Plymouth Chronicle Central & Waterfront May 2022

Chronicle Plymouth # PLYMOUTHTOGETHER

May 2022

Armed Forces Day returns to Plymouth in June after an absence of two years because of COVID For details See Page 3

Friends of Boringdon School are getting in the Jubilee Spirit by commissioning a special gin to mark the occasion See Page 16

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Central & Waterfront Devon Wildlife Trust’s popular Marine Centre at Wembury opens again for 2022 Full details See Page 24

ALSO INSIDE: • Out and About • Local news and views • Charity news

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Tree-mendous effort!

A groundbreaking project has seen more than 200 trees planted at Mount Wise Community Primary School - thanks to YGS Landscapes and a host of volunteers and organisations in the city

• See story on page 12

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Protect others by staying at home if you are unwell We’ve seen some very high COVID-19 rates in Plymouth recently and many people have been experiencing it at home, school or their workplace.

With the reduced testing under the Government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan we will no longer be able to use the COVID test figures to accurately gauge levels of the virus in Plymouth.

However, we will still be able to monitor COVID-19 rates using information from the Office for National Statistics (which takes a sample of the population) and through hospitalisation rates.

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 is now beginning to reduce, which is a positive sign as this probably means that rates within our community are also reducing.

However, this reduction is only slight and we do not yet know how far rates will drop.

The recent high levels and the disruption caused to so many work places shows we cannot stop taking the virus seriously. It is important that everyone continues to look out for themselves and for others. This includes following Government guidance around COVID-19 infections, especially when rates are still so high.

If you have a positive COVID-19 test result or think that you have COVID-19, you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test (or developed the symptoms).

If you feel unwell with symptoms of a respiratory infection, especially if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. You should only considering going out when you no longer have a high temperature or when you no longer feel unwell.

Employers should be encouraging staff who have tested positive, or have symptoms, to stay at home for five days or until they no longer have a temperature. This helps to avoid spread to other employees in the workplace and people they might come into contact with through their work.

We all want our lives to return to normal but our experience over the last year has shown that we need to remain cautious.

We have to expect that new variants may emerge – we just don’t know how infectious

and how severe they might be. Organisations like WHO and UK HSA are on the lookout for any signs of new, concerning variants; we are not expecting anything new to hit us straight away There is a saying ‘plan for the worst but hope for the best’, which seems like a sensible approach.

So living with COVID-19 means remaining cautious and keeping up simple measures that help us remain safe but don’t hugely disrupt our lives.

The best thing everyone can do is keep up the Government guidance for protecting yourself and others by: · Getting vaccinated · Letting fresh air in if meeting others indoors · Practising good hygiene by washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes and cleaning your surroundings frequently · Wearing a face covering or mask in confined spaces.

The Easter break is a time to enjoy time with families and friends. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable break.

How we can live with COVID-19 Help keep rates as low as possible: The higher the COVID-19 rates in our community, the greater the risk of more people getting seriously ill and the NHS being put under even more severe pressure, as well as further disruption to our daily lives, whether at school, work or leisure.

It makes sense to always consider simple measures that can go a long way to reducing the risk to yourself and those around you: wearing a face covering in crowded, indoor spaces, washing your hands frequently and letting fresh air in when meeting indoors – or even better, meeting outside.

Staying at home when sick: While there is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if you have COVID-19, you should stay at home if you do have it, and also any time that you feel ill.

Getting tested: Testing was scaled back on 1 April and the PCR test centres in Plymouth have now closed. PCR testing is only still be available for various at-risk groups and social care staff. Paid-for tests will be available for everyone else.

We are still waiting for Government guidance on testing arrangements in the future.

Getting vaccinated and boosted: The vaccine is very good at preventing severe illness if you get COVID-19. If you haven’t had all your vaccines yet, there are walk-in sessions being held in locations around the city.

The Government has now launched a spring booster campaign for people aged 75 and over and those who are immunosuppressed.

Where to get your vaccine If you need a first or second dose of your COVID-19 vaccination, or a booster, you can get one at Home Park or the Council’s mobile vaccine van.

By Dr Ruth Harrell

Director of Public Health for Plymouth

The mobile van will be visiting the following locations: • Wednesday 20 April: Plympton Library (10am to 5pm) • Thursday 21 April: Frankfort Gate (11am to 5pm) • Friday 22 April: Devonport Library (9am to 4pm) • Sunday 24 April: Honicknowle Youth Centre (11am - 5pm) • Monday 25 April: Davy Hall (11am to 6pm)

• Wednesday 27 April: St Budeaux Library (midday to 7pm) • Thursday 28 April: Frankfort Gate (11am to 5pm) • Sunday 1 May: Plymstock Library (10am to 5pm) Home Park is also offering walk-in vaccinations.

Please check the website for sessions for specific age groups. Visit www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ get-tested.

HOW TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE

You can check the latest number of COVID-19 cases in Plymouth on the Council’s website at www.plymouth.gov.uk/COVID-19. NOTE: This information was correct at the time of going to press on April 13.

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May 2022

Armed Forces Day is back after two year absence Plymouth’s spectacular Armed Forces Day, in association with Babcock, will return to Plymouth Hoe this summer after a two year absence due to the pandemic.

Pictured at the opening of Flapjackery are back row: Carol Myott, shop manager Grace and Sally Jenkin, bottom row: Adam Wotton, Alex Grassick, Plymouth RNLI Coxswain Simon Jeffery and Sam Stephan

RNLI crew turn out for launch of Flapjackery

Plymouth’s RNLI were on hand to open the Barbican’s newest shop, Flapjackery, which has taken over the famous Yarmouth Stores on Southside Street, selling delicious handmade flapjacks, and other sweet treats.

Flapjackery, which is based at Tavistock, will fund raise for the RNLI from its Plymouth shop.

Coxswain Simon Jeffery officially opened the shop, cutting the ribbon for owners Sally Jenkin and Carol Myott, to the accompaniment of sea shanty band Jack Flash.

Simon said: “We would like to thank Carol Myott and Sally Jenkin for supporting the Plymouth RNLI and inviting the crew down to the opening of Flapjackery today.

“I would also like to say thank you for asking me to do the official opening. It was a privilege and we wish the shop all the very best for the future.”

Flapjackery Plymouth joins the company’s growing stable of shops at Tavistock, Wells and Minehead, with further stores opening in St Ives and Bath this spring.

Sally Jenkin said: “It was a wonderful day, with many people turning up to enjoy a piece of flapjack, with a Plymouth Gin with Luscombe tonic. Flash Jack were fantastic, with many bystanders joining in.

“Huge thanks to all the team at RNLI Plymouth for turning up and making it such a great occasion. Fundraising is an important part of our business and RNLI Plymouth joins our other chosen charities - Wells Cathedral, RNLI Minehead and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team.”

Coxswain Simon Jeffery with Flapjackery’s shop manager Grace

The exciting programme for the event was revealed following a launch on March 17 hosted by 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery at the Royal Citadel.

Captain Chris Morris presented the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Terri Beer, with the Armed Forces Day flag before a ceremonial firing of the gun from the Citadel’s battlements.

The hugely popular, family-friendly event will take place on Saturday June 25. This year’s line-up will see audiences wowed by the all-day arena and stage programme, interactive displays, military vehicles and equipment and parades.

There’s lots of live music to enjoy too, including a free evening concert headlined by ‘From The Specials’, starring Neville Staple who’s famous for his 2-Tone legacy.

Councillor Mark Deacon, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure and Sport at Plymouth City Council, said: “Armed Forces Day is not only a brilliant day out filled with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, but also a hugely important opportunity for the people of Plymouth to show support for all members of the Armed Forces and their families, and to thank them for their hard work and dedication.

“Plymouth is incredibly proud of its military history and there’s much to celebrate this year.

“It was very fitting to host the launch at the Royal Citadel as this year the Commando Gunners will be celebrating their 60th anniversary with a parade through the city centre in May.” Armed Forces Day will start with the RAF and Allied Air Forces Memorial Service at 9.10am, followed by the main activities beginning at 10am. The Parade of Standards, which is open to all veterans, will see veterans and cadets parade

3

The 2022 Armed Forces Day was launched at the Royal Citadel

across the Hoe Promenade at 11am.

There’s plenty to experience throughout the day. Visitors can chat to service personnel, with representatives from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force and British Army all in attendance. They will be hosting activities, displays and military vehicles in their own specific ‘villages’.

Members of the Fire Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, Coastguard Rescue Service and Dartmoor Search and Rescue will also be there on the day.

More than 70 organisations and charities will be represented within the Veterans’ Village, sponsored by the Royal British Legion, offering support and advice as well as information from training providers.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict, there will be a dedicated Falklands veterans’ parade, with any veteran that was involved in the conflict invited to join.

The arena programme promises plenty of entertainment and thrills, with the

Devonport Services Rugby Team showing off their skills, Field Gun tournaments and displays from local cadets and the City of Plymouth Pipe Band.

The entertainment continues into the evening with a free music concert, sponsored by C&G Catering, taking place on stage from 5pm to 10.30pm.

Performances include: Military Wives Choir; Ocean City Sound Barbershop chorus; Local powerhouse duo Roulette; Absolutely Elton, an outstanding tribute to Sir Elton John; From The Specials – The Neville Staple Band.

This year the Rehabilitation Triathlon, hosted by the Royal Marines, will also take place in Plymouth for the first time ever on Thursday June 23.

This tough competition will see outstanding tri-service athletes take part in a swim in Tinside Lido, cycle time trials across the Hoe and a static rowing challenge before crossing the finish line.

For all the latest information about Armed Forces Day, visit plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk.

Prestigious award for Plymouth Boat Trips Plymouth Boat Trips has been named as a leading light in the UK’s £40bn maritime sector after being awarded the title of Clean Maritime Operator at the prestigious Maritime UK Awards ceremony in Glasgow.

The Plymouth based cruise, ferry and fishing company scooped the award for its e-Voyager project, which launched in 2020 and saw the pioneering electrification of the first seagoing vessel in the UK. Owner of Plymouth Boat Trips, Dom Squire said: “We’re thrilled to have won this award for our e-Voyager project. It’s an exciting time for the marine sector as we develop sustainable solutions for the future and we’re proud to be working with local partners to place Plymouth and the Southwest as UK leaders in the conversion and new build of zero-carbon, fully electric commercial vessels.”

Designed and developed in partnership with the University of Plymouth, the University of Exeter, Teignbridge Propellers, MarRI-UK and EV Parts, e-Voyager was funded through the £1.4m Clean Maritime Call: a Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) initiative supported by the Department for Transport (DfT) and launched to support the UK’s goal of zero emission shipping.

Sarah Kenny, chair of Maritime UK said: “We were absolutely blown away by the number and quality of submissions this year. Organisations and individuals across the breadth of the maritime sector are making significant progress toward our shared Maritime 2050 ambitions, and this is certainly an exciting time to be in the maritime sector.

“Maritime is a sector that is now being recognised as critical to the country’s prosperity, sustainability, resilience and future.”

The e-Voyager vessel is now in operation as a support boat across Plymouth Boat Trips operations, with passengers commenting on the smooth and silent journey created by an electric engine.

The vessel takes just under three hours to reach full charge, by plugging into 22 kWh chargers installed by Plymouth City Council on the Barbican Landing Stage. The Council continues to work with local ferry companies to further develop a charging infrastructure for marine transport in the city.

Through further technological developments and maritime applications Plymouth Boat Trips continues its ambitious plan to electrify its entire fleet, with the next project already underway.

Out and About Your guide to events in the local community and beyond

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.

Strictly Come Dancing The Professionals is at the Plymouth Pavilions in May

Plymouth Model Show Jun 25 Taking place at Plymouth Guildhall from 10am to 4pm.

Plymouth’s model clubs will be displaying all types of static scale models along with several traders who will be selling model kits. Other clubs from across the South West will also be taking part. There will be a large display commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. Hot and cold refreshments are available during the day. Further details from Dave Watson on 01752 518287.

Exhibition - Yonaoshi Until Jun 11 Featuring paintings, textiles, ceramics, film and sculpture, South West Showcase artist Huhtamaki Wab brings his solo exhibition ‘Yonaoshi’ to the MIRROR at Plymouth College of Art. The exhibition combines influences from Japanese mythology with concepts of ecological collapse and world renewal.

Exhibition Apr 12 to May 19 An exhibition entitled Artists in Residence, detailing the lives and work of some of Plymouth’s famous local artists, will be held at the Visitors Centre, Ford Park Cemetery, April 12. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, weekdays 10.30am to 3.30pm (12.30pm to 3.30pm at weekends) until April 30, and then daily until May 19, 11am to 3pm.

Plymouth Jazz Club Apr 17 The Riviera Ramblers at the Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill at 7.30pm. Tickets at the door only. Details from www.plymouth-jazz-club. org.uk. Martin Dale Quartet on May 1; The Dart Valley Stompers on May 15 and the Pete Canter Quartet on June 5.

Men’s Day Out Apr 23 Loads of banter with your mates, a pasty and a beer, plus a cracking rugby match at the end! Plymouth’s biggest and best Men’s Day Out is back for 2022, St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s 40th anniversary year.

Details www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/mensdayout/ Put It To Bed Apr 26 to 29 An exhibition by Devonport artist Yvonne Mousley at Devonport Live which is being opened up to community groups who are creating work which will be displayed alongside Yvonne’s exhibits and will then become an interactive project. Mixed media will be available for visitors to use or take along an object to literally ‘put to bed.’ Everyone welcome.

Spring Fayre Apr 30 St Budeaux Church Community Hall from 11am to 2.30pm. Various stalls including crafts, cards, jewellery, cakes and toys. Refreshments available including coffee, tea, cakes and pasty lunch.

Admission 20p. Tables £10 Email: fayres@st-budeauxchurch.co.uk. All proceeds to to the Hall Development fund Spring Fayre Apr 30 Taking place at St Francis Church Hall, Little Dock Lane, Honicknowle. Various stalls and egg painting with the Springtime Bunny. Refreshments on sale, come along for coffee, cake and chat.

Pirates Weekend Plymouth May 7 and 8 The Barbican and Sutton Harbour host a swashbuckling two days of fun inspired by the high seas. Plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy!

Guided Walk May 8 The heritage team at Ford Park Cemetery are holding a guided walk in conjunction with its current exhibition Artists in Residence. Meet at the Visitors Centre at 2pm. Light refreshments will be available in the team room and there is free parking is available in the grounds. The walk is free, donations always welcome.

Charity Quiz Night May 13 Dartmoor Zoo will be holding a Charity Quiz Night at Plymouth Argyle to raise funds to support the zoo’s vital conservation work. Bring your family and friends along for a fun filled evening of quizzing on a variety

Gospel Choir Concert July 2 A special evening of top class family entertainment at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall at 7.30pm. All ages welcome. Callington Community Gospel Choir welcome you to join them sing, clap, dance along, or just sit and and enjoy yourselves. Free entry donations welcome on the night to charity.

of topics with top team prizes and a fantastic raffle.

For tickets and details visit www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/ charity-quiz-night/or telephone 01752 837645.

Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals May 19 and 20 The official tour is back for 2022 and heads for Plymouth Pavilions in May. Directed by Strictly’s creative director Jason Gilkison, the tour will feature an exciting line-up of 10 magnificent dancers and Strictly TV favourites including Australian Open Champion and 2018 finalist Dianne Buswell; two-time Ballroom and Latin World Champion Nadiya Bychkova and Professional World Mambo Champion and 2020 Strictly finalist Karen Hauer. Tickets from www. strictlytheprofessionals.com Lord Mayor’s Day May 21 This popular annual event offering lots of family fun will again be taking place in the city centre welcoming the new Lord Mayor into their role.

Tango Sonoro May 22 Performance by Tango Sonoro, a Devon and Cornwall based band specialising in Argentine tango and Latin music at Stoke Damerel Church, Paradise Road, Plymouth at 3pm.Tickets £15 available from 01752 770345.

Young Frankenstein May 25 to 28 Sounds Musical Theatre Company present Mel Brooks’ award Winning musical comedy at the newly refurbished Devonport Playhouse. The celebrated American brain surgeon grandson of the original Dr Victor Frankenstein arrives in Transylvania to inherit his grandfather’s estate - with hilarious consequences! Book tickets online at www. ticketsource.co.uk/sounds or phone 07395 159955.

Shows are at 7.30pm throughout plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee.

Flavour Fest May 27 to 29 Foodie fans are in for a real treat this year as Flavour Fest returns to Plymouth city centre. It’s the South West’s largest free food and drink festival, with hundreds of local producers selling tasty treats and a chef stage with regional cookery stars showcasing their skills.

Summer Concert May 28 Plymouth University Choral Society present a celebration of summer music for the Royal Jubilee at St Andrew’s Minster Church at 7.30pm. Music by Dowland, German, Jenkins, Walton and Zadok the Priest by Handel. Tickets available through the Arts Institute Box Office on 01752 585050 or email theartsinstitute@plymouth.ac.uk.

The Big Jubilee Lunch June 2 to 5 The Big Jubilee Lunch is the cherry on the cake of The Queen’s Platinum celebrations happening right across the nation over th e first weekend in June. It’s all about sharing friendship, food and fun – a chance

for neighbours and communities to celebrate their connections and get to know one another a little better. The Big Jubilee Lunch is a nationwide act of community friendship, with 2022 set to be a bumper year! For more information and to download a free pack go to www.thebigjubileelunch.com 1 Big Summer Jun 2 to 4 Three days of entertainment on Plymouth Hoe. Each day has been curated to appeal to a plethora of musical tastes, genres and audiences, ensuring there really is something for everyone. Details www.1bigsummer.com

Ball and Boe Jul 8 Two of the greatest voices in the world - Michael Ball and Alfie Box - will be performing in Central Park in July. As a duo, they have now sold over 1.5 million albums in the UK, received two Classic Brit Awards, sold out two headline arena tours and presented three ITV Specials. Tickets from www.ballandboe.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk Paloma Faith Jul 9 Double platinum and BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith will embark on a huge UK summer tour, performing at some amazing outdoor venues throughout the UK, including a date in Plymouth on Saturday July 9 at Central Park. For tickets and more information go to www.premier.ticketek.co.uk

One Night of Neil June 4 An incredible collection of stars from London‘s West End, backed by a phenomenal nine-piece band, will bring a concert celebrating the wonderful music of Neil Diamond to Home Park Stadium. Fifty years on from Neil‚‘s legendary ‘Hot August Night‚‘ concerts in 1972, One Night of Neil is set to be an extraordinary celebration of one of the world‚‘s greatest singersongwriters. With over 20 years of stadium concert experience, an expert team drawn from the worlds of Rock and Roll and West End theatre reproduce a stunning show worthy of the icon himself. Tickets available by calling 01752 907700. VIP packages available.

Open Day Jul 16

Ocean City Running Festival Jun 19 Few cities can rival Plymouth’s rich seafaring heritage, its stunning waterfront and natural harbour, its vibrant cultural life and its close proximity to some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. Thousands of runners of all ages will be making history by running in the Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival, encompassing the Half Marathon, 5K and 10K. Find out more on the Run Plymouth website at www. runplymouth.co. uk.

Van Dike Reunion Event Aug 12 and 13 A grand get-together to mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of the historic Van Dike Club in 1972.

Celebrating the hundreds of rock, folk, progressive, glam rock, punk and new wave bands the Van Dike family presented to Plymouth audiences. The event at Plymouth Guildhall will feature an exhibition area with Van Dike posters, photos, records and Van Dike books and brochures for sale. From 12 noon to 5pm on Friday and 20am to 5pm on Saturday. Free admission. For more details e-mail vandike2018@ yahoo.co.uk

Plymouth Armed Forces Day June 25 Armed Forces Day returns to The Hoe and promises to be bigger and better than ever, celebrating the military and all the great work they do. This family fun day, in association with Babcock, will include a wide variety of thrilling activities and displays. The main stage will host performances from local choirs and groups throughout the day, and from 6pm, a free evening concert will entertain the crowds with a fantastic range of live music for all to enjoy. You can sing-a-long and dance the night away, with the fabulous backdrop of Plymouth Sound, with a fantastic headline act being announced soon! For more information visit www. plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk Summer Garden Party Jun 25 Dartmoor Zoo is staging an an exclusive adults only evening of fantastic concert band music and a sumptuous hog roast, salads and mini desserts. There will be a silent auction with some fantastic prizes and a fundraising raffle as well as animal talks. Tickets £25 which includes zoo entry, food and a welcome drink. Call 01752 837645.

The Royal British Legion at 41 Market Road, Plympton is holding an Open Day and all are welcome. There will be entertainment, bric-a-brac, cake stall, arts and craft, barbecue food and much more. The fun begins at midday and entry is free.

Sail GP Jul 30 and 31 SailGP will host its Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth for the second year running following a bumper event in 2021 which saw an estimated 27,500 spectators enjoy the spectacle. For full details visit SailGP.com

British Firework Championships Aug 17 and 18 Look to the skies above Plymouth Sound as six top pyrotechnic companies showcase their very best work and battle to be crowned the champion, each putting on an extra special ten-minute display guarateed to leave you awestruck.

Charity Black Tie Masquerade Ball Aug 27 A special event at Plymouth Guildhall to raise money for three worthy causes - the Royal British Legion, Mind Devon and Jeremiah’s Journey. The evening will feature a live band, buffet and a raffle with amazing prizes. Doors open at 7.30pm with the programme starting at 8pm and ending at midnight. Tickets for the event cost just £25 and can now be booked on Facebook by searching for Black Tie Masquerade Charity Ball.

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.

Thought For The Day Compton Methodist Church Tuesday 5:30pm and 7pm Contact Bex on 07926839706

Compton Methodist Church Wednesday 9:30am, 11am, 3:30pm, 5pm, and 6:30pm Contact Lauren on 07494754493

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

C.S. Lewis

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A fleet of green and white cabs is coming to Plymouth – but drivers and operators will have plenty of time to make the changes.

Plymouth’s new taxi licensing policy has now been approved by Full Council but there are some key changes following consultation with the public and the council’s scrutiny committee.

The new livery will happen, but there is now a five year lead-in time, said Councillor John Riley, Governance Human Resources, IT, Community Safety and Licensing, said: “The green and white livery will be introduced to increase public’s confidence that they are hailing a properly-licensed and approved cab.

“The colours are distinctive. They are Plymouth’s colours and promote pride and professionalism. At night, this will help with identification and will support clearer CCTV images if required.

“We know it’s been a tough few years so are giving drivers and operators more time to do this and this is allowable as a business expense.”

From May 1 2022: • There will be no limit on the number of hackney carriages • Drivers can return to the trade within three years without having to complete the knowledge test • The Plymouth Ambassador Course and the English Spoken Test will now be pre-requisites for new drivers • Both Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Vehicles must take contactless payments by July 2022 • The Department for Transport recommendations for additional DBS requirements for drivers, vehicle proprietors and operators will be introduced • Operators will be required to keep a register of all booking staff and undertake safeguarding training • One year licence fees and the first 12 months of a three year licence will now be non-refundable • A staggered approach to introducing cleaner vehicles by 2030 • Livery for new taxis and for existing from May 2027 (private hire vehicles can no longer be white: existing have until May 2027 to change colour)

Lord Mayor’s Festival Saturday 21 May, Plymouth City Centre Enjoy a great day out with the kids when the Lord Mayor’s Festival returns on Saturday 21 May, welcoming our new Lord Mayor of Plymouth to the role.

This year, the free family-friendly event celebrates Plymouth’s blue and green spaces and there’s lots to learn and explore!

ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales and fly into roiling volcanoes.

Families can also get involved in a number of great workshops on the day. Decorate a map of the future of Plymouth, make your own shipwreck charts of Plymouth Sound or learn about ocean conservation and green spaces, as well as enjoying the interactive junk band with Weapons of Sound.

Lord Mayor’s Festival Sat 21 May | Plymouth city Centre

On the stage, visitors can enjoy performances from local dance and theatre groups and choirs including the energetic Street Factory.

Enjoy the huge programme of entertainment which includes interactive activities, street performers, a fun trail through the city centre with amazing prizes to be won, stage performances, workshops and much more.

There will also be more than 40 stalls to explore, showcasing Plymouth’s amazing charities and community organisations and all the brilliant work they do, alongside food and craft stalls.

Make sure you don’t miss the Science Dome, an amazing 360-degree immersive experience where you can ride along on swirling

visitplymouth.co.uk/ lordmayorsfestival

Find out more at:

ELECTIONS 2022 ARE YOU READY TO VOTE? On Thursday 5 May, have your say on who represents you in the local elections. A number of measures will be put in place to help you stay safe when voting in person at polling station.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE WAS 14 APRIL 2022 If you have already registered, to apply for a new postal vote (or to cancel an existing one) - the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 19 April.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 26 April.

Postal and proxy votes can be temporary and used for these elections only. You need to be registered to vote before you can apply for a postal vote.

For information on registering to vote and how you can vote, visit plymouth.gov.uk/votingandelections

Are You Ready 2022 261X174.indd 1

05/04/2022 12:05:52

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Stepping back in time for St Luke’s When one of Plymouth’s best-loved charity events returns this year, it is taking participants back to the past to raise vital funds that will help local families for generations to come.

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s iconic Midnight Walk is back on Friday July 22, when it is set to be awash with women embracing this year’s theme of 1982, which is when the hospice – then based at Syrena House in Plymstock - welcomed its first patients.

But that’s not all! As well as the retro theme to mark four decades of St Luke’s compassionate care and support for families across Plymouth and surrounding areas, this year – for the first time – the charity has added a new 2.5-mile route to the popular annual event.

While this shorter walk has been introduced so that young children can be part of Midnight Walk, both this distance and the five, 10 and 15-mile routes are open to all girls and boys aged up to 17, as well as adult women, so that doing good in the community can be more of a family affair.

Sponsored by local company Drakes Jewellers, Midnight Walk is an opportunity for women and children to come together and celebrate the lives of relatives and friends who have died but will never be forgotten, sharing precious memories and creating new ones as they stride the streets of Plymouth in aid of St Luke’s.

Leaving from – and returning to - Plymouth Argyle Football Club’s Home Park Stadium, they will be raising funds that will help the charity continue its specialist service caring for terminally

May 2022

7

Months of traffic delays likely as Plymstock gas upgrade begins Wales & West Utilities is starting work to upgrade gas pipes in the Plymstock Road area of Plymouth later this month.

ill people at home, in hospital and at Turnchapel and providing emotional support for them and their families.

Speaking about the event, Penny Hannah, Head of Fundraising at the hospice, said: “If ever there was a year for coming together to walk in memory of lost loved ones, this is it – St Luke’s 40th anniversary year.

“As part of marking such a special milestone, we’ve made Midnight Walk more family friendly so that children can join in and enjoy the party atmosphere, too. It feels fitting to be doing this as we look to the next 40 years and build our charity’s resilience so that we can be here for all

the local families who will need us in the future.

“This summer’s Midnight Walk is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to pay tribute to each and every person the hospice team has had the privilege of looking after since our specialist service began, in 1982. We’re inviting our walkers to bring a copy of a favourite photo of their lost loved one and add it to our Memory Wall on the night – they are welcome to do this even if that person was not a patient of St Luke’s.

Registration for Midnight Walk costs £24 for those aged 11 and over and £12 for children aged ten and under. Visit www.stlukesmidnightwalk. co.uk for more information and to sign up.

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The £750,000 work will start on April 19 and is essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses. Barring any engineering difficulties, it is due to finish in November.

Wales & West Utilities has liaised with Plymouth City Council to plan the work and, to minimise disruption, it has been agreed to complete the work in phases: • Between April 19 and May 23 temporary four-way traffic lights will be in place on Dean Cross Road, Church Road, Horncross Road and Pomphett Road • Between May 3 and June 28 temporary four-way traffic lights will be in place on Dean Cross Road, Dean Hill, Radford Park Road and Plymstock Road.

During this time a one-way system will also be in place between numbers 1-35 Randwick Park Road. Traffic will be able to enter from Plymstock Road only. Motorists are advised to allow extra time for travel.

Additional traffic management will be in place between July and November 2022 and the company will keep the local community updated as the work progresses.

Wales & West Utilities Fran Kirk is managing this gas pipe upgrade work. He said: “We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it really is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.

“We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site throughout the project to make sure our work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.

“While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across the Plymouth area. Whether it’s heating your home, making the family dinner or having a hot bath, we understand how important it is for your gas supply to be safe and reliable and there when you need it.

“This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.”

Wales & West customer service team will take calls if residents have any questions about the work. You can contact them on freephone 0800 912 2999.

Alternatively, can contact them on Twitter @WWUtilities or Facebook.com/ WWUtilities.

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8 May 2022

It’s reel-y good news for city’s night life!

One of Plymouth’s 1930s cinemas is set to open its doors as a new entertainment and live music venue.

The former Reel Cinema and Gala Bingo building in Derry’s Cross has been the subject of negotiations with Plymouth City Council and the current leaseholders of the building and a third party operator who are keen to see it reopen.

The council as the freeholder has now signed a conditional agreement with the long leaseholder to rejuvenate the site.

Full details are still to be unveiled but the project is expected to see an extensive refurbishment that will see the main auditorium back to its original glory.

This is likely to include removing an existing wall enabling the auditorium to hold 1,000 people for live entertainment.

Speaking before he was voted out as Council Leader Cllr Nick Kelly said: “We committed to working with partners to develop and deliver additional venues across Plymouth for music and entertainment and while this is in the early stages, it’s incredibly exciting.

“Plymouth has a number of smaller venues and a large venue, the Pavilions, but has not had a venue that can accommodate 1,000 people – that crucial medium-sized venue that is a missing link in Plymouth’s entertainment scene.

“We want Plymouth to be a great place to live and that includes enjoying a great night – particularly in the city centre.

“We are not yet in a position to give more detail, but I promise you, people will not be disappointed.”

The Art Deco front of the building would be preserved under the plans and where possible, remodelling will aim to respect its architectural heritage and its importance as a community asset.

The cinema was completed in July 1938, and was designed by in-house architect W R Glen for the Associated British Cinemas (ABC) and housed 2,024 seats.

The building suffered bomb damage in 1941, but fortunately remained largely intact.

Police appeal after suspicious fire at Penguin pub Police investigating a fire at a pub in Plymouth, which is being treated as arson, are appealing for information.

The suspicious blaze is believed to have been started outside the Penguin Pub, on Ashford Crescent, between 4.30am and 5am on Saturday March 26.

The fire was extinguished by the fire service and nobody was injured as a result of the incident.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything in connection with the incident to come forward.

Detective Constable Kezia Worden said: “This fire has caused significant damage to the outside area of the pub. It is lucky it did not cause further damage to the property itself and harm to the occupants inside.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or email 101@dc.police.uk, quoting crime reference CR/025450/22.

8 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

EVERYONE IS WELCOME AT RACE FOR LIFE PLYMOUTH People are being invited to step into spring by signing up to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Plymouth.

One in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime. Money raised at Race for Life enables scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer – helping to save more lives. People of all ages and abilities are invited to sign up to their local event at raceforlife.org The Race for Life events take place at The Hoe, Plymouth, on Sunday June 12 and Central Park, Plymouth on Sunday July 17.

Women, men and children can choose from a 5k event and there is also a chance to take part in Pretty Muddy - a mudsplattered obstacle course and there’s a Pretty Muddy Kids option too.

Sam Morris, Race for Life spokesperson for Plymouth, said: “Everyone can play their part to help beat cancer.

“Spring is an ideal time to commit to getting a little more active. Sadly, cancer affects all of us in some way. Whether people are living with cancer, taking part The Pretty Muddy event is on July 17 in Central Park

Race for Life is on June 12

in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, or signing up to protect their own children’s future, everyone has a reason to Race for Life. So, we’re asking people across the city: ‘Who will you Race for?”’

“Our Race for Life events are open to all.

For some people, the Race for Life is literally a walk in the park.

Slow and steady still wins. For others, it’s a jog. Others may opt to push themselves harder, taking up the challenge of the 10K distance and even pushing for a new personal best time.

“But what is for certain is we’re looking forward to welcoming people of all ages and abilities. Race for Life Plymouth will be fun, emotional, colourful, uplifting and an unforgettable event this year.”

Race for Life events across the UK this year will follow current government guidance to protect against COVID-19. Hand sanitiser will be provided at all events.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, raises funds for world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer – including bowel cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.

Oonagh Turnbull, head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said: “This will be our 21st year in partnership with Cancer Research UK and Race for Life and we hope this year can be the biggest yet.”

To enter visit raceforlife.org

Shark warning in Turnchapel!

Residents of Turnchapel have been warned that there are a couple of sharks in the water!

Only these sharks aren’t of the great white variety and they’re certainly not dangerous to humans. These sharks eat only one type of prey – litter!

The Waste Sharks are state-of-the-art Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that survey the surface of our seas, gobbling up litter, helping to keep our natural environment clean.

They have been introduced as part of Plymouth City Council’s Preventing Plastic Pollution project and are being trialled first in Turnchapel, before operating in the wider Cattewater where litter is known to gather.

Working in collaboration with Plymouth-based robotics and artificial intelligence expertise MSUBS and Marine AI, the project will look at adapting and enhancing the technology of the basic Waste Sharks to work autonomously moving around the water to where the plastic waste is collecting.

The University of Plymouth will bring their marine plastic pollution expertise to this project and will be helping to collect and analyse the waste consumed by Waste Sharks.

The Cattewater Harbour Commissioners have agreed to trial the project in their waters and are keen to work with us on the education and awareness programme involving local schools and communities.

Ideas for engagement include naming and painting competitions to helping with programming and trialling the sharks in the water

Project partners join forces to launch the Waste Sharks Project partners join to launch the Waste Sharks

using the new automation ROV technology.

Babcock has also purchased a Wasteshark which will be helping to collect plastic waste from waters around the dockyard, helping cut plastic pollution within the city. Babcock is an active member of the Britain’s Ocean City, Plastic Task Force.

All partners involved in the various Waste Shark projects are actively working together to share knowledge, experience and expertise to help cut plastic pollution and positively contribute to the Climate Emergency Action Plan for Plymouth.

The Waste Sharks in action in the water

MAY TO AUGUST:

May

7 and 8 Pirates Weekend Plymouth Barbican and Sutton Harbour 14 Commando Gunners’ 60th Anniversary Parade Royal Parade 21 Lord Mayor’s Day City Centre 27 to 29 Flavour Fest City Centre

June

July

2 to 5 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

10 Simply Red Central Park

19 Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival Plymouth Hoe

30 and 31 Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Plymouth Sound

2 to 4 1 Big Summer Plymouth Hoe

23 Rehabilitation Triathlon hosted by the Royal Marines Plymouth Hoe 25 Armed Forces Day Plymouth Hoe

9 Paloma Faith Central Park

August

17 and 18 British Firework Championships Plymouth Waterfront 27 West End Carnival Plymouth City Centre

All events subject to change. Please see visitplymouth.co.uk for the latest information.

WhatsOnPlymouth

10 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Anger over plans to abolish elected school governors Moves to do away with elected parent governors and abolish individual governing bodies at more than a dozen schools in Plympton and Plymstock have resulted in a backlash from many parents who are angered by the proposals.

Luke Pollard MP pictured in front of the Palace Theatre

‘Invest or sell’ MP tells owners of neglected city buildings on his ‘At Risk’ list Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has called on the owners of disused and neglected buildings in Plymouth to invest in them, or sell to someone who will.

He has released a Buildings at Risk List, naming 10 iconic buildings that have fallen into disuse, including The Palace Theatre, the Reel Cinema and the Cooperage on the Barbican.

Many of Plymouth’s most historic properties are derelict or otherwise neglected. The Palace Theatre on Union Street – a Victorian-era building that has served as a theatre, bingo hall, dance academy and nightclub – has been empty for 15 years and takes the top spot on the MP’s list. He says that, unless action is taken soon, these buildings could be permanently damaged or lost to a fire.

Last summer, Mr Pollard successfully challenged the Church of Scientology to secure, clean and remove fly-tipping from outside the empty Royal Fleet Club in Devonport that they own.

He will be updating the Buildings at Risk List on an annual basis, until Plymouth’s historic buildings across are brought back to life.

Luke said: “Too many iconic buildings in our city are derelict and disused, having been left to rot by their owners. Plymouth is a proud city and we have a proud history and heritage. It is time these buildings were given a new lease of life, a fresh purpose, and a brighter future.

“These buildings tell our city’s story.

Many are a century old, surviving the Plymouth Blitz and the wrecking ball of past regenerations. They’ve hosted everything from A-list concerts to sporting events to weddings. But, without investment, they are at risk of being lost forever due to fire or other damage.

“My challenge to the owners of these properties is simple: invest in these buildings or sell them to someone who will.”

Luke’s Buildings at Risk List 2022: The Palace Theatre, Union Street; The Royal Fleet Club, Devonport; The Reel Cinema, City Centre; The Pot Black Building/Mechanics Institute, Devonport; Pounds House, Central Park; Raglan Gatehouse, Devonport; Great Western Hotel, Union Street; The Cooperage, the Barbican. The Royal Bank of Scotland Building (aka the Natwest Building), City Centre; St Simon’s Church, Mount Gould.

Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) announced the plans recently and this has led to more than 750 people signing an online petition on change. org to fight the plans.

WeST is a Multi-Academy Trust with 27 schools under its wing, including Eggbuckland Community College, Plymstock School, Coombe Dean, Hele’s and 10 primary schools in the area.

Under what is planned it would also leave each of the schools in the Multi-Academy Trust without its own individual governing body.

In a letter to parents, carers, staff and existing governors, WeST’s chairman of Trustees, Iain Grafton, said: “WeST has grown from two to 27 schools and that has started to challenge our current system of local governing bodies.

At present, several local governing bodies are struggling to recruit a full complement of governors and others are struggling to recruit clerks.

“To deal with these risks, trustees have considered a number of options from retaining the status quo to dissolving local governance mechanisms. After considerable debate, the Trustees believe that WeST would be best served, at this stage in its development, by a system of hub advisory boards which will replace local governing bodies on September 1 2022.

“Trustees recognise the significant personal investment that many governors have made in our schools, and I would like to thank you for the time and commitment you have given to our pupils and staff. I very much hope that you will want to be part of what comes next.”

However, Mr Grafton’s letter has gone down like a lead balloon with a significant number of parents who have come together to fight the plans tooth and nail.

A spokesperson for the parents’ group said: “Parents across the Trust are upset that any accountability or link between governors and local schools will be lost alongside their right to elect parent governors. Also staff will no longer have a governor either. To make this worse, many longstanding governors across the trust were not even shown the courtesy of being informed that they were being dismissed prior to this (letter) being sent out. It is a power grab pure and simple.

“Parents, staff and communities across WeST are organising to overturn this decision and with 17,000 children in a WeST school across our locality we think this is going to be a big public interest story.”

“We believe that every school is a special and unique place which evokes pride, develops identity and inspires loyalty for a lifetime. If WeST has got too big to value each school then WeST is too big” Explaining the proposed replacement scheme Mr Grafton said in his letter: “The Board proposes to establish four hub advisory boards. All hubs will have between six and eight schools, at least one of which will be a secondary school. Schools within each hub will be geographically close, in order that the hub may maintain links with the broad community that the schools within the hub serve.

“The Board wants to create hubs which add value to the work of the Trust. Trustees recognise the important role of our school communities in influencing the direction of the Trust.

“With this in mind, the Board intends to invite interested parents, staff and local business people

then WeST is too big. We entirely reject the premise that WeST bureaucrats are better placed to decide who should govern our schools.

“We do not believe that the children’s interests are best served by batch governing multiple schools in a one-size-fits-all homogenised and centrally-vetted politburo.

“Good governors know the school area, the children, the families and the staff. These governors are in-tune with the challenges and opportunities and passionate about working with the leadership team to help make that school the best it can be for the students.

“Therefore we think that WeST’s decision to sever the link between school communities and their governors is an abhorrent power grab by a faceless organisation desperate to steal school’s voices and identities to create one for itself.

Iain Grafton, chair of Trustees

to apply for a seat on a hub advisory board. The Trust will consider the skills and experience of everyone who applies and will select just over half of each hub’s members from them. The chair of the hub advisory board will be elected from this group.

“In addition to this group, a number of seats equal to the number of schools within the hub, will be appointed. Parents and carers from each WeST school will be able to apply to serve on their hub. Again, the Trust will consider the skills and experience of everyone who applies and will select from them.

“This group will support the hub in thinking about the communities served by the hub schools.

The Trust Board is clear that these elected members are not representatives of a particular school but will have the interests of WeST and all its 14,000 learners at heart.

“Each hub advisory board’s remit will be to consider and advise the Trust Board on matters to do with curriculum, community involvement and safeguarding. The Trustees are very clear that they wish each hub advisory board to act as the eyes and ears of Trustees. Hub advisory boards will have no decision-making powers.”

The headteacher of each school within each hub will serve on its advisory board.

Mr Grafton concluded: “The Trust has considered carefully the advantages and disadvantages for the proposals for the operation of hub advisory boards and would now like you to give your views on the proposed route ahead, or suggestions on constituting the hubs differently.”

Involved parties were able to take part in a consultation with an initial closing date of March 28, but this was later extended to April 4.

In a statement issued in support of their petition the group of parents pulled no punches in their response to Mr Grafton’s letter, saying: “We believe that every school is a special and unique place which evokes pride, develops identity and inspires loyalty for a lifetime.

“If WeST has got too big to value each school

“Schools need to be more accountable to children and families, not less. This will make it even more difficult for parents and staff to question and change practices which are not in the best interests of the children” “WeST needs to stop its creeping increase in controls on member schools and we demand that the system of each school maintaining its own local governing board is retained as a minimum.

“The stated reason for this power grab is that some schools don’t have a full complement of governors and others cannot appoint a clerk. It seems perplexing that WeST haven’t actually advertised any of these crucial vacancies to parents across the Trust or anywhere else in order to try and fill them - why is this?

“It also seems quite illogical that the answer to not having enough governors is to sack every experienced, long-standing and effective governor across the Trust. It is clear this argument doesn’t stack up.

“No bureaucracy ever gives back power. We must make a stand now for our local schools or they will be subsumed into this faceless entity that nobody chose.”

Individual parents have also been having their own say by posting additional comments alongside their support of the online petition.

One parent remarked: “I think it’s important to have school governors that are linked into every individual school. This sounds like a bureaucratic watering down of the safeguards for our children in schools.”

Another stated: “Schools need to be more accountable to children and families, not less. This will make it even more difficult for parents and staff to question and change practices which are not in the best interests of the children. This move is indicative of the further corporatisation of state education.”

A further remarked: “If you receive taxpayers money to provide services you should have proper systems to be held to account by the public and by your service users or their families. This is a basic premise of public service and WeST appointing their own choice of governors flies in the face of this principle.”

Parents with children at small WeST schools are particularly concerned about the adverse impact of the proposals. One said: “Our primary is a tiny village school and I cannot see how it can be effectively represented in this way.” Another endorsed this, adding: “Every school is different.

Each school has to have its own identity. A small village school will get lost in these hubs.”

Parents now eagerly await WeST’s response to the consultation and their response to the petition against the overall proposals. (story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

May 2022

Shiver me timbers - the Pirates are back! @PlymChronicle

The popular Plymouth Pirates Weekend returns in May after a two year break because of COVID.

The beloved family event will be back on May 7 and 8 and in full-swing for the first time since 2019, with the last two year’s events having been held virtually due to the pandemic.

With plenty of ocean-themed entertainment, tall ships, a treasure trail and live music, family members of all ages are set to enjoy a rip-roaring weekend on The Barbican and Sutton Harbour.

The event, run by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Business Improvement District (PWP BID), offers an impressive line-up of free entertainment including pirate puppet

shows and storytelling, demonstrations of canon and musket firing, mermaid encounters, stilt walkers, arts and crafts activities, face painting and appearances from lovable rogue, Captain Jack Sparrow.

Two tall ships, the three-masted Grayhound and the topsail schooner Johanna Lucretia, will also be docked alongside Quay Square and visitors are welcome to hop aboard and explore the ships for free.

Nick Buckland, chair of PWP, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing our hugely popular Pirates Weekend back this year, in-person. The event encourages thousands of visitors to enjoy our beautiful Waterfront and experience all the thrills that the high seas have to offer.

11

Two tall ships will be docked alongside Quay Square during Plymouth Pirates Weekend

Ten shanty bands will be performing at the Plymouth Pirates Weekend

“Waterfront businesses love to get involved too, with amazing window displays and lots of fancy dress, which is actively encouraged. Bring the whole family for a great day out and I’d urge you to please show your support for our local shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and accommodation providers after such a difficult couple of years, and without whom this event would not be possible.”

This year, 10 talented local shanty bands will be performing at different locations throughout the weekend to entertain the crowds. A number of the bands will also be performing in nearby pubs after the main event has finished for the day, between 4pm and 6pm, on Saturday May 7.

On Sunday May 8, award-winning circus company, Pirates of the Carabina, and Barbican Theatre will present a family-

friendly circus show, ‘Pirate Taxi’ on Commercial Wharf. The show takes place in, on and around an old-school London taxi and features extraordinary aerial performances plus hula-hooping, acrobatics and juggling.

Also new for this year is a chill-out zone in the garden area at the entrance to Basket Ope and a green space picnic area at Commercial Place, which will provide accessible calmer spaces for visitors to retreat to if they need it.

The event has been supported by Great Western Railway, official travel partner of Plymouth Pirates Weekend, offering a traffic free journey for those planning to visit from further afield.

For all the latest information about Plymouth Pirates Weekend go to visitplymouth.co.uk/plympiratesweekend

Plymouth, who will you Race for?

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12 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Groundbreaking green project gets underway with first ‘wacky’ forest planted in the heart of Plymouth

up to

A micro-forest with massive potential has been created, with hundreds of trees planted at a Plymouth primary school in a pioneering new project that wants to give every school its own forest.

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Pupils and families at Mount Wise Community Primary School helped plant over 220 trees, including oak, willow, hawthorn, rowan and other varieties. An idea devised and led by local business, YGS Landscapes, this flagship forest marks the start of a project that it plans to replicate and roll out citywide.

The school’s new micro-forest is planted in such a way – using a method developed by worldrenowned ecologist, Dr Miyawaki – that it has the potential to grow 10 times faster, be 20 times more biodiverse, and can be up to 30 times better at absorbing carbon compared to more traditional ways of creating woodland, delivering huge benefits for the environment and air quality.

The micro-forest project started almost a year ago at Mount Wise, with the school eager to breathe new life into an overgrown and unused playground area – putting out a plea for help. It came at the right time, as YGS Landscapes sought out somewhere to create Plymouth’s first microforest. Paths crossed and the project grew from there. Giving time and abundant energy to the initiative for free, it has been project managed throughout by a leading member of the local business community, Nigel Pay. Support has come from across the city, from volunteers providing time, labour and equipment – including members of Plymouth Albion RFC who gave much-needed muscle and manpower – as well as generous donations to help fund the work. Millfields Inspired, the Stonehouse based charity, backed the project as part of its Widening Horizons schools programme, which supports school aged children and is soon to be delivered in Devonport.

The school now has a newly planted forest, complete with a forest school seating and learning area, to help children study and engage with the environment. To help bring learning to life, YGS Landscapes’ managing director, Steve WarrenBrown has penned a children’s book series, illustrated by local artist Steve Evans. The book series is named ‘My Wacky Forest’ and plays on the name of Dr Miyawaki, whose natural planting methodology inspired this Plymouth project.

The first three books in the My Wacky Forest series feature a lead character Mushi, a ‘fun guy’ mushroom, who introduces young readers to an array of colourful woodland creatures to help convey stories about the natural environment in a fun, informative and entirely unique way. With more stories up Steve’s sleeve, there is yet more

Enthusiastic youngsters enjoy getting involved

to come from Mushi and pals in the future.

The books have been adopted into the curriculum at Mount Wise, so that the new microforest, forest school, and books can work handin-hand to educate, entertain and empower a new generation of environmentalists. All children received copies of the new books at the treeplanting day, and enjoyed a storytelling session in the forest school area.

A successful start for a project with huge potential for local schools, communities, businesses and the entire environment, there are plans afoot to scale up and branch out across the city. YGS Landscapes plans to create a programme that unites schools, volunteers and businesses

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Helping with the tree planting

seeking to offset carbon and support community projects. The goal is to give every school their own forest, either on their own land, or created in their name within public spaces.

Steve Warren-Brown of YGS Landscapes, said: “I wanted to create Plymouth’s first ever urban micro-forest, and that’s been achieved, with the help of an enthusiastic school, supportive sponsors and generous volunteers. I’m exceptionally proud to have brought my vision and books to life in this way. This is the culmination of much hard work, creativity and passion – and hopefully just the start of a project with huge potential.

“Micro-forests are incredible for our climate and community; they act as a ‘super-lung’ by improving air quality in the area around it – and who wouldn’t want that to be a part of every school?

For communities, the advantages are obvious, benefiting the next generation in so many ways, and for businesses looking to offset their carbon and Enjoying the new book support socially responsible projects, it presents a huge opportunity.”

Helen Jennings, head of Mount Wise Community Primary School, said: “This has been a match made in heaven. We put out a call to our community to support us in creating an outside learning space, and we now have this incredible urban forest. It’s been an exciting journey with so much learnt along the way, and this really is only the beginning. We want our children and the wider community to get involved, learn more about the environment, and enjoy the forest for generations to come.”

Andy Botterill, trustee of Millfields Inspired, said: “We were keen to support this project; something that benefits children’s learning, community connections, and helps the environment is the type of initiative that fits perfectly with our objectives. With our Widening Horizons programme expanding into Devonport, we help children learn more about the world of work and possibilities open to them, and this project is a great starting point.”

May 2022

@PlymChronicle

13

Ambassador role for Mark Ormrod at Veteran Games

Plymouth’s Mark Ormrod, has been announced as Ambassador for the 2022 Games which will take place in Israel later this year.

Mark Ormrod: ‘extremely proud’

Plymouth Arts Cinema gets £45,000 boost

Plymouth Arts Cinema is one of more than 300 organisations to receive a financial boost from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The cinema has received an emergency grant of just over £45,000, as part of a £35 million handout in the final round of the Cultural Recovery Fund.

The emergency support package has helped keep independent cinemas across the country running in the wake of the pandemic.

Thanks to the funding Plymouth Arts Cinema - the city’s only independent cinema - has been able to continue its programme of international and UK independent films, as well as offering cheaper tickets to the jobless, students, asylum seekers and refugees.

Anna Navas, director and film programmer at Plymouth Arts Cinema said: “We are very grateful to receive this support for Plymouth Arts Cinema. It will enable us to continue rebuilding our audience as we recover from the pandemic, and to develop new audiences by deepening our community engagement. We are committed to bringing world class independent cinema and film culture to Plymouth.”

Ben Roberts, chief executive of the British Film Institute added: “Every penny of the Culture Recovery Fund including over £500,000 in this final round of funding to independent cinemas across the country has been vital to their survival, enabling them to recover and welcome back their audiences.

“As well as bringing people together to experience the magic of experiencing film on the big screen, local cinemas are hubs for educational and film activities and provide thousands of jobs contributing to regeneration and local economies.”

His appointment was announced by organisers of the Veteran Games and Conference which will be held between May 29 and June 3 in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

First held in 2019, the event will see 65 British wounded, sick and injured Armed Forces veterans travel to Israel with their families where they will compete with their Israeli counterparts who are battling identical challenges.

The Veteran Games recognise the fundamental role played by sport and family in supporting the ongoing recovery of veterans who have suffered physical and psychological challenges as a result of serving their country.

Veterans will compete in a variety of sports while learning how their respective countries provide care for those wounded, sick and injured in the service of their country. Families will have the chance to meet and share common experiences in a relaxed and supportive environment while enjoying social activities and cultural events that will provide an insight into Israel’s rich heritage and history.

Former Royal Marines Commando Mark was injured in Afghanistan and became the UK’s first triple amputee. He said: “I am extremely proud to support this important event that brings together wounded, sick and injured veterans to celebrate sport and family as a means of recovery. Both have had a hugely positive impact on me.

“Sport has played a massive part in motivating me to achieve new goals and not be defined by my injuries. The Veteran Games offer competitors something really special, because family members, who are often a veteran’s ongoing support system

and play an important role in recovery, also get to attend the event. I wish all the competitors every success at this year’s Games!”

The Veteran Games is the first of its kind and funded entirely by philanthropic donations. It is backed by leading rehabilitation and Armed Forces charities who have put forward beneficiaries to compete including: Rock2Recovery, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, The Not Forgotten Association, the Royal Marines Charity, the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, Veterans Scotland, FELIX Fund, SSAFFA, Help for Heroes and Blind Veterans UK. The Games will take place at pioneering state-of-the-art facilities run by the charity Beit Halochem, which offers rehabilitation, sports and recreation centres and lifelong care for disabled veterans and their families in Israel.

The Veteran Games Conference will be chaired by Sir Simon Wessely, Professor of Psychological Medicine at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London and consultant advisor in psychiatry to the British Army.

The conference will see internationally renowned academics and experts in the field of mental health from both countries meet to discuss mental and physical health, veteran recovery and welfare issues.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Docherty said: “Sport is an integral part of the rehabilitation and recovery journey for wounded veterans. The 2022 Veteran Games highlights how sport can provide amazing opportunities for veterans across the globe to connect, over shared experiences.

I wish good luck to all the athletes in this year’s games and thank charities across the UK for their continued support for our disabled veterans.”

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14 May 2022

14 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Free city centre egg hunt for families to enjoy this Spring Huge response to Families can follow a fun trail through the West End of Plymouth city centre during the upcoming school holidays, all for the chance to win one of three brilliant prizes.

There are 10 eggs to find on the Spring Time Egg Hunt, all hiding in the windows of shops and cafes around Frankfort Gate, Cornwall Street, Market Avenue and New George Street.

Each egg has been beautifully decorated by the creative team at Barbican Theatre, including artistic director Chloe Georgakis and artists Jasmine Fassenfelt and Georgia Nethercott.

The eggs have been inspired by a different local habitat during spring time, and the animals that live there, so look out for bunnies hiding in flower meadows and bees making honey in their hive.

There’s a letter to find on each egg, which when put together spell out a word. Find them all and complete the online form on the Visit Plymouth website for the chance to win one of three fantastic prizes.

First prize is a meal for a family of four at

Brewdog Plymouth up to the value of £100 and four tickets to see a film of your choice at Cineworld; second prize is a meal for family of four at Las Iguanas Plymouth (up to the value of £80) and third prize is a Hotel Chocolat milk chocolate Easter egg The egg hunt will run until April 24, providing an ideal way to keep children

New boss for Plymouth’s Waterfront BID Plymouth Waterfront Partnership’s Business Improvement District (PWP BID) has appointed Jon Walton as its new chief executive.

Jon, who currently manages the Sovereign Shopping) Centre and assists with regeneration in Weston-super-Mare, has taken the position to help deliver the new 2022-27 BID and develop the role of the PWP in Plymouth.

One of Jon’s main tasks will be to develop strategic links with major stakeholders in the city. This will include involving the BID in the city’s regeneration plans, such as Plymouth City Council’s economic plan, Plymouth’s Visitor Plan for 202030 and the emerging Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

Plymouth currently has two BIDs, Plymouth City Centre Company, which covers the retail heart of the city centre and PWP which covers four square miles of waterfront with its vibrant mix of hospitality, retail, leisure, office, accommodation and attractions.

Together they represent more than 1,000 businesses in Plymouth and help to promote and manage regeneration schemes, events and street trading generating millions of pounds of investment.

Plymouth prepares for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Nick Buckland, chair of PWP, said: “BIDs have already made a huge impact in Plymouth and there is great potential to expand their role and make a telling difference to the city’s future development, and to help businesses recover from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

“Jon recognises the opportunities BIDs represent and I’m thrilled he is joining us.

He has a very impressive track record in delivering BIDs, initially as Plymouth City Centre Manager, then as CEO for the Southampton and Stirling BIDs. He’s also been Chair of the Dundee BID and Dundee Business Forum, plus has input to major regeneration projects, the BritishBIDs Advisory Board and acted as an executive member (cities) of the Scottish Towns Partnership.

This is a key appointment and Jon will be a fantastic asset, who in 2021 won the Sceptre ‘Shopping Centre Manager of the Year’ award. I look forward to working with him over what will be an exciting five years ahead of us, delivering our new Waterfront BID Business Plan.”

Jon was previously City Centre manager for the Plymouth City Centre Company between 2015 and 2017. His appointment

occupied during the Easter holidays.

Download a map from the Visit Plymouth website or collect a leaflet from one of the participating retailers: Moments Café, Daamn Good Bakes, Tribal Voice, Rise Bakery, Crystals, Fresh Flower Scent, Coffee Time, Futon Company, Cake Box or Power Plant Café.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of Plymouth City Centre Company who created the trail, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with the Barbican Theatre team to create this fun, free spring time trail all focused around the West End, our proud independent quarter.

“I’d encourage you to make a day of it – come in and follow the egg hunt, browse the shops and stop for a bite to eat at one of our fantastic cafes or restaurants. The city centre has so much to offer, and our local high street needs your support now more than ever after the difficulties created by the pandemic.”

For more information and to download a Spring Time Egg Hunt map, please visit www. visitplymouth.co.uk/egghunt.

Jon Walton...delighted to be back in Plymouth

follows the departure of Diane Mansell, PWP’s previous CEO, who steered the Waterfront BID to a successful renewal in November 2021, but who resigned for family reasons.

Jon, who holds a BSc Degree in Business Studies and International Marketing, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be moving back to Plymouth, to take the Waterfront BID to the next level, making a significant contribution to the city that I’ve fallen in love with.

“I’ve hugely benefited from working in Southampton, Stirling and especially Weston-superMare, but have always regretted leaving Plymouth and I look forward to meeting everyone

In June, the entire country will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with an extra-long Bank Holiday weekend from June 2 to 5 and the people of Plymouth are being encouraged to celebrate with their community.

Plymouth City Council has created a simplified process for road closures across the Jubilee weekend, making it easier for neighbours to gather together and host their own platinum street party.

Road closures between June 2 and 5 will be free of charge.

Applications had to be submitted at least eight weeks before

involved with the Waterfront’s development at the heart of Britain’s Ocean City.

“I want to ensure the success the BIDs have enjoyed over the past few years is built upon and together with our key partners, such as at the LEP, Destination Plymouth and the City Council, that we harness the potential of the city’s private sector to continue to drive the Waterfront’s economy forward.

Diane will be a hard act to follow but I am determined to build on her fantastic legacy and create a vision and delivery of my own.”

Find out more about Plymouth Waterfront Partnership at waterfrontbid.co.uk/

the date of the closure, so people were asked to apply by April 8 to allow the team time to process requests.

Plymouth will also join thousands of towns and cities across the UK and the Commonwealth in hosting a Platinum Jubilee Beacon.

The city’s beacon, which will be on the walls of the Royal Citadel on Plymouth Hoe, will be lit at 9.45pm on Thursday June 2 and remain burning for the entire weekend.

For more information about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Plymouth, go to www.plymouth.gov.uk/ celebratequeensplatinum jubileeus.

Plymouth survey on violence against women and girls

More than 1,300 people have responded to the survey launched by the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Commission in Plymouth.

In view of the huge response members of the Commission have agreed to extend their work so they can further scrutinise the overwhelming amount of evidence that has been submitted.

The VAWG Commission was launched in January 2022 to review what is being done across the city to educate men and boys, prevent and deter these types of crimes and consider what support is available for victims.

Since it was established the Commission has received a huge amount of evidence, including; • 1,327 local people sharing their experiences in a survey • Written submissions from groups and organisations that work with victims • Around 40 hours listening to feedback from 33 individuals or organisations during evidence sessions • The Commission heard about a vast number of issues and considerations, arranged under the key themes of the role of men and boys, children and young people, places and spaces and culture as well as a session focused on innovation and best practice.

Members of the Commission agreed are going to take two more months to explore the evidence that has been submitted, identify any gaps in areas where they need more detail and consider new regional and national strategies that have recently been launched.

This includes the recent announcements that VAWG is to become a national policing priority, and the fourth round of the Government’s Safer Streets Fund, which has an additional focus on violence against women and girls.

This additional time will ensure that the final report and recommendations will be robust, aspirational, far-reaching and importantly will really make a difference to the lives of local people.

The report will then be published on May 27 2022.

Chair of the Commission, Councillor Rebecca Smith, said: “I have always said that the final report and recommendations must be done at pace.

However, the process must be robust, thorough and demand actions that will result in real change.

“It has been overwhelming how many individuals and organisations have made their views known about what is already happening in Plymouth to prevent violence towards women and girls, and highlight what they think needs to be done.”

Commission chair Rebecca Smith

How to tackle debt problems Citizens Advice across England and Wales answered 64,656 enquiries about debt in January 2022. In these difficult times, when the money coming in does not cover the money going out on bills, it is very easy to slip into debt and get out again.

In this article, we want to share some steps you take to get back in control.

Many of us will have some form of debt in our lifetimes, such as a mortgage on your property, credit cards or an overdraft. If we treat it with care, debt can be useful. But if it gets out of control, it can create other problems. If your total debts (excluding mortgage) add up to more than you earn in a year and you’re struggling to repay these debts, then you may have a debt problem.

than your income, then identify priority bills.

Priority bills are those that keep a roof over your head, like the rent/mortgage, council tax, court fines, TV licence, overpaid tax credits, etc. It is essential you pay for these first.

If you cannot pay the most important bills, contact your creditor urgently and explain your situation and budget. They may be able to offer you a deal that will make your payments more affordable.

Know your budget Count up all the money coming into your household to find your total income, including child benefit, attendance allowance, carer’s allowance and all benefits and wages. Make sure you know exactly how much you must manage on.

Check that you are receiving all benefits you are entitled to. You can use a benefits calculator on our website www.citizensadviceplymouth.entitledto. co.uk/home/start. If you don’t have internet, you can speak to us over the telephone.

Although some debts are treated as a lower priority, they will still need to be paid. Creditors will often contact you to ask for a payment. If you can’t pay, speak to someone about your situation. Many debt advice agencies can help you to find a way forward. Citizens Advice web page has a lot of information about dealing with debt www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-andmoney/.

Check for old direct debits and standing orders

Lay out all your bills and other debts Include food and essentials bills and see if your household income covers the amount going out. If your outgoings are higher

Sometimes you may forget that you’re paying for unused services such as a gym

membership or a paid TV subscription.

Go through your bank statements and look for any payments that don’t look familiar.

Then check your contract and see if you can cancel them.

Avoid payday loans and loan sharks Having an instant lump sum may sound useful and an answer to your immediate problem. But the interest you will have to pay will be much higher than you think.

Payday loans must usually be paid within 2 to 3 weeks. From January 2015, there is an interest cap on payday loans of 0.8% per day with an APR (Annual Percentage Rate) of around 1,250%. A different type of loan can be more affordable.

Loan sharks are illegal money lenders who charge high rates of interest and don’t have permission from FCA to lend money.

They might not give you any paperwork and can become very aggressive when you’re unable to pay.

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Don’t be ashamed to seek advice Don’t wait for the bills to mount up, get help as soon as you can. Doing nothing will just allow matters to get worse.

Advice agencies may be able to advise on your situation, refer you for further advice, issue a foodbank voucher if you can’t afford to pay for food, and also find other grants and schemes that could help with your situation.

If you’re struggling with managing your finances, call our Adviceline on 0808 278 7910, visit our website www.citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk or use Facebook Messenger to get in touch.

The Citizens Advice Debt Helpline on 0800 240 4420 can also help.

If you owe money to a loan shark, you can speak to the Illegal Money Lending Hotline on 0300 555 2222 and report the loan shark anonymously. You can also email

www.citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk

0808 278 7910

them at reportloansharks@stoploansharks. gov.uk or text loan shark and your message to 60003.

@citizensadviceplymouth

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16 May 2022

Sounds Musical back on stage to ‘continue the magic’

16 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

One of Plymouth’s oldest and celebrated amateur dramatic musical companies is returning to ‘the show must go on’ mode after a difficult and challenging two years.

Founded in 1911, Sounds Musical Theatre Company’s last production, Wind in the Willows in 2020, received rave reviews, managing to perform its run just as lockdown was declared. The following two pandemic years saw the group stage three virtual performances, keeping the momentum going and staying in touch with audiences.

Sadly, following the deaths of three respected members, the company lost key advocates. Loyal stalwart Pat White, served refreshments during rehearsals, organised fund raising and ran front of house in the Athenaeum and Devonport Playhouse for 23 years.

South West’s theatre world was devastated when ‘legend’ David Bailey, a frequent performer with Sounds since 1998 died in March. He had always wanted to play the part of Badger in Wind in the Willows – and this was to be his last performance with them.

Edward Gigg was a company member for 60 years, father figure, chairman for many years and president for the last several years. He will be remembered for his passion for local amateur theatre, and for his support and guidance in encouraging members to ‘continue the magic that live theatre can offer.’

Sounds are nowproud to continue their tradition of presenting their annual full musical production, with Young Frankenstein from May 25 to 28 at The Devonport Playhouse.

The award winning monster musical comedy is brought to life on stage in an all singing raucous comedy, where Dr Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Frankenstein continues his grandfather’s experiments which yield madcap success and monstrous consequences.

Sounds Musical Theatre Company continues to grow with the show’s announcement bringing in a wealth of new talent led by musical director Kristy Marcer-Griffiths and director Amanda Paddison.

After such a gap in being able to perform on stage the Company are now looking forward to entertaining audiences old and new.

Show tickets are available on www. ticketsource.co.uk/sounds or by calling 07395 159955. Further information can be found at soundsmusical theatrecompany. co.uk

Boringdon School children near Dorsmouth rock with Plympton in the background in the process of collecting the botanics. From left to right: Henry Mallard, Alice Stewart, Sebastien Daragon, Poppy Mallard and Emma Stewart

School Friends getting in the Jubilee Spirit!

The Friends of Boringdon School in Plympton have commissioned an award-winning distillery to develop and manufacture a unique gin named ‘The Spirit of Plympton’ to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The botanics to flavour the gin have been collected by local children from the town’s fields and hedgerows and the honey is from Plympton beehives too so the gin is completely unique and special to the area.

The Limited Edition, 70cl, 40% ABV Premium gin includes a generous donation to Plympton charities for every bottle sold.

Hannah Daragon, chair of the Friends of Boringdon School, said: “It is great to be working on such a unique project in aid of Plympton charities. Plympton is really proud of its identity and we felt that naming the gin ‘The Spirit of Plympton’, with our iconic castle on the label, really does sum up the town.

“People are really excited as this is something

a bit different and special so nobody wants to miss out as there are only a limited number of bottles being made!

“We hope that plenty of local people, whether they live here, work here or have any connection with Plympton, past or present, will raise a glass of our gin to toast the Queen on the Jubilee weekend – with the added bonus of local charities benefiting from every sip!’

Mrs Daragon added: “And I can tell you, as one of only three people who have tasted the gin, it is absolutely delicious! Definitely the most fun I have had donating to charity in a long time!”

The bespoke Spirit of Plympton gin is due to be delivered in mid-May with collection before the Jubilee weekend in June.

It is available now, sold by pre-order only for £38 and orders must be placed by April 27.

More details and how to order can be found at https://bit.ly/3uXoyhs

Overnight closures of Milehouse junction during April Road resurfacing works are to be carried out at Plymouth’s Milehouse junction during two weeks in April.

The junction is a busy traffic hub directing drivers towards all parts of the city and the new surface are needed to prolong its life.

A total of around 8,500 m² of road surface will be renewed during the overnight works being carried from April 19 to May 1.

The top surfacing layer will be planed off to a depth of 40mm and replaced with a new course of bituminous macadam.

Plymouth Highways has carefully planned the works to cause as little disruption as possible. Work will be carried out between 7pm and 6am and the work is being phased at various different sections of the junction so a minimum number of routes through the junction will be closed at the same time.

Depending on which sections are closed, full diversions will be in place and these will be moved to suit the affected routes through the junction.

Each stage is planned to take between two to four nights although some sections will be repeated for works that cannot be carried out until the surfacing has been allowed to cure, such as lining or traffic loop installation.

Local access to properties and businesses will be maintained at all times. While there may be some delays teams will endeavour to keep any inconvenience to a minimum.

During the road closures the teams will try and carry out any other maintenance works that are needed to avoid any further disruption in the future. This will include lining works, gully emptying, vegetation cutbacks and renewal of street lighting columns and traffic signals.

Highways assets such as barriers and kerbs along the adjoining closed routes will also be inspected before the work begins to see if any related works need to be programmed during the closures.

May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Art of recovery at Harbour Harbour, Plymouth’s leading addiction support service, is using art to help the people of the city as a new mural on Mutley Plain by local artists welcomes people working through their addiction.

“I applied to Plymouth College of Art for a BA Hons Degree and they accepted me! I could never have achieved this without the help and support I received” “The mural shows a picture of a Harbour, the rest we named Starry Starry Plymouth after Van Gogh, the lighthouse represents the LGBTQ+ community, the houses represent the citizens of our city, the big white house is Hamoaze, and the greenery reflects Dartmoor.

“The mural also represents hope and is a beacon to everyone struggling at the moment.”

Yvonne had a troubled childhood and was raised in a cult like religion, she developed unhealthy ways of

managing difficult emotions and stress. Alcohol became a part of managing long term mental health problems, which only exasperated the issues.

Yvonne reflects: “I sought help from Harbour and later Hamoaze which became a lifeline for me.

Whilst at Hamoaze they recognised a creative part of me, which they encouraged and without their support, I would not now be studying at degree level.”

If you or anyone you know needs support or you would like to find out more about Harbour its services, or how you can help, please get in touch at 01752 434343 or visit www. harbour.org.uk

Continuity of care means a lot Continuity of care means a lot - to us, our service providers and most importantly to you.

It means that we’ll work hard to ensure that your care is delivered by the same people. It means that each day a friendly face that you get to know and trust accompanies the professional care that we provide.

Our carers get to know your, and your loved ones’, unique circumstances what you like, what you don’t, what makes you feel better.

They become friends helping you at home, someone you can rely on and talk to.

That experience is what attracted John and Anya to Friends Helping At Home,

Charities join forces to form new mental health alliance Mental health charities from across Devon have unveiled the Devon Mental Health Alliance (DMHA), a partnership which aims to improve access to mental health services and identify new opportunities to support people across all of the county’s communities.

The colourful mural is next to Harbour’s Mutley Plain building, near the Seaton Barracks car park.

Harbour has a long history of saving lives, local artists Yvonne Hayes and Debra Purse, have drawn on their own creativity to give something back to those that have helped them in times of crises.

Debra reflects on her journey: “I wanted to die. I worked with Hamoaze and Harbour and came out of addiction, gradually trusting the process and the staff, I never trusted anyone before.

when they were looking for support for John’s 91 year old mother Joan.

She lives in the family home in Totnes, John and Anya live just outside London, so when Joan’s health deteriorated last year they asked for recommendations and searched the internet for an organisation that they could trust to support her daily care needs.

They spoke with Caron (our South Hams branch Manager). “She responded to our enquiry quickly, and after our first meeting we were happy that the same level of responsiveness was the way they worked every day,” said John. “We needed to know that, living hundreds of miles from Mum. We can phone any time with questions or concerns and know it will be taken care of.”

John and Anya were also keen to have Mum treated with personal care and attention to the small things that matter.

“Mum likes a chat, and during Covid we often weren’t able to travel to see her and she didn’t see many other people.

Knowing she was being cared for well, gave us peace of mind,” said John.

17

Focused on delivering community services as part of the NHS Community Mental Health Framework improvement programme, the Alliance will be led by six organisations dedicated to supporting people experiencing mental health challenges. They will work collaboratively with partners from the statutory, voluntary, and community sectors to make services across Devon more accessible, more effective, and better suited to the needs of their users.

The DMHA includes six member charities: Improving Lives Plymouth, Shekinah, Step One Charity, CoLab Exeter, Devon Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. The collective is working closely with the Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Livewell Southwest as lead statutory partners, and will link with other organisations across the county to create stronger pathways and brand-new services dedicated to supporting people with mental health problems.

“The carers are pro-active, they take Mum out for drives and walks on the seafront, appointments at hospital and shopping trips. They think it through for her, and they ask us first if they need to.”

Direct contact by text or phone undergirds the connectivity between the family, our branch manager, Joan and her carers. It’s a relationship where everyone is involved.

It’s very much what it means to be cared for

by Friends Helping At Home.

Speaking on the launch, chair of the Alliance Rob Smith commented: “We’re so excited to be launching the Devon Mental Health Alliance after 12 months of work with charities, voluntary sector and NHS partners. There are so many great mental health services across Devon, but with the strength of our six organisations – and numerous other partners we hope will join us in the future – we know that we can make a real positive change in how thousands

of people across the county access and benefit from support.”

As part of the DMHA’s work, several dedicated roles will be created to develop and deliver services across four coordinated areas of Devon, the fourth-largest county in England. Each area will have a locality manager to help coordinate services, as well as multiple recovery practitioners to deliver therapeutic intervention, courses, workshops, and more.

Recruitment has already begun for these roles and will continue over the next year.

To find out more about the Devon Mental Health Alliance and how to get involved, visit www. mentalhealthdevon.co.uk or email info@mentalhealthdevon.co.uk.

Absolute continuity of care.

Your choose your carer from our vigorously vetted team.

Your chosen carer will get to know you and your needs - you can ask for what makes you feel comfortable and safe.

A single point of contact to address any concerns and reassure you.

Up to date infection control measures assured.

Friends have five branches serving Devon, and the same values undergird and run through them all. Jo Craythorne, our Plymouth Branch Manager, will be pleased to hear from you and respond to your care needs.

Contact us to discuss your requirements and to arrange a free initial visit, without obligation on your part to discuss your requirements.

Call us on

(01752) 648 320 We provide a safe, friendly and professional service that enables you to remain living in the comfort of your own home.

Email:

plymouth@friendshelpingathome.co.uk

Find us online at: friendshelpingathome.co.uk

18 May 2022

18 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Green light for station’s new look multi-storey car park Kevin receives the Commendation from Cdre Peter Coulson

Teacher is honoured for his work with Services students A teacher from Devonport High School for Boys has been recognised for his work with students from Armed Services families, with a special award from Commodore Peter Coulson, Devonport Naval Base Commander.

Planning permission has been given for the new-look multi storey car park at Plymouth’s train station.

The six-storey development will replace the old concrete car park which will be knocked down once the new one is built as part of the massive regeneration of the area around the station and the creation of Brunel Plaza.

Special attention has been paid to the exterior appearance of the new car park, which will be one of the most visible buildings for passengers arriving by rail to the city.

The triangles outside the building, with its aluminium panels and steel mesh, draw on a theme that occurs in other parts of the city centre, particularly the Civic Square.

The new car park will have: • 453 parking spaces arranged over six storeys

• Full CCTV coverage • Electric Vehicle charging facilities with capability to expand as demand increases in the future.

• A new mobility hub which will offer more transport choices to reduce private car use. This could include electric bikes, electric vehicles available for hire, bike parking, lockers for delivery and storage • Disabled and family parking spaces • Defibrillators The car park will be built to the east of Intercity House on the site of the former RISC building.

The new car park’s location means a significant change to how private vehicles will be able to use Station Approach.

All private vehicle trips to and from the new multi-storey car park, once operational, will enter and exit from North Road East (Station Approach) which

will be widened into two lanes rather than the current one-way configuration.

This will mean most of the vehicle movements will be away from the front of the station, creating space and a better welcome for visitors arriving at Brunel Plaza.

Work is expected to start early next year and should be completed by the summer of 2024.

Once the new car park is open and operational, the old multi-storey will be demolished creating development sites for further university campus extensions and a new hotel.

Major work has been progressing at Intercity Place – the tower above the station, with existing fixtures and fittings being removed from the building to prepare for its wholesale refurbishment as a new Faculty of Health for the University.

MORE CCTV CAMERAS FOR CITY CENTRE

Cabling and ground work is now underway for the installation of new CCTV cameras in and around the city centre.

Five locations will be getting new cameras. They are: Subway on North Hill; Athenaeum Street; Sawrey Street, Millbay; Union Street outside Lidl and New Street in the Barbican Once operational they will be monitored from Plymouth City Council’s dedicated CCTV control room which has 24 hour cover with remote access in place for emergency services, Plymouth against Retail Crime, Traffic Monitoring and Public Protection teams.

The cameras can also provide extra lighting in the event of an incident and are in addition to the 354 already in place around the city.

A dozen stand alone emergency help points are also due to be installed in the next few weeks at the following locations: Southside Street junction Friary’s Lane and another outside the Crown & Anchor pub; West Hoe Park; Old Town Street; Armada Way – Sundial; Royal Parade - Centre pedestrian

crossing; Union Street – Octagon and outside Lidl; Mutley Plain; North Hill; Mayflower Street; King Street and High Street, Stonehouse These sites were selected as they are high footfall areas with shops, pubs and clubs or local schools nearby.

The well-lit help points will be installed near new and existing CCTV cameras offering increased surveillance. Anyone who uses them is automatically connected to the CCTV control room.

The cameras nearby can also move to pick up the help points and staff in the control room can monitor a situation while an appropriate emergency response is on its way.

Evidence from a recent College of Policing case study found that violent crime was reduced by an average of 21 per cent in areas with improved street lighting compared to areas without.

The package is part of the city’s Safer Streets 3 funding awarded by the Home Office earlier this year. The fund specifically targets Violence against Women and Girls crimes and aims to improve feelings of safety.

You can help to save lives! www.daat.org Registered Charity No: 1077998

Kevin Mitchell was presented with the Naval Base Commander’s Commendation by Cdre Coulson at one of the regular breakfast clubs, held each half term, organised by himself and the school’s family support advisor, Lorna Taylor.

In total, around 100 students at the school have a close family member who is currently serving or who has recently served in the Armed Forces.

These gatherings have found to be a great way to make connections and provide support for the students.

Commodore Coulson said, “It’s a real pleasure to present this commendation today. Being a Service parent, away from your children is often difficult – but it is just as challenging for the parents and children left at home. I have seen first-hand the contribution that Kevin makes to the welfare of Service children.

“Small things, like sports afternoons on a Friday, or parents’ evenings on a Thursday can make all the difference to Service parents getting back from duties to attend these important events. But when you can’t, knowing there is someone like Kevin looking out for their welfare is a huge help.

This commendation is just a small way to say a very big thank you on behalf of Service children and parents at DHSB” The breakfasts are very informal and are a chance for Kevin to talk to the students, welcome any newcomers and ask if anyone has a parent who is away at the moment. He usually includes a quiz and activities that will bond the group and get students talking with others in the same situation.

They are also a good opportunity to offer support with likeminded students, and meet any special requirement for individuals, if needed.

Dan Roberts, headteacher said, “Mr Mitchell’s support is a light touch and is offered over and above the pastoral support provided by the school to all our students.

“Our students value the support that Mr Mitchell provides; many who have moved through the school have commented that they have appreciated the support and guidance that he has offered during their time, and always knew that if they needed anything then he wouldn’t hesitate to help them.”

Building strong grassroots organisations, charities, and social enterprises in Plymouth

Together we can overcome loneliness The Plymouth Social Isolation Forum has been brought together to help tackle, here in Plymouth, a nationwide epidemic of loneliness.

More and more people are experiencing the dread of feeling ‘lonely’ and of being social isolated. From mothers of newborn babies to older people living on their own; teenagers to people in abusive relationships, loneliness can blight the life of any one of us.

Patrick Weir

Helpline Numbers:

Loneliness can be as damaging to a person’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It can lead to a whole range of physical and mental health issues, such as, heart conditions, depression and dementia. It can also bring about a premature death.

The PSIF has been established to tackle loneliness across the city; to recognise those who may feel lonely; identify potential factors and then to do something about it.

As well as promoting the social interventions, clubs and activities available, the PSIF aims to bring about more strategic changes, such as, to planning and policies.

One of the things it is keen to see is community and outdoor spaces betterdesigned to encourage interaction and ‘friendly’ behaviour.

Efford Efford Community Community Network Network

Efford Efford 07380 309586 07380 309586 Glenholt Glenholt 07849 413125 07849 413125

SUPPOSE YOU HAD £1000 TO SPEND IMPROVING YOUR COMMUNITY

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? POP is working with Street to Scale to bring grassroots community ideas to life. There is no application form; no targets and no need for written outcomes. If you’d like £1000 to spend on your community, contact:

07842 043399 (WhatsApp)

The forum is made up of community and voluntary sector organisations – including POP – along with the city’s social prescribing teams, wellbeing hubs and a range of other individuals and organisations with experience and/or knowledge of the harm that social isolation can bring.

From mindfulness to martial arts; gardening to gaming and crafting to conversations, an abundance of grassroots initiatives has taken root in Keyham since the beginning of the year bringing people together and strengthening relationships. Now, a second round of the Keyham Community Sparks Grant, has been announced which will see a second wave of small but significant projects bring further positive change to the area and its residents.

29 large grants of £3000 and 33 small grants of £500 have already been invested in the Keyham community either to kick start or sustain community projects. Thanks to an additional pot of money from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, there will be a further round of £10,000 gifting £500 to both new and existing projects to support people; strengthen the community and help to create a greater sense of belonging.

Debbie Burton, Plymouth Together Coordinator says it’s been amazing seeing the community get involved and bring about exciting opportunities so quickly: “There’s so much talent in the area and the willingness of individuals to share their skills with others. We have an amazing range of projects already underway which are really bringing people together, such as the dancing, cooking and planting workshops.

And this second round of funding will see more opportunities for more residents and, with it, bring about a stronger supportive community.”

Imogen Potter, the capacity building manager from POP, which has been managing the funding process, says even the application process is all about fostering greater ties within the community: “Each person or project that applies for the Sparks funding needs to get other local organisations to support their application.

So even at the early stage of applying people are having to talk to each other and, in doing so, are creating stronger relationships. That in itself, is going to have a positive impact in Keyham even before these projects have got off the ground!”

Changes have already begun at the 1st Keyham Scout Group which successfully applied for two lots of £500: one, to pay for some much-needed new equipment and the second, to help set up a new scouting group, “Squirrels”, for four to six-year-olds. Scout leader, John Davies, says the positive effects can be widespread: “When you build up relationships you build up teamwork and aspirations and give youngster something to look forward to and that has the potential to reduce negative impacts on the community.”

Patrick Weir, born in 1937, has been going to the fortnightly Red Velvet Cinema, a social interaction for ‘older’ people for five years.

He says it has, quite simply, changed his life: “I’ve never been married; I’ve never been in a relationship, and this is the only time I talk to people other than when I do my shopping.”

The conference at the Duke of Cornwall on Wednesday the 27th of April will include presentations, workshops and discussions: Dr Ruth Harrell, the director of Public Health at Plymouth City Council, will be one of the event’s speakers. There will also be an exhibition of many of the organisations; charities and community organisations that are already working hard to bring people together and help reduce the feelings of loneliness across the city. For more information or to book a place visit call Jan Knight on 0776 423 2946 or visit www.socialisolationforum.org.uk

Keyham Community Sparks showcase event in March

Round Two of the Small Grants Scheme is now OPEN! You don’t need a bank account and, unlike most conventional funds, decisions are quick: each application is considered, approved or rejected within a week. Don’t hang about, visit www.plymouthtogether.co.uk for more information.

20 May 2022

20 May 2022

THE

Experience

I’ve been on planet earth for some time now and must be totally honest with you, I’ve never known a time of such doom and gloom. You can see it on so many people’s faces.

I’m from the baby boomer generation, born and raised in London just after the Second World War in the 50s. My folks emigrated to Canada and then moved to the USA. You could do that for £10 back then. We returned to the UK in the mid 60s when my father’s job relocated him back to the UK. I share this with respect to those born before 1946 and who were part of the silent generation born during or before the Second World War who really experienced some traumatic times.

I’ve had a colourful life of travel and from the age of 16 or 17, when my folks divorced, I found myself in a bedsit just outside London trying to make sense of what had happened to me. I worked at various jobs to make ends meet and finally ended up in Brussels in Belgium at the right time and became a successful DJ and businessman.

My life began to fall apart in the late 1970s through an excessive lifestyle of recreational drugs and alcohol. Inside myself I was an extremely lost and broken individual. Circumstances became very dark around this time, but within the darkest of

@PlymChronicle

Light shone through the darkness

By Chris Cole, Founder of Cross Rhythms charity

times opportunities of light can also be experienced.

I met a group of Christian businesspeople who weren’t interested in my business activities as much as they were in me as a human being.

Through a process of amazing spiritual experiences, I encountered Jesus Christ on December 6 1981, at 11.30pm and my life changed for ever.

I had emotionally hurt somebody in the 70s very badly and had always felt guilty about the way I had dealt with this person. On that night in December my conscience was touched

by God, and I asked Jesus to forgive me for what I had done. I broke my heart as God forgave me and released me from the guilt of that sinful episode.

This was over 40 years ago, and I must share that through the good and bad circumstances of life, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been totally faithful to myself and my family. Being a Christian

does not exempt you from difficulties and suffering.

This is what the cross represents. God wants to mature us increasingly day by day that we may be carriers of His Grace and Love to those who are seeking an answer to the complexities of this life.

As we recognise the Easter season, we are faced with the historical reality of God in the person of Jesus Christ coming to earth as 100 per cent Divine and 100 per cent human. He revealed that, despite the brokenness of this world, there is a good God who has placed eternity within the human heart.

Chris Cole His miracles confirmed His message. Jesus then suffers the injustice of the cross, as a sinless sacrifice, to open a portal to the Father through His death and resurrection.

Today, 2.4 billion Christians all over the world recognise this truth. Many of them are in persecuted countries, where it is

personally very costly to live a Christian life because of that persecution. Despite this they courageously share their testimony because they truly love their neighbour as themselves and have good news to convey.

This Easter may I encourage you if you have a faith in Christ Jesus to share your story. The good and bad bits of your life, because people need to hear the truth of why you believe the way you do. If you don’t have a faith and are seeking, then may I also encourage you to ask God to guide you into His light and you’ll be surprised at the outcome if you ask Him with a truthful heart.

On Cross Rhythms Plymouth you can hear a number of people sharing their life stories and why they believe what they do. You can listen to these interviews whenever it suits you on the listen again pages on crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth.

If this article has impacted you and you want to learn more about Christian faith email info@crplymouth.co.uk.

Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website at www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth

Price of school meals frozen - at least for now

The Marine Station is a cutting edge facility providing direct access to Plymouth Sound for students and researchers (Credit University of Plymouth)

School meal prices in Plymouth will remain among the lowest in the region from April despite continuing increases in the cost of ingredients and wage rises.

Plymouth supporting action to prevent plastic pollution Some of the UK and France’s leading experts in plastic pollution met in Plymouth earlier this month to discuss advances being made in tackling the global crisis.

Partners from 18 organisations involved in the Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) project gathered for three days in the city to share insights from their work.

This included updates on initiatives to promote behaviour change in businesses, schools, and communities; demonstrations of interventions being used to remove plastic from the environment; and workshops to discuss research on the ecological impact of plastics in the environment Around 80 per cent of all litter found in oceans is from a land source, and it is estimated that there could be more items of plastic than fish in the sea by 2050.

These numbers are stark, and demonstrate that tackling the mountain

of plastic waste is a global issue, which requires engagement at all levels and across borders.

PPP aims to drive that engagement across seven pilot sites, including the River Tamar catchment.

It brings scientists, local charities and environmental experts together to start to map and truly understand the sources and movement of plastic pollution from source to sea, by following a river catchment-based approach.

That process is being led by the University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Council, Westcountry Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency in collaboration with communities and businesses.

Professor Richard Thompson, head of the University’s International Marine Litter Research Unit, has been working on the accumulation of plastic in the environment for almost 30 years.

He said: “There is broad consensus across society about the scale of the

plastics crisis. Solutions to address this issue are the same as they were in the early 1990s, and are absolutely about reduce, reuse and recycle. However, we still lack specific information on the effectiveness of various interventions, the trade-offs between solutions and how these may vary between nations.

“An international collaboration like PPP is essential to help achieve that because plastics and other waste pay no attention to borders or boundaries.

Through research at both a local, national and international scale our team are working to develop and test interventions to address the challenge.”

Liz Cole, natural infrastructure 0fficer at Plymouth City Council, added: “The PPP project has helped us to deliver a reduction in single use plastic across the city. Working in collaboration with partners both locally and across the channel has increased our capacity to deliver impactful solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.”

The Board of CATERed recognise that, post BREXIT and post the COVID pandemic, all families will have seen the cost of food rising when they do the weekly shop and this is no different for CATERed, Plymouth’s main school meal provider in all but a handful of schools and academies.

In the last few months price increases of between 20 per cent and 30 per cent have come through on food and ingredients such as chicken, pasta, rice and potatoes and, along with increases to wage costs – CATERed is an accredited UK Living Wage Employer – and increases to national insurance from April it is a becoming increasingly difficult to balance costs in a sustainable manner.

In spite of this, and recognising the pressure that household budgets are currently under, the Board have taken the decision that the cost of a paid for meal, and the value of a benefit-based Free School Meal, should not increase at the start of the new financial year, when most organisations introduce price increases.

Instead families will benefit from a price freeze for the next six months, before a rise of 20 pence per meal is introduced from the start of the new academic year on September 5.

The new price for a hot, twocourse school meal, which also includes a drink, will be £2.40 for primary schools and primary aged pupils in special schools and £2.70 for secondary schools

and academies. The price for secondary-aged students in special schools (currently £2.20) will increase to £2.45 and will then rise incrementally to match the price in all mainstream secondary settings.

This will be the first increase in four years and it still means that school meal prices in Plymouth schools will remain lower than, or the same as, those in surrounding areas including Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset continuing CATERed’s ethos of providing excellent value for money for local families.

Brad Pearce, managing director at CATERed said: “This future increase is as a result of the tsunami of BREXIT and the pandemic which has lead to the well-publicised and significant rises in food and ingredient prices, which look set to continue for the foreseeable future, as well as an increase to our wage bill.

“We employ 265 local people, who prepare around 10,500 meals every day to make sure children get the fuel they need to perform well at school. We are an accredited UK Living Wage Employer because we value our staff and firmly believe in looking after them so they do a great job looking after the children they serve every day.

Brad continued: “For £2.40 a day, less than most takeaway coffees, each child will have a great tasting, freshly prepared two-course school lunch. We are also one of the few providers in the region to offer pupils a drink of milk offered on a daily basis. This is the just one of the ways we go the extra mile to make a difference, every child, every time.”

To see the latest menus visit www.catered.org.uk

Dial the Experts The handy guide to Plymouth trades & services

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22 May 2022

22 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Popular Freedom Community Festival is back after two year absence because of pandemic

Exclusive dresses added to The Box’s fashion collection An exclusive, hand-made latex dress celebrating Plymouth’s legacy has been unveiled at The Box museum.

The popular Freedom Community Festival is back again in 2022 after a two year absence because of the pandemic.

Plans for this year’s community festival on May 28 and 29 are well in hand and will feature some of the best in local live music including The Andy Quick band, The Kingstons, Alex Hart, Vince Lee and many more. There will be the usual craft stalls and a variety of food outlets and a licenced bar.

There will be a dedicated family and community area featuring interactive activities and entertainment. It will also feature local community focused groups and this year we are pleased to welcome back students from the Plymouth University medical department to promote various community projects that they are running. The fun starts at 11am each day.

For more information and line up please go to Facebook Freedom community festival or call 07722308462.

Success for first-ever ice hockey tournament

The victorious Plymouth Rock Stars team

The first-ever ice hockey tournament in Plymouth was a huge success with five teams from the city competing in the Thunder Puck Cup at the Plymouth Pavilions. The event was a great opportunity for Plymouth teams to play some competitive ice hockey against each other and also welcome in some new faces!

The Major Cup trophy saw three teams – Plymouth Eclipse, Plymouth Phoenix and Plymouth Rock Stars – compete in a two round robin competition with some very close matchups along the way.

The top two teams, Phoenix and Rock Stars, had to get through two previous matches to make the final where Rock Stars ran out 3-1 winners.

The games between entry level teams Eclipse Blue Jackets and Eclipse Black Jackets were closely contested but the Blue team under Adam Perona-Wright’s guidance won both games 2 – 1 and 2 – 0 to take the Thunder Puck Challenger Cup trophy.

Plymouth-based global clothing brand Westward Bound produced the dress after being approached by the £46 million museum and cultural attraction. It will sit within The Box’s Dress Code collection – Plymouth’s first exhibition dedicated to fashion.

The dress, titled Brand Me-Flag Me, is green, black, and white in a nod to Devon’s heritage and also represents the city’s history of garment manufacture.

Steve Beech, founder and managing director of Westward Bound, said: “We went for a relatable, funky-punky vibe for this dress. We want to reshape public thinking. People nowadays have been polluted into assuming that anything that isn’t modern, or that you can buy or sell, isn’t important. We’ve been made to think that knowledge is boring.

Culture is fundamentally important, and being informed isn’t dull. It is power!

“Gallery connections need to be alive. You need to capture people’s imagination, and our dress has very much done that.”

Terah Walkup, Curator of Art at The Box added: “We are acquiring the Brand Me dress because of Westward Bound’s local history and importance, and its representation of 21st-century fashion.

“Our dress history collection has items from the 1700s to 1970s, but very little material after that. We wanted to acquire this dress to represent the contemporary production of fashion and garments in Plymouth to continue the story of Plymouth’s history of garment manufacture represented in our collections.”

In addition to creating the dress, Westward Bound also created two dresses to represent The Box’s Cottonian Collection – one in aubergine and gold and another in classic, creamy-white with a mixture of Elizabethan and Victorian design styles (see picture right.)

This collection contains several thousand fine and rare prints, drawings, and watercolours from across the world, including works by Plymptonborn, renowned 18thcentury portraitist Sir Joshua Reynolds. It was also awarded national Designated Status by The Arts Council England in 1998, meaning that it’s one of the UK’s most important collections.

Steve Beech added: “A lot of thought went into these dresses because it meant an enormous amount. For a brief moment, you’re a part of the history of that collection, and you have to be serious about that.

“We’re presenting these dresses in a very traditional context and paying homage to an iconic collection. We are very much embracing it and looking at how we can integrate ourselves into it because it’s a great honour to leave our mark on it.”

In including the dress in its collection, The Box now encompasses everything from lace to latex. The Brand Me-Flag Me dress will be on display at The Box’s Dress Code exhibition until September 4.

May 2022

@PlymChronicle

23

Fundraisers provide vital support to the work of The Primrose Foundation Thanks to the work of its incredible fundraisers, Derriford-based charity The Primrose Foundation has been able to fund a fixed-term clinical psychologist for the Primrose breast care centre at Derriford Hospital - and one Plymouth woman has been speaking about how the support offered helped her to cope with a shock diagnosis.

Breast cancer patient Nicola Bevan-French

Fundraising success

Recently appointed specialist breast cancer care nurses Katie and Kara

Emergency Numbers

Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard 999 or 112 Police general enquiries 101 Derriford Hospital 01752 202082 NHS 111 Electricity, Western Power Distribution 0800 678 3105 Gas, Wales & West Utilities 0800 111999 Water, South West Water 0344 3462020 Environment Agency (Emergency) 0800 807060 RSPCA 0300 1234 999

Helplines

Nicola Bevan-French was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram in April 2021. The mammogram revealed bright white dots signifying calcification in the tissue of her right breast and following a biopsy, Nicola was advised she would need surgery.

Faced with having to quickly make some big decisions, Nicola felt overwhelmed. It became clear that what she really wanted was someone to talk to: someone outside of her family and friends bubble where she could express her fears without upsetting loved ones, someone who could help her to make the best decisions for her, and who could offer the extra support she needed - she’d also just started a new job and was worried about taking time off so soon.

Nicola was seen, treated, and cared for by a team of consultants, plastic surgeons, and breast nurse specialists at the Primrose Breast Care Centre within University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, which is also home to The Primrose Foundation.

The Foundation has raised millions of pounds since it was launched in 1995, with the initial aim of opening a ‘one stop’ breast care clinic at the Derriford Hospital. With match funding from the then Plymouth Hospitals Trust, that dream became a reality in 2001 and April sees the 21st anniversary of the Primrose Breast Care Centre’s opening.

One of the Foundation’s most recent fundraising successes was being able to fund a part-time clinical psychologist for two years. In Spring 2021, Katie Sleep joined the team at the Primrose Centre. Katie had just taken up her post shortly after Nicola received her diagnosis, so for Nicola, Katie’s arrival was perfect timing: “Katie asked me what my concerns were, and I said, ‘I’m scared I’m going to die’. Six to eight hours under anaesthetic terrified me.

“Katie then asked me some very direct questions about my fear of dying so that we went deeper into it, and I said, ‘the reason I’m so scared is that I’ve still got so much more living to do. I love my life’. So, through Katie’s specific questioning, I had reframed it, from being scared to have surgery in case I died, to saying ‘I want to live, let’s get this done’.”

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Clinical psychologist Katie Sleep, who joined The Primrose Foundation on a part-time basis last year

Nicola had a mastectomy and reconstruction. She decided against an implant, in favour of deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP) surgery, where tissue is taken from the abdomen and used in the breast reconstruction.

“In the end, I was under anaesthetic for nine hours,” said Nicola. “But when I came round, I felt fine; I didn’t even feel I needed strong painkillers. The care was so fantastic. And people can’t tell that I’ve had a mastectomy.”

Nicola had the surgery in August 2021 and was back at work in October. She will need a yearly mammogram for the next five years but, other than that, she’s back to living and loving her life just as before: “If I hadn’t gone to my mammogram, it would have been too late. I could be dying of breast cancer without even knowing it. I feel I was one of the very lucky ones.”

Without Katie, Nicola says the diagnosis would have been much harder for her to deal with: “Katie gave me a safe space to talk. The important thing is that the decision must be yours, not your partner’s, not your surgeon’s, not your wider family, yours. Katie knows what questions to ask that bring out our fears.”

Katie usually meets her patients in the centre’s specially designed quiet room, which was opened in 2020 also thanks to local fundraising. Although she does some work with diagnosed patients such as Nicola, her core work is with those who are genetically predisposed to breast cancer. Those with a

BRCA gene alteration have an increased risk of developing breast cancer at some time in their life. Katie will meet these patients and discuss options, and the level of support Katie provides varies according to the patient’s needs.

There are three key stages to her work with each patient: when they are considering the options; before surgery; and after surgery: “My role is to bridge the medical side of things; it’s giving them space to work things out. And it’s about giving patients a degree of control, where before they felt they had no control. They are taking something back in a chaotic situation.

“Some patients, for various reasons, might decide they don’t want surgery. For some, surgery might feel like the only option. Then it’s about feeling comfortable in the decision they make. For one woman, that might be a mastectomy and no reconstruction, for another, reconstruction feels imperative as they could never imagine life without a breast shape.

“So, we look at what’s important to them in their lives. How do they feel about their bodies? What is the ripple effect of that in terms of relationships, self-confidence, going out socially?

New nurses appointed

“And I like to ask questions that others won’t ask, or questions that the patients might not have thought of - such as around intimacy with their partner. Considering these questions helps them to make the decisions that are right for them. Often, by having these conversations with me, it clarifies their own thoughts.”

As well as Katie’s position, the Foundation - which works closely with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust - has also funded the recent appointment of two additional breast care nurses for the Centre for two years.

The charity’s next big fundraiser is its annual Spring Ball at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel in Plymouth on Saturday April 23, when it hopes to launch its new ‘Support us to Support You’ campaign. The campaign will focus on encouraging everyone to donate the cost of a bra every year or three years after reaching screening age.

Madeleine Matthews, fundraising coordinator for The Primrose Foundation explained: “Your bra offers a vital support role. Like your bra, The Primrose Foundation supports your breasts, too. We offer support to those that require breast care, including breast cancer care. So, would you support us so we can continue to support you?”

For more information about the charity go to www.primrosefoundation.org

Age UK Plymouth 01752 256020 Adoption UK 0844 848 7900 Al-Anon Family Groups 020 7403 088 Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 917 7650 Carers UK 020 7378 4999 Childline 0800 1111 Christians Against Poverty (Debt Advice) 0800 328 0006 Citizens Advice 0300 3309 043 Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 1671677 Devon & Cornwall Food Action 01752 651800 Disability & Information Advice Line 01302 310123 Drug Addicts Anonymous: Helpline 07818260811 Jan Cutting Healthy Living Centre 01752 203670 Money Advice Plymouth (Debt Advice) 01752 208126 NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 8005000 National Missing Persons Helpline 0500 700700 National Christian Helpline 0300 111 0101 NHS Direct 0845 4647 National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000247 Osteoporosis Support Group 075958 500314 Overeaters Anonymous 07000 784 985 Parentline Plus 0808 8002222 Relateline 0845 1304010 Samaritans 116 123 Talk to Frank 0800 776600 Shelterline 0808 8004444 Stop Hate Crime 24/7 Helpline 0800 138 1625 Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100 West Country Landlords Assn 01752 242980

Travel RAC Green Flag Rail Travel, national enquiries Plymouth Citybus National Express Coaches Brittany Ferries Cremyll Ferry Torpoint Ferry Tourist Information Passport Office, National Helpline

08000 828282 0800 400600 08457 484950 01752 662271 08717 818181 08705 360360 01752 822105 01752 812233 01752 266030 0870 5210410

Entertainment Theatre Royal 01752 267222 Barbican Theatre 01752 267131 Devonport Playhouse 01752 606507 Plymouth Athenaeum Theatre 01752 266079 Plymouth Pavilions 01752 936363 Plymouth Pavilions Ticket Store 03337 727727 Cineworld 03303 33444 Vue Cinema 0345 308 4620 Tourist Information 01752 306330 National Trust Saltram 01752 333500 Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery 01752 304774 Plymouth Arts Centre 01752 206114

Leisure Plymouth Life Centre Brickfields Recreation Ground Manadon Football Dev’ment Centre Plympton Swimming Pool Plymouth Pavilions Megabowl, Coxside Tourist Information The Beckly Centre, Plymstock

01752 606900 01752 563320 01752 201918 0870 300 0020 0845 146 1460 0871 5501010 01752 306330 01752 484433

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0870 9000100 0870 6004242

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24 May 2022

24 May 2022

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over 23,000 homes in Central and Waterfront Wembury Bay Photo: Sam Hussey

Popular Wembury marine centre opens doors for the new season The ever-popular Wembury Marine Centre, near Plymouth is opening its doors for the start of another busy season of fun, marine education and seashore-based activities.

The Centre has taken its normal winter-break over the past months but opened again to visitors from on April 9. Its new season begins with a series of rockpool safaris, providing visitors with a guided introduction to Wembury beach’s stunning wildlife.

Each safari is led by members of Devon Wildlife Trust’s expert team of staff and volunteers.

People taking part can expect to come face-to-face with some of the rich range of species found locally including Hermit crabs, cushion star fish, blennies, snakelocks anemones, painted topshells, Pipefish and much else besides.

Wembury Marine Centre is run by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust.

Wembury marine awareness and eEngagement officer Coral Smith said: “We are incredibly excited to be opening our doors this Easter and welcoming visitors back to our new and improved Centre, as well as continuing to raise awareness of Devon’s stunning underwater world and encouraging everyone

Lots of family fun at Wembury Marine Centre Photo: Devon Wildlife Trust

to enjoy and protect it!”

Wembury Marine Centre occupies an enviable position

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just above one of South Devon’s most interesting beaches and rocky shores. The Centre was

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Central & Waterfront Devon Wildlife Trust’s popular Marine Centre at Wembury opens again for 2022 Full details See Page 24

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fully refurbished in 2021. It is free to enter and uses a unique blend of interactive activities and beautiful underwater imagery to tell the story of local marine life.

Since opening in 1994, it has inspired thousands of visitors, fascinating them with the richness of Devon’s seas and leaving them with practical messages on how they can help conserve the oceans.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s work for the local marine environment is supported by local authority partners, Plymouth University and South West Water.

South West Water customer service director, Jo Ecroyd, said: “South West Water is proud to support Devon Wildlife Trust which is doing fantastic work to inspire and engage people of all ages about the wonders of the marine environment.

“By partnering with organisations in this way, we are able to build on our own schools and community learning programmes, while working collectively to raise awareness and encourage people to play their part in protecting the natural environment.”

For more information about Wembury Marine Centre, to plan a visit or book an event visit www.wemburymarinecentre.org

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