Volunteers wanted for research study Plymouth University are recruiting local volunteers until the end of October who have access to the internet and have an e-mail address to a research study. If you want support to lose weight, or manage type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis or low mood then your GP may be able to refer you to an exercise referral scheme at Brickfields or the Life Centre. Once eligible for a referral you can contact us by e-mail or phone (see details below) to find out more and confirm if you are still interested in the study. We have recruited over 80 people so far from the following GP practices: Peverell Park, Cumberland Centre, Devonport Health Centre, Beaumont Villa, and North Road West.
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If you would like more information about the study please email e-coachersupport@ plymouth.ac.uk or call 07812 651805.
STARS shining in Stoke Local traders and residents group, Stoke Stars, are continuing to keep up the momentum after their successful fund raising recently. The groups four constitutional priorities are: • to secure and fund cctv to protect residents and traders from crime • to secure investment and develop a long term plan to upgrade and renovate the Blockhouse Park (alternatively and perhaps more romantically called Mount Pleasant Redoubt) and to preserve its historical context. • to take over maintenance of the planters in Stoke Village • to act as a liaison between residents, traders, statutory bodies and funding resources. They are delighted to announce that they have been successful in achieving two of these aims already, and are committed to lobby further on behalf of the park and the community.
) _ 6.32 mm (18pt) _ 3.91 (11pt) _ 2.42 (7pt) _ 1.49 (4pt) _ 0.92 mm (3pt)
The planters are now planted again, and the constant battle against those people who persist in dropping rubbish is being waged. The council have now agreed to the installation of another bin which will go some way to curbing the problem. Funding has been gained through Crimestoppers which has allowed for local firm, Universal Fire and Security to begin the process of installing the state of the art cameras in strategic positions to cover as much of the area as possible.
By Karen Pilkington bring perpetrators to trial – local traders had been burgled, had windows broken, and an elderly pedestrian had been robbed last year – stressing the need for better surveillance in the area. PC Blight also explained that the cameras would not just be unobtrusive but would be able to pixilate out residents’ windows and doors, and be password protected to prevent violations to individual privacy.
These will help to finalise a funding bid that will represent the views of the community and could see a substantial part of the 15 million pounds of funding the government have set aside for local community led growth come to this overlooked area.
The group have also been successful in getting a further £22,000 to refurbish the children’s play area in the Blockhouse park, work to start later this year.
Stoke Damerel School are involving their 1500 pupils and their parents with a questionaire to find out their views and ideas for improvement, and the rest of us can get involved by emailing any suggestions and thoughts to Andrew Bray at braya43@hotmail.com
With support from local MP Oliver Colville, they have also secured new signage and information boards about the Redoubt, and the two air raid shelters in the park; and begun planting a community orchard and establishing bee hotels and wildflower meadows to enhance biodiversity in the park. Stoke STARs are determined to continue to lobby for improvements to this remarkable local space, and have funded a feasibility study to look at building a new, architect designed community centre and cafe.
The funding will mean that at least six cameras will be installed and maintained, which link directly via the internet to Devonport Police Station. They can be monitored in real time and will record information and store it for up to 30 days.
The building would replace the existing community centre, run so faithfully by Pat and John Kinsman over that last 33 years, but which is in major need of bringing up to date. It would be situated on the site of the former scouts hut, which has existing access to utilities, bringing down the cost of the build.
PC James Blight said that the cameras would help the police considerably in preventing crime and providing evidence to
This relocation, and demolition of the redundant toilet block and former community centre would open up the park entrance to be
The artistic skills of a group of dedicated quilters has helped raise over £700 for charity. The Pilgrim Patchers held a display of their work at Mount Gould Methodist Church in May, raising £730 in the process which was shared between the church at Plymouth SAFFA.
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The Plymouth Shopper
The draft proposals are very much in the initial stages, and the group hope that local residents will share their ideas, and opinions as well.
A further benefit of the internet scheme is that cameras could be added to the system at later dates for just the cost of the camera, approximately £1300, to offer other areas and groups of businesses the peace of mind of this type of monitoring.
Quilters raise over £700 for charity
Come along, make it a success!
easily seen from the village and attract many more people into the park. The new sighting would mean that the centre would have access to the stunning view across the Hamoaze and could become a sought after venue for private functions and local groups, bringing in much needed funds for the work of the community centre, as well as increased footfall for local businesses.
Organiser Pat King said: “The church proved to be an excellent venue, light, bright and all on one level with the added bonus of parking and buses stopping outside..a massive thank you to all who supported us.” The next event is a Christmas craft fare on November 5. Anyone interested in booking a table can contact Pat King on 01752 240560
Or everyone is welcome to pop down to the Stoke Village Summer fair on Saturday July 2 from 1pm to 7pm in the park to meet STAR members and share their views. There will be a host of activities for all the family from football to belly dancing and art workshops, bouncy castle, nature activities, and live music and a barbecue. The event will be a great opportunity to meet more like minded people who want to make a difference in the community. If you have some spare time and key skills, the group would really like to hear from you and are particularly looking for those with expertise in accountancy, fund raising and the public sector, planning, and landscape and architectural design. The next open meeting is Thursday June 30 at the back of the Stoke Inn, 6.30pm prompt start.
Telephone scam warning
A scam phone call is doing the rounds in Plymouth. Several calls have been made by people claiming to be from Plymouth City Council and offering compensation for accidents.
The council’s Trading Standards team have received several reports of the bogus calls and are concerned that the scammers may be trying to get personal details from residents. People receiving the calls have described them as being from someone with a strong foreign accent who became aggressive when questioned. Councillor Dave Downie, Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities said: “These scammers appear to be targeting people with 01752 postcodes and are claiming to be from the city council. They are not, and if people receive one of the calls they should put the phone down, wait five minutes and then contact the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service. If people receive any suspicious call supposedly from Plymouth City Council you can contact our switchboard on 01752 668000 to verify if it is real.” If people receive scam calls they should report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03434 040506.