Plym Links December/January 2021 by Links Magazines

PLYM LINKS PLYMOUTH’S WORLD CLASS GYMNAST LISHI

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See Joe Pasquale & friends in Aladdin at the Theatre Royal

We meet...

It’s Panto Time!

December 2021/January 2022 | Issue 13

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GARDENING Create colourful containers this winter

CHARITY Christmas tradition raises thousands for Woodside

SIR EDWARD PELLEW

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FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the December / January edition of Plym Links — this is a very special issue because this is my first one as Editor.

The deadline date for any inclusions in the February/ March issue of Plym Links will be January 3rd, 2022 For all editorial enquiries please contact Lindsay Turpin via email at: lindsay.turpin@linksmagazines.co.uk THE LINKS TEAM: Publisher: Tim Randell Editor: Lindsay Turpin Design: Julian Rees Advertising: Jane Daniel, Olivia Breyley, Joanne Mallard

To promote your business to 16,100 readers call: ✆ 07450 161929 ON THE COVER: Joe Pasquale is Wishee Washee in Aladdin at the Theatre Royal (see page 41)

This is a highlight in my career – it seems like only yesterday that I started out as a trainee reporter, back in 2005. I would like to take the time to thank this magazine’s previous Editor, Jane Honey, for her dedicated work in creating and making Plym Links a huge success. I recently spoke to a contributor for this magazine who informed me that I had some big shoes to fill with Jane leaving – she sure has worked hard to build up a wonderful collection of contacts and contributors and I hope to continue her legacy. She has been my friend, colleague, mentor and boss for many, many years and I wish her well in her retirement. I would also like to thank the team at Links Magazines, and everyone from the Plym Links patch, from contributors to advertisers, for making me feel so welcome. We recently marked the tenth anniversary of the first Links magazine and you can see the photos of our celebration lunch on pages 36 and 37. Lizzie Watt launched Moor Links in autumn 2011, followed by Tavy Links, with Tim Randell joining as a business partner in September 2014. The Links family grew to include Oke, and more recently Tim launched Plym, after becoming sole owner. I have admired the magazines for many years, they have always been

Contents | December & January 6 Feature 8 Local People 12 Staycations 13 Noticeboard 20 Nature 23 Education 26 Charity 28 Gardening 33 Health

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36 Our Anniversary 38 Food & Drink 40 What’s On 46 Music and Art 50 Walk 52 History 56 Books 57 Directory 58 Business

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Delivered by the Royal Mail to the following towns & villages: Roborough, Woolwell, Widewell, Shaugh Prior, Bickleigh, Wotter, Lee Moor, Sparkwell, Glenholt, Derriford, Derriford Hospital, The Plymouth Science Park and selected outlets.

full to the brim of great local people and events and have always been beautifully presented. It’s an honour to now be part of the team. In this edition, we have everything you would want to know about what festive events are going on in and around Plymouth during December and January, including Plymouth’s Christmas market, Theatre Royal Plymouth’s pantomime Aladdin, Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening, and much more. My local people featured in this edition are both women who have achieved their ultimate dreams: Born and raised in Plymouth, Vicky Broughton has achieved her lifelong goal of becoming a headteacher at Widewell Primary Academy; while Nicole Gale has made her dream a reality by launching her own salon all by the time she was 25 and during a pandemic. For this edition’s charity focus, readers will get to hear about Woodside Animal Welfare Trust’s accidental Christmas tradition which has grown in popularity to benefit the animals it cares for. I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Plym Links and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lindsay Lindsay Turpin Editor, Plym Links

8 20

OKE LINKS Nov/Dec 2021 | Issue 28

EDWARDIAN EVENING IS BACK!

Meet the locals

The Reverend Chris Jackson shares his story

FESTIVE WHAT’S ON DIARY

A Green Woodworker from North Bovey

Music, Theatre, Arts, Christmas Markets, Lights and much more

Dartmoor Peat offsetting climate change

Feeding body and Soul Okehampton’s Community Garden

Royal British Legion Remembrance Sunday Services COM

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HISTORY

Historic postcards of town

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EDUCATION

Adult courses at Rosemoor

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GARDENING

Magic of garden lighting

Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 5

Ruby is a world class gymnast With a passion and dedication for gymnastics the future looks bright for Ruby

‘I

t still doesn’t feel real’ — Plymouth gymnast Ruby Stacey exceeds her own expectations in her first gymnastics world championship at the age of 16. Ruby, who has trained at Plymouth Swallows School of Gymnastics since she was three-years-old, qualified 16th at the 2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Japan. But during the final she scored a personal best and improved to finish 15th in the world. ‘I am over the moon with my routines and my scores,’ 6

said Ruby. ‘My aim was to enjoy the experience and do my best so I’m really pleased I exceeded expectations.’ Ruby competed on all four pieces of equipment in qualification to place in the top 24 to qualify through to the all around final. Starting on beam on both days, which Ruby said was the most ‘nerve-racking’ piece, she held her nerve and managed to go clean (no falls) scoring 12.0. The floor was next, where on qualification day she

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FEATURE Her coach Jemma Maskell said that Ruby instantly stood out with a beaming smile and non-stop energy. ‘She gained her first national squad selection at aged 12, which is quite late in gymnastics. It was around this time Ruby decided she had big dreams for her gymnastics career and really upped her work ethic and form to match these. ‘For me, as a coach, I am so pleased Ruby has shown the world what she is capable of. ‘She was her usual composed, classy, confident self out in Japan and it’s lovely to see that all our hard work has paid oﬀ. ‘She’s certainly shown the GB team that she can handle the pressure of major events — in fact she did so with the biggest smile on her face throughout. I think if the last two years has taught us anything it is to appreciate every opportunity that arises, soak it up and simply enjoy it.’ Jemma added: ‘Ruby has been stepped out on the floor and lost a I really enjoyed the an absolute pleasure to teach 0.3 but ‘nailed that tumble’ in the throughout her time with us.’ final and scored a solid 12.4. whole experience, being Ruby was a former pupil at The vault, which is where she hopes away with the GB team, Mary Tavy and Brentor Primary to upgrade in the future, went well making new friends and School and is now a student at and she scored an impressive 13.5. soaking up the whole Tavistock College where she Last event was bars, which is her studies double PE alongside favourite. Gaining bonus points for atmosphere training full time. Jemma and linking all her skills, Ruby caught Ruby thanked the college for her release and catch well and supporting Ruby’s training and competition schedule even finished with a good dismount, which meant she and celebrating her hard work and success over the received a personal best on bars with a 13.433. years. n ‘It felt amazing to compete for Great Britain, there was no pressure going into the championships which I think helped,’ she said. ‘I just soaked it all up and enjoyed being back out there in a big competition arena and with an audience again. I really enjoyed the whole experience, being away with the GB team, making new friends and soaking up the whole atmosphere. ‘It still doesn’t feel real, I keep thinking just “wow, I really came 15th in the world at my first ever major international”. I can’t wait to get back in the gym work on some upgrades and then get back out there and do more events in the future. The commonwealths, Euros and worlds are all next year so I really hope I get to do one of those.’

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Born for gymnastics with non-stop energy A natural talent from the age of 3, Ruby started her road to the world championships in Swallow’s preschool classes and had a passion for gymnastics from day one, progressing through competition squads quickly over the years. Please mention PLYM LINKS when responding to adverts

Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 7

Beauty boss Nicole Gale

bold, brave and valiant. ‘For the name I didn’t want any clichés, nothing with my name in it or the word beauty, I wanted it to thave meaning so when I found KOA and found out what

KOA means brave and one Plymouth woman is living up to that title

icole Gale has made a dream a reality and launched her very own salon — all during lockdown and all before she turns 25! Nicole from Woolwell launched KOA Lounge in April 2021 but if it wasn’t for coronavirus then her business never would have happened. Prior to the coronavirus lockdown, Nicole, 24, and her boyfriend Chay had always dreamed to move to Bristol for a few years but due to the pandemic they had to put that on hold and stay where they were in Plymouth. While in isolation they reassessed their plan to relocate. ‘COVID taught us that we didn’t want to move away and be without our friends and family, and that we loved our lives here,’ Nicole said. ‘But what I did know was that I was ready for a change.’ Nicole had always wanted her own salon and began to wonder if she could become a beauty boss. Thanks to the support of her family and Chay she began to look for properties to rent. She found a run down unit in Crapstone, Yelverton that she felt was perfect but this was three weeks before Christmas 2020 so decided to wait. Ten days later the letting agent called and informed her that another company had shown interest. ‘I felt gutted,’ said Nicole. ‘I knew that was my body telling me that I really wanted it and that I should go for the unit. If I didn’t have this push then I would have overthought it and it probably would never have happened.’ During the lockdown in the New Year, 2021, Nicole and her family worked hard to turn the salon into her vision of a luxurious, relaxing - and green - haven. The name for the business was inspired by the Acacia KOA tree which originates from Hawaii and means to be 8

it means I knew it was right.’ Everything along the way has ‘slotted into place’ for Nicole, from the location, the name and the refurbishment of the unit. ‘It was like it was meant to be,’ she said. ‘Having my own salon has always been at the back of my mind but I never felt brave enough to do it and this is now a reality thanks to the support I have. ‘I have so many friends in the industry as well that were with me every step of the way and I was reassured by all the Nicole overseeing lovely people around me.’ the refurbishment of her dream salon After she finished college at Saltash, Nicole spent seven years working at First Glance, a beauty and hair salon in Tavistock, where she furthered her skills in the trade and made some lifelong friends. ‘I was so fortunate to have such loyal clients who have watched me grow from a nervous trainee to a salon owner, they’ve supported me with my dream and followed me on my new adventure. ‘My team and I are so lucky to be busy being the only salon in Crapstone. ‘Being able to oﬀer everything within beauty was really important to me. So having a team to be able to do that is great, we can oﬀer all things beauty, holistic therapies, nails and even aesthetics. My personal favourite treatment is waxing or creating something crazy on my clients’ nails.’ Nicole, who was born and raised in Woolwell, has big plans for her salon: ‘One day I would love to have KOA as a teaching academy to pass my love and passion on to other up and coming therapists.’ Watch this space! n Lindsay Turpin

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LOCAL PEOPLE

Being able to offer “ everything within beauty

was really important to me. So having a team to be able to do that is great, we can offer all things beauty, holistic therapies, nails and even aesthetics. My personal favourite treatment is waxing or creating something crazy on my clients’ nails.

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Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 9

Headteacher Vicky takes the reins at Widewell Academy N

ew headteacher of Widewell Primary Academy Vicky Broughton has said her main aim is to bring the community back to the heart of the school following the effects of coronavirus. With more than 20 years of primary school experience under her belt Vicky took on her brand new role in Widewell is clearly a school which is very much loved September 2021 replacing outgoing headteacher Claire by the community. Coronavirus has changed how the Prynne. school is connected to the community so Vicky, who was born and raised in my drive is to get back to normal and get Plymouth, completed her teacher people back through the doors and move training degree at MarJon University and closer towards a sense of normality. was lucky enough to begin her teaching ‘We have a lot of Naval service children career at Torpoint Nursery and Infant here so we want the school to return to School, a school she loved and where she a place that people can go and mix and worked for 13 years, before moving feel that they are not alone. Some to Pennycross to become a deputy ‘I enjoy a new challenge families have moved away from headteacher for almost ten years. their own homes to come here and when this job came up I and then their partners have been Never one to shy away from a new visited the school and I loved it deployed and it’s isolating for challenge, this will be Vicky’s first placement as a headteacher — and — I got a good feeling as soon them, so our job is to bring people it’s a school where she knew she together and support them through as I entered the building and these difficult times.’ would be happy. met the children and staff. ‘I enjoy a new challenge and Vicky has said a few times that she when this job came up I visited ‘loves a challenge’ so learning 230 the school and I loved it — I got a good feeling as soon children’s names is certainly that! as I entered the building and met the children and staff. ‘I have been busy teaching in every class, in the

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LOCAL PEOPLE playground before and after school, trying to learn every child’s name, which is certainly a challenge and one I am trying to fulfil,’ she laughed. Being headteacher of her very own school is a dream come true for Vicky: ‘I have been very fortunate that I have loved all of the schools where I have worked, I only left to take on a new challenge. ‘I have always wanted to be a headteacher, so now I am here I want to enjoy that Widewell is already a great school. My challenge is to make sure we don’t stand still because if you stand still you start going backwards as others around you progress. I need to make sure that we are continually developing; that we are the best we can be for all of

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our children and families.

‘We want the children to feel safe – we see children come in to school with a smile on their face and they leave with a smile on their face and that’s lovely to see and that’s why we are here.’ Vicky lives in Peverell with her husband, Charlie, and two sons Edward who is 13 and Oliver who is 10 and she has her extended family close by. In her spare time Vicky loves to walk and bake: ‘We have a dog called Otto, an Hungarian wire-haired Vizsla, and we go walking a lot. I also love cooking and baking and watching the Great British Bake Oﬀ.’ When asked what her favourite dish was to create, she replied that it was normally what her children requested! n

Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 11

Treat yourself in P

lymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, is a city of experiences and the perfect place to escape by the sea, with mouth-watering food and drink, incredible shopping, top visitor attractions and a wide programme of arts and cultural activities and events. Here are our top five reasons to visit Plymouth: Walk the wild and beautiful expanse of the South West coast path which spans Plymouth’s waterfront, taking in the breathtaking, beautiful sea views - a perfect way to relax. Explore ancient stories from the world’s oldest continuing culture through more than 300 amazing pieces of art at the incredible Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters exhibition at The Box. The National Museum of Australia’s award-winning exhibition is in Plymouth until 27 February 2022. (For more information on the exhibition see pages 46 and 47 of this magazine). Enjoy delicious fresh food and drink. With the freshest seafood, great views, delightfully cosy cafes and plenty of

pubs, there is a plethora of dining delights just waiting to be discovered in Plymouth. As the cultural centre of Devon and Cornwall there’s always something to enjoy in Plymouth from amazing art to brilliant music, fabulous festivals and plenty of historic attractions. Take in a show at Theatre Royal Plymouth, the largest and best attended regional producing theatre in the UK or enjoy live music and theatre at Barbican Theatre or one of Plymouth’s many independent venues. Shop ‘til you drop. If shopping is your bag, Plymouth oﬀers a fantastic experience, with an amazing mix of top name brands and creative independents. From the treasure trove of independent boutiques and art galleries in the Barbican and West End to the top brand names including BOSS Menswear, Tag Heuer and Ralph Lauren in Drake Circus, Plymouth’s a great place to browse and find something you’ll love. Plan your visit now at www.visitplymouth.co.uk

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NOTICEBOARD

Brand new Christmas lights bring a new sparkle to Plymouth City Centre The festive season is now well and truly underway with the oﬃcial switch on of brand new city centre Christmas lights. Plymouth’s city centre is now sparking extra brightly with a new and spectacular display of Christmas lights, specially themed to reflect the city’s connections with the sea. A beautiful wave-shaped arch form a new walk-through entrance to Plymouth Christmas Market (see What’s On), whilst at the other end of the market the giant bauble archway has been redressed in multi-coloured lights. Elsewhere in the city centre the streets have been lit up with giant sail banners and, for the first time in the city, curtains of light and other features that can be animated and used all year-round. The Plymouth City Centre Company, which runs the city centre Business Improvement District (BID), has worked with a newly appointed Christmas lights supplier, LITE Ltd and Twinkly UK, to create the new display.

Twinkly UK’s innovative technology uses LED lights that are individually controllable, allowing the colours and designs of the lights to be customised and opening up new opportunities for more creative displays. Steve Hughes, chief executive of Plymouth City Centre Company, said: ‘The new Christmas lights certainly add to the festive shopping experience, so we’re delighted to be brightening the city centre streets with these new and improved exciting displays. ‘Now, more than ever, our high street stores need your support. This Christmas, why not come into the city centre, enjoy the lights and browse our fantastic shops before indulging in drinks or dinner at one of the many amazing eateries? Every pound you spend on the high street rather than online will make a big diﬀerence, helping to put money back into the local economy.’ As the new lights are easy to change thanks to Twinkly

Work starts on shortterm care centre

social activities in the rest of the building. The aim is that when people leave the centre they are feeling much better and ready to go home and live as independently as possible. The centre will help with making sure people don’t stay in hospital any longer than they need to and will also be accessible to wheelchair users. The care centre will also oﬀer support to older people who would otherwise be at risk of being admitted to hospital. This will also support the wider Plymouth health and social care system to reduce pressures on Derriford Hospital. The building used to be a residential care home and the refurbishment works will update the 24 en-suite bedrooms and provide space for lounges and oﬃces. Age UK Plymouth’s day centre for adults will remain on the ground floor. The council is investing £823,410 capital funding into

Refurbishment work is now underway to create the first ‘short-term care centre’ for Plymouth, to help people to recover from illness and to stay well. The City Council is working in partnership with Age UK Plymouth and NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (Devon CCG) to refurbish the upper two floors of the William and Patricia Venton Centre, which is near to Mount Gould Hospital. The short-term care centre will provide accommodation for patients to stay after they have been in hospital. This could be for up to six weeks, with support from therapists and assistive technology and opportunities to engage in Please mention PLYM LINKS when responding to adverts

Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 13

Theatre Royal is now home for a colony of honey bees Council Reluctantly Suspend Garden Waste Collection Until Spring

supports our commitment to protect and enhance our local and global environment.’

A new, brightlycoloured beehive has appeared on the roof of Theatre Royal Plymouth. The team from local community interest company Pollenize, recently delivered a colony of European Dark Honey Bees. Around 20,000 of the insects are making Theatre Royal Plymouth their new home as part of a drive to expand the local population of these threatened creatures. Pollenize CIC has been creating a network of community-funded research beehives (also called apiaries) stocked with bees. Other iconic businesses and buildings including The Box, National Marine Aquarium and the Genesis Building on Union Street, have also taken delivery of honey bees. Owen Finnie from Pollenize said: ‘Theatre Royal Plymouth is part of a network of nine apiaries, spread out across the city. By bringing honey bees into an urban environment, we are hoping to improve the pollination in the area and allow people to understand why pollinator conservation is important. ‘Honey bees and all other wild pollinators are extremely important to a healthy ecosystem.’ Helen Costello, operations director at Theatre Royal Plymouth, said: ‘Through joining this network of Plymouth apiaries, our new resident bees will create a welcome extra buzz across the city. This new project

Garden waste collections in South Hams have been suspended until spring 2022. South Hams District Council’s executive committee made the decision in order to avoid further significant disruption to its refuse and recycling service. Council officers explored a wide range of options to find possible ways to restore the garden waste service to all residents. Unfortunately, due to driver shortages, the council and contractor, FCC Environment, were unable to reinstate the service until spring 2022; otherwise, this could significantly impact the waste, recycling and clinical collections that the council legally has to provide. Officers also approached other organisations to help with a one-off collection ahead of the winter but this was not possible because of the operational challenges others are also facing as well as the national driver shortages. The council said it was ‘extremely regretful’ that the suspension at short notice caused disruption for residents who may have had outstanding green waste to be collected. ‘A shortage of drivers in August due to the national HGV driver issues and staff sickness meant the council, together with FCC Environment, had to make the tough decision to prioritise the general refuse and recycling and clinical collections,’ a spokesperson said.

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Pregnant women in Plymouth will be first to be routinely tested for group B Strep Pregnant women and people receiving their maternity care from University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) will become the first in the UK to be routinely offered a test for group B Streptococcus (GBS), as part of an important new research study. The study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme and sponsored by the University of Nottingham, seeks to evaluate whether testing pregnant women to see if they carry GBS reduces the risk of infection in newborn babies, and therefore is more effective than the current risk factor based strategy in place in the UK. ‘Many women have been campaigning to have this test made routine on the NHS for years,’ said Heidi Hollands, senior research midwife at UHP. ‘So the fact that the women we care for will now have this opportunity is incredibly important to all of us.’ In the UK, approximately one in four pregnant women carry GBS, a common bacteria that normally causes no harm. If a woman carries GBS, her baby may be exposed to it during labour and birth and become colonised with the bacteria. Although most babies who are exposed to GBS remain well, there is a very small chance of a baby becoming seriously ill or even dying. In Please mention PLYM LINKS when responding to adverts

order to reduce these risks, women with GBS are oﬀered intravenous antibiotics throughout their labour and during birth. Midwives in the UK currently identify pregnant women who may be at risk of their baby developing a GBS infection using a checklist of risk factors. As part of this new trial, women will be tested using a swab sample, which will be taken at around three to five weeks before their expected due date. It is hoped that this routine testing will greatly improve the accuracy of identifying women with GBS and therefore decrease the risk to their babies, as well as to reduce the amount of antibiotics administered unnecessarily. Alexander Taylor, principal investigator for the study at UHP, said: ‘We are really pleased to be the first hospital to oﬀer testing for this trial, and look forward to learning whether it is as beneficial to our women as we hope it will be.’ Ashton from Plymouth, who is 38 weeks pregnant, said: ‘The midwives here are absolutely amazing and I feel very fortunate to have been one of the first women to benefit from this test routinely on the NHS. I know they want to help us and that’s why they’re doing this, which is brilliant. My midwife was really informative about the test and so it wasn’t daunting at all.’ Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 15

Public thanked for byelaws consultation response

The public consultation into proposals to update and amend Dartmoor’s byelaws

attracted 3,500 responses. Dartmoor National Park Authority has expressed thanks to everyone for getting involved and putting forward their views. In September the authority encouraged people to get involved with a six-week consultation. A wide range of people, groups, organisations and partners responded,

Otters and cubs ﬁnd new homes The much loved sculptures from Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Moor Otters Arts Trail have been sold for an incredible £69,330! The otter and cub sculptures, all decorated by artists and creatives in a variety of colours and themes, captured the imagination of thousands when they were let loose across the National Park and further afield this summer to encourage people to explore Dartmoor in new ways. Eighty-one otter and cubs, standing tall on plinths, were unleashed on five diﬀerent trails and scores of loyal ‘otter spotters’ searched to find them. Many people made donations along the way at each sculpture or online.

oﬀering valuable feedback and comment. Dartmoor National Park Authority chief executive Kevin Bishop said: ‘As we said from the outset, we knew people would want to have a say and it has been great to see so many responses come in. We will now take the time to consider the feedback in detail. ‘I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond to the consultation, or who took the time to phone, write, email, message us on social media or talk with us face to face. We share the passion people feel for Dartmoor and are committed to doing what we can to ensure it remains just as special in years to come.’ After oﬃcials have considered and analysed the responses, a report will be taken to a public meeting of the National Park Authority in 2022. This will take into account the consultation responses and other relevant assessments to inform the decision-making process and next steps. A collection of 56 otters were auctioned online by The Saleroom and a special romp of 25 ‘golden otters’ were auctioned at a live event by Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on October 2. The live auction raised £25,980 and the online auction raised £31,990. ‘Teigny and Tiny’ by Teignmouth-based artist Laura Wall fetched the highest bid in the online auction, selling for £3,220 and ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ by Elizabeth Kitson – the roaming otter and one of the 25 golden otters – sold for £3,020.

Left: ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ by Elizabeth Kitson Right: ‘Teigny and Tiny’ by Laura Wall

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NOTICEBOARD

The Donkey Sanctuary’s founder recognised by veterinary organisation The Donkey Sanctuary’s founder, Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, has been named by the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) as one of 60 faces who have inspired, developed and advanced the veterinary profession over the last 60 years. Dr Svendsen founded The Donkey Sanctuary in 1969. Since then, it has grown from a charity rescuing UK donkeys from neglect and abuse, to an international welfare organisation transforming the lives of millions of donkeys and mules, and the people who depend on them for a living. BEVA launched the 60 faces campaign as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations. Dr Svendsen was awarded the MBE in 1981 for her services to donkeys and mules. She received an Honorary Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery 1992, and in 2009 was awarded a degree of Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Edinburgh. David Mountford, CEO at BEVA said: ‘It was incredibly hard to select 60 people from all the worthy nominees we received. But Dr Svendsen had a huge impact on the life of donkeys around the world and as a consequence on the equine veterinary profession.’ Alex Thiemann, senior veterinary surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary said: ‘Dr S and her work have been a huge personal inspiration for me and countless other vets who love donkeys.’ Dr Svendsen died in 2011 aged 81, but

her legacy continues through the work of staﬀ and volunteers, at what is now the largest equine charity in the world. The Donkey Sanctuary took animal welfare to COP26 Donkeys can play a key role in protecting vulnerable communities against global warming, according to The Donkey Sanctuary, which took part in the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26. Speaking at an event at COP26, the international animal welfare charity explained how working donkeys play an essential role in building resilience to climate change in lower to middle income countries and provide critical support after disasters by delivering aid and materials for reconstruction. Ian Cawsey, director of advocacy and campaigns at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: ‘Governments need to consider three key issues about donkeys. Firstly, they help create the sustainable livelihoods desired; secondly, donkeys are as vulnerable to climate change as anyone else in the communities they support so must be included in disaster planning, and thirdly, donkeys and mules are key to emergency response and recovery plans. ‘With over 40-million working donkeys worldwide someone needs to speak for them, which is what The Donkey Sanctuary team will be doing at COP26.’ Working alongside World Horse Welfare and other international organisations, The Donkey Sanctuary will explore ways to make sure animals are considered in the battle against global warming. They will also work to ensure the health and safety of working animals are included in negotiations and pledges.

Enjoy a venue with a difference! With the completion of our new Barn and The Ark, we are open and available for events that fit into the calm, beautiful, wildness of Dartmoor. Day or residential events to suit your every need, whether they are educational, charitable, family celebrations or business. Delicious home grown and cooked food with an opportunity to help share in the daily tasks of the farm, with the animals as the highlight of your event on the Moors.

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Community led wind farm idea explored The first meeting to start exploring the possibility of a community led wind farm in the Lee Moor area has been held. It was hosted by Devon Energy Collective (DEC) which assessed the feasibility of the project. It was reported that DEC had made it clear that the project would only move forward if the majority of the community was in support. The next steps are now to elect a chair and to review the Feasibility Report. People from Yealmpton, Shaugh Prior, Lutton, Cornwood and Wotter attended the meeting in October. More information: To view the minutes of the meeting, visit Cornwood Parish Council’s notice board www.cornwoodpc.co.uk/notice-board-2-1

The long awaited results for the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category arrived recently and all involved were delighted to hear they achieved Level 5 ‘Outstanding’ for their garden entitled ‘For the Fallen and the Serving’. Soraya Lewis-Coleman, chair of Woolwell in Bloom, heard the good news from the chair of South West in Bloom Terry Porter, who said it was very rare for a first time entry to gain this high award. ‘When I heard this I cried,’ said Soraya. ‘Anyone who knows me will know that I can get emotional over special things or anything military. The following evening our group held a buﬀet style event to find out the result and celebrate. ‘A loud cheer went up, quickly followed by a huge round of applause. ‘We were told we would need to enter a higher group of judging for 2022. That would be called Pennant. In that group the levels would be bronze, silver, silver gilt and gold.’ In November the group held a Remembrance Service on the 11th and on Remembrance Sunday, for the community to lay poppies, crosses and a wreath at our Commemorative Garden to the end of the First World War. Soraya added: ‘We would like to thank the residents of Woolwell, the Woolwell Centre and our parish council for their continued support. We will keep you up dated on our plans for our entry in the 2022 competition.’

Woolwell BIB entry is ‘outstanding’ Woolwell’s first time entry into the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom Awards has received top marks.

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NOTICEBOARD

What to do if your energy supplier goes bust? Citizens Advice South Hams Energy specialist, Nick White, offers some advice about what to do if your energy supplier goes out of business. Firstly, the good news is that your lights and heating will not go off. The gas and electricity regulator, Ofgem, will announce who is taking over your old supplier. They will usually announce who your new supplier is within a few days. Wait for your new supplier to contact you. They will explain what will happen with your account. If you don’t hear from your new supplier within two weeks, contact them. If you pay by direct debit then continue to pay your old supplier. Any credit will be protected. It is important that you don’t switch tariff or supplier

Moor’s Edge U3A Members of Moor’s Edge U3A meet at the Woolwell Community Centre on the second Tuesday of each month. If you are retired or semi-retired, why not come and join us? We welcome visitors to attend two meetings before deciding to join, after which there are a number of interest groups to participate in and new friends to be made. For further information our webpage is https;//u3asites.org.uk/ moorsedge. Recently the group held its first face-to-face Members’ Meeting since March 2020, which was very well attended. The guest speaker was Pam McGill, a tourist guide for the Westcountry, who recounted ‘Curiosities of the West Country’. Most groups have resumed meeting — members have

until your account is moved to the new supplier. You might find it harder to get any money you’re owed if you switch before this happens. Before your new supplier contacts you, you should: • take meter readings • keep any old bills • make a note of your account balance Further Help & Advice: Contact the Citizens Advice Energy team on 01803 659 733.

been to several interesting places starting with two beautiful gardens near Callington, which had been created from a field over sixteen years, and were opened under the National Garden Scheme. The ‘Weekenders’ have enjoyed lunches at a number of venues; the music group has recently enjoyed a jazz cruise up the River Tamar; and the history group has started face-to-face meetings in the Roborough Methodist Church. Other groups which have started regular meetings are the Walkers, Arty Crafty, Bridge. Science and Technology and Singing for Fun. Members have met twice to play Petanque at Tavistock and this will continue through winter, weather permitting. The second new group, ‘Coﬀee, Cake and Chatter’ has proved very popular and over 20 members have met at two venues, with the next planned venue at Drake’s Cafe at Grenofen.

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Mistletoe, ﬂightless females, and caching... We humans retire to our warm houses in winter, but how do plants and animals cope? By the end of autumn in woodlands there is a huge amount of accumulated leaf litter, which is gradually broken down over time by fungi, insects, worms and slugs etc. This then recycles nutrients from the leaves back into the soil. Deciduous trees shed their leaves in winter to survive cold weather. However, evergreen trees, such as Scots pine, yew and juniper, and shrubs like holly, ivy and mistletoe, retain their leaves; they avoid freezing by having toughened waterproof waxy leaves, and some of them bear berries in the winter. Conifers even have ‘antifreeze’ in their sap! Mistletoe and holly have separate male and female plants, and it is only the female plants that produce berries. Mistletoe is a partial parasite and its main hosts are crab apple and lime, although it can also be found on sycamore, poplar and hawthorn. Moths overwinter Then there are the majority of Britain’s moths who, overwinter, are either as caterpillars or as pupae. However, despite spells of cold weather, a few moths spend the winter as adults: The December Moth and the Winter Moth are both regularly in moth traps during December and January. Other moths flying at this time of year include the Mottled Umber, the Chestnut, and perhaps even a late November Moth or a Red-green Carpet. Winter Moths, and some others that fly in winter, have a most unusual adaptation — the female moth has very reduced wings and is completely flightless; she crawls up the trunk of a deciduous tree, often oak, and emits pheromones which attract the males. A few adult moths even hibernate — the Herald and Tissue Moths are found overwinter in caves, mines and tunnels, and occasionally in outhouses. 20

In spring the caterpillars of the Winter Moth, which can be very abundant in woodlands, form the main diet of woodland birds such as Blue and Great Tits when feeding their young; in three weeks a pair of Blue Tits feed around 15,000 caterpillars to their young!

Changes to bird migrations Many birds migrate to the UK in late autumn from colder northerly climes. However, as winters become milder, some Arctic breeding wildfowl and waders are choosing to winter further north, and numbers wintering in Britain have declined. Some birds that previously migrated south of the Sahara are now spending less time in Africa, or even wintering in Europe; for instance, many White Storks now spend the winter in Spain, and more Blackcaps and Chiﬀchaﬀs winter here. Winter is also the time of year when some species of birds gather in

NATURALIST large numbers to feed and roost; skeins of Arctic swans and geese, both inland and on the coast and roosts of thrushes and finches in thick evergreen vegetation. On TV we have all seen spectacular starling murmurations, which may number millions, such as the one on the Somerset levels; these roosts may result in ‘information sharing’ for some species. Caching Caching (or storing) behaviour is found widely in birds and mammals which hide food for use in winter. In my garden Coal and Marsh Tits visit the bird feeders every few minutes to collect and store sunflower seeds; jays gather thousands of acorns in September and October and bury them; amazingly they manage to relocate over half of them, but others are found by squirrels; kestrels and squirrels also cache food. In autumn moles collect hundreds of worms underground to act as a winter store; they disable them by biting the tip of their nose. Nuthatch foraging for winter food

Health beneﬁts to spending time in nature Recent studies have shown the benefits of spending time ‘in nature’. The eﬀects of getting out for a walk include reduced blood pressure, an increase of the stress-reducing hormone cortisol, and easing of depression, particularly in winter when light levels are low. By the time you read this, COP26, the United Nations’ annual conference on climate change, will be over - let us hope and pray that world governments have agreed to take enough steps to drastically reduce emissions of CO2 over the next ten years.. n Anthony John

of getting “outTheforeffects a walk include

reduced blood pressure, an increase of the stressreducing hormone cortisol, and easing of depression, particularly in winter when light levels are low.

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Moorsway Federation Where learning is an adventure!

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l Schools where each child is valued and known to all the staff l Experienced teams of dedicated staff l An inclusive, family ethos where everyone cares for each other

Moorsway Federation can offer: l Small class sizes l A broad and balanced curriculum combining excellence and enjoyment of learning

l An exciting weekly Forest School programme in each school l Residential opportunities in years 4, 5 and 6 l Outdoor adventurous activity opportunities

Please contact us to arrange a personalised visit with our Head Teacher, Mr Hall, or Assistant Head, Mrs Baker, where we can share in your child’s journey

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Make Dartmoor National Park’s medieval toothpaste

EDUCATION

If you’re struggling with ideas to entertain young ones during the cold, wet and wintery days and dark nights, why not try making medieval toothpaste.

artmoor National Park Authority has a wide selection of activities to entertain all ages throughout the year but have you ever wondered how our medieval ancestors cleaned their teeth? When we think of medieval times, we picture people with rotted and blackened teeth who used soot to polish them. Can you imagine a toothache with only the local blacksmith to pull out the oﬀending tooth? Ouch! However, twigs from the native hazel tree found in our upland Dartmoor oakwoods, were used as toothbrushes and called ‘cleaning twigs’. Follow the recipe below to find out just how medieval people cleaned their teeth and to make your very own medieval toothpaste from herbs and rock salt. How does it compare with the toothpaste you use today? Health and Safety: although these recipes are not intended to be consumed do consider any allergies before using. You will need: • Pestle and mortar • Cloves • Rock salt • Fresh or dried herbs

Method:

1. Ideally, gather some herbs from your garden if you have some growing. Otherwise, you will find bagged herbs in most supermarkets. Put a small handful of cloves into the mortar. These can be whole cloves or ready ground. Cloves an analgesic which means they stop your nerves from feeling pain.

2. Add a small handful of rock salt and a little water. Salt will clean any infections from sores in your mouth and help things heal. You can experiment with different flavours of toothpaste with different flavours of herbs. Sage works well or rosemary, or mint of course, which we still use for fresh breath today. 3. Crush the contents with the pestle. This is hard work so stick at it. When you have a smooth paste, not too wet, wrap it in a leaf as there were no toothpaste tubes invented in medieval times. 4. Try it on your teeth. Either use your finger or carefully with the end of a small hazel twig. Rinse out and don’t swallow.

So, what do you think? Is it pleasant or did you pull a face? Will you swap it for the toothpaste you use today? Would you have liked to have lived in medieval times? If you had a toothache there were no dentists to fill in holes or give fillings. Can you imagine having your teeth pulled out without an anaesthetic? Try this on your friends and family and see what they think. n

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Life in the 21st century places complex demands on young people, and we know that when GCSE-level students are considering which step to take next, it can feel like they have to make a choice between pursuing academic excellence or learning the vocational skills that will best prepare them for their future careers. That’s why, in addition to our creative UAL Level 3 Extended Diplomas in Creative Practice, we’re the first non-private education provider in the South West to offer students aged 16 to 19 the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) alongside their Extended Diploma. The IBCP gives students a competitive advantage when entering Higher Education or moving directly into their chosen industry. Lauren Pemberton, who studied IB English Literature, IB Psychology and a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design, said: “Since coming to Plymouth College of Art instead of staying at Sixth Form at my old school, I feel like I really fit in. You’re allowed to be your own person here, whereas school felt restrictive.” Our students go on to establish careers across a range of disciplines - from writing their own bestselling books like Florence Given, who graduated in 2017 from our Fashion & Textiles course, to producing music videos for Cardi B, Dua Lipa and Kanye West like Pablo Jones-Soler who graduated in 2010. Other graduates have gone on to study at world renowned universities - Xanthe Burdett completed a UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Plymouth College of Art in 2014, and went on to study Education, English and Drama at Cambridge University.

On Results Day in Summer 2021, Robyn De Jager, who studied IB Environmental Science and Systems, IB Psychology, and a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design, said: “Studying at Plymouth College of Art has been great. Compared to friends who stayed on at grammar school for Sixth Form, we’ve felt like we have been treated like adults and have developed better relationships with our teachers here at Plymouth College of Art.” The results our students achieve demonstrate the positive impact our creative learning environment has; in 2021 52% of Plymouth College of Art UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma students obtained a Distinction, which is equivalent to 3 A*s at A-level or 168 UCAS points.

CHOOSE A COURSE UAL Level 3 Extended Diplomas

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UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design If an Extended Diploma is not quite right for you, we also offer a Foundation Diploma. This is a chance for students to spend a year discovering, experimenting and exploring across a wide range of disciplines – as well as maximising their chances of gaining a First if they decide to progress on to degree-level study.

Find out more about our Post-16 courses at one of our upcoming Open Days, or visit our website: www.plymouthart.ac.uk/study/pre-degree

EDUCATION

City College students get industry experience at sell-out gig A

group of Live Events Production students from City College Plymouth were able to watch the arena set up when platinum-selling Nothing But Thieves came to Plymouth Pavilions to play their sell-out gig recently. Invited by the production team it was a rare chance for the students to witness firsthand everything that goes into a large event. Nothing But Thieves is one of a handful of huge performances at the arena. Live Events Production is a full-time level three diploma, one of many vocational courses oﬀered by City College. The advanced programme equivalent to A-levels provides students with the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to prepare for employment or university study in related subjects. Students gain experience working on set, building stage, designing and rigging lights, engineering sound and performing stage management operations in a wide range of settings inside and outside of the college. Tanya Head, the college’s director of creative, science and digital industries, said: ‘The college prides itself on providing students with valuable industry experiences to support their developing skills and knowledge. The opportunity to attend the set-up for a high-profile event such as this will be, undoubtedly, a memorable experience

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for these students and will motivate them to continue working hard to be a part of the industry they love. ‘On behalf of the students and staﬀ, I would like to thank both Plymouth Pavilions, the promoter and the band themselves for facilitating this experience.’ The Nothing But Thieves gig has been eagerly anticipated since going on sale, the bands most recent album Moral Panic reached number 3 in the UK charts and includes the massive tracks ‘Is Everyone Going Crazy?’, ‘Impossible’ and ‘Real Love Song’. ‘It was great for us to be a part of what the students were able to experience today,’ said Eryn Coupe, arena supervisor. ‘My first gig was at Plymouth Pavilions; I went on to study music management and have now come back to Plymouth to carry on my career. I hope to see some of today’s students back here working in the industry in the future!’ n

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A Christmas tradition started by accident has raised thousands for animal charity Woodside

This request sparked a decision to add a colour to beloved Christmas tradition that started with the hanging of a shabby piece of golden plastic represent living pets, with gold reserved for past ones. is now a firm favourite with people around the Florist ribbon did the trick. Although readily country and has raised thousands of pounds available, it did bring some issues with it. The job of cutting it to length was extremely for unwanted pets. tedious but punching the hole in without Woodside Animal Welfare Trust, based tearing the tag was impossible. A soldering in the countryside south of Dartmoor, just north of Plympton, has been running for more iron solved that problem, held nervously than 40years. Founded by animal lover Carole between the knees while holding the breath against the dreadful smell of melting Bowles MBE, it has grown from a shanty polyester. town of animal enclosures to the purpose Another turning point arrived with the built centre that exists today. tragic death of a supporter’s daughter It was 31 years ago while the centre was in 1996, when purple and blue ribbons a ‘shanty town’ that a volunteer hung a were added to represent past and piece of gold plastic on a Christmas tree in present people. a freezing Elfordleigh paddock. The plastic The tree is still going strong, garland was salvaged from a as are a significant number skip in Plymouth and an idea Until the top branches were filled, of those hardy staﬀ and was born to cut the garland dressing the tree involved balancing on a volunteers and the soldering into suitable lengths and chair, on a wobbly picnic bench, often being iron. Now safely indoors, punch holes in them for ties. The novel idea of putting battered by vicious winds, occasional sleet trees will be in the sanctuary and all five charity shops pet names on these tags soon and, on a bad day, Gerald the goat. and, each tag is still at the began to gain ground and original price of only 50p. more and more were added Woodside’s history to the donated firs every year. The sanctuary is set in lush farmland and conveniently Until the top branches were filled, dressing the tree adjacent to dog friendly Cann Woods. Eco-friendly with involved balancing on a chair, on a wobbly picnic bench, often being battered by vicious winds, occasional sleet and, beehives, a reed bed pond and a grass roof, Woodside is well equipped to cater for the 18 species it can hold today. on a bad day, Gerald the goat. Carole has many memories of its creation: ‘Forty-odd The tradition went on to be a roaring success and was years ago with my late husband Dave, I was juggling much enhanced after a visitor asked: ‘Can I put my dead a boarding business and caring for a growing number dog on your Christmas Tree?’

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CHARITY of unwanted dogs and cats. Thankfully, I had some wonderful friends who helped raise enough money for food and vet bills; our Thornbury Animal Group was the embryo of what we have Carole Bowles MBE today. Eventually we moved to Elfordleigh and rescue completely took over my life. ‘With lots of space but minimal funds, housing the increasing diversity of pets became a real challenge. Staﬀ worked valiantly in some abysmal structures but at least our volunteers managed to stop them collapsing completely. Water and electric were dependent on who got to the switch or tap first and many’s the time we lost both supplies.’ Despite Carole working unpaid funding Woodside was, and still is, a colossal task. Adding to the cost has always been the charity’s total commitment to neutering as a means of preventing the wholesale euthanasia witnessed

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by Carole in a long-ago shelter. ‘It was not their fault that they couldn’t find homes for 50 kittens, but that awful day has never left me, and I went away determined to find a way of stopping the slaughter.’ How can you help Woodside? The animal sanctuary has five charity shops which are always in need of good quality donations, particularly clothes and books. Woodside is always grateful for those people who go the extra mile to raise much-needed cash through fundraising events. The charity also has a wish list on its website. There is an Amazon Wishlist which allows supporters to purchase items and have them sent direct to the sanctuary. Then there are legacies. People remembering Woodside in their will throw a real lifeline to the animals rescued and re-homed by the sanctuary — similarly, requests for donations for the charity instead of flowers at funerals can provide a very welcome boost. n More Information: go to www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk or visit the sanctuary’s Facebook page ! WoodsideAnimalSanctuary

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Creating colourful winter containers

nce your pots, window boxes and hanging baskets are empty of last summer’s flowers, create some wonderful winter cheer by replanting for winter and early spring. Strategically placed at key viewpoints from indoors and at frequently used entrances, even just one or two containers will be a real mood-boost through the darkest months. The range of plants for pots available to buy has widened enormously compared to just a few years ago. Plants with attractively coloured foliage in a wealth of colours and shapes oﬀer tremendous variety and many are now sold in small pots, perfect for putting together a mixed display in a container. Combine slender-leaved evergreen ornamental grasses like bronze-brown or golden Carex or airy pony-tail grass (Stipa tenuissima), with large-leaved perennial Heuchera in a wealth of colours from orange and pewter to darkest purple, along

with small evergreen shrubs like Euonymus, Phormium, Rosemary and Box, or the unusual spiral-stemmed corkscrew rush (Juncus eﬀusus Spiralis). Add flowers for seasonal colour: flowering bedding plants are dominated by miniature cyclamen and violas, which do great in sheltered spots or favourable winters, but likely to take a breather from blooming in periods of harsh weather. Not so with heathers, long overlooked and well overdue for a revival. The winter-flowering species Erica carnea and E. x darleyensis bloom for months from mid-winter onwards, while bud-blooming varieties of heath (Calluna vulgaris) are longest-lasting of all, as the coloured buds last for months from autumn. Beneath all these plants, tuck in clusters of small bulbs like crocus, miniature iris and dwarf narcissi, to welcome in the spring.

Plants make very little growth over winter so mass them close together for the best eﬀects. Dormant growth also gives some great opportunities to ‘cheat’ and use cut stems in containers. Prune brightly coloured young growth from dogwoods or shrubby willows, inserting in large, deep pots of soil to look like established plants. Or, for a festive touch, use stems of silver birch, or contorted hazel or willow, sprayed silver or gold, then decorated with baubles and fairy lights. 28

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GARDENING

Choosing and caring for indoor plants Houseplants have rocketed in popularity in recent years and make excellent Christmas gifts too. But our homes can be hostile places for plants, so do check their preference for growing conditions, particularly the amount of light, and temperature. Consider humidity too, as the air in centrally heated rooms can be far too dry for many plants, making leaves shrivel or go brown at the edges. It really helps to boost humidity by standing plants on pebble-filled saucers of water (ensuring roots are above, but not in, the water), and misting frequently with a hand sprayer. Winter is the season when many plants succumb due to incorrect watering, alas. Decorative potholders are partly guilty here, as it’s easy not to notice that a plant is sitting in a puddle for days, weeks, or until it collapses and dies! When in doubt, stick a finger in the compost to test the moisture level, or lift the pot to feel whether it’s light and dry, or heavy and wet. To really treat your plants, use rainwater rather than tap, left for several hours first to come up to room temperature. Feeding is only needed for plants in flower: otherwise, wait until spring. To keep plants in good health, regularly pick oﬀ faded or dead leaves and flowers as these can be a source of disease.

Keep a close eye out for signs of pests — small infestations of mealy bug, for example (which looks like tufts of white cotton wool) can be dealt with by hand, rather than having to resort to stronger measures. Do make sure any plants you buy are healthy and come from a reputable source, so you’re not unintentionally bringing problems in to your home. n

GARDEN DESIGNER & HORTICULTURAL SPECIALIST Inspirational ideas to transform your garden Sue continues to be available for garden advisory visits and design work, operating according to Covid-19 social distancing guidelines. Gift vouchers available for garden advisory visits. Contact Sue for more details.

Sue Fisher

01822 841895 | sueﬁsher@talktalk.net | www.sueﬁshergardens.co.uk

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GARDENING

Seasonal gardening jobs an

d tips

Rejuvenate overgrown decidu ous shrubs using the ‘one in 3’ pruning method. Take out a third of the oldest branches clos e to the ground, and then repeat in future years. Sow sweet pea seeds to enjoy sturdy plants and early flowe rs next year. Pre-soak before sow ing in deep pots (or toilet roll inners) in warmth, then mo ve outside and protect with a cloche or cold frame for the winter. Hardwood cuttings are a sup er-easy way to propagate ma ny deciduous shrubs from healthy shoots of this year’s growth . Take cuttings 23-30cm long, insert the lower two-thirds in good, well-drained soil, firm in, and simply leave for a few month s. Stuck for gift ideas? The RH S has released tickets for nex t year’s flower shows including Malvern, Chelsea, and Ham pto n Court. www.rhs.org.uk A new nationwide garden-sha re scheme aims to match peo ple who live in homes and flats with little to no garden to love at all, with owners of large gar dens who can no longer look after them. www.lendandtend.com is a website where people wit hout gardens and garden owners can find a ‘Patch-Match’ and garden-share.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

The Doctor

attend with. Also remember practice nurses and health care assistants who offer a range of services from wound care, to chronic disease treatment and monitoring. The most important thing is seeing the right person for your condition, as quickly as possible. f some news stories and social media sites are to be Why am I speaking to a GP who is not at my believed, back in March 2020 our GP surgeries closed practice? their doors and have yet to start seeing patients face to Many GP surgeries these days are now part of larger face, or at all. organisations called Primary Care Networks (PCN). As a GP who has worked throughout this exceptionally Sometimes this means the clinician you speak to will challenging time, I can tell you be based in a practice that is categorically that nothing could It was clear that we needed affiliated to your usual practice, be further from the truth. Despite than the one you are used to work in different ways, and rather huge logistical challenges all to. In addition some practices may practices have continued to see one of the few positive side use a remote GP service eg Push their patients in the safest way effects of the COVID pandemic is Doctor. This means you may use possible and of course have also link to have a video or telephone the acceleration in adopting new aconsultation been planning and delivering the with a clinician you vaccine programme. models of care. haven’t met before. Rest assured Primary care was already under that they have access to your unprecedented pressure even before the pandemic hit. records, and can help you in exactly the same way. It was clear that we needed to work in different ways, Why do the receptionists ask me personal and one of the few positive side effects of the COVID questions? pandemic is the acceleration in adopting new models of GP reception staff are a vital part of the team, and care. are trained to ask you the right questions. They abide So I thought it might be a good opportunity to answer by strict rules of confidentiality and whilst it can be some of the most common questions we have been frustrating answering lots of questions, it means they can getting lately: get you the right help, from the right person, first time. Why can’t I get a face to face appointment? Why is everything online now? All practices are offering face to face appointments — Along with most sectors these days, health services are when clinically required. There are many problems increasingly using technology to enhance the service they that can be dealt with more efficiently over the phone offer. E-consults, video consultation, text messaging and or digitally eg discussing blood test results, arranging electronic prescribing are all valuable additions to the fit notes, and reviewing medication to name a few. traditional way of accessing healthcare. Many patients Problems will often be triaged by a clinician first, to are surprised by how convenient, quick and easy these assess the best way to deal with a particular problem. methods are, and whilst they may not be for everyone, Why cant I see a GP? if you are having any problems understanding how it all Not all problems require a GP. Sometimes there are works, your practice are only too happy to help. other clinicians who are better placed to deal with the We know it can be hard to adjust to a new way of doing problem. For example many practices now will employ things, but please know that your GP surgery has been Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Paramedics, Pharmacists, there for you through the pandemic, and will continue Physiotherapists and Physician Associates who are well to be. Your support is truly appreciated . qualified to deal with many of the problems that patients #supportyoursurgery n

will see you now...

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Dr Rachel Tyler is a doctor at Stirling Road Surgery, St Budeax

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Running

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Another aspect of his classes includes running form: ‘We all think that we are born to run so when we start running in adulthood, or return to it, we think our body can just remember,’ said Colin. Help and advice from running ‘Unfortunately we, as a race, have become so sedentary guru Colin Kirk-Potter Colin Kirk-Pot ter that we have forgotten how to olin holds running clinics all around run and our bodies are better the South Hams through his business Run Venture designed now to sit for long Running Hub. He aims to help people ‘winter-proof ’ periods. This contributes to so many injuries incurred their running and keep them exercising throughout the by many runners. Running is a skill. season. ‘My movement classes are designed to re-teach that Winter is a time when research suggests that most people forgotten skill and help people to live better, more use the weather and as an excuse to stop exercising. eﬃciently and with fewer injuries.’ But Colin says that stopping for the whole season will Colin is the director of Run Venture Ltd and has been just increase their chance of receiving an injury when a qualified Mountain Leader since 2008. returning to running in the spring. He has completed many of the ‘Perfect practice makes perfect’, said top fell races, including the selfColin, a former Royal Marine from navigating UK Mountain Trail in Bickleigh Barracks. the Lake District, two Bob Graham ‘I hold classes all over the south west rounds, the 105 mile Ultra Trail Du and teach people how to run, and Mont Blanc in Europe and numerous one of the things I explain is about Mountain Marathons which involve winter running. running and navigating in remote ‘The AA tell us to winter proof our areas over two days. cars, so we should winter proof our The team at Run Venture have run bodies for the cold and dark evenings. over all types of terrain and distances Are you wearing the right clothing? in this country and abroad, in races, for Where do you run that is safe?’ pleasure and for sanity! n

in the winter months

Tips for running throughout the winter season: 4. Warm up for longer and don’t be tempted to go off quicker just because it’s cold and/or wet. 5. Stay hydrated. Just because it’s not hot, you still perspire during exercise so keep on top of the fluids. 6. As always, tell someone where you are running if running alone.

Photo © Duncan Taylor

1. Check the weather forecast. 2. Dress appropriately. Layers work best. If your hands are cold think about wearing a hat as lots of heat is lost through our heads, meaning less circulation to the fingers. 3. Wear something reflective or even a flashing light.

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10TH ANNIVERSARY LUNCH 4th November, Bedford Hotel Tavistock The Links Magazines team celebrated 10 years of publishing local community magazines in the presence of the Mayor of Okehampton, Cllr Bob Tolley, the Mayor of Tavistock, Cllr Andy Hutton and Mrs Sue Hutton and the Mayor of West Devon, Cllr Caroline Mott, magazine contributors and advertisers.

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Yuletide treats! Shopping for your festive wines should be a treat - an enjoyable experience rather than a chore - so here are some tips! Firstly, focus on quality rather than quantity. Plenty of deals offer you LOTS of wine, but unless you’re entertaining large numbers, Christmas is an opportunity to treat yourself to something special. Next, get some advice! Paying more doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy the wine more. You can get good wine for quite reasonable money. More expensive wines are often an acquired taste - aged Bordeaux is prized for flavours of leather and tobacco, so if you like fruity vibrant wine, buying a £50 bottle of Bordeaux could be a major disappointment! Buying a few bottles you really enjoy can even be cheaper if the ’cheap’ offers end up forgotten in your cupboard. Choosing wines to pair with your Christmas dinner and festive meals can be intimidating. You should pair wine with the strongest food flavour, but faced with meats, gravies, stuffing and sauces all on one plate, where do you start? Tell your wine merchant what you’re eating and they’ll explain why some wines work better with some foods. At the very least you’ll learn how to avoid clashes - we’ve all had a dry red wine with sweet food at some time and regretted it! Next, consider a mixed case - but make sure it’s not just wines being offloaded by calling it a Christmas case! The

festive period is essentially feasting with snacks and treats between meals - a proper Christmas mixed case will cater for the meals, but also for the sweets and snacks. A good fizz is a must of course, but don’t be pressured into Champagne! There are top quality alternatives from around the world - especially England! The south coast of England is now a premium environment for growing the grapes used to make Champagne, hence the success of English fizz! The classic match for a turkey dinner is a white wine from Burgundy, especially Macon, so if there’s one of these in the case it’s a very good sign! Also look out for a dessert wine. With so many sweet treats, Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy this style - the wine needs to be sweeter than the dessert - and every year I hear choruses of “Why don’t we buy pudding wine more often?” Finally, look for two styles of red; a deep and flavoursome red to drink with beef or lamb (and drift off with as you doze off in front of the fire!) and a lighter style such as Pinot Noir or Gamay, that is food-friendly and will match with gammon (and even turkey!). A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! n Dave Anning

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Piskies, ponies, tors, bogs and swirling mist - the magic of Dartmoor is right on our doorstep

The Moorland Hotel is situated in an unrivalled location with Dartmoor National Park on one side and uninterrupted views towards Plymouth, the Sound and the sea on the other. The restaurant, the Phoenix Brasserie, serves mouth-watering local Devon steaks, seasonal game and locally landed fresh fish. Our amazing Head Chef Gavin Hobbs works his magic with fresh ingredients to create dishes to remember. The regularly changing menu reflects the seasonal produce so that only the

Mixed Seafood Pasta Serves 2 Ingredients 250g Tagliatelle (cooked) 50g garlic butter 200ml white wine 130g diced salmon 140g diced cod 4 King prawns (deveined) 2 scallops 100g white crab meat 5 cherry tomatoes (halved) 1 lemon 50g flat leaf parsley (chopped) 60g spinach 50g long shallot (sliced) 30ml olive oil Salt and pepper

FOOD & DRINK best and freshest of the region arrives on your plate. The restaurant is open to all, seven nights a week as well as Sunday lunch, and is the popular choice of locals, so it’s a good idea to reserve a table in advance to avoid disappointment. Boasting two lovely function rooms, the hotel can cater for private groups and functions. Christmas parties are particularly popular with many local clubs and families coming to celebrate the festive season. The Moorland Hotel is an ideal base for both the leisure and corporate guest. The Wotter Room boasts a super king sized bed and a Jacuzzi bath for two. There are some pet friendly rooms for those wanting to escape with their faithful hound so bring your dog and explore the open moors or the beautiful tree lined river valleys of the Plym and the Meavy. Happily secluded from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Moorland Hotel is just 10 minutes from Plympton and only 20 minutes from the centre of Plymouth.

Method 1. Place large frying pan on a high heat. Add half the olive oil and half the garlic butter. Once the butter has melted add the sliced shallots and sauté for a couple of minutes until softened. 2. Add the salmon, cod and cherry tomatoes and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add a little salt and pepper. 3. Add the white wine, reduce and turn the heat down. 4. Add the cooked Tagliatelle and spinach. Using the tongs make sure you are moving everything around to heat the pasta and cook the spinach. 5. Heat the small frying pan, and the remaining olive oil and garlic butter. Once the butter has melted add the scallops and king prawns. Cook for a minute or two on one side, then turn over. You’re looking for a nice golden sear on the scallops. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Add the scallops and king prawns to the large pan. 7. Add the parsley, juice from the lemon and the crab meat. 8. Taste. Add more salt/pepper if required and serve.

~ Free Dessert this January~ Restaurant open every night

Moorland Hotel Wotter, Plymouth. PL7 5HP

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Ph 01752 839 228

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Order a starter and main and get a free dessert. (upon presentation of this voucher - T&C’s apply. Subject to availability. Not valid with any other offer)

Available every evening in January 2022 from our standard evening menu. Book your table now! 01752 839 228 Visit our community website www.dartmoorlinks.co.uk 39

WHAT’S ON

December 2-19

Visit the city centre and get into the Christmas spirit

Pick up some individual and unique Christmas gifts at Plymouth Christmas Market, located in the heart of the city centre from December 2 to December 19. With an open air festive bar, food and drink and plenty of artisan gift stalls it’s the perfect place to pick up some Christmas gifts and get into the Christmas spirit. Situated in the heart of Plymouth City Centre, the Christmas market is located in the Piazza, a wide-open space perfect for some safe outdoor shopping this winter. Just a short walk from Drake Circus Shopping Centre, The Barcode with its IMAX cinema and the Barbican with its historic cobbled streets and wide range of restaurants, cafes, antique and gift shops. Christmas Market opening times: Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 6pm; Thursday, 10am to 9pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am to 6pm; Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Entertainment: Whilst you’re shopping you can also enjoy fantastic entertainment at the Market, confirmed acts so far include: December 2 • Illuminated Roller Skating — sprinkling some festive magic, watch as two beautiful giant presents come to life and zoom around the market. • Lairy Fairy and the Magic Christmas Puddings – delicious Christmas puds don’t come much larger than this, thanks to a generous soaking in rum. Full of mischief and magic, but kept in line by their frisky keeper the Lairy Fairy. December 4 • The Lost Sound Dartmoor Folk Choir • Celebrity Reindeer — celebrity reindeers Prancer and Dancer are coming out of Rudolph’s shadow to strut their stuff in the spotlight. • Sofa Driving Santa — expect music, lights and laughter when you share some banter with Santa, who will cruise around town 40

on his sofa accompanied by his naughty elf. December 9 • Corvus Angelicus — Ten-feet tall luminous angels will descend on the Piazza to spread joy and hope as they perform to mesmerising music • Winter Fairy — a snow-kissed, frost touched beautiful attraction, our Winter fairy enchants and mesmerises, as she conjures up crystal balls and skilfully moves them like ice bubbles a magical sight. December 11 • The Lost Sound Dartmoor Folk Choir • Christmas Elves and the Goodometer — they’ll be roaming the Market to check who’s been naughty and who’s been nice this year. • The Curiosity Christmas Tree — a cross between a giant marble run and a magical clockwork toy. • Christmas Quackers — the most festive and friendly fowl you’ll meet this season, they just adore Christmas. Quacking about all over your town, they are keen to investigate every shopping bag with their curious pecking and their gentle waddling charm. December 16 • Angie’s Festive Funky Hooping — be wowed by amazing hula hooping displays set to some cool Christmas tunes. • Dancing Christmas Tree and the Lairy Fairy — there’s a Christmas Tree on the loose! Our Christmas Tree loves running amok, dancing to cheesy Christmas tunes, and quietly sneaking up on you for a quick cuddle or to nab a piece of your mince pie! But fear not as the Lairy Fairy is there to close-by to keep everything under control! December 18 • Festive Foxley — he’s a first class magician with a Dickensian twist, performing astounding sleight of hand magic to amuse the crowds. • Christmas Nutkins — these two are nuts about Christmas... Mr and Mrs Nutkin love everything about Christmas and are eager to forage for the right present for everyone.

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WHAT’S ON

December 17 - January 15

Joe Pasquale announced as star of Plymouth panto

British comedian Joe Pasquale will star as Wishee Washee in the hotly anticipated Theatre Royal panto Aladdin. Well-known and best-loved for being one of the hardest-working and top-selling live comedians in British comedy today, Joe has been delighting audiences for more than 30 years with his live stand-up tours and infectious sense of fun. Joe has toured in several major theatrical productions including Mel Brooks’ The Producers, starred in the West End production of Spamalot, been crowned King of the Jungle in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… appeared on five Royal Variety Performances and toured the UK in a live stage incarnation of the classic sitcom Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em in the iconic role of Frank Spencer. Joe was last seen in pantomime in Plymouth in the 2010 production of Sleeping Beauty. Aladdin is produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, whose chief executive Michael Harrison said: ‘There are some performers who personify everything that’s special about pantomime and Joe Pasquale is one of the finest. His quick-wit, ability to make audiences young and old laugh together and endless energy on stage make every performance special. We’re so pleased to have Joe headlining Aladdin in Plymouth for us this Christmas.’ Aladdin will feature a lamp-load of panto magic including

spectacular sets, magical special effects, beautiful costumes and a live band. More information The production runs at Theatre Royal Plymouth from Friday, December 17 to Saturday, January 15, 2022 and tickets are on sale now from on the TRP website www.theatreroyal.com/ whats-on/aladdin

Be quick - tickets are now on sale for Les Misérables

Tickets have been released on sale to the public for Les Misérables which will be at the Theatre Royal Plymouth from Tuesday, May 24 to Saturday, June 11, 2022. Returning by popular demand following a sell-out run, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical Les Misérables is returning to Theatre Royal Plymouth in Spring 2022. This brilliant new staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed ‘Les Mis for the 21st Century’. With scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, the magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Bring Him Home, One Day More, Master Of The House and many more. Seen by over 120-million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

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WHAT’S ON

December 3

can also visit the Christmas Tree Festival in St Eustachius’ Church and the Winter Market in Butcher’s Hall.

After what can only be described as a turbulent two years, the tradition of Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening is back. The special event, organised by Tavistock’s Business Improvement District, is part of the town’s Christmas season where the streets are ablaze with colour, shop windows are decorated with seasonal cheer and the smell of roast chestnuts covers the town. BID manager Janna Sanders said, ‘It’s a joy to see so many people and businesses working together to produce such a spectacular evening. Things may feel a little different this year as we adapt the event to ensure your safety’. Businesses look forward to seeing people flock to the town but shoppers are asked to respect their wishes for face coverings to be worn inside their premises. There will be the lantern parade, fire performers, Punch & Judy, Christmas carols from local school choirs and community carol singing, entertainment from Dan the Hat, Morris dancers, stilt walkers, traditional Christmas rides, and of course Father Christmas. Complementing the town’s shops and eateries, organisers of the event also expect a host of other wonderful stalls, selling cider, Christmas puddings, churros, Christmas wreaths and mulled wine. People

Dickensian Lantern Parade 5pm to 5.30pm Meet West Street outside Toy Cupboard or Brook Street outside the Co-operative Bedford Square Stage • 5.30pm to 5.45pm Lantern Parade finale & community carol singing with the Stannary Brass Band • 5.45pm to 6pm Official welcome with the Mayor of Tavistock • 6pm to 6.15pm Tavistock Community Primary School choir • 6.20pm to 6.40pm SJS arts performance • 6.45pm to 7pm Mary Tavy & Brentor Primary School choir • 7.05pm to 7.35pm Tavy Tars • 7.40pm to 7.55pm St. Peters Primary School choir • 8pm to 8.25pm Local business window dressing & costume award ceremony • 8.30pm to 8.45pm Carol singing with the church choir and Stannary Brass Band • 8.50pm to close: Lodestone & Wreckers Morris West Street • 6.30pm to 7pm Fire performers • 7.15pm to 7.45pm Fire performers • 8pm to 8.30pm Fire performers Lodestone Morris — all night Lower West Street (outside Newells) • 6.30pm to 7pm Stannary Brass Band • 7.15pm to 7.45pm Dan the Hat

Bank Square Car Park • 6.15pm to 6.35pm Punch & Judy • 7pm to 7.20pm Punch & Judy • 7.40pm to 8pm Punch & Judy Guildhall Car Park Father Christmas — all night Market stalls — all night • 6pm to 6.30pm Dan the Hat Paddon’s Row Music — all night • 8pm to 8.30pm Dan the Hat Brook Street (outside The Cooperative) Robey Trust steam engine — all night Wrecker Morris — all night

BUTCHERS HALL

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WHAT’S ON

May 2022

October 2022

Rugby Bake Off star is stars coming to Plymouth tackle life on the road with debut tour for hit podcast Rugby fans, it’s time to get lined up as England heroes James Haskell and Mike Tindall take to the road with the world’s most popular rugby podcast — The Good, The Bad And The Rugby. The live tour is the first ever outing for the hit podcast which, since launching in summer 2020, has grown to become the UK’s top sporting podcast, with more than 3-million listeners and 20-millionplus viewers online. And you can catch The Good, The Bad And The Rugby — LIVE at Plymouth Pavilions on Saturday, May 14. Joining James and Mike will be their podcast co-host former Sky Sports’ rugby presenter Alex Payne. The trio will take to the stage to recreate the trademark banter they have on air, as The Good (Alex), The Bad (James) And The Rugby (Mike), share tales from on and off the pitch for what promises to be a night filled with surprises and laughter. Announcing the tour, Mike said: ‘Since launching The Good, The Bad And The Rugby podcast, we’ve all become even closer, through the stories we’ve shared ourselves and the stories our guests have shared. Now we can’t wait to get on the road, with more tales from our rugby lives, and to meet our listeners — and maybe hear a few stories from them.’ Tickets & More Information: Visit www.cuffeandtaylor.com

Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood is hitting the road with a brand-new tour for 2022. Paul Hollywood Live will visit 18 towns and cities across the UK including a date at Plymouth Pavilions on Thursday, October 27, 2022, entertaining audiences with live demonstrations, baking tasks and some very special surprises. Working from a fully equipped on-stage kitchen Paul will share his tricks of the trade and maybe even reveal some sugar-coated secrets along the way. Come and get a slice of the action as the best-selling author serves up his biggest baking bonanza to date. Paul has been a firm favourite with TV viewers for more than a decade with his infectious enthusiasm for baking and cheeky charm leading him to win the hearts of the nation. And after a year that’s seen Brits take to the kitchen and don their pinny’s, there has never been a better time to take a lesson from the master himself. Speaking about the tour, Paul said: ‘This is a really exciting announcement for me. It is some years since I’ve been on tour so I can’t wait to get back on the road and get baking live on stage once again.’ Tickets & More Information: Visit www.cuffeandtaylor.com

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WHAT’S ON

Every Wednesday

Morris side has plenty to dance about... Meavy based Dartmoor Border Morris has risen like a phoenix out of the Covid lockdown with plenty to dance about. Since coming out of the social distancing laws that prevented the group rom practising for over 18 months, the mixed group of all ages has been blessed with ten new members. The side also successfully crowd funded the purchase of ‘Morris & Molly’, who are two otters from the Dartmoor Otter trail. These were hand painted by local artist Kathy Nettles who had been inspired to paint her otters to resemble Dartmoor Border Morris dancers after seeing them perform. The otters are now proudly sat inside the Royal Oak Inn where Dartmoor Border Morris is based and can be seen most Wednesday evenings following a practice night in Meavy Parish Hall. The side meets every Wednesday from 7.30pm where a warm welcome awaits anyone brave enough to join with either the dancing or music playing. Over the festive season there are the

Get Involved: To join, watch or book the group for an event, visit www.dartmoorbordermorris.com or visit Facebook Dates for the diary • December 11: 1pm — an afternoon performance with several Morris sides at the Dolphin Pub on Plymouth’s historic Barbican. • Boxing Day: 12pm — Dartmoor Border Morris will perform at the Royal Oak Inn, home of Morris and Molly. • New Year’s Day: 3pm — The Cornwood Wassail, meeting in the square, bring your pans, wooden spoons and wellies! • January 2: 12pm — Mummers play and Wassail at Buckland Abbey. Come early and bring your loudest member of your family! • January 8: 6.30pm — Bere Ferrers Wassail.

December 4

December

Christmas Fair at the Woolwell Centre

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until December 16

Christmas lunches at Woolwell Café

Served between noon and 1.30pm, 2 courses, £12.95 per head; 3 courses, £14.95 per head.

traditional events that the Morris side get involved in, including Wassailing and Mummers plays. The Wassailing tradition sees children of all ages walk into an orchard make lots of noise to wake up the apple trees from their winter slumber, before pouring cider on their roots and leaving toast and ribbons in the branches. Welly boots are a must, along with the whole family as everyone is encouraged to ‘bless the apple trees’ and shout ‘wassail’ to scare away any evil spirits. The Mummers plays are telling a story of how good overcomes evil.

From 2pm to 5pm. Visit and shop for handmade crafts, Christmas gifts, Christmas decorations and cards, artwork, local jewellery, wax melts, knitted and crochet gifts, macrame and books. The cafe will also be open serving winter warmer drinks and cakes. December 4

Bucklands River of Light

From December 4 to January 2 people can visit Buckland Abbey’s ‘Bucklands River of Light’. Head to the Great Barn between 10am and 4pm where you enter a forest of Christmas trees and be immersed in a river of light. This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue. December 5

The Carlton Big Band Swinging music from Plymouth’s favourite big band on its first appearance at Plymouth Jazz Club for almost thee years. Popular

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WHAT’S ON tunes from the 1930s to the present day by up to 15 musicians. Admission £12 (Members £10, full-time students £5). Tickets on the door. Website www. plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk The club now meets at: The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, PL6 5DH.

December 11 and 12

Christmas Fayre at Mount Edgcumbe

The fayre is back for an amazing 17th year. 10am to 5pm, Saturday 11th and 10am to 4pm Sunday 12th. Throughout the weekend there will be lots of local produce; a wide variety of local gifts and crafts; shops and workshops; and a programme full of entertainment. Entrance, £3 adults; £1, children. Parking, £1 per car. No dogs allowed, except guide dogs. December 12

Elizabethan Dancing Watch some traditional Elizabethan dancing in the Great Hall at the National Trust’s Buckland Abbey as you are transported back in time to when the abbey would have been bought to life with laughter and dancing at Christmas time. With a festive masked fairy-tale to enjoy, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Come and meet the dancers on Sunday, December 12. Booking is not needed for this event. December 18

Traditional Olde Father Christmas Dressed all in green, he will be meeting small groups of children in the kitchen at Buckland Abbey around the crackling fire and he will be asking you to create some Christmas magic and make a small toy. Father Christmas will be travelling to Buckland for Saturday, December 18 to Sunday, December 19. Tickets can be booked from Visitor Welcome on the day of your visit. Tickets cost £4.00 per child and includes a small gift. December 19

Christmas gig at Plymouth Jazz Club Featuring the Dart Valley Stompers led by award winning reed player Jeremy Huggett on clarinet, saxophones and vocals. The Dart Valley Stompers is one of the most popular and busiest jazz bands in the country. Admission £12 (Members £10, full-time students £5). Tickets on the door. Website www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk The club now meets at: The Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill, PL6 5DH. December 21

Family Christmas fun at the Woolwell Centre

From 5pm to 9pm. There will be a disco, bouncy castle, and Santa will even make a special appearance. The bar and cafe will be open. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the centre or by calling Callington 01752 695888.

January January 4

Percy the Park Keeper’s winter wander trail This winter, treat your little ones to a world of adventures at Saltram on the Percy the Park Keeper’s winter wander trail. Join in the fun with Percy and his animal friends and give nature a helping hand. The trail will take place between January 4 and January 30 between 10am and 4pm, so come along and explore the beautiful garden at Saltram. Cost of the trail is £2

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The Box cements its status as a leading institution Remarkable exhibitions arrive in Plymouth as The Box celebrates it’s first anniversary In September The Box celebrated its first anniversary and cemented its status as one of the UK’s leading cultural institutions. Since opening its doors to the public in 2020, and despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, it has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors, showcased work by eight international artists, launched a major exhibition for the Mayflower 400 anniversary and won an array of awards. The Box’s next phase of remarkable exhibitions, includes the European premiere of award-winning Australian exhibition Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters, which is open now and will run until February 2022. Featuring over 300 paintings and objects by more than 100 artists, this is the first time the exhibition has been seen outside Australia. Entirely conceived and curated by a team of First Australians, led by Margo Neale, Senior Indigenous Curator at the National Museum of Australia and custodial elders from across the Central and Western Deserts of Australia, it expertly combines state-of-the art exhibition and display technologies with art, song and dance in order to share ancient stories from the world’s oldest continuing culture. A world-first in scale and complexity, the exhibition was conceived with the ambition of preserving the Seven Sisters Dreaming stories – ancient creation sagas of the Australian continent – for future generations. The show provides an international platform for Indigenous voices to share Tjukurpa or Dreaming stories in new ways with contemporary artworks becoming portals to places in the

deserts of the Martu, the Ngaanyatjarra and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) peoples. Songlines takes visitors on an epic journey that traverses three states, three deserts and some 500,000 square kilometres. The highly immersive exhibition travels from west to east: from the Western Australian coast to the APY Lands in the east, using the power of contemporary art, performance and song to re-animate traditional stories, photography, multimedia and the world’s highestresolution seven-metre-wide travelling dome.

On until March 2022

Portraits of historical characters in Plymouth arrive at The Box

Six portraits of the nation’s best-known historical characters have been loaned to The Box in Plymouth The National Portrait Gallery will loan the portraits until March 6, 2022 as part of its National Skills Sharing Partnership programme. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for visitors to explore the National Portrait Gallery’s treasured Collections while it undergoes its transformational Inspiring People redevelopment.

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MUSIC & ART The six works now at The Box are within its 100 Journeys gallery, which highlights Plymouth as the starting point for some of the world’s most famous expeditions and voyages. The works include depictions of Captain Cook, Charles Darwin, Napoléon Bonaparte, Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh all of whom took part in or led some of history’s most momentous and notorious voyages. The portraits – many of which have not been on display for a long time – are exhibited amongst The Box’s significant collection of breathtaking original explorer materials from voyages of exploration and scientific discovery, including Sir Francis Drake’s sword, globe and drum, Scott of the Antarctic’s skis and mittens and Darwin’s sextant from the Beagle, as well as letters written by Raleigh and archival Captain Cook by John Webber

material from Plymouth’s anti-slavery movement. The National Portrait Gallery works include a portrait of the British explorer Captain Cook shown in his uniform as a naval captain painted by John Webber, the oﬃcial artist to Cook’s last voyage which set sail from Plymouth to the Pacific in 1776. Two lithographs of naturalist, geologist, and originator of the theory of evolution Charles Darwin whose voyage of discovery aboard HMS Beagle started from Plymouth in 1831 will also be on display. Having been famously imprisoned aboard HMS Bellerophon in Plymouth Sound in the summer of 1815, Napoléon was subsequently exiled to the remote Atlantic Island oﬀ St Helena. Painter and diarist Benjamin Robert Haydon (born in Plympton St Maurice, just outside Plymouth) was a great admirer of Napoléon, painting dozens of pictures of him. He even bought his death mask and tried on one of the emperor’s hats, which to his delight, fitted exactly. His portrait of Napoléon is contemplative and reflective, as he muses on his fortunes and misfortunes. Further information: The new loans can be seen between 10am and 5pm Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is free and there is no need to book a ticket in advance.

The Triumph of Navigation by James Barry

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SEASON 2021–22

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MUSIC & ART

Hospital staff feature in musical tribute Three staﬀ members of Plymouth’s NHS Trust have appeared in a musical film tribute to those who lost their lives during the coronavirus pandemic. ‘We Will Remember (We Can’t Forget)’ was commissioned by the British Medical Association, and was created to commemorate all NHS workers who lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. The film features three colleagues from University Hospitals Plymouth, Dr William Mukonoweshuro (Consultant Neuroradiologist), Dr Nelofer Gafoor (Consultant Radiologist) and Dr Catherine Western (Consultant Vascular Surgeon). The film encompasses the narration of ‘I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)’, a poem by E.E. Cummings.

The narration is intertwined with music produced by Paul K Joyce, who is best known for his work on Bob the Builder and the film Marley and Me. ‘I was honoured and privileged to participate in this important piece of work,’ explains William. ‘In particular, my performance allowed me to represent members of the BAME community who were disproportionately impacted during the first wave of the pandemic. ‘You will see there is good representation of BAME colleagues and I think this important piece of work is worth everyone taking time to see.’ Catherine said: “It was a real honour to be able to play a part in commemorating NHS staﬀ who lost their lives helping others during the pandemic. It is such a beautiful and poignant piece.’ Nelofer added: ‘I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this excellent and thoughtful project. It has become a healing process for my soul both professionally and personally.’

To view the ﬁlm :search YouTube

* We Will Remember (We Can’t Forget)

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Into the Walkham Valley with Moorland Guide John Bright

This walk of almost five miles is over grass and track. Smooth rocks and tree routes can be slippery, particularly when wet. The mile long climb up from the river back to the start can be wearing. There are sheep loose in places so remember to keep dogs on leads or under close control.

rom the car park outside Long Ash Garden Centre (SX4975 6942) follow the field wall away from the road. At the wall corner turn left along a well worn track until you clear the bushes and can see a radio mast on the hillside opposite. Head towards the mast until you cross a very obvious path in the grass. Turn right onto this path and follow it downhill to join a well rutted track. This is part of the medieval packhorse route connecting Buckland (AD 1278) and Tavistock (AD 974) abbeys, known locally as the Stickle path (see photos on the right), probably because of its gradient. (‘sticol’ is Old English for ‘steep’) Follow the Stickle path downhill to the river. The route continues over Grenofen Bridge (see photos on the right) ahead of you. The origins of the bridge are unclear but are likely to be of the same period as the Stickle path. Uphill from the bridge and well hidden by moss and foliage is a letter C engraved on a rock, erected in 1841 to mark the County’s responsibility to 50

maintain the bridge. Once across the bridge a finger post on the left will take you to the riverside track. After a little under ¼ mile you’ll see a ramp rising to the right leading to an old quarry where a hard type of granite known as Bluestone or Blue Elvan was quarried. Nearest to the river is a row of three small stone-workers’ benches known as ‘bankers’. These small structures are found across Dartmoor and were associated with making cobbles for the streets of Tavistock, Plymouth and beyond in the 1870s. Continue along the track and you will find an abandoned chimney stack (see photos on the right) which marks the start of the Westdown Mine site which stretches for a considerable distance along the bank. The mine operated for a short period in the early 19th century but is recorded as closed in 1857. After a further ½ mile follow the track onto a roadway and continue uphill to the junction with another road

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WALK which goes sharply downhill to the left. Follow this track and it will eventually take you though a gap in a rock headland to Double Waters where the Walkham gives its waters to the River Tavy (main photo, left). Cross the Walkham by the wooden footbridge to pick up the track to the left which will return us to the start. To your right are the remains of the Virtuous Lady Mine which operated in one form or another from later medieval times until the later 19th century. Should time allow, there is a lovely spot for a sit and a cuppa beside the river just below the old mine captain’s house. As you continue uphill the track becomes a metalled road. After almost a mile from the footbridge the road turns right between two walls. Turn left here and – with the wall always to your right – return to the car park where we started. n

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Top left: The Stickle path Top right: Westdown Mine Left: Grenofen Bridge

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Sir Edward Pellew

gains the Freedom of Plymouth Sunday, January 26, 1796 By Ron Smith

ne single Sunday afternoon in the adventurous life of this great seaman. Sir Edward Pellew heroically co-ordinates the rescue of all passengers, troops and crew from the unfortunate Dutton, wrecked at the foot of the Citadel in a winter storm. Sir Edward was at this stage already a national celebrity for his role as a successful frigate captain in the Napoleonic Wars. He had been knighted when his frigate captured a French frigate earlier in the war, the first of many such successes. At this stage he was Captain of the Indefatigable, which was having a much-needed winter refit in the Dockyard. He and his wife had accepted an invitation from the Vicar of Charles Church for Sunday luncheon. They were dressed in their best, proceeding by coach to join the Vicar’s luncheon party. Sir Edward noticed streams of people heading for the seafront. ‘A ship is wrecked under Fisher’s Nose!’ Sir Edward did not hesitate. He abandoned his wife and ran to see if he could help. The poor Dutton was an old East Indiaman, taken over by the Government as troopship. Crammed with soldiers and their families she had taken five painful weeks beating down the English Channel against the prevailing westerlies. In sore need of a port of refuge, she had

headed in towards Plymouth, aiming to take shelter in the Cattewater. Instead, at low tide, she had dashed her rudder off on the Mountbatten shoal. This is now buried under the end of the current pier. Helpless, the Dutton had drifted to be wrecked. The dramatic picture, painted by an eye-witness immediately after, is pictured on the right. On board, all was chaos with drunken troops fighting to try to get off, but with no real way of doing so. Sir Edward was in full dress uniform, sword belted to his side. He immediately plunged into the water and half swam, half pulled himself along on a loose rope to board the vessel. This extract from an otherwise execrable poem written soon after puts it rather well. While o’er the reeling wreck, the savage storm Poured all its lightnings, thunders, blasts and hail; And every horror in its wildest form Smote the firm heart - that never knew to fail Twas thine, Pellew, sublimely great and good! For man, thy brother man, distress’d – to dare The dreadful passage of the raging flood. And join the frantic children of despair With all due respect to Sir Edward, he was a notably

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HISTORY It is worth adding his final naval exploit, performed 20 strong and confident swimmer, and had plunged years later. It had been a running sore on the side of overboard many times to sort out problems such as Christian Europe that the Barbary States of North Africa rescuing a drowning seaman. Even so, this particular took white slaves from all the coastal states. Fishing was plunge must have taken an above average degree of not safe, trading was dangerous; even living in a coastal courage. Once aboard, he needed to draw his sword and village put the inhabitants in danger. Cornwall was take charge. He did have help as two boats soon arrived raided indeed! Once the Napoleonic Wars were over the on the seaward side, one from his own ship and another Admiralty decided that stopping from a merchant vessel nearby. At one stage a lady handed the trans-Atlantic trade in black He also set up lines to shore with hanging harnesses (breeches buoys) him a small baby to hold, to then slaves as had already been done (1807) was not enough. Lord for the fitter men to use. There hand to her when she had Exmouth was sent with a powerful were no lives lost. climbed down into one of the fleet to demand the release of all At one stage a lady handed him a small baby to hold, to then hand boats. He remembered this all Christian slaves along the north coast of Africa. Only Algiers to her when she had climbed his life: ‘I felt more pleasure in refused. So the fleet bombarded down into one of the boats. He the city into submission: The giving to a mother’s arms her remembered this all his life: ‘I felt more pleasure in giving to a little infant than I have ever felt wooden walls beat the stone walls. When Pellew died there was mother’s arms her little infant than in my life’ found inside his jacket pocket lists I have ever felt in my life.’ Honours followed. The Freedom of Plymouth, of course! of the ships involved and the numbers of slaves released. Ron said: ‘I have held these documents in my hand and Then the first step to the hereditary peerage; the King photographed them; I use them when I give a talk about insisted in awarding Pellew a Baronetcy. He was still Sir the whole of the life of this extraordinary man.’ Edward at this early stage of his astounding career. He If any groups are interested in Ron’s talks and this topic ended up Port Admiral of Plymouth, by then two further contact him at ronaldfwsmith@gmail.com n steps up as Viscount Exmouth.

“

”

The Wreck of the East Indiaman ‘Dutton’ at Plymouth Sound, 26 January 1796 - Thomas Luny (1759–1837)

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BOOKS

New children’s book raises money for Hospital Radio Plymouth A local author has published a children’s book, a portion of the profits of which will go to Hospital Radio Plymouth. The King Who Didn’t Like Snow, written by Plymouthbased author Jocelyn Porter and Illustrated by legendary comic book artist Michael S Kane, is a magical story set in the mysterious land of Cornovia. It features King Mark, Wizard Bert and his sidekick Broderick the bookworm. Fussy King Mark hates snow, so when it starts to snow in Windy Hill Village, Wizard Bert is tasked with finding a solution. Can he resolve things without upsetting the village’s snow-loving children? Aimed at children aged 3-8, the book is published by Full Media Ltd, an award-winning children’s publisher who support numerous children’s charities. The company has pledged to donate 10% of profits from The King Who Didn’t Like Snow to Hospital Radio Plymouth. ‘Run by volunteers, Hospital Radio does a wonderful job of entertaining patients during their stay in hospital,’ said Nick Jones, MD of Full Media. ‘We are keen to give something back to them with this book.’ More stories written by Jocelyn Porter can be heard on Hospital Radio Plymouth, at 6pm on Monday evenings. “Brilliant, educational and fun! Loved it!” A picture book - readersfavouirte.com

for children “An engaging story aged 3-8 which will encourage children to talk about Buy from their fears” - the bookbag.co.uk

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Sue Crowhurst reads them in a section of her show called ‘Storybook’. The stories are accompanied by music specially chosen by Sue for the young patients in Woodcock Ward. Full Media also supply stories for Sue to read.

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