The Ross Gazette’s Review of the Year 2018 July – December

July: Pupils said farewell to their primary school this month after a flurry of end of term performances, sports days and special achievement assemblies. Proms in the Park brought crowds of visitors to the Caroline Symonds Garden, including some regular performers and audience members at the Bands in the Park events which take place regularly throughout the summer. There was sad news this month when popular Town Councillor and former Mayor, Colin Gray died suddenly. Earlier in the month he had attended the presentation of two embroidered panels to the Larruperz Centre and been busy organising the Country Music Festival. There was also good news for shoppers as the controversial parking charges introduced at Morrisons were scrapped and golfer, Niall Powell made a temporary return to Ross Golf Club to win the Mike Lane Trophy.

August: Always a busy month this August lived up to expectations as residents enjoyed one of the best summers, weather-wise, for a very long time. Ross Carnival was one of the biggest events the town has seen for years. Thousands of happy locals and visitors thronged the streets of the town, basking in the sunshine as they watched the parade. Ollie Fest was yet again a huge success, attracting crowds of locals and visitors to the town for a festival of music which lasted three days. The event’s growing reputation brought thousands of visitors from far and wide. A former FA football coach Dick Bate was officially recognised at St George’s Park, home of the Football Association when they named a pitch in his honour. The influential figure, who lived in Howle Hill, Ross-on-Wye, passed away in April aged 71.

September: Ross Junior Girls were among the trophy winners at a tournament played at the Mcdonald’s Showcase Football Day at the Sports Centre. The players, and their supporters, were thrilled to meet former professional player, Dean Saunders. Ross Juniors Men took part in the first round of fixtures in the Herefordshire County League. The Division 1 team had the brightest of starts with a 5-0 win over Bartstree Reserves at home. Ross and Monmouth Sea Cadets held a presentation evening in their new home, based at Homs Road carpark, which opened in July.

October: Former John Kyrle High School teacher, Berwyn Jones, was inducted into the Welsh Athletics Hall of Fame. Ross resident, Wendy Salter, took on a mammoth litter picking challenge, spending the month cleaning up every street in town. 100 years ago George Jackson, son of a Cheltenham market trader purchased the Glewstone Farm estate and founded the Man of Ross Fruit Farm. The family celebrated their centenary this month. The family and colleagues of Steven Sherwood, who was killed in Afghanistan, were joined by local dignitaries to celebrate his life.

November: The residents of Ross-on-Wye and the surrounding area came together to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. Hundreds gathered in Ross for the annual Remembrance Day Service at The Prospect, with a service led by Simon Tarlton. In the evening, a concert took place at St Mary’s Church, before the audience followed a Scottish piper to The Prospect for the lighting of the Beacon. In and around Ross, many others got involved with their way of remembering the fallen. Llangrove CE Academy created their own weeping willow with hand painted poppies, and the children at Walford Primary School created a similar tribute to the fallen soldiers. Much Birch pupils joined a special service at the Millenium Green. The Ross Gazette also published a special supplement to commemorate 100 years since the Armistice.

December: Family members, friends and those who had worked with Colin Gray over many years, and in many different community projects, gathered at the Tudorville and District Community Centre to pay tribute to him. The meeting room at the Centre was renamed the Colin Gray Room in his honour. As the festive season approached, Ross-on-Wye town was decorated with Christmas trees and lights. Shoppers were busy around the town, particularly as they had the chance of winning vouchers if they spent their money locally, and children enjoyed meeting Father Christmas at the Christmas Carnival. Primary schools in and around Ross-on-Wye practised their Nativity shows and pupils had fun dressing up and acting out the classic Christmas scenes in their plays.

For the full year in review see the Ross Gazette dated 26th December.