Taiwanese ambassador says he will put Herefordshire ‘on the map’

Sir Bill Wiggin, MP for North Herefordshire, and Jo Hilditch, chairman of visit Herefordshire, took a day out to guide Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh and his wife Linda around the county.

Ms Hilditch said Sir Bill showed the couple what Herefordshire has to offer both for tourists and for business.

They started the day with a visit to the National Trust property at Brockhampton to take in the countryside and medieval moated house.

RELATED NEWS:

• Boris 'exempt from being a good chap', claims Hereford MP
• Government failing to avert 'impending death' of river Wye
• Herefordshire post office in family for 100 years now closing

Next, they had a tour around the house and a visit to the re-imagining orchards exhibition followed by a glass of local apple juice with home-made cake, before travelling on to one of the county's oldest cider producers, Weston's Cider.

Sir Bill Wiggin and Jo Hilditch with Taiwanese ambassador Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh and his wife Linda Picture: Weston's Cider

This was a good place to experience a cider mill tour as well as a tasting of a delicious range of fresh ciders, said Ms Hilditch.

"A visit to Herefordshire would not be complete without going to our magnificent cathedral to see the ancient, chained library and the Mappa Mundi," she said.

"His Excellency had also requested to meet with one of our main industries in Hereford so a visit to Avara in central Hereford was also set up, where he heard about the contribution that this poultry business makes to our wider economy."

They finished off the day by going to Upton Bishop to enjoy a dinner of local produce.

His Excellency Kelly Wu-Chaio Hsieh said the Mappa Mundi, and the chained library were incredible old artefacts.

OTHER NEWS:

• Why Hereford snooker centre temporarily closed
• Herefordshire petrol station investigated by trading standards
• Here’s what Ofsted inspectors said about primary school near Hereford

"But more than that, I am taking away a memory of a county that I have never had any reason to visit before, but what a secret area of outstanding national beauty as well as the industry that co-exists within it," he said.

"Something that I will reflect to my countrymen, and it will put Herefordshire on the map for any of our tourist itineraries. Especially for the delicious cider."

Sir Bill Wiggin said: "It's such a pleasure to imagine seeing Herefordshire with fresh eyes, and on a sunny day like this what could be better – to see the rolling hills, hidden valleys, ancient timber framed buildings, the cider industry at its best as well as our jewel in the crown of Hereford Cathedral."