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Hereford (pronounced hěr-ə-füd; Welsh: Henffordd (pronounced "Henforth") is a city in the west of England, close to the border with Wales and on the River Wye. It is the County town of Herefordshire. In 2001, Hereford had a population of 50,154.
Hereford has a cathedral dating from 1079 which contains the Mappa Mundi, a medieval map of the world dating from the 13th century which was restored in the late 20th. It also contains the world famous Chained library.
An early town charter from 1189 granted by King Richard describes it as 'Hereford in Wales'. This charter also gave Hereford city status, the earliest example of city status being granted, since all earlier cities had been so since Time immemorial. See City status in the United Kingdom
It is now known chiefly as a trading centre for a wider agricultural and rural area. Products from Hereford include: (Bulmer's) Cider, Beer, Leather goods, Nickel alloys, Poultry from Sun Valley chemicals and Cattle, including the famous Hereford breed. The city is the home of the British Special Air Service or SAS.
The current member of the House of Commons for Hereford constituency is Paul Keetch.
On January 28, 2005, Hereford was granted Fairtrade City status.
During the civil war the city changed hands several times. On September 30 1642, Parliamentarians led by Sir Robert Harley and Henry Grey, 1st Earl of Stamford occupied the city without opposition. In December, they withdrew to Gloucester because of the presence in the area of a Royalist army under Lord Herbert. The city was again occupied briefly from April 23 to May 18 1643 by Parliamentarians commanded by Sir William Waller but it was in 1645 that the city saw most action. On July 31 a Scottish army of 14000 under Alexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Leven besieged the city but met stiff resistance from its Garrison and inhabitants. They withdrew on September 1 when they received news that a force led by King Charles was approaching. The city was finally taken for Parliament on December 18 by Colonel Birch and Colonel Morgan.
Nell Gwynne, the mistress of King Charles II, is said to have been born in Hereford in 1650 (although other towns and cities, notably Oxford claim her as their own), and a street 'Gwynn Street' is named after her.
There have been plans for many years for a north-south bypass, and currently the plan is for a nine-mile dual carriageway, however HM Government refuses to grant permisson or supply funds.
However, the new Herefordshire was a Unitary authority and Hereford lost its district status. Charter Trustees were appointed to preserve mayoral traditions until a civil parish council could be set up in 2000. Hereford is one of only seven civil parishes which have city status.
Hereford also has a successful Rugby and Cricket teams, but these are less famous.
At present the colleges are planning to re-build themselves into a massive new Learning Village, which will secure Further Education in the county for many decades.
It is also home to many schools including: