WHENEVER I talk about cricket to someone who is not a fan of the sport, the reaction I usually get is that it is boring.

They cannot understand why I am prepared to watch a ball being hit around for up to nine hours over five days.

Well to coin a much loved phrase, it's because I don't like cricket...I love it!

The Ashes is now in full swing and it's turning out to be one of the most dramatic series in recent memory.

The first test at Trent Bridge had more twists and turns than I could stomach, with England just about getting over the finishing line.

And, four wickets have so far fallen on the opening day of the second test at Lord's.

Ok, there can be occasions when not much happens on a cricket field and you can have days when there are hardly any "highlights".

But, that's the beauty of it - you never know what is going to happen.

Andy Murray gripped the nation with his Wimbledon heroics and I'm sure that Alistair Cook's boys can continue to do likewise.

What a summer we have in store!

Do you think that cricket is boring? Vote on the poll below.

Councillor Expenses

The Hereford Times has today reported on two councillors who are challenging other councillors to cut their allowances by up to 10 per cent and for them and senior officers to "lead the way".

Coun Andrew Atkinson and Coun Paul Rone, who are among the youngest councillors on the authority, will put the motion before a meeting of the full council tomorrow.

It's a bold move by the pair, but I commend them for it.

I know that some senior officers at the council do sterling work, but I question if they are worth their huge salaries.

Especially, when a report in January highlighted that the then combined salaries of 13 senior council managers had topped more than £1.2 million, while a previous chief executive was paid more than the Prime Minister.

We are in a tough economic climate, so maybe it is about time that some councillors and senior officers question whether they are worth what they are paid and if they really need to claim as much in allowances.

Click here for more on the story.

Do you think that councillors should take a cut? Vote on the poll below.

Hats off to Race for Life competitors

It never ceases to amaze me how many people turn up each year to take part in the Race for Life event.

But, considering the soaring temperatures that they had to compete against this year, I take my hat off to everyone who managed to complete the route at Hereford Racecourse on Sunday.

And a special mention must go to Colin Jennings, who helped dampen down the runners by spraying then with water from a hosepipe from his garden in Highmore Street.

What a lovely gesture that I'm sure all the women appreciated.

You can read about Colin's deed, click here.