Sound 2018

Sound Plymouth’s eats, beats, streets and treats FREE to the likes of you Summer 2018, Issue 3

What is going on?

Good question. Short answer: lots. And we’ve got pretty much all of it covered

Stick man We catch up with Bastille’s most famous Plymothian drummer, Woody

Active Substance Why we should all be messing about in boats, plus an unidentified flying sport

Listings, events guide, walks, days out and more!

Welcome to Sound

Apply direct for September 2018

S

o here we are again, delivering you our fabbo free Sound magazine, back for a third year. Produced by second year Journalism and Sports Journalism students at Plymouth Marjon University, we’ve got the lowdown on all of the best events and activities of the summer.

Our theme this year is ‘hidden Plymouth’, so we’ll be showcasing all of the corners and hideaway spots you might have missed on your last trip into town – from restaurants to local businesses and secret gardens.

But don’t worry, all of you non-Janners out there, we’ve got you covered too, with Ocean City Sounds info, outdoor cinema dates, Shakespeare in the garden and the best beaches to top up your Devon tan.

marjon.ac.uk Plymouth Marjon University is a trading name for the University of St Mark & St John

One of the best things about living in Plymouth is the sheer number of

activities going on, all across the city, and to help you locate them, we’ve even got that covered. Turn to the middle pages for an easy-to-tear-out map of the city. We’re really excited about this edition and we hope you’ll get a lot of use out of it.

As ever, we are immensely grateful to Plymouth Marjon University for funding this project, and allowing us students the chance to create something special. And, not to brag or anything, but we wrote everything and took most of the pictures, too.

We hope you enjoy the third edition of our frankly amazing magazine and let us know what you think by tweeting us at @SoundofPlymouth or email us over at soundofplymouth@gmail.com.

There are also some beautiful photos over on our instagram account @soundofplymouthmag.

Team Sound

Editor Mike Baker Contributors Robert Tunley, Clara Ceballos Soriano, Tim March, Pete Chapman, Connor Mountford, Shannon Brown, Alex Green, Abby Davies, Ziggy Simon, Chris Baker, Hollie Manlow, Jasmine Butler, Taylor Johnson, Callum Nicholas.

Additional photographs Sandu Antonescu, Connor Lawless, Chevanon Photography, Ian Svendplass, Jonathan Miller With thanks to Everyone who helped, coffee, the good people of Plymouth, Plymouth Marjon University, Pepper Communications Editorial While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at time of going to press, Sound Magazine does not accept liability for any errors or omissions contained herein. Views expressed in the individual articles within Sound Magazine are those of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the publishers or Plymouth Marjon University, who are not responsible for any breach of copyright in the material supplied to Sound Magazine.

Images The images used in this publication were created by the contributors, or used under Creative Commons licence, in which case, the photographers are credited where possible.

Fonts With thanks to the creators of Blenda Script, Ostrich, Lane, Raleway, Montserrat Subrayada, Gipsiero – you made us look good.

Cover image Alex Green Printed by Pepper Communications, Plymouth www.pepper.co.uk Tweet us @Soundofplymouth Email soundofplymouth@gmail.com

@soundofplymouth

Contents

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123 4 5 6 789 News Bits and bobs about Pride and Bard in the Yard, as well as a brief overview of other events in the near or distant future – around Plymouth Page 6

Hidden Plymouth Even the most seasoned Janner doesn’t know everything there is to know about the city – here are a few nuggets...

Page 12

Passionate Plymothians We are a city full of inspirational and influential people, so we’re telling a few of their stories to remind you how great we are Page 18

Music Plymouth’s music scene is hotter than the weather – in a good way!

Not to mention a certain annual BBC festival on the Hoe Page 24

A Map Thought we’d include a sort of rough guide to where things are in the city centre – it’s full of useful places to visit if you are new to Plymouth Page 28

Food/Drink Yummy x3, we’ve got a whole bunch of food related stuff for you to drool over, plus we meet a true tea and coffee connoisseur Page 30

Shopping From autumn fashion tips to a geek’s guide to Plymouth and a store which makes use of the everyday things folks leave behind Page 37

Sport We know you’re excited about the World Cup, but don’t forget about all of the local sports hosted across the city, like disc golf...

Page 44

Listings Finally, a long list of all the big stuff we could think of that is happening around the city, from theatre to cinema and music Page 50

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@soundofplymouth

Not a Bard way to spend a night

Open season Summer brings the return of the Open Air Cinema at three venues across the city: Mount Edgecumbe, Tinside Lido and the Royal William Yard.

A variety of films will be shown across July, August and September, ranging from Hollywood blockbusters, cult favourites and good, old fashioned sing-alongs, so there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone! Each film is picked for a specific location, and audiences are always encouraged to dress up.

Films will be announced on plymouthartscentre.org as well as Plymouth Arts Centre’s FaceBook page.

Take Pride, Plymouth

Back again for another performance, it’s Shakespeare, but not as we know him Is that a dagger you see before you? No, it’s Bard in the Yard.

For the fourth year in a row, the Barbican Theatre heads back to the Royal William Yard with classic Shakespeare tragedy, Macbeth.

This instalment of the popular #BardInTheYard program will run in the ‘secret garden,’ from July 31 to August 11, and follows the success of 2015’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2016’s Romeo and Juliet and last year’s Twelfth Night.

Last year saw four Marjon students playing major roles, including Chloe Carruba, who will graduate this year from the Marjon three year BA (Hons) Acting course. Chloe has also won roles in Doc Martin, Poldark, Broadchurch, the Bad Education Movie and Sky 1’s Delicious.

Set in a war torn country Macbeth is @soundofplymouth

a powerful metaphor for our times. This is a breath-taking and bloody story of ambition, treachery, power and guilt. In a highly visual, energised and accessible re-telling of the classic Shakespeare play, the performance will use the extraordinary skills of local professional actors and emerging young artists – and is not to be missed.

While performed in Shakespearian English, as it was written, the Bard in the Yard performances are easy to follow through excellent acting and modernisations elsewhere on stage. Past performances have truly been classic stories told in a new and exciting way, and the ‘Scottish play’ will be no exception.

There will be a fully licensed bar on site, provided by The B-Bar, as well as hot and cold food.

In the case of typical Plymothian wet weather, the show will be moved to The Plymouth Athenaeum on Derry’s Cross.

Tickets are £19, and concessions are £17, including booking fees. www.royalwilliamyard.com

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Rad for it...

The Plymouth Pride Parade will march through the city on 11 August, full of colour, boldness and ... well, pride.

The march will start at midday and head from North Cross roundabout, through Aramada Way, before heading down towards the Hoe. Performances on the main stage start from 1:30pm and will include live music from local musicians, bands and singers.

The day will also feature hot food and snack stalls, community and

craft stalls, face painting, and a fully licensed bar, to get the party started whatever the weather.

Plymouth Pride is a family friendly, free event, to draw the people of the city together to celebrate Plymouth’s diverse LGBTQ+ communities.

This is the sixth Plymouth Pride event, and with the growing success of the part few years, this one is set to be huge! www.prideinplymouth.org.uk

Sailing through the summer, right into October, the National Marine Aquarium are hosting boat trips around Plymouth Sound.

All are welcome on this scenic route, starting from Shepherds Wharf and sailing across Plymouth Sound. You can learn about the habitat that is so special to Plymothians, and all of the sea creatures that lurk in our waters.

The trips started back in April, but are continuing through the summer with a tour a week in August. Check out their website – www.national-aquarium.co.uk – to find out exact dates and times.

Tickets are £15 for adults & £10 for children with under-threes going free.

Summer loving ... your work

Back for its third year, Get Rad is Plymouth rock, punk, and alt festival. On June 30, the likes of The Scribes, Brunel, Boredwalks and Paul Armer, will take to either The Junction or The Underground in a fit of loud guitar and heavy drumming.

So, if Ocean City Sounds just isn’t for you, you can get your summer fill of music at Get Rad.

From July 21 to August 4, Leanne Christie will be showcasing her new singles collection, as well as a planned ‘meet n greet.’ Christie moved to the Cornish coast when she was a teenager, and this forms the inspiration for many of her works.

She has been painting for over 20 years and works predominately with oil paints.

With artwork selling in galleries across the nation and with her large following across the south of Devon, this promises to be a very busy viewing.

Meet the artist: July 21st July 22nd

Sound advice

11:30am – 1pm, 2:30pm – 5pm 11:30am – 1pm

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@soundofplymouth

HAVE big

Armed Forces Day

!

Free

Firework Championships

Days Out!

!

Free

30 June Plymouth Hoe

8–9 August Plymouth Waterfront

Armed Forces Day is always hugely popular in Plymouth, a city known for its military history. This year’s event, taking place on The Hoe, commemorates the RAF’s 100th anniversary. Events will be taking place in the area, including the Field Gun competitions and the Parade of Standards. Military vehicles, equipment and helicopters will be on public display and there’s a chance to meet the veterans.

Each night, three professional firework display teams from across the UK will put on a magnificent show. The event has been held in the city for over 20 years and has gained in popularity every year since. There are many places to watch the fireworks. The best locations are the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Queen Anne’s Battery, Jennycliff and The Hoe, where there’s entertainment prior to the displays, which start at 9pm.

@soundofplymouth

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Ocean City Blues n Jazz Festival

Seafood Festival

!

Free

This will be the third time the Ocean City Blues n Jazz Festival has taken place and it runs across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This year’s line up includes The Rumblestrutters, The Ben Robey Band, Lucky ol Sun and Vince Lee’s Big Combo. For more information go to www. visitplymouth.co.uk

15–16 September The Barbican & Sutton Harbour

If you love freshly caught local produce, the seafood festival is for you! Plymouth is known for its amazing seafood and is the first city in the world to be awarded the Fish2Fork Blue City status for its commitment to sourcing sustainable fish. Now in its second year, the festival brings regional and celebrity chefs to demonstrate their dishes in the cookery theatre, as well as live entertainment and activities for the whole family.

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@soundofplymouth

10–12 August The Parade, The Barbican

Tickets please!

Quay destination: Plymouth’s historic Barbican can be reached on the No25 bus, for those who don’t fancy the stroll from the city centre

All aboard! Shannon Brown joins a queue and hops on a bus to save the planet, and guides you through what all the numbers mean

B

uses are weird. You get on one outside your house, with a bunch of total strangers, and trust the stranger driving you to go to the right place.

They’re mostly reliable, aside from changing their times and routes twice a year, and pretty much every single one passes through the city centre, which is nice. If that’s where you’re heading.

For most of us, the bus gets us from home to town, or home to work.

But what if there were hidden gems along those foreign bus routes?

Secret pubs you didn’t know existed, the best fish ‘n’ chips away from the Barbican, or even Plymouth’s last remaining guitar shop...

Well, here at Sound, we like to help. So here’s our guide to (most of) the bus routes in and around Plymouth. From the city centre, to wherever you end up, you might discover something new!

5/5a

Plymstock – city centre – Saltash

How many of us have been on a ‘day out’ to Saltash? As well as having it’s own heritage museum (opening times on their website) and a number of parks along the bus route, it’s also the gateway into sunny Cornwall! Super Tramp is also a short walk from this route, so get off the 5a by Breakwater road and jump your way to happy kids! @soundofplymouth

11 Trago Mills – Liskeard Who knew you could get a bus to Trago? Good luck with getting back on again to come home, once you’ve bought all that stuff you didn’t know you needed...

14 Mount Wise Pools Open between May and September, Mount Wise pools are FREE and on the 14’s route, so what are you waiting for? Splish splash the day away!

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Barbican Leisure Park

Okay, so maybe you know where Vue cinema is, but at just over a 10 minute journey from town to the Leisure Park, if you’ve already got a dayrider ticket, you’ll save yourself a long walk. Especially if it’s raining.

16 North Prospect library One of our dwindling libraries that is still open, the North Prospect library hosts a range of activities through the week, and will be carrying this on throughout the summer. Libraries are free, and Plymouth Libraries will, once again, be hosting their Summer Reading Challenge, starting on 14 July.

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23 Freedom Fields Home of the Freedom Community Festival, the park itself was host to the Sabbath Day Fight during the civil war, commemorated by a memorial. It’s a great place to enjoy some of the nicest views in the city, looking out across Plymouth Sound and beyond...

25 Barbican For some, the walk from the city centre to the Barbican is a bit too far, and if you’ve already got your day rider ticket…

The 25 heads down there every half hour if you fancy a bit of food at Cap’n Jaspers for a classic Plymothian lunch, or take a boat trip to the Royal William Yard, or Cawsand beach.

27/28

Eggbuckland

On July 14, Frogmore Field will turn into a jam-packed festival in celebration of the community. The festival will feature a dog show and Plymouth Ukulele Players, alongside other entertainment. It was a big hit last year, so mark the date in your diaries.

40/41

Crownhill Fort

Tours are on the last Friday of every month, along with a host of open days throughout the summer holidays.

Outside these times, the fort is private.

42 Marjon Swimming, trampolining and climbing sessions for children, as well as a holiday sports club. Plus, some students...

50/51

Ski Slope

Sure, it’s summer, but the JNL Ski and Snowboard Centre is open all year. They offer adventure days over the holidays, including snow tubing, tobogganing and ski and snowboarding lessons.

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Conditions of travel Buses force strangers to share personal space, which is fine if you understand the rules. If you don’t, here’s a little help...

1. Headphones are a gift There’s a poster on most buses that states this, but please. If we all wanted to listen to Katy Perry’s ‘greatest hits,’ then that’s what we’d put on Spotify. And, let’s be honest, wearing headphones is probably the easiest way to make sure no one speaks to you on the bus, so, win-win!

2. It’s a bus, not a bin.

Take your dang rubbish with you!

Not only is this inconsiderate to other people who have to sit on your McDonald’s covered seat, but someone has to clean it up.

Don’t make life harder for other people.

3. Shhhhhhh Some people are naturally chatty.

That’s great! Now, if it’s all the same to you, why don’t you sit with that lovely lady over there who we, as a collective bus, have nicknamed Cathy. Not next to that sleepy-eyed teenager just trying to get to work.

4. Seating plan Let’s address the issue of seating.

While seats should, as common curtesy dictates, be given up for the elderly, disabled, pregnant, or families with small children, getting rude or snippy about seats is not going to help your case.

Bonus: Children Crying is normal. Singing, talking, questioning why that man is wearing a hat, all acceptable. The only thing, the ONE thing… please stop your child from kicking the seat in front. It’s more annoying than painful but please. Any other way they want to keep themselves entertained, go for it. Just not that one.

@soundofplymouth

Your turn Stop pretending to fiddle with your phone, Shannon Brown has spotted you, and is bringing the mic over... It’s time for karaoke!

P

lymouth has no dedicated karaoke bar – which is a tragedy as Steps might have it. But fear not, there are bars and clubs and function rooms across the city with one-off nights where you can indulge your inner diva.

Plenty of places across the city host live music nights and showcase local talent, but that’s not the same as belting out Bohemian Rhapsody on a Thursday night in front of a crowd of total strangers, is it?

Actually, doesn’t have to be a Thursday, if you follow our guide to Plymouth’s singalong nights out, you could pretty much keep wailing all week...

Sunday Walkabout 5 Union Street Described as “legen – wait for it – dary,” on Facebook, with the students gone for the summer, Walkabout karaoke nights need new voices to fill in the void. From 9pm til midnight and 2-4-1 drinks, this karaoke session has been running every Sunday (except bank holidays) for years. Rest assured, they know what they’re doing!

@soundofplymouth

Tuesday The Bluebird 164 Eggbuckland Road This little pub in Higher Compton is known for sports and live music, but nestled amongst the football and acoustic guitars, is a nice, relaxed karaoke night. From around 6:30pm in the evenings, the pub runs an anything goes karaoke session; rumour has it, someone once won a box of crisps for rapping an Eminem!

So, if your palms are sweaty, knees weak...

Wednesday The Bank Old George Street Dang, the karaoke here is on fire!

Located just behind the Theatre Royal, this place is packed, and there’s talent to boot. From 9 to 11pm, the list fills up fast, so get there early to put your name down if you want to join in. Alternatively, watch some enthusiastic singers belt it out for a couple of hours. Either way, a great way to spend the night!

Thursday OMG 11 Parade, Barbican From 10pm, in the downstairs bar, you can sing your cares away, surrounded by positive, 12

inclusive, lovely people. One of Plymouth’s few gay bars, OMG hosts other event nights too, including cabaret and drag queens from Ru Paul’s Drag Race! It’s a fun and lively club, with a supportive audience… what more could a karaoke star ask for?

Friday The Brass Monkey 12-14 Royal Parade From 8pm onwards, expect this usual sports bar to be thriving with music and dancing. The crowd here is energetic, the singers are eager, and the drinks are reasonable. Though they usually show darts, football, and even golf depending on the season, don’t let this fool you into thinking they don’t do music. The karaoke is exactly what you’d want from this classic pub, just up from the big screen in the city centre.

Some of these sessions are seasonal, and will just be hosted over the summer, some have been running for years, but all that’s missing currently is you.

Of course, if your local hosts a sing-a-long/karaoke/open mic type event, and you are musically inclined, then what are you waiting for? And if we’ve missed anything off, let us know. @Soundofplymouth soundofplymouth@gmail.com

@soundofplymouth

Water spot for a day out

SPLENDID ISOLATION

So, what can you do if you don’t like the beach but want to be beside the seaside? Connor Mountford has a couple of suggestions...

Royal William Yard If history is your thing then you can sign up for a history tour that will take you through the yard’s rich heritage. But, with the hot weather that the summer (sometimes) brings in, people need a place to cool down and the Royal William Yard offers a place to do just that.

The tidal pool allows everyone to take a swim in the sea and take in the views around Plymouth. The water tends to be a bit warmer than the sea itself.

Alternatively, if you just want a gentle stroll then there’s even an opportunity for you to do so. There are three different walks you can take that showcase the historic site and Plymouth’s magnificent views. For more information, check out the Royal William Yard website or call in at the information desk at the site. www.royalwilliamyard.com

The start of summer means that thousands will be flocking to the beach for a well earned escape.

If you’re looking for a break from the crowds, here are a few suggestions on some quieter beaches not far from Plymouth, writes Chris Baker

Kingsand and Cawsand The neighbouring villages of Kingsand and Cawsand boast stunning views across Plymouth Sound, plenty of places to eat, and are accessible by car or boat. The beaches can get busy though, particularly on a sunny day, so if you’re not a fan of the hustle and bustle, a coastal walk may be more your thing.

Travel You can catch the Torpoint Ferry from Devonport, then it’s a 20 minute car journey from Torpoint, or you could go by bus (70A) from Royal Parade.

Food and drink There’s a wide selection of places to eat or drink in the villages. Try the Old Bakery, the Old Boat Store Cafe, the Shop in the Square, the Cross Keys Inn, the Halfway House Inn, @soundofplymouth

the Devonport Inn and The Rising Sun. Or you could just take a picnic and find a quiet spot overlooking Plymouth Sound.

Walk You could follow the South West Coast Path out of Cawsand and around Rame Head. It’s quite a long walk, depending on how far you choose to go, but if you want to walk as far as Whitsand Bay, you’ll need to set aside a few hours...

Jennycliff There’s a small beach at Jennycliff with plenty of car parking and great views over the city. There are quite a few steps down to the beach, but the green open space just across the road from the car park is ideal for a picnic or a dog walk.

Travel By car, it should take less than 14

20 minutes from the city centre.

Alternatively, you could get the Mount Batten Ferry from the Barbican to Mount Batten and then it’s a 15 minute walk to Jennycliff.

Food and drink The Jennycliff Cafe is a popular favourite, with indoor and outdoor seating, and reasonably priced food and drink. Alternatively, if you walk to Mount Batten, there’s the Hotel Mount Batten which has a restaurant.

Walk The South West Coast Path walk from Jennycliff to Mount Batten takes around 15 minutes and there are some fantastic views over Plymouth.

The beach at Heybrook Bay is small and almost completely disappears at high tide. It’s made the list because

Heybrook Bay the nearby coastal walks more than make up for a lack of sand.

Travel It’s a 20–25 minute car journey from the city centre, but there’s limited parking.

Food and drink The Eddystone Inn overlooks the sea and has indoor and outdoor seating. It’s just a short walk from the beach.

Walk For a picturesque walk, follow the South West Coast Path around to neighbouring beaches Wembury or Bovisand. Just keep well back from the cliff edges!

Ayrmer Cove Although near to popular Bigbury,

Ayrmer Cove is certainly a secluded beach. It’s around a kilometre walk from the National Trust car park and at low tide there are several adjacent coves to explore.

Travel This is the furthest of the beaches on the list – around 45 minutes by car from the city centre.

Food and drink There are no facilities at Ayrmer Cove, but there’s a pub in the nearby village of Ringmore called Journey’s End. Walk There’s the South West Coast Path either side of the beach; it’s quite a climb, but the views of the dramatic rocky coastline are well worth it.

Don’t forget to send us some snaps if you enjoy yourselves...

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And if you want a change of scenery, there’s somewhere else close by that offers another day out…

Mount Edgcumbe Just past Royal William Yard, down a little slipway next to Elivira’s Café is your gateway to another world... the Cremyll Ferry has been taking foot passengers across the River Tamar for centuries.

It departs from Admirals Hard, Stonehouse, every 30 minutes – at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour (with an eightminute crossing time).

The No34 bus from Royal Parade in Plymouth city centre brings you to the departure point. A one-way trip costs £1.50 for an adult, 75p for a child and is free for children under four and well-behaved dogs.

You arrive at Mount Edgecumbe house and gardens which allows you to take a stroll through the ancestral home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe. If you’re more of an adventurous type, there are opportunities for you too, with a Segway course with three different types of experiences including a coastal expedition and a wildlife expedition.

You can even play some Frisbee golf at Flyers Disc Golf – see Rob Tunley’s story on page 46.

@soundofplymouth

O U E L P S B H U

SW F TX WC H I D I D F VQ L I DOD L Y MO U Y SME A A R B I C OL L E X NT B BD N I S ORO V D Y GR E E N S S H S DP F

If you haven’t been to Plymouth’s hidden 1970s garden or know where to buy a tiger, you’re just another grockle. Allow Sound to be your secret guide

@soundofplymouth

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B Z DE A N Y L TH TO A N K Z J U A C ND NN E Y RO

U N I O N N J A S P E R S B

Elizabethan gardens Plymouth’s own Secret Garden, this beautiful mass of leaves and flowers has stood here since 1970, to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Mayflower. Four gardens linked together, they are a trip through time, looking as they might have done around 400 years ago. The area is rarely crowded, and will provide a lovely escape from the ever busy Barbican.

Parade Antiques Founded in 1997, this antiques market sells… everything, to be honest: art, jewellery, furniture and a giant tiger.

There’s a tiger. It’s worth a visit for the tiger alone. Many of the items on offer are historic, including weapons from both world wars.

Hint: On the Barbican. Near the tallest and spiciest mountain range...

Top Secret Magic

Hint: Still the Barbican. Three house numbers up from Elizabethan Gardens

According to Derren Brown, TSM is the “most charming magic shop in the world”. We can neither confirm or deny this, but we trust Mr Brown’s knowledge. Owner Malcolm Norton has been a professional magician for 35 years. The shop carries close-up equipment, escapology and a whole range of collectables.

Devonport Guildhall Climbing the Guildhall’s column, you’ll get the best view of the waterfront. The column itself was designed in 1824, and is one of the few across the nation that is still open to the public. You can also get a free audio guided tour and the area has free Wi-Fi, so your snaps of the beautiful view can instantly be uploaded.

Hint: Barbican again. Ice cream and books don’t usually mix. If you hit the strange, half destroyed painting, you’ve gone too far.

Plym Valley Railway

Hint: Ummm… Devonport? Mount Wise driving you around the bend?

Created in 1980, this mile-long heritage track forms what used to be the line from Plymouth the Tavistock. Since 2012, the line stretches all the way to Plym Bridge, 50 years and one day since the closure of the original track. They are also celebrating the Transport Festival on August 25-26.

Efford marshes A site the size of 28 football pitches, Efford Marsh drains into the River Plym, and covers a variety of woodland and marsh. Species local to the area include badgers and the Plymouth Pear, one of the rarest trees in the UK. There are also a selection of wildflower meadows and a whole lot of wetland, so keep to the paths if you don’t want soggy socks!

Hint: Efford/Egguckland. Find the park of deers and follow them to the top.

Hint: not the Barbican! Plympton. Ignoring what your children say, drive straight past McDonalds, do not stop, do not collect £200

Just for fun, we’ve hidden a few more words connected with Plymouth in the wordsearch on the left. See if you can spot them: SWILLY, SMEATON, BARBICAN, ALBION, LIDO, GREENS, JASPERS, JANNER, UNION

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@soundofplymouth

P

lastic pollution is prevalent, not just on a local scale, but globally. Killing more than 100,000 marine animals each year, it’s one of the biggest concerns facing our planet.

In June, it was announced that Plymouth was the first UK city to be accredited by the global charity Surfers Against Sewage with Plastic Free Communities status for its waterfront.

The new Ocean City Plan For Plastics has now been launched as one of Plymouth City Council’s pledges, along with trialling the use of a new sea-bin to collect plastics and other solid materials directly from the sea.

The delivery of the plan will be monitored by Britain’s Ocean City Plastics Task Force, with representatives from the public, private, voluntary and academic sectors.

We spoke to the leader of Plymouth City Council, Tudor Evans, and Cllr Darren Winter about how the ambitious scheme might work.

Words: Chris Baker

Sound: Why do you want Plymouth to stop using single-use plastic?

Darren: We’ve got towns and coastal villages who have gone to some way and also a couple have achieved the accreditation. There hasn’t been a city yet and I think that Plymouth should be aiming to be the first city and hopefully we can be the first.

Tudor: There’s so much plastic in the ocean now and it will take a long time, but we can start by not adding to it, or slow down what’s going on, and if we can do that, we will do that.

S: How achievable is it?

D: It is achievable, absolutely. The technology is out there to replace single-use plastic and we’re already seeing it now in pubs, in bars and cafes. They’re getting rid of plastic straws and businesses are now taking it up. You only need to go across the water to

Bringing it home @soundofplymouth

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Do your bit There are so many ways you can get involved and help turn the tide on plastic pollution. A great way is to join a beach clean or a litter clean-up.

There are several organisations such as the Marine Conservation Society, the National Trust and Surfers Against Sewage that organise beach cleans all year round.

If you can’t get to one of their events but are planning to head to the beach this summer, you could do your very own ‘two-minute beach clean’.

The idea being that you spend a couple of minutes picking up any rubbish you find on the beach and take it away with you.

There are several litter picks happening all over Plymouth. To find your nearest group, visit: www.litteraction.org.uk

the Netherlands. They have a plastic-free aisle now with all foods without plastic packaging. In Germany, you go and get your fruit and veg, you put it in a cloth bag, weigh it out, return the cloth bag and take the goods with you.

T: We’ve already heard of people wanting to do the right thing already.

Being good for the environment is good for your business in any case. There’s also a financial incentive because no matter what they say, if you think about the clean up costs of using disposable plastic, that eventually comes back on a business.

S: How is it going to work?

D: For the city council, the aim is by 2020 to finish using single-use plastic. As for wider Plymouth, since June this year, there has been be a plasticfree task force in place, which will be working with businesses and organisations and

City gents: Cllr Darren Winter and city council leader, Tudor Evans

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Watch a film of this interview on our Twitter page @soundofplymouth

helping them reduce their use of singleuse plastics and that will be an ongoing thing.

T: It’s logical that the place where action should start should be at local authority level. They’re the ones with the links to business, community action. If you don’t start locally, you might never start at all.

S: Why will it be good for the city?

D: I’d like to be able to fast forward 50 years and for them to say “do you remember that problem we had with plastics in the oceans? Well Plymouth started the clean-up”. That’s what I’d like to see. The Government has sensed that something needs to be done, but don’t quite know where to start. Well, we’re going to show them how to start.

T: We’ve got a tremendous track record for pioneering in Plymouth. We’re Britain’s Ocean City and the reason that works is because it’s authentic. We are British, we’re on the ocean, we are a city and therefore there is an obligation on us to make sure the thing that makes us unique is actually looking after the ocean.

S: What was your inspiration for calling the motion?

D: My inspiration was my daughter Grace. She won a competition to go to France, based on marine projects, about drawing attention to plastics in the ocean and how we can actually care for our ocean. She came back saying “Dad, I had a really good time, but what can we actually do about plastics in the oceans”. I thought, well this is something I can bring forward if I get elected as a city councillor, and I got elected. Just as I started work on things and chatting to other organisations, all of a sudden the David Attenborough Blue Planet programme came about and it just felt like the right time.

T: David Attenborough has been making programmes for a long time and certainly in the last 20 years, he’s usually been ending his shows with some sort of statement around “we need to change”, but it feels like something different happened this time, people felt a sense of disgust and also a sense of wanting to move before it’s too late. @soundofplymouth

Take the plunge The summer is here and going for a swim in the Sound is starting to sound inviting. We sent Clara Ceballos Soriano down to the Hoe, to meet the hardcore swimmers who get in whatever the weather

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ou can feel the excitement growing but once you touch the water, the story changes. Its freezing! It’s boiling outside though, and if you don’t have an apartment waiting for you in Benidorm, this is your only choice.

While you hold your breath and perform your little dance trying to get your body into the freezing liquid you look up and see that there are people all the way out, swimming tirelessly from one buoy to the next one.

@soundofplymouth

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The water doesn’t seem to be too cold for them. Not now, not ever.

They are part of a group who swim in the sea all year round and they do it without wearing wetsuits – are they mad? Well, yes and no, as they explain.

Natalie, who’s been doing this for four years, including the snow days, said that she actually likes the cold.

“The cold is like a drug, you enjoy it, in a weird kind of way, you feel alive with it.”

Theresa, who is also a sea swimmer, said that it is only really afterwards that you feel how cold you are. She said: “It’s about 10 minutes after you get out that you feel it; that’s when you think, I’m mad.”

Theresa is one of the newer additions of the group. She says she used to go running but started sea swimming after having some healthrelated issues.

“I enjoyed it right from the beginning, you just feel happy, it’s as simple as that,” she said.

Jeff has also been sea swimming for a few years and he knew exactly what you’ll be thinking by now.

“We may well be mad but we’re really enjoying it, I used to think people were mad going in, but now I wouldn’t not do it, it’s actually very

Come on in...

Cold water swimming has many health benefits, apart from making you feel like an absolute boss.

Many health specialists suggest that swimming in cold open water can have a great number of advantages, including: reducing stress, helping you burn calories quicker, relief from chronic pain, boosting your endorphins, and improving blood circulation.

Just remember the rules: 1.

2.

3.

Always wear a wetsuit – you can always take it off Don’t directly jump into the cold water, ease your way in Have warm clothes to put on afterwards

You can contact Plymouth’s open water swimmers via their Facebook group called Devon Wild Swimming.

Some good spots they recommend for swimming are Jennycliff Bay, Bovisand, Cawsand and Kingsand, and Sharrow Point.

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addictive.” So, while some people will tell you they need a cup of coffee to get themselves going in the morning, others just need a dip in 6ºC water.

“It seems to set you up for the day, you go in there and you feel you’ve achieved something and your body is buzzing as well. It’s a fantastic start to the day,” said Jeff.

Not all swimmers are as crazy though; some of them wear wetsuits during the winter, but most seem to end up ditching them. “We had wetsuits on the first year and then we realised that it was too much hassle,” says Natalie. Theresa agrees: “I didn’t come out of the wetsuit until the first summer but then I knew I wouldn’t go back in it.”

Connecting with nature is also part of the fun. “Some days the water is crystal clear and you can see the bottom and you can see some sea life: fish swimming quite close to the shore, the cormorant diving and there is a seal that tends to be around quite a lot,” said Jeff.

In Plymouth, there is a clear a tradition that goes back for years of people swimming in the sea. Some do it for a challenge, others for health reasons and others actually just for fun. @soundofplymouth

It takes more than a popular beat combo with floppy hair to impress us Plymothians nowadays, but that wasn’t always the case. Pete Chapman wanders down memory lane to find who else has come by here

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e have all seen the picture of the Beatles on the Hoe when they performed at the ABC cinema in the Sixties. They also visited, and took that famous picture, in 1967 while filming the Magical Mystery Tour movie. So, here’s another Fab Four who we have been privileged to host.

Pelé

The real fab four

Around 40,000 people packed Home Park on March 14th, 1973 to see the world’s greatest player grace the Theatre of Greens.

Following the game fans invaded the pitch, but Pelé and his Santos team-mates managed to escape after Argyle’s 3-2 victory. Those team-mates included Clodoaldo, Carlos Alberto and Edu who had all won the World Cup with Pelé three years earlier.

The game was only a friendly, and it was played in that way too.

John Hore lined up against Pelé, and recalls the icon asking him to lay off those classic 70s tackles. Hore gladly obliged and boasts the Brazilian’s shirt from that match.

The Pelé: Art, Life, Football exhibit at the National Football Museum has a programme from the game on display. If you were at Home Park that day, tell us your memories @soundofplymouth

Napoleon Bonaparte There’s no doubt that Pelé was a big part of why 40,000 fans filled Home Park.

However, just over 150 years previously, Napoleon Bonaparte was having a similar pull on the people of Plymouth.

E’re bey, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender. Soon after, in 1815, he was held prisoner onboard a warship in Plymouth Sound and people flocked like gulls to see him for the 10 days or so he was there.

Those Beatles visits might have @soundofplymouth

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sparked a bit of mania around the city, but the Frenchman’s visit was even more manic. It’s estimated 10,000 people came to see the ship in the Sound, some from as far as London.

Staggeringly, it’s claimed that over 1,000 vessels occupied the water, making it busier than Drake Circus on Boxing Day. People even played French music from their boats to lure him out.

Some accounts suggest he enjoyed the attention and would peek through a telescope to see the crowds, much like John, Paul, George and Ringo would’ve peeked through the curtain before a show.

The little fella would even wear his famous hat as if he was playing his biggest hit. There are also reports that people died trying to see him, clearly desperate for a ticket to ride on that ship. Sorry.

Charles Darwin Even as a prisoner Napoleon found some joy in Plymouth by basking in the curiosity of his thousands of ‘fans’ over those heady days… Only 16 years later, Charles Darwin spent two months here in preparing for a five-year voyage onboard the HMS Beagle.

Darwin described his time in Plymouth as ‘the most miserable he ever spent’ and upon his return from the voyage in 1836, he described the city as ‘that horrid Plymouth.’

Cheers, mate.

The HMS Beagle sailed from Barn Pool, Devonport on 27 December 1831. It was on that very voyage he collected data for one of the most important books ever written, The Origin of the Species.

He spent Christmas Day in Plymouth, but there is no record of who turned on the lights that year.

It is rumoured however that they intended to leave on the 26th, but the crew were too drunk. They may have even enjoyed their Christmas tipple in one of the old pubs listed 23

elsewhere in this magazine. In 1861, two years after the publication of his greatest work, he spent six weeks in nearby Torquay. Fittingly, he stayed close to Kents Cavern which provided supporting evidence for his theories.

You can visit the commemorative plaque dedicated to him at Devil’s Point in Stonehouse. It is situated opposite where the HMS Beagle departed.

Harry Houdini The New Palace Theatre in Union Street has seen better days. Just short of 110 years ago, it hosted the escapologist Harry Houdini for a week in August 1909.

To generate excitement for his shows, he donned handcuffs, and had his arms secured by locks attached to a chain around his neck.

That’s the fun bit, I guess. In this restricted state, he then dived off Stonehouse bridge.

A group of dockyard workers; George West, Thomas Smith, Joseph Couch, William Lang and William Wood, issued a challenge. They would create a box for him to escape from and were confident that it would be something special.

Houdini, never to be outdone, was also confident. He wagered his appearance fee of £25 (which roughly equates to £3,000 nowadays) and his life, obviously.

The workers hammered extra nails into the box and confirmed its integrity before the stunt. Inevitably, he emerged.

The sold-out crowd were astounded, and the box was said to have been in exactly the same condition as when he was nailed inside it. He may have performed similar stunts around the globe, but he responded to a challenge from the people of Plymouth. That’s pretty cool.

There’s no doubt we’ve missed some impressive people off this list.

Know any? Let us know your stories @soundofplymouth @soundofplymouth

Band of brothers: Bastille’s lineup, from left to right, Kyle Simmons, Dan Smith, Will Farquarson, Chris ‘Woody’ Wood

I’ll also never forget having the crowd sing Green Army at the end.

You’ll be headlining Ocean City Sounds this summer, so back in Plymouth once again. How are you feeling about playing in your home town again?

The Hoe is one of the most unique venues imaginable and (hoping the weather holds!) it should be a phenomenal night. It’s the most iconic part of the city and everyone from Plymouth has some sort of special memory up there. It is most definitely a massive tick off my music bucket list, especially considering how jealous I’ve been of mates of ours in other bands playing up there in recent years. I just can’t wait!

Can we expect any new material from Bastille before Ocean City Sounds?

Well we’ll have our new single Quarter Past Midnight out so we’ll definitely be giving that one a spin.

We’re just deciding now how we’ll deal with the other new stuff, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some other new things make their way in there.

Is there anything exciting coming up for Bastille that you can tell us about?

Loads I wish I could talk about. All in good time…

Local hero Ever since Bastille hit the charts in 2013 with their single Pompeii Plymouth has had a hand (or two) in one of the biggest bands in the country. Alex Green met the man behind the drums...

@soundofplymouth

Chris ‘Woody’ Wood is one of the most famous Plymothians out there, having toured the entire globe with his chart-topping band Bastille. Last year they went on their Wild Wild World Tour, playing massive venues all over the world.

In April they went on their ReOrchestrated Tour which saw the band collaborate with a gospel choir along with some brass and strings to create completely fresh versions of some of their hits.

Sound caught up with Woody to talk about his heritage and musical beginnings here in Plymouth, how Bastille came to be, and of course, we spoke about the upcoming Ocean City Sounds Festival, which will take 24

How did Bastille originally form?

I went to music college and ended up living in various parts of London and met Dan (Bastille’s frontman) when I was flyering for drum lessons.

I played with him for about two years before we formed the band and he’s been stuck with me ever since.

place on The Hoe on the 26th and 27th of July this year.

Sound: Did you always want to be a musician?

Woody: I was always playing from the age of about 11. My Dad had me occasionally filling in with his pub band from the age of 14 and I was involved in bands at school too. So, from an early age I always enjoyed being around music.

What do you love the most about Plymouth?

There’s nowhere else like it and I’m immensely proud to be from there. I still call it home even though I haven’t lived in Plymouth for over 14 years now. My family all still live in the city

and I’ve made very little secret about my footballing allegiance. I love that you can be on the beach, up on the moors, or in the middle of town all within 20 minutes and I love that there’s always something happening.

You’ve played in Plymouth a couple of times now, which gig was your favourite?

I’d say the first Pavilions gig we did on the Bad Blood Tour in 2014 was the really special one. We hadn’t ever played Plymouth before, so to do so for the first time at the venue that I’d seen so many bands play when I was growing up just blew my mind.

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Finally, you’re stuck on a desert island, with one song for the rest of your life. What song do you pick?

Blue by Eiffel 65. Keep playing that on loop for long enough and I’m sure someone will get so fed up of hearing it, they’ll come rescue me just to turn it off.

Some exciting stuff in there, with a small hint to more new music from Bastille in the foreseeable future, and some real shade being thrown at Eiffel 65! Sound Mag will be at Ocean City Sounds this year and we can’t wait to see Bastille headline it.

As far as Woody’s concerned, Plymouth has it all. Sun, sea, moors, and the city. We think so too.

But what do you think? Let us know @soundofplymouthmag on Instagram. Tag us in your Plymouth photos that you think are worth shouting about.

More on Plymouth Ocean City Sounds lineup – see page 22 @soundofplymouth

Sponsored by

Rowes www.roweshonda.co.uk

Hands in the air!

Rain, wellies, people with those annoying flags, Ed Sheeran with his funny little guitar ... it’s festival season! Thankfully Taylor Johnson brings news of what’s become a proper Plymouth summertime staple

MTV Presents: Ocean City Sounds, might have a slightly different name, but thankfully not much else has changed from previous years. The venue is still the Plymouth Hoe which will be jam packed for two days of music on 26-27 July.

With Bastille headlining on day one, we’ll get a chance to (partially) see hometown hero Chris ‘Woody’ Wood banging the drums at the back. So, who else has been announced?

Ella Eyre: singer/songwriter and

winner of two MOBO awards, a Brit award as well as a debut album in the UK top 10, but perhaps best known for her collaboration with Rudimental, Waiting All Night. And she’s excited about visiting our city, saying: “I can’t wait to come and perform in Plymouth. It’s an amazing location, overlooking the sea and I’m really looking forward to a bit of sea, sunshine and singing with the crowds.”

Professor Green: Fresh from the release of his third album Unruly, the UK rapper will certainly be a popular addition to the day one lineup. He’s sure to get the crowd singing along on to hits such as Lullaby and Read all about it.

R3WIRE & VARSKI: The DJ duo will

kick off the evening’s festivities with a set that’s sure to get the crowd jumping and dancing non-stop, and they can’t wait to get the party started. “We love performing in Plymouth and are so excited to come back and make Plymouth Hoe party central on 26 July.”

Pete Tong & The Heritage Orchestra: The day two headliners have been announced, with Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong taking to the stage alongside the Heritage Orchestra, which will be conducted by Jules Buckley. So, if you’re a fan of electronic music – and more precisely, Ibiza classics – then you won’t want to miss this as it’s their only South West performance of 2018.

For more information head over to www.oceancitysounds.co.uk

But what if you want to give your hands a rest?

Plymouth Gin Festival 29–30 June Plymouth Pavilions The UK’s first and largest gin festival, and is a fantastic opportunity to try gins from across the globe. There will be gin masterclasses, so you can meet the distillers, as well as food, live music and a gin cocktail bar. Over 18s only, though...

Plymouth Art Weekender 28–30 September Returning for its fourth year, Plymouth Art Weekender showcases creativity and flair in and around the city. Bursting with a range of creativity from different art platforms, artists who are local, national and even international come together for the three-day event to showcase their work.

THE PARADE, THE BARBICAN

10-12 August starts midday Friday 11 August

Saturday 12 August

Sunday 13 August

The Rumblestrutters The Ben Robey Band

Lucky ol Sun Lottie Bolt Band

Joanna Cooke Vince Lee’s Big Combo

Plus many more acts throughout the festival VisitPlymouth.co.uk

@soundofplymouth

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WhatsOnPlymouth

WhatsOnPlymouth @soundofplymouth

6.

Sound planner Food and Drink

Landmarks

1. Pub on the Hoe 2. Tiger Milk 3. Beggar’s Banquet 4. The Harbour 5. Knead Pizza 6. Column Bakehouse 7. Hangry 8. Tilt 9. Minerva 10. Fisherman’s Arms 11. Admiral MacBride 12. Tea and Coffee House 13. Jacka Bakery 14. Harbourside 15. Prime Café 16. Good Coffee Headquarters 17. Coffee Bean

1. Smeaton’s Tower 2. National Marine Aquarium 3. Hoe Park 4. Royal William Yard 5. Edgecumbe Park 6. Central Park 7. Royal Citadel 8. Victoria Park 9. Freedom Fields 10. Mount Batten Centre 11. Plymouth Ferries 12. Plymouth Sundial 13. Drake’s Place 14. Tourist Information 15. Drake’s Island 16. Plymouth rail station 17. Continental ferry terminal

13.

16.

This is by no means an exhaustive map of places and things to do in Plymouth – you might want to head to the Tourist Information (No14) for one of those. We just wanted to give you an idea of where some of the places we’ve featured in this edition of Sound are to be found...

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The (other) Sound @soundofplymouth

Pull up a chair and have this one on us If you’re new to Plymouth, or fancy a drink somewhere different, check out some of our team’s favourite places!

Pub on the Hoe

The Pub on the Hoe is, a pub, on the Hoe… What more is there to say?! It offers a wide selection of drinks, and a large food menu including locally sourced fish. The jewel in the crown is the location. Views of Smeaton’s Tower and a short walk to the waterfront make this our top spot in the area.

Don’t just take our word for it

By Hollie Manlow Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, and we like it even more when we get to sit down and enjoy a bit of grub there too.

So we found some perfect places to visit in the summer dotted around Plymouth Sound. Using trusted review website Tripadvisor as our guide, we thought we’d see what the punters made of them.

So if you’re looking to chow down by the sea and you are prepared to listen, the people have spoken!

Jacka Bakery

Tripadvisor rating 38 Southside Street, The Barbican Plymouth PL1 2LE Earning itself an excellent score on Tripadvisor, Jacka Bakery offers a variety of homemade goodies and coffee to a loyal clientele.

“I have tried sour dough from Glasgow to Plymouth (now) and Jacka’s sour dough is THE best I have tried.” KA2England “All goodies are available to take away, and they bake a selection @soundofplymouth

of breads daily that I would highly advise swapping your usual Hovis for!” Samuel E

The Odd Wheel

Tripadvisor rating Knighton Road, Wembury Plymouth PL9 0JD A hidden gem on the outskirts of Plymouth. Popular for its location by Wembury beach, The Odd Wheel is a cool place for a bite to eat in the summer.

“Had a lovely lunch and pud. Cod and chips with best crispy batter that either of us had ever had. Friendly staff and a free refil of our water bottle for our walk back home.”

Margaret G “The restaurant was very nice, the staff were very helpful and friendly.

The food was very good and reasonable.” HEALLA

Clovelly Bay Inn

Tripadvisor rating Boringdon Road Turnchapel, Plymouth PL9 9TB Tucked away in the corner of 30

@pubonthehoe

Tigermilk

You’d be forgiven for not knowing about Tigermilk.

It boasts “fine spirits, attentive service and fantastic entertainment in an effort to offer the very best drinking experience.” Inspired by 1920s speakeasy bars, it duly delivers this atmosphere transporting you back in time. It’s one of Plymouth’s best-kept secrets, and now you know too. You’re welcome.

Plymouth Sound, the Clovelly Bay Inn offers a great meal to families and friends. Near to Mount Batten, the Clovelly offers a wide range of dishes and is a lovely place to visit in the summer.

“Great menu with something to entice every pallet, a very cosy atmosphere and very well subscribed so book early to get a table. First rate portions for a hungry diver.” John “The portions were huge, you will not leave hungry! The curries looked and smelled amazing, real chips, can’t wait to go again!” Owlincallington

Harbourside Fish & Chips

@TigermilkatDoC

Old Tom’s Gin Palace

Gin fans, here’s one for you. It’s one of Plymouth’s newest bars found on lively North Hill. On offer you will find over 40 different varieties of gin, and an even larger amount of mixers.

Whether you’ve only just jumped on the gin bandwagon, or if you’ve been at it a while like Old Tom, you’ll definitely find something to suit your tastes.

facebook.com/oldtomsbarplymouth

Tripadvisor rating 35 Southside Street, The Barbican Plymouth PL1 2LE

“Brilliant traditional fish and chips value and the quality is superb always busy but worth waiting.” Adrian

One of the most popular fish and chip shops on the Barbican, the Harbourside is ideal for lunches on the go, while exploring Plymouth’s historic old port.

“Visited here many times with adults and children. The service first of all was impeccable and nothing too much trouble. Went down well with my young granddaughter.” Alice

Artillery Tower

Tripadvisor rating 35 Southside Street, The Barbican Plymouth PL1 2LE Round the other end of the sea wall from the Barbican, but worth the trip. The Artillery Tower sits inside a 15th century tower with views across to Drake’s Island, and chef Peter

Constable and his wife Debbie, have been in there for more than 15 years.

“A fabulous location, but the food still takes centre stage. Would recommend in a heartbeat.” _peter_ wayefarmhouse “We both had the scallops and belly pork to start followed by fillet of beef. Both cooked to perfection. The ginger sponge was amazing too!”

Constantines19 “Fabulous food, beautifully served in enchanting surroundings - faultless.”

Mary B 31

Beggar’s Banquet

Last on the list is Beggars Banquet, hidden away next to another local favourite, Caffeine Club. It’s the perfect place to start or end your night, with great local and fresh food on offer. There’s also a large outdoor seating area, so bring the whole gang and enjoy 2-4-1 cocktails on Thursdays!

facebook.com/ beggarsbanquetplymouth

@soundofplymouth

New to the menu Plymouth’s restaurant scene never sits still for long.

Chris Baker checks out some of the recent additions

The Harbour This seafood restaurant opened in March 2017 in the former Glassblowing house building, overlooking Sutton Harbour.

It offers a sit-in restaurant or a takeaway option and specialises in locally caught fish and organic steaks.

The extensive menu is suitable for people with gluten allergies and they also cater for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs, including a ‘vegan fish n chips’, made with banana blossom fried in vegan batter. The restaurant is open seven days a week and dogs are welcome every day until 7pm.

The Harbour 21 Sutton Harbour, The Barbican, Plymouth, PL1 2LS harbourbarbican.co.uk

Knead Pizza Knead Pizza is in Plymouth Market, offering a variety of pizzas made with sourdough, and topped with seasonal and fresh ingredients.

The stall opened in 2017 and is run

by Holly Smith and Alistair Skitt. The pizzas are made from scratch at the stall and there are vegan and glutenfree bases available. The stall opens six days a week from Monday to Saturday.

You can eat in, takeaway or even get your food delivered.

Knead Pizza 151–156 Plymouth Market, Cornwall Street, Plymouth, PL1 1PS facebook.com/Kneadpizzaplym

Column Bakehouse Column Bakehouse’s original cafe is at Devonport Guildhall, but a second café opened last summer, located within Ocean Studios at the historic Royal

@soundofplymouth

William Yard. The award-winning artisan bread is crafted in-house using local ingredients. The bakehouse is Plymouth’s first and only social enterprise bakery, which means they reinvest profits into the community and provide opportunities for local people including jobs and apprenticeships. The café at Ocean Studios is open six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday.

Column Bakehouse Ocean Studios, The Cooperage, Royal William Yard, Plymouth, PL1 3RP columnbakehouse.org

Hangry Hangry opened in May on Ebrington Street, just a few minutes from Drake Circus shopping centre. They’re open six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday and specialise in brunch.

They offer a selection of juices, beers, smoothies and cocktails. Hangry also offers a takeaway option, but their restaurant is open to dogs and children, so there’s no reason not to sit in and eat in their lively and vibrant restaurant.

On Fridays, they have a cocktail happy hour from 5–7pm.

Hangry 68 Ebrington Street, Plymouth, PL4 9AQ facebook.com/HangryPlymouth

Tilt First opened in March, tilt is a trendy new slider bar in a bright and colourful stall in Plymouth Market. Sliders are mini burgers and they have 16 of them to choose from including beef, chicken, fish and vegan. They’re open six days a week from Monday to Saturday from 11am–4.30pm.

Tilt Plymouth Market, Plymouth, PL1 1PA facebook.com/tiltplymouth

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Hoppy trails At the risk of opening a can of worms, Pete Chapman goes off in search of Plymouth’s most historic pubs...

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steps, and almost underneath The Fisherman’s Arms.

hoy, and avast ye! No need for sea legs, this here is ye olde pubbe crawl. Freebooters and landlubbers welcome.

I have no idea why I’m being a pirate. It’s probably offensive.

Anyway… Here’s a look at five of the oldest pubs in Plymouth. Yarrr! Sorry.

Ships Tavern

Leaving the Admiral McBride, site of the Mayflower Steps, will surely make you want to ride the waves. Why not catch the Mount Batten ferry, it’s right in front of you, and make your way to The Ships Tavern in Elburton.

Originally known as The King’s Head, it was built in the late 1600s.

Formerly a Devon longhouse, it was used as a farm before becoming a scrumpy house. Locals believe there is a secret room on the premises which has been bricked up for 200 years…

Minerva Inn

The Minerva Inn on Looe Street is widely accepted to be the oldest pub in Plymouth. It was built in 1520 as a merchant’s house but became a pub just for the navy in 1540. Some time after, in 1577, it opened as a public house and still retains some of the charm. In fact, a lot of the timber framing comes from the Spanish Armada Fleet. The private residence has a spiral staircase, which contains the mast of one of the fleet. The old story of Sir Francis Drake playing bowls on the Hoe as the Spanish fleet approached is the stuff of legend. Some believe he was actually playing indoor bowls upstairs in the Minerva Inn.

Fisherman’s Arms

The Fisherman’s Arms is a quiet and hidden pub on Lambhay Street, minutes from the Minerva Inn, the Barbican and the Hoe. Its history is not as well documented as the Minerva however, it is said to be connected to the remains of Plymouth Castle. A town wall is believed to have run parallel to, if not

Seven Stars Inn

on, the location of the pub, dating to at least 1540. The castle was built in the 15th century.

Admiral MacBride

The Admiral MacBride is accepted as the building closest to the site of the original Mayflower Steps. Some even speculate that the steps are in the women’s toilets. Unfortunately, or fortunately for all those present, I was unable to investigate. It is believed to have been constructed between 1791-1799 at the same time as the piers. Situated right on the waterfront, adjacent to the tourist 33

Last, but not least, the Seven Stars Inn, Tamerton Foliot. This is the selfproclaimed oldest pub in Plymouth, with parts dating back to the 13th century. It was originally constructed as a monks’ retreat, while the nearby church was being built. Tamerton Foliot was only considered to be part of Plymouth within the last 100 years, hence the competition with the Minerva Inn. It’s also a while away from the Barbican. That’s awkward for this pub crawl, but it’s worth the detour.

For the record, these are not THE oldest pubs in Plymouth, just a select few. Know a good one that we’ve missed? Let us know @soundofplymouth @soundofplymouth

Where the baristas know their beans Dodge the mega-brands and head to one of Plymouth’s not-so-secret independent java huts this summer

Escape from the daily grind and pull up a cup

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High streets and city centres are all a bit samey these days. So it’s always nice to find something a bit different to the norm.

Coffee lover Alex Green did just that in a little corner of Market Avenue @soundofplymouth

andering around Plymouth you’re sure to pass a load of shops that you just instinctively won’t go into. You might pass by and think ‘hey, it looks good in there’ and still not go in.

Getting you across that threshold is the tricky bit for most shopkeepers – but what’s the worst that could happen? Well, let me tell you, if you miss what Peter Chmiel has to offer at the Tea and Coffee House then you’d be missing out on a top-notch brew...

I discovered it by chance when I was out exploring one day, when the best-smelling coffee wafted towards my nose and I couldn’t resist a peek inside. I haven’t looked back since.

Peter Chmiel is a lifelong tea and coffee fanatic, and when I first visited the store he told me all about him growing up, and even as kid he wanted to learn about different teas and coffees. When I ask him what made his teas and coffees any better than the normal products you can buy at a supermarket, he was quick to tell me.

“Oh wow. You can’t compare,” he says. “Every single tea in my shop is hand-picked, my suppliers don’t even use machinery to harvest tea leaves, which means my tea leaves are picked from the top of the bushes, 34

where the best leaves grow. That means it’s authentic, and the taste of that tea is the best you can get.”

With over 278 different blends of tea alone, the shop is a collector’s dream, with rich colours and smells in every direction. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice, which is why Peter will allow you, indeed encourage you, to take your time picking the perfect tea or coffee for you.

Each tea or coffee is kept in a Kilner jar with a hand-written label on it, but if you’re not sure about something Peter is the font of knowledge and is always willing to give advice and help out.

“Every single coffee in my shop is the top shelf of coffee, they’re all AA+, which is the best grade you can get. I bet you in any supermarket you don’t get expert knowledge on which farm the tea or coffee came from, how to brew it, what temperature to brew it at…”

(I know, who knew it was so complex?) And the list goes on. The biggest perk of Peter’s shop is Peter himself, he has some serious expertise, and like all the best advice, it’s free.

Peter plans to turn the upstairs of his shop into a tea and coffee room, which will seat around a dozen people. He strictly

encourages a peaceful atmosphere, where people can relax, enjoy some homebaked cakes and ask as many questions as they like, and if they like the drink they had, they can take home a bag the raw materials afterwards.

This place isn’t like any other shop I’ve ever been to, it’s so relaxed and homely, and I’ve always left having learned so much – if it’s a very particular type of education you want, then this is the place for you.

Peter will be running a series of classes which will be catered towards teaching the many different blending and roasting techniques, as well as filling your brain with tea and coffee-related wisdom!

I finished by asking Peter which coffee he would recommend to any real bean

fanatics out there, and he recommended ‘Volcanic Java’, which comes from a farm in Java, Indonesia.

The farm lies on volcanic soil, and the ground is rich and fertile, which produces the richest and best beans. After searching for the authentic strain for months, dodging fakes and phonies, Peter finally managed to acquire some of his own. I had a little smell for myself, and it was quite magnificent.

So, if it’s caffeine and wisdom that you want, then you should pay Peter Chmiel a visit and see, smell, taste and learn for yourself.

Tea and Coffee House 25 Market Ave, Plymouth PL1 1PG facebook.com/teaandcoffeehouseltd

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You’re spoilt for choice in Plymouth when it comes to coffee, but there are a few places that might not make it on your radar, that you’d be silly to miss out on. But fear not!

Sound is here to point you in the right direction, so you can get your caffeine on in style.

The first stop on our tasty tour of Plymouth’s hot beverages is Prime Café. At the top of Ebrington Street, Prime has a relaxed, minimalist décor, with a warm welcoming atmosphere thanks to the carefully selected music and comfy seating. Whether you fancy a bog-standard brew or something with more to it, they’ve got you covered. If it’s a nice sunny day you can sit outside and soak up some vitamin D, hey why not grab your usual coffee on ice?

We highly recommend you pay a visit to Prime if you’re in the neighbourhood this summer.

Our next stop is conveniently close to Prime Café, on Ebrington Street again. Good Coffee Head Quarters is a little further down the road on the opposite side of the road but it’s definitely on the same track as Prime. Stripped back and basic in décor, but much smaller. The coffee is excellent, and there are a ton of options as to how you want your coffee roasted or brewed. The owner brings his golden retriever to work with him every day and so as well as a sweet sip of freshly ground goodness, you can stroke the pooch!

A little closer to the centre, Coffee Bean is a small café just down the street from Café Americano and Drake Circus. If you want to feel like you’re in your front room, head upstairs where they have a faux fireplace that creates a relaxed atmosphere.

@soundofplymouth

68 Ebrington Street, Plymouth, PL4 9AQ.

68 Ebrington Street, Plymouth, PL4 9AQ.

nerd on the street Look at them all, wandering around aimlessly, unaware of their place in the universe... Don’t worry geeks, Callum Nicholas got your back

68 Ebrington Street, Plymouth, PL4 9AQ.

BRUNCH & JUICE & BEER & LUNCH & & & BEER & LUNCH JUICE BRUNCH & & & COFFEE TAKEAWAYS SMOOTHIES & COFFEE SMOOTHIES NIBBLES & COCKTAILS & CIDER&&TAKEAWAYS & TEA & TEA & CIDER & NIBBLES & COCKTAILS Give us a follow...

www.hangryrestaurants.co.uk

Give us a follow...

@hangry_plymouth

@hangry_plymouth www.hangryrestaurants.co.uk & LUNCH & & JUICE & BEER BRUNCH SMOOTHIES & TAKEAWAYS & COFFEE & TEA & CIDER & NIBBLES & COCKTAILS

Give us a follow... www.hangryrestaurants.co.uk

@hangry_plymouth

If you’re a self-proclaimed geek, your mission is always to locate the places to go where you can find likeminded folks who may or may not also speak Klingon.

Fear not, intrepid explorer, Plymouth has a few safe havens, ranging from hidden in plain sight to proper secret realms...

Belong at Game

Game is a well known UK chain retailer that offers a large selection of video games for just about anyone.

However, what a lot of people don’t know is that a selection of stores across the UK offer a service called Belong which is basically a club for gamers.

Tucked away at the back of the Game shop by the Plymouth sundial is a dark room illuminated by bright lights emitted from the LED backlit keyboards plugged into top-ofthe-line gaming computers for anyone to come and have a go, for a small fee.

They offer a range of services, from pay-per-hour gaming sessions to VR. And while the rest of the shops are shut down at the end of the day, Belong stays open for the evening, offering video game themed nights for titles such as Overwatch and Fortnite.

You can even hire out the venue for birthday parties and

events. So if you’re away from home but still need your virtual fix, head down to Belong. www.belong.gg

Nerd Entertainment

Looking for an older console you can’t find anywhere else? Nerd Entertainment has got you covered.

From humble beginnings and a small pannier market stall to a fully fledged shop. Located on New George Street and founded by Danny Allen, the fairly new shop Nerd Entertainment specialises in not only consoles from many generations, but also has the video games to match. Walking through the shop you’ll find everything in clear glass displays for you to feast your eyes upon. Originally only specialising in games they recently expanded to offer a world for those interested in trading card games as well as video games.

So, if you’re interested in Magic the Gathering, Pokémon or anything inbetween then there is no better place to go. facebook.com/ nerdentertainmentltd

The Hive Mind

If you wander down near Plymouth’s famous undercover market, on the corner you will

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find The Hive Mind. Specialising in comics and popular culture, The Hive Mind offers a little bit of everything. Bringing in new stock all the time, you’re sure to find something. If there is a specific comic you’ve been struggling to find, you might just get it here.

Pop Vinyls, the current trend in collectable figurines, are aplenty here, with even some rarer-to-find ones you wouldn’t be able to locate easily anywhere else. When you make your way down there, keep your eye out for the fluorescent green sign and your gateway to another dimension. facebook.com/thehivemind1986

Café Fandom

After a long day of “geeking out” there is really only stop left to go to make your day out complete.

Well, there would be if it hadn’t suffered a major fire...

But fear not! Café Fandom is set to rise from the ashes, and the owners are hoping to be back open by the end of the summer. Let’s hope so. The original had everything just right: from the décor to the menu littered with pop culture references, and the food itself.

Café Fandom still holds events throughout the year, and will take care of birthday parties for all ages, even making their own birthday cakes for your special day. facebook.com/cafefandom

@soundofplymouth

Shopping off scraps Washing up, doing the laundry, hoovering, taking the bins in… That’s right, taking them out is so 25 years ago. Didn’t know about the new trend?

People are not chucking their trash away in Plymouth anymore, now they go and buy some and apparently, it’s fun!

It might sound weird, but we’re not joking. Plymouth Scrapstore has been selling rubbish for 25 years to a whole community of artists and crafters. Joy is one of the directors who started the project with a mission to stop as much waste as possible from going to landfill and encouraging people to reuse and upcycle.

“I felt that it was important that we reused stuff instead of just buying new all the time,” she said. Reels, lids, bottles, cardboard, packaging and wall papers are just some of the items in stock.

“You never really know what you are going to find,” she says. “There is lots of variety here, lots of really strange things that you wouldn’t normally find anywhere else.”

You might be wondering why would anyone want to buy that stuff. Well, as another member of staff, Sandra, puts it “some person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure”.

“We have lots of people who come @soundofplymouth

in and recreate and make something out of the rubbish,” she said. It’s all about “creatively recycling,” adds Sean, who volunteers in the Scrapstore.

“People say it’s like Aladdin’s cave when they come here, and I agree with them,” he adds.

Helen and Petra are both regular customers of the store and artists with many projects. Helen loves the different kinds of materials that she can get here for cheap to carry out her creative ideas. “I make cushions, cloths, totems… anything really,” she says.

Petra likes to come here as she knows she can always find what she is looking for. “It could be something completely wacky and they’ll say, yeah, we’ve got one upstairs”. She also loves just exploring the place, because “there is always stuff here, hiding in the corner, waiting for you”.

So, if the little crafty artist inside you is trying to break out, put this magazine back in your bag, head to Plymouth Scrapstore and see if you can find your treasure in their trash.

Watch a film of this interview on our Twitter page @soundofplymouth

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Do your bit, make it better While recycling might make us feel like we’ve accomplished something important in protecting the environment, the reality is that the process of recycling uses energy and creates pollution.

It is better than mixing all the waste and sending it to landfills but let’s not fool ourselves, recycling does not make up for buying avoidable plastics or printing countless pieces of unnecessary paper.

The key to a greener planet is buying less, reusing more and printing double sided.

The Scrapstore is in Union Street, between Aldi and Lidl.

They are open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am to 2pm, Thursdays 2pm to 7pm and the first and last Saturday of the month 10am to 2pm.

They are also looking for volunteers for a variety of positions.

You can also visit their Facebook page at Plymouth Play Scrapstore

Words and pictures: Clara Ceballos Soriano

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@soundofplymouth

These women mean business

Emma Gibbs has been working tirelessly to change the way people eat and look after themselves from her community store in Eggbuckland. Sound hears her story

“

I hadn’t intended to go on a crusade, it turns out this is what it takes! Eggbuckland Stores is an independent, community shop in the heart of Eggbuckland. Steve Tolman, the owner, my boss, owned the shop for the last 18 years and within that time he worked tirelessly to support his local community by running a needs-led service and forging strong links with the local schools, churches and the elderly population.

It’s a shop with a bench outside. A shop for deliveries, conveniences, or just listening ears. Kind and caring support and mathematical help as the children do their first penny-sweet shop, clutching their pennies, parents waiting patiently outside.

Eggbuckland Stores is at the heart of the community, a valued resource, an information point, a central hub. So much more than a convenience store.

It’s my mission to keep this store alive. Although an independent, previously we were also just selling standard born-and-bred plastic produce, the same as everyone else. So I began to buy in food that I would buy, driven by my values system.

I believe in the simple things in life like high welfare and good food for animal and human alike. After living with ME, fibromyalgia and food sensitivities for most of my life I had a dramatic breakthrough in 2015 when I did a complete lifestyle change, part of which involved a detox and health diet. Amazed at the results, I continued, switched to local organic food and have never looked back.

I have introduced a vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free range and it is fantastic; it is exciting and I am having so much fun. It is so satisfying knowing that we are selling good, honest food made by good, honest people. People who care first and foremost about quality and welfare, about their animals and people.

I have a vision to revamp the whole site, building on what we have already. From creating a piazza with outside seating, to an indoor eating area, shop refit and new stock. Upstairs I would like to include a soft play area with seating for mums of young children, and a community events room with kitchen.

There are many versions of how to get to where I want to be, from an outside investor to franchise or renting the shop – the key is investment. But the foundation is built and the potential is limitless.

If enough local and willing-to-travel-for-good-food people, will read or hear about us and footfall increases sufficiently for us to naturally build the business, I could afford to employ myself enough hours to afford to rent the shop.

I would like to help the world to be a better place starting in Eggbuckland. I would so love it if you would join in...”

This year we saw the centenary celebrations of women being given the right to vote in Britain. Abby Davies met two Plymothians blazing a trail and inspiring others by, basically, just being awesome Bethanie Cork is a young hairstylist and owner of Queen B Salon on the Barbican. With a diary often booked months in advance, Bethanie and her business partner Sarah singlehandedly built their business up from scratch over the past few years.

Sound stole a few moments with Bethanie to hear her story...

What has the last few years been like for the business, how did it start and how did it grow?

I was very scared when we were starting out as I was very young, with no experience of running a business.

I left school at 16 and studied Hairdressing at Plymouth City College, completing my Level 3 after two years.

I did day volunteering at a salon and then went on as a self-employed stylist once I had qualified. I opened my first salon (which was tiny!) on Union Street. We had many sleepless nights, but I listened to what people like about salons and made sure my salon was warm and friendly and everyone was welcome. It worked, because business boomed and I was soon booked up weeks in advance. But our tiny salon was soon too small for us and within two years I was able to move to a stunning two-storey Grade II listed building on the Barbican, bringing seven jobs with me.

What are some of the hardships you’ve had to overcome?

No time off, ever. Decorating the new salon was really difficult as it is a listed building and very large and we’ve had to do everything ourselves. It’s lovely now though, and still growing. @soundofplymouth

What gives you the drive to work so hard?

To know that other people want to see you fail is the greatest motivation sometimes; in this industry it isn’t all fun and games. The competition is high, and we have had our fair share of people trying to bring us down. I don’t buy into the drama; I keep myself to myself and support other women and businesses. I’m driven by people thinking I can’t, when I believe I can.

What’s the worst thing about running a business?

That’s a hard one as I love my job.

I’m fortunate to have a partner that helps do all the finance side and social media and together it works well.

It’s incredibly long hours, and loss of weekend after weekend - but it will all be worth it one day ... fingers crossed!

What’s the best thing about it?

I wanted to be my own boss and to be able to offer a warm, friendly salon, be able to make my own decisions, have my own personal touches, and do something I believe in. I have all that. My partner and I are building a future together, which is amazing.

What would you tell young people about starting new ventures?

To go for it! I had no family to help me, just me and my partner, we didn’t start with the biggest or best salon or equipment but sheer determination and hard work now means we do. Don’t go and get business loans, work hard, don’t spend, save instead. I’m proof it really does work if you give it everything.

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If you want to get involved in Emma’s adventure, Eggbuckland Stores is at 67-69 St Edwards Gardens, Plymouth PL6 5PF. 41

@soundofplymouth

Summer Style With summer fashion in full swing, it’s time to be one step ahead and be prepared for when autumn hits. With the fashion weeks giving us a mixture of looks and ideas, there are plenty of choices, writes Jasmine Butler Another theme seen in Paris Fashion Week is the cowboy style.

Calvin Klein has taken a modern twist on this traditional theme with bright colours, kitschy cacti and laid-back cowhide prints. However, to add this to your everyday wear you can team a western shirt with some black skinny jeans or a skirt and look slightly more casual than those dressed on the catwalk...

Cape coats, shawls and oversized scarves are sure to make this autumn cosy. The cape coat is no longer restricted to Burberry, but other big-name brands are making their mark on this traditional style coat. It’s easy and comfortable to wear and can make a basic outfit turn into a stylish one! If a cape coat is not for you, then oversized scarves may be an easier and affordable alternative – even better when you can find one that doubles as a shawl. To pull this look off wrap a thin belt around the outfit – although maybe not if you happen to be a baby

This autumn animal print is back! Still have that leopard print coat at the back of your wardrobe from 2013? Well, dig it out and work it. Animal prints are making a major comeback from the classic leopard print, to ocelot, zebra – you name it, it’s time to wear it. Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford, Victoria Beckham and Michael Kors are just some of the major brands to include it in their recent runway catwalks. For a cheaper alternative shop online at PrettyLittleThing. com, with prices on the print from just £5!

@soundofplymouth

Following in the Queen’s footsteps tweed is back. Not just the traditional, but tweed has gone crazy in this year’s autumn and winter looks.

Miu Miu for one has gone above and beyond, to make tweed an exaggerated 80s look, whereas Chanel and Calvin Klein are keeping it classy. Oversized tweed coats and scarves are going to be a practical yet comfortable ensemble - some will even go as far as tweed skirts!

Something different this autumn season is shiny silver.

The catwalk was illuminated with this colour and material, adding futuristic vibes. Fashion designer Oliver Rousteing even believes that this is what women will be wearing in 2050. I guess this could be one way to save money – and recycle what is in your wardrobe now – to use for the future. Wear a silver satin slip dress for a great night out, or a silver silk top with black skinny jeans to dress down.

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-Love Good Food -

Eggbuckland Stores 67 - 69 St Edwards Gardens

Your local store with so much more!

Gluten free, Organics, vegetarian, vegan, Vicky’s handmade sourdough bread, Toms Pies, Hogs bottom garden delights, Clive’s Pies, Fentimans botanically brewed drinks, James white juices, Luscombe, Heron Valley...

@soundofplymouth

Lace up F

inding the time to exercise in your busy day-to-day life can be tough. Or, you may be visiting Plymouth for the first time and be stuck for ideas on where to get your daily running fix. Well, for those of you spending some time in the ocean city, or those who just fancy a jog, here are some straightforward routes worth your time.

1

The River Plym Distance: 2.7km/1.7 miles

This first run is for those of you looking for a nice, straightforward jog. Most of this run is alongside the River Plym (hence the name) and as such the route only has one real elevation which can best be described as gradual.

This makes it perfect for those who take their running casually and would like to see the outskirts of Plymouth. I would recommend going at high tide as you then see the River Plym in all its glory, and on a nice day it can be picturesque. Also, the rowing club, which is based on that side of the river, may be training so you won’t be the only one breaking a sweat.

The only real negative to this route is that it goes alongside a busy main road. So, if you are a runner who likes their privacy you may have to go very early or late in the day. @soundofplymouth

2

Central Park Distance: 3.25km/2 miles

A run taking you through Plymouth’s largest public park. This route may be for those who don’t mind a tougher run as there are a few more elevations to deal with. In total from its lowest to its highest point you will gain 50ft in altitude The best thing about this run is that the climbs and descents are spread throughout the route meaning there is not a big, daunting part to worry about.

Running through Central Park is always fun as there is so much going on; there’s a skate park, bowling green, orienteering course, a cycle route, baseball and lacrosse clubs as well as a pitch and putt course.

However, a downside to this route is that the park is very popular, therefore, if you were going to run during the day you will spend a large part of your outing running around people, buggies and dogs.

That said, if you are in Plymouth to see the sights, then you can extend your run a little further to see the home of Plymouth Argyle as their Home Park stadium is right next to the park itself. Also, if you fancy a dip afterwards, or maybe a daring high-dive from the 10m board, then Plymouth’s Life Centre is right next door as well.

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3

Victoria Park Distance: 3km/1.9 miles

The last run would be best for those looking to fit in a quick workout in Plymouth. It starts by the railway station and leads into the lesser known Victoria Park.

One of the best things about this run is that it is very close to the city centre so it is accessible and leads into one of the most runner-friendly parks around. This park is shaped like a running track and best of all one full lap is almost dead on 1km.

Because of this, if you want to cut out the parts of the route which run through the housing-heavy areas, then you can always replace this with laps of the park until you are finished.

However, the route does go round the houses a bit and adds some climbs and descents.

Another of the great things about the park is that it is pretty much flat – but when going on a run it is always best to push yourself if you are up for the challenge. If you are a dog lover this route should be your favourite of the three as it is extremely popular with dog walkers.

However, take your phone, as if you don’t know the streets very well you may find yourself zig-zagging through the lanes as there are plenty of alternate courses that end up in the same place.

Hope you enjoy some or all of these runs – see you on the streets...

ultimate goal of them both: the hole.

Instead of the traditional sort, cut in the ground with a flag in it, disc golf uses a chain receptacle that sits at chest height, to catch the flying objects. To the uninitiated eye, the hole looks a bit like those feeders for deer or cattle.

As outlined by the Professional Disc Golf Association, the object of the game is “to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc”, pretty easy, right? I thought so, and found myself in the rough early!

As I looked over the course map, evaluating the risk and rewards of the different lines of each hole, I knew the day could go very wrong, very quickly. Flyers Disc Golf have set up a challenging yet rewarding course that ducks in and out of wooded areas around the stately house, perched at the top the long lawn.

Grasping the frisbee at the first tee, I had to judge the unruly wind swirling through the trees before

Disc drive

letting flight. Of course, being the rookie I am, I watched in agony as the wind got hold of my disc, dropping it into the trees beyond the hole. My buddy didn’t have much luck either, but that was all right, we were having fun, something that cannot always be said when you mess up with a three-wood.

O

nce we got into the swing of things, the game opened up more and more. The jubilation shared as one of us struck lucky from 25ft away is hard to describe, but a lot of fun to experience. The game felt easy to pick up, and far more rewarding than the hours needed to master a fivefoot putt.

Something about using your body as the instrument of the game is refreshing and exciting, and the fact that anyone can do it drives the competition levels up, turning friendly games into intricate chess battles.

By the time I was on the home

stretch, feathering my disc between the trees, I didn’t want it to end. With just the right mixture of exhilaration, challenge, and reward, the sport had found away under my skin and sparked my competitive instinct.

What’s equally appealing is the price compared with golf-golf.

Flyers Disc Golf, features a course used by the professional circuit in the UK, but don’t expect to pay pro prices, with family course fees starting at £6 for adults, and £4 for under 16s. (Don’t ask how much a round is at Carnoustie, site of this year’s Open Championship.)

If you want to try the pro version of the 18-hole loop, the cost is only £3 more, and for an experience that takes an average of three hours to complete, that’s outstanding value for money.

So disc golf converted me, and I feel it might just do the same to you, given the chance. You’re actually quite lucky to be within a short drive of it...

Taking it to the Edg-cumbe The sport of disc golf is really flying at the moment.

Rob Tunley put on his plus-fours and flip-flops to see what the fuss is about

Flyers Disc Golf is Devon and Cornwall’s first permanent course, so if you’re going to play, you need to know some important terms:

W

hen I first heard about disc golf, I must admit I wasn’t completely sold on the idea. A keen ‘proper’ golfer myself, I’d never paid much thought to these other sports that seemed to be springing up all over the place, imitating the tried and tested ones.

And, after caving in to trying foot-golf, I swore I’d never stray away from my three iron again, but as I saw more and more of the hype surrounding disc golf, I put my prejudices to one side, called up a friend, and headed to our local course.

Luckily for us Plymothians, we have two tracks right on our doorstep. A simplified course, perfect for beginners, is situated in Central

@soundofplymouth

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Park, and is a great little loop that isn’t overly punishing if you’re still picking up the sport.

Being confident in my hand-eye coordination, I thought I’d set myself a challenge and take the Cremyll ferry (located near the Royal William Yard), across the Tamar, and try the Flyers Disc Golf course spaced out around the wonderful grounds at Mount Edgcumbe.

The rules of disc golf are almost identical to those of their namesake.

Players can either make their way round a nine or 18-hole course, that’s made up of par three, four and five holes, the only difference is that distance is measured in feet, rather than yards.

The only other real difference between the two sports is the

Teeing-off Each player starts from within a designated area Establishing position Where your disc first comes to rest. If the disc breaks, the largest piece establishes position Marking the lie The established position marks its lie, but a mini-marker may also by placing it directly in front of the thrown disc on the line of play Throwing from a stance A player must have one supporting point in contact with the playing surface Holing Out In disc golf, there are two types of targets: there is a basket target and an object target www.flyersdiscgolf.co.uk

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@soundofplymouth

Get orf dry land!

Y ou may have found yourself in the past staring out on to Plymouth’s impressive natural harbour, on a scorching summer’s day, wondering how you might swap places with those lucky souls bobbing about in the Sound, enjoying a life on the ocean waves.

In which case, you must somehow have overlooked one of Plymouth’s best hidden nautical gems, tucked away just minutes from the Barbican. The Mount Batten Centre is a fantastic facility, and also a charity. Their goal is to make the water accessible to everyone, a sentiment quite befitting Britain’s Ocean City.

The centre offers many options to ‘wet’ the appetite of the young, and introduce them to water born activates.

The Hoe, Plymouth 8-9 August 2018 Entertainment from 6.30pm Fireworks start at 9.30pm

The centre also runs RYA instructor courses, RYA and BCU personal proficiency awards and corporate team building events. For more information on Mount Batten Water Sport Centre visit: www.mount-batten-centre.com Call: 01752 404567

THE PARADE, THE BARBICAN

10-12 August starts midday

isohrk t i r The B whips e s

FCihrampion

visitplymouth.co.uk WhatsOnPlymouth @visitplymouth

For the real novices, aged between 7-11, Mad days are a great way to engage early learning, as children run through three action packed adventures in any single day.

The choice of the three is up to you, and can include such delights as coastal traverse, slacklining, abseiling, den building, orienteering and a lot more, depending on what you set your heart on.

Adventure days are the next level of experiences on offer, and cater for the slightly older, aged between 8-16 years old. There are six separate days to choose from, which specifically detail a certain aspect of the centre’s many water sports. These include: kayaking and canoeing, dingy sailing, hawk 20 sailing, windsurfing and stand-up paddle-boarding.

As we all know, the British summer can, at times, quickly live up to its reputation for rain, so the centre also 49

has a good selection of land-based activities to keep your feet dry. One of these is on offer as part of the activity days, with an equally challenging climbing and abseiling day package.

If your children already have a thirst for the water, and are looking for that next step on the ladder, then perhaps consider enrolling them on a certification course in power boating or paddle sports.

All youth packages last the entire day and come with a packed lunch.

Now, if you’re finding yourself jealous of the courses on offer to those youngsters, there’s plenty to do for the grown-ups here, too.

Again, adult courses are geared around all experience levels, and anyone with an interest can participate.

Two-hour taster sessions run for those looking for a new passion, and the breakfast paddle has proven a big success in seasons past (priced at £24.95, includes breakfast and a stand-up paddle-board session).

Trained instructors run advanced courses for all their water- and land-based activates, and all depart the centre with full equipment provisions included. Longer tours like the three- and five-hour kayak explorations will suit those looking to head further afield than the mouth of the River Plym.

But the centre provides a lot more for those not looking to go out on the water as well. The large site has a fully licensed bar and restaurant, with a great viewing balcony to watch the world bob by. Naturally, the centre provides all equipment, as well as full changing facilities and showers, all you need to do is come along.

Finally, if you find you can’t tear yourself away, memberships are on offer so you can continue to connect with the sea year-round, with free parking and discounted bar and hotel facilities on site.

So, instead of reaching for the deck chair and portable barbecue this summer, why not challenge yourself, your family and friends, and head out on the water? @soundofplymouth

Listings Theatre June 18 to 23 Titanic: The Musical, Theatre Royal 26 to 30 Summer Holiday: The Musical, Theatre Royal July 3 to 7 Oliver Twist, Theatre Royal (The Drum) 4 to 4 August Miss Saigon, Theatre Royal.

In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17 year-old Kim is forced to work in a Saigon bar run by a notorious character known as the Engineer. There she meets and falls in love with an American GI named Chris but they are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. For 3 years Kim goes on an epic journey of survival to find her way back to Chris, who has no idea he’s fathered a son.

31 to 11 August Macbeth Open Air in the Secret Garden August 11 to 12 Peppa Pig’s Adventure, Plymouth Pavilions 20 to 25 An Officer and a Gentleman, Theatre Royal 29 to 15 September War Horse, Theatre Royal

Festivals

favourites R3WIRE & VARSKI will be getting the party started! On day two, Pete Tong and the Heritage Orchestra will headline with their full Ibiza Classics show, conducted by Jules Buckley. Tom Findlay, one half of cult DJ duo Groove Armada, and Radio 1 presenter Danny Howard will also be DJing on this Ibiza inspired night of music, sure to transport you back to happy holidays of the 90s!

July 27 to 30 Tropical Summer Festival August 10-12 Ocean City Blues N Jazz Festival September 15-16 Plymouth Seafood Festival Celebrity chefs and cooking demonstrations to celebrate all that’s good about Plymouth and the sea, around the Barbican and Sutton Harbour.

Music

June 19 Travis, Plymouth Pavilions Released 19 years ago, The Man Who sounds as fresh today as it did then. One of the most successful British albums of the last 20 years, it spawned the timeless singles, Writing To Reach You, Driftwood, Turn and possibly the band’s most iconic song, Why Does It Always Rain On Me. 28 Elvis Costello, Plymouth Pavilions

Comedy July 4 Comedy Night, Barbican Theatre

June 30 Get Rad July 26-27 Ocean City Sounds Bastille, famous for huge songs including Pompeii and Good Grief, will headline the first night with a full 90-minute set. Ella Eyre and Professor Green will also take to the stage and Club MTV

@soundofplymouth

August 1 Jason Manford, Plymouth Pavilions He’s back! It’s been a busy few years for Jason since his last smash-hit stand-up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit. Muddle Class promises to feature a wealth of new material about Jason growing up working class then finding, over the years, that part of him has become middle class - causing much confusion!

This is a show not to be missed.

1 Comedy Night, Barbican Theatre

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Film June 18 Ocean’s 8 Upon her release from prison, Debbie (Sandra Bullock), the estranged sister of legendary conman Danny Ocean, puts together a team of unstoppable crooks to pull of the heist of the century.

Their goal is New York City’s annual Met Gala, and a necklace worth in excess of 150 million dollars. Also starring Cate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway, it’s sure to be one of the summer’s big hits.

What you need now

July 6 Tag, The First Purge 13 The Incredibles 2 13 Skyscraper 20 Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again 20 Hotel Artemis 26 Mission: Impossible – Fallout 27 Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

August 3 Ant-Man and The Wasp 10 The Meg 17 Christopher Robin 24 Slender Man

Arts September 28-30 Plymouth Art Weekender This is the fourth time Plymouth Art Weekender has taken place, celebrating the best of Plymouth and the South West’s art and artists, with activities for all ages and exhibitions throughout the city by local, national and international contributors. A map and programme of events are available for those attending from tourist information sites, to help you navigate to activities around the city.

Discover more of what makes you happy

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