Herefordshire's Paralympians set for homecoming party in High Town (From Hereford Times)

Herefordshire's Paralympians set for homecoming party in High Town

10:00am Thursday 20th September 2012 in Sport By Ian Morgan

HEREFORDSHIRE’S Paralympian stars will be recognised at a homecoming party on Saturday, September 29.

Medallists Josie Pearson, Sascha and Nyree Kindred and James Bevis will be celebrated in Hereford’s High Town at noon.

The Hereford-based Great Britain Blind Football Team will also be at the ceremony which will take place near the Old House.

Herefordshire Council chairman Olwyn Barnett will officially welcome ‘Team Herefordshire’ back to the county.

She said: “We hope people won’t miss this opportunity to meet the athletes who will be available for autographs and photographs.”

Hackney Carriage taxis will be bringing the Great Britain athletes into High Town via Widemarsh Street and there are also plans for some musical entertainment.

Discus gold medallist Josie Pearson and silver medal-winning swimmer Nyree Kindred were cheered at a ceremony in Cardiff Bay on Friday.

The duo were among 40 of Wales’ Olympians and Paralympians who gathered on the Senedd steps and were greeted by hundreds of people.

Josie is now enjoying a sunshine holiday in Ibiza, while the other Herefordshire stars were expected at a reception last night at the Royal National College for the Blind.

Shooter James Bevis, a bronze medallist, said he’s had a busy time since leaving the Paralympic Village. James, who is living in Devon but hopes to return to Hereford, has just been given life-membership of thePoint4 sports facility at RNC.

He hopes to start 50-metre outdoor shooting with a 2.2 rifle.

“It was strange coming back home and the first couple of days were a bit surreal,” said James, who has had 61 new friend requests so far on Facebook.

“I cut the ribbons to start Hereford’s Venus Midnight Walk on Friday in front of about 800 women,” he said.

“I also popped in to say thank you to my former boss, Bill Horton, at Hereford Land Rover, who has been a great supporter.

“Bill and Hereford Land Rover have been brilliant to me and are very chuffed with my Paralympic success,” he said.