on 19 May 1982[43]and a sculpture and stained glass window dedicated to the SAS.[44]
On 17 October 2017Ascension,a new sculpture and window honouring the Special Air Service Regiment inHereford Cathedral,was dedicated by the thenBishop of Hereford.[45]
Economy
editThe main public service employers in Hereford include:[citation needed]
In 2005 Hereford was grantedFairtrade Citystatus.[46]
Major employers in the city include:
- Bulmers,now owned byHeineken–Ciderand alcoholic beverages producer. Brands includeWoodpecker Cider,Strongbowand Bulmers Cider[47]
- Special Metals Wiggin Ltd – Manufacturers ofnickelalloys[48]
- CargillMeats Europe (formerly Sun Valley) – Manufacturers and suppliers of food products for retailers and foodservice operators[49]
- Painter Brothers – Manufacturers of galvanized steel towers includingThe Skylon[50]
Herefordshire is a centre forciderproduction as it supports many acres of orchards, so many breweries and associated organisations exist here, along with other heavy and light industries.[51]Within the city, many are based at the Rotherwas Industrial Estate.
Regeneration
editMany of the schools in Hereford have been rebuilt and improved.[52]TheHerefordshire and Ludlow Collegehas also been rebuilt to a 21st-century standard.[53]In September 2021 a new higher education institution NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering)[54]welcomed its first students who are undertaking an MEng Integrated Engineering. There have been a number of improvements atHereford Sixth Form College,where a new business block extension was completed in 2013 and a new reception area was completed in 2015.
Hereford benefitted from thePFIreconstruction schemes for NHS hospitals, with the former County Hospital site having £60 million spent on a brand new, one-site hospital to replace the former 3 hospitals: the General, the Eye Hospital, and the County Hospital. The new Hereford County Hospital was the single largest investment in Herefordshire at that point. In 2015, further funds for more improvements at the hospital were granted.
Current and future projects
editA major regeneration project is taking place in Hereford city centre, formerly known as theEdgar Street Grid.This covers an area of around 100 acres (0.40 km2) just north of the old city walls. Work started on 8 October 2012,[55]and should take around 15 years to complete the whole project. The regeneration includes the rebuilding of the canal basin at the end of the currently disusedHerefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal.The £80 million phase 1 includes a supermarket, department store, multiplex cinema, shops, restaurants, and other facilities and opened in late Spring 2014.[56]
The ButterMarketis due for refurbishment and proposals are being examined.[citation needed]
A proposedbypasshas been drawn-up to circle the city, which suffers from rush-hour traffic,[57]with potential routes either to the east or west of the city. Both routes would connect with the Rotherwas Access Road which was recently completed, connecting the RotherwasIndustrial Estateto theA49.Rotherwas itself has recently been awarded anEnterprise Zonestatus by the government which is expected to boost the economy and bring in thousands of new jobs.[58]
A second railway station for Hereford has been discussed, which would be situated in Rotherwas as part of the Enterprise Zone.
Hereford is due to receive half of the 20,600 new homes expected to be built in the county by 2026 as part of theRegional Spatial Strategy.[59]
Sport
editHereford is the home of thefootballclub,Hereford FCwho play atEdgar Streetin theNational League North.They are a phoenix club that was set up in the wake of the demise ofHereford United Football Clubin 2014. United were best known for beatingNewcastle2–1 in anFA Cupreplay in January 1972, when they were still a non-league side and Newcastle were in the top division of English football. Other city clubs includeWestfields,Hereford PegasusandHereford Lads Club,all of whom play in theHellenic Football League.
Hereford Rugby Clubannounced plans in 2012 for a £6 million move to a new home.[60]Also based at the Rugby club are Hereford Stampede who are anAmerican footballteam who play in theBAFA National Leaguesand made their full League debut in 2021.
Hereford Hockey Club is based at the Hereford City Sports Club, with teams entered into leagues in theWest Hockey Association.[61]
The city is home toHereford Racecourse,a traditionalNational Huntcourse to the north of the city centre which hosted around twenty meetings a year. The company who leased the site decided in 2012 that the site was not viable. What many thought to be the last meeting was held on 16 December 2012, however the course reopened for racing in October 2016.[62]
Golf courses surround the city at Wormsley (Herefordshire GC), Kington,Burghilland Brockington. The racecourse surrounds a golf course in Holmer.
Public leisure
editHereford's public leisure facilities are managed by a not-for-profit trust HALO Leisure, which runs the HerefordLeisure Centre(that includes sports halls,gymnasium,squash courts, golf course and an outdoorathleticsfacility), and the HerefordLeisure Pool(which includes a gymnasium, full size swimming pool, leisure pool, diving pool, and learners pool).
Clubs and societies
editThe Hereford Rowing Club (along with the Kayak Club) uses theRiver Wye.The stretch of river is also used for other water sports. Hereford has a nine pinskittleleague, formed on 24 October 1902, and today consists of five divisions.[63]
Hereford has other clubs and societies including the Railway Club, Welsh Club, Military Club, Richmond Place Club and the WhitecrossSquash& LawnTennisClub.
Hereford has several music clubs/societies such as Herefordshire Youth Orchestra, a group for those up to the age of 21.
Education
editUniversity
editA new higher education institution, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), has been created in Hereford, which had its first intake of students in September 2021.[64]It is envisioned as a seed institution for a future University of Hereford within a decade.
Colleges
editHereford is home to five colleges, including:
- Hereford College of Arts– a publicly funded art school located on Folly Lane, with aHigher Educationcentre on College Road in the former main buildings of the Royal National College for the Blind. The University of Wales Trinity St Davids co-operate to provide degree qualifications.
- Herefordshire and Ludlow College(HLC) formerly known as Hereford College of Technology – The Folly Lane facility includes a university centre for theUniversity of Worcester.
TheNational School of Blacksmithingis the oldest establishedBlacksmithingcollege in the UK, also the largest facility for training smiths in Europe.[65]This is also part of HLC.[66]
- Hereford Sixth Form College
- TheRoyal National College for the Blind– One of the top colleges in Europe for blind and visually impaired students, and one of only two in Britain.[citation needed]The college occupies the former Hereford College of Education campus. The college often plays host to major blind sporting competitions like the Blind World Cup 2010 and Euro 2015 Blind Football Championships, and currently hosts the England Blind Football squad training camps.
- Holme Lacy College – An agricultural college that was part of the Pershore Group of Colleges (nowWarwickshire College), but currently belongs to Herefordshire and Ludlow College (HLC).[67][68]
Schools
editHereford's many secondary schools include:
- TheSteiner Academy Hereford– The firstRudolf Steinerschool in England to become an academy.[69][70]
- Aylestone Business and Enterprise College– Aco-educationalcomprehensive schoolfor pupils aged between 11 and 16, created in 1976 by merging two formergrammar schools,the Hereford High School for Boys and the Hereford High School for Girls. Specialises inBusiness and Enterprise.[71]
- TheBishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School– A co-educationalvoluntary aidedcomprehensive school for pupils aged between 11 and 16, formed in 1973 from two former church secondary schools, the Bluecoat foundation, dating back to 1710 and the Bishop's School, asecondary modern schoolfounded in 1958. It is now aTechnology Collegewith a second specialism inLanguages.
- The Hereford Academy– A high school for pupils aged between 11 and 19. It was known as Haywood High School in the late seventies until 2006, when it was renamed as Wyebridge Sports College. As of 1 September 2009 it was renamed The 'Hereford Academy'.[72]It has been, like Whitecross High School, re-classified as a 'Sports College'. The academy's new building opened in September 2011, and the demolition of the old school site, making way for new playing fields to be laid out, was completed in Spring 2012.[73]
- Hereford Cathedral School– A co-educationalindependent schooland sixth form, and a member of theHeadmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.The earliest existing records date from 1384 though it is likely that a school was associated with the cathedral from its foundation in the late 7th century. HCS, together with HCJS (see below) educates the choristers for Hereford Cathedral Choir.
- St Marys RC High School– A Roman Catholic Comprehensive School for boys and girls aged 11–16. The school primarily serves the Catholic Communities of Herefordshire and is situated in a very attractive rural location close to the River Lugg, a few miles to the east of the City of Hereford in the village of Lugwardine.[74]
- Whitecross Hereford High School– AspecialistSports College,which moved to a brand newPFIbuilding in June 2006. The college for pupils aged between 11 and 16 aims to use the new facility to provide the best high school education for its pupils in the topic of Sports & Fitness.[75]
Primary schools in the city includeHereford Cathedral Junior School,a co-educationalindependent school.Hereford Cathedral Junior School is, with Hereford Cathedral School, part of the ancient Hereford Cathedral Foundation dating back to 676. The Junior School was founded as an independent school in 1898. The city's other primary schools are: Lord Scudamore Academy, St James C of E, St Francis Xavier R.C, Trinity, Holmer C of E, Marlbrook, Riverside, St Martin's, Broadlands, Riverside, Hampton Dene and St Paul's C of E.
Health and social care
editIn early 2008,Herefordshire CouncilandNHS Herefordshirebecame the first local authority andprimary care trustto form a new kind of partnership.[76]
The major hospital in Hereford is theHereford County Hospital.Ambulanceservices are provided by theWest Midlands Ambulance ServiceNHS Trust. TheMidlands Air Ambulancecharity provides air ambulance services across Herefordshire.
A private national firm operates a hospital in Hereford, and the city is well-populated with council-funded, private and charity based nursing, residential and other elderly care homes and facilities.
Society and culture
editAgriculture
editFarminghas played a major part in the history of the county of Herefordshire, and for many years the City of Hereford was the epicentre, playing host to the CattleMarket;a major market site.[77]
With the 2001foot-and-mouthoutbreak the market suffered with trade reduced. Established byAct of Parliament,the market had to be provided, and so a Bill was introduced in 2003[78]to move the site to the outskirts of the city. The inner city site would then be available for redevelopment, a process that has now finished.
The new Hereford Cattle Market opened its doors in August 2011 on the site just outside the city[79]and has already proved so successful that trading and business is up on the previous site's record.[80]
Music
editThe annualThree Choirs Festival,originating in the 18th century and one of the oldest music festivals in the British Isles, is held in Hereford every third year, the other venues beingGloucesterandWorcester.
The hymn tune 'Hereford' was written bySamuel Sebastian Wesley(1810–1876). He was an organist atHereford Cathedral(1832–1835). This tune is often sung to the words 'O Thou who camest from above'.[81]
Composer SirEdward Elgarlived at Plas Gwyn, Eign Hill, in Hereford between 1904 and 1911, writing some of his most famous works during that time. He is commemorated with a statue on theCathedral Close.One of hisEnigma Variationswas inspired by a bulldog named Dan falling into the River Wye at Hereford, and the dog is similarly honoured with a wooden statue beside the river. Not long after moving into the city he was (despite not being a city council member) offered but declined the office of mayor of the city. He visited the city as a conductor at the Three Choirs Festival, the last occasion in 1933 prior to his death.[82]
Hereford is home to the Hereford Police Male Voice Choir who competed on the BBC TV show "Last Choir Standing",[83]and the Railway Choir.
A charity music school is based in Hereford.[84]
Art
editH.Art, or Herefordshire Art Week, is an annual county-wide exhibition held in September, displaying the work of local artists.[85]Many places usually closed to the public are opened during this week, such as the Bishop's Palace at the cathedral.
Polish-born sculptorWalenty Pytelhas had studios in Hereford since 1963 after training at Hereford College of Art.
There is a statue of a Bronze Hereford bull designed byBrian Alabaster ARBSin front of The Old House.[86]
Literature
editThe troops of the fictionalcommandosquadRainbowwere based at RAF Hereford, as detailed in the novelRainbow Six.
The action of the fictional novelsShades of GreyandThe Last DragonslayerbyJasper Ffordetake place in Hereford.[87]
Phil Rickman'sMerrily Watkinsseries of supernatural and mystery novels is set in and around Hereford.[88]
Comedy writer Aaron Gillies began writing usingTwitterwhile working as a sound technician atThe Courtyard.[89]
Media
editThe local radio stations includeHits Radio Herefordshire & Worcestershire(formerly known as Wyvern) which broadcasts on 97.6–96.7–102.8 FM,Sunshine Radioon 106.2 FM, andBBC Hereford and Worcesterwhich broadcasts on 94.7FM. Hereford FC has its own online Radio station, RadioHerefordFC covering all its matches Home and Away. It has a 24/7 eclectic music output.
TheHereford Timesis the city's only remaining weekly local newspaper as the 'Hereford Journal' ceased publication on 11 June 2014 and the 'Hereford admag' ceased publication in September 2018.
Local TV content is currently provided byBBC Midlands TodayandITV News Central.
Entertainment
editThe city's main theatre and cultural venue is theCourtyard Centre for the Artswhich was opened in 1998, replacing the New Hereford Theatre.
There is also a multi screen Odeoncinemain the Old Market precinct.
MFA Bowl (formerly known as TGS), home to aTen Pin Bowlingalley andMini Golfcourse is located near the railway station.
There is a dedicatedSkateparkon Holmer Road.
Notable people
edit- Richard Hakluyt(1553–1616), an English writer who promoted theEnglish colonization of North Americawas born in the town.[90]
- John Kemble(c. 1599–1679), Catholic priest and martyr, was born at Rhydicar Farm, St Weonards, near Hereford.
- Thomas Traherne(1636 or 1637 – 1674), Englishmetaphysical poet,cleric, theologian, and writer.
- Nell Gwyn(1650–1687),David Garrick(1717–1779) andSarah Siddons(1755–1831), actors and actresses, are all historical figures popularly associated with Hereford.[91][92][93]
- ThehighwaymanWilliam Spiggot(1691–1721) declared before his execution to the Ordinary's Accounts ofNewgate Prisonin London that he was the son of an innkeeper from Hereford.[94]
- Major-GeneralStringer Lawrence(1698–1775), first commander-in-chief of British troops in India, under whose commandRobert Clive(1725–1774) served, was born in Hereford.[95]
- William Samuel Symonds(1818–1887), was an English cleric, geologist and author from Hereford.[96]
- Henry James, 1st Baron James of Hereford(1828–1911), known as Sir Henry James was an Anglo-Welsh lawyer and statesman.[97]
- The composer SirEdward Elgar(1857–1934) lived in Hereford 1904–1911, during which time he was offered but declined the city mayoralty.[82]
- The rugby union player and sports broadcasterTeddy Wakelam(1893–1963), was born in Hereford.
- BroadcasterGilbert Harding(1907–1960) was born there when his father was master of the local workhouse, as was contemporary actressBeryl ReidOBE (1919–1996).
- Al Vandenberg(1932–2012), American photographer, worked and died in Hereford.
- John Williamson(1937–2021), international economist and author of "What Washington Means by Policy Reform" was born in Hereford.
- Mike Osborne(1941–2007), notable jazz saxophonist active from 1966 to 1981, was born and spent the last decades of his life in Hereford suffering from mental illness.
- Frank Oz(born 1944), puppeteer forThe MuppetsandYodaofStar Warswas born in Hereford and lived there for the first five years of his life.[98]
- Simon Carroll(1964–2009), studio potter was born in Hereford.
- The original lineup ofThe Pretenders(formed 1978), with the exception of lead singerChrissie Hynde,were from Hereford, as were the rock bandMott the Hoople(formed 1966).
- Ellie Goulding(born 1986), pop singer and songwriter was born in Hereford.
- Lucy Letby(born 1990), serial killer grew up in Hereford.[99]
- FootballerConnor Wickham(born 1993) was born in the city.[100]
- Jordan James(born 2004), professional footballer withBirmingham CityandWales national team.[101]
Tourism and attractions
editHereford Cathedraldates from 1079 and contains theMappa Mundi,amedievalmap of the world dating from the 13th century which was restored in the late 20th century. It also has achained library.[102]
The Old House, Herefordis an historic black and white house in the centre of High Town in Hereford. It is now a museum about life in theJacobean eraof the 1600s when it was built.
TheHereford Museum and Art Gallery,housed in aVictorian Gothicbuilding and opened in 1874, presents artefacts, fine art, and decorative art associated with the local area.
TheMuseum of Cideris in the city, with a shop, and an interactive guide to producing the drink. It is a registered Charity Trust founded in the early 1970s by people who wanted to record the past, and the disappearing traditional art of cider making that had been practised for generations on the farms in the "Cider Counties". Situated in an old cider factory, it opened in 1980 and 1981.[which?]In the spring/summer a cider festival is held, started in the mid-1980s, by the Friends of the Museum with the advice of Long Ashton Research station near Bristol. It has a display of named cider apples, and the apples are pressed in the old way. The Museum holds in its Pomological Archive a number of records pertaining to apples and cider.
TheViolette SzaboMuseum is inWormelowvillage, outside the city.
Holme LacyHouse, now a hotel for a national chain, was built near the city byJohn Scudamorein the 1500s. It has played host to famous historical figures in its time.[103]
Festivals
editSeveral festivals are hosted in Hereford including the Beer on the Wye festival, the Hereford Food Festival, and theThree Choirs Festival.
Twin towns
edit- Dillenburg,Germany
- Vierzon,France (since 1994)[104]
Freedom of the City
editThe following people and military units have received theFreedom of the Cityof Hereford.
Individuals
edit- John Edward Masefield:1930.[105]
- Graham John Turner:31 October 2010.[106]
Military units
editSource:[107]
- TheHerefordshire Light Infantry:September 1945.
- RAF Hereford:April 1959.
- TheKing's Shropshire Light Infantry:April 1960.
- The Light Infantry:July 1971.
- HMS Antelope,RN:March 1976.
- TheRoyal British Legion:April 1976.
- The22nd Special Air Services Regiment:April 1981.
- TheBurma Star Association:April 1982.
- The Rifles:July 2008.
See also
edit- Bobblestock
- List of Hereford MPs
- Herefordshire
- Hereford City Council electionsfor political history of the pre-1998 district council.
- College, Hereford
- Hinton & Hunderton
- Railways in Hereford
- Saxon Gate
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