Plymouth Chronicle Central & Waterfront January 2021

Chronicle Plymouth

# PLYMOUTH TOGETHER

January 2022

The Students’ Union at Plymouth College of Art has won a top award for its caring work For details see Page 4

Central & Waterfront

Gables Dogs and Cats Home have launched an urgent appeal for funds to help with winter heating bills See Page 14

A new multi-agency commission is to be launched in Plymouth to tackle violence against women and girls See Page 14

ALSO INSIDE: • Out and About • Cross Rhythms • Local news and Experience views • Dial the Experts • Charity news • Useful numbers

It’s sparkling at Saltram!

Saltram will be sparkling this festive season with nearly 50,000 lights adorning Christmas trees inside the National Trust’s Georgian mansion. The grand rooms have also been elaborately decorated to tell the story of the Nutcracker.

• Story and pictures on page 13.

Photo: Steve Haywood

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2 January 2022

2 January 2022

We must keep protecting ourselves

With COVID-19 rates currently very high in Plymouth we all need be extra vigilant and get behind the additional measures that have been introduced to tackle the spread of the Omicron variant in the UK. The speed in which the Omicron variant is appearing across the UK has prompted the Government to announce additional ‘Plan B’ precautions nationally.

These include reintroducing the guidance to work from home where possible, mandatory wearing of face coverings in more public venues including cinemas and theatres and making an NHS Pass mandatory for entrance to nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather.

Our COVID-19 rates in Plymouth are now well above the England average and we need to assume – and act as if – the Omicron variant is already within our communities.

There is isn’t any room for complacency, especially during the busy period in the lead-up to the Christmas break, when we are usually doing

more shopping and socialising.

I hope everyone will closely follow all the measures that are being put in place nationally and think really carefully about how they can minimise the risks to themselves and to others.

This means wearing face coverings – not just when we have to but when it makes sense to – in busy indoor spaces, as well as taking regular lateral flow tests and ensuring there is plenty of ventilation if socialising indoors.

It remains really important that you get vaccinated, to protect against serious disease. You shouldn’t delay in getting your first and second doses and booking a booster as soon as you are eligible.

People will naturally be concerned about the new variant due to the speed at which it can be transmitted. They best way to protect yourself is to be extra stringent in following all the COVID-19 guidance: • Get the coronavirus vaccine and booster as soon as you are eligible to do so

MORE PEOPLE CAN NOW GET COVID JAB

More people are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, as COVID-19 levels in Plymouth begin to rise.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has announced that everyone over 18 years old will now be offered a booster vaccination, and a second jab will be offered to children aged 12 to 15 (but please wait until the NHS calls you forward).

The boosters will be offered in descending age groups, with priority given to older people and those most at risk.

Due to the changing risk posed by the new variant, the period between the second jab and booster jab will soon be reduced from six months to three months.

The aim is to speed up how quickly people can get their jabs in order to increase levels of protection across the population. Capacity at vaccination centres is also limited, so anyone arriving for a booster without an appointment should expect queues. If you are aged 40 to 49 and are double-vaccinated, you can currently book an appointment for your third jab six months after your second dose.

• Take regular lateral flow tests, including whenever you are meeting up with people or are in high-risk places such as busy indoor spaces • Self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test if you have any COVID-19 symptoms • When meeting others, try to do so outside.

If meeting indoors, make sure there is plenty of ventilation • Wear face coverings on public transport, in shops and other settings in line with the Government instructions but also in places where it’s not currently a requirement, especially when indoors or in a confined space • Wash your hands regularly and properly as it is an effective way of reducing the spread of viruses • Work from home where possible The colder weather at this time of year always leads to increased transmission of viruses.

I know that we all hoped that COVID-19 would

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be behind us by now but despite the effectiveness of the vaccine in reducing serious illness, it still poses a threat and we must continue to take it very seriously.

By Dr Ruth Harrell

Director of Public Health for Plymouth

You can book via the NHS booking service online or by calling 119. Data shows the third dose tops up protection against symptomatic COVID-19 to above 90 per cent.

Teenagers aged 16 and 17 – who previously were only eligible for one dose – can also now book their second COVID-19 vaccine.

Locally 90 per cent of those aged 40 and over are fully vaccinated and 61.4 per cent of those aged 16 and 17 have had their first jab.

Dr Ruth Harrell, Director of Public Health for Plymouth, said:“Levels of COVID-19 in Plymouth have started to rise again, with around one in 50 people in the city testing positive for the virus over the last four weeks.

“We know that protection from the vaccine does wane over time after the first two doses.

“Therefore, it is important that everyone eligible for a booster jab gets one when invited.

“The evidence is clear: the additional vaccination will help reduce the likelihood of having symptoms if you catch COVID-19. And, as we hurtle towards winter, the NHS needs us to do all we can to help reduce pressure on its services.”

What does Omicron mean for self-isolation?

The Government has updated its guidance to reflect changes to self-isolation requirements for contacts of people who have been identified as a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

These contacts must stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days, even if they are fully vaccinated or aged under 18 years and six months. If you are a contact of someone with COVID-19 who has not been identified as a

suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant, and you are fully vaccinated or aged under 18 years and six months, you are not required to self-isolate.

You may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the NHS Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme if you are required to stay at home and self-isolate (or you are the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate.)

For more information visit www.gov.uk/ coronavirus.

Where to get your vaccine jab If you haven’t had your COVID-19 vaccination yet, or you’re due your second jab, you can get one at Home Park or the Council’s mobile vaccine van – and you don’t need an appointment or NHS number.

The mobile van will be visiting the following locations this month. Only the Pfizer vaccine will be available, for first and second jabs. No appointments are needed.

HOW TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE

• Monday 13 December: Mutley Baptist Church (11am to 5pm) • Tuesday 14 December: Four Greens Community Trust (midday to 7pm) • Thursday 16 December: Methodist Central Hall (11am to 5.30pm) • Sunday 19 December: Plymstock Library (midday to 6pm) Home Park is also offering walk-in vaccinations. For more information go to www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/get-tested.

You can check the latest number of COVID-19 cases in Plymouth on the Council’s website at www.plymouth.gov.uk/COVID-19.

NOTE: This information was correct at the time of going to press on December 9.

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

Age Concern Events Weekly Community sessions each week including games, craft making, quizzes and refreshments.

Helping older ladies and gents to prevent loneliness and get socialising again. Sessions on Tuesday at Mountwise Neighbourhood Centre, Devonport from 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm and Fridays at Manadon Sports Community Hub from 10am to 12 noon or 1pm to 3pm. Entry is £5 but everything supplied. Contact Abi or Lisa at the Active Living team on 01752 256020.

Plymouth Christmas Market returns to the city centre until December 21

Christmas at Saltram Until Jan 3 This Christmas it’s the perfect time to meet up with family and friends to see the well loved story of The Nutcracker bought to life within the house. The grandest room at Saltram, the Saloon, will be transformed into a magical fairytale forest with decadently decorated trees and magical interventions to make the house feel alive. Plus, have fun on a walk round the garden and learn about the natural ‘nutcrackers’ that live within the gardens and parkland at Saltram.

Breakfast with Santa at The Box Nov 27 to Dec 19 If you’ve got little ones who like eating out, you can enjoy ‘Breakfast with Santa’ in The Box Kitchen & Bar from 9am to 11am every Saturday and Sunday. Santa will be on hand to greet you as you arrive and sit down to either pancakes with maple syrup or blueberries, a breakfast bap or a breakfast flatbread. All washed down with a hot chocolate, tea, coffee or fruit juice.

Festive Shopping Markets Various dates in December Royal William Yard is running a series of weekend and late-night shopping markets during December, featuring a selection of the region’s most exciting independent artisan traders. The late-night markets on December 8 and 15 run from 5pm to 9pm. The Festive Good Food & Craft Markets run from 10am to 3pm on December 5, 12 and 19. For more information visit www.royalwilliamyard.com Buckland Abbey Christmas Dec 4 to Dec 31 The medieval Great Barn at Buckland Abbey will feature the ‘River of Light illuminations with over 100 twinkly trees. As visitors follow the twinkling lights of the trees, they will meander through the sparkling forest. But the path is not actually a path, it is a river of light to help visitors feel like they are walking through the nearby River Tavy. As visitors walk through the barn they will be immersed in the river of light which has been created using rippling lights of blue tone colours. Visitors might also spot the odd fish or two on the side of the barn walls!

Check the website for opening times and the full list of family events, including local choirs, Elizabethan dancing and Olde Father Christmas.

Go to nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey Plymouth Jazz Club Dec 19 Christmas gig featuring the Dart Valley Stompers at 7.30pm at the Royal British Legion on Tailyour Road, Crownhill. Led by award winning reed player Jeremy Huggett on clarinet, saxophones and vocals, the Dart Valley Stompers are one of the most popular and busiest traditional jazz bands in the country. The first event in 2022 at the same venue and time in features South West City Swing on January 16. Details from www. plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk The Christmas Mouse Dec 8 to 24 Stiltskin Theatre Company’s festive winter show for little people at the Soapbox Theatre in Devonport Park. A wintery tale for under 5s.

Details stiltskin.org.uk

Christmas Concert Dec 11 Music of the Night Choral Foundation present ‘A Holy Jolly Night of Carols at Mount Gould Methodist Church Farringdon Road, Plymouth at 7pm. Contact choir secretary for tickets 07860354290.

Santa’s Christmas Party Cruise Dec 11 and 12 Get into the seasonal spirit on board Plymouth Boat Trips’ Christmas Party Cruise which departs from the Barbican Landing stage. Enjoy a complimentary glass of mulled wine or Prosecco from the bar, then dance and mingle the night away to festive tunes. Adults only event. Tickets £15.50. Details at www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk Christmas Fayre Dec 11 and 12 Back for the 17th year at Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. From 10am. Entrance adults £3, children £1. All day parking £1.

Christmas Concert Dec 12 Following their recent successful sell-out concert in Buckfast Abbey in November, the Collati Singers conducted by Trefor Farrow are giving a concert of Christmas music in Stoke Damerel Church at 3pm. The programme will include some pieces composed by the great masters of the 16th century, but in the main will feature seasonal music by more contemporary composers including Rutter, Chilcott and Jaemus Downing, who will be travelling from Falmouth to hear the choir sing his carol ‘A Boy was Born’. The concert also includes performances

by The Damerel Belles, a women’s group also directed by Trefor Farrow. Trefor was head of music at Devonport High School for Boys for over 40 years, and has conducted many music groups around the Plymouth area. Collati currently have a vacancy for an experienced bass with a wide vocal range. Entrance is free with retiring donations invited, which will be divided between the church and the choir.

Further details fromwww.collatisingers.co.uk or collatisingers@gmail.com British Red Cross Christmas Service Dec 15 Join the service of carols and reading at St

Andrew’s Minster Church in Royal Parade at 6.30pm and support the British Red Cross.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome. There will be a collection at the end of the service and seats need to be booked by e-mailing custancebaker@gmail.com

Blockhouse Park from 2pm to 4pm. Culture Club is a chance to get together to share food, have fun and meet new friends. This Culture club we will be making colourful lanterns and all joining in a parade around Blockhouse Park. All ages and everyone is welcome!

Sleighing It Dec 15 to 23 Barbican Theatre presents a light-hearted festive show featuring professional and emerging artists from Plymouth and the surrounding area. For tickets visit www. barbicantheatre.co.uk

Nudge Christmas Fair Dec 18 and 19 Visit the Nudge Christmas Fair at The Plot in Union Street between 1.30pm and 4.30pm each day. Christmas crafts and activities, vintage clothing from the Original Fruitcakes, tie dye creations from The Love Shack, warm and fuzzy felt gifts from The Sheep Shed, and lots of other local businesses with their offerings! Hot drinks and food available from the food court, along with music, and lots more festive fun!

Celebrate Christmas Carol Service Dec 17 The Stanborough Chorus with guests from the Plymouth Philharmonic Choir present a carol service in aid of the Primrose Foundation. It will be held at the Church of the Ascension in Crownhill at 7pm. There will be a retiring collection in aid of the Primrose Foundation.

Details at www.stanboroughchorus.com Christmas Concert Dec 17 Festive concert featuring the Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir at St Peter’s Lutheran Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £6 in advance from 01752 345390 or 01752 337011.

Aladdin Dec 17 to Jan 15 Joe Pasquale stars in the Theatre Royal’s annual spectacular pantomime. Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Aladdin features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. For tickets visit www.theatreroyal.com

Christmas Concert Dec 20 Plymouth Area Police Choir return after a long absence through COVID with a Christmas concert at Methodist Central Hall, Plymouth at 7pm. The concert will include performances by the young people of Montpelier Primary School and the Legacy Choir. Tickets available by calling 01752 339788.

Wintery Tales in the Dome Dec 20, 28 and 30 Real Ideas is hosting an evening of festive stories with the Story Republic at the Immersive Dome in Devonport’s Immersive Dome. Grad a beanbag, snuggle up under the stars and listen to cinnamon-spiced tales and wintery songs. To book tickets for the one-hour show go to www. realideas.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173618691

At St Budeaux Methodist Church from 10am until 3pm. Entry is free. Light refreshments will be available. Donations for the church funds will be gratefully received. The Carol Service will be on December 19 at 6pm, led by Revd Alistair Lowe.

Bubblicious Dec 31 Soapbox Children’s Theatre in Devonport Park presents a family friendly dance party.

Guest DJs, glow sticks, face painting, bubbles, walkabout performers and much more. For children aged over four and their big folk.

Details www.stiltskin.org.uk

Culture Club Dec 18 At the Stoke Youth & Community Centre in

Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About

Christmas Tree Festival

Dec 18

4 January 2022

4 January 2022

Wellbeing support wins acclaim for college’s Students’ Union Plymouth College of Art Students’ Union has won Best Campaign Supporting Student Wellbeing at the 2021 Think Student Awards, beating leading international universities to be selected as the winner by the Student Pulse panel of 40,000 students.

The Think Student Awards are the only awards of their kind, judged by the students themselves and measuring real impact.

Judges from the 2021 Think Student Awards said: “The students loved how Plymouth College of Art went above and beyond to support their students during the pandemic, providing tangible help and access to essential items.”

Part of an independent university-sector art school established in 1856, Plymouth College of Art’s Student Union (PCA:SU) is run by a small team focussed on student wellbeing, mental health and welfare, providing an inclusive, welcoming environment.

Student Union president Harriet Moore is dedicated to going above and beyond to develop their support network.

During the first national lockdown in 2020, Harriet ran the Student Union Food Bank from her flat, hand-packing and coordinating delivery of parcels of food, period products and toiletries to students self-isolating or experiencing financial hardship. Harriet and her small team also tackled period poverty by providing free period products in toilets across all campuses.

Harriet said: “I was so nervous before they announced the runner-up and winner, but I wasn’t expecting to win at all, as we were up against some big names. I was shocked and excited when they called out PCA:SU as the

winners! It was a great feeling to have been chosen against some of the other amazing work going on in the sector.”

Harriet and Paige Nolan, the Student Union manager, are mental health first aid trained, extending this training to staff throughout the college.

Steve Trotter, Plymouth College of Art registrar, said: “Running any SU is a tough job, and this is a fantastic accolade for our Students’ Union. During her time as president, Harriet has supported student representation at every level of Plymouth College of Art, attending almost every course meeting, consulting with student representatives and consistently ensuring that the voice of students is heard at Academic Board and its committees, and by the Board of Governors.

“I can’t rate Harriet’s contribution to Plymouth College of Art highly enough. This, plus a strong relationship with our very active SU executive, has been invaluable in helping us to respond to emerging student needs, particularly through the pandemic, when we have been Harriet Moore (left) and Paige dealing with so much change and Nolan with their Think Student uncertainty.”

Award “Working closely together, Paige and Harriet have really made a difference to students at Plymouth College of Art, including what was probably our most successful programme of Freshers activities this year.”

Harriet added: “Mental health and wellbeing is at the heart of everything I do in my role; I truly care about each and every one of the students at Plymouth College of Art. We never expect any recognition for what we do in the Students’ Union, it’s just our job, so to be voted for by a panel of 40,000 students to celebrate our work is amazing.”

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Police appeal for witnesses after attempted child abduction on Bonfire Night

Police are appealing for witnesses following report of an attempted child abduction in Plymouth.

It is alleged that on Sunday November 5 during the Bonfire Night event on Plymouth Hoe, a man approached a fouryear-old girl and attempted to walk off with her.

A police spokesperson said: “This happened near to Elliot Terrace on Plymouth Hoe and occurred sometime between 7:50pm and 8:15pm.

“The man is described as Asian, thin build, approximately 5’8’ tall, 25-30 years old.

He had dark hair that was shaved on the sides but was longer and gelled back on top; He was wearing a black leather jacket at the time.

“The child he approached is also Asian so we are currently keeping an open mind on if this was an innocent mistake and not something more sinister, but it is vital that we identify the man in question and speak to any witnesses who were in the area and who may have information that can assist us with our enquiries.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101@dc.police.uk quoting reference CR/096986/21.

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At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, national charity Parkinson’s UK was forced to stop all of its face-to-face activities in line with government guidance and people with Parkinson’s are at increased risk of severe illness if they get coronavirus.

Local volunteers and charity employees have been working hard on plans to safely restart Mannamead’s exercise classes and are pleased to now be able to welcome people back.

The group meet on Wednesdays from 1.15pm to 2.15pm at Emmanuel Church Hall in Compton Avenue, Mannamead. Hot refreshments are also served after the class.

Three other classes being run across the city to help people with Parkinson’s improve their flexibility, strength and balance in August/ September. Two sessions are run on Tuesdays from 10.30am to noon at St Bartholomew’s Church, in Outland Road, Plymouth, and 10.15am 11.45am at Plymstock United Church in Plymstock Road and on Wednesdays from 10.30am to noon at Mount Gould Methodist Church in Mount Gould Road.

All attendees are required to wear a mask until seated, maintain social distancing guidance and practise good hygiene with regular hand washing.

Parkinson’s is a neurological condition causing muscle tremors, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness, as well as non-motor symptoms, including anxiety, depression and hallucinations. In the UK, 145,000 people are currently living with the condition.

Due to coronavirus, the charity experienced a surge in demand for its support services as people sought trusted guidance about how the pandemic and lockdown affected them.

In response, it boosted its helpline capacity, delivered online exercise programmes and local advisers made thousands of proactive wellbeing calls, but many of the Parkinson’s community have missed the social and faceto-face interaction with others affected by the condition.

Jayne Martin, volunteer at the new Mannamead class, said: “Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s can be a shock and adapting to life with the condition can be hard for the person involved and their loved ones too.

But getting the right information and support at the right time can make all the difference which is why we’re proud to be able to restart exercise classes safely for anyone affected

by Parkinson’s including friends and family in Mannamead.

“We are looking forward to welcoming people back to Emmanuel Church Hall and hope that others may wish to join us for the first time if they have been newly diagnosed.

Everyone is welcome. “ Katherine Crawford, director of Services at Parkinson’s UK said: “We know that over a million people with Parkinson’s, family members, friends and carers have needed Parkinson’s UK more than ever during the pandemic. We also know that meeting others living with Parkinson’s is important, and many people are telling us they’re ready to consider getting out in person again.

“The mental and physical wellbeing of people affected by Parkinson’s as well as the health and safety of all attending our exercise classes has been central in our plans to safely restart.”

6 January 2022

6 January 2022

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City College Plymouth strikes up another new partnership City College is continuing in its efforts to support both local teenagers and the local economy by working in collaboration with a popular Plymouth secondary school.

Keen to support the city with raising aspirations, the college has already established partnerships with All Saints Academy Plymouth and Millbay Academy, and will now also be supporting Plymstock School with ensuring its pupils have access to impartial advice and guidance on post-16 options.

In addition to the various awarenessraising activities the college provides for all secondary schools in Plymouth, East Cornwall and West Devon, it will support Plymstock School pupils with planning for their futures.

This will be delivered through a tailored programme of careers events, including taster sessions, school-wide competitions and regular course and

apprenticeship information sessions at the school.

Ben Manning, the college’s executive for Curriculum, Quality and Student Experience who is responsible for school partnerships, said: “Thanks to this collaboration, there will be hundreds more school-leavers every year making fully informed decisions about their futures.

“As part of our partnership commitment, City College will support Plymstock School in ensuring pupils are aware of the skill demands and areas of sector growth within our city enabling every one of them to raise their aspirations and take steps towards successful careers.”

Plymstock School head teacher Robert Diment said: “Plymstock School is delighted to be working in partnership with City College Plymouth to ensure all of our pupils experience an enhanced

careers education.

“The education landscape is changing, particularly with the introduction of T Levels which would suit those who are keen to start preparing for the workplace.

“By working together with City College, we can provide a range of opportunities to help our students onto the appropriate pathway that best suits their aspirations.”

Leader of Plymouth City Council and Plymstock School governor, Nick Kelly, said he was pleased to see another school collaborating with City College.

He said: “Partnerships and working in collaboration have never been more important than now. All of us - schools, colleges, employers - we all want to see the same thing and that is the creation of more highly skilled and well-paid jobs for the city, and that comes from making the most of the opportunities that come Ben Manning of City College (left) with Plymstock headteacher Robert our way.”

Diment

Friends of Devonport Park celebrate National Lottery funding The Friends of Devonport Park (FDP)are celebrating after being awarded £7160 in funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. The Friends will use their funding to create a small Memorial Garden, within an existing garden in Devonport Park.

The original Memorial Garden has been closed to new memorials for some time so, a new dedicated area is much needed.

This new National Lottery funding create an area where

people can mark the passing of their loved ones with a Memorial Rose.

The funding will also support a project to complete their celebrations of Mayflower 400, by planting a new permanent Mayflower bed containing Pilgrim and Mayflower apple trees surrounded by David Austin Mayflower roses Mike Gallagher, secretary of the Friends of Devonport Park said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can continue with the work we started in 2020 and build a permanent Memorial to the Pilgrim Fathers and the Mayflower, which we feel is a fitting climax

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“The funding from the National Lottery also means that our horticultural volunteers can continue their work in helping to maintain and improve this wonderful green space for the residents of Devonport and the surrounding area.

This will make a big difference to the lives of our members, volunteers and local residents”.

During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK.

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Mark Carey, 49, of Lowerside in Ham, had his case heard in his absence.

The court heard how Carey had made his neighbours’ life a misery by playing loud music.

After several complaints to the council about loud music, Carey was given a Community Protection Notice in October 2020 having ignored three previous letters warning him about his noise levels.

The notice required that he must not cause or act in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person by way of causing noise which included the playing of music.

Despite this, the noise continued on three occasions between July 25 and August 4 2021.

To document their plight, Carey’s neighbours took audio recordings music being played at unacceptable levels into the night.

When Environmental Health officers reviewed the recordings, in which the lyrics to ‘Timber’ by Pitball ft Ke$ha were clearly audible they also issued him with a fixed penalty notice for £100. Carey failed to pay the £100 and the noise continued on four more occasions before September 4 2021.

This time, audio recordings featured ‘Fix You’

by Coldplay while James Blunt’s 2004 mega-hit ‘You’re Beautiful’ was identifiable on multiple occasions.

As a result, Environmental Health Officers obtained and executed a warrant under S.51 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and seized three TVs, speakers and other music equipment from Carey’s house.

The court heard how the noise disrupted sleep, causing stress, fatigue and anxiety to his neighbours and of the abuse received from Carey when they challenged him about the noise.

The Magistrates found Carey guilty of breaching a Community Protection Notice and fined him £660.

They also ordered him to pay costs of £699.70 and a £66 victim surcharge. The total of £1,425.70 must be paid with 28 days.

The Magistrates also ordered the permanent forfeiture of the previously seized equipment.

Councillor John Riley, Cabinet member for Community Safety, said: “Everyone has the right to live quietly in their own home, which is why we will not hesitate to bring prosecutions against people who try and take that right away from their neighbours.

“I hope now that the defendant’s neighbours will finally have some peace.”

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8 January 2022

8 January 2022

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Making waves with Children in Need Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre recently hosted a week of activities for the Making Waves Plymouth project funded by Children in Need.

Local young people from PL1, PL2 and PL4 communities enjoyed a wide range of on, and off, water activities including kayaking, bell boating, giant SUP fun, archery, orienteering, sailing, as well as yoga and mindfulness sessions provided by local yoga instructor Haidee from Yoga with

Haidee, all made possible with funding from Children in Need and coordinated through the Making Waves Plymouth project.

Throughout the week, some participants also had the opportunity to take their first qualification in dinghy sailing with the Royal Yachting Association as part of the RYA’s Tackling Inequalities project and 24 participants were taught the RNLI’s ‘Float to Live’ techniques.

The Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre work closely with Making Waves Plymouth to host and deliver on and off water activities for local young people through specific funding opportunities.

Sam Waites, Watersports and Activities manager at the Centre said: “We’ve been working with the Making Waves project for a few years now which has enabled us to reach more young people within our communities. For some, their first visit to the Centre may also be their first experience of getting out on the water and we are privileged to watch them gain confidence, try something new and make lasting memories

here in Britain’s Ocean City.”

Tors Froud, project coordinator for Making Waves Plymouth said: “I am so incredibly humbled to work with such amazing young people and their families. I’ve seen a Dad learn to swim just so he can enjoy kayaking with his daughter; I’ve witnessed first hand the generosity

GOVERNMENT FUNDING BOOST FOR THE BOX AND THEATRE ROYAL

Four Plymouth cultural attractions have received much-needed cash injections from the third round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

Theatre Royal will receive £700,000, The Box £146,500, Plymouth Music Zone £62,688 and Plymouth Arts Cinema just under £5,000.

The funding is part of more than £100 million which has been awarded to hundreds of cultural organisations across the country.

Funding for The Box, which recently marked its first anniversary, will provide valuable support as it continues its recovery from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and firms up its plans for an exciting 2022 and beyond.

After having to delay its original opening date by over four months, its launch in September 2020 was one of the most significant cultural events of the year.

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spite on the national lockdowns, wowed local audiences and helped drive tourist visits to the city over the summer.

It is currently the only UK venue on the international tour for the National Museum of Australia’s ‘Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters’ exhibition which is on display until February 27 2022. The ground breaking exhibition features over 300 works of art by more than 100 Indigenous artists.

of the local community policing team who have participated (and got soaked!) as part of the activities provided and I’ve seen the difference that funded opportunities like these make to young people’s lives.

“We wouldn’t have been able to achieve our half term week of activities without Children in Need funding. Thank you Children in Need.

“We continue to apply for relevant grants and funding and look forward to providing many more opportunities over the months and years to come.

All those that want to enjoy the water and do so safely with guidance and knowledge should be able to do so.”

As the vision for Plymouth Sound to become the UK’s first National Marine Park continues to be developed, the Mount Batten peninsula and the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre have been identified as one of five gateways to the Park for active recreation.

January 2022

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9

New Emergency Department moves a step nearer Plans for the new Emergency Department at Derriford Hospital have been submitted to Plymouth City Council.

The new four-storey building will feature an extension of the existing hospital to provide a new Emergency Department including facilities for imaging, emergency surgery and interventional radiology.

The proposal has been prepared by leading planning consultants Stride Treglown on behalf of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. The multi-million pound development is also known as ‘Future Hospital Phase 1.’

The proposal includes the comprehensive internal refurbishment of the existing Emergency Department to convert it to a paediatric emergency facility along with the four storey building which will provide additional accommodation to meet current and future demand.

It is intended that the new-build element will contain new Emergency Department facilities, a Same Day Emergency Care facility (SDEC), imaging facilities, radiology, training, staff rest and welfare facilities, emergency surgery theatres and administrative offices.

The Future Hospital Phase 1 project is the first stage of the long-term plan to develop and transform the healthcare facilities at the Derriford Hospital site.

Future Hospital director, Stuart Windsor said: “This new facility will consist of two floors of emergency care facilities, one of which will be devoted to same day emergency care; a short stay ward; a new paediatric emergency department; five new interventional theatres; four conventional theatres and all the support accommodation and imaging capacity that’s associated with our emergency care pathway.”

Chief Executive, Ann James said: “This

Artist’s impressions of the new Emergency Department courtesy of Stride Treglown

purpose built facility will create a modern space where we can effectively and efficiently care for the sickest of patients and also deal with the increasing numbers that are presenting to the hospital.

“We will be able to progress the facilities for same day emergency care, to reduce

waiting times for those who need to be seen and treated, but don’t need to be admitted to the hospital.

“Really importantly, we’ll not only have state of the art diagnostic equipment to support faster diagnosis but also new interventional radiology theatres and surgical

theatres which is at the leading edge of clinical practise and innovation.”

The plans are part of the government’s commitment to build 40 new hospitals by 2030, backed by an initial £3.7 billion, the biggest hospital building programme in a generation.

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10 January 2022

10 January 2022

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Businesses say YES to Plymouth Waterfront Partnership

Businesses have voted to renew Plymouth Waterfront Partnership’s Business Improvement District (PWP BID) for another five years.

PWP supports hundreds of businesses along the city’s incredible Waterfront – from Royal William Yard to Mount Batten, including the Barbican, Queen Anne’s Battery and Plymouth Hoe - and this will be its third term.

Nick Buckland, Chair of PWP, said: “We’re thrilled that Waterfront businesses have shown their support for the BID and given us this vote of confidence. The new BID3 Business Plan has their needs at its heart and will see us continue to work closely with partner organisations to maximise opportunities for the area.”

Prior to announcing that she was leaving the post (see separate story on this page) Diane Mansell, chief executive of PWP, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that business owners have chosen to support the BID for another five years and we’re ready and raring to go with our new Plan.

“The last couple of years have been incredibly difficult for our businesses and we know that now more than ever, they need the support to drive more footfall and encourage visitors.

By voting yes to the BID, they’ve ensured

that the Waterfront will continue to play host to hugely popular events such as Plymouth Pirates Weekend, Seafood and Harbour Festival and the Barbican’s Christmas Extravaganza and Lights Switch-on, as well as continued investment in the environment, ensuring we offer the best possible welcome to our visitors.”

The BID will now run until at least March 2027. PWP’s new Business Plan aims to support businesses by encouraging increased footfall and economic prosperity, making continued improvements to the public realm and supporting wider city initiatives such as the new Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

For the BID to be renewed, two tests had to be met: more than 50% of businesses who voted had to vote ‘yes’ and ‘yes’ votes needed to represent more than 50% of the total rateable value of all votes cast. The voting figures were: Yes by number: 77%; Yes by rateable value: 88%.

Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Our Waterfront is one of Plymouth’s most unique selling points, it’s a precious asset that must be nurtured to ensure it is reaching its full potential.

“As the council, we’re proud to work in close partnership with the BID to realise this potential and ensure that city

businesses flourish. The news that the BID has been renewed for another five years is wholeheartedly welcomed and the future is looking bright.”

The BID’s new five-year term will start on April 1 2022. The Plan for the next five years focuses on four key themes: • Transformational: Supporting the physical aspects of the Waterfront, including the creation of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, working to connect neighbourhoods, and improving the resident and visitor experience • Vibrant Tourist Destination: Increasing visitor numbers and spend by working in partnership with Destination Plymouth and visitor attractions, hosting events, supporting and growing cultural assets and the hospitality sector, and maximising marketing opportunities.

• Environmental Excellence: As well as committing to the environmental sustainability of the Waterfront, ensuring it’s an attractive and welcoming place • Business Voice: Giving BID levy payers a collective voice, bringing the diverse local business community together and advocating for the area at a local, regional and national level.

Find out more about PWP at waterfrontbid. co.uk.

which has been my home for the last year. I’m incredibly passionate and proud about the work that PWP has done under my leadership and will continue to be an avid supporter of Plymouth’s incredible Waterfront, albeit from afar.”

The Waterfront BID which has just been voted through for its Third Term has a remit to run until March 2027 with a Business Plan in place to support businesses by

encouraging increased footfall and economic prosperity, making continued improvements to the public realm and supporting wider city initiatives such as the new Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

Nick Buckland, chair of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership said: “Diane has been an incredible asset to PWP, and has set in motion a plan that will transform the Waterfront over the next five years. The work that Diane has put in over an incredibly difficult period to support PWP businesses recovering from the pandemic has been phenomenal. I’d like to thank Diane personally and on behalf of the Board for her hard work and dedication and wish her well for the future. I will miss working with her.”

Ms Mansell will continue to work with the Waterfront BID until the end of the year, recruitment plans to replace the chief executive will be announced in due course.

Diane Mansell to step down as chief executive

Plymouth Waterfront Partnership chief executive, Diane Mansell, has announced that she is stepping down from her role due to family circumstances.

Plymouth Waterfront Partnership is a not for profit organisation set up to administer the Waterfront BID and supports hundreds of businesses along the city’s incredible Waterfront – from Royal William Yard to Mount Batten, including the Barbican, Queen Anne’s Battery Diane Mansell and Plymouth Hoe. Diane said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the Waterfront businesses in Plymouth, and I am delighted to have played a part in PWP BID being voted through for its Third Term. Unfortunately due to family circumstances I now need to relocate back to the Midlands and this means having to resign from my dream job and leaving a city

Rock Pool Project teams up with...

Rock Pool!

Two local businesses with more than just their names in common have teamed up this Christmas to offer shoppers the chance to gift an experience like no other.

When the Rock Pool Project launched their Plymouth hub this summer, following four years establishing themselves in Falmouth, little did they know there was a partner destined for them just metres from the ocean in The Barbican.

Rock Pool Trading is a gift shop selling locally made, locally sourced and ‘generally fabulous’ unique gifts and goodies. With almost identical names, Alan Smith – cofounder of The Rock Pool Project - just had to see how the two local organisations could team up to help each other.

Alan said: “I popped in one day and met Helen, the owner of Rock Pool Trading and told her all about the Rock Pool Project and our aim to connect people of all backgrounds to our local marine environment and the wonders of The Sound. Within two minutes, she said she loved what we did and offered to help in any way she could – I was over the moon!

Helen said: “We are very excited at Rock Pool Trading to be working with the new Plymouth branch of the Rock Pool Project!

We’ve followed the business on social media for some time due to the similar nature of our names, so when Alan approached us to work together and be their outlet for selling the fabulous Rock Pool Safari gift vouchers, we were thrilled to get involved. We absolutely loved taking part in our own safari, which now helps us pass on the magic of the experience to our customers.

“As a small independent business that has been trading for 10 years, we are passionate about collaboration and supporting other independent projects where we can, so this partnership was definitely too good to pass up.

After all, two Rock Pools are better than one...”

To celebrate the launch of their new vouchers, The Rock Pool Project are running a competition to win a very special and unique ‘rock pooling hamper’, complete with Rock Pool Project goodies and local, tasty treats. To enter, visitwww.therockpoolproject.co.uk/rock-poolsafaris/experience-vouchers/ In order to fund much of the community work they do, The Rock Pool Project also offer expert-led Rock Pool Safaris on Plymouth’s world-class rock pooling sites. Helen kindly offered to stock and sell vouchers for these safaris leading up to Christmas. Vouchers are available for individuals, groups of up to four people and private rock pool safaris for up to eight people..

The Rock Pool Project is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that works with schools, community groups and people of all backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to experience the joys of discovering wildlife.

They have developed a unique citizen science method, allowing anyone to conduct a real scientific survey, using just the camera on their mobile phone, before uploading it to The Rock Pool Project’s own data base via their website.

For more information visit www. therockpoolproject.co.uk and www. rockpooltrading.co.uk

Photo: Brett Lockwood

12 January 2022

12 January 2022

Flood relief scheme set for Lipson Vale

Children get a ‘pizza’ the action in new theatre show

Plans for a green solution to a renowned flooding hotspot have been put out to public consultation.

Pupils from schools in Plymouth have had a slice of the action in helping to devise and create a brand-new theatre production, The Pizza Inspector. And, to top it all off, they got the chance to see the play performed live by professional actors.

Lipson Vale, and particularly the junction at Bernice Terrace, has seen high-rainfall cause persistent flooding for a number of years. If heavy rainfall coincides with a high tide, the drainage water exits can become “tide-locked”, causing a back-up in the system that floods on to the road and on occasion, into nearby houses and businesses.

But now, plans for a sustainable urban drainage system in the nearby Trefusis Park looks set to end the problem.

The initial plans, which residents are now being asked to feedback on, will see new seasonal wetland features added to the park, reducing the risk of flooding to homes and businesses in the local area by safely storing water in the park during heavy rainfall.

This will enable the drainage system downstream of the park to cope better.

This will also mean that roads and pavements will be less likely to be closed because of flood water.

The added benefits will see new wildlife rich habitats with trees and plant, giving people more opportunities to connect with nature. In addition, access will be improved for all, with new paths and seating, whilst maintaining areas of open space.

Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet member with responsibility for flood resilience, said: “I’m really pleased that along with partners, we have finally found a solution to the flooding that this area of the city has had to put up with for a number of years.

“The designs for the park looks really exciting and I look forward to hearing from residents about the plans.”

Councillor Maddi Bridgeman, Cabinet member for the Environment and Street Scene, said: “This is the ultimate win-win situation; a solution to an ongoing flood issue and the creation of new habitats and wetlands at the same time.

“As the climate changes, we have to adapt and projects like this, that combine engineering and nature, will be crucial to the future of the city.”

The public consultation into this project is now under way. Local residents have been contacted and invited to a series of public consultation events.

Comments from the events and the survey will be collated and then be fed into the application for planning permission and the final design, ahead of the works starting in March 2022.

The scheme will be delivered by Plymouth City Council, working in partnership with the Environment Agency and South West Water Limited.

More details about the scheme and ways in which you can share your views can be found at: www.plymouth.gov.uk/

The children aged from seven to 13 were given a taste of theatre making, by cocreating the show with professional writers, performers and makers as part of a national effort to bring cultural opportunities to young people in targeted areas across England.

The project, With Flying Colours, sees professionals from local arts organisations go into the participating schools to develop new plays which are then performed in the schools and in community settings.

The Pizza Inspector is written by Plymouth’s Laureate of Words in 2021-22, Laura Horton, and co-produced by Plymouth Cultural Education Partnership (PCEP) and Plymouth-based Above Bounds Theatre.

But the real inspiration behind the story and the characters are the young people at the participating schools in the Devonport, Stonehouse and Stoke areas of Plymouth.

The original story idea came from children in the Year 3 class at High Street Primary Academy. They worked with Laura and Above Bounds’ Helen Bovey and Vicki Horan to suggest stories they would like to see performed on stage. One of the big debates they had was about what should go on a pizza!

Wonderful ideas

Laura said: “We wanted to find out what the children were interested in, and their imaginations were just amazing - they had loads of weird and wonderful ideas. I then amalgamated all those ideas into three stories which pulled together all the threads they wanted - mystery, monsters, journeys, and food - especially food!”

The final choice was made by students at the other schools taking part in the making of The Pizza Inspector: Stoke Damerel Community College, Marlborough Primary School and Millbay Academy.

Vicki explained: “We had nine possible stories that the children at High Street Primary Academy came up with, and Laura did an amazing job to get that down to three.

We showed the students videos of the three possible stories, and it was unanimous, all three schools voted for The Pizza Inspector.

The three stories were all very different, but what was clear was that they wanted something that made them laugh.”

Year 7 drama students at Stoke Damerel Community College and pupils at Marlborough Primary worked with Vicki on how the story could be produced on stage.

They also worked with Sound Designer Jack Dean and Set and Puppet Designer Matt Dean on the sound, the set, and how the characters should look. The result was a 50-minute play

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Pizza Inspector performers (from left) Vicki Horan, Dexter Newman and Emma Baskerfield Photo: Dom Moore

that’s full of fun, with three performers and handheld rod puppets.

Helen said: “The Pizza Inspector himself is a puppet and he looks a lot like a famous detective. The pizza is also a puppet! There is a message in the story, too, about listening to opinions and coming up with a considered view.”

The project is already succeeding in firing imaginations and sparking cultural connections for young people. Laura said: “It has been joyful, observing the children at High Street Primary being so creative and using their imagination. I have seen their confidence improve during the project, and it’s really nice for them to now see the play being performed.”

For some of the students at the schools, this was the first time they have engaged with live performance. Helen said: “What this project is doing is empowering them. It’s giving them the feeling that they can achieve something big.

“This is why it’s so important and exciting for them to see their work come to life. It has flicked a switch. We have found that it has improved their writing, too.”

Drama teacher at Stoke Damerel Community College, Alex Bullard, said the students have loved being involved with every element of the making of The Pizza Inspector, from concept to staging: “They found it really exciting to have a role in deciding which play should be developed.

And Vicki has got them thinking about how to turn ideas into theatre. This has been an invaluable experience and hugely beneficial in helping them to understand all the elements of putting a piece of theatre together. It has also inspired them to see other roles in theatre, such as costume design, make-up, hair, set design and sound.

They are seeing the bigger picture.”

Stoke Damerel Community College were

the first to see the play, in a special ‘preview’ event at the college at the end of November - and the students who’d helped to create were delighted. One, Isabelle said: “I very much enjoyed the performance. I like the use of the puppets as it was something I had not seen before”.

Another, Mason, added: “It was a funny performance, and I really enjoyed the different voices that the characters had. It was great to see some of our own ideas being used within the show.”

Plymouth is one of just five places in England to get funding for the playwriting and playmaking project after winning the South West region’s £1 million pot from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). It is also supported by Arts Council England.

Funding made available

The funding was made available for communities in areas of high socio-economic deprivation. In Plymouth, 11 schools in two hubs are taking part in With Flying Colours, which was launched in 2019 and runs until 2023. The hubs are Devonport & Stonehouse, and Whitleigh & Southway.

The project is led by Plymouth Cultural Education Partnership and is being delivered alongside some of the city’s best-known arts organisations including Theatre Royal Plymouth, Barbican Theatre, Plymouth Dance, Beyond Face CIC, Above Bounds Theatre, Plymouth Music Zone, Plymouth Culture, Real Ideas Organisation, Take a Part, and Exim Dance. Its ambassador is War Horse writer, Michael Morpurgo.

The schools and community performances of The Pizza Inspector took place in the last week of November and the first week of December.

Visit the Above Bounds page on Facebook for more updates on the community shows.

REFUGE4PETS NEEDS HELP FINDING HOMES FOR PETS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS Homes are needed to help someone find refuge from domestic abuse by taking on a foster pet.

Plymouth City Council is highlighting the variety of the support available for those fleeing domestic abuse as part of a national campaign.

Pets can be used as part of the pattern abusive behaviour, threats or actual harm done to a pet can stop a victim of domestic abuse leaving.

Refuge4Pets in a service serving Devon and Cornwall that provides foster care to pets of victims of domestic abuse, so that someone can flee without fear of harm to the animal.

Currently, the charity is particularly looking for people who can take cats and keep cats inside for the duration of their stay in foster care; people who can take large breed dogs and those who can take dogs that need to be the only animal in the home.

When escaping to a refuge, or other emergency accommodation, it is very rare that someone can take their pet with them, especially if it’s a large pet. Therefore, many remain in their abusive situation.

Since starting in August 2017, Refuge for pets have helped more than 250 individuals and families escape domestic abuse by fostering nearly 400 animals, mostly cats and dogs, but also horses, snakes, rabbits, birds.

Victims of domestic abuse often have to flee with nothing, so Refuge4Pets supply everything that the animals need, including veterinary treatment, pet food, and bedding.

Whilst the victim will never know where their pet is placed for the safety of the pet and the foster carer, Refuge4Pets will liaise between the foster carer and the pet owner on a regular basis, providing updates on the progress of the pet, and often share photos or videos.

Anyone can make a referral to the service. These must be made by either calling 0300 4000 121, or by using the referral form: www. refuge4pets.org.uk, with as much detail as possible.

January 2022 13

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Saltram’s spectacular Christmas sparkle Saltram will be bringing some festive sparkle to the Georgian mansion. A staggering 48,460 lights will be adorning the huge Christmas trees inside the house, with the grand rooms elaborately decorated to tell the story of the Nutcracker. Booking will be essential with limited tickets to visit the display inside the house and garden until January 3.

again, last year we really missed decorating the house and so we anticipate that this year will prove to be very popular and busy.

“That’s why we have made booking essential into the house and garden, so that we can make the experience enjoyable and safe for all. We were unable to create the illuminated garden or open

Within the Georgian mansion, volunteers and staff have been busy for weeks working on the festive display in the grand rooms. They’ve been busy creating toy soldiers, snowy scenes and the land of sweets from the story.

An army of Nutcrackers line the staircase hall ready to fight the mouse king, while a blanket of flowers take over the dining room as if it’s been taken back into the wild.

Fiona Macmillan, visitor operations and experience manager said: “It’s great that we’ve been able to bring back these Christmas celebrations

late nights this year, however it’s great knowing that as a charity each visit to Saltram supports our work looking after special places like this for future generations to enjoy.”

Saltram will be open during the daytime only this year. Booking is essential and can be made via the website or by calling 0344 249 1895. This also means that people who want to visit just the garden this year they will also need to book.

It is anticipated that the parkland will get equally busy so visitors are advised to consider this before visiting at weekends and school holidays.

On a stroll around the garden families can learn all about ‘Nature’s real nutcrackers’ on the free family trail. Members visit for free this Christmas and normal admission applies to non-members. Saltram is open seven days a week, 10am to 4.30pm but closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ saltram, call 01752 333500 or pop in to the Welcome Centre to find out more.

Projects awarded funding to celebrate Plymouth’s historic city centre Seven Plymouth projects are celebrating success after being awarded ‘High Street Sparks’ grants from the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) initiative.

Funded by Historic England, the HSHAZ is working with partners across the UK to unlock the potential of more than 60 historic high streets. The ‘High Street Sparks’ funding scheme has been set up to gift up to £2,500 (and in exceptional cases £5,000) to community projects that will help breathe life back into Plymouth’s city centre. The funding focuses on projects that put the spotlight on a specially designated conservation area around Royal Parade and the Civic Square and respond to its heritage.

Fabulous selfie walls will appear on our high street over the next 12 months providing unique backdrops for holiday snaps and for sharing on Instagram.

The images will be selected as part of a competition run by Established By Her and Women in Photography Devon & Cornwall. This was deemed an exceptional public art project and will receive £5,000.

The Barbican Theatre has been gifted £4,524 to

fund some spectacular events in the heart of the city centre. A ‘Play it Loud Stage’ on the Piazza will host the best of Plymouth’s talent from flamenco dancers to spoken word artists. ‘Civic in its Prime’ will provide an exciting platform for BMX riders, skaters, scooters and parkourists to play and compete. £2,498 has been awarded to storyteller Katy Cawkwell to produce three performances, including Resurgam: Plymouth in the Blitz and The Story of Shackleton. The shows will be presented on the high street in the summer of 2022.

Plymouth-based creative Joe Meldrum will receive £2,460 to produce a map of the best of the city’s post-war buildings. Featuring beautiful illustrations, the map will be of use to tourists and residents alike.

The Mindful Art Club has secured a grant of £2,430 to run a community arts project based at Moment’s Café. Workshops will explore the heritage of the city centre’s conservation area and will be free to anyone who is struggling with their mental health.

The Synagogue, in partnership with David Prescott, will present a window display dedicated

to the painter Solomon Hart. Hart was a third generation migrant son of Plymouth who became the first Jewish member of the Royal Academy of Arts. £2,423 will fund the display near to where his most historic work, The Execution of Lady Jane Grey first hung.

Plymouth Artists Together will curate a constantly evolving Resurgam community art gallery. This vibrant and inspirational project has been granted £1,200.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “We can’t wait to see these projects evolve and, after the impact of COVID on our businesses, this is just what our city centre needs to enliven our spaces and attract more visitors.” Applications for the next round of ‘High Street Sparks’ funding will open in the New Year. To find out more go to www.theboxplymouth.com – click on ‘Visit’, ‘Outside The Box’ and then ‘High Street Sparks’.

‘High Street Sparks’ and Plymouth’s High Street Action Zone project is managed by The Box, Plymouth Octopus Project and Plymouth City Council.

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14 January 2022

14 January 2022

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New commission is being launched to tackle violence against women in Plymouth A new multi-agency commission is to be launched in Plymouth to tackle violence against women and girls.

The Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Nick Kelly, is establishing the commission, which will bring together key partners and agencies across the city to review what more needs to be done to prevent this type of crime.The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Commission will review what is being done across the city to educate men and boys, prevent and deter these types of crimes and consider what support is available for victims.

The commission will invite local organisations who work with female victims of violence, to hear more about their experiences and their recommendations about what more needs to be done.

Crimes of violence against women and girls include rape and other sexual offences, stalking, domestic abuse, ‘honour-based abuse’, ‘revenge porn’ and ‘upskirting’, as well as many others.

It is the intention that the new commission will be chaired by a new ‘Champion for VAWG’, Councillor Rebecca Smith.

Councillor Rebecca Smith, said: “This is such an important issue. One that I am honoured to lead on behalf of Plymouth. We cannot shy away from the realities that women face. ”The feeling of fear, intimidation, harassment and helplessness cannot continue, we need to confront these problems head-on so we can come up with a lasting, long-term solution to the deadly violence and abuse too many women and girls experience, at the hands of men.

“We have a number of groups in the city who are working tirelessly on this already and I am keen to work with them to capitalise on their experience and expertise, so that together we can be part of the solution. I want to move forward and make a real change for Plymouth.”

Chief Superintendent Matt Longman, from Devon and Cornwall Police and the Chair of Safer Plymouth, said: “No one person or organisation is going to have all the answers when it comes to keeping women and girls safe.

To change things for the better we need to listen to a broad range of people and try to understand how the

whole city can work further together.

“I believe this commission will play a key role and the Devon and Cornwall police will be an integral part of it. If the right conversations can take place, and we can secure commitment to things they tell us, we will ensure women and girls are safer, and feel safer, in our city.”

To help feed into the commission agenda, Safer Plymouth – the city’s community safety partnership – is holding a virtual Q and A where local people will be invited to share their views about how safety could be improved.

The Q and A will feature key city organisations and partnerships with a panel chaired by Cllr Rebecca Smith and including Chief Superintendent Matt Longman (Chair of Safer Plymouth – the city’s community safety partnership); Alison Hernandez (Police and Crime Commissioner); Photo: Adobe Stock Matt Garrett (Service Director for Community Connections at Plymouth City Council) and Hannah Shead and Lyn Gooding (Joint Chairs of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Local Partnership Board of Safer Plymouth) Whilst the Commission is still being set up, it aims to start work before Christmas. The issues and discussion at the Q and A will help inform their work.

The event which takes place at 6.30pm on December 13, will be hosted on Zoom and people can register at eventbrite.co.uk/e/safety-of-women-and-girls-have-yoursay-tickets-221478256427 Councillor Rebecca Smith, Chair of the Violence Against Women and Girls Commission for Plymouth, said: “I know that there is so much that is already being done in our city to address the culture change that is needed and also try and make the streets as safe as possible for women and girls. I think it is important that we all understand what is happening already.

“However, I also realise that there is much more that can be done. So the views of people across the city will be crucial to informing the work of the Commission.

“I am particularly keen that women and girls across the city feel that their voices are heard as we seek to make Plymouth safer and would encourage anyone who is keen to find out more to come along and ask their questions.”

Measures to make city streets safer

New CCTV cameras, improved street lighting and ‘help points’ – stand-alone emergency points – are in the pipeline as part of a package of measures being introduced to make people, especially women and girls, feel safer as they go about their business.

A decision has been signed which will allow officers to order equipment ready for work to start onsite early in the New Year.

The package is part of the city’s Safer Streets 3 funding awarded by the Home Office earlier this year. The fund specifically targets Violence against Women and Girls crimes and aims to improve feelings of safety by • Strengthening the local environment to improve safe passage • Targeted prevention activity • Helping the community to develop their own solutions, reclaim community spaces and improve guardianship.

The decision will push the button on procurement and planning work that will see five new CCTV cameras installed at the following locations: Subway on North Hill; Athenaeum Street; Sawrey Street Millbay; Union Street outside Lidland New Street in the Barbican They will be monitored by the city’s dedicated CCTV control room which has 24 hour cover with remote access in place for emergency services, Plymouth against Retail Crime, Traffic Monitoring and Public Protection teams. The cameras can also provide extra lighting in the event of an incident. These new cameras are in addition to the 354 already in place around the city.

A dozen help points are to be installed at the following locations: Southside Street junction Friary’s Lane and another outside the Crown & Anchor pub; West Hoe Park; Old Town Street; Armada Way – Sundial; Royal Parade - Centre Pedestrian Crossing; Union Street – Octagon and outside Lidl; Mutley Plain; North Hill; Mayflower Street; King Street and High Street.

The locations were selected as these are high footfall areas with shops and or local schools nearby.

The well-lit help points will be installed near new and existing CCTV installations offering increased surveillance. Anyone who uses them is automatically connected to the CCTV control room. The cameras nearby can also move to pick up the help points and staff in the control room can monitor a situation while an appropriate emergency response is on its way.

In addition over 50 street lighting improvements will be carried out.

These will be mainly in areas of higher footfall where there is both a perceived fear as well as statistically higher crime rates. These will mainly be in the areas where people are out drinking and clubbing in the city centre, along the waterfront, North Hill and Mutley.

Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “I know a lot people will be reassured by this news. We need to make sure everybody but especially women and girls feel safe when they walk around our streets. We know physical improvements in and around our city is not the only answer – but it is step in the right direction.”

The Leader of the Council has authorised the business case, formally accepted the Home Office grant of £512,083 which will be distributed through separate Funding Agreements to partners, allocated £299,661 for the project into the Capital Programme, allowing the procurement process to start urgently as well as delegates the award of the contract to the Service Director of Community Connections.

This scheme is externally funded by the Home Office and was secured via a partnership bid with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, PLymouth City Council, NSPCC, Eddystone Trust, University of Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall Community Watch Association and Street Pastors.

GABLES LAUNCH URGENT APPEAL FOR HELP WITH WINTER HEATING BILLS

Each year Gables Dogs and Cats Home takes in nearly 1,000 unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats and this year they have seen yet another increase in the number of vulnerable puppies and kittens needing their help.

It is vitally important that they provide their animals with the very best during their stay with them and their pens must be kept warm and comfortable at all times.

During the winter months they use lots of donated duvets and blankets to help keep the animals warm and cosy, but their heating bills increase dramatically. There are 81 cat pens and 82 dog kennels to keep warm, which costs over £5,000 each year.

General manager Claire Sparkes said: “This will be the fifth year we have asked for help

with our heating costs and we are always amazed by the generosity of our wonderful supporters. Their help really does make a difference to how we can look after the vulnerable dogs, cats and kittens, such as Dolly, Droopy and Fun-Sized Freddo.

The current rise in energy costs is a worrying trend and we have had another year of being unable to hold or attend any fundraising events, which means we are facing another huge funding shortfall.”

If Gables is lucky enough to raise more money than is needed it will go towards helping all the animals in their care.

Gables Dogs & Cats Home does not receive any government funding and has felt the financial strain from the Coronavirus pandemic. If you can help to ease Gables financial burden by making

a contribution to their ‘Winter Heating Appeal 2021-22’, please call 01752 331602 or visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/wha2021-22 or paypal.me/gablesdogsandcats to donate online.

January 2022

@PlymChronicle

15

Green light for electric forecourt in Plymouth

Artist’s impressions of the new electric forecourt in Outland Road

Planners have given the green light for the construction of an Electric Forecourt in Plymouth.

GRIDSERVE Sustainable Energy submitted a planning application to build the superfast Electric Forecourt in Outland Road, adjacent to Goals and opposite the Esso filling station.

Plymouth will now become one of over 100 locations across the country to feature an Electric Forecourt delivering convenient, ultra-fast charging for drivers of all types of electric vehicles - particularly those who don’t have off-street parking at home.

Electric Forecourts are supplied by 100% renewable, net zero carbon energy, and represent a critical part of the solution needed to support the transition to mass market numbers of electric vehicles, in advance of the ban of new petrol or diesel

vehicles in less than eight years from now.

The Plymouth Electric Forecourt will offer the world’s fastest charging rates, with the ability to charge an electric vehicles in less than 30 minutes, and help to position Plymouth at the forefront of the low-carbon transport revolution.

The location of the forecourt will provide convenient access for the region’s private and businesses users, supplying low cost, high- speed charging powered by 100% renewable energy.

The development by GRIDSERVE, includes 32 charging bays, a coffee shop, convenience retail, and an airport-style lounge with high-speed internet. This will also serve as a learning centre to raise interest and share information about all topics related to electric vehicles, and provide the confidence,

Good reasons to join our team still describes as ‘too good to be true’.

“I saw the Administrator post on InDeed and although my background was in legal firms, I sent in my application. I had a call back within half an hour.”

It wasn’t just this quick response that nudged her towards the role.

“I read Andrew Richardson’s ‘our story’ article on the website (www.friendshelpingathome.co.uk) and it sounded lovely, I wanted to find out more,” says Clare.

Clare Hennessey tells how she swapped her job in legal services for a rewarding role supporting our carers in the ‘Friends family’.

“We were living in Manchester and wanted to move to Devon or Cornwall, where we used to come on holiday. That was the beginning of 2020 before the pandemic, and it really looked unlikely later that year.”

To her surprise, Clare found a job that she

She had a successful interview, and with lockdown in place was able to start remote working almost straight away, while husband Mark (who had landed a job at Babcock) found a new family home for them and their 4 year old daughter, in Oreston.

and platform people need to help make the transition to electric vehicles in the earliest possible timeframes.

Plymouth’s Economic Development team were ‘very supportive’ of the proposal. It will create nine full time equivalent jobs as well as a number of construction related jobs. They added: “The development will also be a significant visual statement of the transformation of the city required to deliver on its net-zero intent and will support the city’s necessary economic transformation as well as supporting other local benefits such as improved air quality. Toddington Harper, chief executive and founder of GRIDSERVE, said: “Plymouth City Council has declared a climate emergency with the intention of the city becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

“By developing this state-of-the-art Electric

Forecourt in Plymouth, we will be supporting the City Council in achieving this objective. It will support residents of Plymouth to tackle local air pollution and encourage low-carbon transport, while also offering a solution that is future proofed to support the mass uptake of electric vehicles.”

“Plymouth is in the unique position of being at the forefront of over 100 sites across the UK to host a GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourt.

“Every site will be supporting the grid with on-site batteries and supplied by solar energy. With convenient, dependable, ultrafast charging, we are making charging an EV as easy as using petrol stations, with the best possible customer experience.”

Visit www.gridserve.com/plymouth for details.

So, what does she think of her job, one year on? “It’s literally like being part of a caring, supportive family. I get to help new carers find the jobs that suit them, support them with all the checks and details they need to have in place and generally assist them with the admin so they can be as good a carer as they can be.

“Being self-employed is a new thing for some of them, but we can help them with the HMRC side of that, too.”

Friends Helping At Home carers provide continuity of care for our clients; they become the professional, caring friend who helps someone live as independently as possible.

Clare takes the same approach when she’s helping our carers, using her skills in her admin role.

“I love my job,” she says.

“From initial recruitment, through to arranging training and ongoing support, If people want to be great carers, we can help them with that – come and join the Friends family and find out for yourself!”

We will help you with: Applying for your DBS Identifying your skills and experience, your availability, rates and the work that you want Develop a training and development plan Provide all the admin and support for invoicing clients to payment collection and recording Market and find you new customers Provide a network with benefits and opportunities to excel at what you do

We provide a safe, friendly and professional service that enables people to remain living in the comfort of their own homes.

Call us on (01752) 648 320

Contact us to discuss registering as a Service Provider with us.

We provide a network of Care Professionals providing support and continuity to each other and the people of Plymouth.

plymouth@friendshelpingathome.co.uk

Email:

Find us online at:

friendshelpingathome.co.uk

16 January 2022

Search is on for the ‘Bard of the Yard’

Plymouth poets and West Country wordsmiths are being invited to pen a poem on Royal William Yard. A destination renowned for its fascinating history, a poetry competition is launching to celebrate the Yard’s past in a new creative way.

Poets young and old, budding amateurs and seasoned professionals can take part, penning an original poem of up to 30 lines long, centred around Royal William Yard’s history. The intention is to celebrate times gone by, tell the story of this unique place, and capture it for future generations.

The winner could even have their work displayed in Royal William Yard, bringing their storytelling to the thousands of visitors that meander round this historic site. The winner’s efforts will also be rewarded with an overnight stay in Rooms by Bistrot Pierre.

The hunt for a ‘Yard Bard’ is on; the competition launches this week and remains open for entries until the end of the year. The contest is free to enter and the terms and conditions are on the Royal William Yard website. Submissions can be emailed to yardlife@royalwilliamyard.com.

Hailey Cattle, Regional Marketing Manager for Urban Splash, said: “Royal William Yard is an incredible destination, with echoes of the past around every corner. We want to celebrate that in a unique way, by celebrating creative local talent. Immerse yourself in our historic destination; bring your notebook, grab a coffee or take a walk, and feel inspired! We can’t wait to read your poetry and share it with others.

“Over the years, the Yard has undergone a huge transformation, from feats of engineering to create a busy victualling yard, to falling derelict and into disrepair, then to be rescued and redeveloped into the place we know and love. It has an epic past, with much to learn and discover, and we look forward to sharing that in a new and different way.”

Anyone looking to take part can swat up on the Yard’s past in its History Guide. Royal William Yard is undoubtedly one of the most prominent symbol of Plymouth’s seafaring past, and once hummed with life as a British Navy victualling facility, producing vital food, drink and supplies. One of the most important groups of historic military buildings in Britain, it is also the largest collection of Grade I Listed military buildings in Europe. Named after the last Lord High Admiral, King William IV, it was a hive of activity from its construction in 1825 and helped keep our naval fleet afloat for a further century.

Closed by the Ministry of Defence in 1980s, the Yard’s elegant buildings fell into disrepair until regeneration specialists Urban Splash became involved in 2004. Every effort has been made to respect and restore the original features that are so integral the Yard’s atmosphere. So, even while you enjoy a very modern setting, you are surrounded by history and can’t help but be aware of it.

The restoration work also uncovered some incredible facts about the Yard, including that it features stones tipping the scales at a mammoth three tonnes each, incredibly rare for Plymouth limestone. Documents also show that the Brewhouse building was made to fulfil the Navy’s ration of beer… but as the building was finished, the ration was abolished, and beer was never brewed there!

The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over – but those under 18 will need to have parental consent to have their work used.

The closing date for entries is midnight on December 31 2021. All poems must have a title and must not exceed 30 lines in length.

Online entries only by emailing yardlife@ royalwilliamyard.com. The winner will be notified by the end of January 2022.

16 January 2022

@PlymChronicle

Bursaries helped four talented fashion students gain valuable work experience Four talented fashion design students from Plymouth College of Art have been awarded £600 bursaries to help them with travel and accommodation during prestigious placements across the fashion industry.

The students – Bridget Bimha, Millie Jenkinson, Olivia Neighbour and Deniz Nikol Bilgin – all took part in industry placements, from The British Alpaca Fashion Company to Davy J Swimwear, to Makers HQ and Aesthetic Laundry.

The bursaries were awarded by UKFT, the biggest network for fashion and textiles, and Drapers, an industry magazine and website covering the fashion industry.

Bridget Bimha, who will graduate in 2022, took part in an internship with The British Alpaca Fashion Company, supported by the UKFT and Drapers bursary programme. Based high in the hills of Exmoor National Park, The British Alpaca Fashion Company pioneers the production of alpaca fibre in the UK and the processing of fibre to create commercial quality textiles and knitwear.

Bridget said: “The team at The British Alpaca Fashion Company are amazing, teaching me so much and sharing information without any limits. Words fail me to express my gratitude for the bursary and for the very huge difference it has made for me and my family.”

Bridget is a mature student, who undertook a fashion degree after a traumatic event caused her to completely change career. She said: “Since being assaulted by a mental health patient during a night shift I was working in July 2019, I have never gone back to work and that same year, my indefinite leave to remain came through in August. I decided to fulfil my dream as the first graduate in my family and also fulfil my passion for fashion by doing a degree.”

Millie Jenkinson, a second year student, took on an internship at Plymouth-based swimwear brand Davy J.

which was really fun and I’m helping plan another one that’s coming soon,” Third year student Deniz Nikol Bilgin, interned at Makers HQ, which is a collaboration between Plymouth College of Art, Millfields Trust and the local Stonehouse community.

The Plymouth-based sampling studio provides high-quality services to the fashion and textile industry, including pattern drafting, single samples, manual and digital pattern drafting and grading, and short production runs.

Deniz said: “I am extremely happy with my internship so far. Makers HQ let me explore all and any opportunities that I’m interested in and wanted to try out. This ranged from assisting at their teaching studio to helping with the day to day manufacturing tasks.

“Makers HQ is not only an incredible business but also an amazing and supportive group of people that are a joy to work with. I am learning so much, experiencing the industry and Millie Jenkinson (left) finding my way, like what I would like to do pictured during her after graduating. I have been as proactive as work experience at possible, and now they are even considering swimwear company me for a position as teaching assistant and Davy J machinist!”

Senior lecturer and subject leader for BA (Hons) Fashion Design, Heather Martin said:”It has been so wonderful to hear just how valuable this experience was for our students, to hear them reflect and relate it to what they’re learning in our programme.

To also receive such positive feedback from the industry placement contacts about our students has been fantastic as well.”

Plymouth College of Art’s BA (Hons) Fashion Millie said: “I’ve been getting on really well Design course provides a comprehensive design with the internship and have thoroughly enjoyed education for independently-minded fashion the experience. I have been learning a lot more thinkers and makers who are looking to influence and applying my own technical skills within the change within the fashion industry. company with support from the owner, Helen.

Visit www.plymouthart.ac.uk to find out more “I have been doing work in many parts of the about the range of creative BA, MA and post-16 business, including returns, packaging, posting, courses offered at Plymouth College of Art, and labelling, making technical drawings for new book a place at the next Open Day on January 15 designs as well as working on new designs for 2022. suits. I also got to assist with two photoshoots, Bridget Bimha pictured at the Alpaca Fashion Company

YOUNG PEOPLE ADD ARTISTIC FLAIR TO PLYMOUTH TREATMENT CENTRE

A group of young people in Plymouth are adding their artistic flair to the interior of a local treatment centre in the city, thanks to a project involving Barnardo’s children’s charity and Livewell Southwest.

Called, Picture This, the project was the idea of Livewell Southwest’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), which consulted on what it could do to make the inside of its ‘Revive’ treatment centre more inviting for young people.

Working with Barnardo’s children’s charity through its HYPE project, Picture This asked 13 young people how they could help improve the Revive treatment centre at Mount Gould hospital.

A number of CAMHS services are based there and many of those same young people visit Revive regularly for appointments and consultations.

The 13 young people involved in the Picture This project were all aged between nine and 21 and they got the chance to work under the guidance of a local, professional artist. Their goal was to come up with a range of visual imagery and artwork that would be placed on permanent display at the Revive treatment centre.

Rob Harrison, Children’s Services manager at Barnardo’s said that Livewell Southwest had commissioned Barnardo’s to help deliver the Picture This project.

He said: “HYPE stands for ‘Helping Young People Engage’ and they are doing just that, alongside the team at Livewell Southwest. The

young people already help shape services, design and create educational material and provide feedback - so this was another way they could help.

“When the young people said the clinical spaces they were using needed to be more ‘young person friendly’, Livewell Southwest listened, and Picture This was born! Together with the Plymouth-based artist, Maria Outram, we organised workshops and creative sessions over a seven-week period, where the group explored art styles and different mediums.

“We will unveil some brand-new pieces of artwork in the Barnardo’s HYPE offices in central Plymouth on December 11 and hand them over to Livewell Southwest. We will also be showcasing all the creative work the group developed throughout the different stages of the project.”

Eleven-year-old Sam, who is involved in the Picture This project, said: “We go to Revive treatment centre for appointments and the staff are really nice. But the rooms themselves are quite cold-looking and a bit off-putting – but now that’s set to change!

“This project is a real achievement for all the young people involved in the group who worked on it, but it is also going to help make a difference for lots of other young people in the Plymouth area who use the Revive centre.

“While we were working on this project, we also carried out surveys with local school pupils about

what kind of artwork they would like to see, so I think this is a really collaborative effort from a big group of young people.”

Jess, aged 18, said: “I loved the project: I could be myself and I felt like I belonged. I was given the opportunity and skills to express myself creatively and produced pieces of work that exceeded my own expectations.”

Anita Dykes, Deputy Head of service CAMHS, from Livewell Southwest said: “This talented group of individuals have collaborated and created some truly outstanding pieces of artwork. We’re delighted with the end results and can’t wait to see all of them on display in our Revive building, where they will have pride of place.

“We hope that these new creations will really help to make our clinical space feel less intimidating and more welcoming for anyone and everyone who needs to use it.”

Artist, Maria Outram, who led the Picture This workshops, praised the young people’s commitment to the project and said she had seen them grow and develop during the interactive sessions.

She said: “We focused on building the young people’s confidence and desire to want to be creative. I have been very impressed by how non-judgemental they are – and how respectful and supportive of each other. Art is a great way for young people to express their feelings without having to be verbal.”

@PlymChronicle

City award for Olympic rowers Plymouth Olympic rowers Jacob Dawson and Chloe Brew have been presented with the Lord Mayor’s Achievement Award in recognition of their performance at the 2020 Games.

Jacob was part of Team GB’s men’s eight, which took bronze at the games in Tokyo. The Team GB boat was pipped to silver by Germany by just 0.13 seconds.

Jacob said: “I am incredibly humbled to receive this award from the Lord Mayor. Growing up, I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be stood on a podium at the Olympic Games, but with the unwavering support of my parents, family and loved ones, there’s now a Bronze Medal in my hands. I hope that this encourages others to pursue what they love and to push them to exceed their own expectations of themselves, you never know what an incredible

journey it may take you on.”

Jacob, who currently rows for Leander Club in Oxfordshire, was introduced to the sport through the Start Centre in Plymouth at the age of 14. He was making his Olympic debut in Japan, having also been part of the Team GB men’s eight team that won gold at this year’s European Championships and bronze

in the 2019 World Championships.

Also recognised was Chloe Brew who made her senior racing debut in the women’s eight this year.

Chloe, whose father Paul swam for Team GB at Seoul in 1988, first started rowing with Plymouth Amateur Rowing Club on British Rowing’s Start Programme.

Brew claimed gold at the 2018 FISU

World University Championships in China in the women’s eight but made her Great Britain senior debut in April this year at the European Championships in Italy.

Chloe said: “I had a great afternoon celebrating mine and Jacob’s achievements with the Lord Mayor today. Although I didn’t medal this time, it is still important to reflect, recognise and celebrate the journey and hard work it takes to get to the Olympics.

Especially as both Jacob and I begin to train for Paris 2024 and aim for better results. It was also special to have my family there celebrating today as they play a huge part in supporting and making my dreams come true, they definitely deserve a medal.”

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Terri Beer, said: “This was a fantastic performance from both these athletes and I’m delighted to be able to present Jacob and Chloe with the Lord Mayor’s Achievement Award.”

How businesses can fight back against cyber criminals Last year over £15 million was taken from online shoppers over the Christmas period.

The scale of online fraud has led to the launch of a new campaign, Cyber Aware, now rolling out across the UK. This year, even more people than ever will be buying presents and looking for bargains online – but there are six key steps you can take which won’t cost you a penny and may save you thousands of pounds, whether you’re an individual or an organisation.

Plymouth businesses can get free support from a new police-led organisation, the South West Cyber Resilience Centre.

Mark Moore, director and a serving police

officer, said: “We’re trying to reach as many businesses, charities, health providers and schools as we possibly can. We know organisations find cyber security confusing and they need impartial advice on what they need to do to protect themselves, their data and their people.”

The six steps recommended by the National Cyber Security Centre: • Use a strong and separate password for email • Create strong passwords using three random words • Save passwords in browser • Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) • Update devices and apps • Back up data

These steps apply just as much to businesses as they do for individuals. No business is too small to have essential cyber security measures in place.

The number of ransomware attacks on UK firms doubled in 2021, according to GSHQ. Action Fraud has lots of good advice and news on its website and that’s where any online fraud should be reported as well as to the bank and credit card providers. Visit www.actionfraud.police. uk Businesses, schools or charities can join the South West Cyber Resilience Centre for regular information and help with cyber security. Membership is free, and the SWCRC is police-led and Home office backed to support organisations. Visit www.swcrc.co.uk

The Department for Transport has asked all councils to review taxi policies to make sure they comply with the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, which was published in July 2020.

Councillor John Riley, Cabinet Member for Governance, Human Resources, IT, Community Safety and Licensing, said: ‘We are using this review required by Government to see what measures we can take to help revive the trade while at the same time looking at changes to help us meet our carbon emission targets.

people to go out and enjoy what Plymouth has to offer and we want them to get home safely.”

The green and white livery measures which were first proposed in 2017 are back on the table as a measure to increase confidence from the public.

The new livery would give people confidence that they are hailing a properly licensed and approved cab, he said and added: “The colours are distinctive, they are Plymouth’s colours and promote pride and professionalism. We are proposing a gradual move to this new livery so that drivers and operators won’t be hit too hard financially.”

The proposed main changes have been shared with key players on both sides of the trade before the formal consultation and have received mainly positive feedback.

Like the many other industries, measures will need to be taken to upgrade vehicles in line with latest regulations and laws designed to address the effects of climate change.

The policy will be reviewed within the next two to three years to ensure the council continually reviews and updates the emissions policy in line with the Government’s recommendations.

The consultation on the taxi policy finishes on February 17 2022.

To comment on the proposals, fill in the online consultation at https://www.plymouth. gov.uk/licensingandpermits/taxilicensing/ taxipolicyguidanceandbyelaws

MORE TAXIS AND GREENER TAXIS ARE PROPOSED IN BID TO REVIVE THE TRADE More taxis on Plymouth streets, greener, lower emission vehicles and green livery are the key proposals being unveiled to help the city’s taxi trade.

Proposals designed to get more people to join Plymouth’s taxi trade as well as encourage cabbies and operators to go greener have been set out in a new draft Taxi Licensing Policy.

Ideas outlined include: • Removing the limit on the number of Hackney Carriages and extending the period of time that drivers can return to the trade to three years without having to complete the drivers’ test and knowledge test.

• An enhanced age and emissions policy to clean up the current taxi fleet and work towards achieving the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan by 2030.

• A coloured livery taxi fleet of a specified green and white. This is would be for newly plated vehicles only although from 2027 all taxis would be expected to have this livery.

• All Hackney Carriages must take card payments – most taxis and private hire vehicles do this, but this move will help passengers to get home safely and not worry about getting cash to pay their cab home.

A delegated decision was signed in November giving the go-ahead for the consultation which started on November 25 and will last 12 weeks and the council wants to hear from passengers as well as the trade.

TAXI STATS In 2019 Plymouth had 357 Hackney Carriage drivers and now there are 315; there were also 801 Private Hire drivers compared to the current total of 667 In 2017 there were 392 Hackney Carriage drivers and 835 Private Hire drivers “Plymouth lost around 160 drivers over the pandemic and we want to make it easier for drivers to return by removing the hoops they would have to jump through.

“By removing the limit on the number of Hackney Carriages Plymouth can have we hope to see new drivers join and work in the evening and night time economy. We want

January 2022

17

Countdown to charity’s 24/7 Advent Challenge People all over Plymouth are planning weird and wonderful activities to support the Friends and Families 24/7 Advent Challenge.

The Plymouth-based charity are asking people to do something challenging every day throughout advent to help raise money to support families with disabled children.

Charity founder and chair of trustees, Kay O’Shaughnessy, said: “Caring for a child with disabilities is a very real challenge that the families we support face 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“As we near the end of another difficult year, we thought why not finish it on a high by doing something positive to raise money and make a difference in people’s lives? So, we’re asking people to take on our 24/7 Advent Challenge to help us continue to provide vital support to these children and their families.”

Friends and Families CEO, Tim Tod, has already taken the plunge and committed to swimming in the sea for seven minutes for the 24 days of advent.

Tim commented: “The 24/7 Advent Challenge is great as it’s accessible to everyone. People get to set their own challenge – whether that’s walking seven laps of a local park, telling seven jokes a day or running seven miles a day – but the test is to do it every day for the 24 days of advent.”

The money raised will help Friends and Families continue to provide vital advice, support and training to parents of disabled children.

Donations also help fund activities that are accessible to all members of the family.

This includes the Fun and Freedom club that allows young carers time to meet and have some fun away from their caring role.

If you would like to take on a challenge or make a donation to help raise money for Friends and Families, visit www. friendsandfamilies.org.uk for more details.

The charity provides activities for families with disabled children

18 January 2022

Devonport’s Market Hall and Dome hosts prestigious Tech South West awards

18 January 2022

@PlymChronicle

Winners of this year’s Tech South West Awards have been revealed at a live ceremony at the new multi-million pound Market Hall and Immersive Dome venue in Plymouth.

Artificial reef systems, satellite-powered earth observation and filtration systems to tackle microplastic pollution were among the innovations celebrated at the annual technology awards covering the entire South West region.

Tech leaders and organisations from across the South West tech sector attended the event, now in its third year, which showcases the region’s fastest growing sector.

Pippa Clarke, head of Technology, Innovation and Growth at Bishop Fleming, the Headline Partner for this year’s awards, said: “The Tech South West Awards 2021 were a fantastic showcase of the tech talent and innovation taking place in the region, and Bishop Fleming are delighted to have been a part of it. Since they first took place in 2019, Bishop Fleming have been proud to support the awards and help to celebrate and recognise the region’s fantastic tech sector.”

The Future Tech Award went to Pixalytics, an earth observation company based at Plymouth Science Park specialising in satellite remote sensing. The company has supported a range of projects across the globe including investigating the sustainability of sand mining in Kenya, identifying plastic in the coastal zone in

Indonesia through a European Space Agency funded project, and identifying waste plastic and tyres in urban areas in Singapore.

Devonport High School for Boys won Best Education Initiative in recognition of their commitment to teaching digital skills.

Dan Pritchard, co-founder of Tech South West, said: “The tech sector in the South West is one of the most vibrant in the country.

From marine tech hubs like Plymouth to cyber in Cheltenham, photonics in Torbay and software in Cornwall, innovative science parks in Exeter and Plymouth, and

outstanding university partnerships like the SETsquared programme and Falmouth Launchpad, the sector is full of cutting edge collaboration. The Tech South West Awards are all about celebrating that and showcasing the very best in the sector, from start-ups to scale-ups and companies with global reach.

A huge congratulations to the winners and to all the finalists.

“The awards are just one part of Tech South West’s mission to help bolster the region’s tech sector, alongside initiatives such as the fully-funded StartUp Studio accelerator

programme for early stage tech firms, and the Tech Talent programme. In early 2022 we are also publishing an in-depth review of the sector, led by Whitecap Consulting, which will highlight the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities facing the sector. It truly is a wonderful time to be working in and around the tech sector in the South West.”

The tech sector is the fastest growing part of the South West economy, generating £9bn in turnover, employing upwards of 68,000 people and attracting over £500m in investment in 2020.

Pitched as ‘the AirBnB of the sea’, Yachtee’s business model combined agency support for local yacht owners and customer facing sales to fulfil a gap in the boat rental market for a transparent, all-inclusive service provider connecting clients with consumers looking to charter a yacht.

The premise of the Sea Grass Solutions pitch was built around using seagrass as a filter to help remove microplastics from the ocean, improve water quality and absorb CO2 to mitigate climate change.

Makers Wear Capes pitched a combination of educational workshops to schools and businesses to improve knowledge and skills needed to combat climate and sustainability issues within Plymouth and surrounding areas.

Professor Chris Bennewith, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business, said: “The Marine industry has been a prominent topic in Glasgow recently at COP 26, and we at the University of Plymouth want the conversation to continue. The inspiration and innovation present at this year’s Startup Weekend leaves us feeling positive about the future of our oceans and marine ecosystem, with a range of ideas brought to the table including incorporating microalgae into the urban infrastructure, and using creativity and making to educate and build awareness in order to tackle the climate crisis” Louise White of Makers Wear Capes, added: “The Plymouth StartUp weekend was an absolute game-changer for us. It was a melting pot where our ideas came together to be so much stronger. It was a framework with all the ingredients to build a business and then the challenge just to get on and do it. Personally, it gave me confidence that so many people wanted to contribute to my idea and see it succeed. “I now have a great network of collaborators and advisors, enriching the process and moving it forward.

To win best product design was the cherry on the cake. I wasn’t even going to pitch my idea...and I’ve come away with a business!”

Entrepreneurs Make Waves at Startup event

From an ‘AirBnB of the sea’ to using seagrass to improve the quality of the oceans, some of Plymouth’s brightest entrepreneurs have joined together to create innovative marine-based business ideas of the future.

Across tourism, marine conservation, and education, teams at the Plymouth Startup Weekend were given just 48 hours to formulate a plan to impress the judges.

Staged at Real Ideas Organisation’s Market Hall in the heart of Devonport, itself home to centuries of maritime tradition, the special marine-themed version of the event did not disappoint when it came to blue sky thinking for the blue environment.

In just three days, each of the teams took a business idea from initial concept to complete business model with the help of experienced mentors and pitched to a panel of judges consisting of four successful business owners and prominent industry figures: Richard May, head of Oceansgate and Marine Investment at Plymouth City Council; CEO and founder of Common Seas, Jo Royle; Crowdfunder UK founder and director, Dawn Bebe, and Richard Thompson, Professor of Marine Biology and Director of the University’s Marine Institute.

Each of the five teams showed strong entrepreneurial spirit throughout the weekend, which culminated with two teams – Yachtee and Sea Grass Solutions – sharing first place, and Makers Wear Capes picking up the award for Best Product Design. Each

were awarded a bespoke package from a selection of prizes designed to support them in taking the next steps on their entrepreneurial journey. These included a consultation in Plymouth College of Arts Fab Lab, membership with Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Real Ideas Organisation membership, co-working space and mentoring, co-working space and support from Plymouth Science Park and a consultation session with Smart Sound Plymouth.

This Christmas it’s easy to see why here in Plymouth we might feel a little despondent. We have a health system and amazing key workers maintaining herculean efforts to keep us safe, healthy and educated while they continue to cope with the demands brought by covid. We have seen the very worst of human behaviour: the tragedy in Keyham and the murder of Bobbi-Anne, making you wonder what’s happening with people.

But all the dark and suffering has a backdrop of incredible, amazing and simply inspiring people. Working together can be difficult, but every day we see so much positive action taken in our communities that we must seek hope at this level. Whilst our national and international leaders let us down; whilst corporate blindness continues to reap havoc on our planet, it is our connection to one another that holds the key to a positive future.

Everyone at POP wishes you a content and fulfilled Christmas. We hope you can find solace and happiness in those around you and together we will work towards making 2022 a year of connection and belonging for everyone.

With the best of wishes,

Matt at POP

The team at POP was thrilled to welcome members to our 2021 “Voices” Festival last month at The Beacon in North Prospect. Technically it was a new challenge for us as we decided to create a ‘hybrid’ event, giving individuals the choice whether to come in person or join online. ‘Together in the room’ was decidedly the more popular choice with representatives from more than sixty organisations networking, with a further fifteen people joining via Zoom. POP was supported by participants of the Positive People initiative with Georgia on refreshments and Alan, the day’s official photographer.

The event began with the internationally renowned speaker, Cormac Russell, beaming in from Ireland. He led an interactive discussion on how best to put communities at the centre of change.

Cormac spoke wisely inviting us to consider many things including: •

How we get more people in the community to do what they think they should do;

•

How do we include the efforts of those that don’t have the confidence or the belief in themselves;

•

How do we build communities that welcome a stranger at the edge;

•

How might we, at the scale of neighbourhood, find and appreciate those individuals who are natural ‘connectors’ rather than seeking out ‘leaders’.

Reflecting on the significant role of communities during the pandemic, such as, the Neighbourhood Care Networks which formed across Plymouth with the support of POP, Cormac believes that the strength and support that was so urgently needed is best delivered locally; “Covid19 precipitated us into dealing with the crisis not as self not as organisations but as neighbourhood.”

And it is in the ‘neighbourhood’ through the act of citizenship that he believes people can feel most appreciated and energised. In fact, it is when we act locally as an expression of citizenship that we are at our most ‘political’. And Cormac senses that many of us are actively seeking out ways to channel and express this sense of citizenship and, in doing so, “we are citizens of democracy at the neighbourhood level”.

“Community happens when somebody loves the people around them. Institutions produce programmes and services; community produces love and joy,” Cormac Russell

Internationally renowned speaker and author on community development, speaking at this year’s POP festival

Voices from the Voices Festival: considering the big dilemmas for grassroots communities

Cassius Roberts from ODILS: The volunteer age is changing: some of that is because we’ve got to carry on working until we’re sixty-seven whereas the previous generation would have stopped working at sixty and I think, people are losing that sense of being able to contribute back into their communities.”

Nadia Millinship, NSPCC: I think there’s a real power imbalance between institutions and families and communities even in the words we use. We talk about ‘safeguarding’ whereas communities ‘look out for one another’.

Jolyon Walker, The Plant a Tree Foundation: Generally, the problem we have is apathy. I’ve seen it in the last 12 months; the lack confidence and self-esteem.

Kate Thorn, WEA Adult Education: I think there’s a danger with digitalising everything. Sometimes it can prevent people from being part of the community and we don’t want to marginalise and exclude people. I think sometimes we elevate the digital land into some kind of mystical status.

The POP Voices event also had an engaging workshop given by Stephane Kolinsky (one of POP’s associates) of Sky Space Team Development and POP administrator, Deborah Penprase, inviting the audience to consider their own internal voice; the part it might play when faced with the challenging voices of others and, yet, how these might be included.

SUPPOSE YOU HAD £1000 TO SPEND IMPROVING YOUR COMMUNITY

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There is no application form; no targets and no need for written outcomes.

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“This was my first POP meeting. It was great to meet so many like-minded people. I am hopeful for the success of community action in Plymouth. Inspirational!”

Judy Harington, Rhizome Artists Collective

Cormac also has great belief in those individuals less sure of themselves: not only is he passionate that every individual has a gift to share, whether it might be, for example, the ability to cook, to create or to care but that people are waiting to be asked:

“The hybrid event worked well (I was online) so it would be good to continue this format in the future. Cormac Russell was excellent. A great balance of external expertise and participatory sessions.”

“As human beings we fundamentally need to feel that we are needed not just that we are needy.”

“Thought it was fantastic: great venue & absolutely inspirational guest speaker.

Be hard to beat.”

And it is this desire to encourage individuals to help sustain their own communities that is at the heart of everything that POP does through, for example, our funding; training and support of networks, including, and specifically those evolving within their own neighbourhoods.

Jo Bussell, Honicknowle Comnet

Hilary Kolinsky, McCaren Design

“Great event, right length, awesome speaker, very considerate set up (hybrid & space at venue).”

Martin Mills, Our Plymouth

Efford Community Network

Efford 07380 309586 Glenholt 07849 413125

20 January 2022 THE

Experience Many of us celebrate His birth at Christmas and at the beginning of every New Year we at Cross Rhythms endeavour to start this column off with a focus on the Person of Jesus Christ.

Both divine and human, Jesus is the Cornerstone and Foundation of the Christian faith.

According to Pew Research Agency, as of 2015 there were just under 2.3 billion Christians around the world, or about one-in-three (31.4%) people worldwide. This makes Christianity the world’s largest religion. The world’s Christian population is expected to grow to 2.9 billion by 2050.

Christendom, or structured Christianity in the West, is challenged as it endeavours to adapt to social changes since World War 2, but global Christianity continues to grow. However, there are some encouraging signs of new life in the church in the West especially among the younger generation.

According to ancient scripture (the Bible); historic tradition; history itself and the belief of orthodox biblical Christianity through the ages, Jesus Christ is the focus of global Christianity.

Christ lives in the heart and experience of those who believe who He is with lives confirmed by the Holy Spirit.

C.S. Lewis wrote that there are only three

20 January 2022

@PlymChronicle

Jesus is the reason for the season

By Chris Cole, Founder of Cross Rhythms Charity

options of opinion open to us when we consider He never owned a home. He never wrote a the claims Jesus makes about himself: madman, book. He never held an office. He never had a liar or Son of God... family. He never went to college. He never put For Christians, Jesus is the one and only Son His foot inside a big city. He never travelled of God, He has existed with the Father and two hundred miles from the place He was born. the Holy Spirit for all eternity, and He came to He never did one of the things that usually earth as a man 2,000 years ago accompany greatness. He had no in the mysterious act we call credentials but Himself... the incarnation – quite literally, While still a young man, the tide Heaven invaded Earth. of popular opinion turned against But who is Jesus to you and me? him. His friends ran away. One of A couple of hundred years ago, them denied Him. He was turned Napoleon Bonaparte had this to over to His enemies. He went say: “I know men and I tell you through the mockery of a trial. He that Jesus Christ is no mere man… was nailed upon a cross between Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, two thieves. While He was dying and I have founded empires… upon His executioners gambled for the force. Jesus Christ founded His only piece of property He had on empire upon love; and at this hour earth – His coat. When He was Chris Cole millions of men would die for Him.” dead, He was laid in a borrowed Even today more than 350 million grave through the pity of a friend.

Christians live out their faith under severe Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, persecution across the globe. and today He is a centrepiece of the human race In 1926 Dr James Francis wrote the following: and leader of the column of progress.

“Here is a man who was born in an obscure I am far within the mark when I say that all village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up the armies that ever marched, all the navies that in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat until He was thirty. Then for three years He was and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, an itinerant preacher. have not affected the life of man upon this earth

as powerfully as has that one solitary life.”

The foundation of the Christian faith is that Jesus Christ has existed for all time and beyond time. He created us and the world we live in.

‘Gentle Jesus meek and mild’ He may be, but He is also ‘tougher than hell’ and he defeated death, rising again to life to empower men, women and children with grace to carry on where he left off.

He enables us to defeat fear with love in the power of His Holy Spirit.

He sits now, ‘the lamb Who was slain’ on a throne beside his Father’s in heaven and his Father has given Him charge of everything that He has reclaimed with His own life. He has promised He will one day return to bring His peace and the rule of righteous Love in the world. Prophetic scripture confirms this.

This is who Jesus is, for me, and I believe it’s who the Bible says He is... what about you? When Pontius Pilate stood before Jesus and asked Him “what is truth?” it is ironic that Pilate was standing before Absolute Truth Himself and didn’t realise it.

From all at Cross Rhythms, have a powerful and influential 2022 especially in these challenging times.

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

New cycling initiative to combat climate emergency A new initiative has been launched in Plymouth to combat the climate emergency by increasing sustainable, safe and secure cycling in the city.

The Sustainable Cycling Symposium, which is the brainchild of Plymouth man Darren Peck, was placed second in Plymouth City Council’s #backthefuture Crowdfunder aimed at local businesses which are making a difference in relation to climate change.

By being placed in second spot the project secured funding of £12,500 and is now targeting a total of £20,000 by December 8.

The project will roll out 12 cycle

events next year between the Spring and early Autumn with the prize money being used to fund this.

The Sustainable Cycling Symposium will link up multiple cycle services which are provided by a wide range of existing local organisations.

It will target the three core themes of safety, security and sustainability aimed at combating climate change by increasing cycling in Plymouth.

Some of the benefits include ensuring a second life for disused bicycles which will be donated to people in lower socio-economic groups, improving air quality by encouraging greater use of cycling and improving social connectivity,

allowing people to travel locally without cost.

Bicycle security is another key aim which will help to drive down crime and free up emergency services.

There were over 77,000 bike thefts in England and Wales in 20/21.

Safer travel for all is another objective helping to reduce the the number of serious or significant traffic incidents involving cyclists.

The Crowdfunder is still live and the project is looking for sponsors, partnerships and donations to reach the target total and make a real difference to climate change in Plymouth. The Crowdfunder can be found at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ the-sustainable-cycling-symposium)

Local women’s charity secures £900,000 for key partnership project Trevi, the leading Plymouth-based women’s charity has secured £900,000 in funding to deliver a large partnership project that aims to prevent women with multiple disadvantages being affected by domestic violence and abuse.

Awarded as a share of the Government’s £11.25 million Tampon Tax Fund, the unique partnership of seven organisations will be instrumental in the delivery of the project across Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.

The South West organisations partnering in the project include; the Women’s Centre Cornwall, Exeter CoLab, the NSPCC, The Zone, Plymouth City Council, BCHA and the Eddystone Trust.

The South West Women’s Spark Project, as it will be known, aims to prevent women with multiple disadvantages, being affected by violence and abuse; ultimately achieving a better-quality of life.

This will be accomplished through 24/7 support by delivering a wrap-around, outreach programme incorporating traumainformed Assertive Outreach Practitioners, fast-track access to women-only supported accommodation, practical and therapeutic support, and a violence prevention

programme in schools. in Northern Europe while Plymouth has The project is responding to a significant 29,000 residents in the most 10% deprived need in local communities as a result of a areas in England. rise in domestic abuse, attributed in part The Spark project is vital in the South West to the pandemic and home-working which to connect and illuminate the pathways to has denied many victims increasing women’s safety access to safe spaces. and quality of life.

Sexual violence has Addressing the entire increased; recorded rapes cycle from prevention at have doubled. school age to working with Women’s homelessness, Experts by Experience, street work and ‘survival Spark will result in a sex’ has escalated: some transformational blueprint women reporting it as a for meeting women’s method of ‘self-harm’. unmet complex needs with Collective research by long-term sustainability in the partners demonstrates mind. that the biggest needs Hannah Shead, Trevi to be addressed across chief executive said: ‘We Hannah Shead the South West are are thrilled to be awarded out of hours support; this funding. There have lack of women-only been some high-profile accommodation and a consistent traumatragedies over the last 12 months that have informed response. shone a light on the reality of violence Areas of high deprivation, social isolation against women and girls. Those of us working and high numbers of fragmented and in the sector recognise that this is not a new dysfunctional families can be found in all phenomenon. There are no quick fixes or three counties. Cornwall is the poorest region easy answers, but I am delighted to know

that this funding will make a difference for women and girls in the South West.

“I believe that the impact of this funding will be significantly enhanced by the strength of our partnerships. During the application process, we were able to harness our shared passion and determination to improve outcomes for women and girls. I am so pleased that we can now make our vision a reality.”

The Spark project will also gift grants to other South West organisations who are working with women and delivering projects aligned to its aims.

In the 28 years that Trevi has been operating, the organisation has helped transform the lives of thousands of women and their children.

From rehab and health to housing and employment, Trevi helps any woman in recovery move from ‘surviving’ to ‘thriving’.

The experience of the women the charity supports informs everything Trevi does; from the services it provides to its influencing and campaigning work.

For more information on the partnership project, please contact communications@ trevi.org.uk

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22 January 2022

22 January 2022

@PlymChronicle

Counting the cost Making waves on a global scale of tooth decay in young children Plymouth City Council Leader Nick Kelly has visited world-leading research and support facilities here in Plymouth that are helping to showcase Britain’s Ocean City on a global stage.

Many children in Plymouth suffer needlessly from the effects of early years tooth decay.

It affects the appearance of teeth and a child’s smile, leading to embarrassment and impacting their ability to play and socialise. This carries on into adulthood, often lowering the chances of getting jobs and promotions in later life.

Yet tooth decay is largely preventable and a number of schemes start early in the fight for better oral health and a better quality of life for our children.

According to figures from Public Health, extractions under general anaesthetic (GA) are all too common in Plymouth, and children living in more deprived areas of the city suffer much more from tooth decay, for complex reasons.

The figures for 2019/20 are stark: 620 children had tooth extractions under GA. Between them they had a total of 3,935 teeth removed.

Children in deprived areas were three times more likely to be included in those figures.

The impact on school and work life is felt by the children and their families: Time taken off school is usually at least two days (the average is five), with a knock on effect for parents and carers who need the same amount of time off work. On top of that, the cost for extraction under GA is £1,015 per procedure, so the annual cost to the NHS was £629,300.

In addition, the general crisis in the NHS that is worsened by the pandemic, with at least 3,000 children on NHS dentist waiting lists, contributes to a pretty bleak picture all round.

So what can be done to make things better? The good news is that tooth decay among children is almost entirely preventable, and parents, carers, dental practitioners and schools all play an important role in making sure our young people enjoy good oral health, leading to a better quality of life.

Targeted projects aimed at providing fluoride varnishing and supervised tooth brushing in primary schools are already underway, and programmes like First Dental Steps (providing dental checks by the age of one) and Open Wide and Step Inside (www.openwidestepinside.co.uk) are all giving practical help, support and education to encourage better oral health for our children. Over the coming months we’ll be featuring some of these in the Chronicle.

Some top tips for helping the children in your home: • Get the right equipment - When choosing a toothbrush for your child, choose a small headed toothbrush with medium texture bristles, and use fluoride toothpaste for your child’s age.

• Start early - Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first baby tooth appears (usually at about 6 months of age) and brush all tooth surfaces and the gum line where plaque gathers.

• Show them how to do it - brush or help your child in brushing their teeth until they are at least seven years old.

• Brush at least twice a day for about two minutes – by doing this, plaque can be removed while it is still soft.

However, once it hardens, it stays and causes problems until it is scraped away at your next dental cleaning.

• Make sugar swaps - cut down sweetened drinks and foods generally and completely avoid sugary foods and drinks just before bedtime.

• Visit the dentist twice a year – start when their first milk teeth appear, to help children get used to the environment, and then at least every six months.

For more info, go to www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ childrens-services/specialist-dental or talk to your dentist.

He was invited to the University of Plymouth campus on a fact-finding mission to get a sense of the scale and global ambition of the establishment. He said: “Plymouth really does play home to some amazing high tech facilities that most people never hear about. It was a real eye opener to be reminded of the truly pioneering work in so many sectors, being undertaken right now in our city.

“What is research now will become jobs, skills and opportunity tomorrow.”

Earlier this year, the University was named as one of the top 25 institutions globally for its performance against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the council leader was shown examples of the expertise which helped earn that accolade.

He was given a tour of the COAST (Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport) laboratory, a facility that allows waves, currents and wind to be generated so as to test offshore renewable energy and other devices.

He also got a captain’s view of life on the university’s ship simulator and heard about its expanding fleet of research, autonomous and uncrewed vessels used to gather data in the marine environment. He also learned more about a new partnership with the Royal Navy to enhance understanding of the potential of these vessels in a market with the potential to grow to £103 billion by 2030.

The university is working with many local companies to optimise sensor developments for the data capture to monitor offshore operations.

Plymouth is also home to the Maritime Cyber Threats Research Group, which is the largest of its kind globally and is uniquely placed in the understanding of risks to maritime vessels, port infrastructure and national security. The council leader was told about its research and toured the Cyber-SHIP Lab, a unique and world-first facility which is equipping the maritime sector with the capability to achieve cyber resilience.3 The university’s clean maritime credentials

Nick Kelly pictured with Professor Deborah Greaves during his visit to the university

and research also chimes with Plymouth’s National Marine Park status and the city’s push to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

That research was showcased at a Maritime UK and the Connected Places Catapult event at COP26, with the projects featured including Plymouth’s Marine e-Charging Living Lab (MeLL). Led by the university, with the City Council and Princess Yachts as partners, it will make Plymouth the first city in the UK to install a network of shore-side charging facilities for its expanding fleet of electric maritime vessels.

Deborah Greaves OBE FREng, Professor

of Ocean Engineering and Director of the UK’s Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub, highlighted the university’s expertise in ORE research and discussed the vital role it has to play in tackling the climate emergency and reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

She also highlighted a new children’s adventure book – Gaia’s Energy Adventure! – which aims to communicate the often complex subject of offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, as well as encouraging girls and those from other under-represented groups to consider a career in engineering.

Friends club together to give The Box an early gift A group of lifelong friends have joined forces to make a donation to The Box. Plymouth-based Derek Wood, Malcolm Elliott, Ali Gilhespie and Linda Stott have been friends since they were pupils at Burrington School in Pennycross in the 1960s.

They met up again in 2019 and decided to put feelers out to old school friends to see who would be interested in attending a reunion. What they thought was going to be a small gathering ended up with over 200 ex-pupils across the years buying tickets to attend. A surprise element of the evening was a talk about Maker Camp by one of The Box’s community officers.

The Box has been supporting the ‘Maker Memories’ project, which has been exploring the social history of Maker Camp on Cornwall’s Rame Peninsula, since 2017.

Derek, Malcolm, Ali, Linda and many other Burrington pupils enjoyed many holidays at Maker as children and the talk brought back many happy memories.

As a result, the four organisers decided to donate the surplus of the monies raised at the reunion to The Box Foundation (The Box’s charitable arm), which has now received £506.95 from them to support its ongoing engagement work and collections development.

Linda Stott, who also worked for The Box and Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery

Early Christmas gift (from left) Malcolm Elliott, Emma Philip, senior curator at The Box, Derek Wood and Linda Stott

for over 15 years, said: “Maker Camp holds special memories for many of us and the talk at our school reunion inspired many conversations on the night.

“The Box has been undertaking some brilliant outreach work with local communities and is a venue we’re all really proud to have in the city. Donating the monies we raised on the night to it was an obvious choice.”

Emma Philip, senior curator at The Box said: “We’re really grateful for this generous

donation. It’s a lovely early Christmas present for The Box and will support our ongoing work or possibly fund an acquisition in the future. We’d like to extend our thanks to Derek, Malcolm, Ali, Linda and everyone else at the reunion who made this contribution possible. It’s really heartening to know our work is inspiring the local community – and to be supported by them in return.”

To stay up-to-date with all The Box’s news visit www.theboxplymouth.com.

January 2022 23

@PlymChronicle

GOOD report for Tops Day Nursery Bretonside Staff and Children at Tops Bretonside are celebrating a GOOD rating from Ofsted following their recent inspection.

According to the Ofsted report: ‘Children feel safe and secure in this welcoming and caring nursery.

Staff greet children warmly and affectionately. Children settle quickly, choosing from a broad range of activities that interest them. The curriculum is broad and balanced.

Staff know what they would like children to learn next and support them well. For instance, staff help babies to pull themselves up on to furniture ready for their early steps.

Toddlers learn the names of facial features and can point to these when asked. Older children strengthen their finger muscles in dough, in preparation for early writing’.

The report also noted that: ‘Children understand the routines of the nursery. Staff use picture cards to support toddlers and those with additional needs. This helps children to understand what is happening ‘now’ and ‘next’.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents have been unable to come into the nursery. Despite this, staff nurture all children to help them settle quickly into their environment’.

The inspector said: “Managers and staff strive to ensure that all children reach their full potential.

They use funding to enable children

to engage in extra-curricular activities.

For instance, they choose from a range of experiences, such as cooking and forest school.

Additionally, the nursery provides all children with a hot, nutritious meal to benefit their overall health.

The nursery strongly advocates

its passion around sustainability.

Staff help children to learn about protecting the environment.

Children play with eco-friendly resources, such as natural materials and recycled powder paint. They use bamboo toothbrushes when taking care of their oral health. The nursery also works closely with nearby supermarkets to help reduce food waste. Staff distribute these to parents and members of the community.”

“Staff know children exceptionally well. They plan exciting experiences around children’s interests and the types of play they enjoy. For instance, staff provide children with a range of rotating toys and balls that capture their curiosity. Children investigate how these move, hear and feel to promote their sensory experiences.”

Lorraine Hargreaves, nursery manager at Tops Bretonside said “Considering we are a new staff team it was wonderful to see what a great staff team we have and how they keep the needs of the children in the forefront of everything they do.”

Public views are sought on restoration of Civic Square

Plymouth City Council is finalising its plans to restore and upgrade the Civic Square and want to know what residents think.

It is hoped that work on the square will start early next year to restore its most important heritage features, while at the same time reimagining it for the 21st Century. The project is part of Plymouth’s High Street Heritage Action Zone, a partnership between Historic England and Plymouth City Council.

Improvements being considered include: • New tree planting and works to existing trees • Soft landscaping to create an attractive green public space • Repairing mid-century design features including the Hoopla (circular) seating, pool copings and planter seating and restoration of the banded natural stone terrace • Repairing the pond to improve water quality, filtration and biodiversity • Returning the flagpoles to the square on the original axis • New modern seating and street furniture considered to reduce clutter On-street parking spaces at the front of the courts will go to expand the square with new spaces created on Princess Street and more spaces at the Guildhall car park.

The project builds on the views of the public when the council presented ideas as part of the Better Places Plymouth scheme in 2018. Civic Square is a grade II Registered Park and Garden and important to the city’s heritage. It is part of the civic layout of Plymouth planned in 1956 based on Patrick Abercrombie and J Paton Watson’s post-war plan for Plymouth of 1943.Some of the proposed changes are designed to improve movement in and around this key public area for both cyclists and pedestrians.

It will address issues such as narrow pavements and pinch points which hinder movement through the square. Raised edges, kerbs, bollards and parking areas also create obstacles in this key public space limiting access for some people.

The Civic Square is on a key axis for both cyclists and walkers going to and from the waterfront to the station and the east-west connection between the Guildhall and Civic Centre is hindered by parked cars and street furniture.

Expanding the footprint of the square will

Artist’s impression of the Civic Square from Royal Parade

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create much more generous shared routes for cyclists and pedestrians.

More cycle stands and lockers are on the cards and there are also plans for a mobility hub, which will provide electric vehicle charge points, e-bikes, car clubs, and information on local transport for businesses, the public and visitors.

Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “This is one of Plymouth’s key civic spaces and it is fair to say some of its original impressiveness has faded over the last half century.

“This scheme is designed to bring that back and to create a sense of pride in a key location in our city. It’s also taking into account measures we need to think about to make walking and cycling more attractive as well as improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and congestion. It’s a careful balance and we would be interested to hear what the public think.”

These improvements are funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund along with Historic England Heritage Action Zone funding. Simon Hickman, principal inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas, Historic England South West added: “Plymouth Civic Square was designed to draw parts of the city together following the devastation of the Plymouth Blitz, linking the

Hoe with the City Centre and the West End. “These days it’s looking tired, but we’re hoping to see its original features restored and that once again it’ll be a place for the city to meet, work, and play. Historic England are proud to be supporting the project through its Plymouth High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.”

Thanks to the Transforming Cities Fund, (www.plymouth.gov.uk/parkingandtravel/ transportplansandprojects/transportplans/ transformingcitiesfund) a number of projects are in the pipeline to make cycling, walking and public transport in Plymouth a more attractive travel option.

Two consultations are currently underway about two new cycle routes from St Budeaux to the City Centre and the council is keen from the public, and in particular cyclists or those considering cycling, to get involved.

For more information and details go to www.plymouth.gov.uk/newsroom/pressreleases/ viewsonwalkingandcyclingupgradebetween stbudeauxdockyardandcitycentre) Projects also in the pipeline include cycle routes from the dockyard to city centre, Mayflower Street bus stops and Royal Parade improvements, mobility hubs, major improvements to St Budeaux Interchange.

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 Cineworld 03303 33444 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

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24 January 2022

24 January 2022

@PlymChronicle

Blooming brilliant! over

Advertise to

Fourteen local businesses and voluntary groups have been awarded certificates of achievement in the South West in Bloom competition in 2021.

23,000

Deb Hoskin pictured with clients at the Plymouth Horticultural Therapy Trust

The Royal William Yard hosted the awards with entries from Plymouth, Bere Alston, Gunnislake and Liskeard. The awards were presented by Richard Taylor, a judge from Bovey Tracey and co-ordinator for Devon, who invited more entries in the future.

The themes of the awards were Enhancing, Productive, Ingenious and Caring (EPIC).

Enhancing the landscape with Planting and Art. Bere Alston won the Denise James Art Trophy, the first award of this new category. Denise James was the Secretary of South West in Bloom and the new award marks her service to the Bloom movement.

The art included a trail of metal dragonflies and two floral half men, a top and bottom half. A notable exhibit was the floral galleon in Notte Street from Plymouth Community Homes and a floral dinghy from Pembroke EMB also featured. Attractive plantings by residents surround residential flats in herbs in addition to flowers. the Barbican at Castle Street.

These ranged from a rooftop Two new groups, Woolwell garden at Morley Court in the in Bloom and St Matthew’s centre of Plymouth to keen Church Elburton improved volunteers in Gunnislake with local open space with plants. flowers around the village Three business entries and a community allotment. presented with awards in a Freedom Fields Park grow competition to use flowers vegetables as well as the park and plants to enhance their plantings. premises and encourage Groups were Ingenious in patronage. They were Royal Plymouth Community Homes making bird boxes, hedgehog William Yard, Liskeard Traders impressive display in Notte houses, compost bins, tool Association and MEMCO Street racks, knitting for displays, flowerbeds at the Millfields restoring lawn mowers and site. This is in addition to wheelbarrows and building walls. ARC Metals Plymouth Waterfront Business Improvement made the hull and sails for the Mayflower Galleon District being awarded a Gold Award at the in Notte St, a work of great ingenuity.

Regional Awards last month.

Caring was an important theme of the awards.

Productive groups grow fruit vegetables and Winners of the South West in Bloom Awards

homes in Central and Waterfront

Plymouth Horticultural Therapy Trust received an outstanding award and a special discretionary award for their work with disabled clients during lockdown.

They counselled and supported them, as well as growing fruit vegetables and flowers. With special arrangements in place they were able to keep the Trust open through lockdowns.

This was reported in the RHS Garden magazine and Deb Hoskin from the Trust was interviewed on Radio 5 Live. Clients from this site also helped with the MEMCO flower beds.

Liskeard Foyer run by Live West won an award for its garden, vegetable growing and orchard.

Activities for children to do in gardens when home schooling during lockdown was written and distributed. Another need that was met was the provision of additional outdoor seating to facilitate people meeting outside.

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 February edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Central and Waterfront will be published on January 14 with a copy deadline of January 4.

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.

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Chronicle Plymouth

January 2022

The Students’ Union at Plymouth College of Art has won a top award for its caring work For details see Page 4

# PLYMOUTH TOGETHER A new multi-agency commission is to be launched in Plymouth to tackle violence against women and girls See Page 14

Central & Waterfront

Gables Dogs and Cats Home have launched an urgent appeal for funds to help with winter heating bills See Page 14

It’s sparkling at Saltram!

• Cross Rhythms Experience • Dial the Experts • Useful numbers

Saltram will be sparkling this festive season with nearly 50,000 lights adorning Christmas trees inside the National Trust’s Georgian mansion. The grand rooms have also been elaborately decorated to tell the story of the Nutcracker.

• Story and pictures on page 13.

Photo: Steve Haywood

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