CROSSING the county border into Herefordshire one is confronted with the new Herefordshire signs with the words 'you can' displayed in the bottom left hand corner.

Most do a double take but then have passed by the sign and think that they might have misread it.

The next time they pass one they then realise they hadn't misread it. Then follows a long period of puzzlement.

This weekend I was with a group of people who were bemoaning the cuts that Herefordshire County Council was making and I expressed the view that it was a pity that they spent the money on the signs and anyway what is it that you "can do"? Everybody there, even those from Herefordshire, expressed puzzlement as to what the words meant. All except one that is.

He explained that readers of the sign should take the first syllable of Herefordshire ie "here" and then add the words you can to that.

It's supposed to encourage businesses and tourists to realise that Herefordshire is the place you can do things. I don't think many will get the message.

– The Dream­er, Drybrook.