The Torpoint & District Chronicle December 2019

01752 929600 December 2019

@TPChronicle

Previously the

Millbrook author Jill Mercer has launched a new children’s book highlighting plastic pollution See page 2

Lest We Forget Hundreds of people turned out in Torpoint on November 10 to mark Remembrance Sunday See pages 8 and 9

A Torpoint woman has completed a gruelling Ironman event in Copenhagen - and raised £2,457 See page 11

ALSO INSIDE: • Out and About • Community Directory • House and Home

It’s a big clean up

Dozens of volunteers from Devonport Dockyard joined forces with members of Rame Peninsula Beach Clean to carry out a big clean up operation on Tregantle Beach • See story and photo on Page 12

Tel: 01752 816666

2 December 2019

Author Jill’s latest book highlights plastic pollution A new children’s book, entitled Nihplod, written by Millbrook author Jill Mercer has been launched at the Clock Tower in Kingsand.

The Clock Tower was an appropriate venue as this is where the story of Niphlod begins, with the protagonists, Imogen and Lowen heading off in their kayaks to follow the dolphins in the bay.

At the book launch on November 17, there was a great local turnout and everyone enjoyed themselves to the sounds of banjo and guitar played by Alex Richards, accompanied by the waves rolling against the rocks in the bay. A total of £141 was raised from book sales and raffle tickets that was donated to the charity, Kids Against Plastic.

‘Nihplod’ is a pacy and magical adventure story set in Cornwall with an environmental message woven into the storyline. The book is aimed at 7-11 year olds and is a great stocking filler with a good feel factor - at least 30 per cent of all books sales will be donated to environmental charities.

Jill said: “Plastics have a place, but we don’t have to wrap bananas and coconuts in it. David Attenborough’s Blue Planet series showed vividly the devastating effects plastic

Change a child’s life forever

pollution is having on sea life. When the media moves on from banging the plastic drum, Nihplod will still be there to tell the tale.”

Jill, who helps with beach cleans and last year’s survey, organised by the Rame Peninsula Beach Care has seen for herself how plastics in the seas last for years and travel miles.

Jill has been writing for about 30 years, but has only had time to concentrate fully on her writing since retiring from full time work and moving to Cornwall in 2010. Before retiring she worked in teaching print media at Lewes Tertiary College and headed several youth project for Brighton and Hove, producing teenage magazines and student guides as training programmes.

She said: “I’ve always loved Cornwall since holidaying here as a child and was thrilled with my first experience of kayaking off Kingsand when two dolphins played with us all in the bay for at least half an hour - I used this experience in the first chapter of Nihplod.”

Nihplod, with a cover price of £4.99 is available at selected book shops and venues, including The Book Store in Liskeard and the Canteen at Maker Heights, and can be ordered from any bookshop in the country.

@TPChronicle

Community fund needs support to survive

A South East Cornwall charity which provides help for people or organisations in need is now calling for help itself.

The Rame Community Fund is a charity which provides grants of up to £300 for people living in the five parishes of the Peninsula - Antony, Maker-withRame, Millbrook, Sheviock and St John.

The charity has been in existence for six years and in that time it has helped nearly two hundred residents who live on the Rame Peninsula. These residents and groups needed help to pay for goods and services which they needed, but were unable to afford.

Many local residents may never have heard of the charity - that’s mainly because applications for support are treated in the strictest confidence. It has helped people who had debt problems or needed food - as well as groups which required help with vital purchases.

The Fund has been able to pay for a cooker and new tents for 1st Millbrook Scouts; sports equipment for the Netball Club; fencing for the Crafthole playpark; training courses for Millbrook Pre-school; plumbing work for Mount Edgcumbe Youth Club; a laptop for Kingfisher Pre-school; generator power for the Harfest stages and seating for Patchwork Studios at Maker Heights.

In addition, the Trustees have been able to provide hundreds of items, up to a maximum of £300, for individual residents.

Until now the Trust’s income has been provided by the Millbrook Charity Shop, but this can no longer be relied on and if the charity is to continue its important work, the Fund will need to generate its own income.

The Rame Community Fund is looking for sources of income from any groups, organisations or individuals who feel they could make a one-off donation or a regular commitment, no matter how small, in order to keep the Rame Community Fund alive.

They will be contacting as many Community Funding Organisations as possible, but also need help from any residents who would like to contribute to the Fund, which will help those in the community experiencing hardship in times of need.

To find out how to contribute contact info@ ramecommunityfund.org.uk

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Next month’s Torpoint Chronicle Welcome to the latest edition of the Torpoint and District Chronicle, previously known as the Torpoint Advertiser.

We appreciate all the positive comments received from readers since we launched the first edition of the Torpoint Chronicle earlier this year.

We are also grateful for all the stories and photos sent to us - please be assured that we will do our very best to publish them.

Our ‘Out and About’ section with details of local events is already proving very popular - please feel free to send details if your are organising a community event.

While other local media organisations have reduced their coverage of news in South East Cornwall, we have decided to do the opposite!

As part of the development of the Torpoint and District Chronicle, we have increased distribution by an extra 1,000 homes in the local area going up from 6,500 to 7,500 letterbox deliveries.

We now deliver to homes not only in Torpoint, Millbrook, Kingsand, Cawsand, Antony and Sheviock, but now also Crafthole, Portwrinkle, Downderry and Seaton.

We believe the Chronicle offers a cost effective route to market for businesses and organisations to advertise and promote their goods and services to people living in South East Cornwall. If you would like more details of the advertising opportunities now available, please contact our sales team on the number shown below.

Meanwhile, if you have an event listing, interesting story or news item you think would be suitable for the Chronicle, please send an email to info@cornerstonevision.com.

We accept press releases in the form of text documents and images in JPG or TIFF format (high resolution please).

The January edition of the Torpoint and District Chronicle will be published on December 20 with a copy deadline of December 2 for advertising and editorial.

For more information, or to talk to one of our sales advisors, call

01752 225623 or email

info@cornerstonevision.com www.cornerstonevision.com

Providing excellent care in our residential and nursing homes Holidays and short stays

December

2019 Millbrook author Jill Mercer has launched a new children’s book highlighting plastic pollution See page 2

Previously

Lest We For

01752 9296

00

the

get

Hundreds of people turned Torpoint on out in November Remembrance 10 to mark Sunday See pages 8 and 9

A Torpoint woman has completed a gruelling Ironman event in Copenhagen - and raised £2,457 See page 11

It’s a big cle a

@TPChronicle

ALSO INSIDE

• Out and About • Community Directory • House and Home

n up

Care in your own home For more information visit ––– www.torcare.co.uk or call 01752 813677

3

Dozens of volunt eers from Devon port Dockyard members of Rame Penins joined forces ula Beach Clean with operation on to carry out Tregantle Beach a big clean up • See story and photo on Page 12

Tel: 01752

816666

:

4 December 2019

@TPChronicle

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

Cornwall Christmas Box Appeal, drop off point Until Dec 5 The Downderry and Seaton Village Hall is supporting the Cornwall Christmas Boxes appeal which aims to provide a Christmas Dinner in a box for the poorest families in Cornwall. There is a Christmas Box shopping list on the website www. downderryandseatonvillagehall.co.uk and copies in the Village Hall. Join with friends, neighbours and colleagues to fill a box together. Please then place the items in a decorated closeable cardboard box and take to the Village Hall Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm and Thursdays 2pm to 4.30pm. Ends December 5.

Bingo Dec 5 Downderry and Seaton Village Hall - Doors open 6.30pm for eyes down at 7.30pm. You know what they say ‘You have to be in it to win it’, so come and join us at our weekly bingo. The bar will be open and refreshments available.

Christmas Concert Dec 5 Ferryboat Entertainers ‘It’s Christmas’ concert at Cornerstone Church at 7.30pm. Free entry and refreshments plus grand raffle in aid of church funds.

Christmas Quiz Supper Dec 6 Downderry and Seaton Village Hall from 7.30pm to 9pm. It’s time to get your thinking caps on and enjoy a fun night with friends at the Village Hall Christmas Quiz. Teams of up to six people only and the price is £5 per person which includes a mince pie and nibbles. Tickets go on sale from November 4 from Summink Different in Downderry and the Downderry & Seaton Village Hall website at www. downderryandseatonvillagehall.co.uk Christmas Craft Fair Dec 6 Torpoint Library from 10am to 4pm. Lots of beautiful homemade crafts and food gifts. Free homemade mince pies. Go along and enjoy the festive event.

Christmas Bingo Dec 6 Polbathic Village Hall at 7.30pm. Prizes for lines and houses with a raffle. Details from Dawn Couling on 01503 230412.

Not to be missed

Plymouth Christmas Market Nov 28 to Dec 19 Pick up some individual and unique Christmas gifts at Plymouth Christmas Market, located in the heart of the city centre. Log cabins and other seasonal stalls, festooned with fairy lights, will house traders from the South West and beyond, selling everything from handmade jewellery and clothing, to artwork and homewares. For more information go to www. visitplymouth.co.uk Penguins: A LEGO® Brick Trail Nov 30 to Jan 5 The LEGO® brick penguins are returning to Plymouth The penguins are back, spreading their Christmas magic over the city! Join in the festive family fun trail and seek out all 20 life size LEGO brick penguins which will be hidden in shops and businesses around the city centre. Start your adventure to find the names of all 19 Rockhoppers and one special Emperor Penguin. You could win fantastic prizes, including a weekend family trip to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort courtesy of Plymouth Citycoach, or a Penguin Feeding Experience at Living Coasts for four people! Look out for special offers and discounts on the shop window stickers of the participating shops and businesses.

Barbican Christmas Lights Switch On Dec 1 Round up the family and enjoy the festive celebrations on Southside Street as the Barbican is lit up for Christmas. Father Christmas will be arriving on the RNLI lifeboat to switch on the lights – but watch out, as the Grinch will be roaming the streets and causing chaos! There will be a range of children’s activities and

Plymouth Christmas Market

entertainment to enjoy from 12pm, with the switch-on taking place at 5pm.

change along the way and by finding the cubs, you’ll be in with a chance of winning some brilliant prizes!

Polar Bear Explorer Dec 1 to March 1 Set off on an exciting journey across Plymouth’s waterfront this winter, in search of the 20 polar bear cubs hidden in businesses from the Barbican to Royal William Yard. Download your trail map from the Visit Plymouth website or pick it up from a participating business. Learn lots about climate

Santa Fun Run Dec 8 Hundreds of Santas of all shapes and sizes will be taking to the streets of Plymouth City Centre for the annual fun event organised by Saltram Rotary Club.

Money raised will go in the main to Hannah’s and Shekinah Mission. For more details or to register go to www.plymouthsantafunrun.co.uk Wonder Nights Dec 12 to Jan 5 Mount Edgcumbe. Amazing light shows, themed Wonderlands, mulled wine and even a surprise appearance from Father Christmas will all be at Mount Edgcumbe this festive season. The stunning formal gardens at Mount Edgcumbe will once again be illuminated as part of this after dark Christmas adventure. The visitors’ journey starts with a special effects show - journey beyond a secret door and find yourself in an enchanted grove adorned with over 25,000 fairy lights and the soothing sounds of a garden alive with life! Meet eccentric adventurer Sir Piers in the dining room and join him on a fascinating tour around his Mansion of Mysterious Curiosity. Then dare to venture beyond the fire garden to a scarily thunderous valley - but beware! You’re not alone. Don’t miss the all new show - Finding Wonderland. Discover a spectacle like no other as you’re literally surrounded by an unforgettable kaleidoscope of colourful lights, lasers, special effects and a soundtrack overflowing with emotion. For more information, visit wondernights.co.uk

Wonder Nights

Torpoint Community Cinema Dec 7 Torpoint Council Chambers. Seat bookings now being taken for Avengers End Game 3pm and Bohemian Rhapsody at 7pm. To reserve a seat text 07871 260698 or email torpointcommunitycinema@gmail.com Christmas Table Top Sale Dec 7 Torpoint Council Chambers from 9.30am to 12 noon in aid of the Torpoint Defibrillator Fund. To book a table call or text 07870453641, cost £5. Cakes, refresments, raffle.

Christmas Fair Dec 7 Memorial Hall, Crafthole from 2pm to 4pm. Lots of stall and games, festive food and refreshments, raffle plus Father Christmas.

Coffee Morning Dec 7 Cornerstone Church, Torpoint 9.30am to 11.30am organised by Torpoint Lady Singers. Come along and enjoy friendly chat and great refreshments.

Christmas Fayre Dec 7 and 8 Mount Edgcumbe. Back for the sixteenth year, and still fabulous! The fayre will run 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Admission: Adults £3 each. For details visit www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk Traditional Christmas Market Dec 8 South East Cornwall Rural Business Centre in Antony Village from 11am to 6pm. Wide range of local food and crafts stalls.

Jewellery Making Workshop Dec 12 Awenek Studio at Maker Heights from 7pm to 9pm. £6 per person. For details of this and many other winter crafts events visit www.awenekstudio.org Port Eliot Christmas Festival Dec 13 and 14 Carol singing and live music, children’s and adult workshops, dance performances plus more than 30 artisan exhibitors. Friday 12 noon to 8pm, Saturday 10.30am to 4pm. Tickets and further details from www. missivyevents.co.uk Christmas Bingo Dec 12 Downderry and Seaton Village Hall - Doors open 6.30pm for eyes down at 7.30pm. There will be lots of

games so lots of chances to win and a BIG raffle. The bar will be open and refreshments available.

Christmas Concert Dec 13 Torpoint Lady Singers with Rame Peninsula Male Voice Choir at St James Church at 7.30pm.

Christmas in the Park with Santa’s Grotto Dec 14 Benodet Park from 12 noon to 3pm. Local choir, wreath making, tea hut with festive drinks and snacks. Tickets for Santa’s Grotto £2.50, including small gift.

Millbrook Movies Dec 14 Featuring screening of Happy as Lazzaro at Millbrook Village Hall. Doors open 6.30pm, film starts 7.30pm.

Tickets £3 and £6. Lazzaro, a good-hearted young peasant, and Tancredi, a young nobleman cursed by his imagination, form a life-altering bond when Tancredi asks Lazzaro to help him orchestrate his own kidnapping. Millbrook Movies is part of C Fylm, Cornwall’s network of community film clubs.

Vegan Festive Feast Dec 21 Five course feast at Millbrook Village Hall organised

by Mooplehog from 7pm to 10.30pm. Featuring an audience with Mark Barnwell, Spanish guitar, photography and ‘Electric Rendezvous.’ Tickets £20.

Details www.facebook.com/naturallyveganplot Christmas Karaoke Dec 21 Torpoint Comrades Club 7pm to 11pm. All welcome.

To be included in the Out and About section please send details of your event to info@cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them.

December 2019

5

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Well done to the Mattholies for their climate change protest Dear Editor, Having read the article by Rob Mattholie about his involvement in XR, (Extinction Revolution) I should like to send my congratulations to him and his parents for taking the stand they did.

It was so good to read that someone local had the courage to get involved in such a way and they should rightly be proud to have got themselves arrested for such a cause.

We all, I’m sure, worry about the future, but we (myself included ) do very little to help preserve this planet for our children.

Ok, we do a little recycling or try and share cars or use the buses etc. but we still fly to exotic places, drive our fossil fuel cars, use aerosols and so on. Until the government take an active leadership roll and make it easier for us to get into line ourselves, nothing much will change.

So thank you to the Mattholies for their courage and example.

Lynn Vickery 12 November 2019

Millbrook resident Rob Mattholie took part in the recent Extinction Rebellions protests in London - ending up being arrested and detained in a police cell for six hours. Here he explains what made him want to get involved...

@TPChronicle

Millbrook resident Rob Mattholie pictured (third from left on the road) during one of the protests

If not now, then when?

If not me then who...? “

I am 38 years old, married and a father to two. I am a chartered civil engineer working in the energy industry. I have been in full time employment since 2005 and until recently have never been involved in any form of activism or direct action. So why did I chose to break the law on October 7 2019?

Like many people with busy lives I never paid much attention to climate change science until around 2011. I am not sure what lead me to stop skimming past the occasional headline and actually start engaging with the science, but once I had it became hard to ignore.

I remember being shocked at the scale of the problem and the lack of action to date.

Several years later the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published their 5th assessment report with a damning assessment of global progress in curbing carbon emissions and shocking projections as to the potential future impacts of climate change.

I remember thinking this must be the moment; surely in light of such overwhelming scientific evidence governments would do the responsible thing and start taking climate change seriously? Despite political grandstanding and stirring rhetoric nothing really changed; global carbon emissions continued to rise.

I remember a growing sense of shock at this apparent disconnect between the science and the politics and a rising feeling that I needed to do something. I tried speaking to friends, family and colleagues.

I emailed my MP(s) on numerous occasions.

I attended the major climate change march in London in November 2015. Nothing changed. The daily news cycle continued to be dominated by short-term attention grabbing headlines. Global carbon emissions continued their seeming inexorable rise

upwards. the ingenuity, I became creativity and ‘The experience of being arrested increasingly energy of the disillusioned. protestors. was fairly intense but my overriding I know that I was also reaction was one of pride in the police. surprised many people find climate at the I can obviously only talk of my own change a demographic very emotive of the personal experience but I was so subject and protestors. it is easy to Whilst there impressed by the professionalism and understand were clearly why. However, a significant empathy of the police’ for me I number have always of grizzled managed to remain somewhat disconnected environmental campaigners, the clear from the emotional side. Instead I found majority appeared entirely normal (whatever myself watching in fascination as humanity that means!) and seemed to be as amazed as seemingly slept walk towards the unfolding anyone at what they were actually doing. disaster, like a casual bystander watching a I watched in awe over the next two weeks car crash in slow motion. as they managed to sustain the protests with I first heard of Extinction Rebellion (XR) nearly 1,100 people being arrested. through my parents who had seen a video Guess what! For the first time climate

by Gail Bradbrook (one of the XR founders). change dominated the news coverage. Whilst I was initially somewhat dubious of the the majority of the public may not have movement; the name turned me off and I was approved of the XR tactics the environment suspicious that they may be willfully cherry and climate change suddenly shot up the picking the most alarmist scientific papers in hierarchy among voters’ concerns. order to raise alarm around the concept of For the fist time in many years I felt some imminent human extinction. However, after hope, I saw a movement with the potential to attending a talk and doing my own research I at last shake the public awake! was impressed by:

By October 2019 I had decided that I • their strong grounding in climate science; would take two days off work and attend and the October uprising in London. Whilst not • the level of research behind civil planning to get arrested I was committed to disobedience as the most effective tool for taking a more active role in the protest and facilitating rapid social change. aware of the risk.

I was impressed but remained skeptical Alongside my parents, all three of us were around the concept of mass disruption as an arrested on Lambeth Bridge on the first effective tool to garner public support. morning of the protest.

In April 2019 I took a day off work to go to The experience of being arrested was fairly the first major disruption in London. I spent intense but my overriding reaction was one the day at Waterloo bridge and whilst I did of pride in the police. I can obviously only not participate actively I was blown away by talk of my own personal experience but I was

so impressed by the professionalism and empathy of the police.

I spent about six hours in a cell. For me it was a cathartic experience. After having spent the past eight years of my life actively trying to wake people up to the climate crisis I felt I had finally taken some action that seemed befitting to the scale of the problem.

I still have mixed feelings about my involvement with XR. I feel uncomfortable at the level of disruption we have caused to ordinary people around London and the amount of police resources being diverted to deal with the protests.

I have concerns that we risk alienating people rather than generating support. I sometimes catch myself wondering whether I have got caught up in some fringe / extreme movement.

However, I return to the basic science: • Despite all the political rhetoric global carbon emissions are still rising • The planet has already warmed by nearly 1 degree centigrade since pre-industrial times • Public dialogue is centered on the need to limit warming to around 1.5 to 2 degrees centigrade to avoid the risk of irreversible damage but current projections show a warming of > 3 degrees is more likely by the end of the century • If we are to have any hope of limiting warming to around 1.5 to 2 degrees centigrade then we have around 10 years left to make radical and far reaching changes to almost all aspects of our lives Faced with these realities I then ask myself: If not like this then how?

If not now then when?

If not me then who?

Until such time as someone can give me alternative answers I’ll continue supporting XR.

“

Visit our Shop For Trade & DIY

Christmas Tree Festival returns to St James Church

Torpoint’s annual Christmas Tree Festival returns to St James Church Torpoint for the sixth year in 2019.

There were 60 trees on display last year and organisers are hoping that it will be even bigger and better this year. The trees will be on show until Saturday December 7.

Organisers are now inviting individuals, businesses and local organisations to sign up for the Tree Festival.

Trees can be decorated in anyway entrants wish, possibly depicting the activities of the relevant organisation or any other way preferred. Any reasonable sized tree can be displayed and battery operated lights are essential – as bright as possible and as many as possible!

A donation of £6 for each tree entry is required to cover the cost of running the Festival, heating and so on.

At the end of the Festival trees can be taken down or left in the church for the festive season, although some trees may have to be moved slightly to accommodate concerts.

For an entry form or more information please contact Jane Kent on 01752 974200.

6 December 2019

@TPChronicle

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Another busy year!

Well, the year is nearly done once again and we’ve rolled out Report by Lion Stephen Murray a whole host of things over the last twelve months, some of which have affected you or someone you know. increase in bird and insect life since the project started.

And now we are rolling out the Father Christmas route The Lions Club is grateful to Lion Richard for his action and around the streets of the Peninsula with a new sleigh for the our thanks go to Debbie, Pip and Rob for all their efforts. This children to see. We hope you will come or have already come is the sort of thing that we are pleased to be involved with out and have your pictures taken with Santa in his new sleigh. and if you can think of any way in which we can help then Don’t forget that he will also be at Mount Edgcumbe House please contact us in the usual way. during their Christmas Fayre, so I hope you are or were able The Lions Three Choirs Concert was held at St to get along to that.

James’ Church and the audience was treated to a In the last month or so we have been busy and wonderful musical evening. The evening was free have had the opportunity to help several worthy and only donations were requested in return causes in our area. for programmes and the entertainment. I am The first responders Raiser chair is due to pleased to report that approximately £740 arrive on the scene in January, that will be a was raised on the evening. This amount was great boost for them I’m sure. added to by the Lions Club charity account and The new defibrillator is due to be a cheque for £1000 was handed over to the Royal commissioned at Cost Cutters in Trevithic Avenue British Legion at the Torpoint Comrades Club to add soon. The St James’ Church Lighting appeal cheque to their funds for all the good work that they do for was due to be presented at the Torpoint Switching On veterans services. evening on November 30.

We carried out on our promise to Beat 4 autism. Recently the Lions the people of Torpoint to put on a Support for Lizeta Fellows Club was approached by Lizeta Fellows Diabetes Awareness Day on November who is campaigning for autistic 9 at the Council Chambers. It was awareness in our area and we were attended by approximately 30 people impressed with the presentation of her including those who put on associated case and as a club we voted to support information stands, along with Lions her cause financially for three years. from our club. It was a very informative Lizeta explained that when her day and all those attending said that eldest son was diagnosed with autism they were amazed at the diversity the family felt very isolated and alone, of the subject and at the advances with little or no support available. Last being made in medical science for the year she and her husband decided to treatment of the condition. set up a support group to help other The Lions Club would like to send parents and carers who may be feeling their thanks to the professionals the same way. delivering their talks and also to those Beat 4 autism is an acronym for who set up their stalls for people to ‘Building Education & Awareness browse and shop at. We were lucky Together 4 Autism.’ that one of our Members was able She said: “To get any help or to carry out Diabetic screening support can feel like a constant and he carried out 20 procedures battle, so our logo is a drum which during the afternoon. we bang until we get heard. It’s We are also happy to say that my hope to expand this awareness we have recruited two new young into schools and local businesses, Lions – Sarah Rogers and Jack offering free presentations about Walker – to our membership. what autism is and how we can They are exactly what the Lions support others.”

Club are looking for in being the She went on to say that the £1000 for the Royal British Legion next generation of people able money awarded to her this time to give service to the community. would help her to attend the next Welcome Jack and Sarah, I hope Torpoint street market to help you’ll be happy with us. raise awareness and hand out Don’t forget we still need your information. The Lions Club wish support along the way so keep on Lizeta and her family the best with the good work that you do to and hope that local support is help us, even though you may not forthcoming. be a Lion you’re helping the club Lions environmental projects. to help others, and that’s what A number of years ago one of our we’re here for. If you feel that you Two new members welcomed Lions, Richard Pymm raised our have the time to follow Sarah and awareness of the need to replace Jack and feel that your community trees that had been lost in our is important then please come along to one of our meetings area and he obtained some Sweet Chestnut and Maple trees at the Comrades Club on the first Tuesday of each month. The which he brought on, and then donated on behalf of the Lions next one is on January 7 at 7.30 pm. Contact us on www.eClub to the village of Millbrook through two people, Debbie clubhouse.org/sites/torpointrame, or the Torpoint & Rame and Pip Patterson who took on the task of planting and Peninsula Lions page on Facebook. nurturing them.

Don’t forget we are holding our annual New Year’s Day I spoke to Debbie and asked for the story. She told me Dip on January 1 in Kingsand and Cawsand. Please contact that the field at Foss was cleared of scrub and pampas grass us on one of our sites or you can contact Dave Rosson on so that they could grow native trees and plants and turn it davewrosson@gmail.com or stephenmurray630@gmail.com into a woodland area. for sponsor and registration forms. Hope to see you there.

All the hard work was done by she and her husband with Happy Christmas to you all and wishing you a happy and the help of a good friend Rob Wallace, and she says that it healthy New Year. is a pleasure to see all the trees growing and also the great

Lions Club Santa Sleigh is on its way Dates, times and locations for the Lions Club Santa Sleigh are shown below.

Dec 4 6pm Borough Park to Adams Crescent, Torpoint Dec 5 6pm Borough Court to Pentire Road, Torpoint Dec 6 6pm Millpool Head to Molesworth Terrace, Millbrook Dec 7 10am Mount Edgcumbe Grotto Dec 7 6pm West Street to New Road, Millbrook Dec 8 10am Mount Edgcumbe Grotto Dec 8 6pm Southdown Road to Maker View, Millbrook Dec 9 6pm Goad Avenue to Gurney Close, Torpoint Dec 10 6pm Trevorder Road to Pencair Avenue, Torpoint

Dec 11 6pm Carbeile Road to Millhouse Park, Torpoint Dec 12 6pm Thanckes Drive to Sydney Road, Torpoint Dec 13 6pm Arthur Terrace to Hamoaze Road, Torpoint Dec 14 6pm Roeslare Avenue to Khyber Close, Torpoint Dec 16 6pm North Road to Sconner Road, Torpoint Dec 17 6pm Crafthole Dec 18 6pm Wilcove Dec 20 6pm Antony and St John Dec 21 10am Static at Fore Street, Torpoint and Co-op, West Street, Millbrook Dec 23 6pm Kingsand and Cawsand

December 2019

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Torcare residents enjoy festive crafting

Above: Members of the St John Choir at Torcare’s Torpoint nursing home. Bottom right: Members of Torcare’s senior management team who took part in the ‘Lead to Succeed’ training programme

People always come first at

Torcare Residents have been creatively crafting for Christmas, producing their own Christmas cards and working on festive decorations for the Christmas tree at the annual St James Church Christmas Tree Festival.

They also produced some handmade poppy displays for Remembrance Day. Torcare’s Torpoint nursing home residents were delighted to be visited by the St John Choir who invited everyone to sing along as they performed and then joined the residents for a very welcome tea and biscuits.

The last couple of weeks saw the senior team at Torcare working extremely hard to update themselves and further their care management training as they undertook the ‘Lead to Succeed’ programme with Acacia Training. A huge well done to all the team!

Torcare’s Porte Rouge will be having their Grand Xmas Raffle on Friday December 6 from 3pm to 5pm and there will be entertainment as well.

Top Tips for a Stress - Free Christmas New Family Department at Roper James

Teresa Cussen

When couples separate, they can often find it very difficult to continue to parent their children jointly with their former partner. This is particularly so around holiday periods, especially Christmas time when families can feel extra pressure to spend time with relatives.

It can be a great help to plan arrangements well in advance. Having a discussion beforehand gives both sides the opportunity to set out their plans.

When it comes to sorting out arrangements for children, the first consideration should always be the child’s welfare. For this reason, arrangements need to be child focused.

In all the upheaval of a relationship break up, it is vital to take time to remember what it’s like to be a child who is totally dependent on the adults in their life. Whether it is through bereavement or separation, losing a parent at a young age has a far -reaching psychological impact.

Children need to know that they are loved by both parents and that they can continue to have contact with each of them and both sides of their family, provided of course that it is safe.

In its Parenting Charter (resolution.org.uk/the-parenting-charter)

Resolution First for Family Law, an organisation for family lawyers who commit to taking a non-confrontational approach, sets out a number of points which parents are encouraged to agree acknowledging their child’s rights. These include: • that they should be at the centre of any decisions made about them but not the decision maker; • they should be able to talk about how they feel and have those feelings acknowledged and affirmed; and to have a childhood free from the pressures of adult concerns.

• It may seem to be stating the obvious but their relationship with their parent is not the same as that between their parents and they cannot be expected to understand adult relationships.

Where a couple were married, they share parental responsibility for their children. This term describes all the rights and duties which a parent has for a child. If they were not married, then the mother has parental responsibility. The father can acquire it either by jointly registering the birth or by making a formal agreement with the mother.

If they cannot agree then the father can apply to the Court.

Where the parents share parental responsibility, they should jointly discuss any plans for the children. In practical terms, there are some parenting decisions which parents must consult and discuss with each other.

Roper James Solicitors 3 St Andrew Street Plymouth PL1 2AH

01752 546448 • enquiries@roperjames.co.uk www.roperjames.co.uk

For the Christmas holidays, it is always going to be best for plans to be agreed well in advance if there is no set pattern. If a trip abroad is planned, then you may need written consent from the other parent particularly if the surname on your passport is different from that of the children. It would also help to agree when and how the children can contact the other parent whilst they are away, particularly if they are very young. There is however, no need to agree what they will spend their time doing when they are with you provided of course that it’s not risky!

Children are able to injure themselves very easily. If emergency medical treatment is required, whilst there is no requirement to consult, it will clearly always be best to let the other parent know as soon as possible. Either parent with parental responsibility can give consent to emergency medical treatment. For routine or ongoing medical treatment, or vaccinations, they should consult each other.

Parents should consult and agree if possible, about allowing children to watch age restricted films, games, or tv. The restrictions are there to protect children from unsuitable content and it is every parent’s primary duty to protect their child from harm. Watching unsuitable material at a young age may have a significant impact psychologically.

Teresa Cussen at Roper James has many years’ experience advising parents about arrangements for children and is a member of Resolution. To arrange a meeting telephone 01752 546448 or email teresacussen@roperjames.co.uk

7

8 December 2019

We will remember them

Sunday November 10 saw Torpoint remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.

The streets were lined with townsfolk to show their respect as the parade led by the band of HMS Drake Volunteer Band also supported by Sea Cadet band members. The parade made its way to Elliot Square next to St James Church for a service and wreath laying Ceremony of Remembrance led by Father Brown and a Service Chaplain.

At 10.58am the sounding of the last post was followed by two minutes’ silence. At 11.02 am this was followed by the sounding of Reveille, then the wreath laying service began led by the Mayor of Torpoint Chris Goodman followed by the Captain of HMS Raleigh Richard Harris.

Seventeen year old Able Seaman Carter, the youngst rating in training laid his wreath before organisations, clubs, charities and school members laid their wreaths.

Following the laying of wreaths there was a service of Hymns and Prayers. The parade formed again for a march past to receive the salute from the VIPs and Naval officers.

It was a wonderful tribute to our past and present brave service personnel and thanks are due to the organisers and road marshalls for keeping everyone safe.

The following day Monday November 11, at the 11th hour another wreath laying took place at Sparrow park attended by the Mayor Chris Goodman, council members, children of military serving members and members of the community.

We Will Remember them.

@TPChronicle

Photo special by Andy Campfield

m - Torpoint’s tribute @TPChronicle

December 2019

9

On Monday November 11 a wreath laying ceremony was held at Sparrow Park attended by the Mayor of Torpoint, council members, children from military families and members of the local community

The children of Antony School created their own tribute to remember the fallen in readiness for Remembrance Day. They made poppies and turned the bank outside the school into their own memorial. Such a beautiful sight. Lest we forget.

10 December 2019

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Craig’s ambitious plans for his fast-growing gin business One of the biggest gin festivals in the South West is taking place in Plymouth next year - and it’s being organised by Torpoint’s own ‘Gin Man.’ Craig Brook-Hewitt has been a fan of gin for many years and has a personal collection of over 400 brands. Last year he launched his own company called Mothers Ruin 1751 to promote the best of Cornish gins and has

been attending gin festivals and running a popular gin club at Broomhill Cottage on the Antony Estate ever since.

He has recently taken over a unit at the new South East Cornwall Rural Business Centre in Antony and has ambitious plans to establish a gin distillery and bottling plant on the site in the next year.

And he is now busy organising an event called Gin’s & Fin’s which is being staged at the National Marine Aquarium on February 29 next year. He hopes the event will be the springboard to expand Mothers Ruin 1751 and will be launching a crowdfunding appeal in the New Year to boost his business plans.

All of which is a remarkable achievement, given that Craig is currently serving as a Chief Petty Officer with Devonport-based HMS Portland!

Craig said: “I have been in the Royal Navy for 19 years and my naval duties always take priority. I have three more years’ service before I leave the Navy and am using that time to build up the business.

“I have seen so many former colleagues leave the Royal Navy and struggle to find suitable employment in civilian life and I wanted to avoid that situation.”

He believes his managerial experience in the Royal Navy has been invaluable in setting up his business and organising the Gin’s and Fin’s Festival.

“I attend all the local gin festivals and most of them offer very little entertainment - so

Mayor’s Message

From Chris Goodman Firstly, good news for Christmas - there will be free parking in Torpoint car parks all day on Saturday December 21, so get into town and support our local traders.

It’s been a busy time since my last column. Here are some of the highlights: On October 24 I attended the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Concert at St. James Church. It was a pleasure to be able to hear so many of our local choirs sing and for me the highlight was when the choirs sang together.

Congratulations to all participants on an excellent performance.

The Surfers Against Sewage October Beach Clean was organised for October 27 at Whitsand Bay and members of the Torpoint community joined the Surfers Against Sewage Beach Clean, part of our work towards Torpoint Plastic Free Community status.

Many events in the area were cancelled the day before due to adverse weather conditions, however Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day. I should especially like to thank Torpoint & Rame Lions, the Torpoint Sea Cadets and Torpoint Nursery and Infant School for their support on the day.

On November 3, Chris and I attended the Launceston Civic Service. We left early to attend this service as the storms of the previous day had reportedly led to fallen trees and a surplus of surface water on the roads. Thankfully, we returned to Torpoint without incident.

I attended the funeral of Mike Howells on November 5. The service was held at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church, which was full to capacity. Throughout the service and following the service, reference was made to Mike as having been a ‘colourful character’ who we will not forget.

Following the service, I was standing by Sparrow Park and noticed a person in a

Craig Brook-Hewitt

I wanted to do something different. Gin’s & Fin’s will feature around 80 different types of gins as well as food, live music, singers and even mermaids swimming in one of the big tanks in the aquarium. It’s obviously an adults only event which means people who attend can enjoy touring the aquarium without lots of children around.

“The event runs from 6pm to 11.30pm, so there will be plenty of time to enjoy the occasion,” he added.

Craig combines his business ambitions with a strong environmentally-friendly outlook.

“We will have lots of eco-friendly traders

there on the night, will be launching our own bio-degradable ‘Tipple Box’ – an ecofriendly sustainable drinks product - as well as donating £5 from each ticket sold to the Ocean Conservation Trust.”

Tickets for the event are selling well - and could make an ideal Christmas gift, according to Craig.

The ticket includes access to the Aquarium, goodie bag, gin glass, tasters and canape´s.

Tickets are available at www.eventbrite. co.uk. For more information about the event visit www.mothersruin1751.co.uk or visit their page on Facebook.

mobility scooter a few metres to my left. Ordinarily, I might not have reacted as I did as the person was not quite close enough to talk to. But having attended Mike’s funeral and reflected on how there are many in our community that, at times need our help, I walked towards the scooter and asked if the person needed assistance. It turned out that the lady had only been out using her scooter once before, her eyesight was poor and she was very worried about crossing the road. I walked with her across the road and patiently explained to her where the best place to cross would be in future.

We started chatting and it turned out that I had been her daughter’s teacher. So, with Mike in mind, there are perhaps times when we could be more aware of others around us and take the time to notice when they are in need of support.

On Sunday November 10 our community turned out in their hundreds to support the Remembrance Parade. I should like to publicly thank all the team who made the Parade and Service such a success. The huge community attendance numbers, both parade participants and spectators, indicated how highly our community values this annual act of Remembrance. The planning and preparation that went into making it a success was exemplary.

The Christmas Lantern Making Workshop was held on November 23 in the Torpoint Town Council Hall. This is the second year the Torpoint Town Partnership has organised the workshop and the Main Hall was booked to cope with the bigger numbers.

By the time of reading, the Christmas Best Dressed Window Competition will have been judged. Joining me on the judging panel will be Dec Kelf - Torpoint Citizen of the Year, Clive O’Shaughnessy - Town Crier, Liam Ashby - Torpoint Carnival King and Ellie Rushbrook - Torpoint Carnival Queen. More entrants are anticipated this year and competition between the Torpoint Traders is heating up.

The annual Christmas Lights Switch On and Lantern Parade was being held on November 30: thank you to all those who have helped put up the Christmas Lights, perform at the event and help to organise this significant event in our town.

A Volunteering Event is being held on Thursday December 5 from 4pm to 6pm in the Torpoint Library and Community Hub. When talking with community groups I have been informed that the numbers of people volunteering is declining.

The event is to enable community groups to attend and showcase what they do. I should like to appeal to members of all ages in our community who find that they have time to spare and would like to volunteer, but do not know how to go about doing so. Come along and find out how you could support a community group or activity.

December 2019

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11

Local fundraiser shows iron will as she completes Copenhagen Ironman in memory of her mother Torpoint resident Flick Knell proved her determination to The swimming element was a particular triumph for Flick, succeed when she recently competed in the Copenhagen who due to childhood asthma had developed a fear of open Ironman in a bid to raise money for the Amenties Fund for the water and until five years ago could not swim a length of a pool.

Torpoint based care home Torcare.

Despite sustaining a small back injury during the bike ride Flick Flick, who works as a surveyor at Babcock International, was able to undertake the final marathon challenge. undertook the fundraising challenge in memory of her mother All dressed in pink, one of her mum’s favourite colours, Pat Knell, who sadly passed away earlier this year after a long Flick completed the marathon in under four hours. She also battle with cancer. Pat had worked undertook the Polar Bear Challenge alongside many of the Torcare team where her cumulative time scores Flick Knell presents a cheque to the and Flick decided that the Torcare placed her as second lady overall. team at Torcare for £2,457 for the Amenities fund, which contributes Flick said: “After so many years, Torcare Amenities Fund towards additional activities, days out learning to swim, building up in and social and community engagment triathlon distance, crossing the for the residents, would be the finish line to hear those immortal perfect tribute to her Mum. words ‘Felicity Knell, you are an Flick said: “Mum worked at Ironman’ was an unbelievably Torcare for over 30 years, she loved emotional and happy experience. the company, staff and residents.

“Mum was the first person I Torcare were extremely supportive told when I entered the race over throughout mum’s illness and also a year ago, and I hope I made her helped care for mum towards the end very proud when I finally crossed and allowed her to pass away close that finish line in 12 hours and 32 to home. minutes.”

“Raising money for the Torcare Flick’s sponsored Ironman raised Amenities Fund is my way of saying an impressive £2,457 for the Torcare ‘Thank you’ for everything Torcare Amenities Fund. and their staff did for my mum.”

Ben Fourniss, Director of Torcare Flick was one of 2,546 athletes said: “Pat was a real ambassador who finished the Ironman challenge for Torcare. She worked here for in Copenhagen last August. The 34 years and we loved having her highly competitive triathlon, which here. When Flick told us of her includes swimming, a 112 mile bike wishes to attempt an Ironman to ride and a marathon wasn’t daunting raise money for the amenities fund for Flick who said she felt boosted in in Pat’s memory we were delighted. her toughest moments by ‘thinking about my mum and all the Completing the Ironman is a massive test of a person’s physical people who had sponsored me to raise money for the Amenities and psychological strengths. Flick’s resilience is unbelievable, Fund.’ and we are so proud of what she achieved.”

She did it! Flick Knell crosses the finish line to complete the Copenhagen Ironman

Available from 25th November—23rd December (not including Sundays) Served from 12.00pm Starters Homemade Pea and Ham Soup served with a roll and butter (vegetarian option available) Classic Prawn Cocktail served on a bed of lettuce with marie rose sauce and brown bread and butter Chicken Meatballs served with cream and mushroom sauce Tempura Vegetables (asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli and courgette) served with a soy, lime and ginger dipping sauce

Extra Special Christmas For All The Family Step inside a winter wonderland at Tamar View this year and let your children board the carriage pulled by a train complete with smoke and noise to visit Father Christmas on his sleigh.

While you’re waiting why not browse our amazing selection of Christmas gifts or indulge yourself with Christmas treats in our restaurant.

The Elves have once again put all their hard work and effort into creating a jaw dropping grotto with over sixty animated characters.

Their sole job is to make you smile and this year the grotto is open for everyone to see, even if you’re not booked in to see that Very Special Person. Father Christmas’s schedule can be seen on www.tamarviewnurseries.co.uk or our Facebook page.

Desserts Traditional Christmas Pudding served with a choice of brandy sauce, custard or clotted cream A Cheeseboard of Stilton, Brie and Mature Cheddar served with a selection of crackers Homemade Black Forest Trifle Raspberry and Gin Cheesecake Selection of ice cream from the counter with cream and wafer

Pre-bookings can be made in store or by phoning 01752 847366. £6.99 per child to include a gift from the man himself.

Tamar View Nurseries & Garden Centre Carkeel, Saltash PL12, 6PH | Tel: 01752 847366

www.tamarviewnurseries.co.uk

Open 7 days a week

Mains Traditional Roast Turkey with pigs in blankets, stuffing and cranberry sauce served with roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables Duck Breast served with dark cherry sauce with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Herb Crusted Salmon Fillet with a lemon, tarragon and garlic sauce with garlic and parsley sauté potatoes and seasonal vegetables Mushroom, Walnut, Spinach and Stilton Wellington served with roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables (vegetarian gravy available) Nut Roast served with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and vegetarian gravy

Family business for over 50 years

£18 for 2 Courses £21.50 for 3 Courses Includes a complimentary cup of tea or filter coffee For any dietary or allergen on request.

For details on how to book please speak to the staff who will be more than willing to help you, call 01752 848600, or email tvnrestaurant@outlook.com

12 December 2019

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Catering teams go head to head in the kitchen Two sailors from Plymouth were among those competing in a Royal Navy Master Chef style competition held at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint.

Six teams went head to head in the kitchen to take part in the annual Devonport Flotilla Cook and Serve competition, sponsored by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and using the facilities at the Defence Maritime Logistics School.

Leading Hand (Catering Services) Maria Richards, from Keyham, was part of HMS Richmond’s team, while Able Rate Danielle Burton, also from Plymouth, competed with a team known as the Devonport Catering Services Shore Establishment Team (CSSET).

LSC Richards’ team were awarded a bronze medal for their efforts. The 32-year-old originally joined the Royal Navy in 2008 as a Steward but has recently completed a bespoke course to become one of the first Catering Services ratings capable of providing both front-of-house and back-of-house service.

She said: “The guy who I was cooking with was coaching me; he was superb. It’s quite tough in that environment, but I really enjoyed it. I’m hoping in the future I’ll take part in many more competitions.”

Danielle Burton’s team also received bronze medals. The 22-year-old has been in the Royal Navy for four years and has so far served on three warships and ashore at 3 Commando Brigade

Photos by Leading Photographer Baz Wheeler

Headquarters at Stonehouse Barracks.

She said: “The competition went well for us.

We produced a Cornish mackerel starter and then did a Thai beef dish, followed by a chocolate orange bon bon type dessert. I’ve always wanted to be involved in fine-dining cooking.”

Each team consisted of a chef, a commis chef and a front-of-house waiter. The challenge was to cook and serve a three-course meal for two diners in just 75 minutes, while also impressing a panel of judges. HMS Raleigh and HMS Montrose tied for the top prize with HMS Raleigh also receiving bestin-class for their front-of-house service and HMS Montrose receiving best-in-class for food creation.

Event organiser, Chief Petty Officer Eddie Luscombe, said: “Members of the Catering Services branch play a key role, not only in sustaining our people, but promoting UK influence and delivering Defence Engagement hospitality all over the world.

This competition aims to encourage our Flotilla’s highly professional team to showcase their core culinary skills, while nurturing pride in their professional achievement, build their team spirit, imagination and innovation.

“From this we hope to generate a greater interest in the Inter Flotilla Cook and Serve competition and the Tri-Service event, known as ‘Exercise Joint Caterer’, when we will take on the Army and RAF next year.”

Teams were required to produce a fish starter

Able Rate Danielle Burton, who received a bronze medal competing as a member of the Devonport Catering Services Shore Establishment team

Dockyard volunteers join beach clean at Tregantle A group of 50 volunteers based at Devonport Royal Dockyard joined forces with Rame Peninsula Beach Care to carry out a beach clean at Tregantle Beach, Whitsand Bay. The event was organised by the Environmental Working Group on site and this is the fourth beach clean they have carried out.

Representatives from Prospect Trade Union, Babcock, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Interserve and the Environment Agency were all on hand to support the clean-up.

The group set to work collecting hundreds of visible microplastics (small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size that pollute the environment) by literally sweeping the beach with dustpans and brushes. Any collected were placed into the microplastic sorting machine, a highly efficient piece of equipment developed by the Rame Peninsula Beach Care team, which separates the plastic and sand. Throughout the duration of the beach clean, the group collected 30 bags of litter, weighing approximately 100kg.

Christopher Warn, health, safety and assurance

director with the Ministry of Defence, based at Devonport, said: “This joint Babcock and Ministry of Defence beach clean has been driven by employees who are passionate about the environment. Initiatives of this nature are fully supported by the leadership teams on site, who are equally enthusiastic about seeing continuous improvements in this important area.

“This is just one positive example of the many events and awareness raising sessions that are running across the site, which provide us with a great opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the local environment.”

Mike Homer, Babcock managing director at Devonport Dockyard is pleased that the local community is being supported with these kind of events.

He said: “It is great that as a site we can come together and support our local communities to deliver events like this. Thank you to everyone involved for giving up their time to make such a positive difference.”

Leading Hand Maria Richards from Keyham who received a bronze medal, representing HMS Richmond

and a main course of beef. The dessert had to include flambé skills to be demonstrated at the table side.

The head judge for the competition was Chief Petty Officer Si Geldart, the Captain of the Naval Services Culinary Arts Team (NSCAT).

He said: “We were looking for cohesion between the front-of-house and the chef team and how well they worked together.

“When it came to the food, we were looking for taste, texture, seasoning and how it looked on the

plate. The standard was very good across both front and back-of-house.

“There were some talented young chefs, particularly the two young guys straight from training who were representing HMS Raleigh.

To see them compete at this level against some people who have competed before and take a gold medal; that was phenomenal. This is a stepping stone and as the NSCAT Captain, I’m looking to pick up on their talent and bring them on for future competitions.”

HMS Raleigh’s team won the gold medal, pictured left to right Capt Rich Harris, the Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh, AB Dylan Thomas, AB Jake Harrison and Leading Hand Christopher Dalrymple Volunteers with the microplastic sorting machine on Tregantle Beach

December 2019

@TPChronicle

Torpoint Cadets excel in London Fourteen cadets from the Torpoint Sea Cadet unit paraded in central London in October as part of the National Trafalgar Parade, commemorating the 214th anniversary of Admiral Lord Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Eleven cadets paraded in the Massed Bands of the Sea Cadets, and three performed as part of the Physical Training Display Team, with the ceremony being conducted on Horse Guard’s Parade, before marching down the Mall and past Buckingham Palace.

The event saw cadets from all over the country training for two days beforehand at HMS Excellent, Portsmouth before travelling to London for the parade. Whilst the annual event is usually held in Trafalgar Square, recent protests in the Square saw the venue moved to Horse Guards Parade instead.

The ceremony began with a physical training display where the cadets performed a traditional ‘club swinging’ routine and sailor’s hornpipe. The Massed Bands of the Sea Cadets then conducted a marching musical performance, before the

13

Ordinary Cadet Willow Lock of Torpoint was a member of the Massed Bands

arrival of the inspecting officer, Major General Matthew Holmes, Commandant General Royal Marines.

On completion of the inspection and remembrance ceremony, the parade proceeded down the Mall, past Buckingham Palace, and into Wellington Barracks.

Cadet Charlie Chambers of Torpoint, who played the bugle in the band, said: “Marching past Buckingham Palace was such an amazing experience which I’ll remember forever.”

Cadet 1st Class Amber Hocking of Downderry, who was part of the physical training display team added: “Putting together our routine in just two days was tough, but performing in front of hundreds of people made it worth it.”

Torpoint Unit was the largest represented unit in the UK on parade, with fourteen cadets participating in the ceremony.

Torpoint Sea Cadets is currently recruiting. They are based within HMS Raleigh and meet on Mondays and Thursdays.

See the Torpoint Sea Cadets Facebook page for more information.

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Torpoint Carpentry & Household Maintenance Service

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S.A. Kinsman General Garden Maintenance Tree Shaping / Crown Reducing Hedge Cutting & Lawn Care Free Estimate & OAP Discounts City & Guilds Qualified Fully Insured

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14 KEMPTON TCE TORPOINT CORNWALL PL11 2DQ

14 December 2019 COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

@TPChronicle

Your guide to community events in your area Army Cadet Force Tuesdays Torpoint ACF Building, Antony Road, Torpoint 7pm to 9pm. If you are 12+ come along to a parade night (parents welcome). Adult volunteers needed, no experience necessary, full training given www.armycadets.com

Shuffle Club First Thursday of month A support group for people with Parkinson’s and their carers, relatives or friends. Meet at St James Church Hall, Torpoint from 2.30pm to 4pm. Varied programme of activities as well as friendship and support.

Torpoint Library and Information Service Refurbished library opens on May 1. Opening hours now 9.15am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.15am to 12.15pm Saturdays. Contact 0300 1234 111.

Circle Dance Group Second and fourth Tuesdays Millbrook Village Hall 7.30pm to 9pm. Contact : Vivien Benjamin for more information. Tel 01752 829021.

Torpoint and Rame Youth Club Mondays Millbrook Methodist Church 6pm to 8pm for ages 11 to 15, school Years 7 to 10. Cost 50p. All young people welcome.

Coffee Mornings Saturdays Held at the Kingsand Institute from 10am to 12 noon.

Hosted by a different charity or group each week.

Coppola School of Performing Arts Various days Classes in ballet and musical theatre at Millbrook Village Hall. For details please contact Kelly on 07889063330 or email coppolaschool@hotmail.co.uk.

Downderry and Seaton Village Hall Groups Art Group - Mondays 10am to 12 noon Short Mat Bowls - Tuesdays 1.45pm to 3.45pm Badminton - Wednesdays 2pm to 4pm New members are always welcome. Visit our website for more information (www. downderryandseatonvillagehall.co.uk) Family Information Service Information for children, young people, parents/ carers and practitioners across Cornwall. Details www.supportincornwall.org.uk.

Fibromyalgia, CFS, & ME Support Group Meet first Friday of the month From 11am to 1pm at Chatlink building, Old School House, Macey Street, Torpoint. We support people from around the peninsula, their carers and families. By offering somewhere to come where everyone can relate. (And It’s not all in your head!)

For more information contact Tracey Mahoney at torpointfmmecfs@gmail.com or mobile, 07962210259 Friday Youth Group Youth and Children’s Centre, Trevol Road, Torpoint.

Open each Friday evening 6.30pm to 9pm.

Friends of Thanckes Park Volunteer group, constituted, to promote and regenerate Thanckes Park, Torpoint. The park has now an official title of the QEII Fields in Trust at Thanckes Park, after winning the award to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Vist www.facebook.com/ groups/1687858311449763 or call 07886 567632

Grace Community Church Meets in the Youth and Family Hub Centre, Trevol Road, Torpoint. Sunday morning prayer meeting at 9.30am with main service at 10.30am. We are a Christ Centred, Bible believing, people loving church.

There is a bible study on a Tuesday, to go deeper into the different scripture of the bible. On the third Wednesday of each month, there is a whole church prayer meeting. Contact details for Pastor Archie Gray pastorgcct@yahoo.co.uk.

Hartbeeps Fridays Torpoint Council Chambers, from 10am. Multi-sensory music classes for babies and children aged up to five years. Award winning classes featuring music, puppets, laughter and fun. Baby bells - newborn to sitting; Baby beeps - sitting to first steps; Happy house - confident walkers to school age and younger siblings. For information visit www.hartbeeps.com.

Kim’s Keep Fit Mondays Millbrook Village Hall 9.30am. Energising fitness through exercise, music and dance. Good for energy levels, strength, flexibility and cardiovascular.

Contact Kim on 01752 823817 or 07968889496 for more information.

Sewing club boost for local groups

Kingsand Sewing Club have presented three cheques to local organisations in a special ceremony at the Maker With Rame Institute. The money was raised at the club’s annual sale and exhibition held in August. Event organiser Moira Knaggs presented £250 to The Shekinah Mission, which helps rough sleepers in Plymouth, Cornwall Air Ambulance and Maker with Rame Institute, where the sewing ladies hold their weekly meetings.Pictured with Moira are (from left) John Shepherd from the Maker with Rame Institute, Shekinah fundraising manager Andy Kebby and volunteer Valerie Gill, who received a cheque on behalf of the Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Liskeard Arts Meetings are held in the Public Hall, Liskeard with refreshments at 7pm and a talk at 7.30pm. There are a good number of members from the Rame area and guests and new members are always welcome.

Further details from the secretary lizundy@hotmail. com.

Maker with Rame Parish Council Second Thursday of month Meet at the Kingsand Institute 7pm to 9pm. For more information visit www.mwrpc.org.

Millbrook Short Mat Bowling Club Mondays Millbrook Village Hall 7pm to 10pm. Contact Brian Tucker on 01752 822642.

Millbrook Village Enhancement Team (VETS) Saturdays A group of volunteers dedicated to keeping the central part of the village clean and tidy, weed-free and looking attractive. Meet at the village hall at 2pm.

Bring small gardening tools, gloves, brushes etc.

Dates for 2019: May 4 and 25; June 29; July 27; August 17; September 21; October 26; November 30. These dates are weather dependant.

Millbrook Over 50s Club Fridays Meet at Millbrook Village Hall 2pm to 4pm. Contact : Muriel Winter on 01752 829389 to find out more.

Millbrook Parish Council With the exception of August & December, Millbrook Parish Council meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm in the Balcony Room of the Village Hall. For more information, please visit www. millbrook-pc.gov.uk or follow us on Facebook @ MillbrookParishCouncil.

Mount Edgcumbe Community Run Saturdays Weekly 5km run against the clock, starting at 9am.

Everyone is invited - young, old and dogs. Organised by volunteers and free to enter. Starts at Aunty Em’s Gatehouse, close to the lower gate at Cremyll and finishes at Mount Edgcumbe House. For more details visit www.parkrun.org.uk/mountedgcumbe .

MMAA Striking Zone Tuesdays The Garden Sports & Leisure Centre, Torpoint 7.30pm.

Martial arts classes for kids and adults. For more information call 07850 586179.

Regular events at Sheviock Memorial Hall Mondays 9.30am to 2.30pm Pre-school; 2.30pm to 4.30pm Short Mat bowls; 7.30pm to 9pm Gardening Club (third Monday of the month usually). Evening (from Jan) Pilates time tbc. All day snooker and billiards Tuesdays 9.30am to 1.30pm Pre-school; 2.30pm to 3.45pm Short tennis; 5.15pm to 7.30pm Pilates; 8pm to 9pm Aerobics; 7.30pm to 9.30pm Whist; All day snooker and billiards Wednesdays 9.30am to 2.30pm Pre-school; 2pm to 4.30pm WI (third Wednesday of month); 5.30pm to 6.30pm Badminton juniors 7 to 11 years; 6.30pm to 8pm Badminton 12 to 16 years; 8pm to 9.30pm Badminton adults; All day snooker and billiards Thursdays 9.30am to 1.30pm Pre-school; 2.15pm to 3.15pm Keep fit gently; 2pm to 4pm Art; 7.30pm to 9pm Gardening club (third Thursday of month); 7.30pm to 9.30pm Short tennis; All day snooker and billiards Fridays 9.30am to 1.30pm Pre-school; 1pm to 3pm Mothers and toddlers; 7pm to 10pm Short mat bowls; 5pm to 6.30pm Yoga; All day snooker and billiards Saturdays Private hire; fun days, craft fairs, flower show, church functions, film shows, concerts, fund raising events plus snooker and billiards Sundays Private hire, craft fairs, fund raising plus snooker and billiards.

Royal British Legion Torpoint & District Branch. Social meetings on second Fridday of month at 7.30pm at the Torpoint Comrades’ United Services Club (opposite Sainsburys). Committee meeting first Friday of month.

Details www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/torpoint.

St John Ambulance Meet at Ambulance Hall, Marine Drive. Adults Monday 7.30pm to 9pm; Cadets Friday 7pm to 9pm; Nursing Cadets Wednesday 7pm to 9pm; Badgers Thursday 5.15pm to 6.45pm.

Saturday Art School Woodshed Studio, Millbrook. A place where art, maths and science meet. A fun, exciting and creative 10 week course for students aged 6-16 years from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Details www.ramepeninsulaart.com or 01752 823364.

Sheviock Parish Council Sheviock Parish Council meets on the the second Monday of the month, at 7pm in the Methodist Chapel schoolroom. Occasionally this may be subject to change, please refer to monthly agendas for time confirmation. There is no meeting in August.

Remaining date for 2019 December 9.

Torpoint & Rame Royal Naval Association Last Friday of month Meet at Comrades & United Services Club at 7.30pm.

Contact Paul Carter (Branch Secretary) on 01752 814453.

Torpoint Country Market Tuesdays Held between 9.30am and 11.30am at the Silver Band Hut in Antony Road. Locally produced food, crafts and plants available to purchase Torpoint Macular Support Group Second Friday of month Torpoint Library, Fore Street, Torpoint 2pm to 4pm.

Meetings open to anyone affected by central vision loss. Family, friends and carers welcome. Contact Judy on 01275 319001.

Torpoint and Rame Youth Club Netball Club Mondays From 6pm to 8pm at the Torpoint and Rame Community Sports Centre. Details 01752 822109.

Torpoint Art Club Fridays Torpoint Library 1pm to 4pm. Details 01752 816615.

Torpoint Badminton Club Wednesdays From 7.30pm to 10pm at the Torpoint and Rame Community Sports Centre. Details 01752 815292.

Torpoint Ferryboat Entertainers Wednesdays Ladies singing group meet at Cornerstone Church 7.30pm. Contact 01752 815759.

Torpoint Diabetic Circle Support and social group running various monthly events. For details visit torpointdiabetic.wordpress. com Torpoint Lady Singers Mondays Cornerstone Church from 7.15pm. Details 01752 812602.

Torpoint Residents Association 3rd Wednesday of month Band Hall, Torpoint 8pm.

Torpoint Tai Chi club Thursdays at the Gardens Sports and Leisure Centre.

Fiendly group that are learning and practicing the Chinese soft martial arts of self defense and a healthy life style .we meet at 7pm to 8pm. For more info call 07828567965 Torpoint WI Meet every fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm in St James Church Hall. Contact 812720.

Waterside Colour Circle Workshop Mornings Enterprise Court, 10am too 1pm. Call for details of workshops 01752 811158.

Wilcove WI Meetings every third Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in New Cove Hall, Wilcove PL11 2RD.

December 2019

@TPChronicle

15

Ferry toll rises by 33 per cent Tolls on the Torpoint Ferry and Tamar Bridge rose on November 19 - on Government orders!

A formal order authorising the increase in tolls came after a public inquiry chaired by an independent inspector backed the rise. It is the first time in nine years that the tolls have been increased. The two crossings are jointly owned by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council and carry more than 18 million vehicles a year across the River Tamar.

Toll prices have not risen since 2010 and, as a result of inflation, increasing maintenance

costs and the funding of a range of improvement projects, the crossings have been running at a loss for nearly two years, eating into limited reserves.

The crossings are entirely self-financed through the tolls charged and this means that the crossings would not have been sustainable without the additional income from an increase in tolls.

The increase means that the car toll charge for TamarTag customers (which represent 60% of all crossings) rises from 75p to £1. For those paying by cash the toll rose from £1.50 to £2.

The 33% increase in tolls – equating to an extra £1.25 a week for a regular TamarTag user – will address the shortfall in income and provide funding to carry out further essential works on both the bridge and the ferries over the next few years.

A spokesperson for Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee said: “We have kept the increase as low as possible while still ensuring the quality and sustainability of the service into the future.

“Even with the increase the crossings are still amongst the cheapest self-financed tolled crossings in the UK.

Organ donation decision made easier NHS Blood and Transplant is making it easier for people to share their organ donation decision with friends and family when they record a decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Latest figures show that 84 per cent of people in England think it is important that they tell people their organ donation decision.

But, only 4 in 10 people (39%) have told their close family or partner their decision. Of those who haven’t had the conversation, 34 per cent1 said it has never come up and 19 per cent1 stating they haven’t got around to it yet.

NHS Blood and Transplant’s new Tell and Share Tool will help explain the importance of sharing your organ donation decision with family and make it easier to do so. After registering their decision, people will be able to share a private message with family and friends by email, whatsapp or, if they are accessing the site from a mobile phone, by text. In addition, those who register their support for organ donation will have the option to immediately download or print a digital organ donor card.

Those who have registered a decision to donate, will also have the ability to share stories, videos, and positive messages about organ donation such as real people stories, news stories and videos through social media2 or by email if they so wish.

Within the first three weeks, around 7,500 organ donor cards have been downloaded and around 500 stories or videos about organ donation have been shared on social media or via messaging platforms by people who have just registered.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The vast majority of people tell us that they understand the importance of talking about organ donation and sharing their decision, but the number of people who actually follow through on this is much lower. With this new Tell and Share tool we want to make it as easy as possible for people to share their organ donation decision with their family.

“We know that if organ donation does become a possibility and families are faced with making a donation decision for a loved

one, they find it easier when they have had the conversation and know what their relative wanted. Even after the law around organ donation changes next year, families will always be approached to discuss the option of organ donation, so telling your family your organ donation decision will help them support what you want at a difficult time.”

Kidney recipient Hilaria Asumu who became unwell at the age of 35 after suffering a miscarriage, multiple organ failure and then diagnosed with kidney disease said: “I was lucky a gracious donor family donated their loved one’s kidney to me. I waited for six long years before I had my transplant.

“I don’t know if the donor had had a conversation with their family. Nevertheless, my long wait for a transplant brings it into sharp focus for me – people need to talk about organ donation, register their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell their families what they want to do.

“The Tell and Share Tool makes this so easy to do, everyone should use it when they register their donation decision.

Hilaria said: “I look back at the kind of person I was, and I look at what I became afterwards. I was a shadow of myself.”

Hilaria received a transplant after a six year wait: “When I got the call, it was like a miracle. I could not believe I’d got the kidney. I just wanted to burst into song, and sing!

“If more people just talk about organ donation and make sure they tell their family, partner or close friends it will make it so much easier for families to honour whatever decision they have made.”

In 2020, the law around organ donation will be changing in both England and Scotland. From spring 2020 in England and Autumn 2020 in Scotland, everyone will be considered as having agreed to donate their own organs when they die unless they record a decision not to donate, what’s known as ‘opt out’, or are in one of the excluded groups. This system was introduced in Wales in December 2015 and in Jersey in July this year.

To find out more about your choices, and to register your donation decision, visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Forget the gloom - it’s party time December is the time when winter really starts to get serious. The days get shorter, the temperature drops, and it’s gloomy most of the time. Only the postmen and postgirls are still wearing shorts!

For oldies like my wife and I, who like being outdoors, we soon scurry for the shelter of our warm, dry home when it’s cold, wet and windy, as it so often is.

Then there’s colds and ‘flu to avoid. We don’t want to be permanently responsible for bringing down the NHS do we?

Now is the time to do anything we can to help homeless or lonely people – like the Christmas Lunch provided by a team of selfless volunteers at St James Church.

Then there’s the changes in the countryside around us and in our gardens.

Sadly all the birds who come so far to visit us in the Summer, like the swallows and swifts, whose aerobatics are just as breath-taking as the Red Arrows, are long gone.

The good news is they are soon replaced by Winter visitors like Redwings and Fieldfares who come South from Scandinavia to delight us in our

By Peter Eustace, Member of Torpoint Christian Fellowship, for Churches Together

gardens along with our faithful year-round bird table visitors.

In Torpoint we are lucky to have nearly a mile of mudflats and foreshore stretching from HMS Raleigh to Thanckes Park.

This is food paradise for ducks, geese and waders coming South from Arctic Russia and Greenland. There is always something to lift our spirits and put joy in our hearts.

Most important of all is Christmas Day when many families come together to share love, good food and drink and exchange gifts and have a party.

At the beginning of December a cross appears on the tower of Maker Church, shining brightly in the darkness. This reminds us of what Christmas is really all about - the best gift and the best reason to celebrate since the beginning of time, when God sent His only Son into the world as a helpless baby. When He grew up He showed us the love God has for us in miracles of healing, explaining the Scriptures and ultimately dying on the cross for our sins which otherwise separate us from God. See John 3:16.

Now Christmas is something which demands a celebration! The best gift in the whole of history. If we accept it, it lasts for ever.

The views expressed in this column are not necessarily the views of Churches Together in Torpoint

USEFUL NUMBERS Emergency Numbers

Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard 999 or 112 Police general enquiries 101 Cornwall County Council 01752 814885 Cawsand/Millbrook Surgeries 01752 829003 Rame Group Practice’s Penntorr Health 01752 813277 Derriford Hospital 01752 202082 Electricity, Western Power Distribution 0800 678 3105 Gas, Wales & West Utilities 0800 111999.

Water, South West Water 0344 3462020 Environment Agency (Emergency) 0800 807060 RSPCA 0300 1234 999

Helplines Age UK Cornwall 01872 266383 Adoption UK 0844 848 7900 Al-Anon Family Groups 020 7403 088 Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 917 7650 Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 220674 Carers UK 020 7378 4999 Childline 0800 1111 Christians Against Poverty (Debt Advice) 0800 328 0006 Cornwall Lifeline (24 Hours Alarm System) 0300 1234161 Crime Stoppers 0800 555111 Crossline Listening Service 01752 666777 Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 1671677 Devon & Cornwall Food Association 07410 977598 Disability & Information Advice Line 01736 759500 Drug Addicts Anonymous: Helpline 07818260811 Money Advice Plymouth (Debt Advice) 01752 208126 NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 8005000 National Missing Persons Helpline 0500 700700 NHS Direct 0845 4647 National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000247 Osteoporosis Support Group 075958 500314 Overeaters Anonymous 07000 784 985 Parentline Plus 0808 8002222 Relateline 0845 1304010 Samaritans 116 123 Talk to Frank 0800 776600 Shelterline 0808 8004444 Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100 West Country Landlords Assn 01752 242980

Travel

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

08000 828282 0800 400600 08457 484950 01752 662271 08717 818181 08705 360360 01752 253153 01752 822105 01752 812233 01752 266030 0870 5210410

Entertainment Theatre Royal Plymouth Pavilions Ticket Store Vue Cinema Tourist Information

01752 267222 03337 727727 0345 308 4620 01752 306330

Mount Edgcumbe National Trust: Antony The Garden Torpoint Library Torpoint & Rame Sports Hall Torpoint Athletic FC

01752 822236 01752 812191 01752 816800 0300 1234111 01752 815172 01752 812889

Leisure

Weather The Met Office Weathercall

0870 9000100 0870 6004242

If you think your organisation would benefit from being listed in our Useful Numbers guide please e-mail your details to info@cornerstonevision.com or write to: Plymouth Shopper, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth Tel 01752 225623

Please note that whilst the Publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of telephone numbers in this Directory, and dates in the What’s On section, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors.

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