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Central & Waterfront
February 2019
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ALSO INSIDE: • Out and About • Community Job • Community Shop Directory • Cross Rhythms • Dial the Experts Experience
Fundraising appeal to get Northern Belle afloat again
A fundraising campaign has been launched to restore the Northern Belle, the former ferry boat which operated across the Tamar for 86 years before a collision put it out of service in 2013.
• Full story on page 6
2 February 2019
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New powers to protect sites from traveller encampments Four patches of land in Plymouth are set to be the first to benefit from the Plymouth City Council's new policy for dealing with unauthorised traveller encampments. The new policy has been agreed by the Council's Cabinet and looks at the way that Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) can be used as part of the deterrent to unauthorised encampments. These PSPOs, coupled with the development of temporary stopping spaces, will allow the council to move unauthorised encampments much faster than is currently possible by pursuing eviction notices through the County Courts. While explaining the terms of the new policy to Cabinet colleagues, Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet member for Housing and Cooperative Development, announced that Central Park's Love Field, Prince Rock playing fields and land at William Prance Road and Towerfield Drive will be the first sites earmarked for protection. Chris said: "I’m really pleased that we can immediately act on this policy and start making a difference to residents who live near sites that are regularly occupied by unauthorised encampments. “The way we have worked thus far has not been effective for anyone and has not protected local residents who face repeated unauthorised encampments. I look forward to consulting local residents on these PSPOs and taking that result to approval.” The four sites have been chosen because they have been occupied three or more times in the past 18 months. PSPOs can only be issued by local authorities and replace the Designated Public Place Order and Gating Orders. They give the police and Local Authority additional powers to clamp down on certain anti-social behaviours. Subject to the consultation responses, the terms of these PSPOs are likely to prohibit: • Occupying any vehicle, caravan, tent or other structure • Driving any vehicle on grass without lawful authority • Littering or fly tipping • Lighting and maintaining a fire • Defecating or urinating Failure to comply with these measures, or move to a temporary stopping space with 12 hours, will result in fixed penalty notices being issued. The nature of the penalty notices will also be part of the PSPO consultation. A six week consultation will now be arranged for each proposed site with residents encouraged to give their feedback. Whilst the consultation is on-going, the council will work to provide the temporary stopping spaces needed to make the PSPOs a success. A list of the proposed sites will be announced later this year and will each be subject to securing planning permission.
Go-ahead for Compton apartments - despite strong local objections Controversial plans for a three-storey apartment block in Compton have been given the go-ahead by Plymouth City Council planners.
The plans for the development on the junction of Lower Compton Road and Compton Park Road were strongly opposed by local residents. The development will take place on land formerly occupied by the Brethren Meeting Hall - which will be demolished to make way for the new block. It will feature two twobedroom and six one bedroom apartments. The applicant is listed as Nigel Passmore, who is director of a property development company. A number of local residents claimed that they had not been given sufficient notice of the proposed development and argued that there should have been a period of public consultation. Planning officer Chris King recommended approval of the plan and pointed out that the local authority was not required to notify local residents individually as the development involved less than 10 dwellings. In his report to the planning committee Chris King said: "With regards to notification and consultation, officers recommended the applicant undertake a public consultation prior to the submission of the application, however this is not a mandatory process. Officers acknowledge it would have been preferable." Three site notices had been posted in the
The site where the apartments are to be built vicinity of the proposed development and details published online. Residents had objected to the proposed apartment block on a number of grounds, including overdevelopment, insufficient parking, the size and scale of the building and the impact on highway issues and pedestrian safety. A number or residents claimed that the building would reduce their light and also overlook their bedrooms. Chris King's report added: "Most of the
dwellings in the area are two storey with pitched roofs, however, there are examples of buildings demonstrating three and four storeys within close proximity to the application site. "The proposed building is three storeys in height but has been designed with a flat roof to reduce its apparent bulk and impact. This also means that its overall height is not significantly greater than that of a two storey pitched roof dwelling."
Council backs bungalow scheme
A new City Council initiative will see the first bungalows built in Plymouth for a number of years.
Five new bungalows will be built on the site of the former Sure Start Centre on Ham Green Lane, as part of the council’s commitment to improve housing across the city. In partnership with Westward, this 100 per cent affordable housing scheme will see four one-bedroom and one two-bedroom bungalows built on the site, which will go some way to addressing the shortfall of low-cost, accessible housing for Plymouth residents. Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development said: “We promised to not only increase affordable homes in the city, but also promised more housing for our older residents. These five accessible bungalows are a big step towards those goals. “I am delighted that this disused site will be
transformed into a fantastic community of social rented housing in Ham. “My thanks to the team at Westward Housing who are helping to make this possible and I look forward to further bungalow developments in the New Year.” Jill Gregg, executive director for Westward, said: “We have worked in partnership with Plymouth City Council for a number of years now and Westward is very pleased to be able to provide more affordable homes in the city for local people.” The Sure Start Centre has been vacant since May 2015 and when the old buildings were deemed surplus to requirements, the site was identified as the perfect place for new homes. Negotiations to transfer ownership of the land to Westward for a token fee are now underway. Planning permission will be sought in early 2019 with building hoped to begin before the autumn.
From left to right: Westward Development Manager Chris Duggan and Assistant Director of Development Neil Edwards join Councillor Chris Penberthy at the site on Ham Green Lane
February 2019 3
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A Plymouth charity dedicated to re-homing unwanted domestic pets has chosen to publicly recognise a local couple who provide care for Britain’s best loved wild creature.
With hedgehogs in serious decline, the Woodside Animal Welfare Trust has announced a support connection with Alex and Michelle Quintrell from Millbridge. Woodside founder Carole Bowles said: “We have been in contact with this kind-hearted couple for a very long time now. Alex is the only carer in our area registered with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, so it was natural for us to link up with him. Alex has been providing allencompassing care for hedgehogs for more than 30 years, out of his own pocket, and with his release numbers annually reaching 500 we’re delighted to be able to do our bit for him” The small but efficiently run unit is fully equipped with pens and heaters and, although vets are supportive, all medication and other costs are paid for by the Quintrells.
Michelle, who is chair of the Victoria Park Community Project, said: “We have been rescuing the hogs for almost 34 years. We nurse them back to health and then release them back into the wild. We are so pleased to be working along side Woodside who have supported us for many years. “Our white cat Alfie was a Woodside cat, when we feed the hoglet’s he is fascinated with them and loves to sit and watch. People are often worried about fleas but we haven’t had a hog with fleas for many years,” she added. As Woodside is regularly at saturation point with pets, it’s impossible for it to include wildlife in its work. Fortunately, Alex has a fully independent setup, providing a lifeline for this critically
High praise for prickly pair
Outline of Mayflower 400 exhibition revealed The Friends of Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery (FPCMAG), were treated to a fascinating, illustrated talk about putting together the opening exhibition at The Box for the spring of 2020. The talk was at the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club, overlooking the stretch of water that was the first step of the Mayflower voyage in 1620. endangered species. However, it’s hoped that Woodside’s public approval will encourage hog lovers to donate food etc to reduce his escalating expenditure. Most tinned pet-food is good, except anything with a fish or gravy content. Donations marked as ‘for Hedgehogs’ can be left at the Victoria Park Café, any Woodside charity shop or the Elfordleigh sanctuary. If you find a sick hog, or one under 600 gms (those under this weight will not survive hibernation), it’s important to keep it warm and
then ring Alex or Michelle on 07718935690. While Alex has never turned a hedgehog away, he regrets that he is unable to provide a collection service.
Boost for children’s health services Livewell Southwest has unveiled an innovative approach to providing physical and mental healthcare for children, young people and families after being awarded the contract to deliver services in Plymouth for seven years, from April.
This good news for local communities comes after NHS NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, which plans and pays for local health services, and Plymouth City Council, agreed to award the contract for community children’s services to the current provider Livewell Southwest. The contract value is £12.5 million a year, and the initial seven-year term could be extended for a further three years. Livewell Southwest, (LSW) the social enterprise which delivers health services and adult social care in and around Plymouth, is now putting its plans into practice to deliver the integrated service it designed in response to the commissioners’ brief. A new service has been created – the Children, Young People and Families Service (CYPFS) – bringing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Health Visiting, School Nursing, Family Nurse Partnership and Children’s Speech and Language Therapy together into one structure for the first time, under a dedicated management team. Every element will be designed with prevention and health promotion as the focus, providing early help and support to children, young people and families close to home to tackle problems before they become more serious and the individuals need more complex help. Parents, children and young people helped to shape the new service, and they
Mayflower 400: Legends and Legacy exhibition curator Jo Loosemore
“Having a single, dedicated team means managers and staff across our services can work more closely together around the needs of the children and families we support.” - Tracy Clasby, senior manager at Livewell South West
will continue to be included, influencing the decision-making process through attending meetings and engagement events. Tracy Clasby, a registered nurse and a senior manager with LSW, will head the new service. She has had responsibility for CAMHS since 2013, and worked closely on the organisation’s bid to win the contract. She said: “We’re delighted our bid was successful and that our ambition to create a new service, which will make a real difference to communities, will now become a reality. “Having a single, dedicated team means managers and staff across our services can work more closely together around the needs of the children and families we support. It will allow us to provide a more holistic service, identifying potential issues early on, calling in relevant colleagues and providing the right levels of support for young people so they can get help early, close to where they live, preventing their problems getting worse and needing more serious intervention.
“Our health visitors and CAMHS colleagues will work more closely with our speech and language service, for example, making it easier for them to make those links to get early help when they identify a need. “We’ll be building on existing good practice and working closely with colleagues at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Plymouth City Council and in the charity and voluntary sectors, like Barnardos, utilising their expertise to design and deliver a single pathway through treatment and support for those needing it, regardless of which organisation providers the service. People won’t need to keep repeating their stories, and they will get the right level of help as their needs change. “We’ll also be working in Health and Wellbeing Hubs, Children’s Centres and schools. We already have mental health practitioners working in every secondary school in Plymouth, tailoring support to the schools’ needs, whether that’s training teachers, offering advice and signposting to pupils or organising group work. It’s about us going out to the community, rather than waiting for people to come to us.” Dr Shelagh McCormick, chair of the Western Locality of NEW Devon CCG said: “The contracts will deliver a system of advice, support and services that will support children, young people and their families, at every step of their pathway; from their birth through to adulthood.” The dedicated senior team includes experienced nurses, health visitors and a contracting manager, bringing all the necessary skills into one place with a single focus.
Jo Loosemore, curator of the Mayflower 400: Legends and Legacy exhibition, explained some of the challenges that she encountered in both designing the exhibition and acquiring objects, which will adequately demonstrate the story of the Mayflower voyagers and the people they met on the other side of the Atlantic. Finding objects which belonged to the passengers of the Mayflower that genuinely sailed to America in 1620 presents some challenges. Many objects believed to have been on board are in America for the most part, and some have stories, which sadly can’t be proved. However, there are objects in museums, libraries and archives across the UK, America and the Netherlands, which will enable The Box to tell this enduring story. These include Pieter Bast’s 1600 map of Leiden, where the Separatists planned their Atlantic journey. 17th century publications of the previous journeys which inspired them will also be on show thanks to the support of Lambeth Palace Library and the British Library. These will be on loan to Plymouth on a temporary basis, some only for 6 months. This means the exhibition will change over its 18 months’ duration as exhibits are changed as new loans come in to the city. The context of the story will include the conflict and colonies in the “New World”. Guidance has been sought from the Wampanoag Advisory Council in both the selection and verification of text and objects relating to the American First Nation people that the English colonists encountered. The hopes, vision and plans of the passengers will be shown in relation to the times in which they lived as well as who they were. The perilous journey must not be over-looked and it is hoped to show how confined the quarters were. How the sailing of the Mayflower has become romanticised will be another aspect; the difference between fact and fiction. “The event was an exciting taster of things to come and was enjoyed by all.” said Linda Wilson, secretary of FPCMAG. FPCMAG, a registered charity, is sponsoring the commission of a Wampanoag traditional cooking pot and are raising money throughout the year for more artefacts to be displayed, by holding talks and events as well as receiving donations. For more information see www. fpcmag.org.uk
4 February 2019
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Out and About Your guide to events in the local community and beyond
Table Top Sale Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 30 Saltash Wesley Methodist Church in the sports hall 9am to 11.30am. Tables cost £4. Contact Bob Cartwright 01752842069 to book a table. There is a coffee morning in the church at the same time. Mum2Mum Market Jan 26 Harewood House, Plympton 10am to 12 noon Over 20 stalls packed with nearly new bargains for bumps, babies and children up to six years old. With top brands in great condition, get all you need for your little ones. From nursery equipment, pushchairs, baby/children’s clothes, toys, books (and everything in between)... all for a fraction of their high street prices, saving you a fortune! £2 on the door (free for kids) and FREE entry after 11.30am. If you would like to bring a friend to help carry your bargains, then why not download a 2 for 1 voucher at www.mum2mummarket. co.uk/2-for-1-voucher. There will be coffee/tea and yummy cakes available for a pit stop and a chance to catch your breath and catch up with your friends. Free car park and regular bus services. Holocaust Cantata Jan 26 Buckfast Abbey. Brent Singers will be presenting their second performance of the Holocaust Cantata SHOAH written by Philip Arkwright, the former musical director. The performance is to raise money for the Holocaust Education Fund and choristers from the Abbey will be joining in. Tickets available from www. buckfast.org/boxoffice or on the door. Plymouth Railway Circle Feb 4 St Edward’s Church Hall, Home Park Avenue, Peverell. 7.30pm. Members £1, visitors £2. Richard Green: ‘Strictly Stralsund’ Richard illustrates his 2016 European foray to north-east Germany with the Basingstoke group. The Molli and Rasender Roland narrow gauge steam operations feature strongly, along with the standard gauge railways used to access them. There is also a transport museum, a model railway, a trip to Poland and quite a lot more. As always, something for everyone. Digital presentation Plympton Fuchsia and Geranium Group Feb 12 Harewood House, Plympton 7.30pm. Interactive evening hosted by four of the group’s most experienced and successful members. Following a break for refreshments there will be a practical session - so why not come along and get your hands dirty! Guests are always made most welcome and there is also a raffle. Story Stomp Feb 15 The Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport Park. Come for an adventure in the park, and then it’s back to The Soapbox for a craft session with the nature that you collected. This will be followed by an original storytelling performed by our resident story teller. Contact 07754 177678 for details. Soup and Sweet Lunch Feb 16 Ford Park Cemetery An opportunity to meet the FPC volunteers, get an insight into what they are all about, while enjoying a warming soup and sweet of your choice - at the same time raising funds for the upkeep of the beautiful Victorian cemetery. Plymouth Railway Circle Feb 18 St Edward’s Church Hall, Home Park Avenue, Peverell. 7.30pm. Members £1, visitors £2. Annual Photographic Competition. There’s something for everyone in which to participate, both as contributors and as judges. Vote for the best photograph in each category, as shown on the big screen, the results compiled and the winners announced on the evening. The Crucible Feb 19 to 23 The Tamaritans are staging Arthur Miller’s The Crucible as their winter production. One of the greatest plays ever written, The Crucible will be performed at The
Not to be missed Polar Bear Explorer Until March 3 Polar Bears need our help and they’re bringing an important message to Plymouth this winter. From now until March 3, a total of 20 Polar Bear cubs will be let loose across Plymouth’s Waterfront. The cubs will be hiding in Sutton Harbour, The Barbican, Hoe, Millbay and Royal William Yard. Each cub will have a Bear Fact with them, telling us about the Arctic and the oceans, how plastic is affecting their home and how we can all help. Your task is to become a Polar Bear Explorer and find each of the Polar Bear cubs with their Bear Facts. For more information and to download the Polar Bear Explorer brochure and map go to www.visitplymouth.co.uk
The acclaimed BBC Singers are appearing at the Plymouth Contemporary Music Festival in February
British National Diving Cup 2019 Feb 1 - 3 Plymouth Life Centre Plymouth has a host of the best British divers, including multi Commonwealth and European Champion Jack Laugher, European Champions Grace Reid and Lois Toulson, and will also see the competition return of Olympic medallist Tom Daley. This event will be showcasing the best of Britain’s diving talent, as the focus is on for the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020. Ecstatic Material Feb 7 KARST 22 George Street, Stonehouse Ecstatic Material is a newly commissioned dynamic sound sculpture by musician and producer Beatrice Dillon and visual artist Keith Harrison, which will expand and contract over back to back performances at venues across England. This live experiment with sound and substance will be conducted through a modular system made up of malleable plastics, coloured light and multi-channel audio which is constructed, choreographed and diffused by the artists into the performance space. Tour support comes from DJs Copper Sounds who spin copper dubplates, ceramic pots, and heavy icelandic rocks, using these materials to create a primitive Red House at Plymouth School of Creative Arts from February 19 to 23. Set in the round, the play directed by Richard Haighton - will bring the action, and Miller’s astonishing dialogue, even closer to the audience. Tickets available at 01752 291309 or at www. wegottickets.com and search for Tamaritans. Wild About Plymouth: The History of Water Feb 20 National Marine Aquarium What makes water and why is it so important for life on Earth? Join in the fun at the National Marine Aquarium to find out the answer. Discover more about the planet’s most important substance. After the event explore the NMA and view the 400 species it looks after. Meet outside the Aquairium. Tickets £7 per person. Booking essential at www.plymhearts.org Art Exhibition Feb 21 to 23 Trinity United Reformed Church Now in its 30th year with works by artists from all over Plymouth and beyond. Thursday and Friday 10am to 5.30pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm. Entrance is 50p and refreshments are available throughout the day with hot lunches from 12 noon to 2pm. All artists are welcome, and an exhibit form and details can
and tactile form of turntablism. They will also lead a daytime workshop at each tour venue, where participants can design and cast their own playable wax 7 inch and take it home with them. Details and tickets Tel: 01752 222676. Silly Science & Water Powered Rockets Feb 9 The Barn, Kit Hill Crescent PL5 1EJ Organised by Dangerous Dads Plymouth for all dads, granddads and male carers with children of all ages. Be a scientist and make a rocket for blast off. All equipment and materials supplied. Free event from 1pm to 4pm. For more information contact Ian on 07731 795160 or visit www. dangerousdads.org.uk Plymouth Contemporary Music Festival Feb 22 to 24 A Shakespearean prequel opera with a Game of Thrones twist will be among the highlights of the Contemporary Music Festival 2019 at the University of Plymouth. Quantum physics, be found at www.trinityurcplymouth.org.uk. Further information from Jill 01752 249337 or Bernie 01752 297482. In aid of church funds. Half Term Stay and Play Feb 22 Plymouth Life Centre There will be six amazing attractions on site including a huge jungle play centre, jungle run assault course and total wipeout! The event is perfect for ages 2-12 and the cost is £6 per child, £1 per adult. Session times are 9.30am-11am,11.30am-1pm and 1.30pm to 3pm. Tickets can only be purchased from Fun-Tasia and not at the Life Centre. Prebook tickets or find out more on the event itself by Fun-Tasia’s Facebook page, text or call 07817 903652. The Mermaid’s Magical Purse Mar 14 to Apr 6 Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport Park A magical adventure of storytelling theatre with amazing puppets, delights and surprises along the way. For information www.soapboxtheatre.org.uk Table Top Sale Mar 17 Trinity United Reformed Church, Torr Lane, Hartley,
seagull song and a gala concert featuring the acclaimed BBC Singers will also be part of the 14th annual event, which once again promises an exploration of the boundary between science and creativity. Running over the weekend of February 22 to February 24, the festival is organised by the University’s Arts Institute in partnership with its Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR). With a theme of Multiverse, the 2019 edition aims to help us understand how the mysteries of quantum science relate to daily reality, through musical interpretations of the quantum world. For more information visit cmr.soc.plymouth.ac.uk/event. htm. With the exception of the gala concert, all events are free but booking is required.
Mark Steel - Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright Feb 24 The Red House Theatre, Plymouth School of Creative Arts 8pm. Comedian broadcaster, newspaper columnist and author brings his one-man show to Plymouth. Details at www.laughablecomedy.com Rich Hall’s Hoedown Mar 23 Red House Theatre, Millbay Rich Hall’s critically acclaimed new show begins its second leg of touring. There has never been a better time to be an American comedian in the UK. Tickets from www.laughablecomedy.com Tamar Bridge 10k Mar 24 A new running event staged by the organisers of Britain’s Ocean City 10k and Britain’s Ocean City Half Marathon. A chance to make history by taking part in the first 10k challenge across the Tamar Bridge. The race starts at 8.30am at Kings Tamerton Community Centre and the route takes runners across the bridge and along a circular route around St Budeaux before finishing at Kings Tamerton Community Centre. Registration is now open at www.runplymouth.co.uk Plymouth 10am to 12 noon. To book a table (which will be provided) call Jill on 01752 249337. Men’s Day Out Mar 30 Plymouth’s biggest and best Men’s Day Out is back! Join hundreds of men on the move to raise funds for St Luke’s Hospice. It’s a great opportunity to gather your mates and walk the 12km route (with one or two watering holes on the way) and enjoy a past and pint while watching a cracking rugby match at the end. Starting and finishing at Plymouth Albion RFC, the walk kicks off at 10am and follows a planned route past some of Plymouth’s most famous sights. For information or to register visit www.stlukes-hospice. org.uk Caterpillar May 1 to May 11 Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport Park A theatre show for babies from six months to the age of eight years. Created to delight and immerse tiny audiences and their big people! The show follows the tale of two caterpillars, Bob and Bob and the journey that they go to become butterflies. With live music - a delight for the senses! For information www. soapboxtheatre.org.uk
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Sports stars help raise funds for Samaritans Plymouth Samaritans are hosting 'How to Keep Going' – a day of speakers from the worlds of literature and sport, who will share their journeys through life’s challenges. The event, at Kitley House Hotel, Yealmpton, on March 25, will be in two parts. The daytime event will feature the writers Jonny Benjamin, Raynor Winn, Bel Mooney and Christina Patterson, who will talk about their various experiences of coming to terms with adversity. Tickets for this event will be £25. The evening event will feature rugby league legend Danny Sculthorpe and Plymouth Albion’s Dan Mugford who will reflect on their personal experiences of mental health issues and their fight to overcome them. Tickets for this event will be £10. Samaritans support volunteer Norman Holmes, who is the organiser of the event, said: “The day will provide us with messages of hope in the face of adversity. The stories these speakers have to tell are truly inspiring. They show us how to keep going so that we can overcome the obstacles and difficulties that life can throw at us.” Profits from the day will go to the Samaritans of Plymouth, East Cornwall and South West Devon. The day is supported by Wolferstans, Lang Town and Country, State of Mind, Burts Crisps, Mailboxes Etc. and Kitley House. Further details and tickets are available from Norman Holmes on 07753 933 177
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COMMUNITY
JOB SHOP
6 February 2019
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The Northern Belle, pictured in 1999 Photo: Peter Smith www.flickr.com/photos/41302931@N03/
Advertise your vacancy FREE in Job Shop
All local businesses, voluntary groups, and individuals organisations and groups are invited to post their job vacancies in our Community Job Shop feature. This must be for part-time and voluntary jobs only and should contain no more than 50 words, including contact details. All you have to do is send the details via e-mail to info@cornerstonevision.com Deadline for each issue is the 10th of the month prior. BOOK TROLLEY ROUNDS Royal Voluntary Library Service Derriford Hospital needs help for the book trolley ward rounds weekdays between 10 am - 12 noon. If you are interested in the service and can spare the time, please contact Pat Hamilton on Thursdays 9.30 am - 3.30 pm on 01752 430880 for further information. SUPPORT WORKER The Candle Trust are looking for a support worker who understands the needs of people with autism, works in a person centred manner, can engage positively with service users, can undertake personal care, can be flexible with their shifts and has got at least a NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care. For more details, please ring Linda on 01752 212168 BODY REPAIR/PANEL BEATER/SPRAYER Westover Bodyworks is looking for someone to help part time with accident repair, dents, scratch removal and bodywork repair. Based in a busy workshop environment, you will be required to be adaptable to all accident and vehicle repairs; car and light commercial. Experience in car repair is preferable. Email westoverbodyworks@talk21.com ENGAGEMENT VOLUNTEER Healthwatch Plymouth is a local service to give the people of Plymouth a voice with regard to their experiences of health and social care services. We are looking for people to talk to other people about their experiences. We operate from various locations across the city. We provide training, expenses (out of pocket and travel), transport and you will be with a positive and supportive team. No experience necessary just the ability to listen to people and hear what they are saying. You will meet new people, have fun, build your confidence, build on your CV and gain new skills. Contact details are volunteering@ healthwatchplymouth.co.uk or 08009230039 for further information VOLUNTEER RECEPTIONIST Plymouth Natural Health & Healing Centre, Outland Road PL2 3PY, Looking for a part time receptionist at the centre. Experience not necessary as training will be given. For more information please phone Robert Parkins (Chairman) on 07980 581177. Charity no 288813 VOLUNTEERS WANTED The Primrose Foundation, Plymouth’s only breast care charity supports those going through the breast care pathway, and are looking for enthusiastic volunteers. You’ll be helping at coffee mornings and spending time with patients and their families - so you’ll need to be comfortable chatting and listening. Please contact Madeleine Matthews on 01752 975217 or email madeleine@primrosefoundation.org for more information.
Return planned for historic Tamar ferry A much-loved icon on the River Tamar is set to return thanks to the efforts of local people. The Northern Belle is a historic wooden ferryboat, purpose built in 1928 to operate the Plymouth to Cornwall crossing between Stonehouse and Cremyll. The vessel ran the service for 86 years until a collision in 2013 put an end to her work – but now the boat has been bought by a group of local enthusiasts who have a plan to repair her and get her back into the water once again. Thousands of people, locals and visitors alike, remember with affection the Northern Belle as the best of all the ferryboats on the short Plymouth to Cornwall crossing. She ran on steam for the first fifty years, then on diesel – but the new owners, the Northern Belle Trust, have something much more modern in mind. The group brings together expert heritage boatbuilders and restorers, technical specialists in propulsion and regulations, community organisers and historians. They are planning something quite new, while retaining the original purpose and activity. The group are working on a brand new Electric Propulsion system - the very first time that such a move has been made in the UK, though electric ferries are fairly common in other European countries. Electric motors will be far quieter, so making the journeys
VOLUNTEER SCHOOL GOVERNORS WANTED Do you value the benefit of education? Could you support a local school by being a school governor? School governors work as a team and play an important part in being a critical friend. Governors also engage with the community. Full training and support is given and the commitment is approx 4 hours a month. Do make contact to find out more information. Karen Powell 07415 665841 DISTRIBUTORS Cornerstone Vision, publishers of the Plymouth Chronicle, are looking for distributors, to help deliver leaflets across the city and surrounding area. Transport an advantage, own phone number essential. We are particularly looking for people to help cover Efford, Ernesettle, Saltash, Ivybridge and Torpoint, although other areas may be available. Please email john@cornerstonevision.com or call 01752 225623
A historic image of the Northern Belle
much more comfortable, and will of course be non-polluting compared to running a large diesel engine 16 hours per day. A second string to the Trust’s aims is the opportunity to use the boat as a
floating classroom and study centre, taking schoolchildren, students and leisure groups up the river. The silent propulsion will be a major benefit here too, as it will allow much closer approaches to wildlife. The group hope to reach agreement with the local commercial operator to have the boat used once again on the Stonehouse – Cremyll route, as a summer relief and at other times as needed. There is a great deal of work to be done, starting with a full survey on the current condition, confirmation that there is a need and desire to see her running again, and the question of raising the money to make it all happen. The new Trust held a public meeting in Millbrook in January to launch the new work and to start the fundraising campaign, which will include a Crowdfunder site and direct donations for those who don’t use computers. The Crowdfunder campaign can be found at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-thenorthern-belle More details can be found at www. northernbelletrust.org, by emailing info@ northernbelletrust.org or by phone on 07376 914748.
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The Box needs your recipes
Do you have any old recipes or special food-related memories you’d like to share? If so, you could be helping a new outreach project between The Box, CaterED, Plymouth Community Homes and Age UK Plymouth.
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Follicle Hair & Beauty Follicle Hair & Beauty (FHB) is a new salon that opened 8 months ago and is going from strength to strength. The girls at Follicle have known each other since they were teenagers with four of them training together at Plymouth City College. They have all worked together for over 20 years and between them have over 100 years experience! Their beauty therapists are NVQ Level 2 and 3 trained with a background in anatomy and physiology and are excited to offer their new service of DermaCo Pro VX for microdermabrasion treatments, non surgical face-lift treatments, LED light therapy and ultrasound treatments. FHB also offer Shellac, chemical peels, Swedish body massage, aromatherapy, Indian head massage, lash lifts and many more treatments. They also have a separate room for which they can cater for wedding parties, for hair, make up and nails. The salon has excellent free parking and is on a local bus route only 10 minutes from the town centre. Follicle has a relaxed professional and very friendly atmosphere and welcomes old and new clients.
February 2019 7
Contact
01752 656006 51 Lanhydrock Road, St Judes, Plymouth PL 4 9HF
‘Your Recipes, Your Heritage’ is a twoyear project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project aims to delve into Plymouth’s recipe books to help create a series of heritage-themed menus for the local meals on wheels service run by CaterED. The menus will be specifically developed for older people, particularly those who live on their own and who may be feeling lonely or experiencing some form of social isolation. Longer-term, the project also hopes to deliver some new educational resources based on The Box’s historic collections, designed for older people to use in their own homes. Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Smith said: “There are thousands of people aged over 65 in Plymouth who live alone and many of them have little or no contact with family, friends or neighbours. “This fantastic outreach project will provide a lifeline for some of them by developing menus that remind them of happy times. It will also create valuable opportunities for people of all ages to share their memories and explore the history and changing fashions of our eating habits over the last few decades.” If you have a recipe you’d like to share, either sweet or savoury, you can submit it online via www.theboxplymouth.com/ yourrecipes. It may be something scribbled down on a piece of paper and kept for years, a family favourite that’s been passed down through generations, or simply a much-loved meal that’s gone out of fashion. The project is also collecting information about what people consider to be ‘local’ foods. Hogs Pudding is one example but there may be many more. You can submit images via the web page too and pictures of handwritten recipes are especially welcome. You can also use the web page to share any significant memories you have of food or eating out in Plymouth and stay up to date with any further project announcements or events.
Playwriters offer free play acting workshops
'Write a mini-play, in only half-a-day' and 'PlayActing' are two new events being offered free-ofcharge to anyone interested by The Playwriters Organisation. Thanks to a small grant from the National Lottery, The Playwriters will come to any organisation, care home, family, community centre, event, and stage either the Mini Play or Play Acting workshop. "All ages can do either activity, and no previous experience is necessary", said Mike Ford of The Playwriters. "We will travel to you. All you need to do is provide the venue, help with publicity and recruit participants." Ideal as something new for birthdays, or for thereapeutic pruposes, all events have to be pre-booked and are tailor-made to each booker's requirements. To find out more or to book your own event, contact The Playwriters on 01752 786777 or visit the Facebook page The Playwriters.
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New life for former charity shop in Mutley Funny Girl
Plans to convert a former charity shop on Mutley Plain into a Moo Music centre have been given the go-ahead by Plymouth City Council planners.
Moo Music provides dancing, singing and multi-sensory classes for babies and toddlers, helping to develop speech, language, memory, co-ordination and confidence. Moo Music classes are currently run by Lisa Clark from Southway at Jump, Dell Children's Centre in Efford and Rees Centre in Plympton. After half time Moo Music will relocate to the former British Heart Foundation shop at 95 Mutley Plain. It will be transformed into a cafe with a small softly area and retail space on the ground floor and spacious session area in the basement. The Moo Music Cafe will allow customers to grab a coffee and socialise with other mums after
their session. It also provides all the facilities needed to offer all inclusive birthday parties. In addition to the Mutley premises, Moo Music will continue with its sessions in Plympton and launch new sessions in Plymstock Children’s Centre at Dunstone Primary. Moo Music's Lisa Clark said: "Moo Music is a wonderful multi-sensory and movement class with dancing, singing and fun interactive sessions set to brilliantly catchy songs, written especially for us. "At these sessions we meet up with our friends including Maggie Moo, Doris Duck, Ollie Oink, Barry Baa and Henry Horse. We pretend to be on the farm, at the park, in the garden at the seaside or anywhere else our imagination takes us. Throughout each session we use a variety of props including puppets, props, bubbles, parachutes and instruments." For more information contact Lisa on 07731 805100.
is coming to Plymouth
Sounds Musical Theatre Company will perform the Broadway award winning musical show Funny Girl in March.
Sounds Muscial is the first musical amateur dramatic company to bring this show to Plymouth and it will be performed at the iconic Devonport Playhouse from March 13 to 16. The Company is based in Plymstock but draws cast members and audiences from a wide area from Plymouth, Cornwall and surrounding areas, helping to keep local theatre a key feature of live entertainment in the region. Funny Girl is a musical classic, set against the backdrop of the Ziegfeld Follies and is the semi biographical story of Fanny Brice whose vocal and comedy talent sees her rise from the obscurity of New York’s Brooklyn music hall to the glittering Broadway stage. However, her tempestuous relationship with Nick Arnstein, suave gambler, unscrupulous entrepreneur and cad threatens to seriously undermine her bittersweet quest to find her place in society. Kate Stables and Kristian Lopez (pictured) play the roles of Fanny Brice and Nick Arnstein supported by Malcom Rowe as Ernie Ryan, Fanny’s confidante and friend. Emma Jane Wooding as Fanny’s aspirational and pushy mother Mrs Brice vies with her critical friend Mrs Strakosh played by Debbie Jarman to provide snappy banter and brazen humour. The production once more sees the winning partnership of musical director Marcus Alleyne and producer Amanda Paddison. Tickets are available from Box Office 01752 343472 and more details can be found on Facebook, Sounds Musical Theatre Company and website, www. soundsmusicaltheatrecompany.co.uk
February 2019 9
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Vanessa and Caroline making it in management thanks to apprenticeships Two recently promoted retail workers have described how apprenticeships have given them the crucial skills they need to succeed as managers.
Vanessa Hawken from Mutley and Caroline Mayne, who lives in Devonport, had both been appointed assistant Managers at kitchen and homeware chain Lawsons - and knew the value training would bring to making them a success in their new roles. Mastering management requires a fresh set of skills, so the Lawsons team contacted City College Plymouth to invest in their development and the future of the business with two Apprenticeship courses. Caroline has worked in retail for 35 years, six of which at Lawsons as a part-time sales assistant. She began her Level 3 management apprenticeship when she was promoted to assistant manager last year. “My employer chose City College Plymouth to deliver the apprenticeship, however I cannot recommend the college enough, it would be my first choice,” she said. “The support I have received from my family and assessor at the college have made returning to education possible. They have motivated me and reassured me the hard work is all worthwhile. “Lawsons has helped me to further my career by giving me the opportunity to undertake the apprenticeship. With the knowledge I have gained from the qualification I can continue to climb the career ladder and flourish in my new role. My ultimate goal is to run my own shop one day. “To any adults thinking about an apprenticeship, I can’t recommend the college enough! It has boosted my confidence and taught me skills which I will use now and in my future career. Although it is tough, it has been an incredibly rewarding experience.” In 2017/18, 38% of people undertaking an apprenticeship were aged 25 or over in England compared to 31% under 19, busting the myth that Apprenticeships are largely for school leavers. Vanessa has worked at Lawsons for 14 years and her hard work was recently rewarded with
New lease of life for pavements and roads More than 48,000 square metres of footways and roads have been given a new lease of life as part of the Council’s repair programme for this year, with even more sites set to benefit between now and April. Thirty-eight footways and 62 roads will be resurfaced by the end of March and extra sites are being added to the programme thanks to an additional cash injection of £450,000 from the Department for Transport. A full, detailed survey of the city’s roads and footways was carried out to get an up-to-date picture of their condition and ensure money is targeted where it is most needed. It showed that while increased investment in resurfacing and preventative treatments had improved the city’s roads, pavements had deteriorated in comparison. Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and Streetscene, said: “We promised to improve the condition of our pavements and footways – which have been somewhat neglected in recent years – and dozens of sites across Plymouth are benefiting from this increased investment. “We’ve also ensured that essential works continue to keep our highway network in the best condition possible, with a focused effort on fixing the city’s worst potholes and repairing damaged roads. “We’re spending more than £3 million on resurfacing and other preventative treatments this financial year and have already repaired more than 2,300 potholes and other road defects.”
a promotion to assistant manager. Keen to improve her knowledge, Vanessa also started an apprenticeship in management with City College Plymouth. “The qualification has taught me the key responsibilities, skills and behaviours of an assistant manager," she said. “Many of my colleagues had successfully completed courses at City College Plymouth and had good things to say, so I had no doubts that studying my apprenticeship would be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. “I really enjoy being customer-facing and working with different people so taking on a managerial role was the next logical step in my career. “The management apprenticeship has taught me everything I need to know to become an efficient manager. I received fantastic support from the assessors at the College and my family were there every step of the way.” To discover how the college can help support you or your organisation’s training needs, please contact the college’s Business Engagement Team on 01752 305026 or e-mail employers@cityplym. ac.uk.
10 February 2019
Agency is back at the races!
A Plymouth estate agent has agreed a major new sponsorship deal with the Britain’s Ocean City Running Series - announcing a brand new race prize too.
Lawson Estate Agents has renewed its partnership with the organisers of the 5k, 10k and Half Marathon road races in Plymouth. The agency will be main sponsors for the Plymouth 5K event on October 6 2019 - and to mark the agency’s new direction as a family estate agent, there will be a special ‘fastest family’ category. Entrants must be at least 11 years of age and a minimum of three family members must enter. The team can consist of parents and siblings, or grandparent, sibling and grandchildren. It is the first community sponsorship deal the agency has agreed since it changed its name from Mansbridge Balment Plymouth, marking a new era for
the business. Managing director Darren Lawson said that support for community events will be a key part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to giving back to a city that it has always been proud to serve. “The Lawson estate agent brand reflects our incredibly strong connection to Plymouth. We are as much a family as we are a business, which is why effective community engagement has always been so important to us,” said Darren. “We wanted to reinforce this family message as part of our sponsorship of the Ocean City 5K, so to offer a special prize for the fastest family to cross the finishing line seemed the perfect way to do that.” Darren stressed that the agency has always enjoyed a strong relationship with the organisers of Plymouth’s main running events. Details at www.runplymouth. co.uk
Cross Rhythms Plymouth’s
2019 Gala Dinner
Join us for a 2 course meal & fundraising evening. Raising money for Plymouth’s community radio station.
13th March at 7pm £40 entry which includes meal & donation
For more information email dave@crplymouth.co.uk or call 01752 225623
@PlymChronicle Children from St Andrew’s Primary School with members of the Plymotion team promoting the Classroom to Moon Challenge
City wide walking competition sends Plymouth pupils over the moon! The winners of Plymouth’s first ever Classroom To Moon Challenge have been announced. Prizes included a visit from mobile planetarium Space Odyssey for winning schools or new scooter storage from Scooterpods, providing a real incentive for clocking up those space-minutes. Small prizes of waterbottles, pens or reflective keyrings along the way rewarded ‘Walker of the Week’ in assemblies across Plymouth as well. Compton Church of England Primary School have won a visit from Space Odyssey’s Voyager dome in their school hall in January 2019, Plympton Academy who will welcome the Galileo Dome in March, while Holy Cross Catholic Primary School and Pennycross Primary School have won Scooterpods. The challenge took place in October and November in Plymouth and was part of Plymouth City Council’s Plymotion scheme which aims to encourage more people to walk, cycle or travel by bus. Pupils carried ‘Astro Mo’ from more than 60 of Plymouth’s schools in a walking relay that covered 80 miles and pupils were asked to record how many minutes they walked to and from school – the minutes were then converted to miles to give a grand total of 225638 miles, which is more than the distance to the moon when it is closest to the earth. Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, said: “Congratulations to the winners of the Classroom To Moon Challenge and to all the pupils, parents and staff who were involved in making this a great success. We need to do all we can do to encourage more people to walk to
Plaistow Hill Primary also took part in the Challenge
school and this was a great scheme.” Tessa Price, Plymouth City Council’s school travel engagement officer said: “We hoped we would reach our collective target of Astro Mo reaching the moon with all the minutes the children walked but we never expected the journey to be so much fun! Many schools really embraced the idea that walking to their next nearest school and offering a Friendship Flag to them could kickstart a new bond between them. We were delighted when students were raring to meet us at their school gates, even in the rain. I am confident many schoolchildren convinced their parents to leave their cars at home a few more times than usual during October and I hope that this healthy habit continues.” Jake Daykin, head teacher of Hooe Primary Academy said: “Thanks for organising the Classroom To
Moon Challenge. Our children really enjoyed getting involved and we had a great time on the relay walk. The project gave our children the chance to do a lot of maths work and to learn about science and the importance of healthy lifestyles. It also resulted in a lot more of our children (and their parents) walking to and from school, which is always a good thing. We would definitely like to be involved if you run a similar project in the future.” The Plymotion team is now looking at this year’s challenge for Walk To School Month in October 2019, but they also provide advice and support to schools all year round to encourage people to use more sustainable routes to school, such as walking, cycling or travelling by bus. If you think your school could do more on this email plymotion@ plymouth.gov.uk
12 February 2019
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Plans for National Marine Park take step forward
Sue Dann being interviewed by ITV Westcountry
Plymouth City Council is officially starting work to develop plans for Plymouth Sound to be designated the UK’s first National Marine Park.
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Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and StreetScene has announced that the council will: • officially lead the project to develop and designate the National Marine Park, working with local partners and stakeholders. • start a programme of engagement with the local community groups, businesses and stakeholders to help shape the marine park • work with Government departments to ensure the National Marine Park has national recognition • continue to seek external funding for the project Councillor Dann said: “We are very pleased to be able to take the lead on this important project. “The UK has 17,820 kilometres of coastline but currently no marine parks. Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, is ideally placed to be the UK’s first National Marine Park. “We have a rich maritime heritage, a successful and productive fishing industry, world renowned marine science and engineering, a marine city deal and marine enterprise zone, the largest Naval base in Western Europe, and a National Marine Aquarium. “We will be talking to the community between now and February 26, to get people’s views on the proposals, and how we can deliver the maximum benefits for people, wildlife and business." The main aims of a National Marine Park are to: • encourage the community to understand, enjoy, value and care for the marine and coastal environment • strengthen existing marine conservation objectives and involve the local community in this • establish a world leading demonstration centre for a range of marine technologies including marine autonomous systems • ensure those from disadvantaged backgrounds are able to enjoy the same opportunities to access the marine environment as others • improve and enhance sustainable tourism, commercial fishing, recreation, shipping and marine services • improve community health and wellbeing by increasing access for recreation The council has been working closely with a range of national and local partners including University of Plymouth, the National Marine Aquarium, and the Blue Marine Foundation, to move the plans for a National Marine Park forward. From now until February 26, people can have their say on the plans to make Plymouth the UK’s first National Marine Park at www.plymouth.gov. uk/plymouthsoundnationalmarinepark
February 2019 13
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Plymouth’s bronze sculpture ‘Messenger’ nearing completion The UK’s largest bronze sculpture, ‘Messenger’, is just weeks away from completion.
All the main components have been cast and the final stages of brazing are well underway. The potential dates for her installation outside the Theatre Royal Plymouth are set to
Messenger - with artist Joseph Hillier Photography: Stewart Writtle
be unveiled next month. The seven-metre (23ft) tall and nine metre (30ft) wide figure is the largest lost wax bronze sculpture ever to be made in the UK. Craftsmen at the Welsh foundry where she is being created will spend the next few weeks attaching her head and right arm before finishing the final patina colouring. Welding inside Messenger Photography: Stewart Writtle
Chris Butler, managing director of Castle Fine Art Foundry, said: “We are nearly there. There is still a lot to do but all the individual sections are cast and the internal structure is complete apart from the torso. “There are so many different elements that need to be dealt with so it has been a pretty unusual project – aside from the overall scale of the piece itself. It’s the sheer complexity of getting the facets to marry together and get the general form right, as well as the logistics of moving huge lumps of bronze around. “But all the elements are now constructed and the internal stainless steel super structure, which essentially holds her together, is now inside the legs, arms and hips.” Once completed, a dry run will be carried out to test the technicalities of lifting and manoeuvring her in preparation for final installation.
Then she will be broken down into four sections (torso and head, her two legs and the long arm) for the 270-mile journey to Plymouth from the foundry in LlanrhaeadrYm-Mochnant. A team of five workers from Castle Fine Art Foundry will spend up to two weeks reassembling her in Plymouth. Final installation outside the Theatre is then likely to take a number of days. Messenger’s creator, Cornish-born sculptor Joseph Hillier, was back at the foundry this week to get an update on the progress. He said: “We are getting very close now and in February I think we will be ready to announce her likely installation dates. “It really is fantastic to see and within the next couple of months she’ll finally be in her new home outside the Theatre Royal Plymouth.”
14 February 2019
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Charities and council join forces to help vulnerable people Charities in Plymouth are to work with Plymouth City Council in a more joined up way to help vulnerable people such as the homeless, those with mental illness and other complex needs.
Plymouth City Council will be awarding a £7 million contract to an alliance of local charities to provide services to people with complex needs - including homelessness, drug or alcohol misuse, mental illness and offending. The contract is a new way of bringing together services and commissioners in a partnership where power and responsibility are shared collectively for the common good of people with complex needs. The services already do this but the continued reduction in local authority funding available from central government means there is a need to futureproof services. Councillor Ian Tuffin, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: "It is hoped that by existing service providers working more closely Ian Tuffin together it will provide resilience across the system when there is less funding available for council services, as well as reducing duplication." Charities including Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (who run the George Hostel and other temporary accommodation for homeless people), Harbour, Shekinah, the Zone, Plymouth Access To Housing (PATH), Livewest (formerly Devon and Cornwall Housing), Livewell Southwest and Hamoaze, have formed the alliance and have been working cooperatively with the council’s commissioning and public health teams over the past four years towards this project. Councillor Tuffin added: “These are extremely difficult times financially – we are getting less and less money from central government despite continued demand for these services – so we have to think creatively. The alliance approach encourages cooperation and partnership, innovation, creativity and acting in the best interests across the whole system.” The contract, which will run for five years initially with the potential to extend to ten years, will enable the council and other commissioners to build long term sustainable relationships with local charities and other service providers to plan for the future.
GOD TV pulls out of Millennium Centre plan Christian broadcaster GOD TV has announced that it is not proceeding with plans to develop the former Millennium night club as a prayer centre.
The charity took out a lease on the building in 2013 with a view to developing it into a major centre. It had already spent large sums of money on refurbishing the interior of the building and estimated that it would require a further £5 million to complete the project. The 25-year lease on the building had an annual rent of £40,000, set to rise to £50,000, but it has now reached a settlement with the landlord and returned the building. Ward Simpson, who took over as GOD TV's chief executive officer in 2016 said: "It was a massive ongoing financial commitment. Every single pound raised for the Plymouth centre had already been spent on that project. And with each passing month, we were paying more on rent, insurance and other costs. "As a team we went through a very long investigation and sought advice. After a great deal of soul-searching the new Board of directors had to acknowledge that GOD TV is a Christian television network rather than a property developer. "We’re also called to be accountable – not least to those who have faithfully supported us. How could we justify raising and spending another £5 million? And would those costs have continued to rise? In all conscience, we concluded it would be poor stewardship to spend millions more on this building. "We had over-reached and needed to get back on track. For the past two years we have attempted to find a partner ministry who could come alongside us to help pay for, manage and use the building. We also tried putting the building on the market to see if we could find another buyer. Neither of these options produced any fruit. Each potential
Ward Simpson, CEO of God TV
party decided against it." He apologised to the people of Plymouth on behalf of GOD TV for the charity's inability to complete the project. "We had hoped to do something that would rejuvenate a marvellous old building in an historic district and be a boost to the city’s prosperity. "You can set out a journey in good faith, but if circumstances and priorities change, then your course has to change too. We simply could not justify spending more, or asking our supporters for more money. "We have learnt many lessons and made many changes at GOD TV. We’ve changed the way we work. We have a new Board and a new leadership team to give us wise counsel. We have taken stock of the way we work, reduced our expenses substantially and yet still increased our output. "We truly love Plymouth and again apologise for our inability to complete this project. In the meantime, however, Plymouth continues to be the base for our UK office
where many of our global functions are managed and GOD TV continues to be one of the largest broadcasters of Christian content in the world, reaching over 300 million homes across the globe. "We thank the people of Plymouth for your support and gracious understanding, and we thank God for you. This city will always have a special place in our hearts. It is a joy to be able to invest directly into the local economy through our operations as well as through our 50 plus local employees. "In our plans for the Millennium Centre we set out to do something good that we hoped would benefit Plymouth. Today we are delighted to see the exciting redevelopment plans taking shape for Union Street and hope the Millennium building might one day be a part of that. "We look forward to continuing to work with local churches and ministries here in Plymouth as well as promoting this wonderful city to our friends around the world."
February 2019 15
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Start date for Charles Cross works Works on the Charles Cross Transport Improvement Scheme will begin on February 4.
Charles Cross roundabout, with Charles Church at its centre, is one of the key junctions on Plymouth’s transport network and accommodates the majority of the city’s bus routes as well as high volumes of traffic. It is also well-used by pedestrians. The aim of the scheme is to reduce delays and improve traffic flow by creating more room for all vehicles whilst making crossings friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists. Infrastructure specialists Balfour Beatty have been appointed to carry out the works and will be working 12 hour days, six days a week, to reduce the overall time spent on the project. Lane restrictions will be removed during peak traffic flows where possible and night working will be carried out when necessary with consideration given to neighbouring residents. Works are expected to be finished by winter 2019. Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet member for Strategic Infrastructure, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Balfour Beatty on board. They come with a reputation of professionalism and we look forward to working with them. “We know that there is never a good time to carry out a major road scheme, especially one as central as this. That’s why appointing a contractor with a proven track record of getting things done fits the bill.” James Wells, Balfour Beatty Project Manager, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract by Plymouth City Council, building on our expertise in successfully delivering transportation schemes across the UK. “We look forward to working closely with Plymouth City Council over the coming months to deliver significant benefits to the local community and the travelling public.”
So what’s actually happening at Charles Cross?
Planned improvements include an extra lane for traffic heading southbound on to the roundabout from Charles Street and a new layout for traffic and pedestrians designed to ease queuing on Exeter Street. This will include removing the existing separate bus priority signals from Exeter Street onto the roundabout, improving the flow for all traffic, but with additional bus priority on the roundabout itself. The road layout northbound on Charles Street will see the removal of the traffic island between the roundabout and the entrance to Drake Circus car park, to improve the flow for all traffic. The pedestrian crossings at the Drake Circus car park entrance are to be widened and straightened to provide a more direct link for people walking to The Box when it opens in 2020. Improvements to Hampton Street and the Ebrington Street junction will see the ageing subway filled in to make more space for the new lane from Charles Street, while improvements will be made to the existing surface level crossing on Hampton Street to compensate. Charles Church, in the centre of the roundabout, will remain unaffected; respected as a monument to citizens of Plymouth who lost their lives during the Second World War.
What does this mean for journeys?
Initial works will involve setting up the site compound. This will be on Hampton Street, outside of University of Plymouth’s Cookworthy Building, and will mean that Hampton Street will only be open northbound for the entirety of the works. Setup is expected to take around a week, after which there will be an off-peak lane closure on the south-bound side of Charles Street along with a suspension of the bus lane that leads from Exeter Street onto the roundabout.
The council will be giving residents constant updates on the rest of the traffic management plans as the scheme progresses through social media, through the dedicated Charles Cross webpage and also through the press.
What is being done to avoid delays?
The council will do all it can, but in reality the project is going to cause delays at some point during its construction. As the project goes on, the council will be reviewing traffic management daily to ensure that we’re not creating any more problems than is strictly necessary. The safety of the workforce, road users and pedestrians will be the driving decision maker. The council has been working with partners and people who use the roundabout daily, as Richard Stevens, managing director of CityBus explained: “We have been working with the council on this project right from the start and have had an input into how the scheme will be constructed to ensure that our services run as smoothly as they can. “Are roadworks ideal for us? No, of course not. But we accept that this will be shortterm pain for long-term gain and that the finished scheme will make the roundabout far easier to navigate for all of our vehicles.” Coun Coker added: “The council’s message at this stage is simple. Plan your journey. Think about how you get to the city centre. Could you car share? Park and ride? Use the bus? Maybe even take up cycling? Even if you can’t do any of those things, just slightly changing the times at which you travel could make a big difference to you. “The fact is that this project is essential, not only to effectively deal with the current amount of vehicles that use it, but also for the future growth of Plymouth. If it wasn’t worth doing, then we wouldn’t do it.” More information on the scheme and on different ways to get around can be found here – www.plymouth.gov.uk/charlescross
Broadening Bath Street for Boulevard Moves to make Bath Street wider is now under way as part of the council’s regeneration plans to make Millbay happen.
A service ramp on the Pavilions site is to be ‘shaved off’ as part of a complex demolition programme that will enable the boulevard between the city centre and the sea to be built. It is the next phase of development plans for Millbay and the West End and follows on from the successful demolition of the Two Trees pub and the old footbridge across Union Street, which was taken down last month. The southern part of the boulevard has already been laid out and named Brunel Way as part of the mixed use development being delivered by English Cities Fund at Millbay. Now work will start on the northern section along Bath Street. Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Assets and city centre champion said: “There is a real sense of pace. We are on a mission to make Millbay happen and have been working behind the scenes to make sure each piece of the jigsaw works. “This is all about widening Bath Street, to create a broader boulevard that will, in time, become an attractive and safe walking and cycling route linking the waterfront and the city centre. We are slicing off part of the Pavilions site to give us the space we need.” The route will eventually be lined with 300 new homes to the west and a new hotel development on the east, along with shops and offices on the front of the boulevard. The whole feel of the boulevard is designed to be in keeping with its waterfront location. The next phase of demolition – which is expected to take 16 weeks – will involve demolishing the service ramp to the rear of the Pavilions site, which is no longer used. Its removal is part of an eight metre tract of land being sliced from the site. Pavilions Facilities Director Richard Findlay added: ‘’We’ve been working closely with Plymouth City Council on this project for many months and have welcomed the opportunity to be involved and contribute towards the delivery of the boulevard. “M&E plant located under part of the service ramp has been relocated and provision is being made for alternative storage which will free up the ramp for demolition. A new wall is being built inside the space under the ramp that will become the external wall when the demolition of the ramp is complete. It’s a complex project but the careful planning in the early stages has paid off and we are on track for completion in the spring of 2019.”
16 February 2019
City reaps benefits from a vintage year at POP+ Vulnerable families, lonely older people and bored teenagers are among the many people in Plymouth whose lives have been transformed because of the Plymouth Octopus Project or POP+ as it is known. Last year the organisation which supports the voluntary and community sector in Plymouth, helped to bring in nearly £1.5m of external funding to help pay for projects across the city and, in doing so, improve the health of the city for everyone. Thanks to POP+, up to a hundred teenagers turn up at the Methodist Central Hall youth club every Friday night. Funding from POP+ enabled the club to create a DJ area with industry-standard mixing desks and sound-system equipment. The hugely-popular initiative has been congratulated by the police and recognised for helping to create a safer environment for everyone. Meanwhile, Moments, the well-known city centre café and support centre for people - and their families - with dementia, has been able to provide more support to those in need and in crisis while the popular Plymouth Ukulele Group has found funding for the first time thanks to POP+. POP+ has been helping charities, community groups and social enterprises since 2013. As well as providing training, networking opportunities and business
advice free-of-charge to its 1,600 members, the organisation also helps projects identify and apply for funding which will grow their organisations and better support people. Last year £1,415,550 of external funding was awarded to Plymouth-based projects enabling them to support local people. Imogen Potter, capacity building manager for POP+, said its impact is considerable. "We are part of Plymouth’s ecosystem and without POP+, and the work it does, there would be more pressure on statutory services, like, the police; doctors' surgeries and the mental health teams. Without POP+ many of these voluntary and community organisations, which are vital to the city, wouldn’t get support; wouldn’t get funding and some of them wouldn’t even exist." In 2018 POP+ gave free business and funding advice to more than two hundred community groups and organisations, which, in turn, support more than 1000 volunteers and activists. It also provided more than 20 training workshops and organised a monthly networking event to give organisations from the voluntary and community sector the chance to meet, share and collaborate. POP+ is free to join and offers training, funding and business advice to its members. Networking meetings, open to all, are held every month.
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helm of POP+ The enthusiasm, determination and power of people living in Plymouth will drive real social change and help transform the city in 2019 - that's the view of the new chief executive of POP+, the organisation which supports the city’s voluntary and community sector.
Matt Bell has taken over the position of chief executive from Jackie Clift who retired in 2018 and helped to bring 1,600 very different organisations under the umbrella that is POP+ and was formerly known as the Plymouth Octopus Project. Last year POP+ helped to bring in nearly £1.5m of external funding to enable either existing projects to carry on their work or to get new ones off-the-ground - projects which support all sorts of people across the city, such as young mums, older people in need of companionship and people with mental health problems. POP+ was also instrumental in the decision last year by one of the
£1,000 donation for Multiple Sclerosis Society Experience THE
Plymstock Broadway shopping centre and Property Maintenance South West (PMSW) have presented a cheque for £1,000 to the Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society). The generous donation was raised through support from local market stall holders who were trading on the day of the annual Christmas Lights Switch On as well as from sponsorship of The Broadway Christmas Tree from local businesses, which was organised by Paul Sheldon from PMSW. Paul said: “I’m delighted that we have raised this amount for such a good charity.” Broadway centre manager Mark Berry said, “We are delighted to be able to donate this cheque as a result of the tremendous effort with the local market stalls all donating on the night and Paul arranging sponsorship from local businesses to be placed around the Christmas Tree.” Helen Cherry, MS Society group co-ordinator for the Plymouth and Tamar Valley area added: “The generous donation from The Broadway and Property Maintenance South West will make a massive difference to local people living with MS. As a Society we arrange a number of monthly socials and events which are either free or subsidised to enable individuals living with MS and their families to enjoy throughout the year. It is because of the support of businesses like Paul’s and The Broadway that we can continue to reach more people in our area.”
New man at
Matt Bell
I recently watched a documentary about the life of world champion surfer Andy Irons. The documentary, called ‘Kissed By God’, was a shockingly honest look at the troubled life and subsequent untimely death of one of the best surfers in history.
largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, to invest a further £1.3m in the voluntary and community sector. As the new chief executive, Matt Bell said all this proves that Plymouth can work differently, and better, than other cities and because of that, he believes, there will be more opportunities ahead. “We’ve witnessed a genuine shift in some of the conversations taking place in Plymouth over the last couple of years about how business should be done,” said Matt. “And what we have experienced is a desire to put ‘people’ at the heart of these conversations instead of the organisation. We’re now seeing individuals and the organisations they represent collaborating for the good of the city and that’s good for all of us.” Matt Bell has been working in the voluntary and community sector in the south west for the last 15 years. As someone who has had
the responsibility of running both charities and social enterprises, Matt brings practical experience, working knowledge and academic analysis to the role. Plymouth City Council’s senior policy advisor, Darin Halifax, who has known Matt for many years, is looking forward to working with him. “This is great news for Plymouth,” said Darin. “Not only is it really clear how passionate Matt is about the city but his appointment as chief executive of POP+ comes at a time when Plymouth is getting national recognition for its partnershipworking which is making Plymouth a fairer and more caring city for everyone.” POP+ is free to join and offers training, funding and business advice to its members. Networking meetings, open to all, are held every month. The first meeting of 2019 will take place on January 31 from 10am until 4pm in the Lower Guildhall.
No pain, no gain! By Dave Simpson Station Manager Cross Rhythms, Plymouth
What struck me most powerfully in the film was how Kelly Slater described what it was like to lose year after year to his foe. As you might expect he told of the pain he felt having his title taken from him and, despite giving it his all, not being able to win it back for three years. One particularly key aspect He said something of his life was his fierce which has stayed with me, rivalry with fellow world ‘winning is great but it is champion Kelly Slater. when you are losing that At the time of Andy Iron’s the good stuff inside really rise to the top, Kelly had won happens’. multiple world titles and was I can’t help but feel being touted as the greatest there is much wisdom in surfer of all time. Needless this statement. At times to say he wasn’t used to in life when things are losing. However in 2002, 2003 going wrong, we are facing and 2004 he would have to difficulties and it feels Dave Simpson taste defeat every single year like we’re losing, we often as Andy went on to become a consider things more 3 x world champion. deeply and learn the most about who we In a separate film, ‘A fly in the champagne’ really are inside. filmed in 2009, these two arch enemies When things don’t work out in the timing talked openly about their rivalry and shared we want we can learn patience. When we about the joys of beating the other as well as experience financial hardship we can learn the pain of defeat. to value the things that we have and when
we face the death of a loved one it can help us to treasure the moments we spend with those we’re closest to. You often hear stories of people being made redundant but coming out the other side doing something completely different but much more fulfilling. To highlight the point, Kelly Slater himself went on from those tough times of losing year on year to find great success once more and win the world title a further five times! There is a passage in the good book that says: ‘Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.’ Considering tough times a gift might be a step too far for you at the moment but difficulties really do have the capacity to transform us in a profound way. Not only that but it is my firm belief through personal experience that God wants to be with us in every season of life and is able to work all things out for good.
February 2019 17
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£3.5 million Mayflower funding boost An ambitious project to build Plymouth’s creative industries and nurture creative people power for Mayflower 400 and beyond has been awarded a massive £3.5 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
An additional £750,000 has been awarded to Mayflower 400 and £2.75 million for exciting new creative sector initiatives that could see over 4,000 people offered training, business support and professional development opportunities as part of the iMayflower project. It aims to support the makers, the doers, artists, the digital pioneers and the wider Plymouth population by giving them the know-how to make things happen. Plymouth City Council, Destination Plymouth, Mayflower 400, Plymouth College of Art, Real Ideas Organisation and the University of Plymouth have teamed up to address the growing demand for the city’s creative sector to realise its potential, offering new opportunities, creative spaces and skills. Over 200 businesses and social enterprises will benefit from support to develop new products, services, content and jobs over the next financial year, providing skills development for people from a range of communities, ages and backgrounds. The Mayflower 400 Culture and Heritage Programme is already shaping up to be a game changer for Plymouth with art, music, theatre, exhibitions, storytelling, digital innovation, literature, crafts, festivals, debates and more. Every aspect of the Mayflower story is being explored together with its relevance to life today.
the huge array of initiatives already being worked on for Mayflower 400 and will give them the extra edge, which will add a wow factor for audiences. Plymouth’s Illuminate event is an example of how a light show can grow to become a multi-media event that captivated thousands of visitors on cold November nights. Another key aim of iMayflower is to help companies and organisations access finance through a partnership with Crowdfunder and Creative England. Professor Andrew Brewerton, principal and chief Executive officer for Plymouth College of Art said: “This project represents a real step change for the city and for Plymouth College of Art, as we build a creative ecology that nurtures talent and empowers our citizens as makers, artists and designers. “iMayflower gives us a real platform to deliver a programme of activity that places creative education and social justice at the heart of an ambitious project that will further increase the profile of Plymouth as a great place to live, work and one that invests in its creative communities and all important maker culture. We can’t wait to get started!” Chris Bennewith, Head of the School of Art
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Design & Architecture at the University of Plymouth said: “The Cultural Development Fund will allow the dynamic fusion of the region’s creative talent and excellent digital resources, with existing strengths in sectors such as healthcare, marine and tourism. "This will provide Plymouth with exciting and innovative means of creating new products, services and experiences vital for refreshing and adapting the local economy and continuing to improve the liveability of our city. This is Open Innovation so we will be inviting as many people as possible to be involved with the myriad of activities proposed in the project. The University of
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iMayflower will help Plymouth shout about its culture and creativity offer, develop a long term, sustainable legacy and provide skills and learning opportunities through events and community engagement. It will also look to support creative sector businesses to become more visible on an international stage. It involves work with partners across the city who are developing digital technology, such as 3-D printing, virtual reality or ‘immersive technology’ to help the city expand its expertise in advanced manufacturing, robotics and digital making. Council leader Tudor Evans said: “I’m really pleased about this news for the Mayflower programme as it very well reflects the national importance of the project. “This announcement for funding to develop creative industries is extremely exciting. Plymouth has built a creative industry sector from scratch in a short number of years and this funding means we can harness the talent we have now and develop it for the future.” The programme will tap into and build on
“iMayflower will support new ideas, businesses, jobs and opportunities for young people – we are delighted to be part of it and looking forward to getting going!”
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Plymouth is extremely pleased to be part of the partnership delivering iMayflower.” Lindsey Hall, founder and CEO of Real Ideas Organisation added: “iMayflower is all about investment in our excellent creative talent; our burgeoning immersive and digital technologies; our extensive skills as makers and the enterprising, inclusive, creative ecology we are building. iMayflower will support new ideas, businesses, jobs and opportunities for young people – we are delighted to be part of it and looking forward to getting going!” Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: “Creativity, arts and heritage make our towns and cities unique and our communities better places to live. The Cultural Development Fund will support tailored local plans that use culture to create jobs, boost tourism and ultimately regenerate communities. “This is an incredible opportunity for Plymouth to capitalise on the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower. It will help engage the local community in their shared heritage and promote the city to the world through digital technologies, making this a truly 21st century project.”
18 February 2019
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Four year delay for veterans coming forward for mental health support A new survey, commissioned by Help for Heroes, released on ‘Blue Monday’ - the ‘most depressing’ day of the year - reveals that Armed Forces veterans are delaying asking for help with their mental health, including PTSD, for almost four years, partly due to believing civilian services will not understand or support them (28%) and a fear of being treated differently by friends (25%) and family (19%).
Help for Heroes launched its ‘Cut The Clock’ campaign on January 21 which aims to end the stigma around mental health issues, encourage more people to come forward for help and cut the time they struggle in silence. Former Royal Navy sailor and full-time Territorial Army reservist Paul Stocker, from Plymouth, finally received help four years ago, more than twenty years after suffering trauma in the first Gulf War. As well as having PTSD from his time in the first Gulf War, he was physically injured during a training exercise when he fell awkwardly out of a helicopter, eventually losing most of his right arm. Medically discharged from the Armed Forces and unable to find work because of his disability, he self-medicated, turning to alcohol to escape his mental health issues. He regularly drank a crate of cider and bottle of gin a day. “I was drinking myself to death. I didn’t care you know. All I was worried about was where my next drink was coming from. I thought I’m useless.
I can’t do nothing now I’ve got no forearm, I can’t do anything. Feeling sorry for myself basically. But those days are all behind me now.” He says he had issues with anger management and while he wasn’t physically violent, he regularly smashed mirrors, not recognising the man he saw reflected in them: “It cost me a fortune in mirrors back then. I was a young man when I signed up and I just saw this old bloke who I didn’t know.” Finally, after more than twenty years of suffering in silence, Paul reached out for help: “My youngest daughter turned around and said to me, Dad, you’re killing yourself. That was what pushed me - the fact my daughter was concerned about my drinking, about my anger.” “To admit you’ve got a mental health problem is hard. But obviously the message has to go out. If you’d seen me four years ago, a big fat blob that wouldn’t do anything – with a beer, you’d never thought of me running around a gym and coaching wheelchair rugby, doing my archery.” Since getting help from Help for Heroes and Combat Stress, Paul has turned his life around. As well as coaching wheelchair rugby, he has taken up rock climbing and is hoping to compete in archery in the next Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. He’s also got into acting, appearing with other veterans in Boots at the Door at Theatre Royal Plymouth, Unspoken for the Royal British Legion, working with disabled-led Graeae theatre company as well as extra work in film and TV. He’s currently filming for a role in a major TV soap due
Paul Stocker
to be screened later in the summer. “I do more now than I ever did when I was ablebodied and I appreciate things more now I can talk to other veterans. I can say thank you to Help for Heroes for that. Because they gave me that push. I think it’s important that anyone who is suffering with mental health problems should get help and not feel bad about asking for that help. I’ve recently got a mate to get help for his issues. I hope this campaign by Help for Heroes is supported by the public and will get more people like me to come forward and change their lives for the better.” Karen Mead, Head of Psychological Wellbeing at Help for Heroes said: “Paul’s story is the reality for thousands of military personnel. Veterans are not accessing mental health support when they need it and we believe this needs to change. Our campaign is asking the nation to call time on stigma and to let those who have served their country know it’s ok to ask for help. We need the communities support to help us fund vital
programmes to ensure we can continue to be there and respond quickly when veterans do take that big step and ask for support.” At 6pm on the launch day a ‘Stigma Clock’ was projected onto the Tower of London in support of Paul and his fellow veterans. The clock was switched on by England Rugby World Cup winner and TV star, Matt Dawson, who has dealt with various difficult injuries during and after his sporting career. A live stream of the switch-on was screened at CutTheClock.com With every pound donated, every retweet, like or share on social media the public can help lessen the stigma and actively cut the time veterans are taking to seek help for psychological wounds. Help end mental health stigma at CutTheClock.com. Help for Heroes offers support throughout the year from its Recovery Centre in Plymouth and community locations across the South West. To get or give support visit www.helpforheroes. org.uk.
TWO CHANCES TO WIN ANNUAL PASSES FOR A FAMILY OF 4 FOR THE WHOLE YEAR! We have the perfect day out for you this winter at Woodlands Family Theme Park. Visit our Family Theme Park this winter with one of the largest Indoor Play Areas in the UK. For just £7.50 per person you can take your whole family for an action packed day of Winter fun. Explore the Empire of the Sea Dragon with over 125,000sq.ft of indoor adventures. Have fun with an amazing variety of challenges over five floors. With the highest and longest slides, the Trauma Tower ride
and it’s breath taking 50 ft drop, the Submarine ride is spinning fun and the Mini Ferris Wheel is perfect for watching the high powered action and hidden adventures in the sky high nets and Towers. Down stairs the Ice Palace is the perfect fantasy play centre for little ones. The whole family can be entertained in the Circus Drome and Master Blaster. Discover indoor junior action on the bouncy castle and Acrobats Challenge play centre, then ride the Circus Train, while the Big Top Soft Play centre entertains the smallest members of the family. Get ready to blast balls from cannons in the two Alien Arenas in the Master Blaster and explode balls into space.
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There is still plenty of fun outdoors with the sky high Swing Ship, reach new heights on Vertigo. Visit the Meerkat family and other fun loving animals at the Zoo Farm. It’s warm in the Reptile house, cosy in the Nocturnal House and have fun driving round Pedal Town or ride the lifesized tractors. Don’t forget the fascinating Falconry Centre with its majestic Birds of Prey, although they don’t fly in the winter the Falconers are full of fascinating facts and stories about the owls and birds of prey in their care.
Please send your completed entry coupon to Woodlands Leisure Park, Plymouth Chronicle, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth, PL3 4PY by the closing date of 28th February 2019. Please answer the question and enter your name and contact details below. By entering your data, you agree with Cornerstone Vision holding and using your data for the purpose of running this competition, and for the duration necessary to complete this competition, but not longer than 6 months.
Question: How much is it to visit Woodlands during the Winter Fun season?
Answer:
Name: Address: Postcode: Email:
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Or enter online at: competitions.cornerstonevision.com I confirm I am 13 or over:
February 2019 19
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Your country linedance club needs YOU! Tamar Valley Westerners Country Club will hold its last night on January.
It has been running for 36 years giving great evenings of entertainment, but don't despair. There will be a new club starting called the Tamar Valley Country Linedancing club. There will be a lot of the same acts as well as some new ones. Linedancers are very welcome to join the club as well as partner dancers and other types of dancing. The new club will be starting on the January 27th and thereafter, on the last Sunday in the month so make sure you don’t miss the next classes on February 24th and March 31st. It’s hoped that with new members the club can increase to fortnightly in the
near future. The club runs from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. For the first night, a very talented and great entertainer on the country and linedance scene; Chris Kenward will be joining in the fun. If you have seen him before I'm sure you will agree, he will give you a great evening of music so there will be lots of dancing. This is a really friendly club with a great atmosphere, not to mention a lovely wood floor which makes dancing lots of fun. The room is a good size with seating at the back and down the sides, with an ample stage for the acts. There will also be well known country artists every month to give you great evenings of entertainment to dance to, or if
you prefer, just sit and relax and enjoy the fantastic music. The aim of the club is to make linedancers welcome alongside live acts; something the social club boasts as the only one in the area to do so. Linedancing often gets overlooked as a good social event. Not only is it a fantastic way to meet people and keep fit, the dances have also changed over the year, now involving all sorts of dances ranging from the waltz to the tango to the cha cha cha. Linedancing is a simple style, one that doesn’t require a partner, and allows you to dance to a much wider variety of music. If you’ve never danced before, feel free to come
along, enjoy the music and throw yourself into the pleasure of dancing. There is also a local teacher of line dancing should you want to improve your skills. Dressing up for the occasion is optional; come in whatever feels comfortable to you to dance in. Our monthly club nights are held at Hyde Park Social Club in Hyde Park behind the Main Street on the lower floor, there is a stair entrance or a back entrance which is flat. Entrance is £7 for a brilliant evening of entertainment, with drinks available to be purchased at the bar as well as a raffle on the night. For more details contact Yvonne 07885254042
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20 February 2019
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Unique environment at Discovery College helps young people when they need it most
With funding for local youth services having significantly decreased in the last few years, community organisations, schools and charities in the city have increasingly been stepping up to support young people when they are most in need. One local organisation that has tailored its services to meet the current needs of
young people is YMCA Plymouth. Based in Honicknowle, YMCA Plymouth runs Discovery College, which delivers post-16 education to approximately 200 young people. Frequently, the team find themselves in situations where they go beyond the typical expectations in education, by helping students who are experiencing difficult circumstances
or personal crisis. Discovery College have specially trained staff to help students throughout difficult periods, giving them access to support when facing problems with personal finance, mental health or domestic issues. Andrew Robertson, managing director of YMCA Plymouth said: “Today’s young people
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face more challenges than ever before, and YMCA has to change the way it works with young people in order to meet their needs. Discovery College is a prime example of where a change of approach has made a difference and allowed us to offer meaningful help to young people when they need it.” In the past 12 months, the college has intervened in a number of cases including arranging emergency accommodation for students who have been left homeless, as well as providing essentials such as duvets, clothes and personal care products to students having issues at home. The college also partners with other charities such as The Zone who provide advice and counselling for students experiencing anxiety and depression. Much of this assistance wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the unique college environment, where a close-knit setting creates a strong rapport between staff and students. Tom Lavis, Head of Discovery College said: “Factors such as our smaller class sizes and having an open-door policy help enormously. However, the biggest factor influencing our success is our studentcentred approach which fosters a culture where students feels safe, valued and respected. Tom continued: “The unique mixture of elements often means that staff are not only able to identify issues when they arise, but students feel comfortable approaching them to talk about their problems, knowing they’re in a safe and non-judgmental environment”. One student who after experiencing difficulties at home found themselves homeless and turned to the college said: “I was able to talk to my tutor and get the support I needed, at a time where there were few places to turn. I was given essential items and also helped to find accommodation. Because of that, I got through a difficult time in my life, whilst still completing College with my head held high and achieving the qualifications I needed.”
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J & M ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN House & Building plans Extensions • Conversions • Alterations Planning & Building regulation applications Fast & efficient service 01752 936125 07745 392764 jjmmdesign@yahoo.co.uk • www.jmdesign.org.uk BLINDS
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BUILDERS D HEWLETT GENERAL BUILDERS • All general household maintenance work undertaken • • No job too small • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Plastering • • Carpentry & joinery • Guttering • Windows • Bricklaying • • Bedrooms • Facias • Driveways • Patios • Decking • Call Derek on 07967 233257 or 01752 777578
T.CLARKE BUILDING & ROOFING PROPERTY MAINTENANCE All jobs done from a slipped slate to house renovation. Trading Standards approved and Buy With Confidence Member Tel: 01752 267507 - Mob: 07967150441 tclarkebuilders@outlook.com
CARPENTERS ALLWOOD INSTALLATIONS Trading Standards approved company Bespoke joinery • doors • staircases • bars Box frame windows • counters • PCstations. Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms. All associated plumbing,electrical & tiling Tel 07704448835 www.allwoodinstallations.co.uk 01752348648 allwoodinstallations@icloud.com
MALCOLM WILLS • COMPLETE CARPENTRY SERVICE All aspects of carpentry repairs, refurbishment, new work, doors, flooring and alterations, shelving and storage Call for estimate.
07599 888841 • 01752 255154 malcolmwills2017@outlook.com CARPETS
EXMINSTER CARPETS
Carpets - Rugs Complete fitting service - Free estimates Large Showroom (5-7 Byard Close, PL5 2AQ) Tel 01752 361 096
www.exminstercarpets.co.uk
ELECTRICIANS GIFFORD ENERGY & ELECTRICAL LTD
DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES. SOLAR INSTALLATION, SERVICE AND REPAIRS 42 Gifford Terrace Road, Plymouth PL3 4JE Tel 01752 249543 Mob 07891 909846 email info@giffordenergy.com
R.C. Electrical - Ryan Cross
Fully qualified ‘Approved Electrician’ Which? Trusted Trader & Reviews on Yell.com • Over 15 years experience • FREE quotes •
www.rc-electrical.net rc.electrical@outlook.com 07813 195943
RDJ Electrics, a committed and reliable
electrician in the Plymouth area. All domestic work covered from an extra socket to a complete re-wire. Get in touch for a free quote! 07983 554526 • www.RDJ-electrics.co.uk ross@RDJ-electrics.co.uk • www.facebook.com/rdjelectrics
ROWE NET - Electrical & Home Automation
Do you find it hard to get someone to come and do a small job? • Fully Insured • Fully Qualified Electrician • NIC EIC Reigstered • No job too small or big • Free Quotations • Reasonably Priced • Satisfaction Guaranteed
Call 07860 555011 - 01752 548766 info@rowe-net.net
STEVE ELECTRICAL Fully qualified and insured electrician • Free estimates/no call-out fees • all electrical work considered • Over 20 years experience • Friendly, local, family run business • NICEIC cert • Rewires • Certification for minor or major work Very competitive prices/ high quality work. Will beat all other reasonable quotes. • Call Steve 07894 208842
FENCING & DECKING
Absolute Fencing & Decking Ltd The No. 1 Fencing & Decking Company in Plymouth
Specialists in Fencing • Decking • Gates • Patios
07494 575140 • info@fencedevon.com www.fencedevon.com See our Facebook page for examples
GARAGE DOOR SERVICES PLYMPTON & SOUTH HAMS GARAGE DOORS – Local family business; repairs and servicing, new garage door installations, remote electric operators for new and existing doors, electric gate automation, electric/manual roller shutters. Free estimates and surveys. Tel 01752 348488 www.psgdoors.co.uk
GARDEN & LANDSCAPING
01752 341613 www.evglimited.co.uk
• Tree removal • Tree & hedge reduction • Stump grinding • Turfing • Hedge trimming • Grass cutting • Clearances • All aspects of fencing • Tarmacing, block paving & resin bond • Landscaping • Decking • Retaining walls • Construction • Hardwood logs delivered
Free quotations, fully insured
MDN Tree and Garden Services Tree Surgery Hedging Fencing and Soft Landscaping mdntreeservices@outlook.com 07984296871 or 01752 851032 R.J.B GARDEN SERVICES LTD GARDEN MAINTENANCE, HEDGE & GRASS CUTTING, LANDSCAPING Tel: 01752 319510 Mob: 07985 040658 Email: rjbgardenservice@gmail.com Find us on Facebook RJB Garden Services Ltd
ROB'S LANDSCAPES Landscaping AND GROUND MAINTENANCE IN PLYMOUTH AND THE SURROUNDING AREA Landscaping • Gardening • Natural Stone Walling • Fencing • Gates Block & Brick Walls • Patios • Decking • Ground Maintenance • Block Driveways Pressure Washing • Turfing Artificial Grass • Chainsaw License Free estimates • 18 yrs experience • Find us on Facebook
07506 739819
robslandscapes@icloud.com
GUTTERING
TOTALLY GUTTERED BLOCKED, BROKEN OR DIRTY GUTTERS? Domestic & Commercial, High Level Gutter Vacuum (up to 4 Storey) Prompt, Efficient Service from a Local Family Business Call on 07467 297363
LOCKSMITH All Hours Locksmith - 24 hr Locksmith • Lockouts • Lock Changing/Fitting • Specialist UPVC Door & Window Repairs • Replacement Glass • Free Quotes 17 Ivydale Road, Mutley, Plymouth, PL4 7DE Tel 01752 516877 Mob 07989 599969
MOBILITY AID WLS STAIRLIFTS RECONDITIONED FROM £749 NEW FROM £1349 RENTALS FROM £52 PER MONTH
Mob 07887587957 Office 01752212136
OVEN CLEANING SERVICES
GREENS OVEN CLEANS Let me give your oven a new lease of life Call Trevor on 07501 645208 trevgreen4@gmail.com Fully Insured
PAINTERS & DECORATORS ERB PAINTING & DECORATING
Decorating internal & external • Plastering Renovations • Flooring • General maintenance Garden decking & fencing • Friendly & reliable Tel: 01752 559753 Mob: 07796 961036 email: ellis-ball@hotmail.co.uk
S.G.F Decorating Services Plastering & Decorating Specialist Painting - Plastering - Wallpaper - Interior & Exterior Work - Over 30 years experience C.S.C.S Registered - Friendly & Reliable 07859 804389 stevefull@live.co.uk
PLASTERING A R PLASTERING & BUILDING From a small repair to the whole house All Internal & External Work undertaken • Plastering • Rendering • Building work • Decorating • Damp proofing • Tiling • and more Free estimates call Alex on 07904755491 MJB PLASTERING
• Internal & External • Reliable • Clean • High quality service at affordable prices Mat Bradley - Time served Tradesman Tel: 07716 728258 Home: 01752 211649 mjb-plastering@hotmail.co.uk STEVE BENNETT PLASTERING Internal/External Plastering • Spar Dash Specialist • Insurance Work Welcome • UPVC Facias, Soffits and Guttering • Property Maintenance • Painting/Decorating • Coving
Prompt Polite Friendly Service • No Job Too Small • Free Estimates
01752 368601 • 07971 741068
www.stevebennettplastering.co.uk • facebook.com/plasterersofplymouth
PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES
B Williams Plumbing and Heating Reliable plumber no job too small from tap washers to central heating systems. Free quotes gas safe registered. No call out charge, recommendations can be given. 07971572632 www.bw-plumbing.co.uk MIKE JARVIS PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES All plumbing, heating and gas work undertaken • Servicing, installation and repair • Gas Safe • • No job too small • 24 hour emergency call out • VAILLANT approved installer Tel 01752 778440 Mob 07875136429
Interested in advertising in Dial The Experts?
Call Glenda on 01752 225623 or email glenda@cornerstonevision.com
Want to reach 90,000 homes around Plymouth? Your business could be advertised in Dial The Experts
RIGHT PRICE PLUMBERS (SW) LTD All Plumbing Work• No Job Too Small NO VAT • OAP Discounts Water Safe Registered• 30+ Years Experience T: 07710 200299 E: bedford9096@gmail.com PINK PLUMBERS Fast, Friendly, Reliable and tidy service by your local FEMALE plumber. Specialist in small to medium jobs (NO VAT) 01752 412070 07540 956436
T.R.B Heating - Trevor Bryant
Full Heating Systems • Boiler Exchanges • Fire and Fireplace Installations • Complete Kitchen & Bathroom Design and Installation • Former British Gas Heating Installer • Gas Safe Registered Special offer on servicing boilers £50 (T&C Apply) 0790 6706 799 www.trbheating.co.uk trbheating@live.co.uk
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
One Call Maintenance
Call Richard • 07974101028 • • or email
WINDOW AND DOOR REPAIRS GARAGE DOOR REPAIRS PLUMBING REPAIRS ROOF REPAIRS All repairs expertly undertaken
1callplymouth@ • gmail.com
StepUp Maintenance
Home repair and improvement ◆ Garden Maintenance Domestic cleaning ◆ Window Cleaning Power washing ◆ And more (no job too small) Contact Marc for free quote 07951 029947 help@stepupmaintenance.com - www.stepupmaintenance.com FULLY INSURED SERVICE
REMOVALS A M Removals Man & Van Service Plymouth Single items to full house moves 1 or 2 men available Fully insured Local/national work 07845735818 • 01752930301 www.amremovalsplymouth.co.uk
ROOFING
DEVONSHIRE ROOFING SERVICES
All aspects of roofing work undertaken, from repairs and maintenance to full restoration and new build projects. Pitched or flat roofs • GRP (fibreglass) •lead-work uPVC Fascias & guttering • Roof-lights • Fully insured A fast & friendly service. Competitive rates. Call or email Neil for a free estimate • 07543363225 • 01752216765 devonshireroofing@live.co.uk • www.devonshireroofing.co.uk 10% discount to Forces Veterans
LES PIKE • Emergency roof repair specialist • Concrete tiles • Natural slate • Lead valleys • Flashings All building & construction work undertaken. 45 Years experience in the building industry. Tel: 01752 787708 Mob: 07977949898
WASTE REMOVAL
KSR Licensed Disposal REMOVAL OF WASTE Cheap rates for OAPs, For a FREE Estimate, CALL Kevin: 07810 450940
J&S RUBBISH REMOVALS House/Loft/Garage/Garden Clearances Licence carriers. Discount for OAPs. Free estimates Call Steve today to take it away Tel: 01752 600570 Mob: 07929000918 info@js-rubbish-removals.co.uk
WINDOWS & DOORS
RESOLVE PVC Door & Window Repairs
Door dropped? Difficult to lock? Windows draughty? Misty or Cracked Glass? Adjustments, Handles, Hinges, Mechanisms, Letterboxes, Seals, Panels, Cat flaps, Childproof Restrictors, Tilt & Turn Repairs Let us “RESOLVE” the problem for you!
Free Estimates, Friendly Service. Call 0787 204 1114 Email: Mark@Resolvepropertymaintenance.co.uk
22 February 2019
COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
@PlymChronicle
Your guide to community events in your area Central Library Rhymetime Mondays, 11am - 11.30am Wednesdays, 11am - 11.30am Thursdays, 2pm - 2.30pm Songs and nursery rhymes for babies and toddlers. Libraries also run regular story times for the under 5s. Memory Café Mondays, 10am - 12pm Drop in for a reminiscence, arts and crafts, singing or to see a friendly face and have a cuppa. Family History Help Desk Mondays, 2.30pm - 4.30pm Drop in for help and advice with tracing your family tree. Work Club Tuesdays, 10am - 12pm Thursdays, 10am - 12pm Fridays, 10am - 12pm Get help with searching for jobs, CVs, basic IT skills, interviews and more. Gadget Drop In Tuesdays, 2pm - 3.30pm Get tips and advice on how to make the most of iPads, tablets, smartphones, e-readers and more. Find out how to use your library card to download free eBooks and magazines. Feel Better with a Book Tuesdays, 2pm - 3.30pm Enjoy the power of great novels, stories and poems read aloud in a small friendly group. Chatterbooks First Wednesday of the month Chatterbooks are reading groups for children aged 8 and 12. Hello World - Coding and Making Thursdays, 4pm - 5.30pm After school club for anyone interested in coding and digital making. For 8 to 13 year olds. Board Games Evening Thursdays, 5pm - 7pm Drop in for an evening of gaming in a family friendly space. There will be games available, but feel free to bring your own. IT for Beginners Fridays, 2pm - 3pm, 3.30pm - 4.30pm Aimed at beginners, find out what you can do online by signing up to ‘Learn My Way’. Staff will be on hand to help. Peverell Library Lego Club Tuesdays, 3.30pm - 4.30pm The Lego is supplied, you supply the imagination and building skills. For ages 5+. Booking required. Rhymetime Mondays, 2pm - 2.30pm Fridays, 11am - 11.30am Songs and nursery rhymes for babies and toddlers. Libraries also run regular story times for the under 5s. Booking needed, phone 01752 305633 Efford Library Rhymetime Tuesdays, 10.30am - 11am Songs and nursery rhymes for babies and toddlers. Libraries also run regular story times for the under 5s. Work Club Thursdays, 10am - 12pm Get help with searching for jobs, CVs, basic IT skills, interviews and more. Book Club Monthly, third Wednesday of the month Meet up to talk about what you’ve been reading. Each month there will be a different book to read and discuss. Peverell Painters We are a group of people who meet to paint. No pressure, use any medium (mostly watercolour used) you provide all your own materials, and we take turns
providing subjects, but do your own thing if wanted. Good, warm, light venue at Hope Baptist Church, Peverell, Plymouth. Cost for new artists £3 per week when attending for the first term, then join and pay upfront from then on for 10 week terms. We have an occasional tutor and pay accordingly if attending on that day. For any other details 01752 231139 answerphone on. NB Text return only to mobiles. Community Drop In A new community drop in session at Onward House 55 Greenbank Road Plymouth PL4 8PE, Thursdays 1-30 to 4 pm starting from 3rd May 2018. to include community information and creative activities All enquiries tel 07722308462. Craft Club Wednesdays Friends of Ford Park Cemetery in the Northey Rooms from 11am to 3pm. Gift stall available. Visitors welcome to join in the craft making or just go along and visit. The club meets throughout the year. Scottish Country Dancing Every Monday from 7.30 until 10 at Trinity United Reformed Church, Torr Lane Hartley. £3 an evening including a cup of tea and biscuits. We are a really friendly group and beginners are very welcome. You do not need a partner just soft shoes and a sense of humour. For further details contact Valerie on 01752 220241 or Mary on 01752 338785. 52nd Plymouth Scouts Mondays at Lipson Young people enjoy physical and mental challenges, and help in society. Age 6-8 at 5-6pm, Age 8-10 at 5.30-7pm, Age 10-14 at 7-8.30pm. www.52ndplymouthscouts.org.uk Contact 52ndplymouthscouts@gmail.com or 07999338959 Red ZUMBA for the More Mature Zumba for over 50’s (low impact). Every Monday afternoon 2pm to 3pm, at Pennycross Methodist Church, Pridham Lane, Peverell. Call in any Monday for a free taster, or call Elaine Foster 0779 1778671.
Barbican Theatre’s FUSE Diverse Dance team will bring their first full length dance theatre production to the Plymouth Athenaeum on February 15 and 16. ‘Put On Your Red Shoes’ is an invitation to attend the biggest, most eclectic, slightly topsy turvy, celebration of dance in Plymouth. FUSE Diverse Dance lead practitioner Suzie West said: “Our performance interweaves four worlds, many stories and a whole host of dancers from across the city. All styles, all cultures, all together. It’s been amazing working with the FUSE team and other incredible dancers and artists from the city to put this production together. The performance is split into two acts: Act One is a promenade performance where audiences will be guided around by characters, opening
doors to their worlds and memories. In Act Two, they’ll take their seats in the auditorium to see these stories unfold and characters meet. When booking their tickets audiences are asked to choose which audience group they’d like to be part of: Red Carnations, Red Stilettos or Red Threads. Each group will take a diverse adventure around the building and be immersed in different worlds, from swinging 30s, Latino lounges and modern day world fusions. But don’t worry - no adhoc audience participation required! Put On Your Red Shoes performances take place at the Plymouth Athenaeum on February 15 and February 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost just £8 full or £6 concessions (inclusive of all booking fees and charges). Book at barbicantheatre.co.uk or call 01752 267131.
Tots Time - St. Jude’s Mondays during term-time From 9.30 to 11.30 in the Upper Hall at St Jude’s Church on Beaumont Road, babies and toddlers are welcome with their carers at £1.50 per session. Tots Time provides toys, craft, snacks, drinks, singing, etc. For more details phone 078604573727.
and would like to explore the enjoyable pastime of painting in watercolour or acrylics we could offer some assistance. We also welcome all levels of proficiency as our aim is to enjoy our time painting with time to socialise over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit, all for £2.50 each night. Details Dave Crawford 01752 215179
for money, and a fun and a fantastic way to meet new friends no matter what age you are. Tuesday /Thursday Kids only Karate class 6.15- 7pm; Tuesday/Thursday Adult Beginners - Intermediate - Advanced from 7pm onwards ; Saturday Morning class Kids Karate class 10am onwards. For more info: Stuart Hick 07970379268 or stuart.hick@plymouthkarateacademy.co.uk
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Every Monday Compton Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Group for young people aged 14 to 23 years. Meet 7.30pm at Compton Methodist Church. Details 01752 706056.
Tothill Daytime Sequence Dancers Wednesdays Tothill Daytime Sequence Dancers meet at the Tothill Community Centre, Knighton Road, St Judes, Plymouth Sequence Tea Dance 2pm to 4pm. Everyone welcome. For information contact Frank and Janice Stanley on 01752 881557.
Keep Fit Classes Wednesdays Jackie Hamlin’s ladies keep fit class Wednesdays 10.15am - 11.15am or 6pm - 7pm at Hyde Park Social Club KFA registered, insured, low fees. Contact Jackie on 01752 672685. All proceeds to Alzheimer’s Society.
Arrows Kids Club Thursdays Held at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall every Thursday in term time. 6.30pm-8pm for all children aged 7-11 years. (Please note the Drake Circus Mall opposite the church is open till 8pm on Thursdays) Games, Craft, tuck shop, Bible stories, lots of fun. Only 50p per week. Lipson Lions Junior Hockey Club Training every Wednesday 6pm until 7pm at Lipson Community College. Currently need players of all age groups and ability particularly girls. Age groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. First two visits are free. Go along and try it. Details from Samantha on 0790 555 2318. Pennycross Sequence Dance Club Meets at the Holy Family Church Hall, Beacon Park Road, Plymouth. Mondays 6.30pm beginners class with step by step instruction. 7.45pm sequence dance. Fridays at 7.30pm for sequence dance. Baby & Toddler Group Every Friday Lipson Vale Primary School between 9.15am and 10.30am. New families welcome. Please call Kate Timothy or Elaine Bromhead on 01752 224801. Trinity Art Group Thursdays We are a small group of experienced artists who enjoy meeting and sharing our talents. We meet every week (ring for dates) at Trinity URC, Tor Lane, Hartley from 7pm to 9pm. If you are a beginner
Karate Club Mondays For those aged 11 years and over at Trinity United Reform Church, Tor Lane, Hartley between 6pm and 7.15pm. Details 07967 313285. Coffee mornings Last Wednesday of the month Run by the Highbury Trust Community Support Service, Outland Road between 10.30am and 12.30pm. All members of the public welcome to attend. For details 01752 753711 Plymouth Croquet Club Hartley Park Reservoir, Mannamead Road. New members welcome. Equipment and tuition available. For further information contact Plymouth 666801. Plymouth Karate Academy Various dates Based in Faraday Mill Cattedown the club is managed by Sensei Stuart Hick (4thDan), Sensei Jon Eaton (3rdDan) and Senpai Luke Irving (2ndDan). With more than 45 years combined experience all of the instructors are DBS checked, and teach Shotokan karate. With many advantages to learning karate, instructors teach traditional skills and self-defence with genuine applications to modern day situations. Students often say that they feel self-confident; have increased discipline, improved fitness levels and coordination. But above all, they all agree its great value
Waterfront Writers Fridays Meet every Friday during term time at The Swarthmore Education Centre, Mutley Plain 1pm to 3pm. Anyone who wishes to share or listen to poetry and prose is welcome. Visit www.waterfrontwriters. org.uk for more information. Laira Youth Brass Band Thursdays The City’s premier youth brass band meets at Woodford Methodist Church (next to the school) on Thursdays from 7.15 to 8.45 pm. Open to all youngsters from age eight upwards. Contact Tony Hollick on 01752 216784 for details. Celtic Music with a Twist Every First Thursday Kitty O’Hanlon’s, 9pm. Three Strand Minstrels play lively Celtic acoustic music at Kitty O’Hanlon’s. Mini Matts Parents & Toddler Group Mondays St Matthias Church Hall on the corner of Clifton Street & Bedford Park. 1.30pm to 3pm £1 per family per session. (during term time). Tennis Club Mannamead Tennis Club, Eggbuckland Rd welcomes new members. 4 hard courts and 2 grass courts. Coaching available. Contact info@mannamead.org.uk or phone 773652.
@PlymChronicle
COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
Pennycross Friendship Group Thursdays The group meet every Thursday at 2pm in the Pennycross Methodist Church, Pridham Lane off Beauchamp Road, Peverell. Interesting speakers and outings. New members always welcome. For details 01752 362099. Modern Sequence Dancing Tuesdays and Wednesdays Sequence dancing for all. Further details 01752 493311.
Popular comedian Nish Kumar at Theatre Royal
Mums and Babies Tuesdays in term time Mums and Babies is a support group for mums with babies from birth to eight months old. Come and meet other new mums and enjoy being spoilt by our sympathetic leaders with tea, coffee, biscuits and a listening ear. £2 a session. We meet at Hope Baptist Church Hall, Peverell Corner, Plymouth from 1pm to 2.30pm. For more information ring the church office on 01752 708090.
Sequenced Dance Saturdays St Gabriels Church Hall, Hyde Park 7.30pm to 10pm Toddler Group Thursdays Plymouth Christian Centre 9.30am to 11 am, term time only £1.50 per family. Contact Liz Crudgington on 661019 for details or see the www. plymouthchristiancentre.org Weekly Bingo Thursdays Tothill Community Centre, Knighton Road, St Jude’s 7pm. Entrance £1. Tea and biscuits 20p. Draw tickets on sale.
Regular events at Oasis, Stonehouse Monday and Tuesday Basic Computer course 9.30am to 11.30am free; Tuesday Art for all: try out a new skill 10am to 12 noon Tuesday Coffee morning; Thursday morning Spreadsheets and other computer skills; Thursday 10am to 12 noon art group; Thursday 2.30pm to 4.30pm Brush up on English; Friday afternoon 1.30pm to 4pm Job Club; First Friday of the month 4.30pm to 6pm Messy Church. Line Dancing Tuesday evenings. All levels, from beginner to advanced. 99 per cent country music. Very friendly club. Pennycross Methodist Church Hall, Beauchamp Rd Peverell Tel: Mike 07854 699683 Rainbow Singers Saturdays Come and join our happy band of rainbow singers sharing singing, fellowship and prayer. We meet at St Gabriel’s Church at 10.15 am most Saturdays. For more information please call 01752 262600. Rainbow Group Tuesdays The group meets at Mount Gould Church from 4.45pm to 5.45pm for girls aged from five to six and a half. For more information contact 07913697767 Sequence Dancing for All Saturdays St Gabriel’s Church Hall, Hyde Park Peverell, 7.30pm to 10pm. With tea and biscuits. Everyone welcome. Central Park Dog Walkers Association Daily Meet at 10am and 2pm every day at the Golf Cafe near Plymouth Life Centre. Very friendly and informal. For help and advice for all ages. Beavers, Cubs and Scouts Thursdays Tavy Lodge Scout Centre, off Lisson Grove, Mutley. Contact 01752 666706 or 9th21stplymouthscoutgroup@ gmail.com 5-6pm Beavers; 6.15-7.30pm Cubs; 7.45 -
Toddler Tunes Mondays Emmanuel Church Mannamead from 1.30pm to 3pm. 0-5 years with their parents of carers. Play, chat, action songs and refreshments. £1 per family.
Flamenco Beginners Lessons Thursdays Friendly and social group with a passion for Flamenco and Spanish culture. Lessons are for beginners but more experienced dancers are welcome as we use a range of levels where students can develop their technique through hand and arm movements and foot tapping. Flamenco is a fun way to exercise whilst learning this fiery and emotional dance. Meet at Plymouth School of Creative Arts (dance studio) 6-7pm Sevillanas Rumbas & Castanets 7-8pm Compas of 12 & Rumbas. For details call Mercedes on 07848836630 or FB Mercedes Romero Flamenco Salsa and more.
Keep Fit Classes Wednesdays 10.15am - 11.15am and 6pm - 7pm Hyde Park Social Club. KFA registered, insured, low fees.Details 01752 672685.
Fitness and Fun Touch Rugby Wednesdays Central Park Rugby Pitches 6.45pm-7.45pm OPM Rugby is the official Touch Rugby club for Plymouth. Come along and enjoy a great welcome. No rugby experience required. Have fun, get fit and make new friends. More details phone Ernie on 07809 209571 or www.opmrugby.com.
Ford Park Cemetery Gardening Club Third Sunday of the month The Club meets outside the Visitor Centre at 11.30am and is always looking for new members. If you have a few hours spare, why not go along and join them.
Pop Up Pilates Plymouth 11th Scout Hut, Peverell PL3 4PD. Mondays 1.30pm - 2.30pm Mixed Pilates. Tuesdays 6.30pm 7.15pm Pilates Buddy Family Class, 7.30pm - 8.30pm Mixed Pilates. Wednesdays 7.30pm - 8.30pm Men only class. Thursdays 12.30pm - 1.30pm and 6.30pm 7.30pm Mixed Pilates. All classes are pay as you go. For more information call Sarah on 07866 188085 or visit popuppilates.me.uk
Al-Anon Family Groups Are you concerned about someone’s drinking? A fellowship to help families and friends of alcoholics. Local meetings. Confidential Helpline 020 7403 088 www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Prince Rock Dog Training Club Puppies to adult classes, obedience training, socialisation. St James the Less Church Hall, Ham Drive; on Monday and Tuesday evenings, from 7.15pm. More details phone 01752 772411.
February 2019 23
Popular comedian Nish Kumar is coming to Plymouth. Host of the popular Mash Report on BBC2, he is appearing at the Theatre Royal on March 30. Having sold out the first leg of his brand new tour, he is extending the nationwide programme with a series of additional dates. Nish has achieved huge success on the stand-up circuit with five rave reviewed solo stand-up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, two of which had been nominated for the prestigious Comedy Award for Best Show in both 2015 and 2016. His new show will feature jokes about politics, mankind’s capacity for self-destruction and if this will lead to the end of days. For tickets and information visit www.theatreroyal.com
9.15pm Scouts. Open to young people from the ages of 6 to 14. Come along and join the winter adventures. Self Defence Classes Small but well-respected martial arts club. Classes most nights of the week at St Mary the Virgin Church, Federation Road, Laira. Classes for children and adults. For details visit www.budosocietymusashi.co.uk or call 07742 834366. Coffee Morning Last Saturday of the month Emmanuel Church Annex, Mannamead Road. There is a coffee morning with yummy cakes and preserves on the last Saturday of every month. Funds are raised for Christian charities. All are welcome. The church is easily accessible by bus. There are no coffee mornings in December. Reading Group Third Tuesday of month. Like reading? Like to share your views on books? We are a small friendly group who meet at the Hub in St Judes Church every month at 10.30am for approximately one hour to discuss chosen books and swap other reading experiences. All new members will receive a very warm welcome with free tea or coffee and biscuits. Goulden Girls Stitchers A patch work and quilting group who meet at Mount Gould Methodist Church on Thursday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. We are a friendly group of ladies who share our knowledge and skills. Help and advice available. Anyone interested in joining us please contact Pat King on 240560 Regular events at Plymouth Unitarian Church, Notte Street First Wednesday of every month 1pm to 2 pm. Quiet time in conjunction with Plymouth Centre for Faiths and Cultural Diversity. Speaker monthly and tranquil music. Oasis of calm on the second, third and fourth Wednesdays 1pm - 1.45 pm. Tranquil music and time for quiet reflection. Mindfulness at lunchtime first Tuesday of every month. Arrive at 12.30 pm bring food to share for lunch at 1 pm.
Emmanuel Tea Break Fridays New members welcome to join our club for mainly over 60’s, meeting at Emmanuel Church Hall, Mannamead, on Fridays at 2pm. A varied programme of indoor activities and occasional trips out. For more details call Richard on 707894. Pilates Class Mondays and Fridays Wesley Hall, Pennycross Mondays 6pm to 7pm Fridays 10am to 11am. £5 session need to bring a mat other equipment provided. Contact to book on 07401090025 or email tracywilmot@hotmail.co.uk Biblical Hebrew Language Classes Thursdays Reviving the passion in Biblical texts at Engage, St Levan Rd, Milehouse, at 7pm. Entrance by donation. Contact kehila@beit-ezra.org.il Country Dance Plymouth We meet on Tuesdays, 8pm -10pm in Trinity United Reformed Church Hall, Torr Lane, Hartley, PL3 5NY. We dance a wide range of country dances, from the 17th century to the present day, beginners are most welcome and partners not needed, good exercise for the body and mind. We don’t meet in June, July or August. Please call 07866980752 for more details. Tothill Bowls Short Mat Bowls Meets at the large hall, Tothill Park on Knighton Road, St Judes. Tuesday afternoons 2pm to 4pm, and Thursday mornings 10am to 12noon. Always looking for new male and female bowlers of any standard. Beginners welcome and tuition given. £2.50 per session. For further details contact Tony, Club Secretary on 01752 707475. Coffee Morning Last Saturday of month Emmanuel Church Annex, Mannamead Road. With yummy cakes and preserves. Funds are raised for Christian charities. All are welcome. The church is easily accessible by bus. There is no coffee morning in December.
RAF Association (Plymouth Branch) Dates of branch meetings for 2019 are as follows: Feb 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, Aug 28, Sept 25, Oct 23 and Nov 27. Meetings will start at 10.30am, followed by a coffee break around 11am, all held at Raffles Club, Ermington Terrace, Mutley, Plymouth. The Branch AGM, will be on March 6 at 12 noon, followed by a lunch break again at Raffles break. We look forward to meeting members old and new. Please try to come along to these meetings and show support to your Branch and the committee and also help to keep the association alive. RASC/RCT/RLC Association (Plymouth Branch) Branch meetings are now held on a Tuesday evening at 8pm in order that we may be able to meet up with the Army Reservists after their drill session. The branch meetings will be held as usual at the Army Reserve Centre Brest Road Derriford and the dates for 2019 are as follows: March 12, May 14, July 9, Sept 10, Nov 12. The AGM will be on Tuesday Jan 14, 2020 at 8pm. Please attend as many meetings as you can to give support to your committee, in order to keep the branch alive. If any member need support please contact the branch secretary or welfare officer. The Corps Annual Dinner will be held mid January 2020. Aden Veterans Calling all Aden Veterans. Did you know that the Aden Veterans Plymouth Branch meets every fourth Tuesday of the month at the RAOB Club in North Hill at 7.30pm. Why not go along and meet like-minded people. Adult Children of Alcoholics Meetings Tuesdays 6pm Р7.15pm. St Barnabas Church, The Lounge (enter by separate entrance to left of surgery), St Barnabas Terrace, Pennycomequick, Plymouth PL1 5NN. Visit the website at www.adultchildrenofalcoholics.co.uk. National Phone 01590 610 936. Badminton Club Fridays Non league club meets on Friday evenings at Whiteford Road, Plymouth to play casual badminton. All adults welcome including over fifties. For further details contact rcbeasley@btinternet.com Book Stall, Social Call Second Saturday of month Join in the games and fun at Plymouth Unitarian Church, Notte Street. Books, tea, coffee and cake for sale. 2pm to 4pm. Proceeds to support the local Samaritans and the Smile train, an overseasd medical charity, repairing hair lips and cleft palates. Breathe Easy Plymouth First Tuesday of the month Breathe Easy Plymouth, a local support group for anyone with a lung condition, their carers or anyone interested in supporting the group, meets regularly at Tothill Community Centre at 1.30 pm on the first Tuesday of each month. Entry is free and there is tea and coffee with biscuits, then usually a speaker. All are welcome. For more details phone Anne on 01752 402310 or Christine on 01752 220919
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• continued from page 23 Buddhist meditation classes Weekday lunchtime meditations 12.15pm - 12.45pm, Wednesday evenings - Introduction to meditation class - 7.30pm - 8.30pm, Thursday evenings - 7.30pm - 9.30pm Meditation - The Art Of Positive Thinking, Sunday mornings 11.30am - 12.30pm Find Inner Peace, Sunday mornings - Children’s classes - 10.30am 11.15am. Held at Ashoka Kadampa Buddhist Centre, 33 Sutherland Road, Plymouth. Tel 01752 224137 www.meditationinplymouth.org Clog dancing Thursdays A fun way to exercise! The Plymouth Maids clog dancers are a small, friendly group of women who welcome new members. From the beginning of October to the end of April we practice at St Bartholomew’s Church Hall, opposite the Life Centre, on Thursdays 8 - 9.45pm. During the summer we dance out on Thursday evenings at various pubs and other venues in and around Plymouth. We also dance at occasional folk festivals and days of dance. No previous dance experience is needed, just a sense of rhythm. Come along and give it a try. For details contact Jacqui on 07814 355844. Club Focus Camera Club Mondays Meets at the Future Inn, William Prance Road, Plymouth. Meets first and third Monday of the month from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. For details see www. clubfocusplymouth.co.uk Community Dance Classes Exim have weekly Toddle Together dance classes on Mondays at Plymouth School of Creative Arts on Mondays from 9am to 9.45am. Parent/carer toddler sessions open to all ages crawling to four years. £3.50. Children’s contemporary dance (6-10 years) Thursdays in term time at Plymouth School of Creative Arts 4.30pm to 5.30pm. £4.50 per class. Adult just for fun contemporary dance at the same venue 6pm to 7pm Thursdays. £4.50 per class. Also Spaceshot dance classes every Wednesday at St Aidan’s Church, Ernesettle every Wednesday from 6pm to 8pm. A mixture of street dance, fitness and contemporary. Free. Details e-mail Kerrie at kerrie@eximdance.org.uk CSPA Second Tuesday of the month The Civil Service Pensioners Alliance meet at the Raffles Club, 5 Ermington Terrace, Mutley from 10.30am to 12 noon. All members of the Plymouth and District branch are welcome to attend. For more information call 01752 946896. Dancing Duo Fortnightly on Saturdays The Elm Community Centre, Estover PL6 8EU 7.45pm to 10.45pm with Henry and Jeannie. Ballroom, Latin, Sequence, Old Time and more. Free parking. Entry £6. Bring your own soft drinks and snacks. For more information call Jeannie on 01803 325905 or visit www.dancingduo.co.uk Dartmoor Gliding Friendly Flying on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. Call 07873 483001 for details or Google Dartmoor Flying. Devon Army Cadet Force Voluntary uniformed youth organisation which allows young people aged from 12 to 18 to gain a wide variety of skills and experiences. There is no commitment to join the military, you don’t even need an interest in the military. Parade two nights a week at eight different locations in the Plymouth and surrounding areas. For details of local detachment and further information please call 01752261525. The telephone line is not manned 24 hours so please feel free to leave a message. Eddystone Model Flying Club Provide help and free instruction for flying radio control fixed wing. Members fly 24/7 weather permitting. New members are welcome as well as experienced fliers. For details visit www.eddystonemfc. net or phone Dave on 07941 040633 or Mike on 01752 403124. Families Need Fathers (FNF) Second Wednesday of every month Monthly support meeting 7.30pm to 10pm at the RAOB Club, 41 North Hill, Plymouth, PL4 8EZ. If you are separating or divorcing and are worried about not seeing your children, please come to our monthly meeting for support, information and advice. Talk to people in a similar situation or who have been through similar experiences and understand the family court process. FNF is a registered charity founded in 1974 that helps thousands of parents every year. We believe that each parent has a unique contribution to make to their children’s development
Leading law firm appoints Katy as marketing director Multi-million pound Plymouth law firm, GA Solicitors, has promoted Katy McKenna, a marketing professional with nearly 15 years of experience, to marketing and communications director.
Having previously undertaken a number of inhouse and agency roles, Katy has worked with a wide range of regional, national and international brands securing press coverage in the US and China, as well as in numerous national magazines and newspapers. She joined GA Solicitors in 2012 as marketing executive and was quickly promoted to marketing manager after significantly raising the firm’s profile and spearheading the firm’s rebrand from Gill Akaster Solicitors to GA Solicitors. The start of 2019 sees her role expand to also focus on client service, including management of the firm’s reception team, as well as to facilitate and identify business development opportunities for the firm. Stephen Ramsden, managing partner of GA Solicitors commented: “Katy has brought a fresh approach to the marketing of the firm and the
and that children have a right to enjoy a loving relationship with both parents after separation. Meetings are open to mothers and fathers and to family members and friends who would like to attend with or on behalf of a parent. For more information, please call Andrew Bull (general secretary) on 01752 793 325, e-mail us at info@plymouth.fnf.org.uk, or visit the website at plymouth.fnf.org.uk GraceNotes Acapella Group Mondays, Burraton Community Centre, Saltash. 7.30pm to 10pm. GraceNotes Acapella is a ladies close harmony acapella chorus who sing a wide and varied repertoire from traditional barbershop songs, through to modern Disney classics! Competing both locally and nationally, as well as performing at many singouts throughout the year, new members are always welcome! Rock up to a rehearsal and see what we do! Email gracenotessaltash@gmail.com or find them on social media for more information. Harbour Centre Recovery Café Fridays Female-focused social group for those in recovery from drugs and alcohol. Tea, coffee, regular activities promoting independence, empowerment and positive social/support networks in recovery. Child-friendly. 11am-2pm at Unit 2, 1st Floor, Hyde Park House, Mutley Plain. For more information and support to attend please contact Lynn McKenzie (Harbour Drug and Alcohol Services) on 01752 434299 or email lynn. mckenzie1@nhs.net National Trust Plymouth Centre (NTPC) The group helps members to make even more of their NT membership and meet like minded people. Meetings take place on the last Wednesday of the month at 2pm at St Peter’s Lutheran Church, Larkham Lane, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 4PG. Entrance is £3 for members and £4 non-members which includes light refreshments. Any queries regarding membership please contact Judy Unitt on 01752 290437 or email: judy.ntt@gmail.com. Kreative Kidz Tuesdays Crafts, Science and cookery- age 6 months - preschool 12.30pm to 2pm. £5 or £4 if booked in four week blocks. To book email: info:wkuk.org Unit 34 Scott Business Park, Beacon Park Road, Plymouth.
scope of her role has changed significantly since she joined in 2012. Starting in a relatively junior position she demonstrated the impact that strategic marketing can have in regards to staff engagement and the bottom line, expanding both the role and her position in a short space of time. “This latest promotion is testament to the skills and commitment she has demonstrated over the last six years. Client service has remained a focal point for the firm and Katy is well placed to manage this process, from a client’s first contact through to matter conclusion.” Speaking of her promotion, Katy McKenna added: “Before starting at GA I was unsure what to expect. When I joined I found a modern and innovative law firm which was keen to hear my thoughts, accepted my recommendations and engaged with all aspects of the marketing strategy. “This level of support ensured I was able to secure results and, best of all, that every day I have been able to enjoy my work – not something everyone can say!” Krafty Kidz Tuesdays Childrens activity workshops from ages 5 to 16. Cooker, crafts and STEM activities. £5 per session includes materials. 5.30pm to 7pm.To book email: info@wkuk.org. Unit 34 Scott Business Park, Beacon Park Road, Plymouth. Wk’d Wednesdays Adults activity workshops - activities range from crafts, cooking, woodworking, furniture up cycling, sewing. £10 per session includes materials. Accompanied children welcome. To book email: info@wkuk.org. Every Wednesday 6pm to 8pm Unit 34 Scott Business Park, Beacon Park Road, Plymouth. Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club Various dates We meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5.30pm and Sunday mornings at 9.30am at Richmond Walk Devonport. We row out to sea, in The Sound and up the Tamar & Plym rivers. Ages from 14 and all abilities welcome. We run learn to row sessions. Contact secretarymorc@hotmail.co.uk or Jeff Keast 07865 228800. Moors Edge U3A Second Thursday of the month New members welcome. Meets at the Woolwell Centre PL6 7TR. Guest speakers and a variety of social events. Growing number of interest groups including bridge for beginners, wine tasting, weekenders, jazz, Spanish, art appreciation and still more to start. Details of groups etc can be found on the Moors Edge website, Facebook and reminders are now put on Streetlife.
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just down from Milehouse traffic lights going towards St Budeaux. These meetings start 10.30am and end at 1pm, many buses stop outside the Co-op and if you come by car parking is usually available. We also have regular social meetings and would like to advise everyone that these will now be held at the Oak Villa Sports & Social Club in Ferndale Road, Plymouth (PL2 2EL) just down the road from Weston Mill Cemetery. The No 13 Target Travel bus stops quite near it, and there is a large car park virtually next door to the hall. These meetings are from 2pm to 4pm and we supply a very good buffet and as with all of our meetings we do have a raffle. Members of our group have free access but non-members will be asked to pay £2. Anyone intending to come regularly to these meetings would find it more economical to pay the £12 single £20 double annual membership fee, and would also be eligible to take advantage of our subsidised taxi scheme (£2 each way). Members are also able to enjoy our regular meetings when we have short mat bowls, darts and other activities, and come to the two meals out every year. So anyone looking for good company and interesting meetings and would like more information please contact the Secretary Mrs Margaret Williams 01752 350498 or email tomag42@ hotmail.co.uk Performance Training (5-25s) Barbican Theatre’s dance and theatre workshops enable young people to build their confidence and learn new skills and techniques alongside professionals. Visit www.barbicantheatre.co.uk or call 01752 267131. Play-writing, Performing, & Creative Writing The Playwriters Organisation meets on Monday nights (6-8pm) for Creative Writing & Acting, Wednesday nights(6-8pm) for Acting & Theatre Production, Friday (10.15am-12.30pm) for Play-writing & Creative Writing. All sessions are at the Playwriters mini-theatre above The Noah’s Ark, Courtney St (behind WHSmith). Contact on 01752786777 for more details or go to www.playwriters.org. Plymouth Archers Tuesday and Friday Archers who are registered with Archery GB are very welcome to come along. We run taster and beginner’s sessions throughout the year and have very good indoor and outdoor facilities at Stoke Damerel Community College. For more information visit www.plymoutharchers.co.uk or contact the chairman on 01752 784051 mobile 07443432375. The club is open to anyone over the age of 10 and the school has very good disability access. We also arrange social activities throughout the year. Sessions take place between 7pm and 9pm. Plymouth Petanque Club A friendly club and a great way to be active for people of any age and ability. We meet for social games every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons throughout the year. Average attendance is about 25 -30 players. These sessions are suitable for new players as we play to basic rules with the emphasis on fun, and we always stop halfway through for tea and biscuits (or cake for celebrations!) and a chat. We play at Brickfields Sports Centre and further information can be found on our newly updated website. www. plymouthpetanque.org.uk Plymouth Karate Academy Various dates Based in Faraday Mill Cattedown the club is managed by Sensei Stuart Hick (4thDan), Sensei Jon Eaton (3rdDan) and Senpai Luke Irving (2ndDan). With more than 45 years combined experience all of the instructors are DBS checked, and teach Shotokan karate. Tuesday / Thursday Kids only Karate class 6.15- 7pm; Tuesday/ Thursday Adult Beginners - Intermediate - Advanced from 7pm onwards ; Saturday Morning class Kids Karate class 10am onwards. For more info: Stuart Hick 07970379268 or stuart.hick@plymouthkarateacademy. co.uk
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Phobias Support Group Meets on Mondays at the Estover Elm Centre at 6.30pm. For details contact Daniel on 07500 837703
Plymouth Handball Club Thursdays Between 6pm and 7pm at Plymouth Life Centre. Come and play an Olympic sport. A fun/recreational session for adults 18+. All levels and abilities welcome. Session is £3 (1st session free) Contact Dave 07983605639, Facebook Plymouth Handball Club, email plymouthhandballclub@hotmail.com
Pensioners & Fifty Plus Action Group If you are more than fifty years old and live in the Plymouth area we invite you to come to our regular meetings and meet some new friends. On the second Friday of each month we have free meetings and invite MPs, local councillors, local businesses, anyone able to speak on issues that affect older people, to come and talk to us. These meetings are held in the Wolseley Trust Community Building (next to Sheila’s Café in Wolseley Road), behind the Co-op
Plymouth Musical Activities Club Thursdays A music group for young people aged 9-18 supported by volunteer staff members. At Pmac we teach flute, clarinet, drums, keyboards, singing and guitar. Meet every Thursday at Courtlands School in Eggbuckland from 7.15pm to 9.15pm. The charge is just £1 a week and people of all abilities are welcome. The group plays at lots of different venues and events throughout the year such as Devonport Playhouse, Lord Mayor’s day,
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Eden Project and many more. If you are interested in joining please call our treasurer Angela fuller on 01752 773482 or check out the Pmac website www. plymouthmac.co.uk Plymouth Numismatic Society Third Tuesday each month 7:30pm Coin collection and study can be an absorbing and rewarding pastime. New members are welcomed to informal meetings to share interest and knowledge of coins, providing the opportunity to give talks and presentations on any aspect of numismatics. This can range from studies of coins in historical, cultural or artistic context, to acquisitions, valuations and investment. Or members can just listen, learn and enjoy the company. Contact Bryan on 01752 480394 for more details and current location of meetings.
Service and veterans children quiz local MPs
Plymouth Proprietary Library Weekdays except Friday The Library has moved into new premises in the former doctor’s surgery in St Barnabas Terrace in Stoke. The library is now open and continuing to run its usual activities which range from reading and poetry groups to monthly lunchtime talks and coffee mornings. Suggestions as to new groups and ways which the library can reach out to the wider community are always welcome. Open every week day except Friday from 11am-3pm. So why not take advantage of the free parking and call in for a coffee and a look round? Plymouth Shakespeare Society Meets twice a month from September to May at the Burgess Hall (behind the Unitarian Church) Notte Street, Plymouth from 2.30 - 4.30 p.m. Everyone welcome. Further details call 257764. Plymouth Skywatch Meet at St Budeaux Parish Church Hall every third Friday of the month at 7.30pm. The meeting usually consists of highlights of the night sky for the following month followed by a talk on an astronomy-related subject. There is a break in between with tea and coffee available. Plymouth Visually Impaired Bowls Club We play in the Plymouth Life Centre at the bowls hall on Tuesday morning from 10.30am to 1.30 pm and Friday morning from 12 noon to 2 30pm. In the summer we play on Tuesdays and Fridays on The Hoe from 10 30am to 1.30pm .If you require any more information please contact Colin Harris on 01752 222184. Plymouth and District Advanced Motorists Group Monthly meetings on the third Monday of each month at the United Reformed Church Hall, Powisland Drive, Derriford. The meeting begins at 7.30p.m. with doors opening at seven. Guest speaker each month. Details 01752 405926 Plymouth Bridge Club We meet for sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at 7pm, or Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 1pm. It is thought that learning a foreign language or playing bridge is conducive to maintaining a healthy brain. The former is difficult whilst the latter is much easier. We also offer teaching for beginners and intermediates either Monday mornings at 10.15am or Thursday evenings at 7pm. Why don’t you call Steven Lacey on 07990 521570 or email admin@plymouthbridge.co.uk and come along and join our friendly and conveniently situated members owned club, just off Mutley Plain. Plymouth Magic Circle Every second Thursday We meet the second Thursday of every month at The Walrus, Athenaeum Street, from 7pm to 9pm. If you would like to join us, come along to a meeting. A list of current events is at www.plymouthmagiccircle.co.uk Plymouth Children’s Theatre Workshop Saturdays A theatre company for children and young people aged 6 to 18. Try your hand at performing, set design and construction, costumes and props, stage make up and much more. St Bartholomew’s Church Saturdays 1 till 4. Tots 3 - 5 years 12 till 1.
The Quaker House on Mutley Plain. Timings 2 pm until 4.30 pm for a normal lecture. Contact Details: janis. naylor@aol.co.uk Pray Plymouth Every Wednesday morning Organised by Churches Together in Plymouth from 7am to 8am at Open Doors Language School, 14-15, Woodland Terrace Lane, Greenbank, Plymouth. Breakfast from 8am to 9am. Details 01752 249187. Plymouth Community Choir Monday Evenings Meet at Salvation Army Congress Hall, Armada Way, Plymouth from 7pm to 9pm. New members are welcome, just come along for a free taster session at the beginning of the term, or contact the choir leader. Terms are 12 weeks long and we sing a variety of music such as gospel, contemporary, sacred, world folk, pop, funky bass lines etc. No previous experience is necessary and you don’t need to be able to read music as we learn ‘by ear’ and repetition. Come and give us a try and see what you think! Our choir leader is Sarah Pennington and she can be contacted on 01392 437792 or by email plymouthcommunitychoir@ gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you!
Plymouth Lymphoma Support Group Second Thursday of the month The Plymouth Lymphoma Support Group aims to offer friendship and support to anyone who is affected by Lymphoma (Hodgkins or Non Hodgkins Disease), whether patient (past or present), carer, family member or friend, and meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Derriford Health and Wellbeing Centre from 3pm to 4.30 pm. For information, please call Pam on 01752 785094 or Scott on 01752 661035 Plymouth Play Association For hire of resources for play, recycling scrapstore and arts and crafts. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday 10am-2pm, Thursday 10am-7pm. Details 01752 256633.
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A group of Plymouth children got the chance to put their MPs in the hot seat.
The special event at the Council House saw more than 100 children and young people from the Military Kids Club (MKC) Heroes asking Plymouth’s three MPs Sir Gary Streeter, Luke Pollard and Johnny Mercer questions linked to their military family lives. Topics discussed included the impact of Brexit on the Armed Forces, military children having to change schools and the quality of accommodation for service people. The event was organised and chaired by the MKC Heroes Ambassadors’ group of secondary students and included students from 34 schools in the Plymouth area. Madison Watkins, one of the chairpeople for the session said: “This was a great opportunity for MKC Heroes to talk with our MPs about what matters to us. We are pleased they are working together to help service and veterans’ children.” MKC Heroes is a national support group for the children of service men and women and their relatives and is supported by The Royal British Legion and Plymouth City Council. It brings together members of service families from all over the country, who are friends for each other, especially in times of need.
It has over 7,000 members across the United Kingdom and in the Falkland Islands and was started in Plymouth. Plymouth Council supported the development of a local cluster, which now has 160 schools nationwide. MKC Heroes are members of Plymouth Armed Forces Covenant and Plymouth City Youth Council. Susanne Archard, area manager for The Royal British Legion in Devon and Cornwall, said: “The children and young people from MKC Heroes do a really important job as young advocates for service families. “Most importantly, they are friends for each other and can provide advice for some of the different challenges these young people face such as having to move home and change schools, whilst often having a parent away. We are grateful for the work of Plymouth City Council who kick-started and help build the group from scratch.” Sir Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon, said: “It was great to listen to some very penetrative questions from the Club members, who raised some very relevant issues, such as the issue of changing schools frequently. It was a positive, vibrant meeting and I enjoyed the discussion.”
www.plymouthchildrenstheatreworkshop.co.uk or 07760467857 or see our Facebook page
£3 for non-members. For more information call David on 017523 268777.
Plymouth Philatelic Society First Wednesday of every month St. Edwards Hall, Home Park Avenue, Peverell from 7pm to 9pm. For details contact David on 01752 402981.
Plymouth U3A Second Monday of the month If you are retired, no longer in full time employment looking for new interests and to make new friends, then come along to the next monthly meeting of the Plymouth U3A and listen to our speaker. We meet at The Crowne Plaza from 10am to 12pm. Coffee available on arrival. U3A (University of the 3rd Age) is organised and run by volunteers, there are over 70 groups to find out about and maybe join, creating opportunities for continuation of learning. A non member can attend as a visitor, further information can be obtained via the welcome and promotions desk on the day, or in advance by telephoning 01752 563551, joining on the day is also an option. We look forward to meeting you.
Plymouth Radio Club Second Tuesday of every month. The Plymouth Radio Club meets second Tuesday of every month at the Weston Mill Oak Villa social Club, Situated in Ferndale Road, Weston Mill, Plymouth. Commencing 7.30 pm. For all licenced Radio Amateurs and anyone interested in amateur radio. For those wishing to obtain a licence, email pippa117@hotmail. co.uk or telephone 07815542477. Plymouth West Country Embroiderers Various dates Started in 1972. A friendly group of enthusiastic needleworkers who enjoy sharing their knowledge and expertise with others. Trainees (age 8-15) meet first Saturday each month from 11am to 3pm. Adults meet on second Thursday and fourth Saturday each month from 10.30am. We welcome experts and beginners of all ages. Contact Mary 01752 200047 for details. Plymouth Woodturners Third Friday of the month Meet at Pilgrim Church, St Levan Road at 7pm. Also demonstrate and sell at Otter Nurseries, Brixton, the first weekend of every month. New members always welcome, just turn up on the night. Plymouth Meet Up Group First Tuesday of the month A social group for people with disabilities. Meets at Igrow Workspace 25 Phoenix Street from 4pm to 7pm for a chat and games and a short walk to the nearby Mount Pleasant pub for a meal. £2 for members and
Plymouth Fishkeepers Society First and Second Wednesday of the Month. 8pm at the Hyde Park Social Club. If you are interested in the hobby of keeping tropical fish and want to learn more, then why not come along to one of our meetings. Interests among members are diverse, and there is without doubt someone in the society who can answer questions covering most aspects of the hobby. The society caters for newcomers to people who have been in the hobby for a long time. Just bought your first fish tank? Then Plymouth Fishkeepers Society is the place for you. Plymouth & District Egyptology Society First Saturday of the month We are a society of some 50 members whose passion is all things related to Ancient Egypt. Between the months of September of one year to May of the next, we meet on the first Saturday of each of those months, including Day Schools, and long weekend visits to UK and European cities to view Museum Egyptology Exhibitions, enjoying the local sights etc. The Society meets at the
Plymouth Cycling Touring Club Meet Sundays for a leisure cycle ride. For our latest rides list and meet time/place see www.plymouthctc. co.uk or contact Graham Black 01752 606650 or Andy Prideaux 01752 345170 for more information. Plymouth Die-Cast Model Collectors Club First Wednesday of the month A club for anyone interested in or a collector of old toys, Dinky, Corgi, Tinplate etc. Meetings are quite informal, any club business is discussed along with a good gossip over a cup of tea or coffee. The meetings are held at the Jan Cutting Centre, Beacon Park Road, Plymouth from 7pm - 9pm. New members are always made very welcome with no charge for a first visit. For further details or information please contact Paul Simmons, telephone 01752 846250, or check out the Club web site www.plymouthdiecastclub.com. Plymouth & District Koi Keepers Society First Wednesday of the month If you are interested in koi keeping, or thinking of building a pond and want to learn more, then why not come along to one of our meetings. We have guest speakers, presentations, visits to club member’s ponds before finishing the evening back at the clubhouse. At the weekends trips are arranged to visit other koi club’s ponds and koi shows and these are excellent days out. Meet at 7.30 pm in the lounge of the Tamar View Community Centre, Miers Close, Barne Barton, Plymouth. New members always welcome. For more details of club activities please visit www. plymouthanddistrictkoikeeperssociety.org or ring Sandra Crocker on 01752 210118. Plymouth Pisces Swimming Club for all Disabilities Sundays 11.15am to 1.15pm at Plymouth Life Centre. Adults £2.50 per session, children £2 per session. Under 5s free. Annual membership £5. Plym Ramblers First and third Sunday in the month A well estab lished walking organisation offering regular walks by experienced leaders all within 20 miles of Plymouth. The group meets every first and third Sunday in the month and also hold interesting social events. For details contact the secretary on 344048 or the chairman on 405132. Plym Ramblers have now published their walking book “On the beaten track 4” the fourth book in a popular series of local walks. Plymouth Inter Varsity Club We are looking for lively, interesting people who want variety in their social lives and would like to mix with others in a friendly, local social group run by its members, for its members. We enjoy a wide range of activities eg meals out, cycling, themed party nights, walking, canoeing, theatre, reading group and weekends away. Want to know more? You can go to our website www.plymouthivc.org , look at what we do and complete an enquiry or contact 01752 550492 or 07810065982. Boys’ Brigade Various dates and Venues For more information visit www.boys-brigade.org.uk or Facebook, Boy’s Brigade Plymouth. 1st Plymouth Salisbury Road Baptist Church (Fridays); 2nd Plymouth - Ridgeway Methodist Church (Mondays); 4th Plymouth - St Judes Church (Wednesdays); 5th Plymouth - Mount Gould Methodist Church (Fridays); 7th Plymouth Pennycross Methodist Church (Fridays); 8th Plymouth - Ford Baptist Church (Wednesdays). New members very welcome. Age groups: Anchors (5-8); Juniors (8-11)
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COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
• continued from page 25 and Company/Seniors (11-18). The Boys’ Brigade can help your church in its mission to children and young people. 5th Plymouth Company Boys’ Brigade and Girls Association We meet at Mount Gould Methodist Church, term time, and are looking to recruit both boys and girls aged 5-8yrs (6.30pm-7.45pm), 8-11yrs (6.30-8pm) and 11-18yrs (6.30-9pm). Our programme is very varied and includes craftwork, cookery, games, computer work, interactive challenges, sports competitions, sponsored fundraising and much more plus the year ending event - summer camp (8yrs+). Many of the skills learnt here can help prepare them for adult life. Interested - then come along to the church on Friday or contact Hugh Porter, 01752 667513, or email porterbb@ blueyonder.co.uk 7th Plymouth Company Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association Fridays We meet at Pennycross Methodist Church in term time, Anchors (5-8 years) between 6.15pm and 7.15pm; Juniors (8-11 years) from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and Seniors (12-18 years) between 7pm and 9.45pm. There is a full programme of activities including crafts, games, drama, music, cookery, interactive challenges, national sport competitions and much more. The year culminates in a week-long summer camp. Our programme enables youngsters to learn many various skills and prepares them for adult life. Simply go along on Fridays to find out more or visit 7plymouth. boys-brigade.org.uk Plymouth Writers Circle Tuesdays Do you have a problem with plotting or characterisation. The Plymouth Writers Circle meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10am to 12 noon at the Plymstock Community Centre (except in the summer holidays). Plymouth Clarion Choir (Male Voice) Tuesdays Rehearsals between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at Crownhill Methodist Church Hall with break in between for refreshments. Nice friendly atmosphere and a variety of music sung. Why not come along and see what it is all about. Musical director Catherine Davies, accompanist Olga Drougaleva. For details call Darell Jago on 01752 266434. Plymouth School of Aikido Non-profit well-respected community based Martial Arts club founded over 35 years ago. Classes at Woodview Learning Campus (off Lancaster Gardens, Whitleigh) on Mondays and Coombe Dean School, Elburton, Plymstock on Fridays. Times: 7- 8pm Juniors, 7-9pm Adults. Aikido is a Japanese Martial Art suitable for both Men and Women learning and working together. Enjoyable, interesting, useful, physical, family-friendly activity with Child Safeguarded/DBS Nationally qualified Instructors leading to recognised gradings appropriate for students of all ages 7yrs to 70yrs. Fees with concessions; excellent value. Quality equipment including clothing available for purchase at non-profit prices. Checkout www.plymouthaikido. co.uk or Facebook Page. Contact Tre or David Worsley 403325, or Phil Smith 219355 for more information. Port of Plymouth Canoe Association Mondays , Thursdays and Saturdays May until September. Offering various introductory, taster and child ( 8-11 ) sessions throughout the spring and summer. For more information please contact Tracy Jones 01752 510653 email intro@ppca-club.org.uk or visit www.ppca-canoe-club.org.uk Road to Recovery Group of Alcoholics Anonymous Open Meeting every Friday at St Matthias Church Hall, North Hill. Doors open 6.30pm. Meeting 7pm- 9pm. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, you are welcome to attend. Family, friends, health professionals etc also welcome. Contact: Matt 07766 006 153 or Jo 07918 141715. AA Helpline: 0800 9177 650. Snack ‘N’ Chat Tuesdays Friendship group for the bereaved and those who live alone. From 10.30am to 12.30pm in the Coffee Corner in the Minster Church of St Andrew in the city centre. A community project run by two trained Counsellors and two trained listeners. Come and enjoy coffee, tea and home made cake and talk through how things are for you. Only 50p per session. Plymouth Hockey Club Sundays Plymouth Hockey Club is the oldest junior club in the city and has recently achieved the highest award for organisation and safeguarding. The club is operated by parents for all children and young people. The club
STEM returners wanted by Babcock for Devonport
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Further information www.sopd.org.uk The Arts Society South Devon We are part of The Arts Society, the National Association, and have about 250 members. We hold monthly evening lectures on a wide range of Arts topics, occasional morning lectures, Study Days, Tours, Visits and Concert visits. We would be pleased to welcome new members and introductory guest visits are available. See website for programme information and other details (www.theartssocietysouthdevon. org.uk) or contact Jim Stevens, Membership Secretary (jst74@hotmail.co.uk). Tai Chi Beginners Classes Various dates Established in Plymouth since 1995. A friendly group covering all aspects of Tai Chi training for health and well being. Tai Chi is a gentle way to exercise and build strength. For those more keen, it is a complete form of body and mind martial arts system from ancient China suitable for all ages 5 to 95! To get more information, please drop into the class held every Tuesday 6.45pm at Mount Street Primary School, Greenbank, or any other class advertised on www.wutan-plymouth.co.uk. Tel. 07949 839088
Babcock International is looking for qualified engineers looking to return to work after career breaks.
Launching in April 2019, Babcock will begin a STEM Returners programme at its Devonport facility following the success of a similar return to work initiative for engineers at its Bristol base. The initial programme, aimed at getting engineers working again following breaks in their working lives, runs for 13 weeks. With two of the original five ‘returners’ on the Bristol programme now in full time employment with the company, Babcock will extend the initiative and run STEM Returners at its facility on the southwest coast specifically targeting those with Mechanical and Design Engineering and Senior Safety Case Engineering skills experience. Aimed at these already highly-qualified male and female engineers, Babcock’s programme, in partnership with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) and the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), will offer returners’ the chance to refresh their technical training, workplace experience and take advantage of specialised mentoring and coaching. Craig Lockhart, managing director of
trains every Sunday between 10am - 1pm at Bull Point ATP. The club cater for young people from 4-16 years and no previous experience is required. The first 6 weeks are free to new members and everyone who trains gets to play. For more information, please see the website at www.plymouthhockeyclub.org.uk or contact Rob on 07861 250682. Solaris Yoga Enjoy vital relaxation, strengthening and toning muscles. Pregnancy yoga, mum and baby yoga and adult yoga held at Plymouth Swallows, St Andrew’s Cross, Church of the Holy Spirit Southway, Crownhill Fort and Jump. Please call Shilpa on 0771 1899 530 for times of classes. Soundhouse Brass and Soundhouse Youth Brass Academy Thursdays Want to play with one of the finest Brass Bands in Devon then why not come along and give us a try. We also have a thriving Youth Band for younger players which is supported by Plymouth Youth Music Service. Both groups practice at The Soundhouse, Torbridge High School, Estover on Thursday evenings (Juniors 6p.m. to 7.30p.m. and Seniors 7.30-9.45p.m) Come along any evening, visit our website www. soundhousebrass.co.uk or ring Alan 01752844108 (Senior Band) or Garry 0744618977 (Youth Band) for further details. South West Chamber Choir Wednesdays Marjon Chapel 7.30 to 9.30 pm. We are a friendly auditioned choir of 25 to 30 singers specialising in unaccompanied singing, with a programme of madrigals, partsongs and sacred works. We give four concerts annually as well as a weekend of sung services at a cathedral each July. A reasonable
Naval Marine at Babcock International said: “As one of the largest and most complex engineering businesses in the UK, we are excited to launch a STEM Returners initiative in Devonport which is designed to encourage skilled engineers back to the workplace. Our engineering sector is at the forefront of modern thinking and is embracing new technologies which provide the ultimate opportunity for engineers to return to a dynamic environment.” He added: “Babcock is looking for qualified and enthusiastic engineers to join the programme with the opportunity of securing a career with us going forward.” As well as attracting those returning from a career break, the programme is also looking to encourage individuals currently working in other industries but who are looking to transfer to the engineering sector to apply. Babcock and STEM Returners are committed to creating long term back to work opportunities. All candidates will be assessed for a permanent position at the end of a placement and job offers will be made to those successfully fulfilling the programme requirements. Candidates wishing to apply have until February 8 and can do so through: www. stemreturners.com/returner-registration standard of sight-reading is needed to join. We welcome enquiries. www.swcchoir.org.uk Shotokan Karate Club Shotokan Karate club in Devonport High school for Girls on Monday and Friday evenings for all ages and grades starting at 6pm. This is an authentic Japanese art, taught in the same disciplined manner instilling personal responsibility for actions, promoting confidence and self esteem. Karate taught in this environment is deemed to be beneficial for all ages and genders. All Instructors DBS checked, safeguarding and first aid trained. Contact club secretary Steve on 07518471142 or Colin on 07968061887. Shotokan Karate Club in Eggbuckland Community college Drama studio on Wednesday evenings from 7.00 to 8.30 for all ages and grades. . An authentic Japanese art, all Instructors DBS checked, safeguarding and first aid trained. Contact Georgina on 07807184279. Children’s Shotokan Karate Class in St Budeaux parish church hall, specifically for ages 7 to 12 years old, parents can train alongside their children in a relaxed and friendly environment. All Instructors DBS checked, safeguarding and first aid trained. Saturday mornings 10am to 11am Contact Georgina on 07807184279 Tea Morning Wednesdays Plymouth Unitarian Cafe 10am - 12 noon. Why not drop in for a bit of relaxation, a cuppa, knitting, a game, some reading or colouring? Or just have a sit down and rest. Dementia friendly. Tea/coffee and a biscuit 60p. All money taken goes to our charities for the year, Plymouth Samaritans and the Smile Train The Specials Wednesday Club For adults with learning disabilities. YMCA Plymouth, Honicknowle Lane from 6pm to 8pm £3 per week.
Tamar Valley Westerners Sundays Established for more than 20 years, Tamar Valley Westerners run a country and western evening and line dancing at the Hyde Park Social Club from 8pm to 11pm. Live entertainment every week with a brilliant atmosphere, all types of dancing and bar for refreshments. Members £5, non members £6. All welcome. The Pythagorean Society First Friday of the month held at Plymouth Natural Health & Healing Centre, Outland Road, PL2 3PY. 7 pm – 9 pm. We have a different topic each month with a guest speaker, covering a wide range of esoteric subjects. Please see our website for details www.pythagoreansociety.wordpress.net or email mail@pythagoreansociety.net The Plymouth Regional Head & Neck Cancer Support Group Our group is specifically aimed at head and neck patients, their partners and/or carers. Our support group will also welcome anyone who wishes to join us for whatever reason. You don’t have to be a cancer patient to join us but those cancer patients without a support group of their own will be made especially welcome. Due to the nature of this particular disease, most of our members are from the older age group. We meet up once a month and take a trip out somewhere away from the clinical environment. We might also be able to help with transport if necessary. Please contact: Geoff Read on (01752) 563 800 or email Secretary.PlymouthHNC@gmail.com Yankee Yoga Various days All abilities yoga classes set to sweet tunes. Tuesdays 5pm @ The Art of Dance (Mutley Plain) 8pm @ Coombe Dean School; Plymstock/Elburton; Wednesdays 6pm @ Merlin Fitness (Crownhill); Fridays 7.30pm Special Class - Yoga for Athletes @ Taurus Gym (Mutley Plain); Saturdays 10am Special Class: Yoga Sculpt @ Merlin Fitness (Crownhill). Contact Emily on 07478 257080. National Trust Plymouth St Peter’s Lutheran Church, 19 Larkham Lane, Plympton. Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month at 2pm. For more information regarding membership please contact Judy Unitt on 01752 290437 or email judy.ntt@gmail.com Plymouth and District Parkinson’s Group Gentle exercise led by a fully trained physiotherapist every week at four locations. Tuesdays 10.30-12 noon at St Bartholomew’s Church Hall Milehouse contact 556651; Tuesdays 10.15-11.45 at Plymstock United Church Plymstock Road: contact 402340; Wednesdays 10.30-12 noon at Mount Gould Methodist Church Hall: contact 560289; Wednesdays 1.15pm-2.45pm at Emmanuel Church Hall Mannamead: contact 768890. A monthly meeting is held on the second Tuesday of every month at Emmanuel Church Hall; Monthly Drop In with Dance Session: Contact 55665; Carers coffee meet first Monday of the month: contact 704075. Other activities include lunches, outings, and an annual holiday Dartmoor Rambling Club The Dartmoor Rambling Club is a long established Rambling Club based in Plymouth. We have a regular programme of walks on alternate Wednesdays and at some weekends. The Wednesday walks generally use public transport from Plymouth City Centre to the start of the walk. Wednesday walks are usually about 8 to
February 2019 27
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NSPCC appeals for volunteers to keep children safe in Plymouth
Michelle Green and Buddy
The NSPCC is appealing for more volunteers in Plymouth, to help teach primary school children about the different types of abuse.
The children’s charity funds a Schools Service across Plymouth, which sees trained members of staff and volunteers deliver Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies to children. The assemblies are tailored to different year groups to ensure the content is age-appropriate, and children are helped to identify a trusted adult they can speak to if they have worries about themselves or a friend. Michelle Green, NSPCC’s schools service area co-ordinator for Plymouth and Cornwall said: “The children learn about physical, sexual and emotional abuse as well as neglect and bullying. “We have some wonderful volunteers who make it possible for us to deliver these important messages to school children across Plymouth. “They are dedicated, enthusiastic and have a passion for keeping children safe. We are looking for more volunteers to help us deliver this service and would love to hear from anyone with a passion for protecting children.” The last academic year saw more than 20 schools in Plymouth welcome NSPCC staff and volunteers to deliver Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies to more than 6,000 children with the help of the charity’s mascot Buddy. Michelle added: “On average, two children in every classroom have suffered abuse or neglect and so we aim to visit every primary school across Plymouth every three years to deliver our Speak Out Stay Safe programme. “We know that one in three children who have been sexually abused by an adult did not tell someone at the time. Our assemblies and workshops empower a generation of children to know about the different kinds of abuse and how they can talk to a trusted adult if they are concerned about themselves or a friend.”
The assemblies are for children aged 5-11 and teach them about safeguarding and abuse in a lively, interactive and memorable way. They learn about the NSPCC’s Childline service and how it can support them at any time of the day or night. Many of them go home singing the Childline number, which they are taught to remember through actions. Jill Cooper has been volunteering with the charity’s School Service for six years, delivering assemblies and workshops to primary school children in Plymouth, South Devon and South East Cornwall.
In 2017/18 the charity’s Schools Service team visited more than 8,000 schools and spoke with around 1.8 million children in the UK and Channel Islands about abuse. Older students, in years 5 and 6, take part in additional workshops that go into more details – looking at different scenarios and deciding whether they are OK or not OK. Teachers are present throughout the assemblies and workshops, which are free for all primary schools. Jill added: “They are the ones who know the students and can interpret what a child’s body language might say. Some teachers Photo: Tom Hull are frightened about talking to students about abuse for a number of reasons. Our main role is to open the conversation up, so that teachers can go on to having those discussions with their pupils afterwards.” NSPCC research shows one in 20 children have been sexually abused. Michelle said: “It takes a special kind of person to volunteer for our Schools Service. It can be a difficult subject for adults to broach with these children, so we need volunteers who are comfortable doing just that to help teachers continue these important conversations with their students.” If you’d like to find out more about how you can volunteer with the NSPCC’s She says: “Being involved in the NSPCC’s Schools Service contact 02920 108133 or Schools Service is something I love doing. I get a southwestappeals@nspcc.org.uk. huge amount out of it. I like being around young The NSPCC is committed to keeping children people, because that’s something I missed when I safe and every penny raised for the charity helps left teaching. I find it really worthwhile.” ensure every child has the chance to thrive, free Jill is a former deputy headteacher at a from abuse or neglect. secondary school in the city, but says you For more information on how you can fundraise don’t have to have a teaching or safeguarding for the NSPCC contact Alison Armer, Community background to become a volunteer with the Fundraising Manager for Cornwall, Plymouth and service, because of the quality of the training Devon on 07779341767 or Alison.armer@nspcc.org. involved. uk. “I get a lot out of working with other Anyone with any concerns about the welfare of volunteers,” says Jill. a child can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 “They are all different ages, they have 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk for advice. Children can fascinating and different backgrounds. The way call Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk. into this role isn’t through teaching alone.” Both are free and available 365 days a year.
COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • COMMUNITY DIRECTORY • continued from page 26 10 miles on Dartmoor or on the coast and are taken at a pace to suit the participants. The weekend walks may use cars for transport and may go a little further afield. We are a small group looking to welcome new members. Our annual subscription is just £5. We can email you our programme if you email johnskinner@ tinyworld or more details can be obtained by phoning John (Chairman) on 01752 782454, John (Treasurer) on 01752 218476 or Ron (member) on 01752 674230. Plymouth City Roller Derby Roller Derby is in your city and recruiting now! The only Roller Derby club in the West Devon - East Cornwall region, Plymouth City Roller Derby has been an active bouting club since 2010, achieving a clean sweep of wins for our female travel team at all our 2018 British Championship bouts. We are a skater owned and operated CIC and accepting new starters. Roller Derby is a full contact sport,
participants must be 18+. sessions Wednesdays 8-10pm at YMCA John Kitto for all new recruits, 1st taster session free, £5 per session thereafter. 2nd session 2 participants for the price of one if bringing a friend. No skating experience required to begin. see www.plymouthcityrollerderby.co.uk/join-us for more details. Watercolour Art Sessions for Adults Thursdays Beginner and experienced artists welcome. Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre Thursdays 10am to 12 noon. The Burrator Inn, Dousland, nr Yelverton Tuesdays 10am to 12 noon. Easy car parking at both venues. For more information call Janet on 07742 983311. Devon Family History Society Fourth Tuesday of month Come along to our meetings and hear interesting and varied talks. Occasionally, we hold members evening where people can give a resume on their family
history. If anyone is hitting a brick wall, members will offer advice on how to resolve it. Meetings take place at Sturgeon Hall, Mutley Plain, (parking is free),starting at 7.30pm. Light refreshments are available. Any queries on membership or meetings please contact markparkman@icloud.com Discovery Writing Group First Friday of the month A small community of writers who meet to write and discuss writing, and to encourage one another to maintain our creative momentum. Prose, poems, scripts, whatever. All welcome. Writing games and exercises, opportunities to share work and publishing possibilities. Latest info on Plymouth cultural activities over free beverages. Donations welcome. Meet at The Clipper on Union Street 10am to 12 noon. Details James Bridgwater 07506716546 bridgwaterjg@ gmail.com
USEFUL NUMBERS Emergency Numbers
Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard 999 or 112 Police general enquiries 101 Derriford Hospital 08451 558155 Electricity, Western Power Distribution 0800 678 3105 Gas, Transco (Gas Emergency Service) 0800 111999 Water, South West Water 0344 3462020 Environment Agency (Emergency) 0800 807060 RSPCA 0300 1234 999
Helplines
Age UK Plymouth 01752 256020 Adoption UK 0844 848 7900 Al-Anon Family Groups 020 7403 088 Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 917 7650 Carers UK 020 7378 4999 Childline 0800 1111 Christians Against Poverty (Debt Advice) 0800 328 0006 Crossline Listening Service 01752 666777 Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 1671677 Devon & Cornwall Food Association 07410 977598 Disability & Information Advice Line 01302 310123 Drug Addicts Anonymous: Helpline 07818260811 Money Advice Plymouth (Debt Advice) 01752 208126 NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 8005000 National Missing Persons Helpline 0500 700700 NHS Direct 0845 4647 National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000247 Money Advice Plymouth (Debt Advice) 01752 208126 Overeaters Anonymous 07000 784 985 Parentline Plus 0808 8002222 Relateline 0845 1304010 Samaritans 116 123 Talk to Frank 0800 776600 Shelterline 0808 8004444 Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100 West Country Landlords Assn 01752 242980
Travel
RAC Green Flag Rail Travel, national enquiries Plymouth Citybus National Express Coaches Brittany Ferries Cremyll Ferry Torpoint Ferry Tourist Information Passport Office, National Helpline
08000 828282 0800 400600 08457 484950 01752 662271 08717 818181 08705 360360 01752 822105 01752 812233 01752 266030 0870 5210410
Entertainment Theatre Royal 01752 267222 Barbican Theatre 01752 267131 Devonport Playhouse 01752 606507 Plymouth Athenaeum Theatre 01752 266079 Plymouth Pavilions 01752 936363 Plymouth Pavilions Ticket Store 03337 727727 Reel Cinema 01752 225553 Vue Cinema 0345 308 4620 Tourist Information 01752 306330 National Trust Saltram 01752 333500 Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery 01752 304774 Plymouth Arts Centre 01752 206114
Leisure Plymouth Life Centre 01752 606900 Brickfields Recreation Ground 01752 563320 Manadon Football Dev’ment Centre 01752 201918 Plympton Swimming Pool 0870 300 0020 Plymouth Pavilions 0845 146 1460 Megabowl, Coxside 0871 5501010 Tourist Information 01752 306330 The Beckly Centre, Plymstock 01752 484433
Weather The Met Office Weathercall
0870 9000100 0870 6004242
If you think your organisation would benefit from being listed in our Useful Numbers guide please e-mail your details to info@cornerstonevision.com or write to: Plymouth Shopper, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth Tel 01752 225623
Please note that whilst the Publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of telephone numbers in this Directory, and dates in the What’s On section, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors.
28 February 2019
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Bid to boost students' university chances Former students of state secondary schools in Plymouth are being urged to use their experience and skills of higher education to boost current students’ chances of going to university.
New year, new you, new skills At the start of a New Year many people set goals to achieve over the next 365 days and most will be broken, but adult eduction offers something adults can stick to.
In the spirit of ‘new year, new you’ an increasing number of adults decide to learn a new skill and improve their career prospects. Returning to education as an adult can seem daunting. With bills to pay, children to look after and jobs to uphold, retraining or gaining a new qualification can seem like a pipe dream. From access courses and apprenticeships, to gold-rated foundation and full honours degrees, the South West’s top performing college can offer something for everyone. City College Plymouth offers a range of part-time and evening courses to fit around work and home life, with funding available so you can study without breaking the bank. It is easier than you think to return to education! Three local adult learners talked about their experiences of returning to education. Nicola Hague, 39, from Hooe, runs her own beauty and face painting business and wanted to perfect her skills. The military mum found City College Plymouth offered a course in Make-up Artistry that would fit around her busy home life and meant she
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could continue working. Nicola said: “Everyone at the college is very understanding especially of family life. I’m a mature student with a husband in the services and a 12-year-old son, so making sure my studies fit around my home life was very important to me. Having the option to study part-time has allowed me to put my family first and still have time to do something I love. “Having access to funding has meant I don’t have to worry about money and what I do earn can go straight to supporting my family. “This course has opened my eyes to a whole range of career opportunities and allowed me to make a lot of connections within the industry.” Chelsey Fairnington, 26, from Whitleigh, has suffered from health issues since a young age, which affects her ability to study and work for long hours. Having the option to study part-time at City College Plymouth meant Chelsey has been able to return to education and take the first step towards a successful career in the catering industry. She chose a Level 3 Certificate in Patisserie and Confectionery. “As an adult learner I was apprehensive about returning to education but I know there is help available whenever I need it. I have felt supported right from the application process to being here and
attending classes," said Chelsey. “The different funding options have made doing my course possible, and I know without the Advanced Learner Loan I would not have been able to afford the course fees. “The skills and techniques I have learnt will help me to gain part-time employment or jump start my own business. I’m really excited to get out in to the culinary world.” Claudia Danaila, 35, from Devonport, was a stay at home mum looking to start a new job. With a passion for baking, she decided to turn her hobby into a career. City College Plymouth offered her the perfect pathway to return to education with a Level 3 Certificate in General Patisserie and Confectionery Claudia said: “There is so much support available at the college. The lecturers are there to help you every step of the way and the Advanced Learner Loan has made it possible for me to return to education. Being able to access funding has meant I haven’t had to worry about money and I can just enjoy learning. “Since becoming a mother I have dedicated my time to staying at home and looking after my child, and studying part-time has meant I can fit my studies around my home life. I didn’t know it was possible to do it all, but I can gain a qualification, be a mum and work. Studying at the College has been a real turning point.”
The Central and Waterfront Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Hartley, Mannamead, Compton, Efford, Laira, St Judes, Mt Gould, Lipson, Greenbank, Prince Rock, Cattedown, Barbican, Hoe, City Centre, Mutley and Peverell.
The programme in ten schools and colleges locally is run by the national education charity Future First and funded by Next Steps South West, part of the National Collaborative Outreach Programme which aims to widen participation in higher education, increasing the number of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in higher education by 2020. Future First will help participating schools to engage their alumni communities, bringing back former students with experience of higher education as positive role models so the current generation is more motivated, confident and equipped to go to university. Schools and colleges taking part are Lipson Co-operative Academy, Sir John Hunt Community Sports College, Hele's School, Marine Academy Plymouth, Tor Bridge High, City College Plymouth, Coombe Dean School, Notre Dame RC School, Torpoint Community College and Stoke Damerel Community College The charity is urging former students of the participating schools and colleges to sign up online at https://networks. futurefirst.org.uk/register to support the programme, which could change young people’s lives. Under the scheme, Future First will work with careers staff and teachers in each school to run workshops supported by alumni volunteers with the aim of inspiring current students about the different courses available to them and enabling them to make a more informed decision about choosing the right university for them. Charlotte True, Next Steps South West manager said: "We believe in the power of positive role models and real stories, and so are delighted to support Future First’s alumni network. "Challenging the belief systems and behaviours of disadvantaged young people can start with one conversation. Through hearing an authentic account of someone else’s experience in higher education, we will empower young students to envision their own future at university or college. '
The March edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Central and Waterfront will be published on February 22, with a copy deadline of February 11. 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.
Chronicle Plymouth
February 2019
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