2015 has been a busy year in Ross-on-Wye. We have taken a quick look back at some of what happened during the year.

For a full review see our four page pull out in The Ross Gazette on 30th December.

January: There was a tragic end to the search for Patrick Lamb, the boyfriend of a Ross Woman, who was found in the River Medway in Kent. A 40 year old Liverpool man as arrested for the cash machine theft in Morrisons. We said a sad goodbye to Callwood Butchers, who shut their doors in High Street after three decades. And the fight continued for Hereford Utd Football Club.

February: There was fun in the town as a number of children, and even some adults, took part in the annual Pancake Races. Ross cricket Club was subject to a break in. The Ross Gazette told the fascinating story of William Fraser, who escaped from the Nazis.

March: Ross-on-Wye mourned for 20 year old, Ollie Floyd, who died in tragic circumstances at the Celtic Manor Result. There was a sensational finish for Next Sensation at the Cheltenham Festival. Residents donned their special glasses to watch the much-anticipated Solar Eclipse. And the Market House was finally transferred into Town Council ownership.

April: A Ross based company, Exmed, headed to Uganda to renovate a dilapidated clinic into a fully functional healthcare facility. Election fever took over. Ross said goodbye to Furzepig Hedgehog Rescue. And there was success for JKHS girls who were crowned cricket champions, and Ross Rowing Club U15s Girls who brought home a silver and gold medal from the Junior Inter-regional Regatta.

May: The May Fayre was another roaring success, with thousands descending on the town centre. There was a Tory victory, after Jesse Norman won the MP’s seat for Hereford and South Herefordshire. Residents pulled together to help tidy up the churchyard, after St Mary’s Church appealed for help. And there was more success for Ross Rowing Club, as both seniors and juniors celebrated great achievements.

June: There was celebrations all round as Ross Juniors Football Club and Hope Support Services were awarded with The Queen’s Volunteer Award. Ross duo, Kate and Josh Bibby competed against junior golfers from all around the world. Ross Fire Crew stormed to victory in The Road Traffic Challenge. And a three month project to refurbish the Ross-on-Wye Sports Club began.

July: More than 500 dogs and their owners in Ross broke the UK record for the most dogs in one place. The badger cull continued in the area an a protest took to the streets of Ross on July 4th. Ross Rugby Club got the chance to be up close with the Webb Ellis Trophy.

August: The rain stayed away for the Ross Carnival, much to the relief of the participants, organisers and spectators. The library was once again threatened with closure. Alice Hurley swept the board at the Spanish Horse National Championships at Hartpury, and there was success for 12 year old, Harry Griffiths, who won the Ross Golf Cup’s Bradley Cup.

September: August Bank Holiday events were reported in the paper at the start of September. Special events were held in memory of Billy Rudge, who died in a tragic accident in February, and Ollie Floyd, who also died in tragic circumstances this year. Double Olympic Gold Medalist, Andy Triggs-Hidge, attended the Ross Regatta, A course record was set at the Ross 10K. And the Harrhy family said thank you for all the support they received from the local community.

October: There was outrage over comments made by the Ross Mayor during an appearance on the ITV show Parking Wars, for which he later apologised. There was an encouraging start to a new era at Ross Hockey Club juniors team as they joined the Gloucestershire Badgers League. A group set up called Ross for Refugees visited a camp at Calais to deliver donations made by Ross residents.

November: There was tragedy on local roads, after four serious collisions in the space of 16 days. Ross Juniors Football Club topped off an amazing year when they were named as Community Club of the Year at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Awards. Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to the thousands of fallen soldiers who had given their lives to protect the freedom of the country.

December: Hundreds of local residents turned out to support the Christmas Fayre and light switch on despite terrible weather. The winners were announced at the Ross Gazette Awards. Fownhope community was delighted after they received 3G mobile coverage from Vodafone, after years suffering with unreliable mobile coverage. The local schools put on wonderful nativity plays for families and friends to enjoy.

This is just a small snippet of what the Ross Gazette reported on in 2015. For pictures and our full review see the 30th December issue of the paper.