Plymouth Chronicle Plympton & Plymstock June 2021

Chronicle Plymouth

See inside for news and information from Plymouth City Council Pages 2 and 3

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Plympton & Plymstock

June 2021

COVID UPDATE

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Global superstar Deadmau5 will be headlining at the 1 Big Summer event on Plymouth Hoe in August See page 16

Gables Dogs & Cats Home appeal for donations to help treat Wanda, who was rescued from a puppy farm See page 6

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Spirit of Adventure!

Scores of youngsters from schools across Plymouth will be enjoying a spectacular day of sailing on historic boats as part of the delayed Mayflower 400 commemorations. The Spirit of Adventure programme will involve schools from some of the most disadvantaged areas of the city.

• Story on page 6

Photo: The Island Trust

2 June 2021

2 June 2021

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Are you having a regular COVID-19 test?

Whilst restrictions continued to be lifted, and we all start to enjoy a renewed sense of freedom, we must not rest on our laurels. Our COVID case numbers remain low. And whilst we’re seeing odd spikes in a couple of places, overall it’s a good picture and I want to thank people for taking note of the advice.

Starting to open-up is the trickiest point.

Sadly, we’re not quite out of the woods yet and although the vaccine programme is rolling out across the City, it is not the only solution to combatting COVID-19.

If we go too fast too soon and if we don’t follow the rules, we’re likely to see more cases.

Also, we are very aware that 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not display any symptoms.

This means the risk of spreading the virus is

greater, as people don’t know they have it.

Therefore, every adult in Plymouth is being encouraged to take a rapid, lateral flow test for Coronavirus twice a week, you can access the testing in a variety of ways including at local testing centres, workplaces, libraries, pharmacies, or home delivery.

The tests are fast and convenient, and results are usually available within the hour.

We have been taking our mobile testing site on a mini road trip to hand out free COVID-19 testing kits.

Our team will be in some of the busier parts of the city to make it as easy as possible for people to pick up a kit and to get a test so folk can get a flavour for how it works.

Tests are also available online, in libraries and in pharmacies.

There is more information on the next page about where you can access a test. It doesn’t matter how or where – but just remember

whilst testing is important it doesn’t give you a free pass – you must still follow the guidance.

So, until we are told otherwise, everyone should stick to hands, face and space, get tested, and self-isolate if they have a positive test or they display symptoms.

By Dr Ruth Harrell Director of Public Health for Plymouth

HOW TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE

You can check the latest number of COVID-19 cases in Plymouth on the Council’s website at: www.plymouth.gov.uk/COVID-19. There are also daily updates on the Council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout update

More than 137,000 people in Plymouth (well over 60 per cent of residents) have now had their first COVID-19 vaccination and 51,300 their second as the rollout continues.

Everyone aged 40 and over, frontline health and care workers and people who are clinically vulnerable have all been offered the vaccine.

Anyone in these eligible groups who hasn’t already had the vaccination is still being advised to make an appointment through the National Booking Service: • Visit www.nhs.uk/conditionscoronaviruscovid-19/coronavirusvaccination/bookcoronavirus-vaccination • Or call 119 Now, it is the turn of those age 40 and over to book their appointment. If you are 40 or

will be before 1 July, you can now make an appointment via the National Booking Service.

Dr Paul Johnson, a GP and Chair of NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to start offering coronavirus vaccinations to the next cohort of people.

“New appointments are being regularly added so please keep checking back on the national website over the next few days.

“Please do not contact your GP practice about an appointment – they will contact you when they are able to book you in.”

The vaccine rollout has been boosted by the first delivery of the Moderna vaccine in Devon.

Moderna is the third COVID-19 vaccination to be offered by the NHS and uses technology similar to the Pfizer vaccine.

Eligible people aged under 30, with no underlying health conditions will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, where available.

The NHS is reassuring people that the Astra Zeneca vaccine is safe, effective and has already saved thousands of lives.

They estimate that the overall risk of blood clots for the Astra Zeneca vaccine is four in every million people who receive the jab and advises that people should have their second dose unless they experienced blood clots.

Second doses normally take place 11 to 12 weeks after the first vaccination. Anyone who has not had their second vaccination after 12 weeks should email: d-ccg. devonvaccinationsupport@nhs.net or call 01752 398836.

Have you picked up free COVID-19 test kits yet?

June 2021

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The Council is taking its mobile testing site on a mini road trip to hand out free COVID-19 testing kits.

The team will be out and about to make it as easy as possible for people to pick up a kit and to get a test so folk can get a flavour for how it works.

The mobile sites will run from 10am to 3pm and will be at the following locations: • Sunday: Hoe Promenade • Monday: St Paul’s Church car park, Efford • Tuesday: Kings Tamerton Community Centre car park, St Budeaux • Thursday: Crownhill Village car park, Crownhill • Friday: Mudge Way North car park, Plympton Ruth Harrell, Director of Public Health for Plymouth City Council, said: “We’ve had a great response from Plymouth people so far, with a lot of people picking up their kits. These tests are lateral flow tests, which schools and businesses

have been using for some time. Now we are trying to encourage the rest of the population, as they go out and about more, to get into the habit of testing themselves at least twice a week.

“These tests play a key role in detecting cases of COVID-19 where there are no symptoms and will help us all to keep the infection rate down.”

There is a stall at the Place de Brest in the city centre, which is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, offering assisted testing and handing out home testing kits. Each box contains seven individual tests and should last one person three and a half weeks, when testing twice a week.

All of the city’s libraries and pharmacies stock the testing kits. You can also order them online or through 119 to be delivered to your home. For more information visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/ gettested.

Call for more COVID-19 Community Champions At the start of March the Council put out a call for volunteers to become COVID-19 Community Champions.

The scheme aims to create a group of people who can get out up-to-date, accurate COVID-19 messages directly to their community. Their input is vital in encouraging people to get vaccinated, combatting myths and continuing to share COVID-19 guidelines as lockdown eases.

The Council currently has over 50 COVID-19 Community Champions, with ties to all areas of Plymouth life. Champions are given a weekly email bulletin with the latest government guidelines, facts, figures and social media assets for them

Green light for pregnant women to get the COVID-19 vaccine

to distribute to their communities through social media, WhatsApp groups, newsletters or any way they keep in touch locally.

And it’s not just a one-way street. Community Champions are also encouraged to contact the Council with issues they’d like further information on or myths they’ve become aware of in the community that they feel need busting.

By having and sharing clear information, Community Champions are empowering friends, family and their community to make informed choices and protect each other.

To become a COVID-19 Community Champion visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/newsroom/ plymouthnews/covidcommunitychampions.

Pregnant women will now be offered the COVID-19 vaccine following a change in national health guidance. Previously, lack of trial data involving pregnant women meant the vaccine was only recommended for those in certain high-risk groups such as health and care workers.

However, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation have said enough evidence is now available to give the green light for all pregnant women to get the jab. If you are pregnant, you will be offered a jab when the vaccine programme reaches your age group.

In addition, women can be reassured that there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect future pregnancy.

The Royal College of Midwives has reassured women that there is​​no biologically plausible mechanism by which current vaccines would cause any impact on women’s fertility. However, if concerned – please speak to your GP. More information www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirusvaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/

NOTE: The information on these pages was correct at time of going to press on May 6.

Please visit plymouth.gov.uk/COVID-19 for latest updates or sign up for email updates with the latest news and information at bit.ly/plymouthemailalerts

3

4 June 2021

Human library is looking for ‘books’ for unique project Never judge a book by its cover is a familiar phrase but what about people?

A fascinating project - The Human Library - is coming to Plymouth and seeking volunteers to be the ‘books’ which people will ‘read’.

The initiative which has taken place in more than 80 countries, illustrates that each person is so much more than their appearance. The Human Library aims to highlight people who have experienced stigma or other challenges based on the way they appear to others, such as via their ethnicity, disability, sexuality or gender.

The individuals become the ‘books’ while the ‘readers’ are members of the public who want to learn about the person ‘behind the label’ in a safe space where people can ask the questions they never had the opportunity, or never dared, to ask.

The event on June 2 is being organised, as part of Plymouth History Festival, by Carmel Lawless, who has taken part as a ‘book’ in other human libraries.

“We are looking for people,” said Carmel, “who have experienced misconcept of who they are and who want to help create better understanding through respectful conversations.

“Anyone who is open to sharing their experiences and even slightly curious about being a human book, we want to hear from them.”

Contact Carmel at humanlibrary plymouth@gmail.com or Mobile 07849 655990.

4 June 2021

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Rescued from a puppy farm, Wanda just wants some pain free walkies!

Gables Dogs & Cats Home have recently taken in a heavily pregnant dog from a puppy farm, who had been used solely for breeding to make money.

The poor girl, who the charity have named Wanda, had been living in a totally unsuitable location, exposed to the elements, knee deep in mud and freezing cold during the winter.

When she arrived at Gables she was taken straight to deputy manager Ruth Rickard’s home, where she could relax and begin bonding with Ruth in preparation for her imminent labour. She was given a large, comfortable whelping box and the best nutrition to help her and her puppies.

Wanda gave birth to five healthy puppies, who chose a very special day to arrive Valentine’s Day! She proved to be a very good mother and helped her puppies to grow big and strong. Now that Wanda’s endless cycle of pregnancies is over it is time to focus on her.

Wanda is only a young dog, estimated to be around three or four years old, but she is already starting to show the stresses and strains associated with intensive overbreeding. Wanda seemed very unsteady on her feet and her leg would collapse under her when out for walks or playing with her puppies.

She was taken to Gables’ vet for X-rays, where several medical issues were sadly discovered.

She is now facing several operations to enable her to go on and live as close to a pain free life as possible. She will also need to maintain her

weight and build her strength up slowly, so she can become more active as time goes on.

Wanda has hip dysplasia in both of her hips and a luxating patella in her right knee. With such painful hips and a knee joint that pops out regularly, Wanda finds it difficult to run and play as a dog of her age should be able to.

As well as the surgeries needed to help her joints, Wanda will need to be spayed to ensure she never has to endure another pregnancy. The charity will provide Wanda with the very best after care, along with vaccinations and regular flea and worm treatment.

Ruth Rickard said: “Wanda is a very sweet, clever girl who has a cheeky side which never fails to make us all smile. I have loved having her in my home and I know that everyone loves puppies, but I have to admit that it’s the poor mums and the older animals that I have a soft spot for.

“As Wanda’s puppies have now all found their forever homes, it is time for her to get the treatment she requires so she is fit and well enough to find the loving home that she deserves. We will give her the best aftercare and she will stay with me in my home to ensure I can give her the extra care and attention she needs until she finds her perfect forever home.

“We are confident that this treatment will greatly improve her quality of life so she can go on to have a happy and healthy future with her forever family.”

It is estimated it will cost Gables at least £2,000 for the surgeries that Wanda will need. If Gables is lucky enough to raise more money than is needed it will go towards helping the other animals in their care.

To make a contribution to ‘Wanda’s Wish Vet Appeal’, please call 01752 331602 or visit www. virginmoneygiving.com/fund/wandaswish to donate online.

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NEW HOME FOUND FOR POPULAR PLYMPTON PRE-SCHOOL

Woodford Community Pre-School in Plympton has found a new home for September 2021 after an outpouring of community support.

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The Pre-School, currently based at Woodford Methodist Church, found out in February that its current premises would be closed from December of this year, as the church is seeking a developer for the site due to escalating maintenance costs.

The community has since rallied around to support the pre-school, which was founded in 1963, with much determination to keep it open.

Hannah Price-Faulkner, who has two children who attend the pre-school, was the first to set up a community group and a fundraising page to help provide support and funds, and others were quick to add their support.

“Having two children attend there during the pandemic, they have been nothing short of wonderful,” said Hannah. “Sending home small tokens during the first lockdown to let us know they are thinking of their children and families.

“The pre-school have provided love and care to many families especially during the newest lockdown, working so that other key-workers may still attend their jobs whilst giving routine and stability to the children.

“They’re not just a pre-school, they are a family and it shows through the amount of care they give to every child that walks through the door.

“Even whilst they face potential closure, staff are thinking about others such as the lovely church members and others who use the facility for clubs, events and other activities.”

After much searching in the local area and exploring multiple options, the pre-school has confirmed that it will be relocating to a new location from September.

Its popular breakfast club will continue in the current Church site until the end of this year, at which point it will move to the Scout hut in the ground of Woodford Primary School.

The new site, located in Bell Close in Plympton, boasts modern facilities such as air conditioning and is a large, airy space.

It will also offer the opportunity for the pre-school to extend its current opening hours, which has never been possible in the past due to the multiple use of the current building.

The pre-school staff will all move to the new site, maintaining the family feel that locals have come to know and love.

Claire Dixon, business manager at Woodford Community Pre-School commented: “Having spent months researching possible options and facing the possibility of closure, we are so delighted to have found a space that will make a perfect home for our pre-school.

“There are exciting possibilities moving forward, with the option for us to operate longer hours and support working families even more than before.

“On behalf of the pre-school staff and trustees, I’d like to thank everybody in the community that has rallied around us in recent months. Your support has been invaluable to us and we look forward to staying an integral part of the Plympton childcare community.”

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6 June 2021

Final warning letter issued to developer

6 June 2021

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Plymouth children take to the seas for new adventure

A long running dispute over an unstable hedgebank in Plympton could end in the courts after a final warning letter was issued by Plymouth City Council.

Pedestrians have been unable to use the pavement below St Maurice View at the Deep Lane end of Ridgway for some time as the hedgebank running alongside the pavement has been crumbling onto it and the road.

Plymouth City Council claims the hedgebank is the responsibility of Persimmon Homes who so far have not acted on the council’s requests for it to be made safe.

Now though Plymouth City Council has lost patience with the inaction and has served a final warning letter on Persimmon Homes requiring the necessary work to be carried out by May 31.

If the developer does not make the bank safe by that date the council will arrange for the work to be done and pursue a recovery of the cost involved from Persimmon Homes through legal channels.

(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

Hundreds of Plymouth schoolchildren will enjoy a spectacular day of sailing aboard heritage boats this May, giving them a chance to connect with the Mayflower story in a new way.

Photo: The Island Trust

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The ‘Spirit of Adventure’ programme was crowdfunded last year and the first part of the project is set to take place from May 4 to 7 May. During the week, 240 children will enjoy a day of hands-on sailing adventure with one of four sailing organisations: The Island Trust, The Bounty Project, Sailing Tectona and The Lynher Barge CIC. The organisations have seven traditional wooden sailing vessels between them, which will undertake daily voyages in Plymouth Sound.

Led by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP), the crowdfunder raised £50,000 with support from individuals and organisations including Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Mayflower 400 and Plymouth City Council.

Diane Mansell, chief executive of PWP, said: “As Britain’s Ocean City, and the departure point for many a famous journey, it’s shocking that so many children in Plymouth have never had the chance to try out sailing. The Spirit of Adventure project offers an amazing opportunity to engage children and young people with the waterfront, with the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and with the Mayflower story in a very tangible way.

“We’d like to give a huge thank you to all the businesses and people that contributed to the crowdfunder to make this a reality.”

Chairman of the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, Alan Nichols said: “The Commissioners recognise the huge importance of our local community being able to engage with the water but also appreciate that not everyone has the opportunity to easily do so.

“We are delighted to have supported this project which will enable local school children to get out on the water to learn more about the Mayflower expedition, and to understand the importance of water safety and teamwork, which will be much needed when hoisting those heritage sails!”

The schools involved are located in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the city, with the aim being to work with children that have not been given these opportunities before, particularly those living in poverty, young carers and children in care. The following schools are taking part: The Cathedral School of St Mary, Stonehouse; Compton Primary School, Drake Primary Academy, Devonport; High View Primary School, Efford; Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Prince Rock; Keyham Barton Catholic Primary School, Keyham; Laira Green Primary School, Laira; Lipson Vale Primary School, Lipson; Marine Academy Primary School, St Budeaux; Mayflower Community Academy Primary School, Ham; Montpelier Primary School, Beacon Park and Mount Street Primary School, Greenbank Each day, groups of children will be encouraged to work together as a team, hoisting the sails and sailing the boats themselves with support from expert staff. This will help to build communication, social and cooperation skills and give them a sense of responsibility and achievement, giving a much-needed confidence boost and memories to last a lifetime.

Initially due to take place in 2020 as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations, the Spirit of Adventure was postponed due to COVID-19. The second element of the project, giving children in care the opportunity to try out sailing, will hopefully take place later this year.

June 2021

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Plymouth & Devon Racial Equality Council have announced that they will be presenting the first Virtual RESPECT Festival – in line with Government guidelines and restrictions.

Having had to cancel the event in 2020, with the support and assistance of partners, organisers have been planning to livestream broadcast the event on the Plymouth Respect Festival YouTube Channel on Saturday June 5 from 11am to 5pm.

The Barbican Theatre, FotoNow, NubSound, Plymouth Dance, Karen Evans, WonderZoo, Beyond Face, Kaos Productions and Clever Cow Consultancy are all working together to make the event possible, technically and logistically.

The day will start at 11am with a Digital Parade, followed by music, dance and spoken word performances, interspersed with films and the stories of individuals connected to the city who have influenced the history of Plymouth and beyond.

Leading up to the event, there will be art, dance and spoken word workshops with schools and community groups which will result in the creation of the Digital Parade, with music provided by the Bhangra band, R.S.V.P. The event has been made possible with the support of Arts Council England, the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner, Devon & Cornwall Police, Mayflower 400 Community Sparks Fund, Refugee Integration Service Community Fund, University of Plymouth, the Citizens Advice Bureau and contributions from Plymouth City Councillors Community Grants.

More details will be released on the Respect Festival Facebook page.

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8 June 2021

Hefty fines for litter louts - and for woman who didn’t keep her dog on a lead

Seven more litter louts have been handed hefty fines after appearing before Plymouth Magistrates Court.

The court heard how the offenders were witnessed dropping litter on the city’s streets by the council’s environmental enforcement officers, who issued them with a fixed penalty notice.

However, despite several reminders, the fixed penalty notices remained unpaid, and the cases were put before the court.

The court found the defendants guilty in their absence and ordered them each to pay a fine of £150, pay costs of £200 as well as a victim surcharge of £34.

The original fixed penalty notice was for £100.

Also before the same court was a woman who failed to keep her dog on a lead in a dogs on lead area.

Like the litterers, her offence was witnessed by a council officer who issued her with a fixed penalty notice.

When it was unpaid, the case was brought to court.She was found guilty in her absence and ordered to pay a fine of £150, pay costs of £200 as well as a victim surcharge of £34.

Check where you need to keep a dog on a lead at www.plymouth.gov.uk/ dogcontrol

8 June 2021

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The Club House restaurant and bar set to open in Royal William Yard Plymouth’s Royal William Yard will welcome a new restaurant and bar in May.

Hospitality heavy-hitter The New World Trading Company is opening its 30th restaurant - The Club House – and it will be their first in Devon.

The new site continues the company’s recent expansion in the South West, following openings in Bristol, Cheltenham and Bath.

Expanding yet further into the South West, this new addition to Royal William Yard’s vibrant array of eateries will be the second location for The Club House brand, after a successful five-year spell in Liverpool. The company – named as one of the fastest growing businesses in the UK – boasts an array of award-winning sites, including The Oast House, The Botanist, The Canal House, The Smugglers Cove, The Trading House, The Florist and The Club House.

Welcoming guests from May 17 onwards, The Club House is opening in the Yard’s Grade I listed Brewhouse building and promises a relaxed holiday-feeling all year round; perfect for the summer of staycations ahead. A distinctive, casual bar and restaurant will extend outside, overlooking Royal William Yard’s marina. There will be an extensive food menu alongside a wide selection of beers, wines and cocktails.

Emily Handslip, commercial director for Urban Splash, said: “We are delighted to welcome New World Trading Company to Royal William Yard. This is the perfect location for their first Devon-based opening

The Club House will be located in Royal William Yard’s Brewhouse building

and we can’t wait for The Club House to open. Visitors are going to love this new bar and restaurant, whether they want to relax in comfort indoors, or sip a cocktail in the sun by the water.”

Hailey Cattle, regional marketing manager for Urban Splash, added: “With such a variety of hospitality, leisure and retail businesses on offer at the Yard, combined with our picturesque waterfront setting, we truly are a must-visit destination.

“The Club House will open on the banks of our marina in our Brewhouse building, offering the perfect location for sundowners and to watch yachts moor from local harbours and far away shores. The Club House will allow visitors to kick back and relax at any time of day.”

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Natasha Waterfield, chief operating officer at The New World Trading Company said: “It’s been a tough year for hospitality, but I’m incredibly proud to be at the helm of such a resilient business that is powered and supported by our amazing teams across the country.

“To be able to still open a venue is a testament to the talent within our NWTC family and we’re delighted to bring our unique brand to a historic location like Plymouth.”

The Club House is boosting the local economy by recruiting kitchen staff, bartenders and servers of all levels. Those looking to join the award-winning employer should head to jobs.nwtc.uk.com to view the vacancies available.

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10 June 2021

Mental health charities launch new initiative

Two of Devon’s leading mental health charities have joined forces to tackle poor mental health in Devon in the wake of the pandemic.

Devon Mind and Step One Charity have launched Devon Mind x Step One, a joint initiative created in response to the desperate need for mental health services across the county in the wake of this unprecedented challenge.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the mental health of the nation. In Devon, an area heavily reliant on tourism and hospitality and where rural locations can lead to isolation, the true cost on the mental health of people in the county has yet to be calculated. In June of last year, estimates suggested as many as 12,500 people in Devon would be seeking support for their mental health as a result of coronavirus.

As we emerge from our third national lockdown, that figure is likely to rise significantly.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, both Devon Mind and Step One have been working hard to identify opportunities to deliver their services in ways that are as safe and accessible as possible – with both charities offering innovative online support.

Devon Mind x Step One is a strong, positive response to COVID-19 which draws on the resources and specialist knowledge of both charities. It sees the two collaborating in an effort to create better outcomes for people across the county, at a time when it is most needed.

Devon Mind x Step One offers highly accessible, free to access digital mental health and wellbeing support, through a unique blended approach to delivery. By working together, the charities bring the best Devon has to offer in online mental health support through a mix of live modular courses, pre-recorded webinars, and bite size briefings and workshops.

This is just the first step in a planned series of collaborative programmes throughout 2021.

Delivering support where it will have the biggest impact, courses cover topics such as anxiety, depression, bereavement and change management and everything is free and open to everyone.

Speaking about the collaboration, Devon Mind CEO Olivia Craig commented: “Our collaboration was borne out of a desire to ensure that people had access to a wide support offer – that they should only need to go through ‘one front door’ to discover courses, workshops and groups that will benefit their mental health. We will continue to work together to develop and grow more opportunities to support people in Devon who need us.”

CEO of Step One, Eilis Rainsford, added: “During the pandemic, we recognised people’s need for mental health support was increasing and our charity wanted to do something to address this. We have been running free online support and training sessions since last November and the demand for these courses has continued to rise.”

All courses in the Devon Mind x Step One programme are now available for self-referral at www.devonmind.com/devon-mind-x-stepone and www.steponecharity.co.uk/devonmind-x-step-one. More courses, webinars and workshops will be added in the coming weeks based on popularity and feedback from local communities.

10 June 2021

@PlymChronicle

Urgent appeal by Argyle fans to save school in Nairobi A school in Kenya set up with the help of a group of Plymouth Argyle fans, is in danger of having to close its doors just two years after opening in May 2019.

Welicar Educational Centre in Nairobi offers a free education to the poor and needy children of the slums and relies solely on donations and child sponsorship. Although primary education is supposed to be free in Kenya the schools still charge for uniform, lunchtime meal and school equipment, which is beyond the means of people in the slums.

The school currently has 278 pupils many of whom are orphaned and disadvantaged.

The school rents the land that it’s situated on but now the landlord has decided to sell the land as he no longer lives in the area.

However, he admires what the school and staff are doing for the community and he Welicar’s Under 14s football team in their Plymouth Argyle shirts

The Welicar school is facing an uncertain future

has given them the opportunity to purchase the land before it goes on the open market.

Unfortunately with a near £50,000 price tag there is little hope of the school being able to buy it.

As a result, the Argyle fans’ charity, Friends of Welicar, has set up a Just Giving page in an attempt to raise the money. One of the trustees, Plymouth Argyle season ticket holder Bob Wright, said: “It would be a disaster if Welicar had to close.

“You’d have 278 children left to roam the streets of the slums at risk of being drawn into forced labour, gang crime, prostitution and drug abuse, to name just a few. We’ve got to save this school from closure to give these children the education they deserve and an opportunity of escaping the poverty.”

Any help would be gratefully received.

The appeal can be found on the Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/ SaveWelicarEducationalCentre

Explosive search dog who helped protect Royal Family is now retired in the Devon countryside A military police dog who helped to protect the Royal Family during public events is now enjoying a quiet retirement in Devon.

Retired police dog Atos worked with his partner, PC Claire Addems, to keep members of the Royal Family and the public safe at large events. But the springer spaniel was forced to retire early after being diagnosed with a fear of travelling in the car and chronic arthritis.

Claire, from Ivybridge, was paired up with 12-month-old Atos in 2013 for their initial explosive search course at the Ministry of Defence Police HQ in Essex, after he’d been brought over from the Netherlands. Following the eight-week training course, Claire and Atos were based at Atomic Weapons Establishment Burghfield in Berkshire, for their entire five-year career together.

Claire said: “Atos was a fantastic search dog.

He was so full of drive and had such a passion for his work. We worked together on many important jobs, including searches for members of the Royal Family in Portsmouth Dockyard and at Horseguards in London.

“Atos never failed me and always passed his licensing with ease, he loved to work and loved to please me and, of course, loved to get that tennis ball at the end of a job!

“Atos was incredibly enthusiastic in his job.

Sometimes that caused problems. He had no fear and wouldn’t hesitate which ended up in a few visits to the vets with split pads or cuts from running through bracken and forest.”

In 2019, at just six-years-old, Atos was diagnosed with arthritis and Claire also raise some concerns about the springer spaniel’s travel anxiety.

“He started to suffer from arthritis – due to the pressure he’d put on his body during his years of service – and as he got older his travel fears worsened,” Claire added. “It got to the point where I’d have to physically put him in the car as he’d avoid the vehicle at all costs.

Claire with Atos

“It was decided that Atos would retire and he then became my responsibility. The Army take care of food and medical costs during the dog’s working life but, as soon as they retire, all costs become the sole responsibility of the owner.” Just a year into his retirement, in September 2020, Atos ruptured his cruciate ligament during a walk. The Thin Blue Paw Foundation – a charity established just a month earlier to help support ex-service dogs in their retirement – stepped in to help Claire and Atos, and pay for £3,000 vet bill.

“We were faced with a substantial vet bill and, due to him being a retired police dog, we had struggled to get insurance for him,” Claire added.

“That is when Thin Blue Paw Foundation stepped in and approved to cover all of Atos’s medical bills which were in excess of £3,000. I cannot express how grateful I am to the charity for their

generosity and the financial pressure it has taken off me and my family.

“As a working explosive search dog Atos had all his vet bills paid for by the force he served, but, on his retirement, it fell to me as his new owner.

This was a burden I was more than willing to take on but with charities like The Thin Blue Paw Foundation that burden is eased.”

Atos was the first dog helped by Thin Blue Paw Foundation which launched in August 2020.

Trustee Kieran Stanbridge said: “Police and military dogs receive wonderful care during their working lives but, when they retire, most dogs receive no ongoing support and that leaves a lot of pressure on their new owners.

“Dogs like Atos are heroes; they’ve served our country and worked incredibly hard to keep us safe. They deserve to live long, happy retirements and the Thin Blue Paw Foundation is here to ensure they receive the support they need to do so.”

“It was a long journey to help Atos recover,” Claire said. “We would sleep on the floor of the kitchen to keep him company while he was on crate rest, we took him to weekly vet checks, and helped him completely regular physio and exercises to get his mobility back.”

Atos has recovered from his surgery and is now enjoying life once again.

Claire added: “With lots of love and cuddles, Atos is now back to himself. He’s pain-free and can enjoy walks again, he can run and he can swim.

It’s so wonderful to see. He’s on pain relief for his ongoing arthritis but he is comfortable and happy, and that’s all I could wish for.”

Atos loves water, enjoys jumping in big puddles and will bark with excitement if the outside hose is switched on to water the garden.

“He’s got so much character and such a big personality. He has a basket full of toys that he knocks over when he wants to play, he loves belly rubs and cuddles on the sofa, and will do anything for a biscuit!”

Follow Atos on Instagram (@the_atos).

June 2021

@PlymChronicle

11

Tickets available now for major international Mayflower 400 commemoration on July 11 The major international Mayflower 400 commemoration event will take place on Plymouth Hoe in July and free tickets are available to book now.

Having been postponed from the original anniversary date of September 16 due to the pandemic, the Mayflower 400 Four Nations Ceremony will now take place on Sunday July 11 on the biggest stage Plymouth Hoe has ever seen.

The ceremony is the UK’s flagship Mayflower 400 event and a grand finale to the commemorations. The 70 metre stage will host an epic production, which tells the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims’ journey in search of religious freedom and explores the impact of this on the world.

A massive array of singers representing choirs and schools from throughout the region will be accompanied by the full concert orchestra of HM Royal Marines Band Plymouth.

Together they will perform brand new music, accompanied by actors on stage and bespoke film footage all narrated to tell this unique story.

The script and lyrics have been written

by Nick Stimson, associate director at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, with music by Chris Williams.

For the first time ever, this commemoration event will include leading representatives of the Native American Wampanoag tribes, who have historically been excluded from the narrative despite having been greatly

affected by the Mayflower’s arrival and subsequent European settlement.

All four nations involved in the story – the

UK, USA, Netherlands and the Wampanoag tribes – will be represented by high-ranking dignitaries who will speak during the

ceremony and reflect on what the historical voyage means for the world today.

Adrian Vinken, chair of Mayflower 400, said: “This is the major moment for the international Mayflower 400 commemorations and the culmination of all the activity that’s been taking place around the world to mark this significant global anniversary.

“Nothing like this has been done in Plymouth before, bringing together all four nations to tell the story that has had a profound impact on global history.

“It’s going to be a memorable, once-in-alifetime event so I’d urge people to book their tickets quickly.”

The event is being ticketed to safeguard COVID-19 precautions, with all tickets free.

Tickets must be booked prior to entry.

Gates will open at 1pm on the day, with the ceremony taking place from 3pm to approximately 4.30pm. There will be activity taking place on stage from 2pm, food and drink stands and toilets.

Visitors are welcome to take their own food and drink with them, as well as blankets or camping chairs as seating will not be provided.

Free tickets are available to book now at: visitplymouth.co.uk/ mayflower400ceremony.

Everyone over the age of two years will need a ticket and a maximum of six tickets can be booked per transaction. More information and full FAQs are available on the Visit Plymouth website.

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12 June 2021

Sherford Life What kind of leaders do we need? What makes a good leader?

As I write, we’re gearing up to elect our local Councillors and Police and Crime Commissioner. Maybe you voted with a hope that a change of leadership will bring positive changes in Plymouth. Or maybe you voted for a safe continuity instead. Or perhaps you didn’t know who to vote for, because power always seems to corrupt.

And, for all sorts of reasons, corrupt leadership seems to be very much in the public consciousness at the moment.

For a start, everyone’s been glued to their TV screens watching the latest series of Line of Duty. Who is the mysterious ‘H’, heading up a network of corrupt police officers? (No spoilers please: I’m a long way behind!) I’ve been finishing off series 4 of The Crown, which (mixing historical fact with a large dose of artistic licence) painted Margaret Thatcher in pretty muddy shades as someone more concerned with clinging onto power than listening to reason.

Perhaps you might think that this description isn’t a million miles from one or more of the recent incumbents of number 10, Downing Street? As I write, Mr. Johnson is in the middle of battling accusations of lobbying and cronyism, as well as having some serious questions to answer about his decorating budget. We can usually point to plenty that any successive Prime Minister or Government has got right, there’s usually plenty that they haven’t as well. Not surprising really, as we’re all human –

By Revd Tom Brassil and we tend to look out for Number 1!

More painfully closer to home for me is the reminder that the same is often true in churches. The church world is reeling with the exposure of two of the most high-profile Christian leaders of the past 30 years as serial abusers. While tragic and painful to hear, the news is helpfully causing churches across the country (including Sherford Community Church) to look hard at their leadership structures and culture, to protect others from being harmed in the future.

The thing we all need (whether we’re worried about Government, Local Council, church leadership or whatever) is a good model of leadership. Business researchers discovered some years ago that one of the top characteristics in the most successful leaders is humility. Surprising? It shouldn’t be, especially if you’ve explored the Christian faith. That’s the characteristic that Jesus teaches repeatedly, and models Himself. Instead of being a big personality in the office or a ‘no-nonsense’ operator, Jesus gives us the model of a shepherd.

Someone so totally committed to his sheep that he puts himself in harm’s way rather than risk their harm. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, the Bible).

How does He know? Because He lived it.

Tired of bad leaders? Looking for a change?

This is where you’ll find it!

If you have any questions about Sherford life, or if you would like to know more about Sherford Community Church or about how Jesus is the leader we can rely on, please contact me at tom@ sherfordchurch.net

12 June 2021

@PlymChronicle

Huge seagrass planting programme underway in Plymouth Sound Work on England’s largest seagrass planting effort has taken place in Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

The Ocean Conservation Trust team involved in the seagrass planting programme

It is estimated that the UK may have lost up to 92 per cent of its seagrass due to wasting disease, pollution and physical disturbance have been identified as contributing causes.

Seagrass meadows provide homes for juvenile fish and protected creatures like seahorses and stalked jellyfish. Seagrass also has an integral role in stabilising the seabed, cleaning the surrounding seawater and capturing and storing significant amounts of carbon.

A total of 16,000 seagrass seed bags and 2,200 seedling bags were planted as part of the LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES project being led by Natural England to help support and improve the resilience of our marine environment. The planting is being carried out this month by project partner the Ocean Conservation Trust.

ReMEDIES is funded by the EU LIFE programme and led by Natural England in partnership with Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT), Marine Conservation Society, Royal Yachting Association and Plymouth City Council/Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum.

The four-year project aims to plant a total of eight hectares of seagrass meadows - four hectares in Plymouth Sound and four hectares in the Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation.

The seagrass seeds were bagged at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth by Aquarium and Ocean Conservation Trust staff, as well as volunteers. Seedlings have been growing in the Aquarium’s special seagrass laboratory since January.

Volunteers bagging the seagrass seeds at the National Marine Aquarium

Mark Parry, development officer at Ocean Conservation Trust, said: “Our first successful planting effort is only possible because of all the hard work of the partners in the LIFE ReMEDIES project. These events have taken over 12 months of planning and include a combination of volunteers who have visited the National Marine Aquarium creating our planting units and our dive volunteers.

This truly is a community effort.

“It is incredible to see the support from local communities supporting habitats for our animal coastal communities, a very proud moment.”

Paul Barnard, service director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure at Plymouth City Council, said: “We’re really pleased to be a partner in this exciting ReMEDIES initiative in Plymouth Sound, which not only supports our ambition to become a National Marine Park but also marks an important action in our Climate Emergency Action Plan.

“By working together, we can raise awareness

about the importance of seagrass, reduce the impact on these sensitive habitats and encourage both local communities and visitors to help look after Planting our ‘blue’ environment for the the future.” bags of Seagrass is delicate seagrass and can be damaged by activities such as the anchoring, mooring and launching of leisure boats, as well as other shore and water-based activities.

That’s why, in addition to planting new seagrass meadows, ReMEDIES is working to protect existing ones by helping recreational users to minimise impacts on these sensitive habitats.

Natural England and ReMEDIES partners plan to extend the benefits of this work beyond the UK to assist with international marine recovery efforts. Techniques and evidence gathered will be captured and shared with marine conservation organisations across Europe to allow them to learn from and replicate the work.

Find out more about LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES by following on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ EULIFERemedies, or visiting www.saveourseabed.co.uk

Come to the finale of the Mayflower 400 year!

See the Mayflower 400 Four Nations Ceremony on The Hoe. Live music, theatre, choirs, big screens and more including the living voice of the Native American Wampanoag Tribes – FREE for all the family Don’t miss this historic event Sunday 11 July 2021 For your FREE tickets go to: visitplymouth.co.uk/mayflower400ceremony (Tickets subject to availability)

Mayflower 400 National Supporters and Sponsors

June 2021

@PlymChronicle

13

‘Bold decisions will be needed on future of Debenhams and House of Fraser buildings’ - city centre company chief

up to

Bold and brave decisions will be needed on the future of the former Debenhams and House of Fraser stores in Plymouth City Centre.

That’s the view of Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company. He called for landlords to be more realistic on rents and urged for reforms to be made to the business rates system ‘which is crippling the retail and hospitality sector and stifling investment.’

Steve’s views were included in a document called ’Saving the High Street’ which was published in the latest edition of Plymouth White Papers - a collection of reports by civic leaders and other members of the community.

The Plymouth White Papers are an initiative of Luke Pollard MP and the third in the series was launched in mid-April with the title ‘Recovery.’

Previous White Papers published in 2018 and 2019 were entitled ‘Ambition’ and ‘Marine.’

The latest publication focussed on how Plymouth would recover from the effects of the pandemic and featured reports by a number of influential figures including Amanda Lumley, chief executive of Destination Plymouth, Laura Kriefman, chief executive of the Barbican Theatre and Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council.

There were also contributions from individuals involved in the education sector, food poverty and young children and families.

In his section Steve Hughes said: “In Plymouth city centre retail vacancy rates rose to more than 20 per cent in March this year with more than 100 units now permanently closed.

Hundreds of retail staff have lost their jobs as a result.

“Against this backdrop, it would be easy to think the high street in general and Plymouth City Centre will never be the same again. And that’s true - we will never again fill all those empty shops with similar retail offers, nor should we.

“But that doesn’t mean the death of the high street - it means we have to adapt and COVID-19 has simply accelerated the pace of that change.

“What successful high streets need now is a new approach. Strong high streets need to be places people want to go to, not just for shopping, but for everything that they have been missing during these toughest of times. They will want to go to

places where they can meet friends, family and colleagues in pleasant surroundings. Somewhere, they can sit outside, eat and drink, and take in some street theatre or public entertainment.

“The spaces between the buildings should be every bit as important as the spaces inside.

Clean, green, clutter free, contemporary, well-lit, safe and a pleasure to walk or cycle through.

“Successful high streets will have a year-round events programme, a strong evening economy and variety of things to do and see. Culture and public art will become increasingly important.

And so will the customer experience. If it’s not good enough, the customer will simply go elsewhere.”

He said that thanks to a forward thinking city council and its strong ethos of partnership working, Plymouth was ahead of the game and much of this was happening or already on the way.

“We recognised years ago that the city centre retail footprint was too large and that we needed a much more vibrant and diverse offer, encompassing leisure, commerce and culture, giving people more reasons to visit.

“That work started to bear fruit last year with the opening of The Barcode, a £53 million new leisure and restaurant complex, including CineWorld multiplex cinema and giant IMAX screen. This was quickly followed by the opening

of The Box, Plymouth’s new £50 million museum and art gallery – the biggest cultural attraction to open in the UK in 2020. The benefit of both those schemes to the city centre economy will be huge, but has been delayed by the COVID lockdown.

“With the easing of COVID restrictions, and a huge city centre renaissance programme underway, we are doing the right things in Plymouth to create a city centre that we can be proud of and will, once again, be a focal point for residents and a popular destination for new visitors. With the conversion of the Civic Centre into a conference centre and apartments now confirmed, along with huge improvements at the railway station, new health hub for Colin Campbell Court and major improvement works to its streets and public spaces, Plymouth has much to look forward to.

“Investors are interested in Plymouth’s plan for the future as shown by the recent opening of Hugo Boss in Drake Circus and the soon-to-be open craft ale bar BrewDog at The Barcode. Add to this, the move by B & M and two restaurants into the former BHS building, the planned Premier Inn at Derrys Cross and the new 95-bed Hotel Oyo above the former Woolworths store and there is strong evidence that there is huge potential for our city centre to emerge from this crisis in good spirits.”

In his introduction to the White Papers, Luke Pollard MP said: “Plymouth is an incredible place to live, visit, work and play. Our challenge is to ensure that as we emerge from the pandemic, from austerity and from the recession we are a better, fairer and greener city. It can be done - and it must be done.”

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14 June 2021

Police warning over bogus meter reader Police have issued a warning to householders in Plymouth about a bogus gas meter reader.

Police have become aware of a male pretending to be a British Gas meter reader, attempting to enter properties in the Hartley area of the city. He appeared to quickly show a British Gas ID card, but this cannot be verified.

They have urged householders to be vigilant, pointing out that all employees of these companies must identify themselves correctly.

If someone is unsure about the identity, they should contact the company to verify the name and credentials before allowing them into their home. Most companies will send a letter to confirm if they are attending with date a time.

Residents who believe it is a bogus caller, they should contact the provider to check and if not verified please call the police on 101.

Police appeal for information after spate of catalytic converter thefts

Police are appealing for information after a spate of recent catalytic converter thefts across Devon and Cornwall.

The thefts have been occurring across the two counties including Plymouth, Barnstaple and Exeter, and generally occur during the day.

Police are urging motorists to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Police would also like to hear from anyone who has been approached by someone selling a catalytic converter, and anyone with CCTV which may have captured the people selling them, to help officers identify those responsible.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact police on 101 or via email at 101@dc.police.uk quoting crime reference, CR/031369/21.

Police appeal after woman is assaulted

Police investigating an assault on a young mother in Plymouth are looking to identify three men in connection with the incident.

The incident took place on Sunday April 18, at around 8.45pm, when a young woman who was pushing her baby in a pram on a path that leads from Efford Lane to Wycliffe Road was assaulted by three men.

The woman was walking along the path and asked the men who were unknown to her to allow her to pass and was attacked from behind. The three men left the scene after the attack, leaving the mother with injuries that required hospital treatment.

An investigation has been opened into the incident and police are looking to identify the three unknown male suspects.

They are all around 5ft 11ins, with one thought to have blond hair and of a thin build, another to have mousey brown hair, who was wearing black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers that had red detailing on them. The woman had no clear recollection of what the third man looked like.

Anyone with information that could help the police with their enquiries, please email police at 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting crime reference CR/030761/21.

14 June 2021

@PlymChronicle

Lecturers pulling out all the stops as City College prepares to host Year 11 taster sessions in June City College Plymouth is looking forward to welcoming prospective students back to the campus as it prepares to host its popular Year 11 taster sessions for the first time in more than a year.

The short, hands-on sessions are ideal for those still unsure about what they would like to study in September or, for those already with a career in mind, these tasters are a great way of finding out what City College has to offer.

With a session for each main subject area, lecturers are devising a schedule of activities for all who sign up to these tasters, which are due to be held during the June half-term holiday.

Those interested in science will get to take a look at their own blood under a microscope, whilst those who are planning to attend the media taster will experience the college’s green room before heading outside for some drone action (weather permitting).

Marketing and student recruitment officer, Ellen Cotter, said: “After such a long period of not being able to hold taster sessions, our lecturers have put a lot of effort into planning some truly exciting activities that

will showcase what the college has to offer.

“There will be gel polish and nail art techniques for those hoping to study beauty therapy, whilst aspiring engineers will look

at microcontroller simulations. City College prides itself on its highly experienced lecturers who value the importance of hands-on, practical learning, and they are looking forward to hosting these popular sessions once again.

“Our courses range from entry-level right up to degree-level and our staff are fantastic at supporting students of all abilities and backgrounds. We also offer outstanding facilities, a diverse range of enrichment activities, and a wealth of support services.”

There is no limit on the number of sessions a person can attend, but booking is essential. Please see the full schedule below. To sign up, please see www.cityplym. ac.uk/event/year-11-taster-sessions-2/.

Spaces are limited due to strict social distancing measures. Booking will close on May 21.

The sessions will take place from June 1 to June 3 and will involve more than 20 different course opportunities, ranging from Art to Computing and Games Development, Dance to Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy, Painting and Decorating to Travel and Tourism.

Animation students play their part in raising awareness of delirium Two students from Plymouth College of Art have made an animated video to help raise awareness of delirium for World Delirium Awareness Day 2021.

In a student competition hosted by the BBC, Bryan Wallen and Lottie Wishart - who are on the BA (Hons) Animation course - were able to tell the story of a Derriford patient who developed delirium after being admitted to intensive care following complications during a planned procedure.

Delirium is an acute confusional state which was experienced by Lou Gallie during her stay in Derriford three years ago. Lou experienced intense hallucinations which felt real and as if they lasted for weeks, which animation students Bryan and Lottie were able to recreate visually to raise awareness of the condition.

Lottie, who lives in Plymouth, said: “The brief was to create an image from a series of words, based on a dream sequence; a woman in a hospital bed surrounded by shadowy figures of nuns. The brief asked us to style it with the dreamlike content in mind, with bright and vivid colours for the dreams, while real life showing pastel shades and subdued tones.

“I was immediately inspired and started sketching, it felt like the perfect project for weird old me! They ended up choosing two images, mine and Bryan’s, with his style dark and edgy and mine focussing on pastels and watercolour, I think they complemented each other quite well.”

Bryan said: “Lou told us what she went through, and we worked through it as a team to figure out what we could create, but

Students Lottie and Bryan

A scene from the animated video

Lou was really on board with our ideas. We had quite a bit of freedom, but there were definitely scenes where we knew we wanted it to look a certain way. It was a learning experience from start to finish.”

Lou, on waking up from emergency surgery, found herself in a home run by nuns, trying to convert her to their religious sect. Another of her disorientating deliriums involved a series of riots outside the hospital, where she describes teenagers like hyenas, outside her hospital bedroom window, throwing rocks and starting fires.

She also recalls returning to her hospital room after a scan and finding it had been turned into an underground Olympic swimming pool. For Lou, these are memories she knows they could not have happened but

she remembers them as though they were part of her life.

Lou said: “I had an argument with my dad because I could see the local lifeboat in the water, and I was trying to tell him about it.

He had no idea what I was talking about and I found it so frustrating. I could see the lifeboat - it was right there. I couldn’t understand why no-one could see what I could see.”

Nick Crawley, employer engagement officer at Plymouth College of Art, said: “We always like to encourage students to take part in live projects. It’s a great opportunity to work on an external brief with a real employer.

“For Lottie and Bryan, it was the chance to put their skills into practice, create a working relationship with their client and each other, and present a fantastic final piece of work, all while raising awareness of an important issue in a creative and thought provoking way. By doing competitions and live briefs, students are able to gain the transferable skills to take them straight from graduating into industry.”

Dan: Ready steady and moving on

Ready Steady Thrive!

A pioneering mental health project is underway in Plymouth in which people with significant and long-term mental health problems are not just benefitting from the Ready Steady Thrive initiative but are helping to deliver it as well. Dan, a former chef, has spent the last four and a half years unemployed, fighting cancer and suffering from depression. Dan admits that at times he was unsure whether he would ‘make it’ but today, he is free-of-cancer, invigorated by exercise and about to start a new career. Dan who took part in the first course of Ready Steady Thrive last autumn says it helped to turn his life around: “My life has been a bit of a train wreck really and a year ago, I hit a really dark depression and things were spiralling out of control. I was struggling with another bout of cancer; in pain and not exercising; nothing. Now, I’m not even the same guy and Ready Steady Thrive has just been a cog in the whole recovery plan but it’s a really important cog and from that I’m doing alright now.”

Five Ways to Wellbeing

Georgie admits that one of the biggest lessons she has learnt from the course is to be thankful for things, no matter how small or insignificant. Every night and every morning she writes in her Gratitude Book, she’s now on her second; “It keeps me on a level and on ‘down days’ I can look back and see what I’ve done: even if it’s something silly like I did the ironing, then it goes in the book, because what it shows is that I got off my bum and did the ironing! It’s little things that most people will say ‘that’s stupid’ but no, it’s not stupid; it’s what is needed in some people’s lives and I definitely needed it.”

One in four of us will experience a mental health problem each year. For some it may be a short-term affliction; others may learn to manage their illness perhaps with medication, counselling or both but, for some less fortunate, it can ruin their lives. Ready Steady Thrive helps people get back on their feet by following ‘the five ways to well-being’.

Working through five weekly two-hour zoom sessions it aims to give people basic tools to manage life’s daily ups and downs and help them look forward, one manageable step at a time. Georgie admits, when she started the course, she was on the edge of a breakdown but with help from her peers, she has been able to overcome some of her fears: “I’ve always struggled to answer the telephone in case it was a male on the other end and we were doing one of the practical parts of the session and someone said, ‘think of a funny face when you answer the phone; one that will make you laugh’ and now I do that every time I answer the phone.”

Being alongside other people who are also experiencing their own challenges enables the individuals to learn from each other, to offer each other possible solutions and coping-strategies. For Dan it has had such a profound effect on his health; his confidence and his life that he is now volunteering as a peer-facilitator on the course; “You have to buy into it and put your trust in the process,” says Dan. “If you’re not mentally well then it’s really hard to do any of these things, but the course has been designed to help you. My support network has grown and when things go wrong now, I’m just about mentally able to cope with it.”

Calling all budding community researchers.

We want to find people who can have conversations with friends, family or co-workers about aging well or building social connections. It’s a great opportunity to just sit and listen to someone. If you are interested please get in contact at info@plymouthoctopus.org

such as, mountain-biking, photography and wood-whittling. As Chris Maccullie, the project’s community enabler says, the Ready Steady Thrive course is another way of supporting people, but one that can bring about a profound change and give people a sense of hope for their future.

“For some people it is a kind of therapy. It allows them to find out new things about themselves; to get them out of their comfort zone while learning new skills. Here, they learn it’s ok to make a mistake.”

POP Bites - Wednesday 26 May 2021 Join us for our next POP Bites on May the 26th and hear about the Government’s new Community Ownership Fund (ever wanted to buy your own community a pub!?). We will also be talking about the significant role POP has played in the research of ‘Human Systems Learning’ where the individual is put at the heart of their own recovery and where the complexity of their situation is embraced. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pop-bites-tickets-133691263167

Residents and community leaders in Devonport are joining forces to set up a neighbourhood care network (NCN) which will support all residents and make better use of resources. While there are many different, formal and informal, community projects and organisations working across the old town, traditionally – just as in other places – they have concentrated on doing their own work to bring about positive change.

Now, with the help of POP to co-ordinate an NCN, organisations are seeing the benefit of how much more can be achieved by coming together. The fledgling group includes Residents’ Associations; local members of the clergy; sports & community groups and local businesses. For more information about the Devonport NCN please contact stuart@ plymouthoctopus.org or ring 01752 395131.

NCN’s Helpline Numbers:

Ready Steady Thrive - which is delivered by the Positive People project under the POP umbrella – is unique to Plymouth and Torbay.

It is funded by the Big Lottery Community Fund and the European Social Fund until September 2022. For more information contact Chris Maccullie on 07951 313163 or chris.m@plymouthoctopus.org.

Positive People The Positive People project in Devon has been supporting people since 2017, many of whom have been living with serious difficulties and challenges that have left them feeling over-whelmed and disempowered. The Positive People programme helps people to face their problems and overcome them, for example, supporting them on issues such as, building their confidence; coping with anxiety and improving relationships. At the same time, people are encouraged to try new things,

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16 June 2021

End of an era as John leaves The Brook

16 June 2021 John Govier pictured in 2016

@PlymChronicle

Global superstar Deadmau5 to headline at 1 Big Summer

Global superstar Deadmau5 has been announced as the first headline act for the 1 Big Summer Festival in Plymouth.

It’s the end of an era at The Brook in St Maurice as popular Plympton publican John Govier has now handed over the keys to the new owners.

During his tenure of seven years at The Brook the pub became a focal point of the community, hosting countless charity events which raised thousands of pounds.

It was also an organised meeting place for the lonely and isolated and the venue also hosted many community projects such as art classes and U3A groups. It also gained a positive reputation for live music as well as good food.

Now it’s over to the new owners to take on the difficult task of re-establishing the venue post lockdown and building on the foundations which have been laid over the past years.

The lockdown has prevented the community giving John a proper send off but in one final act which typifies the community spirit he created, a sum of just over £1,700 is being passed on to the NSPCC as proceeds raised from online quizzes which have been organised during the period the pub has not been able to admit customers in person.

This latest sum brings the overall amount raised for various causes by John and his team to over £35,000.

(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

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Deadmou5 is one of the world‚‘s most respected electronic music producers of modern times and his critically acclaimed albums reached No 1 in the Billboard charts.

1 Big Summer, a three-day music events takes place on Plymouth House on the August Bank Holiday weekend August 27 to 29. Deadmau5 will be performing the closing set on the Saturday night.

Event organisers have promised that this will be bigger and filled with more special effects and bright lights than any performance to have taken place in Plymouth over the years. It will be a must see moment in Plymouth Hoe history!

The event opens on Friday August 27 with Ibiza Classics 2021, featuring a full live 26-piece orchestra and a soundtrack that will transport listeners through three decades of iconic white isle classics.

The orchestra night will also feature a huge headline DJ set and several support acts direct from the shores of Ibiza, all to be announced in the coming weeks.

On Saturday 2August 28, the ‘1 Big Summer’ day festival and main event follows suit with one of the biggest events ever held on the Hoe. Featuring an array of top UK chart topping acts and entertainment

throughout the day, it’s ‘the party we’ve all been waiting for’, and as announced, will feature a huge closing set from none other than Global superstar and icon, Deadmau5.

Sunday August 29 is one for the whole family. ‘The Great British Sausage and Cider Festival’ will offer an array of craft cider, sausage flavours, street food and entertainment, including stage games, and competitions throughout the day.

Not only that, there will also be some remarkable special guests in the shape of some of the UK’s best known arena and festival bands, alongside a fantastic line

Art collections at The Box boosted by new contemporary acquisitions

The Contemporary Art Society has donated three works of art to The Box’s permanent collections.

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up of local talent. This is set to be the perfect bank holiday Sunday.

Over half of the tickets have already been sold across the three days. Organisers have said that more announcements of artists will follow in the coming weeks, along with at least two additional headliners across the weekend. As such, they expect demand to stay high. To manage that demand, tickets will remain limited to four per person per day.

For more information and the latest updates, see www.1bigsummer.com or like the 1bigsummer Facebook page.

Based in Miami, Florida, Doucet is a multidisciplinary artist who works with ceramics, print and illustration.

Black Death – Crown of Thorns is made up of a pair of Plymouth’s major new museum, art gallery and archive has Rococo-style porcelain vessels decorated with the textures of acquired a film and a diptych by multidisciplinary artist duo, coral, sea sponges and shells and other flora and fauna.

Quinlan & Hastings. It’s also acquired a stunning porcelain work Although they’re made from porcelain, the pots are a

by Haitian-American artist, Morel Doucet. metaphor for fragility and vulnerability – particularly in relation Through sound, moving image, live events and incredibly to the biodiversity of Miami’s coastal areas and the African skilful drawings, Hannah Quinlan & Rosie Hastings explore American and Caribbean the history, politics and communities who live there iconography of queer and are affected by it. culture; mapping the Once again, the work has queer landscape in a a great connection with The variety of ways that place Box’s existing collections underrepresented narratives which include a significant in the spotlight. number of maritime In Gaby, a 2018 video influenced porcelain works, work named for one of their as well as its natural history close friends, they present gallery which highlights three vignettes highlighting the diversity and fragility the relationship between of life on earth through its gay culture and the police. displays.

The vignettes explore Art curator at The Box, storytelling on a broad scale Terah Walkup said: “The from personal experience to The pair of porcelain vessels created by Morel Doucet Box has several examples wider political impact. of shell-shaped pickle In the diptych They will bowls and elaborate sweetmeat dishes decorated with a variety flee like chaff scattered by the wind or like dust whirling before of corals, shells and marine botanicals delicately formed of a storm, the graphite drawings were inspired by Michelangelo’s porcelain from the 1700s. Doucet revisits these motifs from the ‘Archers Shooting at a Herm’. They show protestors confronting past to spark conversations about the health of the sea and the a group of police and other armed forces with limbs in motion; communities that are impacted by its global use. creating a sense of urgency alongside their representation of “His work allows us to bridge our historic collections and power and masculinity.

Plymouth’s maritime history, especially that of transatlantic Contemporary art curator at The Box, Nicoletta Lambertucci migration, to the lived experiences of coastal communities on said: “We are thrilled to receive these new acquisitions by both sides of the Atlantic. This is a really fitting acquisition for Quinlan & Hastings who continually produce thought-provoking us at a time when we’re reflecting on the 400th anniversary of work that establishes relationships between notions of the Mayflower’s voyage.” belonging, institutional power and the safety of the LGBTQ+ The works by Quinlan & Hastings and Morel Doucet will be community through lived experiences.” displayed in future exhibitions at The Box. Find out more about The Contemporary Art Society’s Omega Fund has also The Box and its permanent collections at www.theboxplymouth. recently acquired a porcelain work by Haitian-American artist com.

Morel Doucet for The Box’s decorative art collections.

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18 June 2021

18 June 2021

@PlymChronicle

Open air cinema returns

Plymouth Arts Cinema is to reopen on June 4 following months of closure due to the pandemic.

The city’s independent cinema will also be offering audiences the opportunity to enjoy new releases and old favourites with its annual Open Air Cinema events returning to Inside Lido on the weekends of August 20 to 22 and September 2 to 4. It is also working on additional events at the end of July, details of which will be announced soon.

Director and film programmer Anna Navas said, “As we start getting ready to re-open Plymouth Arts Cinema, one of the absolute highlights of the summer is coming together. Open Air Cinema at Tinside Lido has become a firm fixture in Plymouth’s cultural calendar and was one of the things we missed more than anything last year.

“We are so looking forward to bringing iconic films back to one of Plymouth’s most iconic locations. It feels wonderful to have a summer of cinema to start getting excited about.”

Booking for films in the cinema will open on June 1, with films such as Nomadland, The Father, Sound of Metal and Another Round, all top prize winners at the recent Oscars ceremony tipped for inclusion in the programme.

Plymouth Arts Cinema has safeguarded its future sustainability throughout three lockdowns in the past year with extensive fundraising. It secured £47,000 support from the Culture Recovery Fund, £15,000 emergency funding thanks to the National Lottery and multiple grants allocated by Plymouth City Council, plus a Crowdfunder, also supported by Plymouth City Council, which raised over £5,000.

Photo: Dom Moore

Tom Jones announces plans for September concert in Central Park Tom Jones has confirmed that he will be performing in Plymouth later this year - with a new date and venue.

His much-anticipated concert was originally scheduled for June 18 on The Hoe, but this was just a few days before Government restrictions are due to be lifted for large scale events. The rescheduled date of Saturday September 18 will allow organisers time to ensure the safest, most secure environment for all fans attending.

The concert venue has been switched from The Hoe to Central Park, following determined efforts by Plymouth City Council to ensure the event went ahead.

Tom Jones said: “After such a tough year for us all I’m delighted that I will be able to get back on stage and perform for you all this summer. We’re going to have one heck of a party!”

It has been confirmed that tickets purchased before the change of venue and date remain valid for the concert.

Promoter Liz Doogan-Hobbs said: “We are delighted to confirm that Tom will be performing in Central Park in Plymouth this summer. It has been such a tough time for everyone with no live events being able to take place for more than a year.

“By re-locating the concert to Central Park, we are able to take advantage of better facilities and have been able to involve the football club who have been extremely supportive and will be also offering a hospitality upgrade.

“We must also extend our thanks to

Plymouth City Council for their on-going support, who have been extremely flexible and worked really hard to make the change of venue possible.

“We know it will be one epic party in Central Park and we’re looking forward to sharing that with everyone in Plymouth!”

Tickets to see Tom Jones on Saturday

September 18 in Central Park are on sale now priced from £39.50 plus booking fee.

Hospitality upgrades are available from pafc.co.uk but tickets must be purchased separately.

For more details or to book tickets visit www.tomjones.com; www.lhgtickets.com; www.ticketmaster.co.uk

June 2021

@PlymChronicle

Big Bowls Weekend in Plymstock Oreston Bowls Club is hosting a Big Bowls Weekend at the end of May.

It will take place at Dean Cross Sports Field in Plymstock on Sunday and Monday May 30 and 31 from 1.30pm to 4pm both days in a safe COVID-19 manner.

Playing bowls gives a chance for all people of any age or ability to spend time and have fun in the fresh air which is much needed now. Ladies or gentlemen they can be as energetic as they wish, and what better way to enjoy a summer afternoon! The game offers an opportunity for companionship and socialising and many friendships have been formed on the bowling green.

Pam Mills of Oreston Bowls Club said: “We invite everyone to visit us on those

19

days to see what we do, to help you to have a go and for you to find out what a pleasant, thought provoking game it can be if you want it, imagine snooker on grass!

“Oreston Bowls Club is Plymstock’s closely guarded secret: we are a mixed club hidden behind the children’s play area in Dean Cross Road, opposite Kenley’s Nursery, bus routes 2A and 5 pass our door and there is a large car park.

“Please come, we’d love to share our sport with you, we will provide all the equipment and sanitiser you would need to try but we ask that you wear flat shoes without heels.”

For more details, please contact the secretary, Vicky on 07966 551212.

...and new members welcome at Plympton

Mama Bear’s invests in staff training scheme Mama Bear’s which has nurseries in Pennycross and Crownhill as invested in a new staff training scheme to help progress the careers of current staff members and attract new practitioners.

Mama Bear’s Day Nursery & Pre-School group runs 24 settings across the South West and is committed to developing the best talent in the early years industry.

The new development programme offers staff the opportunity to progress to a Level 3 childcare leader or a Level 5 childcare operational manager.

The training is provided externally by The Childcare Company and represents an investment of £5000 per staff member in the scheme.

Mama Bear’s managing director, Chris Marston, said: “Providing quality training and support to our valued staff members is of vital importance to us and our commitment to this can be seen in the renowned childcare we deliver to our families.

“We are constantly updating our training to keep up with the latest industry standards and legislation and to give our practitioners the most comprehensive support we can.

By helping our staff to further their careers we hope that they will grow with us and move up the ranks.

“Career progression is hugely important to us and there’s nothing we love more than to see new qualifications being achieved. We have had several apprentices who have gone on to become nursery managers through our training and development programmes.

We want to nurture the next generation of early years talent.”

Established in 2002 Mama Bear’s cares for children aged three months to five years.

Consistently rated by OFSTED as Good or Outstanding, all the settings benefit from indoor and outdoor space and top-quality play and educational resources.

Chris continued: “There is an industry-wide shortage of nursery practitioners so we’re hoping schemes like this will help to attract people looking for a stable and rewarding new career.

As well as training we are also offering 50 new apprenticeship positions for those just starting out.”

Anyone interested in a career at Mama Bears can email recruitment@mamabear.co.uk or visit the website at www. mamabear.co.uk

Plympton Bowling Club is looking forward to welcoming new members with free coaching and all equipment provided.

The club is situated in pleasant surroundings at Harewood Park in Plympton. The club was founded in 1962 and has a thriving men’s and ladies section and plays in the local Plymouth & District League. Many friendlies are played against clubs in Devon and Cornwall.

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Club nights are held weekly during the season when members gather to have a roll-up, chat and a drink. During the winter members meet for quizzes, skittles and curling whilst enjoying a hot cup of tea or coffee, and maybe even a cake.

Flat shoes are all that is needed - so locals are encouraged to go along and try the game of bowls. For more information contact club secretary Colin Way on 01752 345389 or 07552 720816.

ADVERTISING FEATURE Staff at Foot Solutions and City Centre Chiropody are welcoming people through their doors at 34 Royal Parade, where they can find relief from a whole range of foot and lower limb problems.

Foot, knee and lower back pain can hamper our enjoyment of walking and other activities, which many of us have re-discovered during lockdown. A lot of people live with the effects of conditions such as plantar fasciitis, diabetes, bunions and arthritis causing foot, knee and back pain. The good news is a solution may be closer than you think.

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20 June 2021

20 June 2021

@PlymChronicle

The Missing Peace in the jigsaw of life...

THE

By Chris Cole, founder of Cross Rhythms Charity

Experience True love is such a powerful force and for many it is the foundation of their philosophical, spiritual, or religious world view.

Especially those who live in oppressive regimes like China, North Korea, Iran or Russia where the suppression of freedom of speech and religious conscience is an everyday reality.

These are also the nations around the world where the Christian faith is miraculously expanding under severe persecution from these repressive governments. So, we can surmise that True Love takes massive courage and an understanding of genuine personal faith, which as a definition of faith means ‘to cling to, trust in and rely on’ means millions of Christians walk through this oppression every day in their genuine hope of Eternal Life.

As a Christian, I also pray for those like the Uyghurs Muslims who are being severely persecuted because Jesus teaches us to pray for our fellow man from hearts

of love. Love your neighbour as you love yourselves.

With these thoughts in mind, I was driving into work recently and listening to Cross Rhythms radio and heard a song by JJ Heller Chris Cole called The Missing Peace.

I thought to myself that this was a very clever lyric based on a person who has a faith and yet is going through some hard times.

On the radio programme called the Cross Rhythms Experience, I often share the experience many of us find on the journey of faith, that life is not always plain sailing and even a cursory read of the Bible will confirm the words of Jesus Himself in John 16 v 33. “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world.”

At our recent Cross Rhythms fund raiser

event on Zoom, we shared the story of a Chinese pastor called Pastor Han who lived near the North Korean Border. Pastor Han was executed by a North Korean government hit squad in 2016 for sharing the ‘good news of Jesus Christ to more than a thousand North Koreans.

There are some 200,000 – 400,000 Christian believers in North Korea and one has to ask oneself in the comfort of the Western World why so many people would risk their lives for their belief in the Christian Faith in such hostile and lifethreatening circumstances.

You can check out Pastor Han’s story on YouTube (Sang-chul: North Korea) or by searching for Pastor Han and Christianity in North Korea.

Unlike those of us living in the West, the Christian community across the globe

Support available for victims of stalking and domestic abuse There were over 200 reports of stalking to the police in Plymouth last year and as part of Stalking Awareness Week Plymouth City Council has highlighted the help available to anyone dealing with stalking, harassment or any other form of domestic abuse.

Reports of stalking increased by 164 per cent in Devon and Cornwall and reports of cyber stalking increased almost tenfold in Plymouth. This rise can be partly attributed to victims feeling more willing to report this kind of abuse.

Harassment and stalking are often used as interchangeable terms. However, they relate to similar but different offences that can cause victims, their families and loved ones physical, psychological and emotional harm.

Offenders can stalk or harass their victims in a number of different ways, including: • a text, answer phone message, letter or email • a comment or threat in person or online (e.g. social media or online chat rooms) • standing outside someone’s house or driving past it • an act of violence • damage to someone else’s property • maliciously and falsely reporting

someone to the police without any

wrongdoing Stalking is still very present during the pandemic, with perpetrators changing their tactics to stalk their victims online and through social media.

Reports of stalking in and cyber stalking have increased significantly in Devon and Cornwall in the last year.

Anyone being stalked or harassed online can contact Devon and Cornwall Victim Support for local support or call the National Stalking Hotline on 0808 802 0300.

Image by Diana Cibotari from Pixabay

Katy Fisher, local service manager for Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services, said: “Stalking and harassment are unacceptable and victims shouldn’t have to live in fear. We hope that National Stalking Awareness Week highlights this important issue and raises awareness of the support available.

“If you’re experiencing any form of domestic abuse, including stalking or harassment, Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services are here to help. You are not alone.”

Support is available for victims of stalking and harassment, as with all victims of domestic abuse.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, due to receive Royal Assent in the next few weeks,

will see further rights and support for victims of domestic abuse.

The Act includes a new statutory definition of domestic abuse, emphasising that domestic abuse is not just physical or sexual violence, but can also be emotional, coercive or controlling, and economic abuse.

If you are the victim of domestic abuse, you can contact Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services here or call 0800 458 2558, if you are in immediate danger always call 999.

Someone who is being harassed in a pub, club or bar, can approach the staff and ‘Ask for Angela’.

Staff will help you leave the situation safely and securely.

really do put everything on the line for their beliefs.

We showed this video on our fundraising evening for no other reason other than to encourage us who live in relative freedom in the world to be inspired by brothers and sisters in Christ who like Jesus Himself, for the joy that is set before them, endure the cross they must carry in their communities and nations.

These folk experience miracles which confirm that their experience is based on a person who is 100% Divine and 100% human and who has an answer and hope that life does not end when we die.

Christianity is a personal experience which we outwork together for the Love of Christ. True Love takes courage, especially in the tough times which we all go through in life.

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

Neighbourhood grant boost for village hall A community hall on the outskirts of Plymouth has received funding to improve its outdoor facilities for local families.

South West Water’s new Neighbourhood Fund is helping Sparkwell Parish Hall and Playground Trust to accommodate more families in a COVID-secure manner, thanks to a generous grant.

The Parish Hall is a registered charity and is run entirely by a group of volunteers as well as a committee. They meet regularly to plan village events and activities, with the aim of raising funds to cover the upkeep of the hall. Due to the pandemic and lockdown restrictions, any sort of fundraising has been unable to happen for well over a year.

Sparkwell Parish Hall hosts several clubs and events for the area, including badminton, meet ups of the local WI and a club for nearby over-60s. However, it has been forced to remain closed since March 2020. The much-needed funding from South West Water is going towards creating an improved outdoor space, and therefore a more COVID-compliant area that allows families in the community to come together and reap the benefits of such activities, while maintaining social distancing precautions.

Diana May, secretary of Sparkwell Parish Hall and Playground Trust said of the water company’s Neighbourhood Fund: “Everyone at the Sparkwell Parish Hall and Playground Trust is grateful for the funding that we have received from South West Water. All of our usual fundraising activities have been curtailed due to the pandemic and to be able to purchase something that will enhance the Hall’s outside space, be long lasting and enjoyed by the community for years to come is very welcome.”

Jo Ecroyd, customer service director at South West Water, added: “We’re proud to be able to help such worthwhile organisations to continue to offer places that local families benefit so much from. After the past year, being able to reconnect in a COVID-safe environment is incredibly important, and we hope that the residents in and around Sparkwell will enjoy using the upgraded outdoor space.”

The pandemic has emphasised the importance of local communities and South West Water is investing in supporting people across Devon and Cornwall to build back and connect communities.

To find out more about the South West Water Neighbourhood Fund, visit southwestwater.co.uk/community/ support/neighbourhood-fund.

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Call 01752 548766 or email info@rowe-net.net STEVE ELECTRICAL Fully qualified and insured electrician • Free estimates/no call-out fees • all electrical work considered • Over 25 years experience • Friendly, local, family run business • NICEIC cert • Rewires • Certification for minor or major work Very competitive prices/ high quality work.

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CARPENTERS ALLWOOD INSTALLATIONS Trading Standards approved company Bespoke joinery • doors • staircases • bars Box frame windows • counters • PCstations.

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S.G.F Decorating Services Plastering & Decorating Specialist Painting - Plastering - Wallpaper - Interior & Exterior Work - Over 30 years experience C.S.C.S Registered - Friendly & Reliable 07859 804389 stevefull@live.co.uk

PLASTERING

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Specialist in small to medium jobs (NO VAT) 01752 412070 07540 956436

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

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A R PLASTERING & BUILDING From a small repair to the whole house All Internal & External Work undertaken • Plastering • Rendering • Building work • Decorating • Damp proofing • Tiling • and more Free estimates call Alex on 07904755491

STEVE BENNETT PLASTERING

Special OAP Rates Internal/External Plastering • Spar Dash Specialist • Insurance Work Welcome • UPVC Facias, Soffits and Guttering • Property Maintenance • Painting/Decorating • Coving Prompt Polite Friendly Service • No Job Too Small • Free Estimates 01752 368601 • 07971 741068 www.stevebennettplastering.co.uk • facebook.com/plasterersofplymouth

PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES

A Boiler 4 U Boiler servicing, boiler repairs, boiler replacement.

Radiator replacements. All plumbing and gas work undertaken. Book your boiler service with us today.

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07786 864375 or 01752 242897 MIKE JARVIS PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES All plumbing, heating and gas work undertaken • Servicing, installation and repair • Gas Safe • • No job too small • 24 hour emergency call out • VAILLANT approved installer Tel 01752 778440 Mob 07875136429

T.R.B Heating - Trevor Bryant

Full Heating Systems • Boiler Exchanges • Fire and Fireplace Installations • Complete Kitchen & Bathroom Design and Installation • Former British Gas Heating Installer • Gas Safe Registered Special offer on servicing boilers £50 (T&C Apply) 0790 6706 799 www.trbheating.co.uk trbheating@live.co.uk

DEVONSHIRE ROOFING SERVICES

All aspects of roofing work undertaken, from repairs and maintenance to full restoration and new build projects.

Pitched or flat roofs • GRP (fibreglass) •lead-work uPVC Fascias & guttering • Roof-lights • Fully insured A fast & friendly service. Competitive rates.

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LES PIKE • Emergency roof repair specialist • Concrete tiles • Natural slate • Lead valleys • Flashings All building & construction work undertaken.

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WASTE REMOVAL

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22 June 2021

22 June 2021

Plymouth University - best in the world for marine research and teaching

Plymouth University is leading the world in marine research The University of Plymouth has been named as one of the top 25 institutions globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021.

The rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In its first appearance in the tables, Plymouth has been ranked 23rd of more than 1,100 universities, reinforcing its reputation for world-leading and award-winning sustainability research and teaching.

It also achieved considerable worldwide success in a number of individual tables including globally first in marine research and teaching and ninth for its efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goals through collaboration with other countries, the promotion of best practices and the publication of data.

The university was also in the top 20 in the world for its research on hunger, teaching on food sustainability and its commitment to tackle food waste and address hunger among students and local communities. It achieved top 50 rankings in relation to affordable

and clean energy and sustainable cities and communities.

Professor Judith Petts, ViceChancellor of the universityis one of four sector leaders heading up a Climate Commission for UK Higher and Further Education Leaders.

She said: “This is an outstanding achievement and a ringing endorsement of our excellence in all aspects of sustainability. At a time when climate change is at the forefront of people’s minds, particularly with the UK hosting the G7 summit and Climate Change Conference in 2021, this global endorsement will support our efforts to ensure our work and knowledge continue to have both impact and influence.

“This ranking celebrates decades of building on our core strengths, investing in research teams and facilities and, in particular, it reinforces our leadership in all things marine and rightfully positions us at the global forefront of this field.

“It acknowledges our longstanding partnerships with industry and academia, and our long-standing commitment to use our own sustainability practices to inspire change on a local, regional, and international scale.”

@PlymChronicle

Plymouth is blazing a trail when it comes to saving the planet – but there’s still plenty to do Plymouth residents’ planet-saving exploits are blazing a trail for the rest of the UK to follow.

But TV naturalist Chris Packham still issued a rousing rallying cry after it was revealed the city is bucking the national trend – with seven in ten Brits admitting they’re not doing enough to help the environment.

New figures have uncovered the staggering impact of the pandemic on the country’s carbon footprint.

Chris Packham But Plymouth tops the list of the cities where people believe they’re doing enough to be green, with 43 per cent surveyed reckoning they’re pulling their weight compared to the national average of just over three in ten.

Just two per cent of Plymouth admit to doing absolutely nothing to help the environment, with almost three in five (55 per cent) believing they don’t do enough and could do more.

Research from The National Lottery showed Plymouth is a shining light for the country to take inspiration from but Packham, a fervent environmental campaigner, hopes the national figures serve as a wakeup call.

The Springwatch presenter, 59, said: “If we do want to make the future a greener – and greater – place for future generations, we do really need to start changing our behaviour today. It’s good that the public is being so honest about not doing enough to be environmentally friendly – but it does surprise me the figure is so high.”

Cardiff (39 per cent), Bristol (37 per cent) and Brighton (36 per cent) are among the other UK cities where the highest proportion of people believe they’re doing enough to be green, with 36 per cent of all respondents in the South West saying they do enough.

The findings come as part of nationwide National Lottery research, which also revealed more than seven in ten people (73 per cent) admit to using more electricity during lockdown.

And over a third (34 per cent) say they have had the heating on more than ever before.

But almost half (47 per cent) still reckon the world will be a greener place for future generations, with many admitting they will change their habits for the better as restrictions finally ease.

The National Lottery has contributed more than £2.2bn towards green projects and initiatives across heritage, art, community and sport since 2010.

The support has given a shot in the arm to vital projects all around the country – from community groups preserving natural habitats to art installations educating young people on climate change.

The National Lottery is encouraging the public to make a vital contribution to the future of the planet by making a #PlanetaryPromise on social media.

To find out more visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/ stories/planetary-promise

Plymouth charity welcomes support from Amazon A Plymouth charity that provides support for children, young people and their families when facing grief has received a donation of £2,500 from the Amazon delivery station team in the city to help it continue to support the local community Jeremiah’s Journey, a charity that offers free support to children and young people who have experienced or are anticipating a bereavement, received the donation as part Amazon’s programme to supportthe communities around its operating locations across the UK. Jeremiah’s Journey supports approximately 350 children each year, through its nine-week therapeutic group programmes, individual sessions, advice line and family days. The charity has also recently launched a new youth group and a stories group, as well as offering training to schools and professionals.

Gem Pope from Amazon in Plymouth, said: “Jeremiah’s Journey is doing vital work in

our community to help those most in need and we wanted to support their efforts with this local donation. The services offered by the charity’s staff and volunteers have never been more important and I’d like to thank them for everything they’re doing for our community during these challenging times.”

Julie Spencer, who is the operations manager at Jeremiah’s Journey said: “On behalf of the team at Jeremiah’s Journey, I want to say thank you to the team from Amazon in Plymouth. We are passionate about the work we do and donations like this are a big help for us to continue supporting our community.”

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during the pandemic.

Amazon is providing disadvantaged students with online STEM courses as well as teaming up with charity partner Magic Breakfast and delivering more than three and a half million healthy breakfasts to families around the UK.

Julie Spencer from Jeremiah’s Journey (left) pictured with Gem Pope from Amazon

June 2021

@PlymChronicle

23

Life Centre to open for swimming on May 17 Swimming facilities will return to Plymouth Life Centre on Monday May 17, coinciding with the Government’s roadmap that all indoor adult sports and activities can resume for groups of up to six individuals or two households.

Balfour Beatty have been working flat out to complete the remaining works in swimming and diving areas, despite a delay to the initial reopening date, due to the requirement to overhaul existing poolside lighting and COVID-19 restrictions.

Once complete, visitors will have access to upgraded changing facilities; including new lockers, cubicles, flooring, lighting and refinished walls.

Members of the centre have been back onsite since April 12, accessing the gym and other facilities, in line with the national reopening of indoor leisure. Additionally, indoor bowls will be available from April 23 and squash courts from April 24.

Courtesy of arrangements made by Balfour Beatty, members of Plymouth Life Centre will be provided free access to outdoor swimming

at Tinside Lido when it reopens on May 1.

The free access at Tinside will extend until swimming is returned to Plymouth Life Centre on May 17.

The diving pool is expected to be complete in the summer, following a complete rerender and re-tile of the pool walls.

Everyone Active is notifying its members directly to inform them of any impact to their memberships.

For more information on Plymouth Life Centre, please visit www.everyoneactive.com/ centre/plymouth-life-centre/

Blue plaque unveiled in honour of Plymouth air raid shelter victims A new plaque marking the site of an air raid shelter where nine people tragically lost their lives during the Blitz has been unveiled.

The plaque is located on the site of the

former Inverdene Underground Air Raid Shelter in Central Park. It lists all those who were sadly killed after the shelter took a direct hit on the night of April 21/22, 1941.

They were: Charles Alfred Collins, aged 72; Maurice Arthur Creber, aged 15; John William Cuthbert, aged 52; David Charles Hawking, aged 11; Patricia Margaret Hawking, aged 15; Winifred May Hawking, aged 41; Percy Morcam Hobba, aged 35; Dennis Martin, aged 13 and Olive Eliza Pue, aged 49.

All nine were local Peverell residents. The campaign to create a permanent memorial to them has been led by current Peverell resident and Blitz survivor Shirley Stapley.

She was moved to get the plaque installed after the story of the site was shared with her

by Brian Searle.

Brian, who was aged six at the time, was

Pictured at the unveiling of the plaque are (from left) Rachel Eyley (daughter of Shirley Stapley); Shirley Stapley; Louisa Blight, collections manager at The Box and Alan Barclay, collections assistant at The Box

USEFUL NUMBERS Emergency Numbers

Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard 999 or 112 Police general enquiries 101 Derriford Hospital 01752 202082 Electricity, Western Power Distribution 0800 678 3105 Gas, Wales & West Utilities 0800 111999 Water, South West Water 0344 3462020 Environment Agency (Emergency) 0800 807060 RSPCA 0300 1234 999

Helplines

Age UK Plymouth 01752 256020 Adoption UK 0844 848 7900 Al-Anon Family Groups 020 7403 088 Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 917 7650 Carers UK 020 7378 4999 Childline 0800 1111 Christians Against Poverty (Debt Advice) 0800 328 0006 Citizens Advice 0300 3309 043 Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 1671677 Devon & Cornwall Food Action 01752 651800 Disability & Information Advice Line 01302 310123 Drug Addicts Anonymous: Helpline 07818260811 Jan Cutting Healthy Living Centre 01752 203670 Money Advice Plymouth (Debt Advice) 01752 208126 NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 8005000 National Missing Persons Helpline 0500 700700 National Christian Helpline 0300 111 0101 NHS Direct 0845 4647 National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000247 Osteoporosis Support Group 075958 500314 Overeaters Anonymous 07000 784 985 Parentline Plus 0808 8002222 Relateline 0845 1304010 Samaritans 116 123 Talk to Frank 0800 776600 Shelterline 0808 8004444 Stop Hate Crime 24/7 Helpline 0800 138 1625 Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100 West Country Landlords Assn 01752 242980

Travel

also in the shelter that night with his mum and granddad. Sadly, his granddad was killed along with a neighbour, her two children and five others when the shelter was hit by a bomb.

Collections manager at The Box, Louisa Blight said: “Over the last few weeks we’ve been humbled by Brian’s story and the many other stories people have been sharing with us about their Blitz experiences. Unveiling this plaque is a very fitting way to round off the city’s commemorations for the

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80th anniversary of this significant event in Plymouth’s recent past.

“We hope it will provide a permanent way to honour the people who lost their lives in the Inverdene shelter, and help shed even more light on the events of 1941 which have had such an enduring impact on the city.”

The Inverdene air raid shelter was located just inside Central Park, not far from where Durban Road meets Inverdene. The plaque site is best accessed via the Barn Park entrance to the park or by using shop.games. punch on the what3words app.

   

New Roofs Roof Repairs Slating Tiling

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Flat Roof PVC Fascia Soffits Guttering

01752 218447 07950 264496 www.kmbuildingandroofingltd.co.uk/plymouth All 100% positive reviews on ALL PLYMOUTH ENQUIRIES CONTACT ABOVE NUMBERS

RAC Green Flag Rail Travel, national enquiries Plymouth Citybus National Express Coaches Brittany Ferries Cremyll Ferry Torpoint Ferry Tourist Information Passport Office, National Helpline

08000 828282 0800 400600 08457 484950 01752 662271 08717 818181 08705 360360 01752 822105 01752 812233 01752 266030 0870 5210410

Entertainment Theatre Royal 01752 267222 Barbican Theatre 01752 267131 Devonport Playhouse 01752 606507 Plymouth Athenaeum Theatre 01752 266079 Plymouth Pavilions 01752 936363 Plymouth Pavilions Ticket Store 03337 727727 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

Weather The Met Office Weathercall

0870 9000100 0870 6004242

If you think your organisation would benefit from being listed in our Useful Numbers guide please e-mail your details to info@cornerstonevision.com or write to: Plymouth Chronicle, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth Tel 01752 225623

Please note that whilst the Publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of telephone numbers in this Directory, and dates in the What’s On section, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors.

24 June 2021

24 June 2021

@PlymChronicle

Major new exhibition at The Box centred Advertise to on the creation of Native American belt over A major new exhibition entitled Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America will be one of the major features at The Box when it opens again on May 18.

The exhibition is centred on the creation of a newly crafted wampum belt featuring over 5,000 hand-crafted wampum beads and measuring five feet by long by 10 inches wide.

It will appear alongside rarely seen historic wampum belts on loan from the British Museum and Saffron Walden Museum.

It is the first-ever wampum exhibition to be staged in the UK and forms a key part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations involving the UK, USA, Netherlands and Wampanoag Nation.

The key pieces of wampum history, together with contemporary images and films, will be brought together for the first time and told entirely by authentic voices of the Wampanoag Nation who met the passengers of the Mayflower and ensured their survival.

Wampum belts tell stories of communities and culture and embody the Wampanoag’s connection to the sea as well as to life itself.

Whether a spoil of war, an ornament, a souvenir or a gift, each shell is imbued with memory and meaning.

The extraordinary new wampum belt forms the centrepiece of the exhibition at The Box. The belt has been created by over 100 Wampanoag craftspeople of different ages and backgrounds and it is an authentic replication of the wampum belts that were made during the 1600s.

The design has been inspired by tribal elders from the Wampanoag community to reflect their creation story and respect for the earth and its preservation.

The belt depicts the people of all the Wampanoag villages and clans, hand-in-

Making the wampum belt in the traditional Wampanoag Nation way

21,000

Danielle Hill with the new wampum belt

hand, engaging in a round dance.

The creation of the belt has emerged from a special partnership between The Box and members of the Wampanoag, notably SmokeSygnals, plus research at the British Museum. The exhibition promotes the significant renewal of this art form and will take visitors into the world of the Wampanoag who have lived in Massachusetts for 12,000 years and remain on their ancestral lands today.

The exhibition includes a 55-minute documentary that is significant to the Wampanoag. Exclusively shown at The Box, it shows how they have reclaimed their

homes in Plympton and Plymstock

ancestral language after generations of suppression. Through these authentic voices, Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America explores the Wampanoag’s cultural history and life in America today, the impact of the past on its people, and their creative aspirations for the future.

Jo Loosemore, co-curator of the exhibition said: “400 years ago, England took its culture to Native America. 400 years on, Native America is bringing its culture here. We are honoured to be able to welcome the Wampanoag people and the wampum that is so special to them to The Box. It’s been a privilege to work alongside Wampanoag artists and educators as part of this exhibition.”

Louisa Blight, collections manager at The Box said: “Creating the new wampum belt has been a truly collaborative project that demonstrates the strength of the Wampanoag community and connects the UK and USA in so many ways.

“It’s a hugely important element of the Mayflower 400 programme and it was vital to us right from the start that we made a stepchange from any previous commemorations that have taken place. Recognising the Wampanoag’s involvement is critical in helping everyone understand the history and legacy of the Mayflower, and in helping us to shape an ongoing relationship that stretches across the Atlantic.”

The exhibition is at The Box from May 18 until July 11. Following the exhibition at The Box, it will travel to the Guildhall Art Gallery, London from July 23 to September 5.

For more information and to book a visit go to www.theboxplymouth.com

The Plympton and Plymstock Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Woodford, Plympton St Mary and St Maurice, Chaddlewood, Langage, Elburton, Plymstock, Hooe, Turnchapel, Staddiscombe, Oreston, Pomphlett and Billacombe.

The July edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Plympton and Plymstock will be published on June 11 with a copy deadline of June 1. The Plympton and Plymstock edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city.

If you have an event listing, interesting story or news item you think would be suitable for the Chronicle, please send an email to info@ cornerstonevision.com.

We welcome submissions, but cannot guarantee publication. We accept press releases in the form of text documents and images in JPG or TIFF format (high resolution please).

For more information, or to talk to one of our sales advisors, call

01752 225623

or email info@cornerstonevision.com www.cornerstonevision.com

Chronicle Plymouth

June 2021

COVID UPDATE See inside for news and information from Plymouth City Council Pages 2 and 3

Global superstar Deadmau5 will be headlining at the 1 Big Summer event on Plymouth Hoe in August See page 16

CONNECT WITH US @PlymChroniclePP

@PlymChroniclePP If you would like to submit a story, email info@cornerstonevision.com or if you would like to find out more information on the Plymouth Chronicle or our other publications, please visit www.cornerstonevision.com

Plympton & Plymstock

Gables Dogs & Cats Home appeal for donations to help treat Wanda, who was rescued from a puppy farm See page 6

ALSO INSIDE:

• Dial the Experts • Local news and views

• Cross Rhythms Experience • Useful numbers

Spirit of Adventure!

Scores of youngsters from schools across Plymouth will be enjoying a spectacular day of sailing on historic boats as part of the delayed Mayflower 400 commemorations. The Spirit of Adventure programme will involve schools from some of the most disadvantaged areas of the city.

• Story on page 6

Photo: The Island Trust

The Plymouth Chronicle is published by Cornerstone Vision Limited, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL2 1AE. Registered in England Company Number 05563986. Printed by Newsquest, Weymouth.

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