Plymouth Albion raise over £4,000 for St Luke’s Hospice through ‘one of a kind kit’ initiative
Plymouth Albion is celebrating a remarkable moment of community spirit and creativity that raised over £4,000 for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth.
In March, Brickfields was packed with community spirit as Albion took on Rosslyn Park in the dedicated St Luke’s Men’s Day Out fixture, in front of a crowd of over 2,500 supporters.
But it wasn’t just any match. Albion took to the field in a unique kit designed by a talented six-year-old pupil from Widey Court Primary School.
The winning design featured the iconic Smeaton’s Tower, a proud emblem of Plymouth’s maritime heritage and a beacon of the community. Chosen from dozens of imaginative entries, the finished shirts were not only a symbol of creativity but also a way to raise vital funds. Every penny of sponsorship and shirt sales went directly to support the incredible work of St Luke’s Hospice.
Recently, Albion managing director Max Venables visited Widey Court to personally present the young designer with a signed version of her winning kit. This special moment was shared with
Georgina Dyke from St Luke’s Hospice and Colin Aldworth, associate director at Nevada Construction, Albion’s main kit sponsor.
Max said: “It’s amazing what sport, community and business can achieve together. St Luke’s has always been close to the heart of Plymouth Albion, and Men’s Day Out was such a special day. Visiting Widey Court and showing the school, especially
CLASSIC CAMBRIDGE & OXFORD’S DREAMING SPIRES
Departing Thu 25 Sep ‘25
We visit the city of Oxford, perched on the Thames and known for its world-famous Royal Regatta and Cambridge, with its combination of tranquil botanical gardens and striking buildings. There’s also the chance to discover the fine charms of Ely and Stamford.
SO MUCH INCLUDED...
Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash
4 nights at the Holiday Inn, Northampton (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
Excursions to Cambridge & Oxford (includes guided city tours)
Optional excursion to Ely & Stamford (£14pp)
the young winner, the real impact of her kit design was a brilliant experience.”
Nevada Construction played a crucial role in the success of this initiative, giving up their front of shirt space for the fixture. That decision enabled 20 individual businesses to each sponsor a one-off match shirt, giving every shirt its own front of shirt sponsor and allowing this community powered kit to come
to life in full. Colin Aldworth of Nevada Construction said: “We are so pleased for St Luke’s, Plymouth Albion, and the pupils at Widey Court Primary.
“It was a no-brainer for us to be involved in something so meaningful. Community has always been at the heart of what we do at Nevada, and this project was a perfect reflection of that.”
Georgina Dyke, events manager at St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Plymouth Albion, Nevada Construction and Widey Court Primary. Raising over £4,000 is a fantastic achievement, and the creativity and enthusiastic spirit behind it truly reflect what makes our community special. Thank you for helping St Luke’s continuing to care for those who need us most.”
Plymouth Albion will continue to support St Luke’s Hospice throughout the off-season with a series of events, including the Ruckus Music Festival in July and the Plymouth Albion Golf Day.
As the club proudly builds toward its 150th year, St Luke’s will remain Albion’s chosen charity throughout the 2025-26 season.
Reader travel
FOLKESTONE WEEKEND
Departing Fri 10 Oct ‘25
Enjoy a great-value break to discover Folkestone and the stunning scenery of South East England. With a day in Canterbury included and the chance to visit pretty Broadstairs and Whitstable, beloved for their sandy beaches, this weekend is not to be missed!
SO MUCH INCLUDED...
Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash
3 nights at the Grand Burstin Hotel, Folkestone (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast
Light entertainment every evening
Excursion to Canterbury
Optional excursion to Broadstairs & Whitstable (£15pp)
Students to take part in
Primary and secondary school students will be taking part in the third major chess tournament in Julyand organisers are calling on schools across the city to encourage more youngsters to take part.
The tournament is being held at Plymouth College on July 5 with free entry and light refreshments provided.
The event is organised by Plymouth Chess Club, whose president Alan Crickmore said: “We know there are many more students, both boys and girls, playing chess in schools are our objective is to encourage them –and what better way than to hold a tournament.
“There are many advantages to playing chess as it appears to improve logical thinking, academic performance, confidence and patience.”
He said that certificates and prizes will be awarded to participants.
Plymouth Chess Club have a group of students who attend weekly tuition sessions and the club hopes to promote more chess in schools and establish an inter-school league online.
Schools or students wanting more information can visit the club website at www.plymouthchess.uk
SCARBOROUGH & THE YORKSHIRE COASTLINE
Departing Mon 7 Jul ‘25
We explore the very best of Yorkshire on a relaxing five-day break where we visit Goathland, known for being the filming location of the TV series Heartbeat, as well as Beverley, Hornsea and brooding Whitby, forever associated with Bram Stoker’s Dracula!
SO MUCH INCLUDED...
Return coach travel from Plymouth, Saltash
4 nights at the Grand Hotel, Scarborough (JG2 rating) with dinner & breakfast
Light entertainment every evening
Excursions to Goathland (Heartbeat), Whitby, Beverley & Hornsea
Optional excursion to York (£14pp)
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By Coach from Plymouth, Saltash
Cheque presentation (from left) Colin Aldworth of Nevada Construction, Max Venables of Plymouth Albion, Georgina Dyke of St Luke’s Hospice and Shaun Nicholls Widey Court headteacher with the pupil who designed the kit
A new initiative has been launched to enable local communities to raise funds for defibrillators in Plymouth.
According to the South Western Ambulance Service, there are several ‘hotspots’ in Plymouth where defibrillators are not within easy reach. The new campaign called Make Plymouth Heart-Safe aims to close those gaps as rapidly as possible.
The initiative will empower residents to place 24/7 publicaccess defibrillators in their neighbourhoods – and save lives.
When sudden cardiac arrest strikes, neighbours often arrive long before an ambulance. Yet for every minute without immediate CPR and early defibrillation ideally within three to five minutes of cardiac arrest, survival chances fall by around 10 per cent. With eight in ten cardiac arrests happening in and around the home the new MyCommunityDefib campaign could make a huge difference to survival rates.
Developed by the Dutch Heart
Foundation, the model has already equipped thousands of neighbourhoods in the Netherlands and Sweden, where survival rates from out-ofhospital cardiac arrest have risen
significantly. Building of this success, the programme is now available in the UK for the first time.
The campaign encourages local residents to visit the website at
www.mycommunitydefib.co.uk to check if their neighbourhood already has a registered 24/7 defibrillator. If there’s not one available locally, residents are encouraged to start a campaign to raise funds for for a defibrillator package tailored to local needs.
Fund raisers can share a link to their campaign with neighbours, other community members, including local businesses to encourage contributions.
Once the £1,950 target is reached, the defibrillator, including a comprehensive fouryear support package is ordered and despatched.
“Having a defibrillator accessible round the clock is a simple yet vital safeguard for our families and friends,” said Sophie Verlinden, a spokesperson for MyCommunityDefib. “We urge everyone in Plymouth to come together, raise awareness, and ensure our neighbourhoods are equipped to respond quickly in an cardiac emergency.”
For more information visit www.mycommunitydefib.co.uk
New campaign to fund more defibrillators in Plymouth Lawyer Rob’s marathon effort for charity
A Plymouth lawyer has thanked his sponsors who helped him smash his London Marathon fundraising target for the Headway Plymouth charity.
Rob Antrobus, who is head of Enable Law in Plymouth has raised more than £6,500 for the charity which supports people who are living with acquired brain injuries (ABI) to navigate life’s challenges.
The 51-year-old lawyer, who is also chair of trustees at Devonport-based Headway Plymouth, completed his first ever marathon in five hours and 32 minutes for a cause that is close to his heart. Rob’s knowledge of ABI runs deeper than his decades of professional experience in providing legal advice to clients and their families following an injury. Back in 2020, his wife Sally suffered a life-changing stroke, fuelling Rob’s passion for
supporting brain injury services even further.
“I have to admit that the London Marathon was overwhelming in more ways than one,” said Rob.
“I’ve been really moved by the generous backing of everyone who sponsored me and I’ll always be grateful for their kind donations as they inspired me to go through the pain barrier.
“The sponsorship means a lot and the marathon was the toughest physical challenge I’ve ever faced and while it was an overwhelming and emotional journey, I’d like to think I did Sally and Headway proud.”
Rob sported a Headway running top as he pounded 26.2 miles of London’s streets where some 750,000 people cheered on runners.
“It was probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience
but the incredible memories will live with me forever,” Rob added. “Most importantly, my sponsors’ generosity will help ensure the Headway Plymouth team can keep providing vital support for people affected by ABI.
“This support ranges from provision of day services, helping patients and families in hospital, developing activities for clients that rebuild neuropathways and enable independent living and awareness-raising.
“Anyone can suffer an ABI through accidents, assaults or medical conditions such as stroke and every donation will allow the charity to help yet more people in and around Plymouth.”
To make a donation visit www.2025tcs londonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/robert-antrobus
Rob Antrobus in the London Marathon
Rob during his Marathon effort
Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.
Flavour Fest
May 30 to Jun 1
The south west’s largest food and drink festival returns to Plymouth city centre. There will be over 80 stalls of fantastic local produce on the Piazza. Watch inspirational talks and demonstrations by top local chefs and plenty more entertainment throughout the weekend. For more information visit the Flavour Fest website at www.flavourfestsw.co.uk
Plymouth Model & Railway show
May 31
John Kitto YMCA Centre from 10am to 4pm. Numerous clubs from across the South West displaying models, railways, radio control boats, with traders selling kits, ancillaries and railway items. Tombola, cafe on site and disabled friendly. Adults £5, concessions £3, family ticket £10. Further details from ekcork@ btinternet.com
The Witches of Eastwick
June 4 to June 7
Sounds Musical Theatre Company mark their 124th year with the premiere performance of The Witches of Eastwick at Devonport Playhouse. With their show stopping musical score this talented cast will transport you to a world of fantasy and intrigue. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk £19 adult. Concessions £17 or call : 07395159955. Age recommendation 12+ contains adult content.
Coast
Jun 6 to Jun 22
A contemporary pop-up gallery showcasing the work of local artists with a deep connection with the coast and oceans. Taking place in the Melville Building at the Royal William Yard featuring a celebration of all things ‘coastwith 2D and 3D artworks. For more details visit instagram@coast.artgallery
Plymstock Tribute Music Festival
Jun 6 and 7
Now in it’s fourth year, Plymstock Rugby Club presents a huge line up of the UK’s very best tribute acts across two days at their grounds in Wembury Road. As well as fantastic tribute acts including Oasis, Queen, The FOO Fighters, AC/DC and Fleetwood Mac there will be lots of street food, stalls and fairground rides. For tickets and details visit www.plymstockfestival.co.uk
Summer Serenade
June 7
West Devon Chorale present work by Britten, Elgar, Finzi and Vaughan Williams at Stoke Damerel Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £16, children £8 available on the door.
University of Plymouth Orchestra
June 7
Summer Classics themed music concerts. Free entry at the Levinsky Hall on the University of Plymouth Campus. Children’s Concert from 3pm - all welcome! Evening Concert doors open at 7pm. Concert begins at 7.30pm. Music to include: a range of popular classical music for the summer. Admission is free but donations would be appreciated! Free tickets can be booked via the ‘What’s Onpage of the University of Plymouth website. At the evening concert there will be a raffle and please join us afterwards for free refreshments.
Coffee Morning
June 7
Crownhill Methodist Church Hall from 10.30am to 12 noon. Various stalls. Supporting ‘Hope for the Homeless.All welcome.
Out and About
Your guide to events in the local community and beyond
Rolling Harmony Concert
June 8
Close harmony singing with eight voice ensemble at Stoke Damerel Church. Featuring contemporary choral music, traditional American folk, jazz standards and spirituals. Afternoon tea at 3.15pm, concert 4pm to 5pm. Tickets £10 at www.tickettailor.com/events/ songways/1688477
Plymouth Summer Sessions
June 12 to June 15
With a spectacular waterfront setting and home to the landmark Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse, Plymouth Hoe will come alive with music as it welcomes fans back to TK Maxx presents Plymouth Summer Sessions in 2025. Following the overwhelming success of last year’s inaugural event,which drew thousands of fans, this year’s lineup kicks off on Thursday with legendary British band James, supported by Razorlight, Jamie Webster and Tom A Smith. Followed by the electrifying Pendulum on Friday, The Corrs and Natalie Imbruglia on the Saturday, plus the beloved Snow Patrol closing the weekend on Sunday, with further names to still be announced. Tickets from www.smmrsessions.com/ locations/plymouth
Rich Hall
June 13
Popular comedian Rich Hall brings his ‘Chin Music’ tour to the Quad Theatre on the Marjon University campus. Tickets on sale at www.offthekerb.com
Father’s Day at Pennywell Farm
June 14 and 15
For Father’s Day weekend only Pennywell is giving all Dads a free VIP upgrade worth £17 (with a full paying adult ticket). The upgrade includes free coffee and cake, free ice cream, free animal feed and free piggy blanket. Visit www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/fathersday and enter the code VIPDAD3P at checkout online.
Divertimento String Quartet
June 14
Featuring works by Bach, Borodin and four folk songs at Stoke Damerel Church at 5pm. Tickets £10, students £10, under 18s free. Call 01803 863677 or email enquiries@divertimento.uk.com
Plymouth Boat Fest
June 21
A festival of all things boating hosted by Plymouth Yacht Haven at Mount Batten. A free fun event for all the family starting at 10am. Step on board classic historic boats, explore second hand boats for sale and a boat jumble. Have a go at stand up paddle boarding
Wimbledon on the Big Screen
June 30 to July 13
Wimbledon returns to Plymouth city centre’s Piazza this summer with an exciting twist – live tennis screenings and the chance to try one of the UK’s fastest growing sports, Padel, all in one vibrant city centre location. every match of the Wimbledon Championships will be screened live on a state-ofthe-art mobile screen. Over 200 deckchairs will be set out in a specially enclosed viewing area, allowing visitors to relax and soak up the electric atmosphere. Entry is completely free, making it the perfect summer experience for tennis fans, families, and city centre visitors alike. At the opposite end of The Piazza, visitors can try their hand at Padel – a high-energy sport that blends tennis and squash, played on an enclosed court using solid bats and the court walls. To mark Wimbledon finals weekend, an international market will take place along New George Street, bringing together global street food, handmade goods, and cultural stalls.
Ruckus 25 Music Festival
July 4 to 6
and watch live safety demonstrations and more. Free parking.
Stoke Damerel Summer Fair
June 21
Popular annual event with beverages, lunches and a variety of stalls at Stoke Damerel Church from 11am to 3pm.
Summer Concert
June 21
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir an Opera Gala Evening at The Minster Church of St Andrew at 7.30pm. Featuring some of the most popular and favourite choruses including the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, Verdi’s Anvil Chorus and Bizet’s Carmen. The choir will be joined by soloists Cheryl Brendish (Soprano) and John Hobbs (Baritone). Tickets £15 in advance, £17 on the door, £5 Students and U16s. For details visit www. plymouthphilchoir.org
Summer Fair
June 21
Ford Park Cemetery from 10.30am to 1.30pm. Admission free. Plenty of stalls with bargains and refreshments will be available.
Pirates of Penzance
June 27
Performed by Plymouth Gilbert & Sullivan at Stoke Damerel Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £12, children £10. Available on the door and via 07552 234583
Choral Concert
June 28
St Peter’s Church, Wyndham Square at 7.30pm.
Phoenix Chorale present a fabulous mix of choral music from the Renaissance to Romantic periods, plus contemporary works by a number of composers including Arnesen, Gjeilo, Lauridsen, Rutter and Bach, all representing the joy that singing brings. Refreshments will be available. Tickets £12 in advance from www.ticketsource.co.uk, £14 on the door, children under 18 free.
Plymouth Armed Forces Day
June 28
Armed Forces Day is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community from currently serving troops to reservists, veterans, cadets and their families. This exciting family day is packed with displays, parades, military equipment to explore, a thrilling arena programme, live music and much more. Details at www. plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk
Hosted by Plymouth Albion at Bricklfields Ruckus will feature a line up of top live performances with a focus on iconic UK acts. Headline performers include The Feeling, The Specials, Elvana and Tom Meighan. Alongside the music there will be a food and beer festival highlighting the best of local produce and craft beers. For details visit www.plymouthalbion. com/ready-for-a-ruckus
Charity Summer Concerts
July 4 and 5
The Down Thomas Singers are raising funds for Bowel Cancer West with their two Summer Concerts at the Silver Jubilee Hall, Down Thomas at 7.30pm on Friday and a matinee on Saturday at 2pm. To cheer everyone up in these troubled times the concert consists of light musical numbers, poems and clarinet piece. Tickets are £7 including light refreshments and free parking. There is always a good raffle. Contact 01752 299204 for tickets.
Summer Fair
July 5
St Boniface Church, St Budeaux from 10am to 12 noon. Various stalls including cakes, tombolas, plants, refreshments and grand draw.
Medieval Lunch
July 5
Visitor Centre at Ford Park Cemetery at 1pm. Booking is essential. Tickets cost £15 and can be obtained from the office at Ford Park from 10am to 4pm.
St Levan Park Fun Day
July 5
The popular community event returns from 11am to 4pm with free entry for all. The Fun Day features live music and entertainment, craft, produce and food stalls as well as the Gables Dog Show. There will be a toddler soft play area as well as inflatables and Zigzag entertainer. For updates visit #StLevanFunDay
A Talk on the Remarkable Pinwill Sisters
July 23
This talk at the Plymouth Proprietary Library at 2pm is by Dr Helen Wilson, author of The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters. The Pinwill sisters were famed for creating between them one of the most successful ecclesiastical woodcarving companies in the West Country, with work in over 180 churches across Devon and Cornwall and further afield. When first Mary and then Ethel left the company, Violet ran the business single-handedly, employing nearly 30 carvers and joiners at the height of its success. Talk: £4 for members, £8 for non-members.
Send details of your event to info@cornerstonevision. com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.
Flavour Fest returns to Plymouth city centre from May 30 to June 1 Photo: One Plymouth
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Referendum to decide future governance of city to take place on July 17
A referendum will be held on Thursday July 17 to determine how Plymouth will be governed in the future.
At the referendum, those on the electoral register will be asked to have their say whether Plymouth City Council’s governance model should be changed from a Leader model to a Directly Elected Mayor. This process is separate – and not related to – the ongoing discussions about Plymouth potentially joining a combined regional authority that could be led by an elected Strategic Mayor.
There are a number of ways to cast a vote: in person at a polling station, by post, or via a proxy vote.
Registering to vote is quick and easy, it only takes five minutes and can be done online. Once registered the applicant will be placed onto the electoral register. However, anyone already registered who has changed their name, address or nationality will need to register again.
Requests for a postal vote can be made online. Having a postal vote means that a postal ballot pack containing the ballot paper will be sent to the home address, so the vote can be made via post, avoiding the need to go to a polling station. Anyone unable to vote in person can apply for a proxy vote and ask someone to vote on their behalf.
All registered voters in Plymouth will also need to show an eligible photographic ID to vote in person at a polling station. It is anticipated that the deadlines will be:
• Deadline to register to vote: July 1 2025
• Deadline to apply or change a postal vote: 5pm on July 2
• Deadline to apply for Voter ID certificate: 5pm on July 9
• Deadline to apply for a proxy vote: 5pm on July 9
For more information about registering to vote or applying for a postal vote or voter ID visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/ register-vote
The referendum is taking place after Plymouth City Council received a petition requesting a directly elected mayor for Plymouth. In line with the relevant legislation, the council validated each signature to ensure that they are registered electors in the Plymouth City Council area. Following this process, 10,856 signatures were verified as being eligible, meaning the threshold of obtaining support from at least five per cent of registered electors in the city had been reached to
Sounds Musical Theatre Company celebrate prestigious award
Plymouth’s Sounds Musical Theatre Company, based in Oreston, is one of the longest running theatre companies in Plymouth.
Established in 1911 the Company is celebrating their 114th year of performing for Plymouth and South West audiences, only interrupted in their productions by the two World Wars. Now their highly acclaimed performance of 9 to 5 The Musical has culminated in Sounds Musical Theatre Company being prestigiously awarded by NODA , The National Operatic and Dramatic Association for the South West District Achievement Award, plus a Nomination for the Wilfred Roe trophy for Stage Decor.
9 to 5 The Musical was performed at Devonport Playhouse to sell out audiences in February 2024. NODA judges assess the whole of the UK’s annual cohort of Amateur Dramatic companiesperformances before they can reach their verdicts, so Sounds Musical Theatre Company has had to wait over a year to receive their highly distinguished Award and associated Nomination.
Chair Diane Benellick proudly recalls Sounds Musical’s previous NODA Award for Sister Act so she was delighted to be celebrating this second acknowledgement of the Company’s reputable talent within her Chairmanship of the Company. Likewise Musical Director Kristy Marcer and Director and Choreographer Laura Pearce celebrated their partnership by commending 9 to 5’s cast and backstage staff for their dedicated team work plus the support from the South West, especially Plymouth’s audiences. The Company will officially receive their main Award and hear results of their Stage
Decor Nomination at the NODA Awards Dinner at Exeter’s Sandy Park on May 24. They wish all nominated in fellow Amateur Dramatic Companies the very best of luck in their categories. The evening promises to be a very special celebration of South West Amateur Theatre.
Laura Pearce retains her director and choreographer roles with Phillip Simpson as musical director in Sounds Musical’s forthcoming production The Witches of Eastwick Musical at Devonport Playhouse on June 5 to June 7, again welcoming audiences
new and old to this comedy musical. Performances are at 7.30 pm plus Saturday 2.30 pm matinee.
Based on the John Updike novel and the 1987 film, three bored women living in a small New England town, dominated by the local busybody Felicia Gabrielle all yearn for excitement to spice up their mundane lives. Wishing for ‘all manner of men in one manone arrives in a literal flash as the devilish Darry Van Horne.
As Horne seduces them the three women begin to explore their own unique powers in this comedaic musical. John Dempsey and Diane Rowe’s musical features a showstopping score including Make Him Mine, Dirty Laundry‚ Dance with the Devil and I wish I May culminating in darkly riotous funny consequences.
This exceptionally talented cast embrace the story with wonderful harmony singing and dance. Tickets £19 concessions £17 are available at www. ticketsource.co.UK/ sounds or call 07395159955. Age recommendation 12+.
Livewell Foundation boosted by fundraisers’ efforts
Five incredible fundraisers proudly crossed the finish line of the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2025 at the end of April, raising vital funds for the Livewell Foundation – a charity committed to improving health, tackling social isolation, and supporting communities across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon.
Austin Marshall, Lydia Helyer, Abi Hooper, Tony Phipps, and Chris Davies took on the 13.1-mile route through the capital’s most iconic sights, cheered on by thousands of supporters. Each participant carried their own personal motivation for running—and in Tony’s case, a fridge too, symbolising the often unseen burden of mental health challenges.
The team’s fundraising efforts have already raised almost £7,000 to support the Livewell Foundation’s work, helping people lead healthier,
happier lives through community grants, specialist health initiatives, and vital enhancements to health and care services.
Tony Phipps, a seasoned fundraiser with a flair for the extraordinary, once again turned heads by running the entire course with a fridge strapped to his back. Tony said: “This weight isn’t just physical; it represents anxiety, depression, and the emotional toll of life’s challenges. Each step I take, despite the load, reminds me that progress is possible.”
Chris Davies, chairman of the Livewell Foundation, ran alongside Tony in a show of solidarity. After a two year running hiatus the event was a personal milestone for Chris: “It was a true privilege to run with Tony and our amazing team. Their passion, energy, and resilience reflect everything the Livewell Foundation stands for.
Every donation raised will help fund life-changing projects that support our communities health and wellbeing.”
Two of the team – Abi and Lydia – work for Livewell Southwest as a frailty practitioner and lead occupational therapist respectively and their professional experience gives them a deep understanding of the frontline challenges faced by individuals and communities.
Their decision to run for the Livewell Foundation demonstrated the significant impact that their funding makes.
Rounding off the team was Austin Marshall, the youngest of the Foundation’s runners, whose passion and determination have inspired his supporters to rally behind him, helping him nearly double his original fundraising target.
Austin said: “Every day, many people struggle with
mental health challenges, often feeling isolated and unheard. The Livewell Foundation provides essential resources and support to those in need.”
Charity manager, Hayley Everett, said: “Together, the team’s inspiring efforts and the generosity of their supporters will make a lasting difference across Plymouth and South West Devon. We are deeply thankful to all our fundraisers who not only take on the challenge of the race itself, but also dedicate months of training, travel, and time away from work and family to support our cause.
“Their commitment can often go unseen but is absolutely vital to what we are able to achieve. If you feel inspired to take on a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, fundraise, and help transform lives, we would love to hear from you.”
For more information visit www. livewellfoundation.org.uk
Sounds Musical Theatre’s award-winning cast of 9 to 5 – performed in February 2024
Left: The Witches of Eastwick: Charlotte Pascoe, Nichols Holdship, Emily Grace plus their demon lover Mark Reid
Tony Phipps ran with a fridge on his back
The team got together before travelling to London
Austin Marshall, the team’s youngest member
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
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A historic blue plaque will be unveiled in Plymouth in July in memory of a scientist, explorer and military man whose ground breaking work has been recognised by NASA.
Ralph Alger Bagnold OBE FRS KL was born in Plymouth on April 3 1896 and grew up in Stoke. In the First World War he was an engineer in the British Army. When he returned to service in the Second World War, he was the first commanding officer of the ‘Long Range Desert Group.A precursor to the SAS, the unit carried out reconnaissance work and raids behind enemy lines in North Africa.
In between the wars Bagnold carried out the first recorded East-to-West crossing of the Libyan Desert, pioneering the use of motor vehicles to explore the harsh terrain. He also published ‘Libyan Sands: Travel in a Dead Worldwhich has been described as a ‘classic work of 20th-century Saharan exploration.
His second book ‘The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Duneswas inspired by the extensive amount of time he’d spent in the desert and the many sandstorms he’d witnessed. The book is still an important reference point for scientists today and has even been used by NASA to study sand dunes and the development of sanddriving mechanisms on Mars. The Bagnold Dunes, a 22-mile-long group of sand dunes on Mars were named by NASA in his honour.
Bagnold was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1944 and continued to carry out research and publish academic papers well into his retirement. He passed away in May 1990 at the age of 94.
Bagnold’s plaque will be installed on the front of Astor House, Devonport Road, Stoke in July. Now a nursing home, it was once his childhood home.
Deputy Leader Councillor Jemima Laing said: “Ralph Bagnold’s legacy bridges military service, exploration and scientific innovation and his research helped shape modern understanding of desert landscapes. This blue plaque will serve as a lasting tribute to his achievements and continue our commitment to recognising people from Plymouth who have
Ralph Bagnold
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Stoke’s Well Pharmacy is a community champion!
Staff and customers at the Well Pharmacy in Stoke Village are celebrating its success in winning a prestigious national award.
The pharmacy was named Community Pharmacy of the Year in the annual awards run by Bestway Healthcare, owners of Well Pharmacy. The chain is the second largest in the UK, with 760 pharmacies.
The awards are open to all Well Pharmacy staff and branches across the country, with other categories including Team of the Year, Buyer of the Year and Hall of Fame.
The success for Well Pharmacy in Stoke is primarily down to the dedication of consultant dispenser Rahul Shah, team leader Kelly Treloar and dispenser Helen Smith.
Rahul and Kelly both worked at the Boots Pharmacy in Claremont Street in Plymouth before it was controversially closed as part of a major rationalisation of the chain.
But the setback for Rahul and Kelly soon took a positive turn as they were recruited by the Well Pharmacy in Stoke in March last year.
The branch’s fortunes have experienced a dramatic turn round with the number of prescriptions dispensed each week rising more than threefold.
Rahul said: “The most important thing for us is to provide a first-class service for the community and our customers. It is a phenomenal transformation and we are delighted to be the first Well Pharmacy in the South West to win the award.
“We found out we had been nominated for the award in November last year, but when we
were announced as the winners at the ceremony in Birmingham in April we just looked at each other in shock and amazement.”
For Rahul it was a particularly
pleasing moment as he had worked for Boots for more than 25 years before being made redundant.
He and the staff work closely
with Stoke Surgery, which said of the award: “A huge congratulations to the wonderful Well Pharmacy in Stoke for winning ‘Community Pharmacy of the Year.’ Well done Rahul, Kelly and the rest of the team at the pharmacy who have turned things around!
“We’re very lucky to be able to work with you! You truly deserve this award for all your hard work!”
Customers took to social media to offer their congratulations to the team:
‘Absolutely amazing staff!! So kind, polite and always smiling!’
Kirsty Louise
‘Well done and well deserved, such a difference since Rahul took over. Rahul and Kelly are wonderful. So glad we now have the best surgery and pharmacy.’
Elaine Crombie
‘Highly deserved. Rahul and the team have completely transformed the pharmacy. They are so helpful and efficient’
Laura Fraser-Crewes
‘What an amazing pharmacy! Well done all for the win!’
James Brady
‘So well deserved. You’re all amazing. So grateful for you all’ Kerry Docwra
‘Of all the pharmacies I’ve used locally this is the best. Friendly service, always a smile and fast turnaround on prescription requests.’
Craig Gilbert
‘So well deserved! The new team have made a huge difference! I was on the verge of changing pharmacy, but now I praise them to everyone!’
Dave Parry
‘Really pleased to hear about the award for Stoke Pharmacy. Very well deserved!’
Sarah Pink
Winners! Kelly Treloar and Rahul Shah after being presented with their awards at the glittering ceremony in Birmingham
St Levan Park Fun Day on July 5 set to be bigger and better than ever
The popular family event – St Levan Park’s annual Fun Day – returns for the 12th year on Saturday July 5 from 11am to 5pm.
This year’s fun day at St Levan Park promises to be the biggest yet with free entry for all ages and a big line up of activities and attractions
Since its inception by the St Levan Park Neighbourhood Watch in 2012, the Fun Day has grown each year, celebrating community spirit and sharing joyful family moments.
This year’s event promises even more excitement with an array of vendors, charities – and a fantastic line-up of live entertainment on and off stage. Returning this year, visitors can experience the magical performance of ZigZag from 1pm to 2pm and the ever popular family dog show hosted by Gables, kicking off at 2pm.
The new ‘Catering Village’ promises to delight taste buds offering a wide range of options, from burgers and filled rolls to delicious cakes,
pizza fries, and a fusion of African, Caribbean, and French cuisine.
Whether it’s a refreshing drink at the mobile bar or a comforting cup of tea, there will be something for everyone, including a sitting area. The ‘Blue Light area’ will provide fun photo opportunities and activities while delivering vital safety messages.
Breakfast going down well at MAP!
Breakfast just got better at Marine Academy Primary after it was selected to participate in the government’s Early Adopters Breakfast Clubs programme.
The new initiative has allowed the school to expand its breakfast offering and provide all children and their families with access to a nutritious start to the day.
Marine Academy Primary opened its brand-new Breakfast Bistro in the Primary Hall from 8.15am each morning. During this time, families are invited to join their children for a free breakfast, with a variety of food and drink options available for all to enjoy.
The programme is part of a nationwide effort to offer free breakfast clubs in all state-funded primary schools across England by the summer of 2025. These clubs are designed to support children in overcoming barriers to opportunity and ensure that all pupils have the best possible start to their school day.
Georgina Reid, headteacher at Marine Academy Primary said: “We are thrilled to be part of this exciting programme. Breakfast clubs not only ensure our children have the energy and focus they need to succeed, but they also provide a supportive and welcoming environment for families. This initiative is a wonderful opportunity for us to bring together our school community and offer a healthy, nourishing start to the day for all.”
thanked the Wolseley Trust and Councillors Sally Creswell and Jemima Laing for their invaluable financial and practical support in bringing the event to life, including funding for first aiders.
For updates and more information, follow the Facebook page at fb.me/ stlevannhw
City College’s Skills Builder initiative is a major success
For those interested in local history, a visit to the Plymouth Archaeological Society’s stall is a must. Families can look forward to large inflatables, face painting, and WhizKidz’s soft play area for toddlers, complete with giant bubbles and science based workshops for older children.
Organisers of the fund day have
A community-focused initiative to tackle economic inactivity and build skills for a stronger Plymouth workforce has smashed its targets and is changing lives across the city.
Plymouth Skills Builder, a City College Plymouth programme supported by Plymouth City Council, is celebrating exceptional success one year on from its launch.
The project built essential foundations for future employment for those who took part, allowing participants to access basic skills training through City College Plymouth and Argyle Community Trust, demonstrating strong demand for fundamental skill-building among economically inactive individuals.
Others received job-search support, and reengaged with education through the initiative, a critical first step for those distanced from training and employment pathways.
In collaboration with key partners including Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth Active Leisure, Livewell Southwest and Achievement Training, the project has engaged 283 individuals, exceeding its target by 60 per cent. The majority of those reached were deemed ‘socially excluded,’ demonstrating the project’s success in reaching those furthest from employment, education and traditional support.
As the project moves into its second year, Skills Builder will deepen its reach within the city’s most deprived communities, expand social prescribing training and evolve its sector taster offers to align even more closely with employer needs and community aspirations.
Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and supported by Plymouth City Council, the initiative saw 43 people securing employment or self-employment, with a further 58 moving into education or training.
The project has also supported individuals in achieving meaningful milestones towards employment. Nearly 90 participants gained vocational licences, CSCS cards and social prescribing qualifications, opening up direct routes to key industries such as construction, health and social care.
Wellbeing has been a vital component of the Skills Builder approach, recognising that barriers to employment are not solely skillsrelated. Over 40 individuals accessed mental and physical health support, creating a crucial foundation for personal resilience, confidence and sustained engagement with employment opportunities.
As part of its innovative delivery model, Plymouth Skills Builder also introduced sectorspecific taster sessions in construction, digital, healthcare and business, enabling participants to build real-world skills and gain practical insight into potential career pathways.
A major highlight was the partnership with Sherford Skills Training Centre, where individuals experienced live construction environments and gained their CSCS cards, a vital qualification in the sector.
Recognising the broader barriers to employment, the project also invested in innovative solutions such as a new employability clothes bank and confidencebuilding workshops for women re-entering the workforce. These interventions, alongside digital skills training delivered in community hubs such as The Plot in Stonehouse, have helped to address often-hidden barriers such as digital exclusion and self-confidence.
The new Brealfast Bistro is proving popular with children and families alike
The Lord Mayor of Plymouth at last year’s St Levan Park Fun Day
Plymouth to spend more on special school places
More than £900,000 is being invested to create more capacity at special schools in Plymouth.
It is part of Plymouth City Council’s £13 million SEND sufficiency plan, which aims to improve support for children and young people with special needs and/or disabilities (SEND) by increasing the availability of special school places.
The council will spend nearly £730,000 to carry out reconfiguration works at Woodlands Special School, transforming an unused space to facilitate a 10-place assessment nursery provision and creating extra school places.
The nursery provision will provide year-long placements for pre-school aged children who are waiting to be assessed for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). It will be staffed by a teacher and education, health and care assistants, who will monitor children to see whether they need a specialist or mainstream school place. Children will then be supported to transition directly from the nursery into their new school placement.
A further £192,000 will also be used to increase capacity at Longcause Special School, by converting four offices into additional classroom spaces to better meet the needs of pupils at the school.
Woodlands Special School supports pupils aged between two and 19-years-old who have complex physical and sensory difficulties, with many also having medical needs.
Longcause Special School provides places to children aged four to 16-years-old who are on the autism spectrum and have other learning difficulties.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “One of the biggest challenges we face when it comes to improving our SEND services is the lack of special school places available for children who really need extra support to learn and thrive.
“We are committed to maximising the limited resources available to us to create more specialist provision. I’m delighted that we’re able to work with Longcause and Woodlands to reconfigure their respective school buildings to turn underutilised space into useful learning environments for children and young people with SEND.”
All of the new places for the next school year have already been allocated to children who have been waiting for a specialist place.
The majority of the building work is due to take place during the summer holidays to avoid disrupting pupils and staff.
While most children’s needs can be met in a mainstream setting, for some a specialist setting is more appropriate. To be eligible for a special school place, children must have an EHCP or be undergoing a statutory assessment of their special educational needs and have needs that cannot be met in a mainstream school.
The council and local schools have recently launched a new website outlining the Plymouth Graduated Approach to Inclusion. This helps schools and parents and carers by setting out the support available for children and young people with SEND to ensure that their needs are meet. Find out more at www.plymouthgati.co.uk.
New £1m funding boost for ‘hotspot’ policing initiative
A scheme which delivered more than 26,000 hours of additional foot patrols in Plymouth and other towns and cities across Devon and Cornwall has been extended thanks to a £1 million funding boost.
The hotspot policing initiative is designed to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB) and serious violence with targeted police and street marshal patrols in areas with the highest levels of crime.
The project, which was initially launched in May 2024, was made possible through £1 million of Home Office funding secured by Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The Home Office has now committed a further £1 million to continue hotspot patrols over the next 12 months.
The funding pays for additional officer time to conduct the targeted patrols, providing a boost in visible policing where it is needed most. Local crime data is used to identify areas with the highest levels of crime and antisocial behaviour.
While the priority is to prevent crime, the targeted approach to patrolling places police and partners in the right place at the right time, enabling proactive action. In the past year, this has led to: 26,821 hours of hotspot patrols, 256 arrests, 1,467 ASB incidents attended 52 offensive weapons seized, 248 pieces of property seized including drugs and stolen goods and 177 enforcements of Public Spaces Protection Orders.
Chief Inspector Dom Nicholls, who heads up the project, said: “Hotspot policing was introduced across Devon and Cornwall last year and we have already seen positive results. Focusing highly visible police and street marshal patrols in areas of high levels of violence and ASB has been effective in both preventing crime and making people feel safer.
“I am really pleased that the force has received further funding this year as it provides the opportunity to build on the early success
of hotspot policing and ensure that the public continue to see more police on the streets.”
Community engagement is a key part of hotspot policing to increase public reassurance. Since May 2024, more than 93,000 members of the public have been engaged with during a hotspot patrol and more than 40,000 premises visits.
Businesses and residents have felt an increased uniformed presence and reported feeling safer as a result.
A multi-agency approach has been vital in the success of hotspot policing. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has worked closely with Devon & Cornwall Police, local authorities, business improvement districts and other local partners.
The street marshals and neighbourhood policing teams have carried out joint patrols and also shared intelligence. This has been made possible as a result of the street marshals receiving training and accreditation through the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS).
CSAS grants street marshals limited policing powers to enhance their ability to address ASB.
The accreditation underpins the commitment to collaborative working, allowing partners and police to work together more efficiently to create safer communities.
In addition to reducing ASB and serious violence, cutting knife crime in half is a new objective for the initiative.
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, will continue to match fund street marshal patrols.
Commissioner Hernandez said: “Hotspot policing is delivering exactly what our communities have told us they want - more visible patrols, proactive policing and real action to tackle antisocial behaviour.
“The success of hotspot policing really highlights the power of partnership working. With the police, street marshals and local authorities all working together, we’re creating a more coordinated, community-led approach to public safety.” Hotspot policing forms part of a wider Street Focus project, aimed at creating safer city and town centres. For more information visit www.streetfocus.co.uk
First of 50 electric buses arrive in Plymouth
The first of 50 zero-emission electric double-decker buses have now arrived in Plymouth, marking a major shift toward cleaner, more sustainable public transport.
The buses are part of a transformative project led by Plymouth Citybus, part of the GoAhead Group, in partnership with Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council, and the Department for Transport. The initiative will replace almost half of the Plymouth Citybus fleet with brand-new electric vehicles.
The first bus arrived in April and deliveries have continued steadily since then, with more due over the coming weeks, prior to the buses entering service this summer.
The electric buses will operate on Plymouth routes 21/A, 42, and 50/51, with six vehicles also serving the Rame Peninsula in Cornwall on route 70. The full fleet of 50 buses is scheduled to be on the road by the end of the year.
To support the electric buses infrastructure work is progressing
rapidly and the transformation of the Milehouse depot into a state-of-theart hub for charging and maintaining the electric fleet is on track for completion this summer, thanks to the investment by the project partners.
The project is being primarily funded by Plymouth Citybus contributing £19.6 million, supported by a £10.34 million grant from the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Area Fund, with additional contributions of £1.94 million from Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council.
Richard Stevens, managing
director of Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus said: “The arrival of our first electric buses marks a huge step forward, not just for Plymouth Citybus but for the city as a whole. Our team is thrilled to be part of this positive change, and we are fully committed to building a greener transport network for generations to come.”
The new buses will bear a livery showcasing their green credentials and recognising the partnersinvestment.
They are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 79,914 tonnes over their lifetime, as well as
reducing nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions by 28 tonnes, and PM (particulate matter) 2.5 emissions by one tonne.
Councillor Mark Coker, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Plymouth’s first electric buses and to be supporting the establishment of Milehouse as an electric bus depot.
“This is a major milestone and demonstrates the commitment of all the project partners – and wider enhanced partnership – to delivering better bus services for the city. I look forward to seeing the new buses out on the road and passengers enjoying the more accessible space and journey information they offer.”
The buses are not only green; they also deliver significant improvements to accessibility, including additional space to accommodate a second wheelchair user or multiple unfolded pushchairs or prams, alongside the mandatory wheelchair space. The new buses also feature audio-visual announcements to provide clear information on routes and upcoming stops.
Royal William Yard calls on community to help shape ‘200 Stories’ celebration
Plymouth’s Royal William Yard is marking its 200th anniversary in 2025 – and is calling on the public to help shape the celebrations.
A new campaign, 200 Stories, has launched to gather memories, photographs, documents, artwork and artifacts that reflect the Yard’s rich and varied history.
The aim is to collect 200 contributions from the community, which will form the basis of two major bicentennial initiatives: a summer History Trail and an autumn 200 Exhibition.
The campaign invites individuals, families, and organisations with a connection to or interest in the site – whether through its Naval past, regeneration journey, or more recent life as a cultural and community destination – to get involved.
A proud past
Built in 1825 and designed by legendary British engineer Sir John Rennie, Royal William Yard is one of Britain’s most important groups of historic military buildings and Europe’s largest collection of Grade I Listed military buildings. Once a bustling victualling facility that produced food, drink, and supplies for Naval fleets, it now stands as a vibrant community hub attracting a vast volume of visitors.
Named after the last Lord High Admiral, King William IV, Royal William Yard served as a vital Royal Navy victualling facility from 1825, helping to keep Britain’s naval fleet supplied for over a century.
After closing in the 1980s, it fell into disrepair until Urban Splash began its award-winning regeneration in 2004. Today, it’s a thriving mixeduse destination featuring restaurants, bars, retailers, art galleries, offices, and residential spaces, while preserving its important architectural and historical heritage. Royal William Yard has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades – and this year offers the opportunity to celebrate and remember all that has gone before.
Celebrating 200 Years
The 200 Stories campaign is about uncovering the human connections to the site, as well as uncovering the hidden histories and experiences
that have shaped this special part of Plymouth over two centuries. The campaign seeks to gather 200 unique contributions from the public, including:
• Personal memories and anecdotes
• Photographs and images
• Artifacts related to the Yard’s history
• Artwork inspired by Royal William Yard
• Family connections to the site’s Naval past
• Professional documents from Yard workers.
All contributions will form part of two major bicentennial projects:
History Trail: Launching this summer, this free tour throughout Royal William Yard will be an interactive trail, connecting visitors to a wealth of digital content, videos and audio. Take a trip through archives, plans, pictures and stories that bring the past alive in a unique way.
200 Exhibition: Taking place this autumn, this curated exhibition at Royal William Yard will showcase original artifacts, historical documents, images and art, sourced from The National Archives, Devonport Naval Heritage Centre,
Hundreds of military families in Plymouth to benefit from new Consumer Charter
Over 900 families in military housing in Plymouth and the surrounding area are set to benefit from a new Consumer Charter, with Defence Secretary John Healey promising to ‘stop the rot’ in military housing.
The Labour Government has brought 36,000 military homes back into public ownership, in a landmark deal completed in January this year. It reverses a 1996 sale described by the Public Accounts Committee as ‘disastrous’ saving the taxpayer £600,000 per day by eliminating rental payments to a private company. A total of 485 military family homes in Plymouth Moor View were brought back into public ownership in January 2025, as well as 420 in South West Devon and 34 in Plymouth Sutton and Devonport. Across the South West, a total of 9,354 military homes were brought back into public ownership in January this year.
Plymouth MPs Fred Thomas and Luke Pollard have welcomed the new Charter, which will introduce basic consumer rights for forces families – from essential property information and predictable property standards, to access to a new robust complaints system. These will be underpinned by new, published satisfaction figures, putting forces families front and centre.
The Labour Government’s Defence Housing Strategy, to be published later this year, will set out further plans to improve the standard of service family homes.
Luke Pollard MP, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “Our Armed Forces and their families deserve to live in homes fit for heroes.
“We inherited an awful picture from the last government, with military families having to endure leaky roofs, broken boilers and mouldy bedrooms.
local historians and more. This will sit alongside the content gathered through the 200 Stories campaign. Uncovering hidden history
Both the trail and exhibition will showcase historical insights uncovered during the Yard’s restoration (like the story of the Brewhouse built to fulfil the Navy’s beer ration, which was abolished just as construction finished!), plans and drawings by engineering legend Sir John Rennie, and an array of fascinating facts, discoveries and artifacts. Much of this collection will be on display to the public for the first time, all housed together within Royal William Yard itself.
Anyone with a story to tell or material to share should email 200@royalwilliamyard.com All contributions will be collected over the coming months, shared on a dedicated website, and incorporated into the History Trail and 200 Years Exhibition. For more information and to stay updated on bicentennial events throughout 2025, visit www.royalwilliamyard.com/200
“This government promised to make it a priority to fix defence housing and that’s exactly what we are doing. By bringing 36,000 military homes back into public ownership, we’ve already taken greater control to drive up standards.”
Fred Thomas MP, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View, said: “Many military homes in Plymouth and across the country are in an unacceptable condition. I see it when I knock on doors and speak to folk in Plymouth.
“We have brought almost 500 military homes in my patch back into public ownership and we’re expanding rights for military personnel and their families to ensure they are living in homes that they deserve.
“This Labour government values our armed forces, their families and the commitment they show to our country. The least we can do is ensure they have safe, clean and secure homes and that’s exactly what we are doing.”
Plymouth Proprietary Library,
© Alamy Stock Photo
© Urban Splash
Young people benefit from King’s Trust Get Started with Boxing
A group of young people from Plymouth have transformed their confidence and aspirations through The King’s Trust Get Started with Boxing programme.
Held over one week recently at Mythic Martial Arts, the initiative was designed for those not in work, education, or training. It combined kickboxing, fitness training, and self-defence classes with workshops on money management, nutrition, and mental health, equipping participants with skills to pursue employment and training opportunities.
Hosted at Mythic Martial Arts, the Plymouth-based martial arts school offering Taekwondo, Kickboxing, and Karate, the programme provided a welcoming environment for young people to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. Participants formed new friendships, re-engaged with fitness, and gained practical life skills, inspiring them to take bold steps toward their future.
Corey, a participant, shared: “After not working for a few months my confidence was a bit low. The course has helped me grow in confidence and I have a bit more belief in myself that I can do certain things. I’m looking forward to working on my future goals – like finding a job.”
The programme aligns with findings from The King’s Trust TK Maxx Youth Index 2025, which revealed that 50 per cent of young people in the South West feel anxious about their future daily, and 52 per cent are concerned about lacking the skills or experience for their desired careers. Get Started programmes offer practical support to address these challenges, helping young people build confidence and access opportunities.
Karl Culleton, head of delivery for The King’s Trust in the South West, said: “Programmes like Get Started with Boxing are vital for equipping young people with the skills and confidence to live, learn, and earn. Without urgent action, we risk a generation feeling locked out of their potential. We’re proud to work with Mythic Martial Arts to support Plymouth’s young people.”
To learn more or support future programmes in Plymouth, visit www. kingstrust.org.uk.
Work of student film-makers to be showcased at More to Sea festival
Student filmmakers from across the South West and beyond are being invited to submit work for the second annual More to Sea festival, a one-day celebration of emerging talent taking place in June at Plymouth Arts Cinema, hosted by Arts University Plymouth.
Part of the university’s commitment to platforming new voices and practice-led creative education, More to Sea is free to enter and open to sixth-formers, college students, undergraduates, and recent graduates (up to two years after graduation).
All selected films will be screened in a professional cinema environment, with separate award categories for Sixth Form/Pre-Degree, Undergraduate and Postgraduate entrants. Organisers are casting the net wide. Submissions are welcomed across all genres and formats, including narrative films, animation, documentaries, music videos, journalism, commercials, branded and short-form content, and any other moving image work created as part of their journey as a student media-maker.
Plymouth family-run company GHQ, is celebrating 25 years located in its prime city centre location.
The company marked the millennium in 2000 with the expansion of the training arm of their business into the location in Whimple Street at the top of Royal Parade.
Fast forward a quarter of a century and managing director Jean Rogers and her team are always looking for ways to build on their success.
“We have the flexibility to respond quickly to business and learner needs,” said Jean. “We are so proud to have worked with small, large and international brands with their staff development, creating bespoke business packages fit for the 21st century.”
Wellbeing champions, GHQ recently achieved a Good rating from Ofsted. Inspectors said: “Learners feel welcome and cared for by training staff. Learners enjoy their studies and look forward to attending the training centres, where they study in a very supportive environment.”
Having recently won a contract with Plymouth City Council, GHQ lead the way in providing wrap-around training for Plymouth schools, nurseries and child minders. Pennycross school headteacher Stuart Tulloch-Thomas said: “The training provided by Jean and the team from GHQ was exceptional. The Pennycross staff are
“More to Sea is all about giving emerging filmmakers the space to experiment and be seen,” said Dr Dom Deane, lecturer in Film & Screen Arts at Arts University Plymouth. “We’re calling for work across all genres – narrative films, music videos, branded content, documentaries, experimental shorts – because our goal is to celebrate the full spectrum of student creativity.
“Whether you’re in sixth form or recently graduated, this is a chance to put your ideas on the big screen, connect with others who love film, and be part of a growing creative community in the South West.”
GHQ Training celebrates 25 years based in Plymouth City Centre FareShare South West appeal for help to find bigger warehouse
FareShare South West, the charity that redistributes food to people in need, recently gathered over 120 of Devon and Cornwall’s political leaders, business innovators, food suppliers, charities and educators for its Spring Summit at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park Stadium.
The event showcased the power of collaboration in tackling hunger and food waste in the South West and announced an urgent appeal for a larger warehouse in Plymouth. The charity has outgrown its current facility and can no longer accommodate additional cold storage, packing lines or the expanding volunteer teams that are critical to the charity’s mission, and needs larger premises in place by autumn 2025 to sustain its much needed expanding operations.
Guests at the Plymouth summit heard from Lucy Bearn, chief executive of FareShare South West, on the charity’s rapid growth and the challenges of scaling food rescue operations across the region.
Lucy said: “Our current warehouse is simply bursting at the seams. Securing a new, larger facility is essential, not just for space, but to ensure that all surplus food we rescue can reach those who need it most.
“The fact is that we are living in a broken food system. There are so many reasons that food goes to waste including seasonal glut, labelling issues, food that
now delivering high quality care.”
GHQ specialises in education and training courses, as well as child care and teaching assistant training.
Along with many other training opportunities, with funding available for various courses, GHQ continues to deliver high quality hairdressing, barbering, beauty, nails and make up courses. Circus, The Hair Bar and the new REV salon are just a few of the many successful private salons whose creative owners trained with GHQ.
With so much to celebrate, GHQ will open their doors on June 25 between 10.30am and 3.30pm to give the next generation of learners a first-hand opportunity to see how GHQ can help them. The open day will feature demonstrations, refreshments, a chance to win reduced-price training courses and the opportunity to meet staff and chat to former students from as far afield as Holland.
Visit www.ghqtraining.co.uk for more information.
has too short a date to go to the retailers and out-of-season packaging.
“New legislation in March this year means that businesses in England must dispose of their food waste separate from other waste. This is obviously great, but still there is 4.6 million tonnes of goodto-eat food that is going to waste just in the UK. That is the equivalent of 10 billion meals.”
She added: “For many people they do not have reliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Healthy food is twice as expensive per calorie as unhealthy choices.”
Luke Pollard MP for Plymouth Sutton & Devonport and Minister for the Armed Forces attended the Spring Summit. He highlighted the concerning rise in the need for food banks, the importance of securing the charity a bigger warehouse and additional delivery vans so it can better distribute food across the region,
and appealed to attendees to encourage more people to get involved to work towards ending food poverty.
He also stressed how tackling the problem requires action on difficult long term structural problems around wages, housing costs and food availability.
FareShare South West acts as a bridge between food waste and hunger, empowering communities to turn an environmental problem into lasting social good. Since opening its doors in 2018, the organisation has tripled its food rescue volume, with demand from frontline charities growing year-on-year.
FareShare South West is calling on businesses to lend support whether its through volunteering, corporate partnerships, financial donations, pro bono expertise or help sourcing new premises. For further information visit www.faresharesouthwest.org.uk
The one-day festival takes place on Thursday June 12 at Plymouth Arts Cinema.
FareShare South West (from left) Andy Street, chair of trustees; Shelley Wright, director of Partnerships and Business Development; Lucy Bearn, CEO and Josie Forsyth, deputy CEO Photo: Russell Abrahams
Members of the GHQ Training team outside their city centre base
City’s super slimmers raise £75,000 for Cancer Research
Slimming World members in Plymouth have raised £75,000 for Cancer Research UK by donating the clothes they’ve slimmed out of to the charity’s shops.
The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw with Cancer Research UK is an annual event that takes place in Slimming World groups across the UK. It sees members donating good quality clothes, shoes, and accessories that no longer fit – and they’re confident they will never need again.
Slimming World groups across Plymouth, collected 2,508 bags to help support lifesaving research.
Slimming World team developer Lauren Derbyshire, who runs the Ford Saturday morning group, said she’s proud of how the city’s members came together to support the charity, as well as to celebrate how far they’ve come on their own weight loss journeys.
Lauren said: “It’s always a pleasure to see the excitement in groups when The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw comes around! When you’re losing weight, it can be easy to focus on the number on the scales without realising how many non-scale victories are happening in the background, like our changing clothes sizes and body shapes.
“This event celebrates those victories as it is all about members donating their old wardrobe while raising money for an important cause. It makes me so happy to see my membersconfidence grow as they commit to donating their larger clothes knowing they will never need them again, because they’ve made healthy changes they can maintain for life!”
As well as raising funds for Cancer Research UK, the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw raises awareness of how maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer. Overweight and obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK - causing more than one in 20 cancer cases.
Lauren added: “Being overweight doesn’t necessarily mean that a person will develop cancer, but we know that losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent a number of health conditions, including some types of cancer. I’m proud to host The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw at my Slimming World group to help Cancer Research UK continue its vital work.”
Over the years, Slimming World has raised more than £25 million for Cancer Research UK through a variety of campaigns including The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw and supporting the charity’s Race for Life event series.
Last year, Slimming World members, consultants and head office staff raised £2.9m for Cancer Research UK through The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw and are aiming to make this year even bigger and better.
Lauren’s Ford Slimming World group is held at Wolseley Trust Community Centre, every Saturday at 7.30am, 9am, and 10.30am. For more information or to join Lauren’s group or any other group in Plymouth, call Lauren on 07494 754493 or visit www. slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.
New pitches open at Stoke Damerel
Pupils and residents have been celebrating the opening of Plymouth’s newest community sports facility.
As part of the city’s ongoing investment in sports facilities, the three multi-surfaced pitches Stoke Damerel Community College will provide space for several different sports.
The new facilities include a brand new, 2G sand pitch, which whilst primarily suitable for hockey, is a multi-sports surface and can be used for a number of other activities.
Also completed is a smaller 3G pitch, specifically targeted at football and rugby use, which has been supported by a £250,000 grant from the Premier League, the Football Association and the Football Foundation.
Other project funders include the council, Stoke Damerel Community College and the Greenshaw Learning Trust. The project has also received support from Devon Football Association.
A renovation and upgrade of and existing grass pitch, is also part of the works and will open next year.
The new additions will be for both school and community use with modern flood lighting to ensure that they can be used all year round.
The plans complement the work already underway to transform the former Brickfields Sports Centre into a new community wellbeing hub and pitches that are operated by the Argyle Community Trust.
Councillor Sue Dann,
Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport,
Public views sought on Manadon Interchange improvement plans
Residents, businesses, schools and community groups are being asked for their views on the future of Manadon Roundabout.
The scheme, which is being funded in the most part by the Department of Transport, was given the green light earlier this year.
Plans revealed show a new initial design, with extra capacity on the entrances to the roundabout, as well as new bus priority and improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.
Information events will take place on: Wednesday June 4, 5.30pm to 7pm, Manadon Sports Hub; Friday June 20, 4.30pm to 6pm, Manadon Sports Hub and Saturday June 21, 10.30am to 12.30pm, Central Library.
The transformation of under-used green space off Treveneague Gardens into a new park with footpaths, biodiversity enhancements and recreational space for local residents is also in the plans.
A six-week engagement exercise called ‘Keep Manadon Moving’ will allow residents to have their say on the plans through a number of channels and help shape the final design of the scheme.
Leisure and HR, said: “I’m so proud of this fantastic new facility which I know is going to be well used by students and the community alike and aligns with our priority of to improve health outcomes.
“These pitches are just part of the overall Brickfield masterplan which has given us a once-in-a-generation chance to revamp grassroots sports facilities in Plymouth, allowing a positive life-long impact on active health and wellbeing.
“I’d like to thank Stoke Damerel staff and students for their cooperation in the project, both in the planning and during construction and also the Football Foundation, whose funding has been so crucial.”
Anita Frier, Principal of Stoke Damerel Community College, said: “These improvements are significant for the long-term ambitions of the college, allowing us to expand and develop the PE offering both for students as well as local primary schools.
“Having been without on-site sporting facilities for six months, being able to have all-weather facilities will mean uninterrupted sporting activities for students and community all year.”
Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.”
Booking enquiries for the new pitches can be made by emailing communitysports@sdcc.net
Manadon Roundabout is at the heart of Plymouth’s transport network. It connects people to their jobs, families, schools and the hospital. It’s also a key gateway to the A38, Tavistock Road and the city centre, linking our community with Devon, Cornwall and the wider UK.
Motorists frequently experience long queues at peak times, unpredictable delays, safety risks and unreliable travel.
If nothing is done, congestion will worsen as the city continues to grow, queues will extend dangerously onto the A38, and access to key places like Derriford Hospital, Plymouth Argyle matches and the dockyard will be harder than ever. Here’s what’s being proposed to fix it:
• A38 eastbound off-slip widening – expanding to four lanes, increasing capacity and easing traffic entering Manadon Roundabout
• A38 westbound off-slip widening – creating an extra lane to increase capacity and improve safety
• A386 Tavistock Road northbound improvements – a new traffic lane heading north, removing the existing merge to improve flow
• A386 Tavistock Road southbound improvements – a new lane to reduce bottlenecks onto the roundabout
• New signalised junction at Southwell Road to improve access
• A386 Outland Road improvements – an additional lane on the approach to the roundabout to increase capacity
• Mannamead Road – new bus priority lane northbound
• New cycle bridge across the A38 at Manadon – connecting north and south
• Replacement of the existing pedestrian bridge over the A386 Tavistock Road making it fully accessible for all users
• Improved footbridge over the A38 to the west of Manadon
• New pedestrian crossing at Southwell Road with safer access for residents
• New woodland pathways – linking green spaces with the road network. Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We must improve Manadon, not just for reliability and efficiency today, but also for the future and we’re determined to get it right.
“At the basis of this will be robust and meaningful engagement across a number of channels, not just with residents, but across a broad demographic of business and organisations.”
Have your say on the bid to Keep Manadon Moving at: www.keepmanadonmoving.commonplace.is
Super Slimming World slimmers with just some of the 2,500 bags of clothes collected for charity
New Lord Mayor and Deputy announced for year ahead
Councillor Kathy Watkin has been elected as Lord Mayor of Plymouth, with Councillor Chip Tofan as the new Deputy Lord Mayor for the coming year.
They were both elected at the annual meeting in May. Councillor Watkin trained and worked as a speech and language therapist before training as a solicitor.
The Lord Mayor and Consort
Kathy
and Alderman Dr John Mahony
Blue plaque unveiled on former home of Argyle legend Jack Leslie
A blue plaque celebrating the life and achievements of Jack Leslie has been unveiled in a special ceremony in Plymouth
The plaque, located at 8 Glendower Road, Peverell where he lived with his wife and daughter at the peak of his footballing career, was unveiled by Historic England’s chief executive Duncan Wilson and Jack Leslie’s granddaughters Lesley Hiscott, Gillian Carter and Lyn Davies.
It was in October 1925 – nearly 100 years ago – that Jack Leslie became the first Black footballer to receive a call-up as a reserve for the England squad.
Kathy worked in the legal sector in two well known firms in Plymouth and as a registered sole practitioner in her own practice for 13 years prior to retirement.
She has served on various committees including Licensing, Corporate Parenting, Mount Edgcumbe, Planning and has been the vice chair for the Health Scrutiny Committee and Health and Wellbeing board. In 2023 she was elected as Deputy Lord Mayor.
She said: “What a privilege it is to be elected as Lord Mayor, I am really looking forward to the coming year, meeting all the different communities in Plymouth and engaging with them.
“I want to thank my fellow councillors for choosing me as their next Lord Mayor for the year.”
Councillor Chip Tofan was born in Romania, graduating from Iasi Gheorghe Ashachi University, with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and now runs his own business providing consultancy services.
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Chip Tofan
Though this honour was rescinded shortly afterwards, it is thought on the grounds of racial prejudice, Jack’s resilience in continuing to excel at Plymouth Argyle and his significance in the history of English football has more recently been acknowledged and celebrated.
He was an inspirational footballer who achieved great success playing for Plymouth Argyle from 1921 until 1935. He developed a strong partnership with fellow player Sammy Black, which was instrumental in propelling Plymouth Argyle towards its highest-ever standing in the English Football League. In 1932 he led Plymouth Argyle to the fourth spot in the Second Division - a record that has never been equalled.
In March 1928, Jack was given the captain’s armband in an away match against Norwich. This was a significant moment in football history, for Leslie was the first Black player to captain an English Football League team. He rarely missed a game and was joint top scorer in the 192829 season with 22 goals.
took on the tenancy of a pub in Truro, before moving with his family to East London.
have happened.’ The FA stated that ‘he faced adversity because of the colour of his skin, and was deselected and never played for his country and that the posthumous cap recognised Jack’s ‘career, his contribution to our game and wider society, and to right this historical wrong.’
In the same year the statue of Jack Leslie was unveiled in an emotional ceremony at Home Park. The statue was the brainchild of Matt Tiller and Greg Foxsmith, co-founders of the Jack Leslie Campaign which raised £140,000 to fund the statue.
They said: “100 years ago Plymouth Argyle’s Jack Leslie was a young newlywed with the world at his feet. He walked from this house to Home Park where he was given the fantastic news that is so significant in the history of our national sport. Jack had been picked for England, the first player of colour to be selected.
“He returned to Glendower Road to share that achievement with his new wife, Win. And it was here that he would later have to deal with that dream being snatched away.
“But he bounced back helping Argyle win promotion and becoming team captain. It also became a family home after his daughter Evelyn came along in 1927. It is a wonderful moment to see Jack recognised and celebrated here with a blue plaque.”
Jack Leslie’s granddaughters Lesley Hiscott, Gillian Carter and Lyn Davies said: “We feel honoured as members of Jack’s family that a blue plaque is being unveiled in recognition of his achievements.
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Chip Tofan
Chip was first elected to Plymouth City Council in May 2022, representing Eggbuckland Ward. During his time as a councillor, Chip has been a member of different committees including Scrutiny, Licensing, Natural Infrastructure and the Growth Scrutiny Panel.
Chip said: “I am so pleased to be elected as Deputy Lord Mayor and look forward to supporting Kathy over the next year in office and working together.‚“
Jack’s final two seasons as a professional footballer were overshadowed by an injury to his eye which forced him to miss much of the 1933-34 season. He struggled to regain his old form and played his final match in April 1935.
He possessed remarkable skills as a striker which brought him a tally of 137 goals in a total of 401 appearances for the club during his career.
After his retirement from football Jack
He worked as a boilermaker, riveter and plater in the East India Docks until his retirement in 1966. At the suggestion of his daughter Evelyn, he then found a parttime job cleaning boots and sweeping terraces at West Ham United’s stadium Upton Park, near his home in East Ham.
In 1978, Leslie was interviewed by the Daily Mail and reflected on his career and the racism he encountered. In October 1982, he was honoured with a brief ceremony before the match at Upton Park to mark his retirement from the West Ham boot room.
In October 2022 the Football Association presented Jack with a posthumous cap and recognised that retraction of his call-up ‘should never
“Our grandad made a major contribution to the history of not only football but the integration of black people into our communities. He was a true trailblazer, and we will always be immensely proud of him.”
The unveiling marked the start of an eight-week public nomination period for the National Blue Plaques Scheme, with the public being invited to submit their own nominations for people they would most like to see recognised through a prestigious Historic England national blue plaque at www.historicengland.org.uk/ listing/national-blue-plaque-scheme
Blossom inspired community art project is a blooming success
Communities across Plymouth have teamed up with local creatives and artists to create blossom-inspired art.
Plymouth City Council’s Green Communities team partnered with the National Trust’s Cotehele property to offer communities in Devonport, Keyham, and around Central Park the opportunity to work with professional creatives. In total, over 250 people took part in these creative workshops, with over 20 sessions taking place across the three communities.
A community tour is taking placed in May which will see their pieces toured throughout the city and in nearby National Trust properties. This will include everything from powerful poetry to buzzing bee puppets, nature sculptures to blooming blossom prints.
The tour is taking place between May 19 and May 31 and the creative pieces will be blossoming in
Mount Wise Neighbourhood Centre in Devonport, Keyham Green Places, and the Central Park Hub, along with Cotehele, Antony and Saltram. Find out about all the events at www.greenmindsplymouth. com/events
The creatives who have been working with the communities are poet and performer Liv Torc, local storyteller and puppet maker Samantha Webb, nature artist and illustrator Devon Tipping, and printmaker, Grace Beswick.
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “I am really pleased that we can host this opportunity for members of the community to showcase their skills and the excellent work they have created as part of this initiative with the National Trust.”
The project has been funded by the National Trust’s Festival of Blossom thanks to the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Jack Leslie pictured during his Argyle years Photo: Historic England
Councillor
Watkin
University wins two top nursing training awards
The University of Plymouth has won two categories at the biggest event in student nursing education.
Plymouth won the Student Nursing Times Award for Apprenticeship Provider of the Year, and third-year student Pip Raud won Student Midwife of the Year.
Degree apprenticeships enable employees to study for a degree in a field related to their job while maintaining their employment, and the University of Plymouth was hailed as a ‘shining example’ of delivering this successfully in nursing.
The judges said: “This passionate and dedicated team truly championed the life-changing potential of the apprenticeship route. Their inclusive approach to learning ensures that everyone has the opportunity to engage, thrive, and succeed. The judges were particularly impressed by the innovation woven throughout the curriculum and the powerful, real-world impact –transforming not only the lives of learners but also enriching the wider service user and carer community. A shining example of apprenticeships at their very best.”
Caroline Jamison, associate professor of Nursing and Academic Lead for Apprenticeships, said: “Having been shortlisted for the inaugural award last year, we’re delighted to have gone one further and won this year.
“What we do is a real team effort, as our apprenticeship programme leads and academic teaching teams work collaboratively with professional services colleagues and the university’s central apprenticeship hub across our pre registration and post registration apprenticeship programmes.
“Our work is focused on meeting the needs of our apprentices, employers, stakeholders and ultimately patients and service users in the South West and beyond, so we’re very much celebrating this award with everyone involved.”
Student Midwife of the Year Pip Raud embarked on a career in midwifery after personal experience ignited a passion in the health sector.
Pip, who has two teenage children, became a professional sailor in her teens and pursued a degree combining water sports and business, while balancing her sailing passion.
She had been diagnosed with severe endometriosis in her teens and was told that she would be unlikely to have children. However, she and her husband had a son and daughter in her early twenties although she required additional care during pregnancy and lots of visits to hospital.
Pip said: “It was during that time, when I received incredible care from midwives and other professionals, that something in my core ignited, and I couldn’t really quieten it down.”
With two young children, and her health in mind, Pip decided to move away from the physical demands of sailing to a career in photography.
She said: “Photography was great, but I always remembered the incredible care I’d
received when pregnant, and maintained this passion for midwifery. I found myself looking through the textbooks I’d accumulated for fun, but I was at a stage of life where I felt it was a nice idea rather than a reality.”
Then, in 2019, Pip’s health issues returned, and she had to have a hysterectomy. While naturally concerned, she again was inspired by the care of the health professionals she met.
“The whole team was amazing, but there was one particular consultant who looked after me and gave me incredible care. I was feeling low but reflecting on his support, I thought ‘I want to be this for other people’, and knew healthcare was my calling.”
A few short months later, the Covid pandemic hit – and the combination of events acted as a catalyst to re-evaluate her career path.
She was approaching 40 when she decided to look at studying midwifery at the University of Plymouth.
“What really appealed was the blended learning option – where some of the theoretical teaching is delivered online to make learning more accessible – and the fact that having an existing degree made me eligible to achieve a masters in three years, rather than four.
Nearing the end of her three-year masters, Pip received a surprise email saying she had been shortlisted for the
The team from Pioneers Project work wilth all ages
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Student Nursing Times Awards.
Pip said of her win: “It’s the biggest surprise but I’m so grateful and absolutely delighted. I took the leap back into study and there were lots of unknowns for me, but thanks to support from my family, the university and placement providers, I know I absolutely made the right decision.”
Deeply impressed
The judges said: “We were deeply impressed by Pip Raud’s outstanding clinical knowledge and skill – particularly in antenatal care and the induction of labour. Compassionate, reflective, and driven by a desire to continually improve, Pip places those in her care firmly at the centre of her practice. Service user feedback highlighted her empathy and the positive, person-centred experiences she creates.
“Pip showed remarkable courage in navigating challenging situations, always prioritising safety and family wellbeing. Her ability to bridge the gap between research and practice, combined with exceptional interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach within multidisciplinary teams, sets her apart.
“The profession is truly fortunate to welcome such a dedicated and visionary midwife. The judges congratulate Pip and wish her every success in the journey ahead.”
One of its standout initiatives is the Men’s Project, which is revitalising the disused railway platform at Victoria Road. This project goes beyond gardening – it’s a space for transformation, collaboration, and support.
Men of all ages come together to plant, landscape, and maintain the area, fostering purpose and achievement. Beyond the physical transformation, the project supports mental and emotional well-being, offering a safe space to share experiences and build connections.
The Men’s Project is part of The Pioneers Project’s broader efforts to address local needs which also include:
Revitalising a disused railway platform at Victoria Road is one of the
• Health and Wellbeing Programmess: Initiatives such as mindfulness exercises and outdoor learning at the Forest School promote physical and mental health
• Community Café and Food Larder: Café Connect reduces isolation, bridges generations, and combats food poverty by redistributing surplus food.
• Community Allotments: Residents transform unused spaces into thriving gardens, fostering sustainability and connection.
The organisation’s vision extends to the Bull Point Barracks Community Hub, a future multi-purpose space that will serve as a cornerstone for community activities and services.
For more information about the Pioneers Project visit www. thepioneersproject.co.uk or call 01752 916016.
Members of the University of Plymouth nursing apprenticeships team at the awards ceremony
Student Midwife of the Year Pip Raud
Pioneerers Project schemes
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City families welcome visitors from French twin town
Nearly 30 visitors from Plymouth’s twin town of Brest in France spent a busy weekend in the city in May.
The party arrived on the evening ferry from Roscoff on May 8 to stay with their Plymouth host families for the annual visit.
Some of them went straight to The Hoe where they caught the end of the 80th VE Day celebrations and then continued to the Artillery Arms in Stonehouse where there was beer and cakes, and a musical session!
On Friday morning some of the group visited the Lord Mayor’s Parlour for the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor, then in the afternoon took part in various activities with their host families, including a guided tour of The Box museum, visits to Looe, Delamore Gardens, Mount Edgecumbe, Tavistock Pannier Market, Totnes Market, the Market Hall in Devonport and the Hurlers stones on Bodmin Moor.
Friday night was spent at Stoke Damerel Church where a meal for 60 people was enjoyed along with entertainment by Plymouth Morris Men, followed by Breton band Bepsort and local musicians.
The group enjoyed much country dancing and singing.
On Saturday everybody came together for a coach trip to Exeter, where a guided tour of the Cathedral caught the visitors’ imagination followed by a picnic lunch on the close outside, and then a quick tour of the City centre’s pubs. In the afternoon a boat trip down the canal had been organised with a fascinating commentary from the boat owners about Exeter’s history and the canal. Finally, after returning to Plymouth the visitors
and their hosts enjoyed a free evening and a visit to the Barbican. Drinks at the Dolphin and fish and chips were consumed and the guests were astonished at the lack of inhibitions and warm clothing, of the local young people who were having a blast!
Unfortunately the Petanque competition at Devonport Park was rained off on Sunday morning, however the weather improved and other activities took place, until 8.30pm when the guests were taken back to the newly refurbished ferryport for their overnight ferry home.
The hosts then staggered home for a well deserved rest!
Outdoor pools open in time for Bank Holiday weekend
Tinside Lido and Mount Wise Swimming Pools and Tinside Lido were set to welcome their first visitors of the season over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Both pools will be open every day from midday to 6pm during term time and 10am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and during school holidays.
Mount Wise, which features a 25-metre main pool, fun pool and children’s paddling pool and offers fantastic views across the River Tamar, will remain free of charge. Entry to the Grade II listed Tinside lido on Plymouth Hoe, overlooking Plymouth’s spectacular seafront, costs £6.30 for Plymouth residents and £10 for non-residents,
with concessionary rates for children, people aged 67 and over, anyone in receipt of benefits, NHS blue light staff and armed forces and exarmed forces personnel. Under-fives go free.
Mount Wise will be hosting free youth night swims from 6pm to 7.30pm every Thursday and Tinside will also be hosting youth nights and Swim Safe sessions over the summer.
The longest day of the year will be celebrated with a refreshing sunrise dip at Tinside’s Summer Solstice Swim at 4.45am on Saturday June 21.
Visitors to Tinside are reminded that refurbishment works to create exciting new facilities are still ongoing. Visit www. plymouthactive.co.uk for more details.
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Royal Navy’s first uncrewed submarine unveiled in Devonport
The Royal Navy has unveiled its first uncrewed submarine – paving the way for how the UK could operate in the underwater battlespace.
The 12 metre long experimental vessel, displacing 19 tonnes and at two metres across, is the culmination of the three-year long Project Cetus, and the largest uncrewed underwater vessel trialled by the navy to date.
It was formally unveiled and named Excalibur at Devonport Naval base in front of 200 guests and VIPs including Rear Admiral James Parkin, Navy Director Develop.
Over the next two years, Excalibur will carry out extensive sea trials, helping to accelerate the Royal Navy’s use of advanced technologies.
It will help develop a better understanding of the unique challenges that come with operating uncrewed vessels of this size – with the aim of future vessels working alongside crewed platforms. The trials and testing will contribute significantly to the Royal Navy’s constant efforts to remain ahead of potential foes beneath the waves, safeguarding key infrastructure, protecting British and allied ships and submarines and gathering intelligence.
The crewless craft was built by Plymouth-based MSubs, who specialise in automated submersibles.
Commodore Marcus Rose, deputy director Underwater Battlespace Capability, said: “The naming of Excalibur is a significant milestone for the Royal Navy and the upcoming sea trials will allow us to rapidly develop our understanding of operating uncrewed vessels of this size underwater.
“The lessons learnt from this exciting programme will build on our experience from existing programmes, such as the Mine Hunting Capability programme, to inform more extensive use of these technologies in a mixed force of crewed and uncrewed systems.
“Successful delivery of this programme is testament to what can be achieved in collaboration with our industrial partners.”
Officially classified as an Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vessel or XLUUV, Excalibur will join the recently created Fleet Experimentation Squadron. Sitting under the Disruptive Capabilities and
Technologies Office, it will join surface ship
XV Patrick Blackett which already sits within the squadron.
It will serve as the testbed for leadingedge maritime technology, both exploiting the natural Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and stealth aspects of the XLUUV, alongside its ability to carry bespoke payloads.
As a demonstrator, the vessel will not perform operational duties but will shape future concepts.
Since being delivered to the Royal Navy
Rear Admiral Parkin added: “This is an exciting day for the Royal Navy, the UK Armed Forces, and my team in particular as today marks the moment at which we take ownership of this superb vessel for the first time.“In our journey towards autonomy and mass, it is vital we learn by doing, and Excalibur will be our mechanism for understanding the complexity and challenges of operating a future team of crewed and uncrewed vessel and systems underwater.”
Roofing
Stairlifts
earlier this year, Excalibur – named after the Arthurian legend – and an experimental highspeed submarine trialled by the Royal Navy in the 1950s and 60s – has undergone Harbour and Sea Acceptance Trials (HATs and SATs) in Devonport Naval Base.
XV Excalibur was dedicated by Honorary Captain Peaches Golding OBE CStJ RNR, the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Bristol
XV Excalibur, the Royal Navy’s first uncrewed submarine is unveiled at Devonport Naval Base
The quiet revival taking place... Experience
Something interesting and frankly unexpected appears to be happening in the UK.
According to research commissioned by the Bible Society and conducted by YouGov it appears that there is a significant increase in church attendance and especially amongst Gen Z (those people born between 1997 and 2012).
These are changing and, in many ways, challenging times. Economically there is uncertainty as well as widening wealth inequalities in many countries and a cost of living crisis affecting many.
Globally there is unrest and war in several places and we are seeing technological advancements move at a near unprecedented rate. All this leaves us at best feeling slightly uneasy and at worst struggling to cope.
That’s a gloomy picture and is admittedly only a part of the bigger global picture. . It may however be a contributory factor in why more people than at other times in recent years are seeking answers to some of life’s bigger philosophical questions.
In seeking for answers, it would appear, many are turning to Christianity.
According to the Bible Society:
The Quiet Revival shows that the most dramatic church growth is among young adults, particularly young men. In 2018, just 4 per cent of 18–24-year-olds said that they attended church at least monthly. Today, says
By Dave Simpson, Station Manager of Cross Rhythms Plymouth
The Quiet Revival, this has risen to 16 per cent, with young men increasing from 4 per cent to 21 per cent, and young women from 3 to 12 per cent.
Source: www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/ quiet-revival
What interests me about the aspect surrounding Gen Z in particular is a turning back to the faith that likely was present in their ancestors but a faith which their parents and grandparents may have turned away from.
Christianity has been the prevalent faith in the UK for centuries. One of the challenges with that is it can become something you feel connected to without ever really exploring it. Some might say ‘I’m a Chrisitan because I’m Britishor because their parents and grandparents went to church. In other words I go to church and my parents go to church because it’s the thing we all do here.
The problem comes when there is no personal engagement with God himself and a receiving of His love through Jesus. It can become a dusty old religion rather than a vibrant relationship with the God who made you.
From the 1960s onwards many in the generation of the day threw off traditions and conventions that were in place which had, in their experience at least, lost all meaning and purpose and therefore had no value.
The pervading cultural Christianity was for many one of those conventions.
A generation rose seeking what life was really all about and this gave way to huge societal shifts in culture which were embodied in many areas such as music, fashion, attitudes to sex and increasingly widespread use of ‘recreationaldrugs.
In their seeking, many could not find answers in traditional expressions of faith, and they rejected what they saw as mere ‘social norms’. The throwing off of traditional Christianity and
traditional Christian values of that time led to a secularisation of the country in the following decades and a disconnection or disbelief in a God who cares for us
Interestingly though at the heart of this search for answers, many hippies in the 60s and 70s in the western world discovered for themselves the person of Jesus and found his teachings, life, death and resurrection contained the answers they were looking for.
Now Gen Z are growing up without cultural Christianity being anywhere near as prevalent as in prior generations. They are seeking authentic answers and as a result many are finding Jesus for the first time. What about you? Are you searching for answers in life? Have you ever looked to Jesus for the answers?
Or perhaps have you turned away from Christianity because your only experience had been a dusty and pointless religion? Maybe now is the time for you to look again to Jesus. Not to how he may have been misrepresented to you but who He says He is and who He can be for you today.
Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website at www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth
Plymouth achieves Tree City of the World status with more than 35,000 trees planted across city
Plymouth has been recognised as a Tree City of the World on back of another exceptional planting season this winter.
Since November 2024, thanks in part to a major new partnership effort, there are over 35,000 new trees growing and establishing across the city.
In the city, council teams have helped to plant over 5,700 new trees of all shapes, species and sizes all over the city to further enhance the successful legacy of the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest.
Meanwhile, in addition to the trees planted in and around the city, council and Community Forest teams assisted with the planting of a vast new 30,000-strong forest on MOD land near Ernesettle.
Be it parks and open spaces, road verges, residential streets or in school grounds, council teams have been busy delivering a positive impact for people and nature across the city.
This year more than 650 standard and fruit trees have been established. Standards are large trees that at the time of planting are already six to ten feet tall with this year’s number nearly double that of 2024.
On top of the standards, a further 5,102 whips have been planted as hedgerows and high-density planting areas which will become the wildlife corridors, edible hedgerows, and wooded areas of the future. Over the course of the season teams have engaged with hundreds of people of all ages through various community events and groups including Plymouth Tree People, Headway, Societree, and the Hoe Gardening Group, as well as through partnerships with landowners like Plymouth Community Homes and the Learning Academy Trust.
The successful season, plus ongoing work behind the scenes, has led to Plymouth being awarded the coveted status as an official Tree City of the World.
The Tree Cities of the World programme is an international effort to recognise cities and towns committed to ensuring that their urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed, and celebrated.
The status is awarded when a city can demonstrate having policies for tree management; an inventory to determine what trees it has; a budget to care for those trees; a group dedicated to the care of those trees and an annual celebration of its trees.
Plymouth was awarded the status after a joint bid between Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, the council and local charity Plymouth Tree People, in recognition of the innovative approach to bring our community forest to life.
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “Another year, another incredible amount
of trees planted across our beautiful city. Just marvellous.
“Then to be become a Tree City of the World is a real honour for our city. Since taking control in 2023, this administration has championed tree planting and the natural environment so this international recognition as a leading tree city, achieved thanks to positive collaborations with local community groups, shows just how far we’ve come.”
Penny Tarrant, Chair of Plymouth Tree People, said: “We are delighted to have worked in partnership to achieve this accolade for Plymouth. It demonstrates the commitment to, and the value in, working together.
“As a local charity, our core work is to plant, care and learn. As partners we have played our part in planting many street trees across the city, caring for trees via our broad Tree Warden network and in teaching about and celebrating trees through the Plymouth Urban Tree Festival in May.”
The prolific 2024-25 planting season means that that over 17,500 trees have been planted across more than 120 sites since 2021, when the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest was first launched.
The Defra funded Community Forest project boundary stretches from the South Devon coast, across Plymouth and right across to the rolling landscape of Dartmoor National Park.
By April 2026 a further 300 hectares will be planted creating a mosaic of orchards, hedgerows, areas of natural regeneration, native broadleaf, and productive woodland.
Unlike traditional forests, the community forest isn’t geographically restricted to one place. Instead, it encompasses a wide variety of planting styles from community accessible woodland, private woodland, highway verge planting, urban wooded areas, habitat corridors and hedgerows contributing to the wider England’s Communty Forests.
For more information about Community Forests and how to get involved visit www.psdcf.com
To contribute to the consultation on the Community Forest Plan visit www.plymouth-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/event/38334
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, written after the end of season defeat bvy Leeds United is from lifelong Argyle fan and one of the founders of Argyle Life, Sam Down So, it’s finally happened. After a valiant effort in the last few months to starve off survival, Plymouth Argyle have been relegated to League One.
What happened - and what next?
USEFUL NUMBERS
At the moment, we’re still in the processing phase. It’s raw and it’s difficult to see the club appear so fallible after years of seemingly unstoppable progress.
The last time I wrote for Chronicle readers with reports of Argyle’s progress, it was the start of March. I spoke about how ‘Muslicballhung in the balance. It was capable of brilliant defensive masterclass performances but also staleness and did not show adaptability.
I thought long and hard about how to write this article. Do we look at the story as it’s developed or do we look at what Argyle need to do? Ultimately, the two topics are opposite sides of the same coin.
Despite the gutwrenching relegation, Miron Muslic has arguably proved himself to be Argyle’s greatest asset. We might not have stayed up but we gave it a great shot. The final chapter of our Championship story is the best possible blueprint going forward.
What Happened?
Things had to get worse before they could get better. Following the euphoria of the Man City game, came two back to back fixtures where Argyle reached what was perhaps their lowest ebb.
A crunch trip to relegation rivals Hull: Argyle never got going and it was such a dismal effort that we didn’t even register a single shot until the 75th minute mark. The Greens lost 2-0 as Hull registered only their third home win of the season. The following Saturday at home to Sheffield Wednesday certainly STARTED better but we still didn’t have a shot on target after the 34th minute. A tepid 0-3 loss was only slightly less embarrassing than the 4-0 battering by the same opponents on the opening day.
Something had to change and it had to change fast. The murmuring among critical fans was that Muslicball had had its day- was useful for nothing except smash and grab wins vs superior opponents.
We were back in the doldrums again. Back where we were after the Burnley thumping where all faith seemed lost. The same problems were apparent – the inability to open teams up or to so much as tweak our playing-style.
The win that followed against Pompey couldn’t have been more crucial. It wasn’t our best performance. But it was a brilliantly worked win with a fine team goal. It was our first away win in the league all season - to paraphrase the manager after Sunderland away – ‘signs of life’.
Argyle then lost 2-3 at home to Derby the game after the international break. However, even despite the implications of that loss for our season, the performance gave us hope. Muslic re-integrated Bali Mumba into his best position of wing back and we played the better football on the day.
“I believe that Simon Hallett has done a wonderful job in raising the ceiling of this club’s potential. But the board and the CEO have serious questions to answer about the last year and a half. Hiring Miron Muslic has been about the only good decision made on the football side of the club since the end of 2023” SAM DOWN
After the international break, we knew that hope of survival were slim. It was more like an audition ultimately - for the players and maybe even for the coaching team.
What followed was a run of form tantalisingly close to great escape. The only reason we didn’t quite get there was the fact of Derby, Hull and other sides finding enough form to (once again) raise the bar to an unusually high total for survival.
I won’t break down every game in detail. But, the describe Swansea aside, almost every game was a vast improvement. While Argyle’s style was still direct, we played the ball out to wide areas to find a better outlet (rather than the first time hoof).
Whilst there still wasn’t much possession, we managed to control matches and pin teams back before opening them up with rapier-like passing moves. Three very creditable home wins against Norwich, Sheffield Utd and Coventry demonstrated the new Argyle with a swagger in their step.
The game that deserves the most credit though is the away match at Preston. In heartbreaking fashion, Argyle just found out that they’d been relegated just minutes before kick off following a late Luton goal in the early kick off to win 1-0. Argyle came out and ruthlessly dispatched of a Preston side with everything on the line for them. To respond to adversity with such a clinical and professional performance is testament to Miron Muslic’s impact and the standards he has raised since his arrival.
A creditable performance in the loss at home to Leeds closed out the season and that was that. Or was it?
What Next?
Given the gushing tones of my recent paragraphs, you might be forgiven for thinking that we are going down in a good place. Players like Ryan Hardie, Bali Mumba, Adam Randell and (especially) Mustapha Bundu are ending the season in absolutely fine settle. Muslic’s points per game record would have been enough to secure a
lower mid table finish. His record since the Match international break is even better still.
You might sense a ‘butcoming– and you’d be right to. It seems like Argyle fans can’t even have a bittersweet ending without a sting in the tail.
Miron Muslic’s recent media interviews make for concerning listening.
He’s repeatedly failed to confirm he will be here next season. In a shocking press conference just before the Leeds game, he gave a punchy response. He bemoaned the fact that the club have still not filled the vacant roles of Sporting Director or indeed Head of Recruitment.
Most importantly, he expressed his concern that key players who are either out of contract or rumoured to have relegation release clauses haven’t yet been tied down to extended contracts. It was inarguably a shot across the bow at the board of directors for what he deems to be inadequate support.
At this point, and with all due respect to the ownership who’ve worked hard to get us to this level, you have to question the common denominator. If Muslic does go (and by the time of print, he may well have done so) then it will be the third Argyle manager to think that the grass is greener on the other side since the end of 2021.
Ryan Lowe, Steven Schumacher, now Miron Muslic?
To lose one talented young coach is unfortunate, to lose two could be coincidence. To lose three – well, as the quote goes, that looks like carelessness.
I believe that Simon Hallett has done a wonderful job in raising the ceiling of this club’s potential. But the board and the CEO have serious questions to answer about the last year and a half.
Hiring Miron Muslic has been about the only good decision made on the football side of the club since the end of 2023.
I’ll be honest – I’ve not always been his biggest fan. His critics say he’s trying to manoeuvre an exit and they may well be right. That being said, we will never know whether Muslic would be more amenable to staying if the club didn’t make decisions at such a glacial pace.
As a convert to the cult of Muslic rather than a believer from the offset, my message is this. Keep this man at all costs (within reason). He’s showed himself to be an excellent coach and has acutely diagnosed many of the problems that have plagued us since Schumacher’s departure.
If there’s any way of mediating the differences, we need to do so. Get that new contract on the table and if needed, give him the title of manager rather than head coach.
He’s not perfect: many disapprove of his use of the media and compare it to the old tricks of Jose Mourinho back in the day. It may be true that he’s a Mourinho in a world that caters to Guardiolas. But he’s our Mourinho - Argyle need to take every chip they have, put it on Miron Muslic and hope for the best. I can’t think of anyone better suited to get us back up.
Head coach Miron Muslic at a recent press conference
St Luke’s launches major art trail for 2026
A spectacular lighthouse art trail is set to brighten the streets of Plymouth in 2026, uniting the community through creativity while raising muchneeded funds and awareness for the compassionate end of life services St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth provides for patients and their loved ones.
St Luke’s Guiding Lights promises to be one of Devon’s most ambitious, must-see, family-friendly events for next summer. It will run for 10 weeks, culminating in a grand auction of the striking exhibited sculptures to the highest bidders.
Following in the footsteps of the highly successful Elmer’s Big Parade back in 2019, St Luke’s is teaming up once again with expert producers Wild in Art, this time to create a trail of up to 40 distinctive eight feet tall lighthouses, each one uniquely designed and decorated by a professional or emerging artist and generously sponsored by a local business, organisation or individual.
The eye-catching artworks will be put on display in prime locations across Plymouth, creating a free, easily accessible promenade experience for adults and children of all ages, whether they already love art or are yet to discover its magical appeal, with the added bonus of prompting people to get up and get moving outdoors.
St Luke’s Guiding Lights launched
in May with a reception at the Royal William Yard’s Ocean Studios where the first lighthouses were revealed.
Renowned artist and St Luke’s patron Brian Pollard unveiled the striking Plymouth-inspired design he has painted on one of the large sculptures that will take pride of place on the trail.
Meanwhile Mrs Murals (aka Plymouth artist Ellie Johnson) offered a sneak preview of the smaller-scale lighthouse she painted in seascape style that will be on the move promoting St Luke’s Guiding Lights over the coming months.
She said: “I am so pleased and
proud to be a part of this amazing project that involves the community and celebrates art, and the most fantastic thing is being able to support such a vital local charity.”
A call has now gone out to professional and emerging artists from near and far to submit their lighthouse designs for the trail. A judging panel will select the winning entries and sponsors of each sculpture will select the design they want from the shortlist.
Chosen artists will then be commissioned to turn their visions into reality, and paid a fee, acknowledging the high quality of
designs anticipated and the work involved.
The Little Lights learner programme will engage children and young people in the project, connecting with schools and community groups across Plymouth and beyond. There will be opportunities to design and decorate one of 40 smaller scale lighthouses to be included on the trail and get involved in fundraising initiatives, as well as resources to help open appropriate conversations around death and dying.
While the main focus will be in Plymouth itself, there will also be a collection of travelling sculptures visiting the surrounding towns of Devon and Cornwall that St Luke’s services cover, such as Tavistock, Kingsbridge and Launceston.
When the trail comes to an end, the lighthouses will be gathered together for a major viewing event, followed by a high-profile, edgeof-your-seat auction night, with proceeds from the sale of the original artworks, after costs, going directly to fund St Luke’s care.
• To find out more about becoming a lighthouse sculpture sponsor, applying to submit an artist design, or to follow the progress of the event, please check out the St Luke’s Guiding Lights website www.stlukesguidinglights. com or social media channels @ stlukesguidinglights on Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram
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Artists Brian Pollard and Mrs Murals talk to Project Lead Jessica Wooller