Plymouth Chronicle January West 2026

Argyle Life – the popular fans site –to bring exclusive content to our readers

for a tradesman?

to our Dial The Experts guide on pages 16 and 17

Nature City Plymouth!

Plymouth has been awarded the official status of Nature City – one of only three locations in the country to be granted the accolade. It follows the publication of the comprehensive and far-reaching Plymouth Plan for Nature and People STORY AND PICTURES PAGE 18

Photo courtesy of Plymouth Natural Grid

AGE UK PLYMOUTH LAUNCH THEIR BIG FESTIVE FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN

Age UK Plymouth has launched its annual Christmas Campaign, the charity's biggest fundraiser of the year, bringing the community together to support older people across the city during the festive season.

Each Christmas, the campaign helps provide hot festive meals, companionship and celebrations for people who might otherwise spend the holiday on their own. With rising living costs and Plymouth remaining one of the most deprived areas in the country, winter continues to be a difficult time for many older residents.

The kindness shown by local people over the years has already had such an impact. Donations have helped deliver hot Christmas meals and food parcels across the city and provided parties at their Mount Gould centre – moments that have genuinely lifted spirits for those who may be feeling alone.

"It reminded me that I'm still a member of the community" - Alan, 82.

With the help of donations from the Plymouth community – here’s how the support will help this Christmas:

£10 - will pay for a meal and food parcel delivered to someone's home

£20 - will pay for a client to enjoy a festive party and a hot Christmas lunch

All donations stay within Plymouth, supporting the people who need it most. At a time when many are having to make tough choices day to day a contribution to Age UK Plymouth's Christmas Campaign can bring a sense of belonging back into someone's festive season.

To make a donation visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/christmas-campaign-2025

DOWNTON ABBEY

BEHIND THE SCENES EXCLUSIVE

Departing Wed 29 Apr ‘26

Revisit the familiar halls and family drama of Downton Abbey with an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle. On this sensational two-day break we peek behind the scenes at where all the unforgettable moments from the beloved TV programme happened.

SO MUCH INCLUDED...

 Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash

 Overnight stay at a selected hotel (JG3 or JG4 rating) with dinner & breakfast

 Exclusive visit to Highclere Castle

 Copy of A Year at Highclere book (one per person)

 En-route visit to a place of interest

Help spread the festive joy by gifting toys this Christmas

Tesco customers in Plymouth have the opportunity to give new toys to local children who need it most this Christmas.

Until December 15 Tesco's Transit Way Superstore is holding a collection for new and unwrapped toys for Children's Wishes Plymouth, which will then distribute the toys to local children.

Children's Wishes Plymouth is dedicated to helping families affected by life-changing events such as poverty and illness. They assist schools and charities with various needs, from respite weekends to essential items such as beds and furniture. Their focus is on families with children, ensuring they receive the support they need.

Abby Wills, community champion at Tesco’s Transit Way store, said: "We are really pleased to be helping to support this great new charity to make

ISLE OF WIGHT ‘ROYALS & RAILS’

Departing Mon 4 May ‘26

On this fantastic break we enjoy the island’s natural beauty as well as a nostalgic journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and a visit to fascinating Osborne House. The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing few days away.

SO MUCH INCLUDED...

 Return coach travel & ferry crossings from Plymouth, Saltash

 4 nights at the Medehamstede Hotel, Shanklin (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast

 Entertainment some evenings

 Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

 Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde

Optional Island Highlights Tour (£15pp)

a difference to local children at this special time of year."

Jacqui Castle, the store's other community champion, added: "We take pride in supporting our community during the year, and this year's toy donation campaign is a fantastic way for customers to help local families in need."

For the campaign, the Transit Way Superstore will have a dedicated toy donation point where customers can donate new, unwrapped toys purchased in store.

Claire De Silva, head of communities at Tesco, said:

Reader travel

"Our stores are committed to supporting local children and their communities year-round, and thanks to the generosity of our customers and colleagues, the annual toy donation campaign is a wonderful way to make a difference at Christmas.

"It’s great to see the Transit Way Superstore partnering with Children's Wishes Plymouth this year to ensure that every child experiences the magic of Christmas."

Last Christmas Tesco customers donated a total of 125,000 toys, with the retailer looking to beat that number this year.

LITTLE TRAINS OF NORFOLK & THE MISSISSIPPI PADDLE STEAMER

Departing Mon 11 May ‘26

The beautiful county of Norfolk is characterised by charming seaside towns, and unspoilt coastline.

SO MUCH INCLUDED...

 Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash

 4 nights at the Waverley Hotel, Great Yarmouth (JG2+ rating) with dinner & breakfast

 99p bar on selected drinks for 3 hours every evening (April only)

 Entertainment some evenings (at the Nelson & Waverley Hotels only)

 Heritage train journeys on the North Norfolk Railway & Bure Valley Railway

 Mississippi Paddle Steamer cruise on the Norfolk Broads

 Excursion to Cromer & Sheringham

Optional excursion to Norwich (£15pp)

By Coach from Plymouth, Saltash

St Luke's opens city's biggest charity shop

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth has opened the doors to its brand-new flagship store at Charles Cross – claiming the title of Plymouth’s biggest charity shop.

The local charity has relocated its flagship furniture store from the former Toys ‘R’ Us building at Western Approach to a prime city-centre location, just yards away from shopping hub Drake Circus.

There to cut the ribbon were members of St Luke’s Urgent Care Service, who are committed to providing compassionate end-of-life care and bespoke support to people at home.

Run by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, the new store is part of St Luke’s portfolio of charity shops across the areas where they provide their specialist services. Sales profit from this store alone is expected to provide the equivalent of hospice care at home for 300 patients and their families.

While the majority of the shop will be selling good quality second-hand furniture, customers will be able to pick-up pre-loved clothing and

bric-a-brac as well, just in time for some Christmas shopping. An added bonus for shoppers is the 15 minutes of free parking right outside the front door, perfect for supporters dropping off donations or loading goods into their cars.

The new store also houses the hub of St Luke’s successful eBay operation. Behind the scenes, the team works hard to identify and list rare or unique items donated to the charity, ensuring every special find makes a big impact.

Managing the new Charles Cross store will be Steve Evans, who previously ran the charity’s Transit Way store. Joining him will be three fulltime members of staff and a group of hard-working volunteers.

Mike Picken, head of retail at St Luke’s, said: “Our annual retail income is a critical contribution to keep St Luke’s caring. Not only is our new Charles Cross location in a prime position for shoppers visiting the city centre, but the premises itself is more energy efficient than our previous flagship store and provides a better customer shopping experience overall.

Great work Dexter!

Plymouth and Exeter join forces for local government bid

Plymouth City Council and Exeter City Council have joined forces to submit a single, shared proposal to Government for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Devon.

Both councils agreed their proposals at recent Full Council meetings and, because the plans are in essence the same, they are presenting one joint submission to make the process clearer and easier for residents during the Government's consultation.

“It’s exciting to be welcoming customers to our new shop at Charles Cross. Crucially, each item they donate or buy will help ensure that no one in our local area faces the end of their life alone or without support.”

The Charles Cross store will be open seven days a week. Monday to Saturday from 9am - 4.30pm and from 10am - 4pm on Sundays.

Residents at a Plymouth care home were encouraged to participate in a charity fundraiser thanks to the efforts of a kind-hearted boy.

Care home staff, residents and their families at Parkwood House in Stoke joined forces with Dexter Scott to raise more than £450 for international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox.

Dexter, whose mum Melanie works at Parkwood House, helped organise the summer fete and table-top sale. Dexter said he wanted to support ShelterBox because he admired the charity’s work and he feels ‘everybody should feel safe’ whatever circumstances they may be in.

One of Parkwood House’s activities coordinators, Kerrie Haughey said: “We were only too happy to make Dexter’s dreams come true and host the fundraiser as part of our annual summer fete. It was an amazing day. There was a teddy tombola, a book and DVD sale, homemade baked goods (thanks to the Parkwood House team and Dexter and his mum), three amazing raffles, and a performance by the sea shanty band, The Old Grumpies."

There were outside activities for children including sand pits, catch a creature, and hook a duck, and care home manager Lorna

Smith got soaked in the stocks. Kerrie added: “Everyone had a great time and we raised £457.90 in total, including a generous donation from Dexter out of his own pocket money.”

Parkwood House has relationships with preschools, schools and other and organisations in the area, ensuring residents feel part of the Devonport community. ShelterBox focuses on giving families the tools to survive and regain dignity in the aftermath of crisis, often reaching places that are hard to access.

The charity provides emergency shelter, tools, and supplies to families affected by natural disasters and conflicts. Their aid ranges from tents and tarpaulins to cooking sets, water purification, and other essential items, helping communities rebuild lives after a catastrophe.

The proposal responds to the Government's White Paper on local government reform and sets out a vision for replacing Devon's current two-tier system with four new unitary councils. Under the joint proposal, Plymouth would extend its boundary to include 13 South Hams parishes already closely connected to the city. Exeter would grow by 49 parishes from East Devon, Teignbridge and Mid Devon, creating a unitary authority of around 260,000 people that reflects its true economic footprint.

Torbay would also expand, adding 21 parishes from Teignbridge and South Hams to strengthen its financial resilience and serve a population of about 220,000.

The remaining areas would form Devon Coast and Countryside Council – celebrating the unique rural and coastal identity of communities from Dartmoor to the north coast, while tackling the challenges of dispersed service delivery.

The four-unitary model will ensure all four new councils have the scale to deliver highquality services. It simplifies local government, cuts duplication, and brings decisions closer to residents, unlocking growth and innovation across Devon.

It marks the culmination of months of detailed work and engagement. Since both councils published their initial proposals earlier this year, they have been rigorously scrutinised by councillors and debated at council meetings, where the four unitary model received crossparty support from opposition groups.

Councillor Jemima Laing, Acting Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "This is a rare opportunity to fix a system that simply isn't working. The current two-tier structure creates duplication and confusion, and it actively prevents the joined-up public service reform that residents need.

"By working together, Plymouth and Exeter are making the case for a fairer, stronger system that delivers better services and outcomes for residents. Our proposal is about more than efficiency - it's about unlocking better health, employment and community outcomes by creating councils with the scale to lead strategically and the local focus to deliver what communities actually need."

Tracey Lee, Chief Executive of Plymouth City Council, said: "This joint submission is about clarity, collaboration and ambition. By presenting one proposal, Plymouth and Exeter are making it easier for residents to understand what's being suggested and why.

"I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this process – residents who shared their views, stakeholders who engaged constructively, and the dedicated staff from both councils who have worked tirelessly to shape a proposal that reflects Devon's future needs."

To read the full joint submission, visit: www. plymouth.gov.uk/lgr

St Luke's in the former Staples building

St Luke's vast new shop Photos Paul Slater

Facepainting at Parkwood House

Fund raiser Dexter

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.

The Gruffalo’s Child Garden Trail

Daily until February 1

Experience the magic of the beloved Gruffalo’s Child story brought to life within the garden at Saltram between 10am and 4pm. Step into the world of the Gruffalo’s Child and follow along on the journey through the deep dark wood with games, challenges and plenty of festive photo moments along the way. Free event. Normal admission applies.

Plymouth Winter Wonderland

Until Jan 1

Following the resounding success of last year's event, the magical winter festival is set to return to Central Park. This year's Winter Wonderland promises to be even more enchanting, with a host of festive delights for all ages. Step into a Winter Wonderland of twinkling lights, festive music, and Christmas cheer. Details at www.plymouthwinterwonderland.co.uk

Barbican Christmas Trail

Until Jan 4

The Grinch Adds a Pinch is a festive, family-friendly adventure taking place until January 4. The creative trail invites visitors of all ages to explore the Barbican area while searching for clues and Christmas puddings –with a mischievous twist from the Grinch himself. Trail maps are free and can be picked up from the Tourist Information Centre (closed on Sundays)

Plymouth Christmas Market

Until Dec 21

Experience the all-new Plymouth Christmas Market, operated by the award-winning event operators, Market Place. With over 100 international and local traders housed in charming, traditional chalets, the Plymouth Christmas Market will be offering an authentic feast of quality Christmas fayre alongside a carefully curated mix of handcrafted goods and bespoke artisan products.

Festive Good Food & Craft Markets

Dec 17 and 21

Taking place on Wednesdays and Sundays inside the Royal William Yard’s Grade I listed Melville building, its courtyard, and Arcade in Brewhouse building, the much-loved markets will feature over 60 stalls showcasing the South West's finest artisans, traders and makers. From festive foods and artisan produce to handmade gifts, ceramics, candles, homewares and crafts, there is something for everyone. Full details and times at www.royalwilliamyard.com/christmas

Christmas Concert

Dec 16

Plymouth Rock Choir’s Christmas Concert promises to be an evening of festive fun and enjoyment at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall at 7.30pm (Doors open at 6.45 pm) Tickets £5 by calling 07967979314 or 07951861233. Supporting The Garage Cafe, Stonehouse.

St Luke’s Light Up a Life Concert

Dec 16

Featuring the Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir at St Andrew’s Church, Royal Parade at 3.30pm. Admission free, donations for St Luke’s Hospice.

Christmas Concert

Dec 18

Tamar Concert Choir perform a Christmas concert at Stoke Damerel Church at 7.30pm. In aid of the Chestnut Appeal with a variety of Christmas themed songs and traditional carols.

Chestnut Appeal Concert

Dec 18

Presented by Tamar Concert Choir at Stoke Damerel Church at 7pm. Details at www.stokedamerel.church

Out and About

Your guide to events in the local community and beyond

The popular Good Food and Craft Markets will take place at the Royal William Yard on Wednesdays and Sundays in December

Candlelight Christmas Classics

Dec 18

The globally acclaimed series of live concerts presented by Fever, will transform National Marine Aquarium with thousands of flickering candles to host an unforgettable performance featuring classic Christmas carols and festive holiday melodies, performed by a talented local string quartet. Concerts at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Tickets from www.feverup. com/m/487997

Children’s Christmas Party

Dec 19

A festive,action-packed Children’s Party featuring bouncy castles and loads of fun at the Woolwell Centre from 3pm to 6pm. Tickets £5 per child from www.thewoolwellcentre/1910981 or call 01752 695888.

Great Sea Choir Concert

Dec 19

Plymouth’s contemporary a cappella folk choir perform at Stoke Damerel Church at 7pm.

Plymouth Jazz Club

Dec 21

Featuring The Bourbon Street Paraders with their New Orleans Dixie Jazz at the Royal Briths Legion Club, Crownhill at 7.30pm. Entry £15 on the door (£12 members). Non-members welcome. Details at www. plymouth-jazz-club.com

Coffee Morning

Jan 3

Crownhill Methodist Church Hall from 10.30am to 12 noon. Various stalls supporting Blood Bikes. All welcome.

It’s A Wonderful Life

Jan 14 to 17

Western College Players present Frank Capra’s beloved classic at The Drum, Theatre Royal. Tickets and information at www.theatreroyal.com/whats-on/ wonderful-life/

Sing Devon

Jan 15

Do you enjoy singing? Do you like to meet new people? Then go along to the Welcoming New Voices free session at Plymstock School PL9 9AZ from 7.15pm to 9pm. The emphasis is on fun, supporting the local community and supporting each other. Lots of laughing mixed in with beautiful sounds. No auditions. Just go along and give it a go. Details at www. singdevon.com - or call Pete Scott on 07896 276577.

have been recognised as 'one of the UK's finest folk acts. Their status, and fast-growing fan-base is not only testament to the pair's prowess as songwriters and musicians, but as people too. For details visit www.barbicantheatre.co.uk

Good Food & Craft Market

Feb 1 and Mar 1

The popular Markets will be taking place in Royal William Yard on the first Sunday of every month from 10am to 5pm. Known for showcasing some of the region’s most talented artists and makers, the markets offer everything from tasty treats to handcrafted gifts. The monthly markets have been a staple of Royal William Yard’s event calendar for years, and have won event awards along the way. For details visit www.royalwilliamyard.com/

City College Plymouth Open Day

Feb 7

The ideal opportunity to find out more about the range of courses the college provides. The event runs from 10am to 1pm. For more information visit www.cityplym.ac.uk

Plymouth Literary Festival

Feb 14 and Feb 15

Plymouth Jazz Club

Jan 18

Featuring The Riviera Ramblers with vintage swing at the Royal British Legion Club, Crownhill from 7.30pm. Tickets £15 on the door, £12 for club members. Nonmembers welcome. For details see www.plymouthjazz-club.com

Burns Night Celebration

Jan 24

Hosted by Plympton Rotary Club to raise funds for a Prostate Screening Day at Plymouth Argyle in collaboration with the Chestnut Appeal, a local charity providing vital support for men facing a prostate cancer diagnosis. The event to celebrate Rabbie Burns is at Boringdon Park Golf Course from 6.30pm to midnight. Tickets £47.50. Details and tickets at www.boringdonpark.com/events

Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy

Jan 24 to May 31

The Box presents an exhibition which marks 100 years since Beryl’s birth and will feature more than 80 works including iconic paintings and rarely seen treasures from The Box’s art collection, private lenders and the Cook family archives. Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm. More details at www.theboxplymouth.com

Bridget Christie

Jan 24

Comedian, actress and writer Bridget brings her brand new show Jacket Potato Pizza tour to the Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus. Creator and star of Channel 4's The Change, she has been described as 'one of the brightest and best around.' The show starts at 7.30pm with tickets from www.comicalentertainment.com

Sing Devon

Feb 5

Do you enjoy singing? Do you like to meet new people? Then go along to the Welcoming New Voices free session at Plymstock School PL9 9AZ from 7.15pm to 9pm. The emphasis is on fun, supporting the local community and supporting each other. Lots of laughing mixed in with beautiful sounds. No auditions. Just go along and give it a go. Details at www. singdevon.com - or call Pete Scott on 07896 276577.

Sound of the Sirens

Feb 7

Sound of the Sirens, the singer-songwriting duo based in Exeter, present nearly two hours of high-quality live music at the Barbican Theatre from 8pm. Comprising Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood, Sound of the Sirens

Plymouth Literary Festival is a vibrant celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community. Taking place at the Portland Square Building on the Plymouth University campuis, the Festival presents a diverse range of events including author talks, workshops, panel discussions, and open mic sessions designed to inspire readers and writers of all ages and backgrounds. For more information visit www. eventbrite.com and search for Plymouth Literary Festival.

Jack Rhodes

Feb 14

From finishing runner-up on last year’s Britain’s Got Talent, Jack Rhodes is bringing his debut comedy magic show to The Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus. With a background in close-up magic and stand up comedy, Jack has amassed over 150 million views online with his ‘comedy, magic and nonsense’ videos and has firmly established his presence as a magician who doesn’t take himself too seriously. For details visit www.eventbrite.co.uk

Plymouth Jazz Club

Feb 15

Featuring The Roosters with good time jazz and jive at the Royal British Legion Club, Crownhill from 7.30pm. Tickets £15 on the door, £12 for club members. Nonmembers welcome. See www.plymouth-jazz-club.com

Suzi Ruffell Feb 19

Multi-award winning, confessional comedian, Suzi Ruffell is back on the road in 2026 with her brand new show The Juggle and brings the tour to The Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus. With five sell-out runs at the Fringe, a nomination for Best Stand-Up Show in the National Comedy Awards and critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike, suited and booted stand-up Suzi is a force to be reckoned with. Full details including times and tickets from www. comicalentertainment.com

Plymouth Jazz Club

Mar 15

Featuring The Two Counties Jazz Band with trad jazz Fotonow movat the Royal British Legion Club, Crownhill from 7.30pm. Tickets £15 on the door, £12 for club members. Non-members welcome. For details see www.plymouth-jazz-club.com

Send details of your event to info@cornerstonevision. com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.

Photo: Dom Moore

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

Plans to improve pedestrian safety on Kings Road as part of Foulston Park development

Plans for new pedestrian crossings made possible by the Foulston Park development are set to make journeys along Kings Road safer for everyone who uses it.

The crossings are part of agreed planning conditions for Plymouth Argyle’s multi-millionpound transformation of the former Brickfields site into a centre of sporting excellence and community wellbeing.

Greenwich Hospital

Sheltered Housing

Managed by CESSAC

Provide affordable rented self-contained flats for former Royal Navy & Royal Marines, WRNS, QARNNS, RN National Service, RFA or RNXS aged over 60, their spouses, partners, widows & widowers.

In addition to providing safe walking routes to Foulston Park’s new facilities, the crossings will bring wider safety improvements for the local community, including for students and staff at City College Plymouth who use the road every day.

Two humped zebra crossings are being proposed for Kings Road:

• One outside the City College Plymouth main entrance

• A second about 20 metres from Devonport Hill/Stonehouse Bridge roundabout.

Several more are being proposed along this road, which has seen a number of traffic accidents over the last five years.

3 locations: Trafalgar Quarters, Greenwich Greenwich Place, Saltash, Cornwall Greenwich Court, Southsea

Two were fatal, with three serious collisions and five slight accidents officially recorded. The Foulston Park project is being delivered through a partnership of Plymouth Argyle, Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Albion RFC and Devonport Community Leisure Limited (DCLL).The first phase of the scheme - The Hub at Foulston Park - opened in March 2025. Developed and operated by Argyle Community Trust, it is already a popular focal point for the community, delivering a range of health and wellbeing opportunities. Work is continuing on the wider Foulston Park project which will create a new permanent home for Plymouth Argyle’s Academy and Plymouth Argyle Women together with and extensive community and sport facilities.

Part of this work is ensuring walking routes to and from Foulston Park are as safe and accessible as possible, with planning conditions requiring a series of highways improvements to be completed before the site becomes fully operational.

Other considerations include ensuring safe access for Plymouth Albion supporters using the relocated matchday overflow car park, which is now at Stonehouse Creek.

As part of the formal traffic processes, the council is asking people to comment on the crossing proposals and following a further road safety assessment, additional road humps spaced along Kings Road to ensure speeds stay low.Consultation is also taking place on the proposed removal of four trees to allow the crossings to be installed safely and to ensure adequate visibility for road users. These would be replaced with 19 new trees.

Councillor Sue Dann, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Customer Experience, Sport and Leisure said: “This is a road that has seen some tragic accidents and if there is a way of making people safer - whether that’s on foot or by car or on a motorbike, we need to make it happen.”

More information on the proposal and details on how to provide feedback or comment is available at: plymouth.gov.uk/traffic-androad-safety-schemes

Food waste collections to start in March next year

Households in parts of Devonport, Stoke, Southway, Whitleigh as well as Plympton and Plymstock, will be the first to benefit from weekly food waste recycling collections from March next year.

The service will eventually serve every household in Plymouth and will bring the city in line with most other local authorities in the UK.

It means that instead of putting items such as fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds and plate scrapings in their brown bins, residents will be provided with a separate food waste caddy, so they can be collected each week and converted into renewable energy.

Residents can find out if their home is in the first phase by entering their address into an online tool on the council website. The areas involved in each of the later phases will be announced in the Spring.

Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: "We’ve been working really hard to get our food waste recycling service mobilised and it’s exciting to get to this stage of the process.

“We know many people in Plymouth are keen for us to get going with it and we also know that some households will want more information about how it will work in practice – and we will be providing lots of information and advice in the run up to them starting next year.

"The feedback from elsewhere is that people are generally surprised at just how much food waste they generate and how easy it is to get into the habit of separating it for weekly collection.

"The weekly collections will bring big benefits to the city, including increasing our recycling rates, reducing emissions and helping families save money by changing their habits after seeing the amount of food waste they collect.”

The roll out will be split into five phases, with the first beginning in March 2026. Further phases will follow in July, August, September and November.

Before the service begins, households will be provided with two containers:

• A small kitchen caddy to make separating food waste from rubbish easy, along with a roll of biodegradable liners

• A larger outdoor caddy for storing food waste and putting it out for collection.

Some residents who live in flats, apartment blocks or houses of multiple occupation will be provided with a communal external bin, instead of individual outdoor caddies.

The households involved in the first phase of the roll out will all be contacted directly by post in the coming months with caddies delivered in ample time for the start of collections.

Find out more about the servicein the first phase at www.plymouth.gov.uk/foodwaste-collections

24-hour 'Row the Atlantic Challenge' unites community at City College

City College Plymouth successfully hosted and participated in an ambitious 24-hour Row the Atlantic Challenge for charity in partnership with the Plymouth Army Careers Centre and a wide range of community partners.

Taking place at the college's Kings Road campus over two days in November, the event challenged participants to collectively row 3,320 kilometres - the equivalent of the distance across the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland - in support of Dartmoor Zoological Society and Veterans Coastal Retreats.

With 25 rowing machines operating simultaneously, dozens of people from a diverse range of organisations, ages and backgrounds took part in the challenge, all contributing to the shared goal of raising funds and bringing the community together.

The event welcomed representatives from Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth Albion, Taurus Events, Sphere Solutions, YMCA Discovery College, students from Camborne, Duchy, Weston and Bicton Colleges, MPCT, the British Army, Army Cadets, Royal Marines, and Blind Veterans UK.

Speaking about the challenge, Liam Stevens, curriculum lead & development officer at the college, said: "This event has been a fantastic showcase of

teamwork, determination, and the strong community spirit that exists across Plymouth and the wider region. Bringing together so many organisations to work towards a single goal – while supporting two wonderful charities – has been incredibly inspiring."

Jim Thisby, Lead Recruiter for the Army, said: ”This was an awesome event. It was great to see so many people supporting

PLYMOUTH BUSINESSES CELEBRATE AT TECH SOUTH WEST AWARDS

Plymouth-based Altilium Clean Technology has won three prestigious awards at the Tech South West Awards 2025.

The company, which is based in Estover, took home the CleanTech Award, Tech for Good Award, and the coveted THE Tech South West Award. The company was recognised for its world-leading work in sustainable battery recycling, helping decarbonise the EV supply chain and drive the UK’s clean energy transition.

In Sustainability, sponsored by Michelmores, MVV Environment Devonport was recognised for its measurable environmental impact and large-scale

each other, with everyone working hard to achieve the mission.

"Most participants rowed for up to one hour to cover ten kilometres - definitely a challenge! It’s another great example of the Army working together with City College Plymouth.”

The combined efforts of participants meant they rowed a total of 3,780 kilometres,

surpassing the original distance goal by an impressive 460 kilometres and raising a final total of £1,818 for the Dartmoor Zoological Society and Veterans Coastal Retreats.

The challenge also supported the college's mission to strengthen relationships across the education sector and local community, breaking down barriers and encouraging people of all fitness levels to take part.

renewable energy generation. MVV Environment Devonport were also one of the winners in the Cluster Awards category.

City College Plymouth won Best Place to Work, praised for fostering an empowering, supportive and inclusive workplace. The college was also a finalist in the EDTech Award and Supporting the Sector categories

The ceremony, held at Sandy Park in Exeter, brought together hundreds of innovators, founders, investors and business leaders to recognise the people and companies transforming the South West into one of the UK’s most exciting tech ecosystems.

Tech South West founder Dan Pritchard said: “The quality, ambition and impact of this year’s winners show how far the South West has come as a tech powerhouse. The region’s innovators are solving global challenges, creating jobs, and making a real difference through technology. The collaboration, creativity and community on display at this year’s awards sum up the collective strength we have across an array of specialisms, from cleantech and marine, to aviation and deeptech.”

For a full list of winners visit www. techsouthwest.co.uk/awards-2025

Award winners celebrating

LAUNCH 2026 BY CONNECTING TO WORK

Ready to get the New Year off to a positive start? CONNECT-WORKTHRIVE! To find work that fits your life, personal circumstances and goals, connect with Plymouth City Council’s Skills and Post-16 team this New Year.

Throughout January you can access free tailored advice and practical help through one-to-one appointments, attend themed dropin sessions at both Cobourg House and in your community, or come along to the Skills and Employment Open House on Saturday January 31.

For full details and the calendar of activities, visit www. skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk/2026.

The new Connect to Work programme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions as part of the UK Government’s Get Britain Working strategy, has launched in Plymouth to reduce

economic inactivity and will open up thousands of supported employment opportunities for people who face extra challenges, such as disabilities, health conditions including mental ill-health, neurodiversity, and/or other barriers to work.

This voluntary supported

employment approach offers local people the chance to build confidence, access sound advice, and the personalised help needed to overcome obstacles, and to find sustainable employment that truly fits their lives.

Those who choose to join the Connect to Work programme will have their own employment specialist who will understand their goals, help overcome challenges, and provide ongoing support and advocacy, even after starting in work.

It’s completely voluntary to sign

up and designed to give you the confidence and tools to succeed.

The team is also working closely with local employers to enable better access to more inclusive job opportunities and to break down the barriers for those experiencing challenges to the world of work, helping businesses and local people to thrive together.

In fact, as many of the Connect to Work team have their own lived experiences, they truly understand the challenges people can face when navigating employment, and how best to help.

Co-located on the first floor of Cobourg House, the Connect to Work team sits alongside Skills Launchpad Plymouth, where anyone aged 16+ can access localised and impartial support for skills, training, education, careers, and jobs through the Youth Hub and Adult Hub.

You’ll also find dedicated sector skills and employment support through Building Plymouth (for construction and the built environment), Caring Plymouth (for health and social care, with childcare), and Welcoming Plymouth (for tourism, hospitality and retail).

Save the date and drop in to the Skills and Employment Open House on Saturday January 31, from 10am to 2pm on First floor, Cobourg House, Mayflower Street, PL1 1QX

This open house event is open to everyone and offers the perfect chance to meet the friendly Skills and Post 16 team, connect with opportunities for skills and employment, and discover the tailored support available to help you thrive in 2026.

There’s no pressure, just helpful people ready to give you an informed choice on taking your next steps.

Visit www.skillslaunchpadplym. co.uk/2026 for full details about this free January programme and help set yourself up for success this year.

The Connect to Work team are located on the first floor of Cobourg House in Mayflower Street

The Connect to Work team

Introduction of new and improved information for bus passengers

Bus passengers travelling along one of Plymouth's key routes can now view the details of all buses serving each stop on one timetable.

The new timetables, which are being trialled along the route from Royal Parade to Pemros Road in St Budeaux, show combined information for all the operators, meaning passengers can find the details of the next bus much more easily.

They are one of a number of changes introduced by the Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership, made up of the Council and local operators, to improve passenger information.

The timetables are designed with a high colour contrast to help people with visual impairments and the text has been made as large as possible. Coloured squares are used to identify bus numbers in the top section of the timetables and these are the same as those used on the city's public transport network map, which shows all the bus services running in and around Plymouth.

The map has also recently been updated and there is now a pocket-sized version to help passengers plan their journeys and explore the city. This is included in the new 'Buses in Plymouth' leaflet, along with a small map showing where the bus shelters are at Derriford Hospital.

The leaflet also includes information about the Skipper and other multi-operator tickets, the £3 fare cap on single tickets and places of interest around the city centre, as well as useful contact details. You can pick one up at various locations, including the Plymouth Citybus Travel Centre on Royal Parade and libraries or download a copy from the Council website at www.plymouth.gov.uk/buses-plymouth

The Plymouth Bus Passenger Charter, which sets out what standard of service you should expect to receive from both the Council and local bus operators, has also just been refreshed and is now available via the same web page.

A graphic summarising the charter will start to appear in timetable cases, buses and bus shelters over the coming weeks and an easyread version of the charter is on its way.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport said: "We are so pleased to be sharing this new and improved passenger information and hope it will make travelling by bus simpler, easier to understand and more attractive.

"Improving passenger information is one of the priorities in our Bus Service Improvement Plan – and for good reason. Without good information our bus services can't thrive. Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback on these resources; you have helped make buses better for everyone."

The Bus Partnership welcomes feedback on any of these passenger resources, along with any ideas for improving bus information. Email buspartnership@plymouth.gov.uk.

For more information about Plymouth's bus services visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/busesplymouth

Team Plymouth scores big win at Westminster

Team Plymouth has taken centre stage at an event in Westminster's Terrace Pavilion showcasing the city's pivotal role in shaping the UK's defence future and driving inclusive growth across the South West.

Sponsored by Babcock and hosted by Plymouth Moor View MP Fred Thomas, the event brought together senior politicians, industry leaders and civic stakeholders.

The event formally introduced Team Plymouth – a strategic partnership between Plymouth City Council, the Ministry of Defence, Babcock, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, academia and regional stakeholders. The collaboration aims to leverage defence investment to unlock innovation, infrastructure, skills and opportunity, positioning defence as a catalyst for regional and national prosperity.

Attendees at the Westminster event explored the transformational potential for Plymouth and the importance of cross-sector partnerships, with MPs also endorsing the city and wider region's ambitions for growth and regeneration.

Fred Thomas MP said: "Team Plymouth represents a huge opportunity for our city – a chance to harness defence investment in a way that truly transforms lives. It will spread skills, create high-quality jobs and attract new investment across Plymouth and the wider South West.

“It was fantastic to launch Team Plymouth in Parliament alongside the brilliant partners making this happen. Together, we're committed to delivering lasting benefits for our city, our communities, and our national security.”

Sir Chris Gardner KBE, CEO of the Submarine Delivery Agency and Senior Responsible Owner for Team Plymouth said: "Through Team Plymouth, we

are driving transformational outcomes to create jobs, develop skills, build new homes, modernise infrastructure and address longstanding inequalities.

“We are learning from successful models elsewhere and applying those lessons to maximise impact locally, regionally and nationally. By bringing together government, industry, education and local partners, we are drawing on Plymouth's talent to create a city where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and benefit.”

David Lockwood, Babcock chief executive officer said: "Team Plymouth is demonstrating how defence investment delivers real value across communities and drives sustainable economic growth. As a proud strategic partner, we're delivering skilled jobs and long-term change to the region, while underpinning the defence of the nation."

Earlier this year, Plymouth was designated as

one of five initial areas for defence-based place growth and will receive a share of £250 million announced from the Defence Industrial Strategy and named the National Centre for Marine Autonomy.

Through four priorities – building strong foundations, driving economic growth, enabling regeneration and attraction and breaking down barriers to opportunity – Team Plymouth is committed to ensuring communities benefit, tackling inequalities and promoting civic pride. The event at Westminster fostered dialogue, built momentum and reinforced Plymouth's strategic importance, as Team Plymouth continues engaging national stakeholders to turn the city's ambitions into reality.

More information on Team Plymouth can be found at www.investplymouth.co.uk/teamplymouth and on the official LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/company/team-plymouth

Bus network is driving change with £17m investment

Plymouth is set to supercharge its bus network thanks to a £17m Government funding commitment and a high-profile visit from Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood MP.

The Minister met members of the Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership to see first-hand how investment is already transforming services – from fare promotions at Coypool Park and Ride to the cutting-edge zero-emission fleet at Milehouse depot.

This was in advance of the Government's announcement of a £246 million South West funding package, which includes a £17,164,290 multi-year funding package for Plymouth, and marks a turning point for local bus services. For the first time, councils have the certainty to plan longterm improvements that meet passenger priorities: frequency, reliability, affordability, speed, safety, accessibility, and cleaner, greener travel.

The £17 million is in addition to the £6m the council have already received to improve Plymouth's bus network. Improvements delivered so far include new bus stops, new and enhanced bus services and better passenger information.

Minister Simon Lightwood praised Plymouth's progress during his visit, highlighting the positive impact of recent enhancements and the city's commitment to sustainable transport. He toured the upgraded Milehouse depot, which now supports Plymouth's zero-emission buses, and saw how initiatives like Christmas fare promotions at

Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood MP met with members of the Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership during his

and affordable.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: "I really welcome this long-term funding commitment for local bus networks. This gives us the confidence to deliver a thriving bus network that connects people to jobs, education, and opportunities.

"Previous funding has really helped the Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership respond to our passengers' priorities through investment in new routes, more services, more buses running on Sundays, new and better bus stops and improved passenger information. It is getting easier to catch a bus in Plymouth and this new funding will allow

us to go further, as a partnership, to help our passengers get the buses they want when they want.

"We're building on strong foundations – 89% of passengers in Plymouth are satisfied with their journeys according to Transport Focus, which is higher than the national average – and this new investment means we can go even further.

The Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership, which brings together the council and local operators, will use the funding to respond to passenger priorities and trial innovative ideas to attract new users.

Future plans will draw on the city's Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Plymouth Moor View MP

Fred Thomas hosted the Westminster event for Team Plymouth

Coypool Park and Ride are making bus travel more attractive

visit to the city

Local heroes receive special King's Award

BASICS Devon volunteers are celebrating after receiving the King's Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and equivalent to an MBE.

BASICS Devon was one of more than 200 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

The King's Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty the King. 2025 marks the third year of The King's Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on November 14, the King's Birthday.

BASICS Devon is a network of 17 emergency volunteer medics providing immediate access to specialist medical care at the scene of an accident or illness and giving vital life-saving education. They make themselves available around the clock throughout the year, responding to incidents at the request of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. The charity relies solely on donations.

Representatives of BASICS Devon will receive the

award crystal and certificate from David Fursdon, Lord Lieutenant of Devon in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from BASICS Devon will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2026, along with other recipients of this year's award.

BASICS Devon has received the award as they show exceptional standards of volunteering, innovation and impact, giving their time to save lives, now and over the last 33 years since BASICS Devon was established.

Robert Horton, chair of BASICS Devon said:

"This recognition is a tremendous tribute to our dedicated team of volunteers who give their time and expertise to support patients and emergency services across Devon, often in the most challenging circumstances.

"Every call-out represents a moment when someone in our community is facing their worst day, and our volunteers step forward, day and night to bring emergency care to the scene.

“This award reflects not only their professionalism and selflessness, but also the invaluable support we receive from our families, partners in the emergency services, and our supporters and donors across Devon. Every penny raised goes towards our delivery of this voluntary service."

Primary school admissions now open

Primary school admissions for September 2026 are now open in Plymouth.

Plymouth City Council is taking applications from families whose children are due to start at primary school for the first time or who are due to transfer to junior school having completed Year 2 in an infant school.

The deadline for primary and junior school applications is January 15 2026. Each school has its own admission criteria, so it is important to look at the information relating to specific schools in the admission guidance booklet on the council website.

Last year the council was able to match 96.65 per cent of young people and parents with their first preference of primary school and one hundred per cent with their first preference of junior school. Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said:

"Applying for your child's primary school place early is the best way to secure a spot at one of your preferred schools. Every year, late applications risk missing out because places fill quickly.

“We strongly encourage parents to submit their applications before the January deadline to avoid disappointment and give their child the best start to school life. I am also urging parents and carers to visit schools where appropriate, as this will help them decide which are your preferred schools."

Parents are warned if they apply late there is a risk that all the places at their preferred schools will be filled by applicants who applied on time. To maximise the chances of being allocated a place at a preferred school, parents are advised to list three schools in their application.

For more information visit the website www. plymouth.gov.uk/schooladmissions or email schooladmissions@plymouth.gov.uk

Global recognition for Plymouth University pollution researchers

Two researchers from Plymouth University – who have collaborated on pioneering studies into the sources and effects of global microplastic pollution – have been named on a global list of the world's most influential researchers.

Professor Richard Thompson OBE and Dr Imogen Napper are among almost 7,000 scientists included within the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers List.

The list is designed to spotlight researchers who exemplify excellence in their research and integrity in their publication and citation practices.

To feature in the list, researchers need to demonstrate significant and broad influence in their fields of research and are required to have authored a number of papers which rank in the top 1% by citations for their fields over the past 11 years.

Professor Thompson and Dr Napper, part of the university's International Marine Litter Research Unit, have worked together for more than a decade.

Their work included the first ever study highlighting microbeads in cosmetics as a source of microplastic publication, and they produced the first research into the generation of microfibres through the laundry cycle.

Guinness World Record

They helped to establish the abundance of microplastics in regions from the deep sea to the top of Mount Everest, with the latter being recognised by Guinness World Records as the highest known incidence of microplastics anywhere on the planet.

They have also worked on pioneering studies into the environmental threats posed by biodegradable products, as well as a global project exploring effective ways to prevent the continued accumulation of debris in space.

Their collaboration was instrumental in the university winning a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2019, as well as numerous other accolades including the 2022 Volvo Environment Prize, the 2023 Blue Planet Prize and a 2024 Green Gown Award.

Professor Thompson, who was in 2025 named by TIME magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People in the world, has been included in the Highly Cited Researchers List since 2017.

He said: "This is amazing recognition for the groundbreaking research on plastic pollution at the university. It is research that has helped define the issues, and identify potential solutions. Ensuring such evidence is available to decision makers in industry and policy is key to addressing the challenge of plastic pollution and is a key priority for my team via our participation in the UN Global Plastic Treaty negotiations."

This is the first time Dr Napper, currently a Visiting Research Fellow at the university, has been included within the list. She said: "It honestly feels surreal, and I'm completely over the moon. It's one of those things you never imagine achieving. Through my work with Plymouth University, I've been so lucky to explore so many different areas, from our oceans to Earth's orbit, discovering how pollution connects everything around us.

“None of this would have been possible without the incredible scientists, storytellers, and conservationists I've had the pleasure of collaborating with along the way. Here's to more research, discovery, and collaboration in the future."

Civic Centre plan takes major step forward with £18.4 million funding

The biggest piece of the funding jigsaw needed to regenerate the Civic Centre is now in place with the signing of a significant funding agreement.

Homes England – the government's housing and regeneration agency – have now signed the grant funding agreement with the City Council for £18.4 million.

The deal heralds the start of an intense period of activity ahead of a refreshed planning application being submitted and people can comment, get involved and share stories about this city landmark.

Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance and City Centre champion said: "Complicated is an understatement when it comes to this project, but the goals are pretty simple and incredibly exciting for the city.

"It's about City College Plymouth creating a campus for up to 2,000 students, from school leavers to adult learners, to learn new skills.

"It's about creating 144 new homes within the tower as part our city vision to create thousands of new homes in the city centre. We want this landmark building to come to life once more.

"The Civic Centre has always been a landmark of ambition. Once a beacon of post-war renewal, it has stood too long as a reminder of decline. Now, we have the chance to breathe new life into it. This project is not simply about restoring a building, it is about securing the Civic Centre's place at the heart of Plymouth's future."

The Civic Centre redevelopment forms part of a wider regeneration strategy to unlock thousands of new homes, improve public spaces and create a thriving and resilient city

centre economy. The investment is not only a commitment to restoring a heritage building, but a vote of confidence in Plymouth's potential as a growing, modern city.

A decision has been published to enter into the Brownfield Land and Infrastructure Agreement with Homes England. This funding for the purpose of delivering housing-led brownfield infrastructure and land projects in England and in Plymouth will help pay for a programme of remediation works to bring the building to a point where residential units can be fitted out and delivered by a private developer.

The funding will cover concrete frame repairs and fire protection, upper floors strengthening, roof works, new facades and demolition and renovation work to the existing buildings. The first phase of work on the Civic has been underway for some time. It has involved identifying and removing asbestoscontaining materials, vegetation removal, installation of safety measures to improve security on site including replacement hoardings. This is phase is due to complete shortly.

The works will be carried out in phases, with Phase 3 being the conversion of the block into residential apartments and educational centre for City College Plymouth.

The council will engage a principal contractor before the end of the year to complete the remediation works.

The council has assembled a funding package for the works from a number of public sector sources including the Government's Levelling Up Fund and Future High Streets Fund, District Heating Grant and the Council's own borrowing.

Huge amounts of work have been going on behind the scenes for months with complex legal and funding agreements being finalised.

Celebrations at Dartmoor Zoo as rare Amur Leopard cub is born

Dartmoor Zoo have announced that Amur Leopard pair Freddo and Lena have become parents!

Zoo staff are celebrating as Freddo and Lena, a breeding pair of the rarest big cats in the world, have produced a Critically Endangered Amur Leopard cub.

Travelling from Colchester Zoo, Lena, Freddo's highly anticipated mate, arrived at Dartmoor Zoo in August 2024 and after successful introduction earlier this year, the pair became inseparable.

Their first cub was born on on September 29 and staff were able to witness the birth via CCTV footage of the cub and mother in their cubbing den. Less than six weeks later the cub has begun to explore its surroundings. According to the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), Dartmoor Zoo’s cub is one of only 15 Amur Leopards born globally in 2025. This is a huge milestone not only for Dartmoor Zoo, but for global conservation efforts of the Critically Endangered, Amur Leopard species.

Chief executive David Gibson said: "The birth of our first Amur Leopard cub here at Dartmoor Zoo is the culmination of several years of planning and hard work. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that we are making a significant contribution to the survival of the most endangered big cat in the world.

“With less than 400 individuals left around the world, between the wild and zoo populations, the arrival of this cub is globally important. It will be sometime yet before the cub is visible to our visitors, but they can rest assured that both mum and cub are getting the very best of care and attention in the meantime."

Amur Leopards are regarded as the world's rarest Big Cat with only an estimated 120 left in the wild. This number has been slowly increasing in recent years due mainly to improved legal protection and enforcement in their countries.

A large part of the funding for this conservation work comes from zoos and in 2024 the international zoo community contributed over $160,000 to help protect the amazing species.

Animal Manager Madeleine Millin added: "We are absolutely delighted that our Amur Leopards have bred successfully, and a cub has been born to mother Lena and father Freddo. It has been a rewarding journey for Lena to settle and be comfortable with her keepers and new home here at Dartmoor and for her to be happy to be introduced to Freddo our ever-steady male.

“They have been happily living together, enjoying each other's

Proud mum Lena

company, so much so that successful mating was seen and has subsequently produced a healthy cub.

“We have been following mother and cub's progress via cameras in the cubbing den. Lena is a first-time mother and has been doing a fantastic job of caring for her little one. She is very attentive and protective, reassuringly licking it and going to retrieve it when it wonders off too far!

“The cub is moving around well, playing with mum and exploring the surroundings of the den. The entire keeper team are excited and I'm very proud and can't wait to watch the cub develop and thrive."

Dartmoor Zoo Trustee, Simon Almond, commented: "As a founder trustee with 12 years involvement in the charity, with all the ups and downs of which there have been many, to finally reach such an exciting milestone successfully breeding one of the most endangered big cats on the planet is truly amazing.

“My family and I are thrilled to have had a small part in this success, but the credit is to all our amazing team and the breeding programme that believed in us.

“If you are able and willing, please donate towards more conservation projects like this, to help Dartmoor Zoo keep up the good fight!”

To find out more about Dartmoor Zoo visit www.dartmoorzoo. org.uk.

Professor Richard Thompson and Dr Imogen Napper

Defence Secretary opens new Helsing factory at Langage Business Park

Europe's largest defence technology company, Helsing, has officially opened its first UK Resilience Factory in Plymouth to build autonomous gliders to help allied navies hunt down enemy submarines.

The facility at Langage Business Park was opened by the Secretary of State for Defence John Healey, alongside Helsing leadership and staff, civic representatives, academic leaders, MPs and industry partners.

Helsing moved into the 18,000 square feet factory several weeks ago and has already begun production of its maritime products and testing of them at sea from Turnchapel Wharf, as well as the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC) in Scotland.

To develop Helsing's maritime offering, a new high-tech R&D Hub is being created, including advanced manufacturing machines and software tools. The Plymouth site will be Helsing's Maritime Centre of Excellence.

The factory will immediately create high skilled and manufacturing jobs in the South West, scaling to hundreds to meet future demand. It will initially focus on maritime capabilities, building Helsing's SG-1 Fathom – an autonomous underwater glider designed and manufactured in Britain to strengthen European and allied defence.

The SG-1 Fathom is combined in Plymouth with Helsing's Maritime AI platform, Lura, to enable advanced technologies and engineering to be deployed at sea. Constellations of gliders deliver persistent underwater surveillance, detecting enemy activity to protect our sea lanes and undersea critical national infrastructure.

The factory supports Helsing's commitment to sovereign manufacturing in the UK, and follows successful trials of the SG-1 at sea in the Western Approaches, Scotland and Western Australia in recent months.

The plan to build a factory was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in July as part of the company's £350 million commitment to the UK under the 2024 Trinity House agreement.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP, said: "For too long our proud industrial heartlands like Plymouth saw jobs go away and not come back. We are changing that. In this new era of threat, the defence dividend from our record investment is measured in good jobs, thriving businesses, new skills for the British people.

"That is exactly what we’re seeing in Plymouth with Helsing’s cutting edge new factory showing the benefits of our defence growth deals which are backed by £250 million investment, and the city's leading maritime autonomous industry.

"We are making defence an engine for growth to deliver national and economic security."

Ned Baker, managing director of Helsing UK, said: "From Plymouth we'll be manufacturing the autonomous systems that keep our sailors, ships and infrastructure safe. The SG-1 Fathom shows how world-class engineering and AI can combine to deliver capability at scale - enhancing national resilience, building skills, and supporting our allies."

The opening also strengthens Helsing's collaboration with the UK government, the local community, Plymouth University and Plymouth City Council as part of 'Team Plymouth', a partnership driving growth and innovation in one of the UK's designated Defence Growth Zones. Helsing's investment will generate local jobs, expand domestic supply chains and reinforce the UK's maritime autonomy cluster.

Amelia Gould, general manager of Maritime Helsing, added: "There's no better place than Plymouth to lead in maritime autonomy. With deep water, strong local supply chains and exceptional talent, we're proud to call this city home."

The Box unveils details of major exhibition of Beryl Cook's work in 2026

The Box Plymouth has unveiled its 2026 exhibition programme, featuring a timely presentation of Beryl Cook’s artistic legacy, significant loans including Joshua Reynolds' Portrait of Mai, and a diverse range of contemporary responses to themes including identity, emotion, and social justice.

The 2026 programme opens in January with Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy which will run from January 24 to May 31 and marks 100 years since Beryl’s birth. The exhibition will feature more than 80 works including iconic paintings and rarely seen treasures from The Box's art collection, private lenders and the Cook family archives.

2026 also marks 50 years since the 1976 Sunday Times feature that launched Beryl’s career following her first exhibition at Plymouth Arts Centre in 1975.

Other highlights:

Journeys with Mai February 14 to June 14

A journey of discovery across four gallery spaces, this ambitious exhibition will reexamine what is widely considered to be Plympton-born Sir Joshua Reynolds' finest painting, exploring ideas of power and perception and building a picture of early encounters between Europeans and South Pacific Island peoples from a range of perspectives.

Touring for the first time since it was saved by the nation, Portrait of Mai will take centre stage alongside historic paintings, prints, objects and archival material from The Box's collections plus an amazing array of loans. The work was jointly acquired by The Getty and National Portrait Gallery in 2023, and this exhibition will be the last chance for people to view it before it travels to America.

Works from the Government Art Collection June 20 to September 20

This exhibition will take a bold, heartfelt journey into the emotional lives of young people from in and around Plymouth.

Shaped through a series of conversations and workshops that have taken place over the last 12 months with a diverse group of teenagers and young adults from across the city, the show will feature powerful artworks from the Government Art Collection, including by contemporary British artists such as Alvaro Barrington, Alberta Whittle and Barbara Hepworth.

These will be paired with raw, honest reflections from those aged from 13 to 25. To coincide with the exhibition, a Children and Young People’s Summer Show will also be on display reflecting the themes of art and emotion. Annual displays of the region's young talent have taken place at The Box for the last three years and have showcased hundreds of submissions from children, teenagers and young adults from Devon and Cornwall.

Gillian Ayres July 4 to September 20

This exhibition will consider the extraordinary practice of British artist Gillian Ayres (19302018), one of the leading abstract painters and printmakers of her generation.

As Plymouth embarks upon a major housing renewal programme, The Box's autumn season will reflect on issues around housing, healthcare, education, and inequality.

Steve McQueen: Grenfell October 24 to January 24 2027

Grenfell by award-winning artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen will travel to Plymouth in autumn 2026 as part of its national tour. This unflinching ‘critical exercise in remembrance’ was filmed in December 2017 in response to the fire that took place in June 2017 at Grenfell Tower in which 72 people lost their lives.

The Way We Live October 24 to January 24 2027 This exhibition will consider the implications of planner Patrick Abercrombie and Plymouth City Engineer and Surveyor James Paton Watson's A Plan for Plymouth (1943) which outlined ideas for the rebuilding of the city after The Blitz, and Jill Cragie’s film The Way We Live (1946) which shows family life in post-war Plymouth.

Victoria Pomery, chief executive at The Box said: "Next year's programme is rich but rooted in place. From a reassessment of Beryl Cook’s practice to Mai’s extraordinary journey, and young people’s emotional lives to the legacy of Grenfell, our 2026 programme is our most ambitious yet and demonstrates what museums can achieve when we work in partnership with national institutions, artists and local communities."

For details visit www.theboxplymouth.com

Plymouth Pannier Market by Beryl Cook Courtesy of www.ourberylcook.com © John Cook 2025

The Lockyer Tavern by Beryl Cook Courtesy of www.ourberylcook.com © John Cook 2025

Secretary of State for Defence John Healey at the official opening of the Helsing factory at Langage

The Helsing factory at Langage has been operational for several weeks

Welcome home HMS Richmond!

Hundreds of family and friends braved the rain to welcome HMS Richmond home to Plymouth On November 30 as the warship completed an epic eight-month mission.

Since April the frigate and her 200-strong ship’s company – sailors, aviators and Royal Marines Commandos – have played an integral role in the Royal Navy’s premier deployment of 2025, Operation Highmast.

Richmond was part of the defensive ring of steel protecting the UK’s flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, as she led her Carrier Strike Group to the western Pacific Rim. The frigate was assigned to the force to provide protection against the prying eyes of hostile submarines and surface vessels.

But she also had the opportunity to strike out on her own at times, breaking away from the main task group to visit South Korea, Vietnam, Manila in the Philippines and Mumbai in India, in addition to taking part in major exercises in the Mediterranean, off northern Australia and Japan.

Commanding Officer Commander Rich Kemp said all the men and women in his charge could reflect “with real pride on the professionalism, resilience

and teamwork shown throughout this demanding deployment.

“It has been a privilege to serve alongside our partners in the strike group, and to represent the Royal Navy on a global stage. This deployment has had many highlights. For me, I’ve seen more of the world in the past eight months than in my previous 22 years.”

His second-in-command, Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander James Callender, said he ‘could not be prouder’ of his shipmates for all they had achieved.

“Whether it be supporting UN Security Council resolutions in the Yellow Sea or hosting dignitaries and VIPs for high level engagement, Richmond has continued to deliver in spades.

“We are now looking forward to the joy of homecoming and being reunited with the family and friends whose support has helped make this deployment possible.”

Richmond’s return to Plymouth is one of several by ships and squadrons as the deployment ends. The flagship and destroyer HMS Dauntless arrived in Portsmouth on November 30, while Merlin

FOTONOW CIC MOVES INTO CITY CENTRE

Fotonow CIC has relocated from Royal William Yard to a new base in the city centre, marking the organisation's first permanent gallery space and strengthening its work with communities across Plymouth.

The move to 107 Cornwall Street brings Fotonow directly into the city centre at a time when major regeneration plans aim to increase footfall, expand cultural activity and create new public spaces.

The new premises include a publicly accessible gallery, a community workshop area equipped with creative edit suite and digital media kit – plus flexible space for events, exhibitions, and participatory projects. For an organisation whose mission is to remove barriers to cultural participation, the shift to the centre of the city represents an exciting development towards our goal.

Fotonow has operated in the region for more than fifteen years as a social enterprise with projects focused on supporting people whose voices are often underrepresented, including young people with SEND, women in recovery, refugees and older residents.

Media workshops and creative projects form the core of its approach, offering people the tools to tell their own stories and advocate for their communities. The company also has a dynamic media production offer creating commercial photography and impactful films for clients in the city and beyond.

Matthew Pontin, creative director at Fotonow said: "Over the years we've collaborated on so many amazing projects in Plymouth and we now have our a new central hub to see what the next chapter brings, we're particularly excited to be able to showcase regional photographers and add to the city's burgeoning creative arts scene from

what is a great part of the city, full of energy and independent businesses."

Fotonow's presence contributes to the emerging cluster of cultural and creative activity near The Box, Theatre Royal Plymouth, and the wider 'cultural quarter' under development.

The organisation will continue preparing the building for a full public opening in early 2026, with community project exhibitions, skills workshops, and photography shows scheduled throughout the year. The gallery will also be available for hire for artists, collectives, and local groups looking for an accessible space to exhibit their work.

For further information visit www.fotonow.org

and Wildcat helicopters have flown back to RNAS Culdrose and Yeovilton over the past ten days. And the task group’s main striking power, two squadrons of F-35B Lightning stealth fighters have flown back to RAF Marham in Norfolk.

Throughout, warships and support vessels from ten nations – including Canada, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Japan – have integrated themselves with the task group.

Operation Highmast took the task group to northern Australia for the country’s largest military workout, Talisman Sabre, followed by a similarly complex and large-scale exercise with the Japanese Navy. In all the force has operated/exercised with nine different carrier groups, with its jets landing on four different aircraft carriers.

Ships have helped to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea, supported NATO security operations in the Mediterranean and promoted British interests and industry wherever they have visited.

Personnel have been able to enjoy some unforgettable experiences and opportunities: climbing Mount Fiji in Japan, encountering crocodiles in northern Australia, a string of international cookery contests, sporting fixtures, and visits to some of the world’s great cities including Tokyo, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, and Mumbai.

Petty Officer James Smith, one of HMS Richmond’s warfare specialist, has enjoyed the deployment on every level. “Professionally, Op Highmast has been fantastic and full of opportunity to test our skills in real life scenarios,” he said.

“Personally, the chance to play golf all over the world has been a real highlight! I’m now very excited to get home and have a family holiday, and a proper Cornish pasty.”

His shipmate Communications/IT specialist Engineering Technician Jamie Symons added: “Visiting Australia and flying in the ship’s Merlin helicopter were the two main highlights of Op Highmast for me. I’m now really excited to get home and see my friends and family again.”

At its peak, Highmast involved more than 4,000 UK military personnel, either sailing with the task group or deployed in support of it and specific exercises.

Charity's appeal to help people facing homelessness

Plymouth homelessness charity Path (Plymouth Access to Housing) has launched its Winter Appeal calling on the community to help people facing homelessness through the coldest and most dangerous months of the year. The appeal launches with the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025, running, when every donation made to Path will be doubled, thanks to match funding from national donors and local business pledgers.

Plymouth is currently experiencing a severe and worsening housing crisis. Affordable housing is rapidly disappearing, rents are continuously increasing, and homelessness is becoming alarmingly normalised. Over the past four years, there has been a 90% increase in households living in temporary accommodation, including a 21% rise in families with children. The number of people experiencing rough sleeping has also risen, with the count of those sleeping outdoors doubling since 2023.

Many individuals affected by this crisis have complex needs, requiring multiple layers of support, care, and health services. Behind every statistic are real people facing tremendous pressure. The demand for housing support is increasing each year. Last year, over 1,700 people were assisted, with 421 receiving help through outreach programs and approximately 350 individuals safely housed each

night through the charity’s services. At the heart of this year’s appeal is a moving new video sharing the real story of Darren, who has rebuilt his life after years of homelessness. After years on the streets of Plymouth battling addiction and isolation, he found his way forward with Path’s support.

Darren said: “It’s the loneliness, really, that’s the worst part of it all. When you’re trying to beat drugs as well, it makes it doubly hard being on the streets — you feel like you’ve got no help. It just feels like there’s no end to it. Path gave me more than just a roof over my head. They gave me a place to live — and a reason to hope.”

Now sober, reconnecting with his family, and preparing to move into a permanent home, Darren’s story is a powerful reminder of what community support can achieve.

Steve Lawson, Path’s Rough Sleeper Support team manager said:‘“Winter is a brutal time for those sleeping rough — it’s cold, it’s wet, and it’s isolating. Mental health declines rapidly, and the struggle to stay safe becomes overwhelming. That’s

why our focus is on wellbeing and emergency response. When the temperature drops, our commitment rises — to keep people warm, safe, and supported.”

Path’s chief executive Victoria Allen said this winter’s campaign comes at a critical time. “Plymouth is in the grip of a deepening housing emergency. Rough sleeping is rising, temporary accommodation is full, and people are being pushed into impossible choices between food, bills, and rent. Darren’s story shows what’s possible when someone gets the right support at the right time. With help from our community and The Big Give, we can make sure more people find not just shelter, but hope and a future.”

Homelessness is rarely caused by a single event. It often stems from a combination of rising rents, low incomes, domestic abuse, poor health, job loss, and relationship breakdowns, alongside a critical shortage of affordable housing in Plymouth. For those already struggling, one setback can lead to crisis. Path’s mission is to step in before that happens — and to help people rebuild their lives when it does.

Donations to the Winter Appeal will fund emergency outreach, warm clothing, food, housing support, and safe accommodation for people in crisis. They will also strengthen Path’s Hardship Fund, providing essentials like travel, toiletries, and emergency shelter — small but life-changing interventions that can mean the difference between surviving and not.

For more information or to donate visit www.pathdevon.org

Jazz genius inspires next generation at Lipson Academy

Internationally-renowned saxophonist Tommaso Starace led an inspiring jazz improvisation workshop at Lipson Co-operative Academy.

Tommaso has released a series of acclaimed albums demonstrating his cinematic, melodic, and innovative approach to jazz.

Praised for his lyrical sensitivity and creative interpretation, he has performed and collaborated with jazz greats such as Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, Billy Cobham and Dario Marianelli.

Students from Lipson and other local schools had the unique opportunity to learn directly from Tommaso, exploring the art of jazz improvisation and experiencing firsthand the creativity and excitement of live performance. The budding musicians tried out new techniques and expressed themselves through improvisation. Staff and students alike described the workshop as a memorable and uplifting experience.

Headteacher Martin Brook said: "It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome Tommaso and students from across the city for this workshop.

Music workshop at Lipson Academy

Rising costs force award-winning school meals company to close

An award-winning company that has prided itself on providing high quality school meals to Plymouth schools over the last 10 years, as well as a daily community meals service, is to cease operating services due to the financial pressures of the ongoing cost of living crisis and the shortfall in funding for free school meals.

CATERed's school meals service –which delivers over 10,000 meals a day to nearly 60 schools in Plymouth – is due to run until the end of the academic year in July 2026 and the community meals service will stop at the end of February 2026.

Formerly the council's education catering service, CATERed was set up in 2015 as a co-operative trading company jointly owned by local schools and Plymouth City Council to provide high quality school meals using fresh, locally and regionally sourced, seasonal

ingredients to serve hot, freshly prepared school lunches by dedicated, trained staff.

Operating along cooperative lines, maintained schools, academies and multi-academy trusts have, for the last 10 years, pooled and shared budgets for school food which has levelled out funding and ensured that all schools could provide a hot food service to all pupils, regardless of their background or which school they attended.

Unique in the country, the cooperative company has prided itself on its work with local companies, growers, fishers and suppliers for the last decade, supporting the local and regional economy. Recognised nationally, CATERed has won numerous national accolades.

In common with other school food providers across England, and the hospitality industry more generally, the last few years post-COVID has seen the company operate in an increasingly challenging financial environment due

to the rising cost of food, energy and staffing.

The shift in the educational landscape away from local authoritymaintained schools to multi-academy trusts has further increased the financial challenges and the company is now projecting a substantial deficit for this year.

The City Council, which is a shareholder, has agreed to provide a support package to CATERed which means that the school meals service can continue until the end of this academic year.

However, the council is unable to provide further ongoing financial support in the future due to its own significant budget pressures, caused in large part by the increase in demand and costs of providing statutory social care and homelessness services.

Budgetary challenges faced by schools and the funding settlement from Government for the provision of school food means that they are

also unable to contribute more at the expense of other educational priorities.

After considering all options, the shareholders – Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Schools Shareholding Company – have agreed that CATERed will now need to cease providing the school meals service at the end of the academic year (July 2026).

The supply and provision of school meals (meeting mandatory School Food Standards) is a statutory service which falls to school Governing Bodies.

As such, member schools will now have time to find alternative providers – or decide to provide school meals themselves – before the next academic year. It is anticipated that school-based CATERed staff will transfer into the school that they currently work in or to new providers.

Brad Pearce, managing director of CATERed, said: "All of us at CATERed are hugely proud of what we have achieved together over the last 10 years. We have always been highly ambitious

about raising standards of school meals provision and have strived to always provide high quality, appetising meals using fresh, seasonal, local and organic ingredients.

"Sadly, the financial climate has been increasingly challenging in the last few years and with the additional costs we are now facing it is no longer possible to break even. I know that other providers across England are also ceasing services and closing.

"We will be so sorry to say goodbye to our community meals customers at the end of February but, in the meantime, we will be working with the council to support them in finding alternatives ways to meet their needs."

Top national award for Aquarium Learning Team

The Ocean Conservation Trust's Learning Team pictured with their prestigious award

The Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT), which is based at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is celebrating after its Learning Team was named Education & Learning Team of the Year at the prestigious School Travel Awards 2025.

The Ocean Conservation Trust's Learning Programme delivers a wide range of curriculumlinked experiences that help teachers embed pro-Ocean education into their classrooms.

highlights the value of ocean literacy within education.

DINOSAUR WORLD INSPIRES BUDDING YOUNG HISTORIANS

Pupils from Marine Academy Primary stepped back in time this term to learn about prehistoric earth.

Everything they had learned in the classroom was brought to life with a trip to Dinosaur World in Torquay. The indoor exhibition gave the Year 1 children the opportunity to explore and interact with lifelike exhibits.

It was a great way to enrich the learning that the children have undertaken about dinosaurs in their history lessons this term.

the joy of shared experiences, Marine Academy Primary funds six extracurricular trips or visits for every pupil each year. Their history curriculum is designed to spark curiosity, build strong foundations and help children think and act like historians. From Reception, pupils begin exploring the idea of the past through personal memories, celebrations and significant figures, gradually developing their understanding of time.

Working locally, nationally and internationally, the team aligns with global initiatives, including the UN Ocean Decade, that recognise education as a key driver for strengthening society's connection to the ocean. Through accessible resources and a blend of in-person learning at the National Marine Aquarium, alongside outreach and digital delivery, they ensure that every learner has the opportunity to build a meaningful relationship with the ocean, whatever their background or circumstances.

Becky Dodds, OCT learning programme coordinator said: ”Our Learning Team are honoured to have been awarded the Education & Learning Team of the Year. Not only is it a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team, but it

“With thanks to all the educators we work with, the wider OCT team, and the School Travel Awards, we are so proud of all we have achieved this year and are looking forward to what next year holds.”

The School Travel Awards celebrate excellence in educational travel, highlighting programmes and initiatives that deliver learning through powerful real-world experiences. Winning the Education & Learning Team of the Year category places the Ocean Conservation Trust among the UK's leading organisations inspiring young people through innovative and meaningful education.

For more information about the Ocean Conservation Trust's education programmes and upcoming initiatives, visit www.oceanconservationtrust.org

Hundreds of local schoolchildren like these have enjoyed learning at the National Marine Aquarium

The Plymouth school, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, has a strong focus on nurturing young learners and helping them grow into confident, curious individuals. As part of their ongoing efforts to bring learning to life and give children

Georgina Reid, headteacher at Marine Academy Primary, said: "This day out was a fantastic experience for our Year 1s, giving them the chance to get close to the creatures they've been learning about. They had a lot of fun together and were all great ambassadors for the school.”

CATERed's managing director Brad Pearce Photo: LACA

Lifelines

How John found the answer to the big questions of life

With the world in a growing state of turmoil and uncertainty, more and more people of all ages are questioning what life is all about.

As a young man in his twenties working behind a desk at a Plymouth factory John Tozer frequently told himself ‘there must be more to life than this!’

“My life was just centred on work, going to the pub every night and then going to bed,” said John. “I knew there must be more, but I didn’t know where to find it.”

He decided that a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to the USA might help him find the answers. He took on a second job, saved hard for six months and then flew to America with a friend.

“We visited all the tourist hot spots - New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and more. But when we got back to Plymouth I ended up behind the same desk, still so bored with life.”

Little did he realise it at the time, but a chance visit to the cinema was about to provide some answers.

Trip to the cinema

It was New Year’s Day in 1974 and with nothing better to do he decided to go to the cinema to watch the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar. “I absolutely loved the music,” said John, “and so I decided to get the album. All the lyrics were on the album cover and I started to wonder what it all meant.”

He decided to show the lyrics on the cover to a colleague at work – who happened to be a Christian.

“He said to me ‘let’s see what it says in the Bible’ and I told him I didn’t have a Bible – so he bought me one!” said John.

“I started to read the Bible from the very beginning, but after six months of reading I got really bogged down. I found it all pretty heavy going and then spoke to another colleague who I knew was a Christian as well.

“He invited me to his church – Carmel in St Levan Road – the following Sunday and I decided to go along. I sat at the back ready to make a quick exit,” added John. “But there was such a feeling of warmth and love in the church that I realised I wanted what they had.”

He returned to the church three weeks later –this time sitting nearer the front. “The pastor gave a fantastic sermon which answered every question in my mind. At the end he asked if anyone would like to give their life to Jesus and I knew it was my moment. My hand just shot up straight away.

“I felt an incredible presence at that moment. I couldn’t explain it at the time, but I now know that Jesus had come into my life.”

John added: “Looking back I know I was in a place of seeking answers – and that is the key for anyone who is looking for a relationship with God: you start seeking. If you don’t seek you won’t find.

There’s no point sitting on the sidelines asking ‘where’s God, why doesn’t He come to me.’ Take that first step and He will take nine steps towards you.”

He went straight home from church and his dad asked why he was home so early. “He thought the pub must have run out of beer, but I told him and my mum that I had given my life to Jesus. My mum, being a Catholic wasn’t all that happy about it. I used to go to a Catholic church when I was younger – mainly to please my mum. But it didn’t really mean much to me and I thought it was really just ritual.”

Drifted away

Meanwhile back at work, news spread about John’s conversion. “The day after it happened I was confronted by several colleagues who wanted to know why I had been at church rather than the pub that night and firing other questions at me. I told them that I had asked Jesus into my life and that it was the best thing I had ever done. One by one they just drifted away.”

John became a regular at Carmel and his faith journey developed from that first personal encounter with God into him becoming a very active member. He has worshipped at the same church - it’s now called Restore – for more than 50 years.

He has been involved in many aspects of the church’s life, including helping the youth group, running Bible studies and also playing guitar and leading worship in the church’s music group.

He also met his wife Lesley there and they have now been together for more than 35 years.

Strong arm

John, who is now 78, can look back on more than half a century as a Christian and is certain that God had His hands on all of his life – even before he was born!

“My parents were living in Liverpool – dad was in the Navy – and mum was heavily pregnant with me at the time. She was walking down steps after leaving a church service when she stumbled and started to topple forwards. Apparently she cried out ‘The baby! The baby!’ As she fell forward she suddenly felt a strong arm on her shoulder pulling her back and holding her steady.

“She looked round to say ‘thank you’ but there was no-one there. That was my introduction to the ministry of angels, but I obviously didn’t know it.”

He quotes a similar and much more recent experience when he returned for a reunion at St Paul’s Catholic Primary

School in 2017. After the event he was leaving the school via a sprung and heavy security gate when it swung back into him.

“I was walking with a stick because I have suffered from arthritis for many years and as the gate swung heavily back onto me I started to fall backwards. In a split second I thought my head was going to hit the concrete and I could end up dead or seriously injured.

“Then just inches from the ground I felt a hand under my head gently lowering it as I was crashing down. It was another angel which stopped me from cracking my head open,” said John.

During his working life John also experienced God’s leading – even though he wasn’t a Christian at the time. When he left school at the age of 17 he joined a big local company as a clerk, but after just a few months working there he was fed up with the job and felt compelled to go to the careers office in town to look for another position.

Medical grounds

“They said that a vacancy for a clerk had come up just that day because someone had failed to turn up.”

John got the job – which was at Fine Tubes – and he went on to spend 30 years working for the company.

He also saw God at work in his life during his time with Fine Tubes as he kept his job during a number of rounds of redundancies over the years –and ultimately was promoted to a supervisory role. And when he was offered the chance to retire early on medical grounds because of his arthritis he told his manager he needed to consider it before making a decision.

and that I would be offered a full year’s salary to leave the job – and when I went back and accepted the offer the manager confirmed that I would indeed receive a year’s salary!”

Reflecting on his experiences as a Christian John added: “With Jesus in your life you can be on a permanent high as long as you lock into Him. It doesn’t mean everything is happy and easy all the time - after all life is life and there will always be difficulties and trials but Jesus will carry you through them.”

John’s testimony was broadcast last year on Cross Rhythms in Plymouth. Click on the QR Code here

Join Emma and Rob Discussing first hand experiences of loss, grief, anxiety, depression and how it's possible to have a hope to stand up to all that life throws our way. Search Hope and the City on all major podcast platforms.

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John Tozer with his wife Lesley

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Learning is fun at Drake Primary

Pupils at Drake Primary Academy, part of the Reach South Academy Trust, brought the energy and excitement to the dancefloor this term.

A special dance workshop gave Year 4 children the chance to explore rhythm, creativity, and teamwork while having fun and showing off their own unique style.

The session was hosted by the New Adventures dance-theatre company, in partnership with Theatre Royal Plymouth, and based on their new show The Red Shoes.

theatre and creativity. Their workshops are designed to take young people on an adventure of discovery and expression.

Drake Primary Academy is committed to providing opportunities that inspire creativity, build confidence, and give every child a chance to shine both inside and outside the classroom.

A group of Plymouth pupils swapped their classroom for the Mount Batten Water Sports and Activities Centre for a morning mixing fun and learning this term.

The Year 4 children from Drake Primary Academy enjoyed a range of archery games followed by a tour of the historic Mount Batten Tower.

The trip was organised as part of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park's flagship education programme, 'Sea in Our School.' The project focuses on building connections to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park while supporting curriculum development at participating schools.

The Mount Batten Water Sports and Activities Centre is currently undergoing a revamp as part of the £22 million Plymouth Sound National Marine Park transformation.

At Drake Primary, part of the Reach South Academy Trust, they take an interactive, thematic approach to teaching history, using a curriculum based around children understanding where they are in the world, who they are and why.

Jacqueline Stephens, executive headteacher at Drake Primary Academy, said: "We are great believers in taking learning beyond the classroom. Experiences like this are perfect for finding new ways to engage pupils. Our Year 4s had a great time learning how to use a bow and arrow and picked up some interesting local history knowledge at the same time."

New Adventures works with young people of all backgrounds and levels of dance experiences, sharing their passion for dance,

Jacqueline Stephens, Executive Headteacher at Drake Primary Academy, said: “It was wonderful to see our pupils throw themselves into the workshop with such energy and creativity. Opportunities like this help them express themselves, build confidence, and discover new talents, all while having fun together.”

Youngsters enjoying a day at Mount Batten and (below) one of the pupils taking aim during archery

Drake pupils at the dance workshop with New Adventures

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NEW VINTAGE ROLLING STOCK FOR PLYM VALLEY RAILWAY

Plym Valley Railway at Coypool has recently taken custody of three new items of vintage rolling stock. The items are an RES van, of the type once used to carry mail and parcels, a ‘Shark’ brake van and an MTA wagon typically used in the past to carry ballast and spoil.

The items have been donated to the heritage railway by their former owners. Previously the stock had been decommissioned and had been lying idle for some time in the nearby Tavistock Junction Yard - in the case of the RES van for a period of some 21 years.

A spokesperson for PVR said: “The wagons,

NBA No. 94540 and ZUA No.DB993840, have been transported the short route to Marsh Mills. The Plym Valley Railway would like to thank Morgan Sindall, Railway Support Services, Network Rail and DB Cargo for their combined efforts which have allowed the recovery and preservation of these vehicles. We will share our plans for these wagons in due course but are pleased to have them on site after many years in the yard.” The MTA wagon arrived the following day.

The Plym Valley Railway is now gearing up for its various Christmas events and train rides details of which can be found at www.plymrail.co.uk (story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

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SEVEN NEW SCHEMES TO BOOST ACTIVE TRAVEL IN PLYMOUTH

Seven new schemes to make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle in Plymouth have been added to the city council’s capital programme, thanks to funding from the Department for Transport (DfT).

The DfT awarded the council almost £747,000 from its Consolidated Active Travel Fund earlier this year to help in the development and construction of new walking, wheeling and cycling facilities.

The aim is to enable more active travel, improving people's physical and mental wellbeing, quality of life and access, while also helping to reduce carbon emissions.

Improvements will include:

• Reconstruction of the path between Pike Road in Efford and Willow Close in Crabtree, near Marsh Mills, providing a much-improved link. The path will be named Brian Vincent Way after the former councillor for Efford and Lipson who sadly passed away in 2023. Councillor Vincent, who also represented the city as Lord Mayor from 2008 to 2009, was well-known for his love of Plymouth's green spaces.

• A new signal-controlled crossing on Budshead Road to help residents travel to and from the shops and other facilities in Whitleigh Green. This scheme was developed and consulted on in summer 2024.

• Physical measures to support the Safer School Streets schemes, including the tightening of the 'bell mouth' at the junction of Pearn Road/Higher Compton Road junction (for Compton CE Primary) and narrowing of the

entrance to Barne Lane with bollards (for St Paul's RC Primary).

• Essential improvements on Dawes Lane, a key link between Brixton and Plymouth where surface conditions have deteriorated and access is almost impossible in bad weather.

• Pedestrian controlled signals on the existing crossing at the southern end of Mutley Plain (near Alexandra Road) to make it easier and safer for people, particularly the elderly and disabled, to cross.

• Pedestrian controlled signals on the existing crossings at the Ham Drive/Honicknowle Lane junction to make it easier and safer for people to cross this busy school route.

•A new fence to replace the one between Lucas Terrace in Prince Rock and the 'Seagull Bridge' over Embankment Road, which acts as a barrier to a steep slope and is deteriorating in condition.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: "We are really pleased to be delivering these walking, wheeling and cycling improvements across the city, thanks to funding from Active Travel England.

"I hope they'll be welcomed by residents –particularly the signalised crossing on Mutley Plain and the upgrades to the paths connecting Brixton and Plymouth and Efford and Marsh Mills, where improvements are long overdue."

Further details on each scheme, including timeframes, will be announced when they are confirmed. They will all be completed by the end of March 2028.

The RES van being transported to Plym Valley Railway from Tavistock Junction

It's Nature City Plymouth!

Plymouth has been awarded Nature City status in recognition of its pioneering work and ambitious plans for urban nature.

The Nature City award recognises local partnerships that put nature and green infrastructure at the heart of their city or town plans, to transform life for urban communities through providing more and better nature and green space, especially in areas facing greatest inequality.

The new accreditation scheme is run by a partnership between Natural England, National Trust and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. An independent panel judges the awards, with Plymouth becoming the third place in the UK to receive

the designation. It follows on from the recent launch of the Plymouth Plan for Nature and People, a blueprint for how the city manages its natural spaces and aims to ensure every resident can benefit from connecting with the outdoors.

In assessing Plymouth’s application, judges were impressed with the scale of ambition and the strong partnership working which takes place between the council, communities and local and national organisations, all for the benefit of local people, places and nature.

They also noted elements of the Plan for Nature and People, acknowledging a cross-sector approach, a good breadth of priorities and evidence of broad

and stakeholders

public engagement and focus groups.

The award will help the council and its partners better access future investment opportunities at national level, ensuring the city’s blue and green spaces remain well used and well maintained for years to come.

Councillor Tom BriarsDelve, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “This designation is an honour for our city and reflects a real journey for the council.

“In the last few years, we’ve worked tirelessly with our communities and partners to build momentum among our nature projects. Whether it’s Green Communities, the Community Forest or the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, we have made sure that communities have been at forefront of our decision making.

“The Plan for Nature and People has been the final piece of the jigsaw and I'm delighted with this official recognition of Plymouth's ambition and potential.”

Victoria Bradford-Keegan, programme director for Nature Towns and Cities, said: "Nature helps us to improve our health and wellbeing, mitigates the impacts of climate change in urban neighbourhoods and drives green growth, making better places for people to live, work and invest.

“We're delighted to award Plymouth official Nature City status. Our independent panel were impressed with how the council are involving communities in this work, particularly young people, as well

as their innovative funding strategy.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Plymouth City Council and their partners, as they deliver their Plan for People and Nature, transforming the city for residents, businesses and visitors."

Find out for about the Plan for Nature and People at www. plymouth.gov.uk/plymouth-plannature-and-people For information about Nature Towns and Cities visit www. naturetownsandcities.org.uk

Bishop of Plymouth is installed in landmark ceremony

Right Reverend Nicholas Hudson was installed as the Bishop of Plymouth at the Cathedral Church of St Mary & St Boniface, Plymouth on the Patronal Feast Day of St Cuthbert Mayne, on Saturday November 29.

Senior Catholic clergy, including His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Most Reverend John Wilson, Metropolitan Archbishop of Southwark and archbishops and bishops from England and Wales attended the Installation Mass.

The Bull of Appointment from Pope Leo XIV highlighted the Church’s confidence in Bishop Nicholas’s appointment:

“We thought of you, having carefully considered your pastoral achievements in the duties you have undertaken in the Archdiocese of Westminster, together with your spiritual and human gifts and your expertise in administration, which make you suitable for advancement to this greater office.”

Parishioners from across Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, priests and deacons of the Diocese of Plymouth, priests from other dioceses and religious orders, Abbots, Bishops of England and Wales, the Anglican Bishop of Exeter and the Anglican Bishop of Plymouth, ecumenical representatives

from other Christian denominations, interfaith leaders, civic dignitaries including the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon, and the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, the Chief Superintendent of Devon & Cornwall Police, the Group Commander of Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue, the Lord Mayor of Plymouth and the Lord Mayor of Exeter, diocesan trustees, school leaders from Catholic education institutions and charity representatives all attended the Mass of Installation.

Bishop Nicholas spoke of encouraging shoots of recovery, referencing The Quiet Revival, a recent academic study which identified an upsurge in the number of people – especially young men – coming to church in this country.

He said this rings true with what’s being reported from many parishes across the land. However, he identified a twofold challenge: we need in our communities to help these new and returning Catholics really to find their place in their Church; and to draw many more people – both young and old – to Christ and the life of the sacraments.

Bishop Nicholas also spoke of evangelisation, a priority for Pope Leo and noting that Popes from St John Paul II to

Benedict XVI to Francis have all been clear that evangelisation – the sharing of faith –needs to be all-embracing; that it’s aimed at three distinct categories - at those who belong to Christ and His Church, at those who no longer belong, as well as at those who never belonged.

He said: “To us who belong to Christ and his Church the onus is to find ways of telling others who is this Jesus whom we love and worship.” He added that this is about communicating our relationship with Christ, in word and deed and in such a way that causes people to ask, ‘Who is this Jesus whom you love and worship?’”

In his post-communion address, Bishop Nicholas expressed gratitude to everyone who had a part in preparing the wonderful celebration.

He wished to thank in particular the Dean, Canon Mark O’Keeffe, for the way he coordinated all the arrangements and to all who worked with him to provide such a special celebration.

As the new Bishop of Plymouth, Bishop Nicholas will lead a diocese that serves a Catholic population of approximately 11,293 across 57 parishes and 37 schools throughout the three counties.

Partners

at the launch of the Plymouth Plan for Nature and People Photo courtesy of Plymouth City Council

Photos courtesy of Plymouth City Council

The

Bishop of Plymouth the Rt Revd Nicholas Hudson

The Plymouth Chronicle is excited to announce a collaboration with Argyle Life to provide regular Plymouth Argyle content from the perspective of the fans. We’ll be publishing regular pieces from Argyle Life contributors in print and via our website at www.plymouthchronicle.co.uk. Our latest article by Sam Down, one of Argyle Life's founders, reflects on the appointment of Derek Adams - the former Argyle manager – as the club's new Director of Football

An unlikely homecoming

What. On. Earth....has just happened. Not my most conventional opening, but one that pretty aptly sums up my feelings about the return of enigmatic manager Derek Adams to Home Park as Director of Football, six and a half years after the abruptest of abrupt departures.

Chairman Simon Hallett has finally listened to supporters who wanted him to appoint a promotion-winning former manager, but possibly not the one they were expecting back in January! Nor, indeed, in the role of manager. It's not that I don't get it. Argyle's problems on the field are well known to us all and clearly with the recent departures of Andrew Parkinson, Tom Randle and Stuart Webber, it was inevitable that someone would come in, in an executive role, to assist the clearly overworked David Fox.

But Adams? The man who left in such acrimony in 2019? Maybe it isn't as crazy as it sounds... The first thing we can probably all agree on is that this role needs to be filled. I joked in May that only Argyle could conduct a five-month-long search for a Sporting Director only to decide not to fill the role.

Over the summer, the aforementioned quartet of Fox/Parkinson/Randle/Webber all filled the role to some extent although none of them officially had the job title. Now that four have been whittled down to one inexperienced Head of Football Operations, it's clear somebody is needed to run the football side of the club at a back office level.

Structure and leadership

Neil Dewsnip wasn't perfect, but nobody could accuse the club of lacking structure. He was in charge, and everyone knew it. It's encouraging that some sort of structure and leadership is back. Adams is very clearly no wallflower and will want to similarly set his own agenda.

It is however, impossible to look past the shock and sheer symbolism of Adams' return. What does it mean for us as a club? Seven years ago, when the club changed ownership, we were at the bottom of League One with Adams at the helm. Now, we are in a very similar place with probably at least triple the budget.

What also can't be ignored is the nature of his personality. We went down to League One in a blaze of acrimony and bad feeling. Those of us who were at Accrington that fateful day of his final game can hardly forget the vitriolic reception as he left the field.

He had already banned local media from press conferences and refused to speak to the press outright after that final disastrous game. Players had been frozen out and in one case actually mocked the manager on social media. It was the sign of a man who'd totally lost the fans, press and squad.

His intensity clearly created a range of interpersonal issues that were tough for the club to navigate. It's difficult to know how the new job title could either mitigate these issues or even

Derek Adams pictured during his interview with Gab Sutton on Freebets.com prior to his appointment as Director of Football at Home Park

exacerbate them. There is a chance that given a back office role more removed from the field of play, Adams will be able to take a detached role with less external interaction.

However, even then, there are no guarantees it won't go sour. A role with more seniority and power gives him more of an opportunity to mould the club in his image.

It's no secret that Tom Cleverley is under huge pressure and may even be out of his post by the time you read this if results don't pick up fast. If, like Dewsnip, Adams picks someone who's essentially his own satellite as new head coach, that could end just as badly. Would it surprise anyone if he essentially appointed himself?

Adams was famous for feuding with his fellow managers during his first tenure at Home Park (and later at Morecambe). Who, really, is going to be keen to take any potential job with an old rival as your boss?

Quite aside from his dominant personality, there is also the question of how smart the appointment actually is. Yes, he's had successes in management, but in this role Adams is functionally another rookie in the post.

And really, since leaving Argyle, his CV is nothing to write home about. Disastrous spells at Bradford and Ross County have been sandwiched by two Morecambe relegations which, to be fair, had far more to do with the state of their club. It still remains the case that he's not done well outside of Morecambe since early 2018.

His mode of football too, is often pretty dull and long ball oriented. I don't say we should necessarily be above that, but it doesn't fit the previously stated 'Argyle Way' mission statement.

All of that being said, I can absolutely see a way it could work. Despite the many drawbacks of his

style, most Argyle fans reacted to the hire with overwhelming positivity.

He was given the nickname 'King Derek' for a reason. When times were good, they were very, very, good indeed. The run from 24th to 7th with the attacking genius of Carey/Lameiras, for example, demonstrates how multifaceted his football can be.

This is critical, precisely because he's going to need to take the fanbase with him to succeed. One thing you can't doubt about Derek Adams is his commitment. Rightly or wrongly, fans feel that too many players in the current squad don't care enough about losing and aren't playing to the required standard.

Long term leadership

The Scotsman will need the support of the fans if he decides to move on those who aren't pulling their weight – and the evidence suggests he has exactly that support.

Finally, it's worth noting that Adams built a club last time not just a team. He implemented analysis, nutrition and modern recruitment techniques to great effect whereas the previous manager John Sheridan was much more old school. These kinds of 'club-building' techniques lend him well to the role. He laid the groundwork on which Lowe/ Schumacher built.

Really, there are two questions to be asked. Will he provide a significant short-term boost as either Director of Football or caretaker manager to lift the club out of the drop zone?

And then, will he be able to provide the right long term leadership that allows a thriving culture of success such as that which we had in the early 2020s?

It certainly won't be boring to witness!

SHE Plymouth secures two

more years of funding

The team at Iridescent Ideas CIC is celebrating after its highly-successful Supporting Her Enterprise (SHE) Plymouth project has secured funding for another two years.

The renewed support, awarded by the Rank Foundation and the Livewell Foundation, will enable Iridescent to continue empowering women across Plymouth to start, run, and grow successful businesses.

Since launching in 2023, SHE Plymouth has supported 250 women through tailored training, coaching, advice and networking opportunities. The programme has seen 102 women start earning income from their businesses, and 43 new businesses launched, including 12 Community Interest Companies.

Participants have reported transformative outcomes — 91% say they feel more confident, and have improved their knowledge and skills, and 88% feel more connected with other women in business.

“SHE Plymouth has been amazing — I was able to take my tentative business idea from nothing to a profitable business in just four

months,” said project participant Hannah Ames of Nurse Tutor – Tutoring with Hannah.

With this new funding, Iridescent is able to start taking new registrations, inviting more women to join this supportive and dynamic community.

“We’re so proud of the impact SHE Plymouth has already achieved,” said Mel Tucker, director of Iridescent Ideas CIC.

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homes in Waterside & West

The Waterside and West Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Stonehouse, Mount Wise, Devonport, Stoke, Keyham, Millbridge, Milehouse, Beacon Park, Pennycross, Ford, North Prospect, Ham, Weston Mill, Barne Barton and St Budeaux.

“Thanks to this new funding, we can continue creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and helping even more women to turn their ideas into reality.”

Women interested in signing up for the next phase of SHE Plymouth can register via the website at www.iridescentideas.com/ she-plymouth or to find out more about SHE Plymouth contact she@iridescentideas.com.

The February edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Waterside and West will be published on January 23 with a copy deadline of January 16. The Waterside & West edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city. We welcome submissions but cannot guarantee publication. We accept press releases in the form of text documents and images in JPG or TIFF format (high resolution please).

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