Plymouth Chronicle Central April 2023

Photo: Paul Slater

Welcome to Programme The

Suzanne joined the One You Programme (OYP) four-week healthier lifestyle programme in June 2022. She was particularly interested in losing some weight.

“Previously I’d attended a slimming club, but I didn’t seem to do very well with it” said Suzanne. “But since joining the One You Programme I found I was able to start losing 1 pound in weight per week.”

The OYP emphasises taking a sustainble approach to weight management, and promotes a holistic understanding of people’s wellbeing, which includes promoting physical

activity and general mental wellbeing. Although the core programme takes only 4 weeks, health practitioners remain in contact with people afterwards, and Suzanne reported she had lost 6 pounds when Livewell made the 8-week-follow up call “I think I’ve found an eating pattern which works for me” said Suzanne. “If I’m not hungry at breakfast then I will have a healthy brunch at 11:00. I will have my biggest meal in the evening, and if I have I need a snack in the meantime then I will have some salad or occasionally some popcorn.” When Livewell made the

12-weeks-after follow-up call

Suzanne said she continued to utilise the top tips she learnt on the OYP, and was feeling more ‘mindful’ and aware of her eating habits. She’d also been reducing her alcohol consump tion, and felt that her anxiety levels were decreasing. She stated she was hoping to increase her physical activity in the future. When Livewell made the 6-months-after follow up contact Suzanne was happy to report that she had now nearly lost a stone in weight through sustainable lifestyle improvements.

highly skilled health coaches from Livewell Southwest. The group programme consisted of an initial 1-1 telephone assessment, four weekly group classes including topics on nutrition, becoming more active and looking after your mental health and wellbeing, and a final 1-1 follow-up phone call. The residents in attendance were all extremely interested in the information and helpful tips that

To book your place on the One You Programme please contact 01752 437177 or email oneyou.plymouth@nhs.net

programme said: “The course was a great success. All the residents clearly enjoyed the group discussions, and it was great to hear them sharing the positive changes they had started to make as a result. We collected really positive feedback from residents, and it will help us plan for how we can deliverthis course to more residents in future.”

Feedback from an attendee:

between Plymouth Community Homes and Livewell Southwest is great, and we feel lucky to have had the opportunity to take part in this programme.”

Men on the move making miles matter for St Luke’s

A mass gathering of kind-hearted men strode through the streets of Plymouth, paying tribute to lost loved ones, enjoying a unique camaraderie and showing their support for the charity that provides specialist end of life care for local families.

More than 2,000 men of all ages braved chilly temperatures and a persistent drizzle to turn out for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s 2023 Men’s Day Out on Saturday March 11. With most sporting distinctive event T-shirts, and some wearing eye-catching fancy-dress, they set off to walk a 12km (7.5 mile) route through the heart of the city, beginning and ending at the Plymouth Albion rugby ground at Devonport.

The thousands of pounds raised by the sold-out event will help St Luke’s continue its compassionate care, free of charge, for local people with terminal illness in their last months, weeks and days of life. As well as expert medical care, at home, at Derriford Hospital and at the charity’s own specialist inpatient unit at Turnchapel, the hospice teams provide valuable emotional and practical support for patients and their relatives and friends when they need it most.

Companionship

St Luke’s patron Mark Ormrod, Royal Marines veteran, Invictus Games athlete and motivational speaker, was at the start line at Albion with his daughter to cheer the crowds on their way.

“If I had my legs I would be out there with them,” said Mark, a triple amputee.

Amid all the fun, banter and companionship of the day, participants had the chance not only to share precious memories of friends and family members who have died, but also to talk frankly about the pain of losing a loved one to terminal illness and the realities of bereavement. It’s well recognised that men struggle to reach out for support and being together on the move offered a rare opportunity to speak freely with others who really understand.

Four generations from one family were on the move to remember Shirley Roberts from Derriford, who died at St Luke’s Turnchapel specialist inpatient unit in January 2017. Her husband, Andy Roberts, her father Dave France from Saltash, and from Crownhill, her son Mark Green and his 13-year-old son Oliver were walking together in her honour, as well as in memory of John, Shirley’s stepdad.

“St Luke’s was a massive help to me when I lost my wife. Death is a taboo subject – it shouldn’t be, but it is and Men’s Day Out opens up conversations. Taking part you get to chat to people,” said Andy.

Sam Moore, 24, from Stoke was taking part in Men’s Day Out in memory of his Nanny Ann and Auntie Jackie, walking alongside

his dad, his uncle and his brother.

Acknowledging the power of togetherness during the event, he said: “The struggles you got through, everything is better as a team. It’s like a sigh of relief and such a weight off your shoulders to get it all out. And the fact St Luke’s is out there for everyone is brilliant.”

Martin Warran from Ford was taking part in memory of his wife, Lesley, walking with his grandson Jason Gee and a group of friends and family, all wearing bright striped umbrella hats. Lesley died last November, surrounded by her loved ones.

Martin said: “My wife wanted to pass away at home and we had St Luke’s coming in for about eight days. She was very comfortable with all of us around her,” added Jason, who appreciated the chance to walk and talk with others who have lost a loved one, while having a great day out. It’s a right good laugh, a bunch of lads getting together, and you know you are not the only person feeling it.”

Amid a host of volunteers helping to make the event possible, nurse Tracy Edwards from St Luke’s Urgent Care Service was out and about selling raffle tickets to boost the charity’s funds.

Grieving

She said: “Men’s Day Out is about blokes coming together who are perhaps facing recent loss. There are a lot of men grieving and sometimes they don’t know how to deal with those emotions or express how they are hurting. While they are walking they feel they are doing something to represent the person who has died.

“They get to be with other men and have that support. I feel proud to see them walking around the city in their St Luke’s T-shirts.”

Penny Hannah, St Luke’s head of fundraising, hailed the event a huge success. She said: “It’s incredibly heart-warming to see so many men put their best feet forward to support St Luke’s, especially in such cold and drizzly weather. I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part, to our sponsors Jem Scaffolding Ltd for their generous support, and to all the wonderful volunteers who gave their time to make sure the day ran smoothly.

“In previous years Men’s Day Out has raised enough to provide 160 families with a full package of care and support at home. This time it looks like we’re going to exceed that target, which is especially welcome at a time when we’re facing fast-rising costs.

“The kindness of our community never ceases to amaze me. It’s what has kept us going for more than 40 years, helping people with terminal illness make the most of every precious day, with the people who matter most to them. We couldn’t do it without you.”

Photos by Paul Slater

Martin Warran from Ford and grandson Jason Gee

All dressed up with somewhere to go!

Andy Roberts, Dave France, Mark Green and 13 year old Oliver

Out and About

Your guide to events in the local community and beyond

Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.

Richard III Society Events

Mar 25 and Apr 15

In March the Devon & Cornwall branch of the Richard III Society will present a talk by two of its members on the Coronation of King Richard III. On April 15 there will be a visual presentation of past Coronations, starting with King Edgar.Both meetings will be held in the Chapel at Ford Park Cemetery at 1 p.m. Parking is free and anyone interested in medieval history is invited to attend. Further information if needed can be obtained by phoning the secretary on 01752 31685.

Plymouth Harbour Half

Mar 26

Join the Plymouth Harbour Half for a scenic running experience from Yelverton, following the former railway lines through Plym Woods, back to Saltram, and finishing up around the picturesque harbour. Jump on a coach to the heart of Dartmoor and enjoy the breathtaking views overlooking Plymouth, as you end up back on the Barbican. Details www. phrdevonmind.com

Plymouth Philharmonic Choir

Mar 26

The choir presents Dvorak’s Stabat Mater in Plymouth Guildhall at 7.30 pm. Tickets £20 in advance or £22 on the door, students and U16s £5. Tickets from www.wegottickets.com †or the choir ticket manager 07949 311030. For more information, please visit plymouthphilchoir.org

Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir

Mar 28

Easter concert ‘Be Thou My Vision’ featuring well loved music for Passiontide at Ridgeway Methodist Church, Plympton at 7.30pm. Retiring collection in aid of Shelterbox.

Plymstock Forum

Mar 28

Special meeting at the Community Centre, Memory Lane, Plymstock at 2pm to discuss the future of the group. Details from Brian Steele on 0777 3568003.

Charity concert

Mar 31

Plymouth Area Police Choir join forces with the Girls Night Out Choir at St Bartholomew’s Church, Yealmpton at 7.30pm. Raising funds for local Scouts attending the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea. Tickets £7.50, £5 under 18. Contact Richard 07775603189/Bob 07970846992

Dinomania Tour 2023

Apr 1 and 2

Dinomania is a fun filled five star interactive dinosaur show hosted by YMCA Plymouth at Honickknowle. Two sessions per day at 11am and 3pm with only 300 tickets available per session. Join Ranger Chris and his dinosaurs as seen on BGT 2022! The award winning Youtube Rangers from Dinomania will teach you all about these amazing creatures. Dinosaurs will roam around the crowd in the UK’s most interactive dinosaur show. Tickets at www.dinomania.co.uk/ events/dinomania-tour-plymouth.php

Spring Fayre and Plant Sale

Apr 1

Visitor Centre, Ford Park Cemetery from 11am to 2.30pm. Details 01752 665442.

Magical Bones: Soulful Magic

Apr 2

Magician Magical Bones brings his show to The Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus at 7.30pm. Britain’s Got

Talent finalist takes to the road with awe-inspiring and high energy magic. Tickets from www.tickettailor. com/events/comicalentertainment/784365

Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir

Apr 4

Easter concert ‘Be Thou My Vision’ featuring well loved music for Passiontide at Holy Cross Church, Newton Ferrers at 7.30pm. Tickets £7 on the door in aid of church funds.

Plymouth Careers Fair

Apr 5

Free event at the New Continental Hotel 10am to 2pm provides opportunity for job seekers to meet local and national employers face-to-face and apply directly for hundreds of available vacancies. attendees can expect to find a wide range of roles and opportunities, including entry-level positions, management roles, apprenticeships, graduate positions, franchise opportunities, part-time and full-time positions, flexible working options, and even work-from-home jobs.Details at www.ukcareersfair. com/event/plymouth-careers-fair

Plymouth Eco Market

Apr 8

Interactive sustainable event hosted at Devonport Guildhall from 10am to 3pm. Over 30 local businesses will be providing craft workshops, yoga, meditation and massages. Plus two local food suppliers and everything included in the day is sustainable and vegan.

Spring Concert

Apr 14

South-west based chamber choir Levowan XII will present an evening of beautiful choral music at St Peter’s Church, Wyndham Square at 7.30pm. The programme features the premiere performance of the full and completed ’Requiem’ by Hugh Walkington, one of their own very talented members. The programme also takes the audience on a discovery of contemporary choral music from across Europe and the USA. FREE entry with a retiring collection. Levowan XII performs regularly at St Peter’s where the bright acoustics provide the perfect listening experience for their audiences. The choir has a large repertoire and enjoys singing classical works and discovering new music to share with others. For more information, visit www.levowan.co.uk

Francis Rossi - Tunes & Chat

Apr 14

Status Quo legend Francis Rossi is taking up his acoustic guitar to bring a selection of well-known hits and some previously not-performed-live-before tunes at The Quad Theatre on the Marjon University campus

at 7.30pm. It’ll be a unique evening in which Francis will reprise fan favourites from a remarkable 50+ year career. Expect original-style, acoustic versions of Quo classics, threaded together with chat in this music based evening. VIP packages are available for those wishing to meet Francis before the show. Tickets at www.comicalentertainment.com

Children’s Book Sale

Apr 15

Visitor Centre, Ford Park Cemetery from 10.30am to 1pm.

Model Railway Exhibition

Apr 15 and 16

Organised by Saltash Rotary Club at the restored Saltash Station Building – Isambard House – by kind permission of Saltash Town Council. There will be five 00 scale model layouts, pictures from local artists, Brunel Heritage talks, crafts trade stand and a ride-on loco provided by Plym Valley Railway. Admission is free with refreshments available. For ease of parking a shuttle bus provided by Community Enterprise PL12 will run hourly from Saltash Leisure Centre to Isambard House and return. Details at www. saltashrotary.org

Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum

Apr 26

Sponsored by Plymouth Samaritans at the Restore Church in Milehouse from 10am to 2pm. The forum will provide the opportunity to bring together wellbeing hubs from across Plymouth and providers with a link to mental health issues. The event is being funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The funding will also support a local gardening project for men with mental health issues.

Coronation Cream Tea

Apr 29

Visitor Centre, Ford Oark Cemetery from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets are selling fast so anyone wishing to attend should either visit the office during working hours 10am to 3.30pm or call 01752 665442 to book a ticket.

Spring Fayre

Apr 29

St Bureaux Parish Church Community Hall, Higher Street, St Budeaux from 11am to 2.30pm. Table top sales and refreshments. Admission 20p.

Hear Better ‘Mini’ Exhibition

May 4

Free hearing loss exhibition designed for individuals and hearing professionals to find out more about the latest technology and local support available to assist people with hearing loss in daily life. To be held at the Copthorne Hotel from 10.30am to 3pm. There will

be an NHS Re-tube clinic and British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter from 10.30am to 1pm. For more information contact Sensory Solutions, Improving Lives Plymouth 01752 201899.

Past Coronations Exhibition

May 7 to 18

Exhibition at the Visitor Centre, Ford Park Cemetery from 10.30am to 3.30pm on weekdays and 12.30pm to 3.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Occasionally events can be cancelled through unavoidable circumstances so it is worth checking beforehand (tel. 01752 665442).

Set the Stage

May 13

Sounds Musical Theatre Company return to Devonport Playhouse with Set The Stage, a show stopping concert of songs from blockbuster movies and stage shows. Matinée 2.30pm or evening 7.30pm.Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk/sounds or phone 07395159955. Adults: £12, Over 65s £11, Under 16s £6. Check out Facebook or Instagram pages for more information about the company.

Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival

May 14

One of the South West’s most popular running events with half marathon, 10k and 5k distances as well as team challenges and Primary Schools Challenge. Enter now at www.runplymouth.co.uk

Plymouth Pirates Weekend

May 20 and 21

Swashbuckling fun for all th family around the Barbican, Sutton Harbour and waterfront. This popular event is one of the highlights of the year in Plymouth and draws thousands of people to the waterfront to enjoy the spectacle.

Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals

May 24 and 25

A spectacular line-up of some of the world’s best professional dancers will be at Plymouth Pavilions with performances each night at 7.30pm and matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. For details visit www. strictlytheprofessionals.com

Plymouth Motorshow

June 3 and 4

Annual two day car show at Plymstock Albion Oaks Rugby Club from 10am to 6pm is open to vintage, old classics and sport cars including high performance car rally vehicles, kit cars and modern cars of interest of all motor sport clubs and motor cycles. Children’s entertainment, a family fun dog show (courtesy of Paws4Proceeds) an assortment of live local bands, food and of course, bar. Overnight camping is available for vendors and car show entrants.

An Evening with Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards

Jun 11

The legendary ski jumper - the first and only competitor to represent Great Britain at the Winter Olympics is appearing at the Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus at 7.30pm. Tickets from www. comicalentertainment.com

Models and Railway Exhibition

Jun 17

Five model railway displays along with numerous built scale models kits including aircraft, sci-fi, ships and military vehicles. Plymouth Tothill Community Centre from 10am to 4pm. Traders will also be selling railway and modelling items. Tombola during the event and hot and cold food on sale. Disabled access and plenty of parking. Entrance fee: adults £2, family £5 and concessions £1. Children under 12 free.

Send details of your event to info@cornerstonevision. com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.

Strictly Come Dancing - the Professionals returns to Plymouth Pavilions in May

A busy mum found a whole new career path thanks to the training on offer at Plymouth City Council’s adult learning service, On Course South West.

Maggie Graham had four small children and wanted to both support her children’s learning as well as improve her employability. In 2008 she signed up for the Children’s Care and Development Level 2 course with On Course South West, which gave her the confidence to be a volunteer at a school, become a school Governor and complete more training.

She then became the Parent Support Advisor at the school and continued to train, undertaking Level 3 qualifications that helped her become the Chair for Whitleigh Big Local.

Maggie was offered a Family Learning Tutor post at On Course South West and then began working to support mums and babies at Trevi, including a secondment to run a house for women who had fled domestic abuse, homelessness, or had alcohol and drugs dependencies. In May 2021, Maggie returned to On Course as a Learning Advisor, and she now enjoys teaching courses covering a range of topics such as crafts and wellbeing, cooking, floristry, foraging, and budgeting.

Maggie said: “I would recommend On Course South West to everyone, as we are a nurturing service, making sure we support our learners to fully reach their goal and visions. It gave me the confidence to want to learn more, train more and even work for them.”

Councillor Charlotte Carlyle, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Children and Young People said: “This is an absolutely brilliant success story. The hugely varied courses on offer at On Course South West mean there’s something for everyone, whether you’re simply looking to get creative and try something new, or want to upskill and develop yourself by gaining qualifications that will lead to exciting new job opportunities, just like Maggie has done.”

Mark Trewin, Principal of On Course South West added: “Maggie is a perfect example of how the training and support at On Course South West can really change someone’s life. We are here to help people progress, upskill or simply start a new hobby. We are small and friendly, courses are flexible and most of them are free! We also offer bespoke courses to employers to support them with CPD and opportunities for lifelong learning. We are delighted Maggie chose to come and work for us and is now here to support our current learners.”

To discover more about courses on offer, On Course South West visit www. oncoursesouthwest.co.uk

Mount Street Primary celebrates ‘Good’ rating by Ofsted

Pupils thrive and staff feel valued at Mount Street Primary School, which was rated ‘good’ in all areas following an Ofsted inspection in January.

The hugely positive report highlighted that pupils feel cared for and that staff are invested in their learning. Pupils ‘learn to play and work well together’ and ‘enjoy their lessons’, with many saying they ‘love their family oriented school’.

Staff have high expectations for pupils and ‘ensure that positive relationships are promoted well’. This results in good behaviour and means bullying is rare.

The school’s inclusivity was celebrated, with inspectors noting that ‘leaders ensure that all parts of the curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities are accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND’.

Children at the school also ‘learn to love reading’ with teachers being ‘reading experts’ that offer a consistent and passionate approach, which ensures that reading is ‘enticing and enjoyable’.

Bridget Shillaber, headteacher at Mount Street said: “I am very proud of the hard work and dedication that everyone at Mount Street

puts in everyday, inspiring a love of learning, which enables the children from Nursery to Year 6 to thrive and achieve good outcomes.

“As a school of sanctuary, we are delighted that our safe and calm environment, curriculum offer and ethos, which put pupils at the heart of all that we do, has been acknowledged in our recent OFSTED

PUBLIC NOTICE MARINE AND COASTAL ACCESS ACT 2009 APPLICATION FOR MARLIN SEA STAR

Marlin Sea Star Consortium of 1 Davy Road, Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 8BX has applied to the Marine Management Organisation under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, Part 4 for: A marine licence to deploy a floating environmental monitoring hub.

Copies of the application and associated information may be viewed on line in the Public Register at www.gov.uk/check-marine-licence-register.

Representations in respect of the application should ordinarily be made by:

• Visiting the MMO public register at https://marinelicensing.marinemanagement.org.uk/mmofox5/f ox/live/MMO_PUBLIC_REGISTER/search?area=3 and accessing the ‘Public Representation’ section of case reference MLA/2022/00534;

• However, we will also accept representations via the following formats:

• By email to marine.consents@marinemanagement.org.uk; or alternatively

• By letter addressed to Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7 YH In all cases, correspondence must:

• Be received within 28 days of the date of the first notice (17/03/2023);

• Quote the case reference; and

• include an address to which correspondence relating to the representation or objection may be sent.

The Marine Management Organisation will pass to the applicant a copy of any objection or representation we receive.

inspection with Mount Street being recognised as good in all areas.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff, children, parents and the Learning Academies Trust for their ongoing contribution to the success of Mount Street.”

School leaders were praised for putting pupils at the heart of their decision-

making and developing a curriculum that links to pupils’ experiences and the local environment, which helps to keep children engaged and enthusiastic.

Leaders also support and develop staff, making sure that their wellbeing is promoted.

John Butcher, chair of the Trust Board at Learning Academies Trust said: “We are delighted with the very positive grading of good for Mount Street.

The school’s hard work and the support from the Learning Academies Trust have been phenomenal and we are so pleased for Mount Street’s staff, children and community that the school is now officially recognised as a solidly ‘good’ school.”

Parents’ opinions were also taken into consideration as part of the inspection. Nearly all those who completed Ofsted’s online questionnaire, Parent View, were positive about the impact of the school on their children and ‘rightly’ feel they are safe and well looked after.

This was a graded inspection and the first routine inspection the school has received since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BARCLAYS EXHIBIT WORK BY TALENTED ARTISTS

Barclays on Armada Way in Plymouth city centre is the setting for an exhibition of work by some of the most exciting emerging artists in the region.

Staff from Barclays selected original work by eight MA students and graduates from Arts University Plymouth, as part of an ongoing collaboration between the arts university and city centre bank that began in 2021 as part of the IGNITE Festival of Creativity.

Work by the artists can be seen printed on large-scale vinyl wraparounds that decorate pillars in public areas of the branch.

David Podd from Barclays led the selection of work by artists, comprising Masters in Illustration students

Julia Hill, Sunny Wua and Naomi Batts; Masters in Painting students Victoria Mardon and David Fletcher, and Masters in Painting graduate Alice Simpson; Masters in Ceramics graduate Christina Oldfield; and Masters in Photography student Stephanie Darkes.

David Podd said: “We are delighted to be supporting talented artists in the region by providing a platform to showcase their work with our customers, colleagues, local employers and a wider audience.”

This is the third time since the summer of 2021 that creative work by Arts University Plymouth students and graduates has been printed at large scale to display in public areas of Barclays Plymouth.

MA Illustration student Sunny Wu said: “As an illustrator, having my art displayed in Barclays is such a wonderful achievement for me. This piece is more or less a self portrait of myself, as an Asian-American, walking in New York City, and having that experience being projected into a space in England feels bittersweet, as if I’m carrying that part of my story here. I hope to continue to work as a freelance illustrator and incorporating bits of my life abroad in my work.‚Äù

MA Painting graduate Alice Simpson said: “It is fantastic to

have the opportunity to display my work in such a prominent place in Plymouth. My work is about colour relationships and how these can be translated to represent human connections. Since graduating I have been working as an art teacher and I have also taken part in a couple of exhibitions in Plymouth. I have also been invited to display my work in Exeter in spring 2023.”

MA Illustration student Naomi Batts said: “The opportunity to have a piece of my work that has such significant meaning to me and my current postgraduate research is fantastic. My practice focuses on correspondence through illustrative processes and methods, particularly looking at how I can reconnect with my inner self. Hopefully it also connects with the people who see it, even if it is for just a moment in their busy routines.”

MA Illustration student Julia Hill said: “As a Devonbased illustrator, I have been working in black and white using fineliners for nearly 35 years. The natural world, wildlife and the environment form the basis of all the work I do. My MA has taken me on a new journey into ceramics using my practice to highlight environmental issues I am passionate about.”

MA Painting student Victoria Mardon said: “I love how Barclays have incorporated art from the local community into their high street branch, and I’m thrilled to have my painting chosen as one of the artworks. I was fascinated to see it reproduced on such a large scale. It has inspired me to create some colourful geometric paintings on a much larger canvas!”

MA Ceramics graduate Christina Oldfield said: “My work is highly decorative, reflecting my previous experience as a printed textile designer. I enjoy layering pattern, texture, and colour to create individual, hand built, narrative pieces. I work mostly with stoneware clay, which I texture and draw into and then colour with slips and underglazes, I finish the pieces with transparent glaze and metallic lustres.”

Illustration student Sunny Wu

BASICS volunteer doctors thanked by grateful patient

A Plymouth man who suffered a fall at home and was treated by volunteers from BASICS Devon was so impressed with the response that he is now raising funds for the charity organisation.

The team from BASICS were first on the scene responding to the emergency at Barrington Sowden’s home in Milehouse. They found him injured and unable to move on the floor.

Barrington explained what happened: “I spent 14 years in the Royal Navy and was an active member of the then Devonport Field Gun Crew where I sustained a back injury in 1978, which meant I had to be medically discharged from the Navy in 1986.

“I have continued to have major back problems since and underwent my first back surgery in 1995. At the beginning of 2022 I noticed

loss of power in my right leg and in November I fell down the stairs.”

Dr Tony Golding-Cook and paramedic Conor Colby responded to the call out, whilst on duty in the BASICS Devon rapid response vehicle.

Barrington recalls those moments: “I called the ambulance, and this was my first contact with BASICS Devon as they came to my aid in a matter of minutes.

“I was so taken by their professionalism and caring attitude that I wanted to know more about the service which they explained while we waited for the ambulance. At the same time they informed me that they would remain with me until the ambulance arrived, no matter how long that was.’

The BASICS Devon volunteers were able to administer vital pain relief to get Barrington up off the floor and feel more comfortable.

“I felt at that moment that I wanted to do something for this voluntary

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

organisation, so I decided there and then that as the chairman of the Kingsmen Harmony Club, I would choose BASICS Devon as my charity and we are now in the planning process for a concert in September of this year.”

Amie Bull, fundraising manager of BASICS Devon was also out observing that day. She said: “As soon as we arrived at Barrington’s house, the doctors just wanted to establish what had happened, how he felt and most of all to relieve his pain.

“He is such a lovely man and a pleasure to talk to whilst we waited

Foreign investment is driving high value jobs in Plymouth

for the ambulance to arrive.”

Dr Golding-Cook said: “We are just so glad we could be there for Barrington. We are thrilled that he wants to support us and are really excited about the concert. He is clearly a talented musician and we cannot wait to share all the details with our supporters.”

The concert will be held in September 2023 and details once bookings are open, will be shared on Kingsmen - Barbershop Harmony Chorus - Kingsbridge, BASICS Devon social media and at www.basicsdevon.org.uk/events

Plymouth-based companies are attracting millions of pounds of foreign investment creating and securing quality jobs, with more investments on the horizon.

Statistics collated by Plymouth City Council’s Economic Development team show that across the last five years, £332m worth of foreign investment – mainly from American parent companies – came to city businesses, across 33 projects.

All together the investment helped secure 1,460 new jobs.The pipeline for next year looks promising with 23 projects worth £5m and the creation of 8,000 jobs on the cards, of which 3,500 are high-value graduate jobs, with 74% coming from the marine sector.

Council Leader Richard Bingley said:

“Foreign investment in Plymouth is booming. We made it a firm commitment to open Plymouth to global business and drive more high-value jobs to the city. I agree with the recent news, Plymouth should not be underestimated.

“Despite the pandemic and the aftershock on the global economy, we are making sure that we are grabbing opportunities that come our way.

“A typical investment project can take a few years to land as companies will keep a close eye on macroeconomics and the global market place before making a final decision. These huge investments are made by global companies who have faith in the knowledge, skills and technology that we can create here in Plymouth.”

Recent major investments in the city, have included £120m from Meta/Plessey and £70m from Becton Dickinson along with Amazon £10m and Barden £8m.

Barrington Sowden pictured with Dr Tony Golding-Cook

“Learn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow.”

Mahatma Gandhi

CHILDREN IN KENYA WILL RECEIVE AN EDUCATION THANKS TO SISTERS

Two young sisters from Oreston cooked up a fantastic fund raising effort to help children in Kenya.

Sisters Maggie and Ivy Pearce, aged eight and four, made a splash with their charity bake sale on Sunday March 5.

Their Nanny had told them about a family friend Revd Roger Carter who has, for the past 20 years, worked tirelessly for the people of Kisumu, Kenya with the Wilderness Trust Ministries. They wanted to know how they could help.

They learned that a donation of just £7 would send a child to school for a whole year. So Maggie had the idea to put on a bake sale to raise some money, hoping to be able to help one or two children get an education.

The girls spent a whole afternoon baking

and then set up a stall on their driveway on Sunday morning. Their Mum, Laura, posted about it on the village Facebook page and waited.

Within minutes the generous residents of Oreston were there, queueing for their cake, donations in hand. The girls had such a good response, they sold all of their cakes and raised an amazing £135.90 within an hour!

Friends, family and neighbours were still wanting to donate after hearing about the sale, so the girls and their Mum set up a GoFundMe page.

At the time of going to press the girls’ fund had increased to £270, all for the children of Kisumu to get an education. It means 38 children can now go to school for a year

–and sort out ID

thanks to the girls and all of the donors.

The Wilderness Trust Ministries was established by the Revd Roger Carter in 1999 to improve the life of children in Kisumu by helping with education, health and housing. The charity’s motto is ‘Together we can make a difference.’ It is run purely by unpaid volunteers which enables the charity to spend every single penny raised on projects rather than administration.

A huge well done to Maggie and Ivy on their fundraising success which will make a big difference for the children in Kenya.

To help raise more funds for the charity visit gofund.me/b7a838e9.

For more information on the charity visit www.wildernesstrustministries.com

Pelé’s historic visit remembered

The shirt worn by world famous footballer Pelé has gone on display at The Box 50 years after he played in Plymouth

Pelé’s iconic number 10 football shirt, worn when he played at Home Park 50 years ago on March 14, 1973, went on display at The Box on March 14. The date marks 50 years to the day when the man considered by many to be the world’s greatest footballer and his Santos FC team played a friendly against Plymouth Argyle – and lost 3-2!

Os Santásticos were in town as part of an international tour and it proved to be a night to remember for the 37,000 fans who saw the match. Argyle raced to a 3-0 lead at half-time with goals from Mike Dowling, Derek Rickard and Jimmy Hinch. Late goals from Pelé and Edu made it 3-2 in the end. The game was the chance of a lifetime for many to see some of the biggest footballing stars on the planet.

At the end of the match Pelé gave his shirt to Plymouth Argyle defender Johnny Hore, who has now kindly loaned it to The Box. Visitors can see it on display from until April 23, alongside a shirt worn by substitute Vicenté. Vicenté was brought down in the box late in the game, leading to the penalty Pelé scored.

Two match day programmes dating from March 14 and 31, 1973 will also feature in the case. The March 31 programme is a ‘Santos Souvenir Special’. It’s one item from 85 boxes of material that have just been transferred to The Box from the Plymouth Argyle Heritage Archive. The material, which is a brilliant addition to the city’s public archives and will be available for research, includes an almost complete run of home and away programmes spanning 1945-2022.

“We’re really excited to be marking the 50th anniversary of this unforgettable football match by displaying these iconic shirts and really grateful to Argyle legends Johnny Hore and Derek Rickard for loaning them to us until the end of the Easter holidays,” said Adam Milford, senior engagement and learning officer at The Box.

“We hope fans will come in and take a look at this reminder of one of the world’s footballing greats, and a match they or people they know may have even been at. 37,000 people saw the game when it took place, it would be amazing if we got that many visitors while the shirts are on display!”

The Box will also celebrate the anniversary

of Santos’ visit to the city with a brand new episode of its ‘The Box on Screen’ series. The episode features clips from the match as well as some other brilliant archive footage of Plymouth Argyle over the years. It can be viewed at www.youtube.com/c/ theboxplymouth

More items from the recently acquired Plymouth Argyle Heritage Archive will be displayed in The Box’s Active Archives gallery this summer.

The Box is open 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Monday. Admission is free and there’s no need to book. More information is available online at www. theboxplymouth.com

Plymouth residents who will be 18-years-old by May 4 are encouraged to register to vote now and make sure they have eligible photo ID in time for this year’s local election.

With the deadline to register only a few weeks away on April 17, Plymouth City Council is encouraging all those eligible to vote to make sure that they take the opportunity to have their say in the election.

Registration is quick and easy and can be done online at www.plymouth.gov.uk/registervote and only takes a few minutes.

When registering, applicants can also apply for a postal vote. This means that during an election they will automatically be sent a ballot paper, so they can vote via post, avoiding the need to go to a polling station.

Once registered applicants will be placed onto the electoral register – which means they won’t need to register again, unless moving house.

In addition, unlike parliamentary elections, students living in Plymouth, studying away from home, can register to vote in local elections in both their home town as well as Plymouth.

Tracey Lee, Returning Officer for Plymouth, said: “There are thousands of students and young adults in Plymouth that aren’t registered to vote, but care about our great city and want the opportunity to shape its future. We don’t want them to miss out. Their views are important.

“Registering to vote is quick, easy and has a number of benefits – not only can you take part in the democratic process, but it will also help with future credit checks. Helping with mortgages, loans or even a mobile phone contract.”

Those registered to vote, and plan to cast their ballot in person, will also have to show eligible photographic ID at polling stations from May. Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a full or provisional UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass and a blue badge. Unfortunately, student ID is NOT an accepted form of ID.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID can nregister for a postal vote by April 18, or can apply for free Voter Authority Certificate online at www.gov.uk/ apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificateor by completing a paper form which is available from the Council. The deadline to apply for this ID is April 25

First time voters encouraged to register as soon as possible

Maggie busy making cakes

Ivy all set for the sale

The shirt worn by Pelé is among items on display at The Box

Colourful street art brightens up Mutley Plain

An independent business on Mutley Plain has benefitted from a new colourful and creative piece of street art on its facade following work from a local artist.

A new cafe called the Buddha Hut offered up one of its walls to undergo a complete transformation by a local artist who is part of Plymouth Artists Together (PAT).

Independent Alliance leader Cllr Nick Kelly, a Compton Ward Councillor made a contribution to PAT from his Community Grant Fund to brighten up Mutley Plain. This funding enabled a plain drab wall to undergo a complete transformation. Cllr

Kelly said: “Over the past few years I have been working hard to improve Mutley Plain and ensure all the shops are occupied and trading. Following a deep clean of Mutley Plain, and other public realm improvements, along with increasing the free period for parking, there are far fewer empty shops. I’m delighted that as an independent councillor, I have been able to support a new independent business on Mutley Plain.

“Joe Lawrence and his team at the Buddha Hut are really friendly and have created a lovely place to stop for a coffee and chat. It’s been quite difficult to find business owners who are prepared to allow street art on their facades. Joe was thrilled to be able to participate in this project. Hopefully, this will be the first of many that will make Mutley more interesting to visit.”

Joe said: “I’m really impressed with the quality of the artist’s work and love the design. I made a financial contribution to have the Buddha Hut name incorporated in the design. So many of our customers have commented how good the wall now looks. I’d like to thank PAT and Cllr Kelly for making this happen.”

Further murals will hopefully be added along Mutley Plain as part of the Safer Streets programme.

Proposals to bring buzz and bands back to Guildhall now submitted

Plymouth’s Guildhall could be going back to the future with plans that will help to bring back gigs and more events now submitted to planners.

Plymouth City Council has submitted an application for planning and listed building consent, with changes they hope will bring back the buzz and the bands to the building that has seen Bowie, Queen and The Who perform there.

The design has been carefully put together to make sure any upgrades minimise impact on the Grade II listed building where possible. It is also designed to create space for a variety of other uses, such as other entertainment events, conferences, training, weddings and hot-desking.

Changes proposed:

For the Great Hall – measures to improve lighting, audio visuals and sound. Trusses to be installed allowing AV, light and sound equipment to hang from the ceiling. Acoustic panels and curtains will be installed to improve the sound quality and will be coordinated with existing ventilation grilles, chandelier lighting. A new modular stage to offer more options – catwalk, smaller stage or theatre in the round to attract a wider variety of users and events

Entrance – a disabled access ramp installed at the front, the main doors refurbished and security gates removed

Lifts – the existing lifts refurbished. Accessible platform lifts installed to the lobby stairs and 1st floor tea bar area improving accessibility for all users

Toilets – refurbished and remodelled and an increase in number

Lounge Bar and Drake Room Bars – the existing bars replaced with a longer versions and more space for serving, including lower counter areas to support people with disabilities

Drake Room – a free standing lighting truss and acoustic panels to be hung from the ceiling improving the acoustics and AV flexibility for events

Kitchen area in the main hall to be equipped to enable more flexible catering for events. The kitchenettes and tea bars will also be upgraded and refreshed

Astor, Charter and North Rooms – upgrades to lighting, glazing and furniture. A moveable acoustic wall will be provided between the Charter and the

Astor room to enable events to run at the same time Mechanical and electrical – a heating and ventilation strategy is being designed to improve the customers’ experience of the building. A separate programme will see the installation of a new air source heat pump.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Mark Shayer said: “We have this amazing building, but we need to make more of it. There has been lots of discussions with event organisers and promoters so that the improvements work for them as well as ensuring the building’s amazing interior is not compromised.

“We see this an investment – not just in the city, but the city centre, a feel good factor for residents of all ages who can enjoy a wider variety of events – and it will bring in an income for the council.”

The Guildhall, was originally built in the 1870s but reduced to a shell during the Blitz.

It was one of the few damaged buildings to be restored rather than rebuilt, with the restoration continuing through most of the 1950s.

Historic England describe it as a ‘rare and unusually rich example’ of an unaltered `Festival of Britain’ interior and there are some glorious touches including an impressive black and white marble staircase in the centre. There’s a mural depicting famous sons of Plymouth and the city’s maritime history and three stunning 1950s chandeliers.

The project is expected to cost £3.9m comprising £2.45m which was allocated in the council’s capital budget in March 2021 and £1.5m from the Future High Streets fund.

U-TURN ON CHARGES FOR LEISURE CAR PARKS

Parking charges will not now be introduced at a number of leisure car parks in Plymouth following opposition by local ward councillors.

Earlier this month it was announced that Plymouth City Council would be asking residents for their views on introducing minimal parking charges at Mount Batten (on-street and car park), Jennycliff, Devils Point and Strand Street car parks – all of which are currently free – with the revenue being reinvested into improvements in each car park.

In addition, the consultation would have

included proposals on introducing a small charge at the Life Centre (£1 for 24 hours parking) for customers of the centre, to help prevent non-users from migrating to the Life Centre car park, creating challenges for centre customers.

As part of the initial engagement, ward councillors expressed their concern on the proposals, therefore the Cabinet Member for Transport has decided they will not move forward.

Councillor Jonathan Drean said: “As part of our wider budget programme, we highlighted that we would look at ways we could help address the increase in operating costs of parking in the city.

This proposal was exactly that. It was one idea. We committed to listening to views and that started with us engaging with councillors. It is clear that introducing charges at our leisure car parks would not be a viable option, therefore the proposal will not be moving ahead.”

Meanwhile on and off street parking charges in the rest of the city will rise by 10 per cent from April 1. Hourly on street parking charges will rise from £2 to £2.20 and all day parking from £15 to £16.50. Off street parking chargesa across the city will rise by a similar amount. Residents parking permits will rise from £41 to £45.

PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE

Ground-breaking £21m upgrade for Brickfields

A ground-breaking agreement will see more than £21 million invested in the under-utilised Brickfields site in Devonport to provide a permanent home for the Plymouth Argyle Academy.

Plymouth Argyle, the Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Albion RFC and Devonport Community Leisure Ltd (DCLL) have struck a deal which will see £21m invested in rejuvenating Brickfields with a focus on community health, wellbeing, and raising aspirations.

As part of the plans, Argyle will provide multi-million pound investment towards the project, which will see wholesale redevelopment of Brickfields to install top class facilities for the Argyle Academy, including a covered pitch and other amenities which are of the standard required to apply for Category 2 status in the future.

Further detail on the site’s future layout will be revealed in due course, but the initial agreement operates on the principle that the Academy centre will include:

• An improved suite of playing pitches including three grass football pitches, and replacing an existing grass rugby training pitch with a new 3G pitch

• A new purpose-built Academy building, including classrooms for scholars, office space for Academy staff, changing rooms, a gym, and a parents’ lounge

• A new floodlit 3G football pitch to replace a poor condition (currently closed) hockey pitch

• A new, covered 3G football pitch

• Conversion of the existing 60m x 40m rubber crumb pitch to two PlayZones exclusively for public use

• Better site access, public realm and parking

• Opening up the site for community paths

The site will also become the permanent home of the Argyle Women’s first-team.

Andrew Parkinson, chief executive and trustee of the Argyle Community Trust said: “This is a significant milestone in the club’s proud history, and provides great excitement for the future of Argyle, with the prospect of a

For the club’s part, the £11m investment will be provided by existing shareholders, with a further £7.3m coming via the Argyle Community Trust through sport and community development grant funding.

The remaining investment will be provided by Plymouth City Council, funded by savings made on the site by handing management responsibility to Argyle. The council will retain ownership of the site, leasing it to the parties involved on a long, nominal rent, similar to the arrangement currently in place at Harper’s Park, where Argyle’s firstteam train.

The extensive schedule of works is due to begin at Brickfields early in 2024, subject to necessary approval.

permanent academy base taking us one step further in our strategic vision to see the club attract, retain and develop the region’s best young talent.

“Regenerating the site to provide firstclass facilities for our Academy and other elite sports addresses a need, not only for Argyle, but other stakeholders, including Plymouth Albion RFC. “The proposal will also provide significant benefit for the Devonport community, allowing the Argyle Community Trust to use redeveloped facilities to manage a thriving community hub, providing members of the public with access, support, and equipment to reduce health inequalities and promote wellbeing.”

The wide-ranging offering will significantly exceed what is presently available for the community at Brickfields, including education and employment programmes, adult education, wellbeing support, a dedicated space for youth services, a soft play centre, new, affordable gym, and a community café.

Councillor Pat Patel, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure and Sport at Plymouth City Council, said: “This is an extraordinary deal that will unlock millions of pounds of investment to provide incredible facilities to nurture talent in this city as well as expand the offer to local people.

“We have been talking extensively to the people who use Brickfields, as well as groups and individuals in Devonport, about what facilities and activities they want to see. At the moment the entire site is not being used as well as it should be.

“We have a plan for sport that the city’s clubs and organisations helped create and this proposal really fits the bill. Together we are working to increase participation –opening up opportunities get more people involved in sports and physical activity.

“But this is also about pride; locating the Argyle Academy in Brickfields strengthens the links between the city and Argyle, as well as creating a sense of aspiration for the young people living nearby. We will not see a deal of this scale for many years to come.”

Largest selection of transportable and auto folding scooters in Plymouth

Folding powerchairs weighing from only 13kg Next

on Electric Rise & Recline Chairs

Straight and curved stairlifts with installation in only 7 days

“This is an extraordinary deal that will unlock millions of pounds of investment to provide incredible facilities to nurture talent in this city as well as expand the offer to local people”

COUNCILLOR PAT PATEL

Makeover for city’s Civic Square

Work has now started on improvements to the historic Civic Square in Plymouth’s city centre.

The Grade II listed Park and Garden is getting a makeover to showcase some of its existing heritage features as well as reinstate some of the paving patterns that were part of its original design.

The scheme has been developed with Historic England funding under the High Street Heritage Action Zone, and will see the previous ‘Bow Tie’ tessellated paving patterns reintroduced in the south of the square, made from granite blocks. Planters will also have a makeover, with worn and damaged copings replaced and new ornamental planting and improved grass within the landscaped islands.  The copings around the main pond will be restored back to the original concrete, removing years of paint.

Seating will be repaired and relocated and

the cobbles around the circular benches will be tidied up. A section of narrow path outside the Council House will be widened. The work, which will include preparing the ground before new granite is laid, is expected to take around 10 weeks to complete.

Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The square is a Grade II registered park and garden and is important to our heritage. It currently looks a little tired and we are delighted that Historic England are able to support us with this scheme.“

“Geoffrey Jellicoe was one of this country’s greatest landscape gardeners in his time and he designed this public square as part of the civic layout of Plymouth planned by the city architect H J W Stirling and based on Patrick Abercrombie and J Paton Watson’s post-war plan for Plymouth of 1943.

“It is unique and part of the Plymouth and this country’s post-war history. It’s fair to say

that importance is currently a bit lost. We hope these measures will help us showcase it.”

Simon Hickman from Historic England, said: “We are excited by the return of the tessellated paving to the Civic Square, which is based on the original designs. The square’s famous architect, Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, called for ‘dignity and frivolity’ in the original design of the square, and that’s what we’re hoping these plans will restore.”

The scheme is a more streamlined version of the original proposals unveiled in 2021. The current work is the first phase of the scheme and a second phase is planned for improvements specifically aimed at making the square more to attractive for walkers and cyclists.

The Civic Square scheme is not part of the Armada Way proposals. The café kiosk is not affected by the works, which are being carried out by Morgan Sindall.

Could you deliver the Plymouth Chronicle?

SOUNDS MUSICAL THEATRE PREPARE FOR THEIR SPRING SHOW

Sounds Musical Theatre Company are all set to return to the Devonport Playhouse to perform their annual spring concert review

‘Set the Stage’ showcasing well known songs from stage and movie hits.

The award winning company has a long history of popular performances spanning well over 100 years with few interruptions in their show schedule. Only two World Wars and the pandemic put rehearsals on ice. Sounds Musical are now rehearsing for ‘Set the Stage’ an innovative compilation of well-known songs from stage and screen with

Charlotte Pascoe as director and performer.

This is her first role as director with the company. She said: “It’s has been a fantastic experience so far putting together this review, making the most of our members’ talents. As a group we are working collectively to put together something special for all audiences, young and not so young, exploring such fantastic music.”

‘Set the Stage’ is on May 13 with performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

The review also features an innovative whole ensemble song and dance routine from

Maternity services at Derriford Hospital need improvement, say CQC

The maternity service at Derriford Hospital has seen its Care Quality Commission rating drop from good to requires improvement, following an inspection in September.

The inspection was carried out as part of CQC’s national maternity services inspection programme.

The inspection found women and babies were not always receiving standards of care they have a right to expect in Derriford Hospital’s maternity service, which is run by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

While Derriford Hospital’s maternity service is now rated requires improvement, ratings for the trust and hospital overall are unchanged following this inspection. Both remain requires improvement overall.

Director of maternity services, Sue Wilkins said: “The Care Quality Commission visited our maternity services in September 2022 as part of their national maternity inspection programme.

“This programme aims to give the inspectors an up-to-date view of hospital maternity care and help them understand what is working well to support learning and improvement at a local and national level.

“They have rated maternity services at Derriford Hospital as ‘Requires Improvement’. This represents a reduction from the previous rating of ‘Good’ that our maternity service held.

“However, the CQC noted good practice, in particular that they saw staff were doing their best to provide good care and keep people safe, and people could access the service when they needed it.

“They also reported finding good collaboration between staff for the benefit of parents and babies, that staff managed infection risks well and were committed to driving improvement.

“The CQC’s principal concerns were around the service not having enough staff, risk assessment of people when attending maternity triage and risks of documentation being incomplete before the implementation of a new IT system.”

She said she was confident when the CQC next visit, Derriford will assure them that it is are a ‘Good’ service because a number of things had changed since the September 2022 visit.”

This has included the addition of 14 more midwives in part and confirmation of funding for 16 more colleagues in the coming months.

Plans for implementing a risk assessment system for women coming into triage were not fully formed but are now.

This is due to be implemented in the next few weeks, along with a new IT system later in the summer.

She said that these two factors would address many of the CQC’s concerns.

She added: “Our staff work extremely hard to provide good care to families and will continue to do this, with the improvements described above either now already made or about to be in the coming weeks.

“We always welcome feedback and comments from families using our maternity service and use their feedback to help drive a process of continual improvement.”

A Chorus Line, choreographed by Victoria Lambden. Claire Anderson has provided invaluable musical accompaniment for six years and once more takes on the role of musical director.

The company are now looking forward to ’business as usual‘ continuing their rich history in Plymouth’s amateur music scene. Their website and Facebook page Sounds Musical Theatre Company provides more information. Tickets for Set the Stage can be obtained from www.ticketsource.co.uk or by calling 07395159955

Double surprise for President Bob

Plympton Gardeners Association

President Bob Shaw got a double surprise when he turned up for the group’s regular monthly meeting in March.

Bob has performed many roles in the Association over the years and also took on the horticultural maintenance of the circular planters in Ridgeway, bringing them back from being glorified ash trays into a visually pleasing sight and adding much welcome colour to the pedestrianised part of the shopping district.

Now though Bob has decided to step down from his various committee roles. In appreciation of his efforts over many years the PGA presented him with a bird table and Stannator of Plympton Arno Bessel turned up to present him with a bottle of Pusser’s Gunpowder Rum and an engraved glass on behalf of Plympton Community Council.

(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

Photo:  Laurie B Film and Photography

New shine for Pearl Assurance building

One of the city centre’s most prominent buildings is next in line for a facelift.

The landlords of Pearl Assurance House on the corner of Armada Way and Royal Parade have been offered a grant of up to £49,900 towards the cost of cleaning the façade of this imposing 1950s building as well as carrying out repair work.

Scaffolding has already gone up and the cleaning work will start in the next few weeks. The upper floors are being cleaned across a total of 14 shop frontages. The grant offer relates to all floors of the building facing onto Armada Way, Royal Parade and Courtenay Street.

Decades of grime and dirt, together with algae will be cleaned off revealing the light Portland Stone that was widely used in the post-war rebuild of the city centre.

The spring clean is part of Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) for Plymouth. So far, it has funded work to facades across 16 frontages on Old Town Street and New George Street and provided £86,000 to repair The Athenaeum, where work is expected to start next week.

The Council’s role has been as the lead partner to Historic England, to negotiate with property owners, process grant applications, issue the grant offers and to monitor work on site.Both the Pearl Assurance building and Dingles were built as cornerstones to Armada Way, and were designed to reflect the height and scale of the nearby Plymouth Guildhall. The Pearl Assurance building is more decorative than Dingles, with embellished columns and carved stonework.

Councillor Mark Shayer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance said: “It’s so good to see the brightness, clean lines, and stone shine out like it did 50 years ago when I first came to

the city. A spring clean on a mammoth scale and hugely welcomed. “The difference these projects are making is huge. They are totally transforming the stunning buildings that make Plymouth’s City Centre unique. It’s been really popular with our residents and businesses.”

Simon Hickman, Principal Inspector of Historic Buildings at Historic England South West said “Pearl Assurance House is one of Plymouth City Centre’s key buildings, marking one edge of the Civic Square.

“The corner of the Pearl Assurance building matches the corner of Dingles (now House of Fraser) opposite, and Thomas Tait, one of the architects of Sydney Harbour Bridge, was involved in its design. Getting it cleaned and repaired will show that it’s a landmark to be proud of.”

Chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre

Company Steve Hughes said: “It is great to see these historic buildings get a facelift and combined with all the other improvements is good news for the city centre and our businesses.”

The Plymouth City Centre High Street Heritage Action Zone programme – ‘Reinvigorating the Abercrombie Estate’ – is a four-year programme celebrating, enhancing and adapting the city centre’s post-war heritage and making it a more attractive, engaging and vibrant place for people to live, work and spend time.

The Heritage Action Zone project is managed by Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Culture, with support from The Box and Plymouth Octopus Project.  It’s part of a £95 million governmentfunded programme which is being delivered by Historic England to unlock the potential of 60 different high streets across the country.

PLYMOUTH NAMED AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST UNDERRATED TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Plymouth has been named as one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world by a global media and hospitality company.

Plymouth ranks seventh out of a 14-strong list of destinations and is the only one in the UK in the global list rated by Time Out’s local expert editors and writers. Other destinations

Jonathan Drean named as Lord Mayor Designate

Plymouth’s next Lord Mayor will be Councillor Jonathan Drean, following the recommendation of the Lord Mayor Selection Committee.

The recommendation will be put forward at the next Full Council meeting in March before it is fully agreed.

Councillor Drean is the Cabinet Member for Transport and Joint Chair of Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee, a member of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority and was first elected to represent the Budshead Ward in Plymouth in 2007. He also served as the Deputy Lord Mayor in 2009 to 2010.

Jonathan was born in Portsmouth and moved to Plymouth in 1969. His Father the late Tom Drean MBE was in the Royal Navy, and was also Deputy Lord Mayor during May 1987 to May 1988. For many years Jonathan worked in the aviation Industry, having started his career in 1978 at the Plymouth Airport, where he worked for Brymon Airways, and was later based at Heathrow Airport for 28 years.

He has worked with local residents and traders in the city on various improvement schemes, and also with many local transport companies to help improve their services within the city, such as rail, long distance coaches, continental ferries and various arrival gateways into the city.

Jonathan is married to Geraldine, who also works in the travel industry. Their Christian faith is very important to them and they attend and support their local church together.

The list aims to inspire travellers to discover places which ‘pack a punch in terms of food, culture, and experiences’ but are often overlooked.

Time Out’s UK Editor, Huw Oliver, explained why Plymouth was selected. He said: “Plymouth doesn’t cross a lot of people’s minds when it comes to planning a seaside

offering world-class exhibitions in a beautiful setting and the Market Hall dazzling with its ‘immersive art dome’.

And that’s not to mention all the amazing food and drink, from classic fish and chips to England’s oldest gin distillery, plus quite possibly the UK’s best outdoor pool in the Tinside Lido.

As well as the official duties, Jonathan is looking forward to meeting many local voluntary charities and organisations, faith groups and supporting their fund raising events like flower festivals and the PMAC, a Youth Musical Group for nine to 18 Year olds, where Jonathan first attended a concert with his father in 1987, and in 2009 when he was Deputy Lord Mayor.

Councillor Drean said: “It is a huge honour to be asked to be the Lord Mayor Designate. I am looking forward to meeting and representing as many citizens, organisations, and charities of Plymouth during the year of office.

“Connecting with the people of Plymouth, the local communities, organisations and civic engagements is something that I am really passionate about and being elected as the Lord Mayor of Plymouth will reflect just this.”

Storm of protest over Armada Way tree felling

Plymouth City Council’s decision to goahead with the felling of trees in Armada Way has brought a storm of protest and criticism - and a legal injunction to stop the work.

The controversial project to fell over 100 mature trees led to the formation of a protest group called STRAW - Save the Trees in Armada Way - and brought a wave of opposition from residents, city councillors and environmental groups.

In the wake of the protests a petition signed by thousands of concerned residents was presented to a meeting of the full council at the end of January and as a result it was decided by the council to undertake a ‘meaningful community engagement process’ during February.

This process led to amendments being made to the plan – with more new trees to be planted and changes to the design – and on March 14 the council decided to restart the project. Contractors moved in and started felling trees during the night – before being stopped in the early hours of the morning when an injunction to stop the removal of the trees was served.

A council statement posted on March 15 said: “It was agreed on March 14 to restart the Armada Way project - but with more trees and further changes to the design. An executive decision was signed to give the go-ahead to the scheme.

“However, at 12.57am on March 15, the council received an injunction to cease the further removal of the trees on Armada Way. We instructed contractors to stop work immediately. We will be obtaining legal advice once we have received the claimant’s application, as directed by the court.” Assistant chief executive Giles Perritt said: “We need to get on with this scheme. We’ve listened, we have made more environmental improvements

LIONS BOOST FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

Two local charities have been presented with cheques from the Lions Club of Plymouth thanks to the generosity of shoppers at Plymouth superstores.

During the run-up to Christmas, Lions Club members organised collections from shoppers at Tesco and Morrisons stores to support Children’s Hospice South West and Brain Tumour South West Research Plymouth University.

The donations made by shoppers visiting these stores contributed a total of £2,400 and presentations were made by Lions Club President Lion Jill Owen in the presence of the Lord Mayor

representatives of

President Jill Owen explained how the event is organised and how over the years changes have been made meet with present day requirements and to thank all the people who made donations totalling the substantial figure in view of the recent cost of living crisis.

The Lord Mayor responded with grateful thanks to groups like the Lions Club who give time to support the needs of local worthy causes.

and have added more trees but our core priority has to be creating a smart, business friendly, attractive, city centre. We cannot lose sight of why we wanted this scheme to happen in the first place.

“We know some people will not be happy with this but we hope that the majority of our residents will appreciate that we have done all we can to address people’s concerns.”

Plymouth MP Luke Pollard said: “I’m appalled by this act of environmental vandalism, carried out overnight by our Conservative council.

“The council has turned its backs on the thousands of residents who spoke out against the felling. It seems that public opinion has been drowned out by the chainsaws.

“I am amazed that this expensive scheme is a priority when the council is slashing funding for vital public services across our city.

“We all want to see investment in our city centre, but chopping down nearly every tree on Armada Way was not the solution. Meanwhile, New George Street and Old Town Street have been left in a state for months.

“The council cabinet has failed to listen to those it represents. This council cannot be trusted to make Plymouth the nature-friendly and net zero city we all want it to be.”

Campaigner Ali White, from Straw, said the felling was ‘devastating’ and the group would be asking for a judicial review of the decision. She told BBC Radio Devon: “It is not about planting more trees, it is about saving the trees that were here.

“We are not against redevelopment, but they have not listened. There was no need to fell them, why wait 30 years for mature trees when you have them already?”

US fried chicken chain is coming to Plymouth

Popeyes, the American fried chicken restaurant, is opening its doors in Plymouth.

The new restaurant will officially open on April 6 at 10 New George St, in the heart of the city centre. Popeyes is renowned across the globe with nearly 4,000 restaurants in 30 different countries. The Plymouth restaurant is the first to open in the South West and follows hot on the heels of openings in Cambridge, Reading and Cardiff.

The fast-growing chain arrived in England in November 2021, and has since opened 13 new restaurants, with a further 18 scheduled for 2023, including the first in Scotland and Wales.

Chicken fans in Plymouth will be able to experience Popeyes world famous ‘shatter crunch’ for themselves once they get their

hands on the menu, including the iconic Popeyes chicken sandwich.

Tom Crowley, chief executive at Popeyes UK commented: “When we landed in the UK in November 2021, we asked people all over the UK to ‘believe the hype’ attached to the huge cult following Popeyes already has in the USA.

“It’s safe to say they’ve done that, with overnight queues for all of our openings to date. There’s no doubt that Popeyes has been enthusiastically received on UK shores. “We’re proud to be bringing Popeyes to the vibrant city of Plymouth. We’ve wanted to launch in the South West since we landed in the UK, and Plymouth was an obvious choice of location for us to do that.”

PAMPER DAY TREAT AT SUNFLOWER CENTRE

Women at Plymouth’s Sunflower Women’s Centre were treated to a special pamper day – thanks to Plymouth Soroptimists.

The event was organised to make International Women’s Day - and was the fourth one arranged by the Soroptimists.

The day saw almost 50 ladies receiving top to toe treatments including haircuts, manicures, pedicures and facials.

All the beauty treatments were given by a team of volunteers from GHQ Salon and Training Centre in Plymouth and Greenhouse Spa with Soroptimists pitching in to help out.  Tea and coffee were provided throughout the day with a packed lunch supplied for everyone.

The invitation to attend the pamper day was extended to women at the Plymouth Refuge and the women that access the services at Sunflower Women’s

Centre. Lunch donations were kindly provided by Morrisons Plymstock store and the Co-op at Crownhill.

Sue Miller of Plymouth Soroptimists with Vicki Stacey of GHQ organised the beauty treatments with other members co-ordinating refreshments for the day.

Sue Miller said: “This was a real Soroptimist team effort in the planning and delivery of the pamper day.

We are extremely grateful for everyone that provided support and products on the day with particular thanks to GHQ without whom we could not have held the event.

Also we owe thanks to Morrisons, the Co-op and Greenhouse Spa.  The ladies who attended had a wonderful pampering experience and really enjoyed the day, some commenting that it was the best day ever.”

of Plymouth Councillor Sue Dann accompanied by her consort husband Councillor Chris Marvin at the Lord Mayor’s Parlour to the

each charity.

Lions presentation (from left) Tasha Carroll from Brain Tumour South West Research, Lions President Jill Owen, Lord Mayor Cllr Sue Dann and Annabel Roberts from Children’s Hospice South West

Image © ITV Westcountry

Chocolates and the meaning of life

By Dave Simpson, Station Manager Cross Rhythms Plymouth

Allegedly we’re approaching spring time although it doesn’t seem like anyone has told the weather! As I write this March is well under way but the temperatures are still as cold as midwinter.

It feels somewhat ironic as my last article reflected on the significant changes that take place in Spring. Perhaps it is much warmer and more seasonal as you are reading this.

One of the major markers of Spring time is the long Easter weekend. For those in school this is accompanied by the Easter school holidays and for almost all of us we enjoy more than our fill of chocolates. Chocolate and Easter are synonymous in our culture. As my daughter grows older we especially love doing an Easter egg hunt with her. Placing the eggs for her to excitedly discover later is a real joy of parenting. Informing her that she can’t eat them all at once is somewhat less enjoyable for all involved.

My daughter is three years old so as you can imagine we don’t try to hide the small Easter eggs in especially difficult

places. Most are obvious and are found in a matter of moments but, as I’m sure is the case for many of you, we still manage to find some months later.

My daughter actually managed to find one when we were out in Central Park around late Spring last year. She had been happily playing in some grass when she turned to me and said ‘Daddy, I found an egg’. I didn’t believe her as she had been saying this line almost on repeat since her own Easter egg hunt.

Although this time she had really found one laid by a rock. Though it was wrapped well in foil, this being a number of weeks after Easter itself, I wasn’t going to let her eat it. A decision which didn’t go down too well with her.

No one else had unearthed this treasure but because my daughter was expecting to find Easter eggs around every corner she somehow managed to find it.

International nurses reunited at Derriford after two years apart

A mother and daughter who previously worked as nurses at a private hospital in the Philippines have both started new lives in Plymouth - thanks to University Hospital Plymouth’s international recruitment programme.

Maria Christine Abrenica, who is known as Chris, 53, was the first to move to the UK in February of 2020 after being a nurse for 15 years in the Philippines. During her interview, she was given a list of trusts that had vacancies and she chose Plymouth.

Chris, said: “I knew very little about the UK, I only knew about London, but when I was given the choices I was drawn to how serene Plymouth looked and I really liked the lighthouse!”

Two years later in December 2022, her eldest daughter, Marie Danielle, 33, made the move to Plymouth to work alongside her mother. Despite having other choices, Danielle decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps by coming to Plymouth, she said: “I decided I wanted to reconnect with my mum, I missed her and her cooking”.

Now the pair both work as nurses on different wards, with Chris working with elderly patients on Marlborough and Danielle working on the Bracken ward.

They reflected on working for a public health sector opposed to a private hospital in the Philippines with Danielle saying: “We definitely feel a deeper connection with our patients in the UK, in the Philippines it felt

like ‘just a job’, but it is much more personal here”.

Chris added: “We have found the people in England are very polite, it has been a really welcome change”.

Working for the NHS has allowed Chris to gain some independence of her own and hopefully inspire her other children to do so. She said: “My other children are grown up now and taking their own paths in life. I wanted to be secure in my own life and follow my own ambitions, as well as being able to provide the ‘little wants’ in life for my children, not just their needs”.

Both Chris and Danielle have settled into the environment at Derriford. For Chris, working here has fulfilled her own wants: “I feel so lucky to be on my ward, I wanted to have a good relationship with my co-workers and patients, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have that”

The duo are incredibly thankful for the support that they received from the International Recruitment team, and the opportunity to work in the UK. They said: “Although the exams were extremely hard, choosing to work in England was worth it, and the International Recruitment team were fantastic to us”.

Above all, both mother and daughter are happy to be reunited and living their shared goal. They said: “We have always been so close, so being apart for two years was hard, but now we are back together our bond is stronger than ever.”

In our daily lives we all too easily lose sight of what is out there to be found.

If we’re honest with ourselves I think in some way or another we’re all searching.

Not necessarily searching for Easter eggs but searching for purpose, for our identity and value, for real tangible meaning in our lives.

In my personal search for these things Easter means a great deal. The message of the Easter tradition is that of God coming to Earth as the person of Jesus Christ and dying the death of a criminal on a cross and 3 days later being resurrected back to life.

This article doesn’t afford me the word count to fully elaborate on the significance of all of that. You will have to do some searching of your own!

What I will say though is that in my experience this is more than a story. I believe it. I believe that God created me,

loves me and took all my brokenness, pain, mistakes and frailty on the cross so that I may know and be fully known by God. I believe He was raised to life three days later to prove I have a hope of life beyond death as well.

I believe all of this is true for you too.

The message of Easter isn’t merely a story to hold on to but an invitation to walk with God every day. To live a meaningful life with Him in which, if you’ll let Him, he will transform, heal and change you. He’ll enable you to love yourself and those around you well.

As I have searched this is what I know I have found.

Now by all means, please disagree with me as much as you like. That is the beauty of the freedom we enjoy.

However, even if you disagree I would encourage you to go searching yourself. Just like my daughter in the park, you never know what you might find.

Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website at www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth

Dave Simpson

Nurses Danielle (left) and Chris

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New operating theatres will reduce the waiting list for orthopaedic operations

People in need of orthopaedic surgery will benefit from increased theatre capacity at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

Patients, including those waiting for knee and hip replacements, shoulder replacements and spinal fusion, have experienced long waits due to limited theatre capacity and the demand for emergency surgery.

But three new theatres will help to restore orthopaedic activity and bring waiting lists down. This will take the total number of theatres at Derriford Hospital to 35, and a further 24 beds will be ringfenced to support the new theatres.

The modern theatres will meet the longer term complex elective orthopaedic demand from across Devon and Cornwall. Located next to the existing Intensive Care and High Dependency Units, they will be suitable for the most complex patients.

Mark Brinsden, orthopaedic consultant at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, said: “Reducing waiting times and providing sufficient local capacity to meet demand will ensure all residents in the Plymouth footprint and surrounding areas have equitable, local, sustainable access to care.”

John Finn, Director of Commissioning Urgent & Elective Care for NHS Devon, said: “This is great news for our patients here in Devon. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge

impact on our waiting lists and we know that causes people additional pain and anxiety.  These new theatres are one of a number of initiatives we have to reduce the time people wait for their treatment.”

The new theatres will also help patients in need of emergency trauma surgery. As

A BLOOMING GOOD EFFORT BRIGHTENS UP THE RIDGEWAY

The circular plant tubs in Plympton Ridgeway are now a picture of spring colour after an initiative by Plympton Gardeners Association.

A total of 90 members of the Association turned out to Harewood House in March for their regular monthly meeting which saw the climax of the Association’s daffodil competition. This is a fun competition for members of Plympton Gardeners. In September last year members were given five daffodil bulbs, a numbered plant pot and a small bag of soil and were left to nurture their bulbs into growth and bring them along to the March meeting to be judged.

Out of 40 distributed, 34 actually came back in bloom to be judged with Roy Rogers being declared the winner.

The members then left the pots of daffodils behind for them to be planted in the Ridgeway planters the following afternoon, now giving a very spring-like up look to the pedestrianised area of Ridgeway.

the major trauma centre for the south west peninsula, University Hospitals Plymouth has high emergency and trauma attendances  up to 40 patients per week - restricting the availability of theatre sessions.

The first patients will be treated in the new theatres in autumn 2023.

The Plympton Gardeners Association are now preparing for their annual Spring Show in Harewood House on Saturday March 18 which will be formally opened at 1.30pm by Lord Mayor Cllr Sue Dann.

(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

Computerised visualisation of the new operating theatre

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Preparations for The Coronation

Plymouth residents are being encouraged to start planning community celebrations for the King’s Coronation bank holiday weekend in May.

The Coronation will see people across the UK come together to celebrate and the national programme will include the procession and service at Westminster Abbey on May 6, a ‘Coronation Big Lunch’ across the country on May 7 (with a concert taking place in Windsor in the evening), and ‘The Big Help Out’ community activity on the bank holiday, Monday May 8.

Street parties are a great way of celebrating the event together and Plymouth City Council is making them easier to organise by lifting the fees for street closure orders between May 6 and 8.

Guidance for residents on how to organise a street party can be found on the Visit Plymouth website at www.visitplymouth.co.uk.

Another way for communities and neighbours to come together is by taking part in The Coronation Big Lunch, on May 7. Information on how to get involved is on the Coronation Big Lunch website at www.edenprojectcommunities. com/the-big-lunch

LIGHTING UP CENTRAL PARK

Twenty new street lamps have been installed in Central Park.

The new lamp columns have been put up along paths through the park from Outland Road, running between the putting green and the playground before crossing onto Jubilee Row down towards Barn Park corner.

It means there will be a well-lit east to west route across the city’s biggest park as well as the existing north south route for walkers, strollers, joggers, skaters, pram pushers and cyclists.

Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Jonathan Drean said: “Central Park is hugely popular and we want people to feel safe. While spring is around the corner, it still gets dark fairly early. We hope these lights will encourage more people to walk or cycle across the park.

“Our Active Travel programme is all about small measures that can make a big difference to get more people walking and wheeling instead of driving. What better way to do this than by investing in street lights in Central Park?”

Councillor Rebecca Smith, chair of Plymouth’s Violence Against Women and Girls Commission added: “Members of the VAWG Commission were very keen to ensure this popular park was better lit to help people feel safer. It’s great to see this has now happened – especially more lights near the clock tower, which we raised as a particular issue.

The lights are LED and to help mitigate the impact of light on nocturnal species, two bat boxes are being installed.

This project cost £117,000, with £95,000 from the Government’s Active Travel Fund which is designed to help Plymouth’s walking and cycling network be more connected, direct, safe, comfortable and attractive. The remainder comes from the Central Park improvement budget.

Western Power are finalising the project and the lights now come on at dusk.

Plymouth to host Europe’s first-ever Undokai event

Barbican Theatre has announced that Plymouth is hosting the UK and European premiere of the Future Undokai Project, which will be known as Plymouth Undokai 2023, with events and games running across the Spring.

The project will culminate in two weekends of games at the end of April, including the final ‘Plymouth’ version of events taking place at Brickfields Sports Centre.

The Future Undokai Project is a  groundbreaking Japanese initiative exploring the future of intergenerational community sports and how communities might design new multi-player physical games. And Plymouth is home to it’s UK and European premiere!

The Plymouth Undokai project is all about bringing people together to have fun and play games. Participants will get to play traditional Undokai games - similar to what might be played at a school sports day, fair or carnival but with a twist and a bit of tech mixed in - and also create and play brand new games just for Plymouth!

Creating and playing your own games that fuse traditional sports with future tech is a unique aspect of Undokai and organisers can’t wait for Plymouth to get involved.

There will be two main ways of taking part in the Plymouth Undokai:

As a Player - someone who plays the traditional games and the new games made in Plymouth (for ages 8-88). This is ideal for:

• People who want to have fun and play games

• People who like mixing with lots of different people

• People who really enjoy sports day at school

• People who like beach or park games

• Groups such as football clubs, scouts, guides, cubs, brownies, boys brigade, girls brigade, young carers, home school groups, Duke of Edinburgh groups.

As a DeveloPlayer - someone who helps cocreate the new games and events in Plymouth and then joins in with the players to play them!  This is ideal for:

• Community Leaders

• Dancers/choreographers/movement artists

• Sports Coaches

• Teachers

• Students

• Tech whizz kids

• Gamers

Plymouth Undokai will take place over two weeks in April with three main ways to get involved:

PLAY IT: JAPANESE STYLE

April 15 and 16 at YMCA Centre in Honicknowle  Play traditional undokai games designed and

led by the team from the Undokai Association who are coming over from Japan. They’ll include games such as tug of war, relay races, long rope jumping, centipede racing and more fun activities. They will also mix in a little bit of tech in the afternoon! For: ages 8-88. Tickets: pay what you decide; on sale now at barbicantheatre.co.uk

DEVELOP IT: CO-CREATE THE PLYMOUTH GAMES

April 21 at University of Plyouth and April 22 and 23 at Brickfields Sport Centre  As a DeveloPlayer people get to rewrite the rule book! This is a seriously cool opportunity for them to design and create a new series of games with the Undokai Association team from Japan while they are in Plymouth. Students and leaders from University of Plymouth’s Arts Institute and i-DAT who are working on Games Design and Games & Experience Design, will be on hand to incorporate their innovations and tech ideas into the games as well. Then on the final day 200 people will be at the centre to play the games created by the DeveloPlayers.

April 21 at University of Plymouth - an ideas lab where all particpants will meet and run through ideas and maybe do a few testers.

April 22 Brickfields Sport Centre - the main DeveloPlayer day. Get stuck in and co-create six to eight games for people of all ages and abilities to play the day after. It’s a hackathon with a twist!

April 23 at Brickfields Sport Centre - PLAY IT

Plymouth style. The final day of Plymouth Undokai when 200 people will come together to play the games developed over the two previous days  For ages 10+ Tickets: Tickets: pay what you decide; on sale now at barbicantheatre.co.uk

PLAY IT: PLYMOUTH STYLE

April 23 at Brickfields Sports Centre

Get into teams and play the new games developed in the DeveloPlayer sessions and be the first ever players to try them out! It’s going to be so much fun and is as much about taking part as winning (although there will be medals and awards at the end of course!)

For: ages 8-88. Tickets: pay what you decide; on sale now at barbicantheatre. co.uk

Plymouth Undokai is hopefully the first annual event. In Japan, there are 70,000 Undokai events a year - with 10 million people taking part.

Laura Kriefman, chief executive and artistic director, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth said:  “Why can’t we, as a city, invent our own sports? Imagine inventing, here in Plymouth, the next ‘football’ or ‘curling’! I am so excited to be able to bring this amazing project to our city and see what games Plymothians want to make, to play together. We have our fingers crossed that this is the first year of many for Plymouth Undokai. I look forward to the laughter and the amazing games we invent.“

A number of taster ‘play days’ have been in held in communities across the city in January, February and March (at University Of Plymouth, Keyham and Devonport) in the lead up to the main events in April when teams from Future Undokai Association in Japan will be in Plymouth. Barbican Theatre will also be holding a conference and conversations event at Plymouth University as part of Plymouth Undokai (more information on the conference to be published shortly).

Participants who took part in one of the taster sessions

New Employer Hub launched to support Plymouth businesses

Led by Plymouth City Council, Skills Launchpad Plymouth has unveiled a new online Employer Hub designed to bring together localised solutions to help address recruitment, employment, workforce skills and training challenges.

Aimed at helping local small to medium sized companies as well as offering additional support for larger businesses, the Employer Hub provides advice, guidance, and access to information setting out clear options to help employers better navigate the complex skills, training and employment landscape.

During the launch event held at Boringdon Park Golf Club, business leaders firmly endorsed the value and benefits of the new Employer Hub service.

Jonathan Keable, Leader of Plymouth’s Federation of Small Businesses said: “We really understand that local employers are struggling with significant skills gaps and skills shortages which is impacting on their ability to attract, recruit and retain people with the right skills.

“So launching the Employer Hub could not have come at a better time. I have been championing the Employer Hub development as we recognise particularly for our smaller employers, that understanding this complex and every changing skills and employment landscape is hard, and you don’t know what you don’t know!

“Through city-wide partnership working, we have co-designed this new online resource, aimed at helping local employers, of all sizes and sectors, to tap into a full menu of recruitment solutions and support, and impartial information, advice and guidance for all things skills and training relating to the city and regional opportunities.”

Paul Turner, chair of Plymouth’s Employment and Skills Board, and Human Resources director

at Princess Yachts said: “This new online go to, one-stop-shop will help businesses to get better informed, to navigate more options and help to connect with the right people and organisations locally.

“The city’s Skills Plan ‘Skills 4 Plymouth’ sets the ambition to deliver a responsive, single skills system that meets the needs of local employers, and where local people across all ages and communities can access skills, jobs and support for career progression right on their doorstep.

“In response we have delivered and are developing ‘Skills Launchpad Plymouth’ which we consider to be a key enabler. I am delighted that the Employer Hub is now live and encourage local businesses to access and find out more.”

Councillor Charlotte Carlyle, Cabinet member for Education, Skills and Children and Young People said: “Building on the huge success of Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s Youth Hub and Adult Hub which support our local residents to connect with opportunities for skills, training, education, careers and jobs, I am really impressed that local employers are now able to tap into such a wealth of localised information, advice and guidance to better address their recruitment, skills and training needs.”

The Employer Hub is funded by the Interreg FCE C-Care project, delivered by The Plymouth Charter supporting Skills Launchpad Plymouth. For more information visit www. skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk/employer-hub.

Interactive signs highlighting plastic pollution issues go live in Plymouth

The Environment Agency is on a mission to tackle plastic pollution with the launch of interactive ‘Source to Sea’ posters across Plymouth.

Residents and visitors can now scan poster QR codes at multiple locations to find out how single-use avoidable plastic items - like nappies, packets, wet wipes and sanitary products - impact marine life when incorrectly flushed down the toilet or discarded in the open environment.

The eye-catching posters, which can be found on railings, bollards and lamp posts at the Barbican Waterfront and Hoe, University of Plymouth Hospital (inside only), city centre, and Mutley and Saltash Passage areas, enable people to have text message mobile phone chats about plastic types, the journey of plastic through drains and rivers, and their impacts on ocean health.

There is also an engaging quiz and opportunity to share opinions on plastic pollution.

Environment Agency plastics and sustainability team project lead Lucy Smith said: “Every year over 12 million tonnes of plastic enters the world’s ocean from land, rivers and marine activities. And around 967kg of plastic waste has been removed from Plymouth in recent months according to our

partner database, thanks to community-led litter pickers.

“With the help of these interactive posters, we hope to clampdown on poor waste disposal habits by encouraging people to think how the health of our planet is shaped by our actions.

“It can be really confusing knowing what type of waste goes where. We hope this project will engage people in a fun way and help break down complicated issues into straightforward action. Every individual can play a part in ocean health, and every positive action counts.”

The initiative is one of many projects

being funded by the three year cross channel Interreg Preventing Plastic Pollution project - a partnership of 18 organisations, including Plymouth City Council, Westcountry Rivers Trust and the University of Plymouth - which aims to identify and target plastic hotspots, embed behaviour change in local communities and businesses, and implement effective solutions and alternatives.

The posters encourage people to properly dispose of their waste and step up daily avoidable plastic habits by following the waste hierarchy - avoid, reduce, reuse, recycle.

The posters will be in place for 12 months, after which the interactions will be evaluated to help inform future initiatives to prevent plastic pollution. The project builds on Environment Agency goals and commitments outlined in its five year plan to create better places for people, wildlife and the environment.

As a regulator, the Environment Agency prevents waste plastic entering the environment by cracking down on waste crime and poor waste management. As an influencer, its ambition is to promote better environmental practices that result in a reduction of plastic waste.

Pictured at the Employer Hub launch (from left) Paul Turner, human resources director at Princess Yachts and Chair of Plymouth’s Employment and Skills Board, Emma Hewitt, Skills Lead at Plymouth City Council, Frances Brennan, Plymouth Charter, Cllr Carlyle, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills, Children and Young People and Jonathan Keable, Leader Plymouth Federation of Small Businesses

NHS Devon accused of ‘dithering’ over funding for new West End health hub

Plymouth City Council is calling on NHS Devon to stop dithering and get the West End Health hub built – before the fixed price from the contractor expires.

Council Leader Richard Bingley and Leader of the Opposition Councillor Tudor Evans have written a joint letter to the chair of Devon’s Integrated Care System, Sarah Wollaston, urging them to get on with the build of the scheme which would be a game changer for the health and wellbeing of Plymouth residents.

Councillor Bingley said: “Plymouth has massive health service delivery issues and we need to proceed to building the West End Health Hub.

“We know finances are tight but have looked at the figures and are prepared to take out a loan to pay for the build, if NHS Devon can pay it back.

“We are in this strange situation where the council has done everything it possibly can to make this project happen. The full business case has been approved, it’s got full planning permission, we’ve cleared the site and have secured five dentist chairs with confirmed funding from NHS England.

“We fully understand the need for NHS Devon to balance its books, but we firmly believe that a failure to fund this now is counterintuitive – saving pennies and wasting pounds.

“Health prevention and early intervention has to be at the heart of tackling the systemic problems in the NHS and the health hub is critical to turning this around.”

The facility was intended to form a key part of a

strategy to help address Plymouth’s long standing health inequalities, support a pressurised primary care system, improve prevention and out of hospital services and reduce pressure on Derriford Hospital.

The hub is due to be built in Stonehouse, which is one of the most deprived wards in the south west. Life expectancy is 7.5 years lower than the national average; health outcomes are poorer; more cardiovascular and heart disease are found in younger people than elsewhere.

Emergency department attendances are 18 per cent higher for this ward than the Plymouth average, diabetes is 16 per cent higher and

Advertise to over 23,000

alcohol related acute admissions are 6.9 per 1000 population, compared to the Plymouth average is 1.9 out of 1000. Overall, the city has significantly worse performance than the rest of England.

Councillor Tudor Evans said: “We know of areas in Devon where the need is less, yet funding is available to them – is NHS Devon favouring those who know how to use the system and leaving behind those who don’t or won’t? There are people of Plymouth who cannot get a GP appointment, who cannot get an NHS dentist and who are being put at unnecessary risk due to the lack of patient care and prevention services.

“Over to you NHS Devon. We know there are demands across the region – but this Devon’s biggest city, it is home to the largest hospital which is stretched beyond belief with no relief in sight.

“There’s too much dithering, drift and delay; we are on a fixed build price from the contractor – but there is a deadline. We have an answer right here, ready to go.”

There remains significant health disparities with the city’s Public Health grant allocation 74th out of 152 areas, despite being ranked 52nd most deprived. Plymouth lost out on a significant amount of funding when the primary care governance was overhauled and the Primary Care Trust merged with the Clinical Commissioning Group. As a result it has been acknowledged and agreed that Plymouth would receive further funding of £15 million. To date only £5m has been received. The council is currently pushing for full disclosure on the status of the fair shares money.

homes in Central and Waterfront

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The May edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Central and April 14 with a copy deadline of March 27. The Central and Waterfront edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city. We welcome submissions but cannot guarantee publication. We accept press releases in the form of text documents and images in JPG or TIFF format (high resolution please).

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This Easter at Bridging

the Tamar:

Saturday 8th April 2pm - 3.30pm - Storytelling with Clive PiG

Monday 10th April 11am – 12noon Guided bridge walking tour

Wednesday 12th April 10am - 11.30am - Anchorage tour

Wednesday 12th April 2pm - 3.30pm - Storytelling with Clive PiG

Friday 14th April 10 am - 11.30am - Storytelling with Clive PiG

Councillors Bingley and Evans on the site of the proposed health hub