A 10-year-old Plymouth boy who urgently needs an organ transplant is featuring in a national campaign
See Page 3
# PLYMOUTHTOGETHER
Carl Tester, a Plymouth based sailor has won the coveted title of Royal Navy Chef of the Year
See Page 7
Plymouth University graduate Melissa Hawkings has created on online platform to empower women’s views
See Page 18
Defence giant Babcock has been awarded a £560 million contract to carry out a life extension programme for HMS Victorious, one of the Royal Navy’s Trident submarines. The contract will help support 1,000 jobs in Plymouth and the wider South West FULL STORY ON BACK PAGE
Departing Fri 10 May ‘24
Experience the rugged landscapes of North Wales on this brilliant three-day break where we enjoy a wonderful rack railway journey on the spectacular Snowdon Mountain Railway, a trip to Betwys-y-Coed and time in the lovely seaside resort of Llandudno.
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Plymouth & Saltash
2 nights at Marine Hotel, Llandudno (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment on one evening
Train journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway
Free time in Llandudno
Excursion to Betws-y-Coed
3
Departing Fri 31 May ‘24
Let us whisk you away to the Isle of Wight, for a perfect weekend to rejuvenate. Tailored for those who seek relaxation by the sea, along with a desire to explore, this break includes a visit to the historic town of Newport and an optional ‘Round the Island’ tour.
Your break includes
Return coach travel & ferry crossings from Plymouth & Saltash
3 nights at the 2-star Holliers Hotel, Shanklin with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment on one evening
Free excursion to Newport
Optional excursion to Island Highlights Tour (£14pp)
4
Departing Thu 18 Jul ‘24
Take a tour on the scenic side and explore the natural beauty of Shropshire. We enjoy many exciting excursions including a journey on the Severn Valley Railway, entrance to the Blists Hill Museum, a relaxing cruise along the River Severn, and more!
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Plymouth & Saltash
4 nights at the Holiday Inn Birmingham Bromsgrove with dinner & breakfast
Heritage train journey on the Severn Valley Railway
Cruise on the River Severn with light refreshments
Excursions to Ludlow Market & Blists Hill Museum
5
The agonising plight of a 10-year-old Plymouth boy who desperately needs a kidney transplant is being highlighted as part of a campaign to promote organ donations.
Like most children, Jensen Cater cannot wait for lots of things, like Easter and Spring. But there is something he wants even more: a life-saving organ transplant. He and more than 230 other children in the UK urgently need the precious and ultimate gift of life of a transplant to live.
In a bid to raise vital awareness of the need for more child organ donors, a powerful campaign –Waiting to Live – has seen children transformed into dolls placed across the country. Each doll wears a badge inviting people passing by to scan a QR code and find out more about children waiting for transplants from across the UK.
It is hoped that the dolls and the real-life children’s stories will inspire more parents and families to consider organ donation and add themselves and their children onto the NHS Organ Donor Register.
Jensen, who lives in Plymouth with his parents and two brothers, has been waiting for a kidney transplant for more than a year. He is on dialysis for ten hours every night and has to restrict his fluid intake and his diet. Jensen has regular blood tests and had peritonitis twice at the end of last year. He is developmentally delayed and wears hearing aids in both ears due to having no cochlear nerve.
Mum Danielle said: “Jensen can be quite quiet
at first but does come out of his shell. He is a character and comes out with the funniest things. When he finds something he likes he gets obsessed with it, he loves to reread his booklet from the hospital about things you need to know when you have your transplant.
“He’s really good with everything he has to deal with, he’s got used to it as have we all. His brothers are very protective of him. Jensen likes Minecraft, Lego and loves Power Rangers. He has a great imagination for drawing and writing stories and likes to recreate his school lessons for us.
“Jensen has always been lacking in energy growing up and had a very limited appetite. He was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure in January 2022. He was later diagnosed with BOR syndrome
which is what they believe caused the kidney failure.
“It is hard waiting for a transplant because there are certain things you can’t plan just in case you get the call so you can feel a bit restricted sometimes.
“If we have a day out anywhere Jensen sometimes takes a day to recover and regain his energy again. He is also limited on the things he can do such as playing sports. He cannot play any contact sports which means he misses out on doing lots of things he would like to do.
“A transplant could make a huge difference to not only Jensen but to all of us. For Jensen it would mean he could do more of the things he can’t currently do such as going to friend’s birthday parties or staying over at friends or family.
“It would also mean as a family we could go out for a day out without having to plan to get back in time so that Jensen can go on his dialysis and be finished in time for school in the morning. It also means we could go on a holiday as a family and not have to take all his equipment with us. A transplant would mean freedom.”
She added: “I would say if you can donate and it’s something you want to do then definitely look into it. You never know if someone in your own family may need a transplant and I’m sure those who receive it will be forever grateful.”
Currently, there is a significant lack of child organ donors resulting in children and their families waiting for a life-saving donation that tragically sometimes doesn’t come.”
Local community group, Chronic Pain Coaching CIC, is celebrating after being awarded almost £20,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to support its work in the community.
The Plymouth-based group will use the money to continue running and expand on the pain cafés, currently held in Plympton and Wolseley Road. Chronic Pain Coaching CIC has been operating since 2023. It was founded by Julie Widdecombe, with support from Sean Jennings, after she had to re-build her life following spinal cord injury and fibromyalgia. Both Julie and Sean live with chronic pain and manage medication free.
Julie realised that support for those with chronic pain locally was limited and wanted to promote supported self-management.
The group currently runs two monthly pain cafés
where participants can receive peer support, join in safe, guided movement, and learn essential skills. Each session is guided by Sean and Julie and focus on coaching people through the ‘Ten Footsteps’ of pain management, helping to increase selfconfidence and connect people to others who may be struggling with pain.
Implementation of the pain cafés is being supported by Health Innovation South West, Plymouth Octopus Project team, the Rees Centre, and Wolseleyn Community Trust.
Julie Widdecombe, founding director said: “The new funding from the National Lottery Community Fund will guarantee the future of the cafés, which have so far been run with voluntary time and resources.
“Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to continue with our valuable service and reach out to others in the community who
Leading adult education provider On Course South West has signed up an impressive list of local experts to deliver a new range of courses in Plymouth.
Chris RobinsonThe courses will be held at Hyde Park House in Mutley and one of the best known names involved is local historian Chris Robinson, who has been documenting the city in words and pictures since 1978 and to date written over 30 books on various aspects of life in Plymouth over the last 500 years.
Currently working on the first comprehensive history of Plympton, he is now looking forward to sharing his knowledge during the brand new eightweek Local History course.
As well as Chris, a number of other local industry experts have been signed up to deliver new courses.
They include:
need our help. Those living with daily pain often feel helpless and isolated and we can give them the skills to manage their condition themselves, reducing burden on local health services.”
Sean Jennings, director, added: “I have lived with chronic pain for nearly 32 years, 25 of those years on high dose prescription medication. I am now six and a half years medication free, using the same strategies we are teaching in our cafés. I am the cofounder of 15 pain cafés running in Cornwall using the ‘Skills not Pills’ approach that Julie and I are now using in Plymouth.
“Both Julie and I are passionate about making a difference to the lives of people in pain. The National Lottery Community Fund Award will enable us to continue our much needed work.”
To contact Chronic Pain Coaching call 07842 614419 or email chronicpaincoachinguk@gmail. com.
Stacey Hunter, an Artist in Residence at Arts University Plymouth who has worked for Digital Filmmaker Magazine and has experience on independent films and fashion. She will be teaching Watercolours, Mixed Media Arts and Drawing.
Polly Plouviez, a textile artist who recently exhibited at Mount Edgecumbe and will lead on courses including Acrylics, Gelli Painting and Still Life.
Jos Wellman, an experienced chef who has cooked for the Royal Family, as well as US Presidents Reagan, Carter and Bush. He also created dishes for Bon Jovi, Sean Connery and Spike Milligan. He has starred on TV, ran restaurants, and wrote several cookery books. Although now semi–retired, Jos has agreed to share his invaluable knowledge, skills and experience to cook with families in the community.
Andy Breare, former BBC presenter and ournalist. A well-known face in the Southwest presenting on BBC Spotlight for more than 20 years and writing a weekly column for the Western Morning News. Since leaving the BBC, Andy has joined Plymouth Hospital’s Charity as communications officer and will be sharing his Creative Writing and Public Speaking skills.
Mark Trewin, principal of On Course South West said: “The skills and experience offered by these new tutors will give learners a wealth of knowledge and practical guidance.
“We have experienced tremendous growth in the last year, almost doubling the amount of funding into Plymouth to benefit individuals, communities and families that live here.
“As the fastest - growing adult education provider in the city and with an impressive 98% of learners recommending to friends and family, we continue to go from strength to strength.”
Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.
Spring Fair
Mar 28
St Budeaux Church Community Hall, behind where the Blue Monkey used to be, at Higher St Budeaux, is holding its popular event from 11am to 2.30pm. Everyone welcome, and a great choice of tables to browse, good refreshments, cakes and pasties, and only 20p entry.
Eggstraordinary Barbican Easter Trail
Mar 29 to Apr 14
Free family fun during the Easter break. Just collect a trail sheet from the Tourist information Centre on the Barbican. Discover who will be hatching from the eggs hidden on the trail, they are all creatures that live in or around the Barbican except one, spot the odd one out for an Easter treat. For details go to the What’s On section at www.visitplymouth.co.uk
Coffee Morning
Apr 6
Fundraising event in aid of ABF Soldiers Charity from 10am to 12 noon at Mount Gould Methodist Church. Coffee, tea, cake, raffle, tombola, sale table, crafts and much more.
Coffee Morning
Apr 6
Crownhill Methodist Church Hall from 10.30am to 12 noon. Various stalls in aid of St Luke’s Hospice. All welcome.
St Luke’s Men’s Day Out
Apr 6
March memorable miles to support St Luke’s Hospice expert care. An unmissable mix of miles, mates, memories and it’s back for 2024! Grab your pals, join the mass of big-hearted men marching through Plymouth to make a massive difference to families who need the compassionate, expert care St Luke’s provides at the toughest of times. Places for the event always go fast. for full details and egistration visit www.stlukeshospice.org.uk/mensdayout
Fishermen’s Friends
Apr 6
Cornwall’s beloved singers bring their brand-new major headline tour for 2024 to Plymouth Pavilions.
Fisherman’s Friend have nine albums to their name, two feature films, a stage musical, a book, a TV documentary, they’ve played for royalty and to tens of thousands of fans in sell-out tours year in year out. Tickets from www. theticketstore.co.uk or call 01752 522205.
Come and Sing
Apr 6
Brent Singers are inviting singers interested to Come and Sing Faurés timeless Requiem and Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs at Buckfast Abbey. Singers are welcome to join the afternoon rehearsal and then join the evening performance. Tickets for the come and sing are £20, which includes music and refreshments. Visit www.brentsingers.org.uk. The concert performance is at 7.30pm with tickets available from the Abbey website www.buckfast.org. uk/events/faure-requiem
Spring Exhibition and Sale of Work
Apr 7 to 14
Organised by Plymouth Arts Club at the Church of the Ascension Church Hall, The Lawns, Tavistock Road. Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm; Sundays 12 noon to 4pm. Details at www.plymouthartsclub.co.uk
Andy Parsons
Apr 12
Following a complete sell out at the Edinburgh Fringe Andy Parsons brings his Bafflingly Optimistic Tour to the Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus at 8pm. Tickets and details at www.andyparsons.co.uk
Apr 13 and May 25
Join the National Marine Aquarium in an unforgettable sleepover, where guests will get to experience what happens after dark in the underwater world! Explore the aquarium after hours and see whales, stingrays, fishes, jellyfish and more all while getting involved with games, crafts and even some exhibition tours! The night will also include a number of educational opportunities. Then enjoy a movie on the big screen before tucking in and settling down for bed in front of the Eddystone Reef tank which contains fantastic local species such as sharks, crabs, lobsters and eels! Details at www.national-aquarium.co.uk/events/ sleeping-with-sharks-at-the-aquarium
Southway Spring Table Top Sale
Apr 13
Church of the Holy Spirit from 1pm to 3pm. Free entry. Lots of goodies plus children’s crafts and tombola. To book a table for £5 call Veronica on 07855 256383.
Tin Soldier
Apr 17 to Apr 20
The story of Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane, ex-Small Faces, how their lives and careers went very different ways, leading to two very tragic ends. It’s a play with music (rather than a musical) and it plays the Soapbox theatre in Devonport Park at 7.30pm each night. Tickets from www.wegottickets.com
St George’s Day Afternoon Tea
Apr 20
Ford Park Cemetery at 2pm. Tickets £12 available from the office between 10am and 4pm.
Brunel Quilters Exhibition
Apr 20
An exhibition of quilts and textile works by Brunel Quilters, plus charity quilt raffle, sales table and refreshments at Saltash Wesley Church, Callington Road, Saltash from 10am to 4pm. Entry £2.
Devon Birds Plymouth Branch
Apr 22
Mark Owens, who farms land at Challacombe, will be providing an insight in to the way that the land is managed and the benefits that this has for the amazing bird life of this Dartmoor gem. Meetings, which start at 7.30pm, are held at the Spurgeon Hall of Mutley Baptist Church. They are open to non-members and members of Devon Birds and to cover the costs we would be grateful for a donation of £5 per person. For further information visit www.devonbirds.org/ branch/plymouth/#branch-events
Post Card Display
Apr 27 and 28
Visitor Centre, Ford Park Cemetery from 10.30am to 3.30pm each day. Display including post cards with views of old Plymouth and some rare postcards on many subjects.
Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival
Apr 28
Entries now open for the Festival which features distances of half marathon, 10k and 5k from Plymouth Hoe. Sign up at www.runplymouth.co.uk
Plymouth Street Food Festival
May 3 to May 6
Plymouth Street Food Festival is back at Central Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Enjoy four days of great food, entertainment and family fun with over 30 top street food traders coming together to serve up a diverse range of delicious dishes. For tickets and information visit www.streetfoodwarehouse.co.uk/ plymouth/
Coffee Morning
May 4
Crownhill Methodist Church Hall from 10.30am to 12 noon. Various stalls in aid of Shelter - the housing and homelessness charity. All welcome.
Bowls Open Day
May 4 and 5
Calling all bowlers, old and new, all ages and abilities to the Plymouth Hoe Bowling Green between 10am and 4pm on both days. Members will be on hand to welcome visitors onto the green. Families welcome. Refreshments will be provided.
Hear Better ‘Mini’ Exhibition
May 9
Free hearing loss exhibition designed for individuals and hearing professionals to find out more about the latest technology and local support available to assist people with hearing loss in daily life. Taking place at The Copthorne Hotel from 10am to 2pm. There will be an opportunity to learn some sign language at the event. British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters will be available. For more information contact Sensory Solutions, Improving Lives Plymouth 01752 201899 or text 07496 950013
Spring Fayre
May 18
St Francis Church Hall, Honicknowle from 12 noon to 2pm. Various stalls, including tombola, gifts and grannie’s attic. Tea/coffee and light refreshments.
Green Man Weekend
May 25 and 26
Fantastic mix of entertainment provided by local bands circus acts, Morris Dancers, re-enactment groups and much more ay Mount Edgcumbe. Traditional family activities will be running throughout the event along with food and craft stalls, bouncy castles, beer tent and much more. Details at www. mountedgcumbe.gov.uk
Freedom Community Festival Day
May 26
This year’s one-day event from 11am to 6pm will
feature a folk/acoustic line up of local music including the Freedom Fields Ceilidh Band, Andy Quick, Dr Thuds Remedy, Matthew North, Modern life, The Spectacles, The Ukeabillies and Mad Rush. This year will also feature a dedicated local history tent hosted by Old Plymouth society. This will be focused on events linked to Freedom Fields Park and the siege of Plymouth during the English Civil War. Plus all the other usual family friendly attractions, craft stalls, catering, inflatables and community information stalls. For details call 07722308462.
Flavour Fest
May 31 to Jun 2
The south west’s largest food and drink festival returns to Plymouth city centre for its 20th anniversary. This year’s event will be even bigger and better, featuring an exciting new entertainment zone where visitors can kick back and relax, soak up the atmosphere of live music and enjoy amazing food. Over 80 stalls of fantastic local produce, tasting sessions and, new for this year, bookable masterclasses, workshops, themed demonstrations and children’s activities, to mark the anniversary. Details at www.flavourfestsw.co.uk/
Charity Murder Mystery Evening
May 31
Candlelight Murder Mystery present the event in aid of the Samaritans Plymouth at Plympton Conservative Club at 7pm. Tickets £35 including a two course meal. Call Vanessa or Suzanne on 07942 740759 or email shooper2021@gmail.com for details and tickets.
Open Day
June 12
At the Royal British Legion Plympton & District Club from 12 noon. Usual stalls, attractions, entertainment, grand draw and barbecue. Free entry all welcome.
Plymouth Model and Railway Show
Jun 30
The show will be held at the John Kitto YMCA Centre from 10am to 4pm. Features include a D-Day 80 display along with local and south west model clubs displaying a large range of static and radio controlled models. These are supported by model railways and traders selling models and accessories. The Centre is disabled friendly and also has a cafe onsite. Admission adults £5, concessions £3 and families £10. Further details from Ken Cork, 01752 258604 or email: ekcork@btinternet.com
Send details of your event to info@cornerstonevision. com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.
Flavour Fest returns to Plymouth from May 31 to June 2 even bigger and better than ever to mark its 20th anniversary
Bikeability, a nationally funded programme that teaches children how to cycle confidently, safely and competently on today’s roads and equips them with a vital life skill will continue following the successful retendering of the contract.
Plymouth City Council has contracted Plymouth School Sports Partnership to deliver cycle training in Plymouth schools, just a few months after coming top in the country for the number of pupils taking part in the Bikeability programme.
Councillor John Stephens, Plymouth’s walking and cycling champion, said: “We have secured over £250,000 from Active Travel England to deliver cycle training in schools over the next financial year and we are absolutely delighted to be continuing to work with PSSP. They will hit the ground running to ensure sure as many pupils as possible can benefit from this fantastic opportunity.
“Our commitment to Bikeability ties into the wider work we are doing to support active travel for school journeys, including our Safer School Streets programme, where we are trialling timed road closures outside selected schools to create safer spaces for families to walk and cycle.”
Councillor Stephens said: “Cycling can be fantastic for your health, wellbeing and keeping active and I’m keen to encourage as many residents as possible to get cycling this summer.
“Beryl e-bikes have made it easier to do this and have been a great addition to our city. Data has shown that users have swapped over half of the journeys they usually made by a car for an e-bike, which has contributed to improving our environment and providing cleaner air for
This summer, to mark Clean Air Day and Show Your Stripes Day, the council is launching a new event highlighting the fantastic green projects going on in Plymouth that can all be reached by either walking, cycling or public transport.
‘The Big Green Trail’ will be held on June 22 and feature a number of locations where the public can explore, take part in engaging activities and even collect treasures along the way. The trail will be supported with two free hours of free Beryl e-bike hire for everyone in
For more information about Bikeability training in Plymouth, as well as cycle training for adults, visit cyclepssp.co.uk. More details on Bikeability can be found at www.bikeability.
Mark Hackett has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and will take over from Ann James at the end of March.
Mark is an experienced NHS leader, with more than 30 years’ experience at Board level, including as chief executive of Southampton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, North Staffordshire NHS Trust and latterly, Swansea Bay University Health Board. Mark is a values-driven leader focused on quality with a track record in delivery.
Mark said: “There is so much that I can see staff here have to be proud of, for example driving improvements in care for patients with cancer and in elective care and that is testament to the effort being put in.
“I recognise there is a significant challenge manifesting itself in urgent and emergency care and that will require a team effort to address, both within the whole trust and with partners across the Devon and Cornwall systems.
“I promise that this will involve staff and clinicians at all levels to make the improvements patients deserve. There will be some key decisions to be made about how we do that together and I am committed, in my time as Interim, to working with staff, partners and the Board to make those decisions and drive a step change for the communities UHP serves.”
St Paul’s Church in Efford has a new Rector.
He is the Rev Peter Shaw who was licensed as Rector in front of a packed Emmanuel Church, by the Bishop of Plymouth the Rt Rev James Grier.
Peter and his wife Steph are both keen actors and met through the Riding Lights Theatre Company, one of the UK’s most productive and long-established independent theatre companies.
Steph can lead a service, although she leaves the preaching to her husband Peter. They have three young children.
Two tiny underweight kittens have been saved from potential blindness and probable death thanks to a group of catloving volunteers in Plymouth.
Grey-and-white Hope and her brother blackand-white Chance were taken in by volunteers from Cats Protection Plymouth & Rame Branch when their owner realised they needed specialist care.
The seven-week-olds weighed just 295grams and 165grams respectively, whereas healthy kittens their age should weigh around 750g. Severe cat flu caused painful eye ulcers which were preventing them from opening their eyes.
The kittens arrived with their mum, Callie, but she was barely more than a kitten herself at no more than a year old and was unable to care for them both.
As Hope was in a worse condition than Chance, she was moved to a specialist volunteer fosterer to give both kittens and Callie the best opportunity to thrive.
Although Chance was still with Callie, mum was not producing enough good quality milk to help him thrive and both kittens therefore needed round-the-clock care, medication and regular feeds from the branch’s fosterers.
Sarah Medlin, welfare cat team leader for the branch, said: “Hope and Chance were really struggling with low weight and their terrible cat flu symptoms when they arrived. Even their little mouths were ulcerated making it difficult for them to eat – the brilliant team at Woodlands Veterinary Centre in Ivybridge got them started on antibiotics and eye ointment right way and really went above and beyond for the kittens.
“Our initial priority was increasing their weight to give them the best chance of survival and starting the medication to fight their infections.
On the mend...rescued kittens Hope and Chance
However, neither of them were out of the woods as one of Hope’s eyes was very swollen and painful and had to be removed as soon as she was big enough to withstand the operation. Chance looks like he may have entropion, a painful condition where the eyelashes irritate the surface of the eyeball, so he may need an operation too. There’s still a long road to recovery for the little pair but they are so determined.”
Emily Wilks, head vet at Woodlands Veterinary Centre, added: “Hope’s painful eye was successfully removed under general anaesthetic.
“As she weighed only 470grams, she required very close monitoring throughout the procedure and was then hospitalised post-operatively for intensive care from our nursing team. She is
making good progress following the surgery and is steadily gaining weight. These kittens have really captured the hearts of the staff at the practice and we wish them a speedy recovery!”
The costs of the kittens’ veterinary care, medication, surgery, follow-up appointments and after-care are likely to reach over £2500 and the volunteer-run branch has therefore set up a JustGiving appeal for anyone who would like to help cover the cost: www.justgiving.com/page/ plymouth-cp-chanceofhope
To find out more about the newly expanded Plymouth & Rame Branch of Cats Protection which covers postcodes PL1 to 11, PL13 and PL19 to PL21 visit www.cats.org.uk/plymouth or call 0345 371 2753.
Plymouth’s Dental Taskforce has agreed the three key priorities that it will collectively work towards to improve NHS dental provision for local residents.
The taskforce was created last year in response to the city’s growing dental crisis, which has seen over 22,000 Plymouth residents join the waiting list for an NHS dentist. The cross-party group includes representatives from Plymouth City Council, NHS Devon, Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE), Livewell Southwest and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust as well as the city’s three MPs.
The taskforce has agreed to focus on three key priorities:
• Deliver a new dental facility in the city centre run by the Peninsula Dental School which is aligned to the oral health needs in the city.
• Provide additional funding to Plymouth City Council to enable it to enhance the oral health improvement offer available in the city, to help prevent dental health issues.
• Use some of Plymouth’s annual NHS dental underspend to commission new services for high priority groups and those who don’t have access to an NHS dentist.
Since June 2023 the taskforce has been working to deliver improvements, such as a new scheme by PDSE to provide NHS dental appointments to primary school children. It will now focus on campaigning for and delivering these three priorities.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care and Chair of the Taskforce said: “There is still a huge amount of work to be done in Plymouth and so we will keep campaigning for better outcomes for our residents. At the moment the situation is only getting worse. There are thousands of people still waiting for an NHS dentist and we believe this is just the tip of the iceberg, because it doesn’t capture the number of people who don’t have an NHS dentist but haven’t joined the waiting list, or who have simply given up and had to pay private dental fees.
The underspend is a result of some high street dentists not being able to provide NHS appointments, and historically this money has been returned. In future it is hoped that this funding will be ringfenced to use towards other oral health initiatives in the city.
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “It is ridiculous that when faced with a growing NHS dental crisis in our city, we return millions in unspent dental funding each year simply because there aren’t enough dentists in Plymouth to use the paltry funding we have been allocated.
“The problem is only getting worse in Plymouth, with thousands still unable to see a dentist. That’s why I have relentlessly campaigned for building a new city centre dental hub to provide urgent care and prioritising
the training of more dentists for our city.
“These three priorities set out by Plymouth’s Dental Taskforce will help focus our collective lobbying and build on the campaigns I’ve been running as a local MP since 2017.”
Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moor View, said: “I have been clear that Plymouth’s dental provision is in an unacceptable state. Last November, I facilitated free dental appointments for schoolkids at Peninsula Dental School. Progress since has been frustratingly slow. I welcome the Dental Task Force’s newly-agreed three priorities which will deliver long-overdue improvements to our City’s dental care. These three local priorities will complement the Government’s NHS Dental Recovery Plan which creates 2.5m extra appointments and helps areas like ours where recruitment is difficult.”
Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon said: “The recent announcement of the NHS Dentistry Recovery Plan and its significant new investment by government is hugely to be welcomed but we will continue to work together locally to improve services for local people.”
A city-wide campaign has been launched to improve recycling rates in Plymouth.
Over the next few weeks, every household in the city will be receiving a leaflet with information that clarifies what can and cannot be recycled.
In addition, residents will start to see stickers appear on their bins to ensure that at the point of taking out the recycling, there’s a reminder of what should be getting recycled.
A social media campaign, which began at Christmas with festive recycling suggestions, will also be expanded.
Based on #RightStuffRightBin it will feature helpful tips and some myth-busting about what should be going in your green bin.
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “I’m really pleased to launch this campaign and
start to improve the amount that we recycle across Plymouth.
“We know that our residents want to recycle –it’s evident from the sheer tonnage we get from green bins. But too often we are seeing things that can’t be recycled in the green bins and things that can be recycled in the brown bins. This leads to contamination and sometime means we have to ditch a whole load of what would otherwise be perfectly good, recyclable materials.
“We have one of the easiest recycling systems in the country in Plymouth – one bin for everything – and that’s the way we want to keep it. We just need to make sure we’re putting the right stuff in the right bin and hopefully, this campaign will help that.”
If in doubt, you can find out what goes in each bin at plymouth.gov.uk/WhatGoesInEachBin
Council-owned land at Colin Campbell Court will be sold for a nominal sum to the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust to enable a new diagnostic centre to be built in the city centre.
Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Mark Lowry said: “We could have sold the site at market value – that would always help our finances – but we want this project to go ahead and at pace.
“Selling the land to our partner for a nominal sum shows the level of commitment we have for this project. A key priority of our Corporate
Plan is to work with the NHS to provide better access to health, care and dentistry and this a shining example of that ambition. This project is also an important first step in the long-awaited regeneration of Colin Campbell Court.”
A decision has been signed authorising the sale of the land, valued at £270,000, to the trust to enable the Community Diagnostic Centre to be built – subject to planning permission being granted. It also gives the green light to the business case to carry out to enabling works, including relocating a sewer, to support the
project. The hospital trust with council support, submitted a bid to the government for funding for a new centre to help people to get tested through CT scans and x-rays to help detect disease or injury earlier or quicker, improving the health of Plymouth’s residents.
In June 2023 the Government confirmed funding would be available for the scheme and last October, a temporary scanning facility was opened on Colin Campbell Court to provide these important services in the area as an interim solution.
Delivering ‘the world on a plate’ to shipmates on Devonport’s HMS Northumberland at mealtimes has earned Leading Caterer Carl Tester the title ‘Royal Navy Chef of the Year’.
No matter where the ship has been – chiefly on patrol in the North Atlantic – Carl has endeavoured to bring the world to dinner plates, drawing upon his skill, imagination and what’s in the frigate’s pantry – although he modestly attributes the success to the team spirit and collective skills of HMS Northumberland’s catering department.
Managed by CESSAC
Carl, who lives in Plymouth with his wife Marianne and daughter Eowyn, said: “Being recognised with this award is a huge honour, but it really belongs to the whole galley, We always aim to make every meal feel like a piece of home, with mealtimes a highlight of the day, making the lived experience on board a little better. It has been a genuine pleasure to share my passion for cooking with everyone who visits the counter.”
The 31-year-old joined the Royal Navy nine years ago, cooked for the Queen when she paid her final visit to HMS Ocean and represented the service against the Army and RAF in the culinary arts team.
Provide affordable rented self-contained flats for former Royal Navy & Royal Marines, WRNS, QARNNS, RN National Service, RFA or RNXS aged over 60, their spouses, partners, widows & widowers.
3 locations:
Trafalgar Quarters, Greenwich Greenwich Place, Saltash, Cornwall Greenwich Court, Southsea
Enquiries to:
ian.wilson@cessaha.co.uk
His passion and skill in the galley particularly came to the fore last year, when Northumberland was heavily engaged on patrols in the North Atlantic – an unforgiving environment and not the easiest place to take on board fresh supplies.
According to his citation: ‘His global menus bring excitement to mealtimes, turning them into culinary adventures and breaking the monotony of life at sea. His efforts have not just showcased his culinary talents but have also connected the diverse ship’s company through their love of great food.’
His boss aboard Northumberland, Chief Caterer Chief Petty Officer Tim Rowe, said Carl ‘expertly creates a sense of adventure in his menus, delighting the taste buds of his shipmates with global flavours served in the middle of the ocean.’
Northumberland’s Commanding Officer
Or download an application from: www.cessaha.co.uk
Commander Will Edwards-Bannon added: “Leading Chef Tester’s contribution has been so much more than the outstanding food he has prepared; his dynamic and engaging leadership within the galley, across the ship and on the rugby pitch as the ship’s team captain has been critical to sustaining morale on board over the course of a particularly demanding series of operations in the North Atlantic and High North.”
Plymouth should extend the protection it gives to its airport site under the Joint Local Plan as ‘once gone, it would be gone forever’ – that’s the stark message being put to the city’s cabinet as well as key politicians from West Devon and South Hams District Councils.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “The simple fact of the matter is this site still needs to be protected as an airport. There are technological advances taking place all the time in this field, we cannot shut the door on Plymouth’s opportunity to become a part of this dynamic new world.”
Over the coming weeks, Plymouth’s Cabinet, West Devon’s Hub Committee and South Hams’ Executive will meet to consider whether the Joint Local Plan – adopted in 2019 – still provides an appropriate framework for development of the area.
This is through a five-year review which considers how the plan fares against its own performance targets, changes to national policy, guidance and legislation, and changed economic, social and environmental circumstances.
Two JLP policies specifically relate to the airport, policies SPT8 and PLY42. These safeguard the opportunity for the potential future use of the site as a general aviation airport until the five-year review of the plan and protect airport infrastructure.
The report states: “It must be emphasised that the mere fact of the plan reaching its five-year review point does not mean that these policies are no longer part of the development plan. They will be so until such time as they are replaced or revoked.”
In arguing to extend the safeguarding period, the report argues that Plymouth airport continues to be one of the city’s most strategic assets, highlighting its importance to the city’s connectivity, arguing that once gone it would be gone forever. It further argues that ‘safeguarding land at Plymouth airport for general aviation purposes is a clear plan objective and not time limited to the five-year review.’
With business and the general aviation sector continuing to recover from the pandemic, it is reasonable to assume the delivery of aviation uses at the former airport site will take longer to achieve than first anticipated, says the report.
National planning policy is also a consideration, with the Government recognising ‘the importance of maintaining a national network of general aviation airfields, and their need to adapt and change over time – taking into account their economic value in serving business, leisure, training and emergency service needs, and the Government’s General Aviation Strategy’.
The Government’s strategy identifies the difficulty in finding suitable sites as one of the main reasons for the lack of new general aviation accessible airfields nationally – not an issue for Plymouth given that the site has been safeguarded for this purpose.
The report highlights that there had been private sector interest in a general aviation airport at the site and some business planning work had taken place.
The council has engaged with airport and investor groups and committed to more action to help overcome land ownership constraints for future aviation use of the site. It is continuing to negotiate with the leaseholder about buying the lease back and is exploring all options to regain control of the site.
Three local organisations are joining forces to use Pokémon Go to help people tackle mental health issues.
Plymouth POGO Group, Argyle Community Trust and local mental health organisation MarblesLostandFound are starting a programme where they will use the power of Pokémon Go to combat mental health and get people talking about their issues.
The programme, called POGO Catching Talks starts on April 12 at 5.30pm in Central Park and will then take place every week in four different locations.
Tyler Rogers, leader of Plymouth POGO Group said: “By joining up with Nicky Nurrish of MarblesLostandFound and Trevor Higgins of the Argyle
Community Trust we have been able to develop a plan together which will harness the power of Pokémon Go.
“We’re aiming to work together to use the augmented reality game and its power to get people
moving outside and talking every week on a Friday after school or work.
“We want people of all ages to get involved and use it as source of help in their lives to help combat and improve on the
personal physical and mental health challenges that people have to cope with in their daily lives.
“Pokémon Go has had a big impact on many people’s lives and has helped them in many ways to deal with issues such as depression, anxiety of all types, physical illness, loneliness and much more.
He added: “We’re aiming to inspire the people of Plymouth to take up the game for themselves including kids of all ages. We want them to come along to get away from the struggles in their daily lives, make new friends and get away from the world for a hour to have fun again.”
For further information visit the Plymouth POGO Group page on Facebook.
Homelessness and rough sleeping services across Plymouth are celebrating the arrival of a massive £8 million investment.
The funding comes in the form of four separate grants from Homes England’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP).
SHAP is specifically allocated to benefit adults experiencing multiple disadvantage who may have a history of rough sleeping and require high levels of support, and young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping.
In Plymouth, the money will be spread over four different schemes:
• £2.4 million plus three years of funding for the Council to provide 10 self-contained, accessible and adapted supported housing for individuals with mobility needs/physical disabilities
• £1.8 million plus three years of funding for Young Devon, in partnership with the YMCA, to provide 49 flats with 24 hour supported accommodation
• £700,000 plus three years of funding for local charity PATH to purchase two HMO properties with a high-needs support service
• £296,000 plus three years of funding for Young Devon to provide four bed spaces with high-needs support service
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this funding and use the money to make a huge difference to so many people’s lives.
“This is just one of a suite of initiatives we have brought forward to tackle the ongoing housing crisis in just the last few months and although we’ve got a long way to go, we are beginning to make a difference.
“I’d like to thank council staff for their work in bidding for this money and also our partners at PATH, Young Devon, and YMCA for their unwavering support.”
Mike Taylor, chief executive of PATH added: “This funding is directly aimed at providing accommodation and support to people who are sleeping rough, addressing a crucial local need.
“As many areas struggle to provide enough accommodation to meet people’s needs, we must not lose sight of ending rough sleeping, so this funding is particularly important and relevant. It will make a real and positive difference to some of the people who are most marginalised in society.”
Andy Moreman, chief executive of Young Devon, said: “Young Devon has been working to provide young people in Plymouth a stable and welcoming place they can call home for more than 20 years.
“We are delighted to be developing two new projects, specifically designed to provide support when it is needed most. These new homes will be a game-changer for the city and we are so pleased to be working alongside partners like the YMCA and City Council who share our passion for helping young people.”
The announcement comes hot-on-the-heels of two other big investments in the housing crisis.
The first, a council loan to PATH to purchase temporary accommodation, has been approved. The agreement will see Plymouth City Council lend PATH, already a key partner in the Plymouth Alliance and fight against
homelessness in the city, £1.5 million to purchase up to five properties.
The properties will provide up to 35 bedspaces for individuals and families who find themselves homeless, easing the reliance on bed and breakfast.
It’s all part of a drive to provide access to good quality and affordable temporary accommodation, while easing the reliance on and costs of using the local hospitality sector.
Councillor Penberthy said: “We are in the midst of a national housing crisis and sadly, Plymouth is not immune from the challenges facing the rest of the country.
“That is why we have to intervene and use our influence and clout to help ease the burden on families affected by homelessness with considered financial investments like this. We have to act strategically and this will not be the last action that we take.
Also in the news was the council’s new Plan for Homes, which is aiming to deliver 5,000 new properties across the city by 2029. Having already delivered more than 7,500 new homes since its inception in 2013, the fourth version of the Plan for Homes remains as ambitious as ever. (See story on page 10).
Plymouth-based HMS St Albans is back at sea for the first time in four and a half years – the penultimate Royal Navy frigate to undergo a massive overhaul.
The Type 23 warship left Devonport Naval Base on the first stage of her regeneration to return her to front line duties later this year. She’ll spend the next few weeks flashing up her systems and testing her improved and refurbished machinery in the Channel to ensure all the work which has been carried out is effective.
The ship’s 178-strong crew moved back aboard in mid-November, since when they’ve been working hand-in-hand with contractors and engineers from defence firm Babcock, which has overseen the entire refit programme, to prepare The Saint to move under her own power for the first time since 2019.
HMS St Albans’ Commanding Officer Commander Helen Coxon said: “Going back to sea is a huge milestone. Today is the result of a real team effort where the ship’s company, Babcock, other specialist contractors, shore-based support organisations, Devonport Naval Base and even some people from other Devonport-based ships have come together to help us transition from engineering project back to being a warship.
“Whether it is the first day at sea – as is the case for many of our less experienced sailors– or returning back to where we feel at home for the more experienced, today is a big day and we’d like to thank all those involved in making it happen.”
The extensive refit was completed three months ahead of schedule by Babcock. During her time in dock, skilled Babcock engineers and other tradespeople spent around 1.2 million working hours carrying out a significant number of updates and upgrades to keep the platform at the leading edge of warfighting capability, including a substantial power generation and machinery upgrade, the removal, overhaul and replacement of both propulsion motors, and finally stripping and repainting her entire hull.
As a war machine, St Albans emerges from the revamp as a far more potent warship: all weapons and sensors have been upgraded, not least the installation of the Sea Ceptor air defence system
which can provide protection to an area the size of Greater Manchester against incoming threats in the skies.
As a dedicated submarine hunter, the ship has been fitted with Sonar 2150 which can detect underwater threats at greater range and is easier to operate.
Crew facilities have also been improved and modernised to support the personnel living on board.
The teams that readied HMS St Albans proudly gathered at the dockside to see her off and were joined by Royal Navy colleagues and representatives from across Babcock’s Devonport operation.
Gary Simpson, managing director of Babcock’s Marine Support business, said: “Working on behalf of Defence Equipment and Support preparing HMS St Albans for sea again is central to ensuring our customer’s critical services are readily available, affordable, and long-lasting.
“Our skilled teams of engineers, fabricators, technicians, and other experts, with the support of DE&S, the Royal Navy and specialists in our supply chain, worked tirelessly to ensure the complex and extensive refit of HMS St. Albans was a resounding success. Watching her leave for sea trials was a proud moment for everyone involved.”
After nearly 20 years of constant service in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Gulf, St Albans arrived in Plymouth in 2019 to begin preparations for the refit, known as the life extension (LIFEX) upgrade.
The upgrade will help carry the class of Dukeclass frigate into the middle of the next decade, while their successors – the Type 26 City-class currently under construction on the Clyde – enter service.
After the initial trials in the Channel, St Albans will return to base for any necessary tweaks to the work carried out in refit, before starting her work-up to becoming fully operational again, which culminates with Operational Sea Training off Plymouth.
Just one Type 23 frigate is left to complete the LIFEX programme: HMS Sutherland, which is currently in Devonport’s frigate refit complex.
Leading homelessness charity, Plymouth Access to Housing (PATH), has announced the appointment of Victoria Allen as its new chief executive with effect from July this year.
Victoria will replace Mike Taylor, who is standing down after 19 years in the post.
David Millar, chair of the Board of Trustees of PATH, said “We consider this to be an excellent appointment. Victoria is no stranger to the charity as she has served as a trustee for two years, during which time she has demonstrated her commitment to the aims, values and ethos of the organisation.”
Victoria has an established career as a senior leader across charities and the public sector, including 10 years at the Theatre Royal where she pioneered a significant programme of social engagement work. She will be joining PATH from her current role at Plymouth City Council.
Victoria said: “This is a critical time for housing
and homelessness in Plymouth. Alongside its partners and the council, PATH is delivering vital, life-changing work.
“Under Mike’s tenure the charity has grown immeasurably and is now a leader in its field, touching thousands of lives each year. It will be an absolute privilege to build on Mike’s legacy and I’m very much looking forward to working with the Trustees, the team and the wider community to lead PATH through the next phase of its journey.”
In welcoming Victoria to PATH, Mr Millar paid tribute to the phenomenal contribution that the outgoing chief executive, Mike Taylor has made over his 19 years of service.
He added: “It is difficult to adequately express our gratitude for everything Mike has done. He leaves with the very best wishes for his future from all the staff and Trustees.”
Plymouth secures huge funding boost to help homeless in city - See story on page 8
Three city organisations have been awarded funding for projects designed to help people get the right training and skills to get work.
City College Plymouth, Plymouth City Council in Partnership with the YMCA Plymouth and Real Ideas Organisation have this week learnt they have been successful in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund bids.
Between them they have been awarded almost £900,000 of funding following an open call organised by the council looking for organisations that could deliver skills support, retraining and a focussing on increasing skills and awareness on sustainable and net zero skills/education.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “When it comes to encouraging people to get skilled up, we mean business. We have just announced incredibly exciting plans for a skills campus in the Civic Centre.
“We have set out our intention to supercharge the skill sets of our residents –whatever their age or their situation – to help them gain confidence and skills so that they can make the most of the thousands of job opportunities that are on the horizon.
“This is another example of practising what
we preach to make sure our residents can play a part in Plymouth’s economic success story and help their families thrive and prosper.”
The organisations are:
• Plymouth Skills Builder by City College Plymouth
Working with partners including Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth Active Leisure and Livewell Southwest, this project helps address confidence and resilience, essential digital skills and offers clear routes from training into employment in key sectors. The programme also offers rehabilitative health programmes to support continued employment.
• Skilling Up Plymouth by Plymouth City Council in partnership with YMCA Plymouth
This will give people the confidence and skills to access the city’s growing employment opportunities. It will work with socially excluded and those looking for new careers and it will link people with employers and education/training providers to improve employability and progress into employment in our key sectors. It will help reduce the city’s skills shortages and critical job vacancies.
At the heart of this project is a new team
of three skills and workforce coordinators employed by the council working with a mentoring programme coordinator employed by YMCA Plymouth.
• Devonport Futures by Real Ideas Organisation CIC
A tailored made skills programme linked to the 200th anniversary of the founding of Devonport. By linking the key strands of Devonport 200 – a programme of community activities commemorating the histories, achievements, communities, opportunities and challenges that shape Devonport –participants will be inspired and enabled to develop new skills, work experience, volunteering and connections to employers. It will focus on two areas – immersive/ technical and blue/green (marine and environmental) – and support people who are economically inactive, unemployed or employed, looking to retrain and develop skills. Partners include Plymouth Community Homes, Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and The National Trust.
Under the conditions of the funding, all activity has to be delivered in the next financial year 2024/25, which starts next month.
Arts University Plymouth has been shortlisted for University of the Year and in three other categories of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) 2024.
The nominees and winners of these unique awards are based on reviews submitted by students from across the UK, and winners are judged by a panel made up of prospective and current university students.
In 2022 Arts University Plymouth won Best Small or Specialist Institution of the Year in the WUSCAs and in 2023 the leading arts university won second place in the same category. In 2024 Arts University Plymouth is the UK’s only specialist arts university to make the shortlist for any of the main categories of the WUSCAs.
Arts University Plymouth has also been shortlisted in the categories of best Lecturers & Teaching Quality, Best Student Support, and Best Facilities. Arts University Plymouth has won a place on more shortlists in the WUSCAs this year than
any other university in Devon and Cornwall.
The Whatuni Student Choice Awards are the only annual awards for UK universities based entirely on student opinion, with over 35,000 reviews submitted by students each year.
Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, vice-chancellor and chief executive of Arts University Plymouth, said: “To be shortlisted for University of the Year based on students’ reviews, less than two years
since Arts University Plymouth was first awarded university status, is a very special moment for our whole community.
“Students are at the heart of every decision we make and I know that my talented colleagues from across Arts University Plymouth join me in thanking every student who used Whatuni to recognise the high quality of our creative arts provision and the work that we do to prioritise student experience and success.”
The shortlisting for University of the Year 2024 follows other recent successes, with students voting Arts University Plymouth the top UK arts university for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2022, and rating the university above the national benchmark in all categories and the highest scoring arts university in the UK in five of the seven categories of the NSS 2023.
The winners of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024 will be announced on April 24.
One of Plymouth’s biggest investments in its future labour market has been unveiled with exciting proposals to nurture the city’s home-grown talent. An ambitious plan is being put forward to place City College Plymouth at the heart of the city in the Civic Centre.
The council has secured £8.5 million Levelling Up Funding to deliver a major new City Centre College campus focussed on future green blue jobs and a Cabinet paper has been published to accept the funding for the project which could see a new campus located across three floors of the Civic Centre.
City College Plymouth has been looking to expand its offer and base in the city. Its success in attracting strong engineering and construction partnerships has led the college to look further afield for locations to host a new skills hub for the city.
The new city centre campus could see up to 60 courses being delivered, focussing on the city’s emerging marine sector – known as the blue sector – as well as a host of programmes in the environment – the green sector. These courses could range from construction, engineering, energy and science to off-shore wind, electric vehicle technology, battery storage, net zero and sustainable technology.
This could lead to up to 2,000 extra people, from school leavers to adult learners, coming from Plymouth and the surrounding area into the city centre to learn new skills in special facilities including a sustainable business centre, virtual training labs, science labs, career hubs and other education spaces.
City College’s chief executive, Jackie Grubb said: “The opening of this state-of-the-art Skills Hub represents a fantastic opportunity for our college and for the city. It will give Plymouth residents access to high-paying jobs and careers in growing industries. By investing in homegrown talent, the Skills Hub will bring huge benefits to both the local economy and the wider community.”
Cabinet member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, Councillor Sally Cresswell said: “We need to invest in our young people and adult learners to equip them with confidence and skills for a changing jobs market.
“We have a wave of job opportunities on the horizon – up to 8,000 new jobs to be created here by 2030, with a big focus on blue and green industries, especially now we are home to the first National Marine Park.
“But we need to be prepared and we need our residents to have the skills ready to make the most of this extraordinary moment.
“We are working together as a city to support our communities to gain new skills so that the city can flourish. Our engineering and business sectors need to be confident there are enthusiastic, bright and trained future employees on their way.”
It is proposed that the basement, ground floor and first floor of the Civic Centre could make an ideal campus. To enable this significant change of direction for the Civic Centre, the Cabinet is being asked to formally accept and allocate the funding and buy back the building and car park from Urban Splash.
Urban Splash recognise the scale of the opportunity for skills in
The Civic Centre may soon be the location of a training campus for City College Plymouth
the city as well as a Government investment totalling £18.5m and as a result, have agreed to sell the Civic and car park back to the council for £1 to enable this project to happen.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We have worked extremely closely with Plymouth City Council to get this challenging project going. When the opportunity of further Levelling Up Funding and the College came about we agreed that, in the spirit of partnership, to transfer the building back so that the funding can be secured and the jobs created.”Councillor Mark Lowry, city centre champion added: “Urban Splash have invested significant amounts of time and effort in this building, securing planning, stripping the interiors, working with us to secure Future High Streets funding and getting the building ready for its new life. We are extremely grateful for their help in getting the building to this stage. We know it has not been easy and we are grateful for their partnership approach to enable its delivery.
“This new future for the Civic Centre will also help increase the number of people coming in and out of the city centre, which has to be a good thing for our businesses.”
The cabinet paper recommends giving the go-ahead to enter an agreement for a lease with City College Plymouth in relation to parts of the Civic Centre as well as re-allocating of £8.5m of Levelling Up Funding to support future capital works to enable the occupation of the lower floors by City College Plymouth.
It also recommends the council takes back ownership and control of the Civic Centre to enable the first stage of restoration works to progress within the Future High Streets Fund grant window.
Other recommendations include approving buying the freehold of the Civic from Urban Splash for £1 and approving the transfer of £2.45m of Future High Streets grant from the Civic Centre project to the Guildhall project and for the council to underwrite the scheme until additional gap funding investment has been secured.
Plymouth Soroptimists have donated a big batch of slow cookers to the Sunflower Women’s Centre in Plymouth.
Twenty women who access the Sunflower services will have a slow cooker demonstration, after which they will each be given a slow cooker to take away, together with a slow cooker recipe book. Another cooker and recipe books will be for the demonstrator to use.
Soroptimist Terry West put the proposal to club members who readily agreed to fund this out of a legacy from two much missed members.
Terry said: “The aim is to encourage women to cook nutritious and inexpensive meals for their families. We hope having a demonstration in a setting they are familiar with will boost their confidence to cook healthy meals from scratch and may even will encourage the next generation to enjoy making homemade food.”
Sunflower Women’s Centre manager Paula Carnell said: “This is a wonderful opportunity and generous donation. To be able to run workshops to share with our women good healthy food options, cooked economically in the slow cookers which they will then be able to have and use for themselves and their families is truly amazing.
“The Soroptimists have always been very helpful and supported us to be able to give our women that use the centre opportunities to enrich their lives and empower them to feel confident to look after themselves and families.”
With the support of a grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, Age UK Plymouth have been able to deliver a series of one-to-one counselling sessions designed to support veterans who might be looking to build and maintain good mental health.
A flexible six to 10 week programme is available free of charge to veterans over 50 years or with disabilities and has been utilised by those living with a range of challenges to their mental wellbeing including PTSD, low level depression and social isolation.
The funding has seen a qualified, independent therapeutic counsellor appointed and the programme is going from strength to strength with the service now diversifying into group therapy sessions. With previous courses of group counselling sessions focusing on themes such as ‘Coping with Anxiety and Depression.’ these group sessions offer a space for clients to share with others who feel the same and can look to finding a way forward together.
Georgina Edwards of Counterpoint Therapy has been running both the individual and group sessions. She said: “All of our counselling opportunities start with a one-to-one consultation with myself, it’s important to establish if the counselling process is suitable for their needs and set their expectations so that they can get the greatest possible benefit from the service.
“It takes a lot of courage to recognised that you could benefit from additional support. By engaging with the service, I hope people will have the opportunity to explore what they bring in a held and supported environment, where they can find a new way of viewing and approaching their concerns, and a different way to relate to those around them.”
Sarah Allen, Age UK Plymouth’s head of Wellbeing, Information and Advice highlighted the importance of making the service easily available to the city’s veterans. She said: “Counselling can offer an important opportunity for anyone to improve their wellbeing. As a charity working with people over 50 we’re supporting a generation for whom mental health just wasn’t part of the conversation. In a time when accessing mental health support can be a lengthy and arduous process, it is of the upmost importance that we are able to bring an easily accessible service to our clients.”
Individual counselling sessions take place at Age UK Plymouth’s William and Patricia Venton Centre in Mount Gould with virtual, online sessions available by request. Group sessions take place at Four Greens Community Trust in Whitleigh. Each six week course is limited to eight participants with future subjects including ‘Reconnecting with Civilian Life after leaving the Forces,’ ‘Recognising the impact of PTSD on Everyday Life’ and ‘Ways of Reconnecting Positively with your Family, Friends and Community.’
For more information about taking part or referring someone into the Regi-Mental Wellbeing Service, please email Georgina.edwards@ ageukplymouth.org.uk or call 07300 334033.
A Plymouth company specialising in suppling and servicing mobility equipment is celebrating 20 years in business.
Best Mobility Plymouth and sister company Mobility Equipment Training Centre, based in Cattedown, was founded by former Army Chieftain Tank Commander Stephen Whitmore. During his 14 years in the services he also became a physical training instructor and regimental signals instructor.
After leaving the Army he worked for the RAC for 16 years and during this time a close family member became ill and Stephen quickly realised that there was a need for a reliable, affordable mobility service.
Following extensive research he launched Best Mobility in 2004, having completed many courses and initially running the operation as a sideline in his garage.
The business grew by word of mouth and soon became a full-time job.
Stephen then went on to be trained on stairlifts, floor lifts, hoists, mobility scooters and powerchairs.
In 2015 the company relocated from Coventry to Plymouth as Stephen needed to help a family member – and had to start all over again.
He said: “We quickly established ourselves as Best Mobility Plymouth, fitting stairlifts and repairing all mobility equipment throughout Devon and Cornwall.
“We now have two engineers and office staff based in Plymouth, but cover all of Devon and Cornwall for scooter repairs, stairlift installation, and repairs on all mobility equipment.”
With all the knowledge and experience he had gained, Stephen established the Mobility Equipment Training Centre, also in Plymouth, so that he could help train others to start their own mobility business.
Stephen Whitmore (centre) founder of Best Mobility
Owners of vacant Plymouth properties are being offered a much-improved incentive to bring their house back into use.
This week is Empty Homes Week, a national initiative designed to shine the spotlight on a crucial issue of the current housing crisis.
To mark Empty Homes Week occasion, Plymouth City Council is re-launching the Repair and Rent scheme, aimed at property owners who may not have the time, skills or confidence to renovate a house themselves.
Landlords can now borrow up to £50,000 from the council interest free with a 20 per cent grant element, improving the offer from the previous £20,000 cap.
As part of the scheme, local property agent Plymouth Homes 4 Let (PH4L) will help manage a schedule of works before putting them out to tender on the landlord’s behalf. They will then manage the renovation, arrange occupation and rental collection which will be used to repay the loan to the council.
The owner will then sign a sole agency agreement with PH4L to rent at Local Housing Allowance rates. In return, 20 per cent of the renovation cost will be in the form of a non-repayable grant. Previously, the scheme required a property to have been empty for at least a year, but the criteria has now been reduced to six months.
More information is available at www. plymouth.gov.uk/emptyhomes
Two derelict properties could be compulsorily purchased by Plymouth City Council as part of a crackdown on empty homes.
An empty property is a wasted home that could be lived in by someone who needs it. There are not enough houses in Plymouth and so bringing empty properties back to life is a crucial tool for tackling the housing crisis in the city.
In Plymouth, empty homes officers are proactive and engage with the city’s most troublesome empty homes all year-round. They not only offer advice, guidance and financial assistance, but also have the option of enforcement as a last resort.
The two properties, one in Holdsworth Street, Pennycomequick and the other in Whitsoncross Lane, Tamerton Foliot, are in a serious state of disrepair and despite the best efforts of the council’s Housing Delivery team, the owners have refused to take the action required to bring them back into use.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said: “Bringing empty homes back into use is a crucial part of our fight against the national housing crisis.
“There are thousands of families in need of a home at the moment so it’s really pleasing to begin the process of bringing these two properties back to the market.”
The property In Pennycomequick has been empty since August 2010 when the owner passed away while the one in Tamerton Foliot has been empty for more than 10 years.
Royal William Yard is the place to be at Easter with a host of family activities planned.
From an Easter egg hunt to a family Astronaut Academy, from children’s paddleboarding to family cinema experiences, it’s all available at Royal William Yard.
Running from March 30 to April 7 between 12 noon and 5pm, the trail is totally free. Children can grab an Easter Egg trail map from a number of participating restaurants and cafes, before heading off to spot the Easter eggs around Royal William Yard, and then claim their prize.
All of the details of where to go and what to do are available at www.royalwilliamyard.com/easter
The Brainiac Astronaut Academy – the UK’s leading interactive science event based on the popular TV show – is launching a mission to Mars! It will allow families to design, build and launch a rocket fit to fly into outer space, using craft materials, wild imaginations, and a helping hand from the Brainiacs!
The Brainiac event is an Easter treat courtesy of
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Royal William Yard, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Taking place from March 29 to April 1 one-hour long sessions will be held at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm in the Brewhouse building (next door to Wagamama).
Tickets priced at just £8 per family (up to six people) are selling fast and should be booked in advance via www.royalwilliamyard.com/easter
Other activities include stand up paddleboarding from 10am to 1pm on April 2 to 5 and April 9 to 12. Children aged between nine and 16 can learn the fundamentals of paddle boarding and water safety in a fun and supportive environment.
All equipment, tuition and lunch is provided. Tickets are £30 per session or weekly pass for £100.
There are mini print sessions for three to seven year olds in the Ocean Studios Cafe, family films at Everyman Cinema, Native Makers market on April 6 and Good Food and Craft Market on April 7 from 10am to 3pm are among other highlights.
For more details visit www.royalwilliamyard.com
Dozens of businesses are set to attend an early morning networking event in Plymouth to highlight supply opportunities on offer during the design, installation, and refurbishment and repair of water management infrastructure across Devonport Royal Dockyard.
The breakfast session on May 14 provides a fantastic opportunity for prospective suppliers to meet with Babcock International’s project team and main framework contractors Southampton Marine Services (the SMS Group) Ltd.
The free-to-attend Meet the Buyer Breakfast event is being hosted at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium by the principal contractor, the SMS Group, Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce
and Babcock International. Registration opens at 6.45am and the networking session runs until 9.30am.
Collectively they will unveil project plans and provide those attending with essential knowledge in readiness to supply materials, component supplies and specialist marine engineering services to future waterfront assets set for Babcock’s Devonport facility.
Elliot Biercewicz, Babcock’s head of procurement for site infrastructure based at Devonport, said: “One of our framework goals is to play a part in the ongoing development of our site and to see more money invested and retained in the South West economy, for the benefit of local communities as well as businesses.
“We’re delighted with this new inclusive supply chain approach
because it not only opens up supply opportunities for local firms but sustains and creates jobs and allows local people to benefit from investment coming into the dockyard.”
Plymouth and South West based firms attending will get the opportunity to network, forge strong links with other local suppliers and meet face-to-face with engineers, procurement leads, and design experts involved directly with the framework projects.
Businesses which think they could supply goods, specialist subcontract and support services to this new water management framework should visit https://members.devonchamber.co.uk/ events/details/babcock-meet-the-buyer-breakfast-devonportwaterfront-upgrades-special-8691 to sign up for free.
Devonport Services Under 11s rugby team have benefitted from brand new mid-layer tops and waterproof jackets for all of their players, thanks to funding from the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), awarded by Devon & Cornwall Police.
The funding has been used to secure new equipment for the Under 11s rugby team, including mid-layers and jackets, which the team proudly wore for the first time during a match in February. The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) means that money which has derived from criminal activity or
has been seized as part of criminal investigations is reinvested into the local community. The act also prevents convicted criminals from financially benefitting from the crimes they have committed.
Members of community groups can speak to members of their local policing teams to submit an application form, and if the application fits the criteria set out in the application form, the money is allocated to each applicant.
Despite the money originating from criminal acts, the process of awarding it to local community groups and enhancing the local area helps to put criminal money to good use.
The Lead Coach of Devonport Services Under 11s said: “Being awarded funding from the Proceeds of Crime Act to enable us to purchase new jackets for the team means we are able to instil some additional confidence and self-belief into our players.
“This goes a long way in supporting all players, who are of different abilities, to feel that they are all one team.”
Organisations which would like to learn more about making a POCA application, should speak to the local neighbourhood policing team or go to the force website at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ contact/
Plymouth City Council is renewing its successful working arrangement with the Millfields Community Economic Development Trust, reinforcing its commitment to business support and job creation within Stonehouse.
Established in 1999 through a pioneering community asset transfer, the Millfields Trust has been a cornerstone of local economic development. The trust has consistently demonstrated its ability to foster growth, support local businesses, and create meaningful employment opportunities within the community.
The new 10-year funding agreement supports renewal of the asset leases and comes at a time when Plymouth, like other cities, is responding to the climate emergency as well as the economic and social challenges.
The council and the trust are dedicated to ensuring that the economic growth of Stonehouse is sustainable and benefits all members of the community.
Over the past two decades, the trust has made significant strides in transforming the local economy. With a track record of nurturing small and medium-sized enterprises, the trust has been instrumental in not only creating jobs but in cultivating a vibrant community spirit that champions local entrepreneurship. Millfields Trust has:
• supported over 100 businesses in the city, leading to the creation of hundreds of jobs.
• facilitated over £1 million in investments in local businesses, contributing to the growth of the economy.
• through its various programmes and initiatives, has helped increase footfall and business activity in the area, boosting the overall economic vibrancy of Plymouth.
The renewed agreement will build on this work, with both the Council and the Trust committed to the economic goals of creating a diverse and resilient economy, attracting investment, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, improving infrastructure and promoting skills development to drive growth and development in the city.
In line with the council’s vision for equality and social inclusion, this partnership will continue to focus on creating employment opportunities that are accessible to all.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council said “The trust has a great track record of creating opportunities and helping local people reach their full potential.
“This is another example of how this administration is focussed on building growth in the city, helping small businesses reach their full potential and sustaining social enterprises. We look forward to another decade of help and support for the Stonehouse community.”
Lewis Allison, operations director for Millfields Trust added: “We are excited about our future and continued growth. Collaborating with the council amplifies our impact, combining knowledge and resources to better serve our community. Millfields Trust can tailor programmes and initiatives to support underrepresented groups, including young people, those with disabilities, and individuals from minority backgrounds.”
I recently went through a long period of hospitalisation at Derriford. I promised the doctors and nurses that I’d do an article in the Chronicle affirming the tremendous work they do, which is often motivated by a sense of vocation.
My motive for the promise of this article was in heartfelt personal appreciation of their genuine care and love during my hour of need.
The NHS is an amazing organisation even when things go wrong. It is made up of imperfect human beings, but my experience was worked through with great gratitude for the staff who have a Christian faith or belief in another faith or who have no faith at all. It is about normal humanity, with all the challenges of life, doing their best to support their fellow human beings who are in vulnerable and painful circumstances.
We clapped the NHS during Covid, but I believe we need to bear the staff up in our hearts and prayers. They have hopes and dreams while also facing the pressures we all face. Not to mention how they put others first in their patients’ hour of need. Interest rates, increased mortgage costs and uncertainties of life can lay heavy on us all and the NHS staff feel it just the same.
The Furlough scheme cost us £400 billion as a nation and we must recover from that. Global trends economically, politically and militarily are bearing heavily on all of us who don’t have our heads in the sand.
Conversations I had with so many of the staff were insightful and encouraging considering that like all of us they have their personal challenges.
In 2022 I shared with our church that circumstances around the world were getting darker, but I felt things would also get lighter. The Pew Research Agency, which researches global religious trends, had previously reported that the largest religious community was the Christian faith with 2.4 billion followers; and 87% of the global population have a belief in a higher power.
That demonstrates that most of humanity are looking for meaning and purpose. The fact that many Christian communities across the globe are in totalitarian regimes where
they are severely persecuted is not mentioned in our mainstream media.
So, this is not about an easy belief that is self-centred or based on consumerism. In 1857 Lord Acton came up with a quote which is so accurate for today: ‘Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’
There are so many political leaders across the globe today who are making decisions which adversely affect us all. These are not just in totalitarian regimes, but also in liberal democracies. Integrity, morality and ethics are character issues needed to govern life through the good and bad times.
Challenges foretold, but there is hope!
The book of Matthew in the Bible says: “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one
deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24 verse 3 – 8.
For myself and those many millions across the world who share the same faith, those words mean a great deal. Jesus promises to be with us everyday in whatever situations we face and to make all wrong things right in the end. That is a lot to wrap your head around but it is something which has brought me great hope in recent times.
Finally, from a very grateful patient to those who know who you are. Thank you so very much for being there.
Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website at www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth
Team Endeavour Wheelchair Rugby Club in Plymouth has received a donation of £5,700 from the Morrisons Foundation. The funding from the charitable arm of the supermarket group has enabled the club to buy specialist equipment for their players’ wheelchairs, ensuring they can continue to offer training and match opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities many years to come.
Richard Rochester of Team Endeavour said: “As the new chairman of the club we were fearful that the team would grind to a halt due to not being able to afford replacement wheels. Morrison Foundation has helped us to purchase ten new wheels in our rolling thunder project. Ten wheels might not seem a lot but to have five wheelchairs rolling again so our local ability impaired players can keep rolling is priceless thanks to the Morrisons Foundation.”
David Scott, Morrisons Foundation trustee said: ”It’s great to see that Endeavour Wheelchair Rugby Club can continue to provide rugby activities to local veterans and people with mobility impairment from across our region following the support from the Morrisons Foundation, I’m very proud that we’ve been able to help such a worthy cause.”
The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people’s lives. Since launching, over £40 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.
of the
-
NOTION
Over
Blinds
L
Bricklaying,
Email:
Reliable, friendly no job too small, with over 30 years experience covering all aspects of building including fencing, patios and decking.
Mobile 07751325060
Carpenters
ALLWOOD INSTALLATIONS
Trading Standards approved company
Bespoke joinery • doors • staircases • bars
Box frame windows • counters • PCstations. Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms.
All associated plumbing,electrical & tiling
Tel 07704448835 www.allwoodinstallations.co.uk 01752348648 allwoodinstallations@icloud.com Garden
GSL
The Door Doctor - 24 hr Locksmith
•Lockouts • Lock Changing/Fitting
•Specialist UPVC Door & Window Repairs
•Replacement Glass • Free Quotes 30 PERCY TERRACE, PLYMOUTH, PL4 7HG
Tel 01752 516877 Mob 07989 599969
BLOCKED,
a FREE quote.
Extremely knowledgeable with years of experience & Jobs are always done correctly - not afraid to use ladders! Call Grace or Ryan 07306803860
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL FENCING SPECIALISTS
HERE FOR ALL YOUR FENCING NEEDS
CALL US ON 01579 529298 FOR A FREE SITE SURVEY AND QUOTATION WWW.KNIGHT-FENCING.CO.UK
STEVE ELECTRICAL
Fully qualified and insured electrician • all electrical work considered • Over 25 years experience • Friendly, local, family run business • NICEIC cert • Rewires • Certification for minor or major work
Very competitive prices/ high quality work. Will beat all other reasonable quotes.
•Call Steve 07894 208842
Staff and pupils at Marine Academy
Primary celebrated World Book Day in style.
As well as getting dressed up in different costumes for the big day on March 7, staff also organised a week-long book fair to encourage children to get reading.
The school also transformed their classrooms to take on the theme of a book and encouraged staff and students to dress in pyjamas and costumes to take part in some cosy reading.
Marine Academy Primary is part of the Ted Wragg Trust and Lipson Academy, also part of the trust held a ‘design your own book token’ competition as well as running badge making workshops and a literary quiz.
Staff from schools across the Ted Wragg Trust also took part in an extreme reading competition where they have to submit pictures of themselves reading somewhere unusual. The winning entries will be rewarded with sets of new books for their schools.
The World Book Day charity promotes reading by
celebrating the joy of books, authors, illustrators and reading for pleasure, along with transforming attitudes and changing behaviours by providing content to promote reading for fun. They also ensure that every child gets to choose a book of their own with the World Book Day £1 books and tokens.
The National Literacy Trust’s Annual Literacy Survey, recorded the lowest level of reading enjoyment since the trust began its survey in 2005. They found that just two in five (43.4%) children and young people aged eight to 18 said
they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2023, the lowest level since they first asked the question in 2005. The survey also concluded that fewer than three in 10 (28.0%) children and young people aged eight to 18 said that they read daily in 2023.
Moira Marder, chief executive of the Ted Wragg Trust said: “Reading confidently is the foundation of education and reading for enjoyment is even better! As such, I am so glad that our schools have made such efforts to mark World Book Day this week. I do hope our students will all be going home with something new to read.”
Are you looking for a house cleaner?
We provide you with an honest, reliable, affordable, police checked cleaner to care for your home. Call 01752905054 or email plymouth@uk.timeforyou.cleaning
Interior & Exterior
• Kitchen & Bathroom fitting 16 Lympne Ave, Ernesettle, Plymouth Tel 01752 771457 Mob 07966 639129
Email: a.sdecorating@hotmail.co.uk
A. PRITCHARD
Gas Safe Registered
Boiler Changes • Central Heating Systems
All Plumbing Work • All Work Guaranteed Mob 07968 949558
B Williams Plumbing and Heating Reliable plumber no job too small from tap washers to central heating systems. Free quotes gas safe registered. No call out charge, recommendations can be given. 07971572632 www.bw-plumbing.co.uk
Ian Oliver Painting & Decorating
All interior and exterior decorating undertaken, wallpapering and spraying. Domestic and commercial. 20+ years’ experience.
Email: info@ianoliverdecorating.com
Website: www.ianoliverdecorating.com
MIKE JARVIS PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES
All general plumbing & heating work undertaken
• Boiler servicing and repair specialist • No job too small • VAILLANT approved installer
• Gas safe registered • Natural gas and LPG
Tel 01752 778440 Mob 07875136429
to full restoration and new build projects. Pitched or flat roofs • lead-work
uPVC Fascias & guttering • Roof-lights • Fully insured A fast & friendly service. Competitive rates. Call or email Neil for a free estimate • 07543363225 • 01752216765 devonshireroofing@live.co.uk • www.devonshireroofing.co.uk
10% discount to Forces Veterans
Trading standards approved and Buy With Confidence Member
Tel: 01752 267507 - Mob: 07967150441 tclarkebuilders@outlook.com
Stairlifts & Access
Uplifto - STAIRLIFTS
New & reconditioned
Reconditioned stairlifts from £750 with 12 months warranty New stairlifts from £1400 with 3 year warranty Sales, Service and repairs of all makes and models Plymouth based company 01752 336077 - admin@uplifto.co.uk
Wills & Legal Services
Lasting Power of Attorney
Are you prepared?
LPA’s enable those you trust to manage your Finances, Property, Care & Health decisions if you are unable in the future. We can assist at a fraction of the cost many solicitors charge.
Please Call: 07594560011
www.personalisedsocialcare.co.uk
Plymouth Lions Cub have presented a cheque for brain tumour research at Plymouth University.
A total of £800 was raised in memory of Lion Philip Greenwood who had served in all three Plymouth Lions Club during his 25 year service. Lion
Philip
Pam Greenwood and her two sons Anthony and Michael Greenwood presented the cheque to Professor Oliver Hanemann, chair in Clinical Neurobiology and Samantha Davis, alumni engagement officer. Also in attendance were Lion President Bob Dight, Lion Jeff Horgan and Lion Jill Owen
Thousands of jobs are set to be created thanks to almost £20 million of funding to regenerate Plymouth’swaterfront.
A decision has been signed to formally accept up to £19,946,417 for the project ‘Plymouth and South Devon Freeport (Freeport) – Accelerating Plymouth’s Waterfront Regeneration.’ The funding comes from the Department of Levelling Up, Homes and Community’s third round of the Levelling Up Fund.
Council leader Tudor Evans said: “We are saying yes to this funding offer, we are saying yes to opportunity, to Plymouth realising its full potential as a major port city and we are saying yes to projects that will help our communities get the skills they need.”
The grant will unlock essential capital works to key assets, which will benefit the city’s residents as well as establish Plymouth as a Net Zero port city with a superb waterfront.
Three sites will receive investment and are all central to the delivery of the Freeport. Each will deliver innovation, infrastructure and skills, many in our most deprived neighbourhoods:
• Freeport Innovation Centre – £2 million for a new building in Oceansgate. Oceansgate 3.1 will see ‘innovation barns’ built within the Freeport South Yard tax site. This is a high growth high value cluster at South Yard with ongoing investment and support by Princess Yachts, Babcock International and the Ministry of Defence. This will create opportunities to grow the sector by providing essential warehouse space for business in the Freeport.
• Modernisation of port infrastructure at Millbay – £5.5 million working with Associated British Ports, this funding will improve freight turnaround and meet the Freeport’s export and Net Zero ambitions. Improvements are expected to increase the port’s capacity, enabling it to thrive, create new jobs and secure new export opportunities. This will mainly be achieved through better traffic management (more efficient disembarking and reduced processing times for freight), more check-in booths, and better passenger access. Additional investment has also been secured with ABP committing to shore power to move the port towards Net Zero.
• Freeport skills and regeneration of the waterfront – £12.446 million will fund the regeneration of waterfront assets and the refurbishment of the Civic Centre.
These investments will generate over £28.6 million of match funding, support new skills and career paths and create over 3,500 jobs.
The Freeport aims to create a cluster of high value, high growth businesses and realise the city’s inward investment strategy, which was recently commended by the Department for International Trade. The projects are working to a tight timetable with all funding to be spent by March 2026.
A Plymouth University graduate has launched a successful platform for women to tell their unfiltered, unedited stories.
Inspired by her own experiences of misogyny, Melissa Hawkins, who studied English with Publishing, launched Disgraceful magazine as a way of empowering women to share their narratives, and act as a first foray into the world of writing.
The free platform, which started out life as a print publication before moving online due to the volume of content, contains everything from light-hearted film reviews to personal accounts of trauma.
With its name chosen to reflect the label often given to outspoken women, Disgraceful sees people submit article ideas, which Melissa and her team respond to, check for grammer and publish verbatim. Women of all ages, locations and career stages have submitted articles so far. Leaving an abusive relationship just before starting university in 2019, while also facing sexism in her parttime job, the idea was seeded after
Melissa shared social media posts about her experiences and was struck by how much they resonated with so many people.
Then the idea of a magazine came to her while in a supermarket queue, and Disgraceful has now grown into a community interest company with thousands of followers and contributors.
She said: “I was literally in a queue for Tesco’s, and I thought, I’m going to make a magazine.
“And I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but it’ll be for any woman who
has a story to tell. Then I started it, and it’s completely has exploded from there. And I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but it’ll be for any woman who has a story to tell. Then I started it, and it’s completely has exploded from there.
“The concept is to give women a voice on whatever topic they choose, and act as great experience for writing and publishing – an industry that can be difficult to crack, without having demonstrable experience. Women are less likely to come forward and share their stories via traditionally available
outlets, so this provides a unique, unfiltered and unapologetic platform for them to do so.
“We have such a different approach to journalism from the one that exists in the wider world, where everything’s about click through rates and page views. I don’t look at the analysis – if 10 people read our stuff and really, really resonate with it, that’s success for me.
“We’ve had some amazing people on the covers, from big directors to Olympians and reality TV stars, and it’s been very exciting. I’ve been able to go to movie premieres and walk red carpets and do crazy things that I never thought I would do.
“When I started university, having just left a difficult time in my life, I was terrified to go into my seminars and speak to people and make friends, as I felt like the least confident person in the world. But working with these women and doing what I do has completely transformed me as a person. Being able to help other people do that too is really, really special.”
May is National Local History Month and The Village Hub in Stoke Village is raising awareness of local history by encouraging the community of Stoke, Morice Town and Ford to find out more about where they live.
With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Village Hub is running a two-year project called ‘Blockhouse Folk: Past, Present & Future.’ One project is their Photography Census where local residents Josh Greet and Haidee Dampney are embarking on an epic mission to photograph and interview local people who live or work in Stoke, Morice Town and Ford.
During 2024, The Village Hub is creating an archive of pictures and words about people who live or work in Stoke, Morice Town and Ford, to be looked back on for years to come. They will be making an exhibition of the photographs in Stoke Village in September 2024, and a special newspaper with all of the photos to share with everyone who takes part.
Josh Greet is used to taking images of football stars like Ian Wright or English Lioness Millie Bright in his work as a professional photographer for brands like Adidas, Arsenal, Sky Sports or H&M, but now he’s turning his talents to his
neighbours in Stoke Village.
Josh has teamed up with Haidee Dampney, who works with groups across Plymouth providing wellbeing activities for all, and down-to-earth mindful yoga teaching for adults, young people, children and families. The pair will be popping up to take photos and interview people at community events, door-to-door visits in the area, or by appointment. So far, they have met, photographed and interviewed a range of people from different businesses around Stoke Village, some of The Village Hub regulars, and local residents.Josh and Haidee are asking people ‘What would you like someone in 100 years’ time to know about your daily life?’ and getting some very philosophical answers!
Diane from The Village Hub said: “People have been so keen to be involved. It’s great to see all these photos coming in and knowing that our local community is being celebrated in this way. Everyone looks great in these shots!”
They are still looking for more people to take part - so anyone who lives or works in Stoke, Morice Town and Ford, and would like to have your portrait taken, please get in touch with The Village Hub. Anyone interested can sign up to take part or find out more at tinyurl.com/BlockhouseFolk
As well as the photography census The Village
Hub is running a series of history events to connect the community of Stoke and Morice Town to their surroundings. This includes: Local Mysteries Walk: Midsummer Meander on Sunday June 9 from 2pm to 4pm
Local Stoke residents Crab & Bee (Phil Smith & Helen Billinghurst) will lead a guided walk with a difference around Blockhouse Park. More than just a military fortification, Crab & Bee will show people how the park can be a place to connect to many other worlds.
With its 360 degrees views, people will explore the past history and potential for this location as a fire beacon, a viewpoint to other special places, a vantage point for viewing sunsets, swifts, crows and bats, and a potential site for ark-building when the sea levels rise. In addition The Village Hub has also set up a new Local Histories & Mysteries group, that meets the first Thursday of the month. The aim of this group is to delve a little deeper into something that local residents might see and are puzzled by.
The Village Hub need help solving other mysteries so head to tinyurl.com/ BlockhouseFolk to find out more or join them for the first Thursday of the month in The Village Hub. To book on to events please go to www.tinyurl. com/TVH-events
A brand new event has been added to the Step Out for Age UK Plymouth collection, a range of accessible, fundraising events to get involved in.
To celebrate National Walking Month fundraisers will be walking, jogging and running their way around Plymouth. Designed to be flexible and adaptable, 50 Miles in May is the perfect challenge to get people on their feet, feeling the benefits of walking for physical health and mental well-being, and raising money for the community.
Fundraisers are invited to raise £50 to support over 50s by covering 50 miles throughout May and the charity has plenty of suggestions to get you on your way. Head of fundraising Tara Dale said: “It’s really important for us to design inclusive fundraising challenges that can be accessible for anyone to join in. Head of Fundraising. “The beauty of this month long event is the opportunity for each fundraiser to tailor their own challenge. It might look like a back to back marathon weekend or you could sponsor the kids to walk the dog 1.6 miles a day. It’s about doing it your way.”
All funds raised are used to provide vital services to the community and
Despite all the wet weather, Spring is coming we promise! Whilst it’s hard to get out in the garden, there is plenty to do. Here are some of our tips for gardening right now.
• Clean and tidy the garden, patios, paths, pots, greenhouses
• Dig over beds and borders with fresh compost or manure and fertiliser
• Protect fresh young shoots from slugs and snails
It’s a shrub with truly spectacular flowers, and nothing can compete with the beauty and size of its flowers. The flowers are similar to roses in appearance and come in a wide range of colours from white, cream, pink, red and bi-coloured and can completely smother the plant. They are bright and showy and worth a spot in any garden particularly at this time of year. They have glossy evergreen leaves all year and are simple to grow.
• Start growing some seeds on window sills or in greenhouses
• Plant summer flowering bulbs – fantastic value great in pots if the ground is too wet!
• Plant out seed potatoes, onion sets, shallots and garlic. Great in pots!
• Give roses a spring prune
• Deadhead spring bulbs that have finished flowering
This is the time of year when ericaceous (acid loving) shrubs and trees come into their own in our area.
With most having evergreen foliage through Winter and vibrant colourful blooms from January right through Spring, they are a great option for any garden and are very popular in Plymouth.
They can be grown in beds, borders or pots and don’t need much looking after. The only requirement they need is that they prefer acidic soil, so as long as you plant them in ericaceous soil and feed them with an acidic plant fertiliser, they will be happy.
Most gardens in Plymouth have good acidic soil so a tip is to have a look at what your neighbours are growing or use a soil test kit.
The most popular shrubs are:
Azaleas which put on a wonderful show. We especially recommend the encore variety that flowers again in the autumn. They are great in the garden and superb in a pot.
Rhododendrons which come in a mixture of varieties and sizes including a lovely compact dwarf form which is suitable for pots, perfect for city gardens or courtyards.
Others such as the Yakushimanum series are especially recommended for a great colour range and manageable size for your gardens.
In addition, there are plenty of bedding plants and cottage garden perennial plants available now which you can plant in borders and pots.
You can achieve instant colour with planted arrangements for decorating the garden or
Babcock International and the UK’s Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) have agreed a full cost recovery contract worth an estimated £560 million to undertake the planned deep maintenance and life extension programme for HMS Victorious, one of the UK’s Vanguard Class nuclear submarines.
The multi-year life extension programme will deliver HMS Victorious back to the Royal Navy modernised and improved, enabling it to continue operational patrols well into the 2030s. Work on the submarine is already underway, following a commitment by the Department to authorise earlyworks from July 2023.
Through the HMS Victorious programme, more than 1,000 jobs will be sustained in the south west. Alongside this, Babcock is continuing to build its workforce through its Plymouth-based Babcock Skills Academy, which includes a focus on submarine support and the critical nuclear skills required to perform deep submarine maintenance.
HMS Victorious is the second Vanguard Class submarine to undergo a life extension package at Babcock’s Devonport facility. It performs a vital role as part of the UK’s critical continuous at sea deterrent and represents one of the most complex pieces of engineering there is.
Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: “Delivering the programme for this vital and complex defence asset is our top priority. We are proud to have been awarded this complex defence programme which
will use our deep engineering expertise to help keep the UK safe.”
Babcock supports all of the UK’s submarine fleet. The capability and experience gained through delivery of similar complex projects, combined with new ways of working, is being applied to deliver this important overhaul programme at pace.
Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “In an increasingly dangerous world, it is crucial that we continue to invest in one of our most important assets, our nuclear deterrent.
“On my recent visit to HMNB Devonport it was a privilege to speak with sailors and staff
whose work directly contributes to our national security.”
Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Martin Connell said: “The Royal Navy performs no more important mission than Operation Relentless, the continuous at sea strategic deterrent patrols which have been performed by our submariners uninterrupted since 1969.
“The mission requires an unprecedented national effort in support, maintaining our Vanguard-class submarines to the very highest engineering standards. The overhaul of HMS Victorious will allow the boat to carry out deterrent patrols until the next generation of submarines, the Dreadnought-class, enter service.”
The programme is being delivered at Babcock’s facility in Devonport where a major infrastructure programme is underway to ensure the future capability requirements of the Royal Navy and the submarine enterprise are met for decades to come from state-of-the-art facilities.
The Waterside and West Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Stonehouse, Mount Wise, Devonport, Stoke, Keyham, Millbridge, Milehouse, Beacon Park, Pennycross, Ford, North Prospect, Ham, Weston Mill, Barne Barton and St Budeaux.
The May edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Waterside and West will be published on April 19 with a copy deadline of April 8. The Waterside & West edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city. We welcome submissions but cannot guarantee publication. We accept press releases in the form of text documents and images in JPG or TIFF format (high resolution please).
