The terrible events of the past week in Ukraine take me back to memories of more than three decades ago.
George Orwell famously wrote that “To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.” So it is in Herefordshire, because of the incredible range of volunteering and community support organisations that quietly go about their business across the county.
Last week saw the publication of two important reports. Both have a direct bearing on the future of Herefordshire. Together they reinforce the importance of the Government’s new Levelling Up strategy, and the urgent need to clean up the river Wye.
This is the time of year when we pay tribute and give thanks to all those who work in the public service: those who give up their Christmas and New Year in order to provide vital services through the NHS, the police, fire and rescue and ambulance services, those in our Armed Forces, both here and overseas, those who serve as carers, and of course the families to support them.
With a population of 190,000 and an area of 837 square miles, Herefordshire is small in numbers but large in size. Herefordians know that it is a heaven on earth, of course, but the truth is that somehow we have never quite been able to get this message out to the wider world. Instead Herefordshire has been regarded as the UK's best-kept secret.