Plymouth Chronicle Plympton & Plymstock March 2022

Chronicle Plymouth

Gables Dogs and Cats Home have launched an urgent appeal for funds to help treat Popeye the cat See Page 6

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Plympton & Plymstock

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March 2022

READ AND SHARE MORE LOCAL NEWS

The Bishop of Plymouth, the Right Reverend Nick McKinnel is to retire later this year See Page 7

A Mutley woman’s mental health information website is attracting a big following For details see Page 15

ALSO INSIDE: • Out and About • Local news and views • Charity news

• Cross Rhythms Experience • Dial the Experts • Useful numbers

Strictly good news!

Fans of Strictly Come Dancing are in for a treat later this year when the Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals Tour comes to the Plymouth Pavilions in May. • See page 15 for details

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2 March 2022

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Infection rates remain high as Omicron continues to spread COVID-19 rates in Plymouth remain very high after reaching their highest ever levels in January due to the Omicron variant.

In early January we saw our weekly rate of cases reach a peak of more than 1,600 per 100,000. They have reduced but currently remain at over 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.

We must remember that this rate is still incredibly high and is above our last peak in midJuly.

The Government has now lifted the ‘Plan B’ restrictions, which included the mandatory wearing of face coverings in public venues and the requirement to show an NHS Pass for entry to nightclubs and venues where large crowds gather.

Even though these measures are no longer mandatory, the Government is advising that we continue to wear a face covering in crowded and

enclosed spaces where we may come into contact with people we do not normally meet.

This is important as we need to do all we can to reduce our rates in Plymouth. We cannot just assume that will happen.

High cases matter because although some people might experience this as a fairly mild disease, many people won’t.

There are currently very high numbers of patients in Derriford with COVID-19 and, although some of them are in hospital for other reasons and happen to have the virus, most are there because their COVID-19 symptoms are so bad.

And of course there are many other people who have not been admitted but still had a nasty illness. There is strong evidence that COVID-19 can cause an illness that lasts for many months, in some people.

This is a highly infectious disease and many

people are having to take time not just off work but also out of their usual life by self-isolating, even if they have milder symptoms.

Although the recent policy change means that some people can leave self-isolation early, many are finding that they are still infectious (LFT positive) and are having to remain self-isolated for 10 days. The high case rates are leading to staff shortages in many key areas, not least in health and social care.

In addition, high numbers of cases mean the virus is replicating many times and this increases the risks of new variants appearing.

Vaccination helps to reduce spread but most importantly has reduced the proportion of people who are now dying from COVID-19, which is excellent news; but numbers are still very high.

So, even though the mandatory restrictions

have ended, we still need to be doing what we can to reduce the impact of this highly infectious disease.

By Dr Ruth Harrell

Director of Public Health for Plymouth

LATEST RULES ON PCR TESTING

The Government has made temporary changes to the COVID-19 testing requirements in England in response to the rise in Omicron cases.

These affect when you should take one of the two different types of test that are available to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19): • PCR tests are mainly for people with symptoms. They’re sent to a lab to be checked • Rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests are for people who do not have symptoms. They give a quick result.

If you have a positive LFD test result you must report your results on the Government website and self-isolate immediately. You no longer have to take a confirmatory PCR test unless: • you have COVID-19 symptoms • you wish to claim the £500 Test and Trace Support Payment • you have received an email or letter from the NHS because of a health condition that means you may be suitable for new COVID-19 treatments. (If this applies to you and you develop any COVID-19 symptoms, you should use the PCR test kit that was sent to you in the post for this purpose; if you have not received a PCR test kit you can arrange to have a PCR test) • you are taking LFD tests as part of a research or surveillance programme and the programme asks you to take a follow-up PCR test.

Latest rules on self-isolation

If you test positive for COVID-19 you need to self-isolate.

Your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day you had the test, if you do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days.

If you get symptoms while you’re self-isolating, the 10 days restart from the day after your symptoms started.

You can do a rapid lateral flow test from day five of your self-isolation period (but not before) and another test the next day. You can stop selfisolating if: • both tests are taken 24 hours apart and are negative

• you do not have a high temperature If you stop self-isolating after five full days, it’s important that you take steps to reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 to others.

This means you should work from home if you can and wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and when it’s hard to stay away from other people – particularly indoors, in crowded places or where there is not much fresh air.

You should also limit contact with people at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

If, after 10 days, you continue to test positive, have a high temperature or feel unwell, keep selfisolating and seek medical advice.

Where to get your vaccine jab If you need a first or second dose of your COVID-19 vaccination, or a booster, you can get one at Home Park or the Council’s mobile vaccine van.

The mobile van, which is only offering the Pfizer vaccine for first and second jabs, will be visiting the following locations: • Saturday 12 February: Frederick Street Youth Centre (midday to 7pm) • Sunday 13 February: Crownhill Library (10am to 5pm) • Monday 14 February: Mutley Baptist Church (11am to 5pm) • Tuesday 15 February: Four Greens Community Trust (midday to 7pm) • Wednesday 16 February: Efford Library (9am to 4pm) • Thursday 17 February: Methodist Central Hall (11am to 5.30pm)

• Friday 18 February: St Budeaux Library (9am to 4pm) • Saturday 19 February: Devonport Library (10am to 5pm) • Sunday 20 February: Plymstock Library (midday to 6pm) Home Park is also offering walk-in sessions.

Please check the website for sessions for specific age groups.

Visit www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/get-tested.

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.

NOTE: This information was correct at the time of going to press on February 10.

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

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

Brawl in the Guildhall Feb 26 Plymouth’s own REACH Wrestling will present the biggest professional wrestling event in the South West in more than a decade. As well as featuring wrestlers who have trained at the REACH Academy the event will also feature former WWE NXT UK stars, Eddie Ryan and Joel Redman. Special guests on the night include former British Olympic diver Tonia Couch and Marc Ormrod MBE, former Royal Marine, Invictus Games athlete, author and motivational speaker, who will will present the winners of the championship matches with their championship belts. For tickets and details visit www. reachwrestling.com/events/ West Devon Chorale Mar 5 The Chorale presents Music for Lent at the Plymouth Roman Catholic Cathedral, starting at 7.30pm. The programme includes Faure’s Requiem, Part Magnificat, Tavener’s Song for Athene, Chapple’s Come Holy Spirit and Dove’s Bless the Lord. The organ solo will be the massive Finale from Vidor‚s Symphony No 6. played by Plymouth organist Richard Line.

The choir is conducted by their music director Michael Johnson. Tickets are available from www.wegottickets.com/westdevonchorale or by telephoning 01752 776479.

War Child Gala Concert Mar 6 Charity concert at Stoke Damarel Church at 3pm.

Featuring Craig Ogden and Judith Hall (flute) Peter Fisher (violin), Mark Bebbington (piano) and Peter Cigleris (clarinet). Tickets available from Jeanie Moore on 01752 770345.

Plymouth Jazz Club Mar 6 Featuring the George Comer Band at the Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill at 7.30pm. Tickets at the door only. Details from www.plymouth-jazz-club.org.uk. Future events include The Pedigree Jazz Band on March 20; Tribute to Brown, Silver and Hancock on April 3 featuring the Neil Maya Quartet and Andy Hague; The Riviera Ramblers led by John Shillto on April 17.

I Wonder, January March 8 Free wellbeing sessions: find calm at The Box. Always Welcome wellbeing sessions are aimed at members of local community groups, carers, people living with memory loss, and over 40s wishing to improve their mental wellbeing and to meet other people. You’ll be guided by professional artist, yoga and mindfulness teacher, and group sound therapist, Carly Seller. As one of the artist facilitators at The Box, Carly has extensive experience working with individuals, communities and creative organisations in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. Free, but booking essential. Go to www. theboxplymouth.com/events/wellbeing/alwayswelcome-wellbeing-sessions.

Plymouth Area Police Choir Mar 11

Concert at St James Church, Torpoint together with Tropoint Ladies Choir at 7.30pm. In aid of Young Epilepsy. Entry is free but donations invited in support of the charity.

Geoff Norcott: I Blame the Parents Mar 12 Comedian, author and political commentator brings his brand new tour to the Quad Theatre at Marjons. Geoff now has a string of top-level

The popular Pirates Weekend returns to Plymouth on May 7 and 8 credits to his name including The Last Leg, Would I Lie to You?, Mock the Week and Live at The Apollo. Details at www.livenation.co.uk

Apprenticeship and Graduate Jobs Fair 2022 Mar 12

Held jointly by Building Plymouth and the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group, the event at Home Park is open to all with free entry. The fair is a great opportunity to find out more about the career opportunities available in construction, the built environment, manufacturing and engineering with direct access to key local employers, large and small.

Open from 10am to 2pm.

The 4 Sea Sons Mar 18 Live music is back at the Boringdon Park Golf Club. The 4 Sea Sons are the ultimate tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. They combine the iconic harmonies and unrivalled showmanship of one of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s most prestigious groups, ensuring their legacy continues to live on. Tickets include three course dinner and welcome drink. Adults only and pre-booking required. For details and tickets call 01752 339113. Doors open 7pm, 1am finish with house DJ. Royal Marriages Mar 26 The Devon and Cornwall Branch of the Richard III Society will be holding a meeting in the Chapel at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth from 1 pm. A presentation will be given by David Elliott on Royal Marriages. Anyone interested in medieval history would be welcome to attend.

Further details can be obtained from Ian Lauder on 07802 324384.

Art Exhibition Apr 1 to 4 An art exhibition and sale of works by Plymouth Arts Club and Plymouth Watercolour Society will be held at Ford Park Cemetery Visitors Centre between10.30am to 3.30pm each day. Cafe available and free parking.

Dinomania Apr 17 Meet the award winning Youtube Rangers from Dinomania who will teach you all about dinosaurs and some prehistoric creatures.

With realistic dinosaurs, loads of fossils and replicas any dinosaur enthusiast will have a roarsome time. Hosted by Plymouth YMCA in Honicknowle. Details www.dinomania.co.uk

Men’s Day Out Apr 23 Loads of banter with your mates, a pasty and a beer, plus a cracking rugby match at the end! Plymouth’s biggest and best Men’s Day Out is back for 2022, St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s 40th anniversary year. Details www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/mensdayout/ Pirates Weekend Plymouth May 7 and 8 The Barbican and Sutton Harbour host a swashbuckling two days of fun inspired by the high seas. Plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy!

Lord Mayor’s Day May 21 This popular annual event offering lots of family fun will again be taking place in the city centre welcoming the new Lord Mayor into their role.

Flavour Fest May 27 to 29 Foodie fans are in for a real treat this year as Flavour Fest returns to Plymouth city centre. It’s the South West’s largest free food and drink festival, with hundreds of local producers selling tasty treats and a chef stage with regional cookery stars showcasing their skills.

The Big Jubilee Lunch June 2 to 5 The Big Jubilee Lunch is the cherry on the cake of The Queen’s Platinum celebrations happening right across the nation over th e first weekend in June. It’s all about sharing friendship, food and fun – a chance for neighbours and communities to celebrate their connections and get to know one another a little better. There are more reasons than ever to celebrate together and this year millions of people are expected to join The Big Jubilee Lunch with street parties and garden get-togethers happening across the UK over the Platinum Jubilee weekend. The Big Jubilee Lunch is a nationwide act of community friendship, with 2022 set to be a bumper year! For more information and to download a free pack go to www.thebigjubileelunch.com

1 Big Summer Jun 2 to 4 Three days of entertainment on Plymouth Hoe. Each day has been curated to appeal to a plethora of musical tastes, genres and

audiences, ensuring there really is something for everyone. Details www.1bigsummer.com One Night of Neil June 4 An incredible collection of stars from London‘s West End, backed by a phenomenal nine-piece band, will bring a concert celebrating the wonderful music of Neil Diamond to Home Park Stadium. Fifty years on from Neil‚‘s legendary ‘Hot August Night‚‘ concerts in 1972, One Night of Neil is set to be an extraordinary celebration of one of the world‚‘s greatest singer-songwriters.

With over 20 years of stadium concert experience, an expert team drawn from the worlds of Rock and Roll and West End theatre reproduce a stunning show worthy of the icon himself. Featuring dozens of his greatest hits and perhaps even some that only the diehard fans will know and love, this is a show no follower of Neil should miss. Tickets available by calling 01752 907700. VIP packages available.

Plymouth Armed Forces Day June 25 Armed Forces Day returns to The Hoe and promises to be bigger and better than ever, celebrating the military and all the great work they do. This family fun day, in association with Babcock, will include a wide variety of thrilling activities and displays. The main stage will host performances from local choirs and groups throughout the day, and from 6pm, a free evening concert will entertain the crowds with a fantastic range of live music for all to enjoy. You can sing-a-long and dance the night away, with the fabulous backdrop of Plymouth Sound, with a fantastic headline act being announced soon! For more information visit www.plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk Paloma Faith Jul 9 Double platinum and BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith will embark on a huge UK summer tour, performing at some amazing outdoor venues throughout the UK, including a date in Plymouth on Saturday July 9 at Central Park.

For tickets and more information go to www. premier.ticketek.co.uk/ Sail GP Jul 30 and 31 SailGP will host its Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth for the second year running following a bumper event in 2021 which saw an estimated 27,500 spectators enjoy the spectacle.

For full details visit SailGP.com

4 March 2022

4 March 2022

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Henry the Hedgegnome gets in deep trouble at the zoo Fans of Henry the Hedgegnome bedtime stories about the little hedgehog in stripy socks will be pleased to hear that the eighth book in the series is now available.

And in this story, Henry visits the zoo. Dartmoor Zoo to be precise.

Plymstock children’s author Richard Heddington, the writer and illustrator of the picture book series, has just published the latest story. But there’s a story behind the story, and although there were already several new tales in the pipeline, this book ended up leapfrogging the planned titles to become the newest publication.

When Richard heard that Dartmoor Zoo was raising funds to build a hedgehog rescue centre (called the Prickly Hedge Lodge) his immediate thought was ‘what can I do to help?’

So, he arranged a meeting with Lynne Hodgson, the zoo’s head of fundraising to discuss some possibilities. The original idea was to donate sets of books for selling or raffling, and running a social media competition to raise awareness. But during the course of the meeting it was suggested that Henry the Hedgegnome should visit the zoo.

The idea was met with great excitement around the table, and it was agreed that Richard would work on a story whereby Henry goes to Dartmoor Zoo. After some weeks of trying various story ideas the book, ‘Henry the Hedgegnome and the poo at the zoo’ was complete.

“Part of the fun of writing this story was creating the new characters for Henry to meet,” said Richard. “In all the previous books Henry had only encountered garden creatures such as Mr Snail and Mr Bee, but I knew instantly that animals like the rude monkey would be a hit with

Children’s author, Richard Heddington with his latest book and one of the illustrations from it

Gables appeal for help to fund poor Popeye’s treatment Gables Dogs & Cats Home were recently contacted by Filham Park Veterinary Clinic to help a cat with a severely damaged eye who desperately needed medical care.

children.” But it is the mention of poo that gets children laughing the most. “It is something that children just naturally find funny. Although, to be honest, it makes me laugh too.

“During the original meeting at the zoo, I was talking about the hedgehog poo phenomenon, and I explained that anyone who has dealt with hedgehogs will tell you about the amount of poo they produce. For such small and loveable creatures, they are certainly very messy. It was partly this conversation that made me think it would be funny to see a hedgehog encountering someone else’s poo.”

The story sees Henry visiting his grumpy old Great Aunt Hogerty who is staying at the hedgehog rescue centre, but finding her is not easy. After a series of unfortunate encounters with some of the zoo’s animals, Henry ends up in deep trouble.

Signed copies of ‘Henry the Hedgegnome and the poo at the zoo’ can be ordered from the Henry the Hedgegnome website at www.hedgegnomes. co.uk. It can also be ordered from Amazon, Wordery, and all good book shops. To find out more about the Prickly Hedge Lodge, or make a donation towards Dartmoor Zoo, visit the zoo website at www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk

Popeye, as he has affectionately been named, had an accident on a farm and his eye was beyond repair and needed to be removed.

Despite the pain he must have been in Popeye has been a star patient through all his treatment and eye removal surgery at the vets. He’s enjoyed lots of fuss from all the vet nurses and they all describe him as an affectionate boy. Once Popeye is well enough he will be taken to Gables to finish his recovery and receive any further treatment he may need. After he is fully recovered and fighting fit once more, Gables will find him a new loving forever home.

It is estimated to cost an additional £800 on top of Gables normal operating costs to give Popeye the help and treatment he needs.

Gables Dogs & Cats Home does not receive any government funding and has felt the financial strain from the COVID pandemic, but they are determined to help Popeye. If you can help to ease Gables’ financial burden by making a contribution to the ‘Popeye in a pickle Vet Appeal’, please call 01752 331602 or visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/popeye

MAY TO AUGUST: May

7 and 8 Pirates Weekend Plymouth Barbican and Sutton Harbour 14 Commando Gunners’ 60th Anniversary Parade Royal Parade 21 Lord Mayor’s Day City Centre

PCC Marketing

July

9 Paloma Faith Central Park 10 Simply Red Central Park 30 and 31 Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Plymouth Sound

27 to 29 Flavour Fest City Centre

August

June

27 West End Carnival Plymouth City Centre

2 to 4 1 Big Summer Plymouth Hoe 2 to 5 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 19 Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival Plymouth Hoe 23 Rehabilitation Triathlon hosted by the Royal Marines Plymouth Hoe 25 Armed Forces Day Plymouth Hoe

17 and 18 British Firework Championships Plymouth Waterfront

All events subject to change. Please see visitplymouth.co.uk for the latest information.

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March 2022 5 @PlymChronicle

Change of polling station will enable school to stay open

Boringdon Primary School will no longer be used as a venue for a polling station after January’s full meeting of Plymouth City Council voted by 45 votes to 0 with one abstention to approve the use of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Vicarage Rd as the alternative polling venue in future years.

The meeting heard that a public consultation on the proposals drew just three objections out of an electorate of around 2,500 for that polling district.

One of the three objectors commented: “I do not see why the school has to close when only one room is required for a polling station. I attended Boringdon Primary in the 1980s and the school did not close on polling day. I think it is good for children to see democracy in action.

“It is clear from the map that the proposed polling station at the Catholic Church will result in a much longer journey for the vast majority of electors in RC (polling district).

“The electorate in RC contains many elderly residents who will have to cross a busier road (Plymbridge Road) than at present, particularly as the polling station will create lots of extra vehicular traffic because it is beyond the distance a lot of voters will be prepared or able to walk.

“Because the church has been appended to the RC polling district, traffic will be funnelled from one direction and parts of both Plymbridge Road and Vicarage Road only have pavement on one side of the road, forcing pedestrians to cross near to the junction of the two roads.

“Elections are infrequent and hugely important - a centrally located polling station is good for voter participation. The school as part of the community should recognise that and continue to serve as the polling station as it has for almost its entire existence.”

Another objector expressed concern about parking and why a mobile station could not be used: “The venue selected is very much at one end of the area, rather than being central, and I am concerned about the parking. With the vehicles of residents of the street and those of polling officials, there could be very little space left for the general public and certainly a problem for the disabled as there is no specific provision. Why can the district not have a mobile polling booth as other areas do?”

The third objector remarked on the lack of public transport links to the new venue for the majority of the electoral district.

Speaking in support of the change of polling venue ward Councillor Patrick Nicholson reminded the objectors of the postal voting option for those who may find it difficult to attend the new venue.

The meeting also approved a minor boundary change of the polling districts within the ward resulting in a small number of electors being re-allocated to a polling station at the Lutheran Church in Larkham Lane. The overall ward boundary remains unchanged.

The arrangements for the new polling venues are expected to be in place in time for this May’s local council elections. The neighbouring ward of Plympton Erle will not be involved in this year’s elections as it is one of three smaller wards in Plymouth which only have two elected councillors and where elections only occur in two years out of every four.

(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

6 March 2022 Mike Brown from Plymstock – who is currently living in Mystic, Connecticut, USA – is cycling over 17 miles a day for 188 days to raise funds for Children’s Hospice South West.

His marathon effort is in memory of his son Oliver who died in November 2019 at the age of all after a three years journey with a rare blood cancer.

Oliver and his family were supported by Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) at its Little Harbour children’s hospice in St Austell.

Following Oliver’s death his dad Mike, along with mum Nicky and younger brother Benjamin, started to help raise funds for, and awareness of, CHSW to help give back to the charity which supported them through this unimaginable time.

His daily bike ride - which started on January 1 – will end on July 8, the start date of CHSW’s Ride for Precious Lives. In that time he will have covered 3215 miles - the equivalent distance between his current

6 March 2022

@PlymChronicle

Plymouth dad cycling for 188 days in memory of son “I want to do all I can to raise as much funds for, and awareness of, this vital charity which during such a horrendous time in our life, they were there, they held our hand, wrapped their arms around us and they just took us through it.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Mike’s fundraising in memory of Oliver can do so at the following link: www.justgiving.com/ LordOliverBrown

CHSW FACT FILE Mike is cycling 17.1 miles a day in Connecticut and has already faced temperatures as low as -12C

Oliver Brown died at Little Harbour children’s hospice in 2019 aged 11

home in Mystic and CHSW’s base at Charlton Farm in Bristol.

In July 2021 Mike and 10 friends took part in the charity’s Ride for Precious Lives. The three day cycling event saw them complete over 200 miles cycling between the charity’s three children’s hospices; Charlton Farm near Bristol, Little Bridge House in Barnstaple and Little Harbour in St Austell.

Since the ride Mike and his family have moved to Connecticut, but still do all they can to support the charity, including Mike signing up to cycle in Ride for Precious Lives 2022, this time with 13 other friends.

After reading about an eight year old boy who cycled a mile every day in November to raise money for the charity, Mike decided to

take his training for the July event to a new level by cycling every day for 188 days.

When he started his daily rides at the beginning of January he had to cope with temperatures as low as -12C and also battle with snowfalls. But he is determined to complete his 3215 mile marathon.

“This exceeds by some margin more miles than I’ve ever cycled in any year,” said Mike.

“Including last year when I was cycling to work every day for the first half of the year, cycled in Ride for Precious Lives and entered a number of sportives!”

“I feel Inspired by my boys Oliver and Benjamin, both whose lives were and are, intricately linked to Little Harbour now and forever.

• Children’s Hospice South West was first registered with the charity commission in 1991 and celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2021.

• CHSW is dedicated to making the most of short and precious lives, providing the best possible hospice care for life-limited children and their families.

• Children’s Hospice South West have three hospices across the South West. Little Bridge House in Barnstaple (opened 1995), Charlton Farm in Bristol (opened 2007) and Little Harbour in St Austell (opened 2011).

• CHSW is the only children’s hospice in the South West. It costs around £11million to run the three hospices each year and relies almost entirely on voluntary contributions.

• CHSW delivers a range of services including short breaks, specialist play, music therapy, a dedicated siblings team, palliative and emergency care, end of life care, bereavement support and specialist medical care - all available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

How can I save money on my increasing energy bill?

Energy bills are rising, the lowest income households are already facing a cost-of-living crisis. From April, more people will be facing fuel poverty due to the increased energy price cap.

Falling behind with bills can cause long lasting financial challenges, but early help can prevent a bigger problem.

Citizens Advice Plymouth advisers bring you some tips that might help you reduce your energy bills and debts:

Check details of your energy bill.

Bills should contain information such as your name, address, customer reference number or account number, the name of your supplier, the billing period covered and the tariff you’re on. Make sure all the details are correct.

Understand your tariff.

The tariff is the price you pay per unit of gas or electricity along with any standing charge.

A fixed rate tariff sets the price you pay per unit for the duration of a contract.

A variable (or standard) tariff can vary depending on the wholesale price of gas or electricity. A default tariff is the rate you pay for gas and electricity if you don’t choose a tariff and they’re usually variable.

Due to the increase in wholesale prices and the energy increases, it’s better to stay on the standard variable if you’re not already on a fixed tariff.

0808 278 7910

Pay by direct debit.

It’s usually cheaper to pay monthly by direct debit. If you also give monthly meter readings to the energy provider then you will pay the correct amount.

If you don’t and just pay a set amount, your bill will be estimated.

Check your meter readings.

Estimated bills can cause the price you pay to be too high or too low. If you provide regular meter readings to your supplier your bills will be accurate, and you’ll avoid getting a large catch-up bill.

The serial number of your meter will be on your energy bill, check that it matches the serial number on your meter.

with debt repayments. Do not ignore mounting bills, there is help available, get in touch early.

You may also qualify for benefits or grants depending on your circumstances. Citizens Advice Plymouth can help you get back on track with your finances and check benefit entitlements.

Call our AdviceLine on 0808 278 7910 Visit our website www.citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk for more information Use Facebook Messenger to get in touch

Get a smart meter.

A smart meter can automatically send meter readings to your supplier, so they can bill you accurately. Most people can get a smart meter for free as part of a government scheme. Your supplier should contact you to tell you exactly when you can get one. If they don’t, contact them to ask when that might be.

Contact your supplier if you are struggling with bills.

Energy suppliers may be able to provide further help and make a referral for financial assistance. If you call and explain the situation most of the energy companies have trust funds and financial support schemes that can help

www.citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk

@citizensadviceplymouth

March 2022

@PlymChronicle

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Bishop Nick, who is married to Jan and has four children and nine grandchildren, will be 68 and has been Bishop of Plymouth since 2015.

He said: “After 42 years of ordained ministry, now seems a good time to hand over my responsibilities and to have more time for the family and other interests.

“It has been a privilege to serve in this Diocese as a bishop for the last ten years and I would like to thank my fellow clergy and everyone in our diocese for their support, prayers and friendship.”

The Bishop of Exeter, the Right Reverend Robert Atwell, said: “Bishop Nick has been a superb colleague whose gentle wisdom and big pastoral heart have won him affection and respect across the county.

“He brings to his work his immense knowledge of people and places, his love of Devon and his faith in Christ. We wish him well in his retirement and we are glad that he is going to stay in Devon.”

Bishop Nick grew up in Devon and, after studying law and working for a development agency, was ordained in 1980.

He served his early ministry in London and Liverpool before returning to Devon in 1987 to become the Rector of Hatherleigh, Meeth, Exbourne and Jacobstowe. From 1994 to 2012 he led St Andrew’s, the Minster church of Plymouth.

He was consecrated as Bishop of Crediton in 2012, before moving to become Bishop of Plymouth in 2015, with responsibility for parishes across Dartmoor, Torbay and West Devon as well as the city itself.

Following his retirement, Bishop Nick has been nominated to be the High Sheriff of Devon in 2023.

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Plympton man’s praise for the NHS after his sight is restored A 59-year-old Plympton man has praised staff at the Royal Eye Infirmary at Derriford Hospital for prompt treatment he received after a torn retina and the subsequent restoration of his sight.

Mark Cawley who is a sous chef at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth first became aware of a problem when a blood clot developed in one of his eyes after he banged his head.

Following a referral to a consultant he was diagnosed as having a torn retina.

Mark was part of an early group of patients to be treated in the new Ophthalmic modular theatres, which opened last summer at Derriford Hospital. The theatres were part of an investment from the NHS Elective Recovery Fund to address the pandemic’s impact on ophthalmic

Follow us at Facebook.com/PlymptonPodcast for regular stories, pictures and videos of life in Plympton and surrounding areas To hear our audio podcasts and to find other useful community information go to:

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waiting times in Devon and Cornwall.

Mark was very grateful that he was able to have operations on each eye within nine weeks, for a torn retina and cataract removal. He said: “I was

sightless for two weeks and that was really scary, so I could do nothing but praise the NHS. “I can’t believe I can see, and when you don’t have sight, people within the general public don’t actually understand how scary it is. But now I can read, and I can work, I can write menus, I can read menus.

“I go in with a big smile and people don’t get it because they haven’t been there. I tell every man and his dog, guess what? NHS is awesome.

They hold my hand and guide me, and do things that you didn’t ask. All the staff were sympathetic, and you were treated as an individual, not as just a number.

“I’m profoundly grateful for the NHS, for their back-up, for their funding - I am really truly grateful.”

(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

GARDENERS GIFT FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN Plympton Gardeners Association has made a donation of £500 to the charity Friends and Families of Special Children.

be a talk about the restoration of Saltram Gardens by Martin Stott. Non members are welcome to attend and there is a small admission charge on the door.

The charity provides training and The PGA’s next major event will information for parents of children be their Spring Show at Harewood with disabilities as well as a range of House on March 19 which will activities for the children be opened at 1.30pm by and their siblings.

Lord Mayor Cllr Terri Beer.

Friends and Families was More details and a show adopted by the gardeners schedule can be seen on as their chosen cause the group’s website at in 2020 and the recent plymptongardeners.com presentation represents The Spring Show will be the funds raised by their group’s only ‘open’ show this members, primarily year; their summer show in through plant sales and August is changing to a closed selected weeks running show for members’ only the coffee bar at Harewood exhibits, although the public House. will still be able to go along The presentation was and see the bench displays as made by PGA chairman usual.

John Gilding and secretary (Story courtesy of Plympton Tim Tod from Friends and Families of Special Children Carol Penhallurick to Tim Podcast) receives the cheque from John and Carol Tod from Friends and

Families at Harewood House during the PGA’s AGM meeting in February.

At the same meeting members and visitors listened to a talk on ‘Wildlife Friendly Gardening’ by Ben Candlin.

The group’s next meeting is at 7.30pm on March 3, again in Harewood House where there will

Public asked to sign petition calling for Government funding for Tamar Bridge

Plymouth City Council is calling on people across the South West to sign a petition urging the Government to financially contribute to the maintenance of the Tamar Bridge.

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Tamar Bridge is jointly owned by Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council and provides a vital strategic road link in the South West. About 18 million vehicles cross the bridge each year.

In accordance with the Tamar Bridge Act, the crossing is funded on a “user pays” principle which means that the only source of revenue is toll charges for those who use the bridge.

With a reduction in the number of users, which is expected to continue in years ahead, the only option has been to seek a rise in the cost of the toll. The Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee is currently proposing that tolls need to be increased from £2 to £2.60 for cash users, and from £1 to £1.30 for discounted tags.

This will impact most on those residents who use the bridge daily to commute to work and who may seek alternative routes potentially adding to carbon emissions.

Plymouth City Council is calling on the Government to provide a financial contribution to the running of the bridge, a similar approach to other major strategic links across the UK. Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, has launched a petition and is asking people from across the region to sign it, showing their support for fairer and proper funding for the South West.

The petition will then be presented to the Government, to show that the request as the backing of local people.

To sign the petition go to www. change.org and search for Tamar Crossing.

Councillor Kelly said: “At the moment we don’t receive any funding to help maintain the Tamar Bridge. A bridge that provides a vital link in the

South West. Without it, many people would be cut off – unable to get to work, school or hospital. Vital goods would also be unable to easily reach the region.

“At a time when all finances are being squeezed, it is not fair that we have to ask users of the bridge to put their hands deeper into their pockets.

“But we have no choice. But what will happen in the years to come, as road users further decline?

“We are only asking the Government for our fair share. We only want the A38 over the Tamar Bridge to be considered in the same way as other major strategic links in the UK. “This is all about people power.

We need the people of the South West to show that they agree with us that tolls must be kept low and fair. So I ask everyone, in Plymouth and beyond, sign the petition and stand with us publicly to ask the Government for help.”

Join Scott Medical and Healthcare College in 2022. Become a hero.

Who we are

We are a small and innovative secondary school for students aged between 14 and 18 who have a particular interest in the medical and healthcare sector.

Students join us in year 9 where they begin their GCSE and BTEC level courses led by our specialist staff in a contemporary building on the outskirts of the city centre in Plymouth.

What we offer

Guided by local healthcare employers, we offer a range of academic and vocational qualifications at levels 2 and 3.

These include GCSEs in English, Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Biology and the BTEC Tech award in Health and Social Care and Sports Science at Key Stage 4 and 5. We also offer a selection of additional subjects such as Psychology, History, and Languages.

Students are exposed to a wide range of healthcare professionals from day one, and can see what it means to work within the medical sector first-hand from doctors, dentists, midwives, nurses and many more. Our masterclasses are led by our partners within the NHS, Livewell Southwest and Specsavers and allow students to understand the wide range of roles available to them when they enter the workplace.

We also offer opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a biology trip to Borneo, a ski trip to France and work experience placements in medical, healthcare and other relevant settings.

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The Sixth Form at Scott Medical and Healthcare College offers two pathways - the A Level pathway and the Health Sciences Pathway (Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma - practical vocational courses).

Scott College students who studied for the Extended Diploma in Health Studies are now studying at universities across the UK for careers in paramedicine, midwifery, nursing, radiography, and social and youth work among others.

The A Level pathway offers a more traditional A Level route in preparation for university courses such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, dietetics, radiography and medical sciences.

Students who choose to study at our Sixth Form are impressed with the subject knowledge of our teaching staff, the state of the art facilities we offer which include a fitness suite and clinical themed, professional classrooms and the work placement support where students are guided through the application process for a work experience placement in a local setting for one day each week.

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We recommend potential students and their parents or carers attend a college tour in order to see our building, meet our staff and gain further insight into how we deliver our curriculum.

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10 March 2022

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Quest for 17th century relics begins at Plymouth’s first navy supply yard Liver patients supported by ‘buddies’ A number of Derriford patients with liver-related illnesses have established a new peer support group for fellow liver patients and are keen to encourage new members from across the region to join.

The South West Liver Buddies was officially formed in early 2020, just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite the subsequent lockdowns and restrictions on being able to meet in person, has so far gained around 150 members and continues to grow.

It started out with a small group of patients who were keen to give something back, set-up by the South West Liver Unit for service users, and has grown into a successful peer-run support group.

“We come from all over and from all walks of life, and each of us have had different liver disease journeys – some slow and progressive, some rapid and scary,” explained Josie, one of the founders of the group. But we all have one thing in common, and that’s receiving our care and treatment at Derriford Hospital.

“After my liver transplant a few years ago, I wanted to give something back and to help others through what I had experienced, so I began to visit patients on the wards after my clinic appointments to support them.

“I met others who wanted to do the same thing and that’s where the buddy idea came from.”

Now patients with liver diseases and conditions associated with liver illness, as well as their families and friends, can join a dedicated Facebook group, attend meetings and events via Zoom, and reach out to the group over the phone or by email.

The activities that members of the group can take part in range from bingo nights to participating in walking challenges and virtual transplant games. In early 2021, group members and Hepatology staff jointly took part in a challenge to walk the distance between Derriford Hospital and King’s College Hospital in London, which is significant as it’s where liver transplant patients attend for their surgery.

The Hepatology team at University Hospitals Plymouth also regularly organise and facilitate expert talks and discussions via Zoom, for all things related to liver diseases and conditions, which many members have found particularly helpful.

Katie Ramos, lead Liver Transplant Coordinator and nurse specialist at University Hospitals Plymouth, said: “I’m absolutely bursting with pride with everything this group has achieved so far, from our joint step challenge to the small things each and every member does to support each other.

“It is truly fantastic. We now want to get the word out there and to make sure that all patients and their carers, from Somerset all the way down to Cornwall, are aware of the support available to them and know how to join the group.”

Last month group began their latest challenge, to virtually walk to all the transplant centres in the UK, which equates to the equivalent distance of 1150 miles (2.3 million steps).

To get in touch with the group email plh-tr. liverbuddies@nhs.net or call 01752 439002. To join the South West Liver Buddies Facebook group, please visit: www.facebook.com/groups/ southwestliverbuddies/

Archaeologists are undertaking a major investigation that could reveal early evidence of Plymouth’s status as an epicentre of global trade.

Experts from the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Archaeology Society are carrying out excavations on part of the earliest Victualling Yard for the Royal Navy in Plymouth, sited at Commercial Wharf to the south of the Barbican.

The area was used for nearly 200 years to supply the Navy with bread, biscuits and beef until those operations moved to Royal William Yard in the 19th century.

Conservation work on the quay wall at Commercial Wharf, currently being undertaken

by JNE Construction Ltd on behalf of Plymouth City Council, has revealed important 17th century material.

This has included pottery and clay pipes dating to the second half of the 17th century from Italy, Iberia, France, Holland and the Rhineland, as well as English pottery from North Devon and Somerset.

Archaeologists have also found tableware, jars, a candlestick and a strange unglazed shard that was probably part of a Spanish wine amphorae or olive oil jar, never before seen in Plymouth.

They hope to uncover more such items during their investigation, with the possibility of also finding earlier items from around the time of the Mayflower’s departure from the city.

University of Plymouth maritime archaeologist Martin Read, chairman of the Plymouth Archaeology Society, will be directing the work

Commercial Wharf was the earliest Victualling Yard for the Royal Navy in Plymouth Photo: Courtesy of Plymouth Archaeology Society

A mixture of English and continental ceramics, including pieces from North Devon and Somerset Photo: Courtesy of Plymouth Archaeology Society

with a team based at the Boathouse Café.

He said: “Plymouth has always had a much higher proportion of imported pottery from southern Europe and the Mediterranean than elsewhere. It was probably brought back by fishermen after selling their salted cod, with something like 40 per cent of the ceramics recovered in Plymouth from this time having been imported. This is an exciting opportunity to examine part of an early Victualling Yard. There are very few of these sites that have not been later redeveloped and built over, so the area is of international importance.”

Plymouth has been used as a Royal Navy base for centuries, but initially had no dedicated facilities for supplying the Navy.

This changed during the Commonwealth

when the Lambhay was chosen for the earliest Victualling Yard in the 1650s. Phoenix Wharf was built at this time, towards the southern end of the present Commercial Wharf, while at the northern end of the wharf, the quay had been built by 1665.

After the opening of the Dockyard in 1693, the Lambhay was considered in the wrong place to easily supply the Navy and was eventually moved to the more convenient Royal William Yard in the 1830s.

The old yard was then sold for commercial uses, including the making of biscuits and an Embarkation Depot, though the buildings were retained. The buildings on the wharf were demolished in the 1930s when the road behind was widened, during the building of Madiera Road around the Citadel.

Navy’s Devonport-based ice ship HMS Protector completes first Antarctic mission of the season The Navy’s sole Antarctic research ship has completed her first stint of the year around the frozen continent – which has revealed the impact of global warning.

Devonport-based HMS Protector is on a fiveyear mission to support international research into wildlife, the changing climate and shifting waters of Antarctica and upholding the UK’s longstanding commitment to the region.

The icebreaker has three concerted ‘work periods’ planned around the Antarctic Peninsula before autumn descends on the region and rules out her moving safely around numerous bases and through icy waters.

Her first stint which spanned the festive season into the first days of 2022 started with work around the South Sandwich Islands to support research into the penguin populace.

From there the distinctive red-white survey ship moved deeper into the Antarctic region to continue her scientific mission in some of the bleakest, most remote islands on the planet.

Naval charts of some of the waters around islands such as Southern Thule and the Cook Islands have not been updated in nearly a century – without any of the highly-accurate sensors and technology fitted to Protector herself or her small survey boats.

The challenge was made all the greater by unfavourable sea conditions and grounded icebergs, forcing Protector to spend two days sheltering inside a caldera – the hollowed-out innards of a volcano – waiting for a weather window to put a landing party ashore.

Whilst there the ship surveyed an uncharted portion on the west coast of Cook – the eastern part of the two islands forming the caldera – as her survey motorboat surveyed the east coast of Thule under the lee of glacial cliffs.

After crossing another 600 miles of the Scotia Sea – described by crew as ‘lively’ –the ship got stuck into to work in the South Orkneys, another

far-flung, uninhabited British archipelago on the fringe of Antarctica.

Sunshine Glacier on Coronation Island – roughly 750 miles from the Falklands and 350 from the Antarctic Peninsula – has retreated three quarters of a mile over the past 30 years as a result of global warming.

In doing so, it’s revealed uncharted waters in what is dubbed ‘Iceberg Bay’ for Protector to survey while the weather abated sufficiently for the ship to scan the waters off the neighbouring island of Signy and found a dangerous shoal on the approach to Cummings Cove, having separately proved the presence of a dangerous rock in Borge Bay.

Supporting the work of the British Antarctic Survey, Protector’s Commanding Officer Captain Michael Wood led a team landing on Signy to mark the beginning of the ‘summer season’; the research station is only occupied in the austral summer.

Sailors found no damage had been caused to the base by the harsh weather over the winter, ready for scientists to move into study penguins, petrels and the island’s rich biodiversity.

Signy was the first in a series of bases and research centres the ship has called in on: Base Y (Horseshoe Island) built in 1955 and abandoned five years later, so it’s a time capsule of a bygone era of Antarctic exploration; the large BAS facility at Rothera for Christmas, where Covid precautions meant the sailors couldn’t mix with the scientists to join in festivities and the Argentinian research base at San Martin.

In the Lemaire Channel there was the opportunity for the 70 sailors and Royal Marines to get their cameras out. Despite near-perfect weather for the passage, Protector found navigating the strait tricky with significant concentrations of ice and icebergs which almost completely blocked the southern entrance.

Deception Island – a flooded caldera of a still-active volcano – provided more photo opportunities and visits led by Protector’s secondin-command Commander Thomas Boeckx to Spanish and Argentine bases brought the curtain down on the first work period of the Antarctic summer and Protector headed back to the Falklands to restock before returning to the snow and ice.

“We’ve completed the first of our three work packages as part of Operation Austral and exceeded all the objectives we set by some measure. It’s been a far-flung, survey-intense and photographic-rich circumnavigation of UK territories in the Scotia Sea,” said Captain Wood.

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12 March 2022

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Plymouth Citybus on board with St Luke’s

Community-spirited Plymouth Citybus is helping St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth keep the wheels of its vital service turning by showing support for the local charity in its 40th anniversary year.

With January 25 marking the day that 40 years ago the hospice welcomed its first patients, Plymouth Citybus unveiled the bus it has decked out in St Luke’s branding to highlight the muchloved charity reaching such a special milestone.

Featuring some of the friendly faces of St Luke’s team, and the message of the hospice providing compassionate care for the community for 40 years, the bus will cover routes across the city throughout the year.

From its humble beginnings at Syrena House in Plymstock to the multidisciplinary service it provides today, looking after terminally ill people at home, in hospital and at Turnchapel, St Luke’s cares for up to 300 patients at any given time and supports their families, too. It does this at no cost to those it helps, thanks to local individuals

and organisations who fundraise, donate and volunteer to help keep the charity’s service going.

Support from local businesses is critical to ensuring St Luke’s resilience so it can reach more people who desperately need specialist care at the end of their lives.

Richard Stevens, managing director of Plymouth Citybus said: “Many of our team members and customers have been touched by St Luke’s in one way or another. Branding the bus for the charity is our way of saying thank you for superb care given and helping to make sure the whole city is aware of the brilliant work St Luke’s has done over the past 40 years.”

Steve Statham, chief executive of St Luke’s, said: “A big thank-you to Plymouth Citybus. Our eyecatching branded bus will raise more awareness of St Luke’s specialist service and the support from our community that makes it possible. The more local businesses who get behind our charity, the more families we can help over the next 40 years and beyond.”

Plymouth Citybus managing director Richard Stevens pictured with St Luke’s staff with the liveried bus as the backdrop

Fleet of E-bikes will be available for hire in Plymouth next year A 400-strong fleet of hireable electric bikes will be ready and available on the streets of Plymouth next year.

The bikes, which will be based all across the city and will be bookable online, are being introduced as part of the Council’s mobility hubs project.

Beryl has been appointed to provide the bikes, having already delivered micromobility schemes in Norwich, Hereford, Watford, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the Isle of Wight, Hackney and Greater Manchester.

Beryl CEO, Phil Ellis, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen to deliver this scheme and, as the UK’s leading micromobility provider, I’m confident our experience and expertise can inspire more people to take up sustainable transport while delivering new skills and jobs to Plymouth.

“E-bikes are a fun, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to get around a city, helping to reduce harmful emissions while improving air quality and public health.

“They can play a key role in a sustainable urban transport network, helping to connect modes of transport and reduce traffic congestion by encouraging people to switch from their cars for shorter journeys.

‘We’re looking forward to delivering this scheme in partnership with Plymouth City Council and ensuring that we provide the best possible experience for our users.”

The scheme is part of a programme of investment through the Department of Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) that aims to change people’s travel habits by making it as easy as possible for people to choose low carbon options to get about.

Councillor Jonathan Drean pictured with Phil Ellis , CEO of bike providers Beryl

Designed to reduce reliance on private car use in Plymouth as well as Plymouth’s travel to work area, key components will include electric vehicle (EV) charging points, electric bikes, car club vehicles and journey planning.

Officers are currently looking at possible locations for around 50 hubs – with the aim of at least one in every ward.

The scheme will also see 300 parking bays across the city being installed with electric vehicle charge points provided by Gamma Energy Limited.

Over 100 of these will have rapid chargers capable of providing a typical electric vehicle with an additional 100 mile range in approximately 30 minutes.

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company, added: “Wenea has a vision to enable electric mobility for everyone and accelerate the transition towards zero emission transport.

“We are honoured to work with Plymouth City Council in their flagship project to deploy fast and rapid electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the city.

“Over the next two years, 300 charging points will be rolled out across more than 45 different locations in what constitutes one of the most ambitious urban electric charging projects in the UK.” Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet member for Transport, said: “I am so excited that our mobility hubs are a step closer to reality.

“We have to make sustainable transport more

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attractive and by installing the appropriate infrastructure, we’re breaking down another barrier that might stop someone from switching to a greener alternative. We hope that having bikes for hire with a bit of added power to the pedal will entice more people to give it a go.”

A raft of projects are currently in train, thanks to significant capital funding through the Transforming Cities Fund.

New cycle routes are on the cards for key transport corridors, with a focus on routes used by commuters to travel to work such as the Dockyard to the City Centre and Crownhill Road.

The schemes improve access to work, restart the city’s growth agenda, deliver homes, safeguard and create new jobs. It is also designed to improve air quality and reduce the city’s overall carbon emissions as a direct response to the city’s climate emergency declaration.

About Transforming Cities Fund In March 2020 the Council received £51.2m in capital funding from the Transforming Cities Fund.

This builds upon the £7.6m awarded in 2019 as part of Tranche 1, bringing in a total of £58.8m in additional external funding to Plymouth’s city region. The programme focuses on three key themes: • providing quality infrastructure that delivers a viable alternative to the private car and clear information to keep the traveller informed •encouraging new and innovative technology to provide cleaner transport, better access to active travel options and to manage transport demand • effective behaviour change: integrating transport measures and managing travel demand by applying policies to discourage commuting by single occupancy car.

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March 2022

13

Cross Rhythms Plymouth awarded Ofcom Licence extension to 2027

up to

Local community radio station Cross Rhythms Plymouth has been awarded a five year licence extension to keep it broadcasting to the city until at least March 2027.

The station - dubbed ‘positive radio for Britain’s Ocean City’ broadcasts on 96.3FM across Plymouth and is available online at crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth.

Station manager Dave Simpson said: “We’re delighted that Ofcom have awarded us a further licence extension. Over the years we have received numerous contacts from listeners who have been helped by what we do and we’re so happy to be able to continue bringing excellent local content to Plymouth.”

The station has built up a great reputation in the community and has been on air since 2007.

Part of the station’s work over this time has been to promote the work of local charities and organisations working for the good of the people of Plymouth.

The Community Matters programme has been on the air for many years and has featured many local organisations including St Luke’s Hospice, Improving Lives Plymouth, Shekinah and Pregnancy Crisis Care to name only a few.

“We like to be known as positive radio and so we look to share good stuff happening in Plymouth that perhaps doesn’t get coverage elsewhere,” said Dave.

“Our positivity is rooted in faith in a God who loves people no matter what. This message is a real hope for people and in challenging times like these the world needs some hope. Having our licence extended now is therefore very timely.”

Cross Rhythms Plymouth has its roots in wider media work that has been ongoing since the 1980s and was founded by Chris Cole.

Long before there was a 24/7 radio station in the city, Chris presented The Solid Rock of Jesus Christ radio programme weekly on Plymouth Sound.

This show gave airtime to musicians whose music wouldn’t often be played elsewhere and this is a tradition Cross Rhythms Plymouth continues today.

Cross Rhythms Plymouth station manager Dave Simpson

Chris Cole said: “This is great news for everyone involved in the radio station and all our listeners. The licence extension is never guaranteed so to have Ofcom grant us a further five years is a real privilege.”

Speaking on the value of the station and its Christian ethos, Chris said: “Across the globe there are estimated to be in the region of 350 million Christians who are persecuted for their faith. In any liberal democracy freedom of speech and religious conscience are essential for a free and flourishing society whether in people’s personal lives or through broadcast media.

“As the world becomes smaller through our collective ability to access information through the worldwide web and digital communication we can see accounts of what it is like to be citizens of nations where these essential human rights are suppressed. This serves as a profound backdrop for our work and ensures we don’t take our licence for granted.”

Dave Simpson added: “We have an excellent and committed volunteer team and we are looking forward to maximising the opportunities afforded us by the extension. We plan to bring new programming to our listeners and develop our online and social media presence. Watch this space!”

Cross Rhythms Plymouth is charity- run and the team are planning a re-launch and fundraising event in April. To find out more about this event and the work in general can contact Dave Simpson on dave@ crplymouth.co.uk.

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Sherford Life Remains of woolly mammoth found on Devon building site; archaeologists stunned. And I’m stunned too: it’s not often that my own town ends up on the front page of the national news!

Seeing as I’m writing this a few weeks before you get to read it, I imagine it’s old news for you. Although I suppose that the news is already many thousands of years old anyway!

But the archaeologists and historians among us will be excited about these finds for years to come.

I read one academic saying that it was the most important find of this sort in the last 80 years. With artefacts like they’ve already uncovered in the Sherford cave we’ll get new insights into the landscape and wildlife of Devon many thousands of years in our past.

It’s fascinating and eye-opening being able to delve into our past.

But for those of us local to Sherford, it’s even more significant, because it’s our past. This is the history of our area, of the place we call home.

This is a great reminder for us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves: a physical and historical landscape that stretches beyond us both outwards and back through time.

I personally find this refreshing, living as we do in a culture that values the individual in the present above all, often to the exclusion of the wider picture of where we came from.

And so I’m very excited about reports that we will get to see a lot of these

By Revd Tom Brassil artefacts on display in The Box in due time.

Now, of course, the hope is very much that the Sherford Consortium won’t just cover over the cave with concrete and ignore the historic significance of what they’ve found. There’s actually an online petition to ‘save the cave’ that has gained several thousand signatures. Time will tell whether we get the cave preserved, or just the contents.

How important is history to you? When we move into discussions about what we believe about the world, history becomes of vital importance.

It plays a huge role in figuring out what, if anything, we’re here for. And for the Christian history takes on an even greater significance, because we believe in a God who entered into history, whose words and actions were experienced by eyewitnesses.

At the end of his book about Jesus’ life, the apostle John wrote that he had recorded the things Jesus said and did so that we could believe in him. And John claims that believing in Jesus, this historical figure, is the key to a truly fulfilling life – that lasts forever (see John 20:30-31, the Bible).

Do you want to know more about this history? You can come to Sherford to discover that too! Why not visit us one Sunday morning in Sherford Vale School?

If you have any questions about Sherford life, or if you would like to know more about Sherford Community Church and the historical Jesus we believe in, please contact me at tom@ sherfordchurch.net

14 March 2022

@PlymChronicle

Plymstock Matters with Councillor Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith meets with representatives from the National Trust and Plymouth City Council waste team at The Ride

For those of you who don’t know me well, I have to admit to being a pretty big fan of the Royals.

I am writing this article two days after the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s ascension to the throne upon the death of her father.

Regardless of your views on the monarchy, I feel sure we can all agree on the remarkable achievement of her reign and the lifelong public service our Queen has given to this country.

I am really looking forward to the Jubilee Weekend and I know some local communities are already looking at how they can join in the national celebrations. These websites are a good source of information of how to organise an event www.platinumjubilee. gov.uk or www.streetparty.org.uk and www. edenprojectcommunities.com/the-big-lunch Let me know if I can help too.

Over the last four years I’ve chaired a quarterly meeting about The Ride and the ongoing issues we have with fly tipping along this popular route to Saltram.

These meetings have been really helpful in bringing together the National Trust, Police and different cuncil teams to tackle the issue. However, lockdown and some changing personnel have had an impact.

So, I met recently with staff from the

National Trust and Plymouth City Council waste team to make sure the current flytipping is cleared and to reinstate regular checks of the area to make sure we can nip it in the bud and seek to prosecute those responsible where possible.

As with any fly-tipping, it’s impossible to stop it entirely, however we can help prevent and deter it from happening by working together and I am committed to carrying on these meetings to that end.

I am aware that households across the city are facing rising energy bills due to the global gas price increase. Hopefully you will have heard about the £150 rebate and £200 discount on this year’s bills that are coming your way.

However, I know that for some, the next few months are going to be tough. Please do let your energy company know if you are struggling as they can help and make use of Citizens Advice if you need advice on debt or financial concerns. Visit www. citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk or call 0808 278 7910.

As ever, if there is anything I can help with, please get in touch via email: rebecca.smith@ plymouth.gov.uk, text or leave a message: 07825 034970 or visit my Facebook Page @ PlymouthRebecca

Future of Plymouth’s Mayflower GP service secured as Livewell Southwest takes over Local health and care provider, Livewell Southwest, has been named as the new organisation responsible for the running of the Mayflower Medical Group of GP practices in Plymouth from April 2022.

The Group, which covers five sites in Plymouth, is responsible for providing GP services for nearly 40,000 people in the city.

The surgeries involved are Stirling Road, Ernesettle Medical Centre, Mount Gould Primary Care Centre, Trelawny Surgery and Mannamead Surgery The current arrangements, with provider Access Health Care are due to come to an end on March 31 and Livewell Southwest has stepped in to take on this large service, ensuring that people can continue to receive local GP services.

The transition shouldn’t cause any disruption to either staff or patients.

Patients are being reassured that it’s business as usual at the practice and they should continue to access their practice in the normal way.

Staff at the five sites have been reassured that their employment will transfer to Livewell Southwest and that they have a key role in the future of the service.

Jo Turl, director of commissioning at NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are pleased to announce that Plymouth organisation, and community interest company, Livewell Southwest will take over

the running of Mayflower Medical Group from the beginning of April.

“Livewell Southwest already provide a wide range of health and care services in Plymouth and are well-placed to provide the support needed at Mayflower until a longer-term solution is in place.

“We are working closely with Livewell Southwest and the current provider to ensure a smooth transition in the handover, with minimal disruption to patients and staff.

Patients do not need to take any action and should continue to access the service as usual.

“We thank Access Health Care – which currently runs the service – for its dedication in running this service.”

Michelle Thomas, chief executive at Livewell Southwest, said: “We are delighted to take on this opportunity as we so highly value the work of GPs and our Primary Care Networks in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local communities.

“Our existing knowledge of these communities and fantastic relationships with our partners in health and care across Plymouth make us an excellent fit for supporting the development of this group of GP practices.

“We really look forward to joining the team at Mayflower and working with the dedicated staff who work there.”

News in Brief...

Beacon Medical Group is calling on retired healthcare workers to share their stories with them as part of a project to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June. The stories will be shared on the group’s social media platforms during the Platinum Jubilee weekend. Submissions can be sent to beaconmedicalgroup@nhs.net with ‘Queen’s Platinum Jubilee’ in the subject line.

• Plympton Community Council is looking to hear from voluntary groups who are interested in running the Harewood House Coffee Bar for a week sometime during 2022. Groups are able to run the coffee bar as a means of raising funds for their cause. Bookings for part weeks will be considered for groups who may not be able to muster the resources to do an entire week. The coffee bar is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm. Anyone interested in making a booking to run it should call Nikki Chinner on 01752 962764 or e-mail n.chinner@ sky.com • The pedestrianised area of Ridgeway is set to undergo a £60,000 makeover. The current paving slabs will be replaced with smaller ones which are less prone to cracking, the existing flower planter tubs will be relocated to either end of the pedestrianised area, four new trees will be planted and more seats will be installed. There will also be adjustments to the positioning of the post box and litter bin.

• Plympton will be taking part in the upcoming Women’s World Day of Prayer on Friday March 4. The aim of the day is to encourage Christian women to engage in personal prayer and lead communal prayer within their mission auxiliaries and associations. The Plympton event will take place at St Mary’s Church at 1.30pm that day.

• Once the Cot Hill rail bridge repairs are completed the one way section of Linketty Lane will revert to its original direction of allowing traffic to come in off Plymouth Road and run along adjacent to St Mary’s Park towards Valley Road it has been confirmed.

Answering questions at the January meeting of Plympton Community Council, Cllr Patrick Nicholson confirmed that the current exit out onto Plymouth Road will be reversed and the original direction of traffic flow restored once repairs to the bridge are completed.

• A community group in Ivybridge called So Social are this year’s joint winners of Ivybridge Town Council’s Community Group of the Year Award along with the local Food Bank there. So Social is the brainchild of Shirley Weeks who founded it in 2018 to help people connect with others in the community through a variety of projects. So Social’s aim has been reducing isolation and loneliness with a focus of promoting wellbeing and community involvement.

• Plympton’s Red Cross Bookshop in St. Stephen’s Place is appealing for donations of books people no longer want in order to replenish depleted stocks. Donations of both adult and children’s reads can simply be dropped off at the shop during its opening hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

• Former Plympton GP Dr Hugh Graham Wills has passed away, aged 78. He died peacefully at Derriford Hospital on December 30. A thanksgiving service was held at Weston Mill Crematorium on January 18. Tributes on social media from former patients and colleagues included: ‘He was a lovely GP and well liked by everyone’, ‘one of the best GPs I worked with’ and ‘he was a fantastic GP.’ • Plympton’s two upper tennis courts will be able to be brought back into action after a crowdfunding appeal achieved the funds needed for the necessary restoration work to be carried out.

(News in brief is provided by the Plympton Podcast)

Marbles lost and found

March 2022

@PlymChronicle

Strictly Come Dancing fans in for a big treat

– the mental health website created by a Mutley woman which is attracting a huge following

The official Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals UK Tour is back for 2022 and is heading to Plymouth in May. The UK tour takes in more than 20 towns and cities and includes three performances at Plymouth Pavilions on May 19 and 20.

Directed by Strictly’s creative director Jason Gilkison, the tour will feature an exciting line-up of 10 magnificent dancers and Strictly TV favourites: Australian Open Champion and 2018 finalist Dianne Buswell; two-time Ballroom and Latin World Champion Nadiya Bychkova; Italian Latin Champion Graziano Di Prima; Professional World Mambo Champion and 2020 Strictly finalist Karen Hauer; 2017 Strictly Champion Katya Jones; undefeated four-time British National Champion Neil Jones; current South African Latin Champion Cameron Lombard; 2017 & 2020 Strictly

A website launched three years ago by a Plymouth woman which provides a wide range of information, advice, guidance and support on mental health issues is attracting a huge following - even from students at an American university.

Nicky Nurrish, who is 44, was diagnosed with Bipolar Type 2 when she was in her thirties and for many years she struggled with the condition, the system and simply living her life.

Nicky, who lives in Mutley, said: “Let down and unsupported by the system I started doing my own research into Bipolar and mental health issues. I started talking to liked minded people and it was obvious more education on awareness, wellbeing and crisis support was needed but most of all people did not know where to go to find help!”

She decided to create a website - memorably called Marbles Lost and Found - built for those touched by mental health issues that incorporated everything people needed to know about mental health awareness, support and wellbeing, as well as breaking down the stigma of mental health in a safe, non-judgemental place.

Nicky, who is a support work for disabled adults at Dame Hannahs charity in Ivybridge, said: “Marbles has been live for three years now and has grown massively. It is used by Livewell South West, the police, local support groups and is also used as a training tool at Exeter University.”

And Nicky was delighted when a student at Michigan University came across the Marbles website, loved it and showed it to fellow students - and now has a significant following. She was then contacted by a couple of students who asked if she would be interested in doing a talk for some of the students.

“It was amazing having a Zoom discussion with people all the way across the pond and a great way to discover what people like about the site, which is its honesty, mass of information, crisis support and ease of navigation,” said Nicky. She is hoping to get some of the students on board to write blogs for the website.

“Marbles speaks to people universally as it is all about living your life with a mental health issue and knowing that you have support wherever you may be,” she added.

Nicky has also just started to run a Marbles support group at the Moments Café in the city centre every second Tuesday of the month, which she maintains is different to other support groups.

“This group is not only an opportunity to feel supported and listened to, but we are also planning to include talks from professionals, other groups, wellbeing sessions and group activities – all built on what the group wants to do alongside wellbeing tips and tools, coping mechanisms and support from those who ‘get it.’

“Marbles is all about living your life with a mental health condition, learning to accept that we are more than our mental illness! Using the internet and social

Nicky Nurrish

media for awareness and support, not being afraid to speak up or reach out, knowing that you are not alone, and it is ok not to be ok,” said Nicky.

“I have created and run Marbles on my own, built through many bipolar mood swings! I work closely with those who struggle, interact with other organisations, listen to what people want which is also what makes Marbles unique as it grows with the help of others.

“People can ask me to add information to the website, write blogs or vlogs and offer free wellbeing advice. The website is packed with help from many other people who understand the individual journey involved and will just continue to grow and add helpful resources and support.

“We need to deal with mental health issues differently, it is time for change regarding how we support those who are struggling or caring for another, we need choices, to be heard, awareness but most of all remembering that we are warriors in this fight.”

There is also a Marbles page on Facebook which has rapidly attracted nearly 3,000 followers with lots of engagement from visitors to the page.

Meanwhile a special gig is being held at The Junction on Mutley Plain on February 12 to raise funds for the Marbles, with nine local bands performing.

For more information go to www.marbleslostandfound. co.uk or visit the Marbles page on Facebook.

finalist Gorka Marquez; four-time Italian Dance Championship winner Luba Mushtuk and 2021 Strictly finalist Kai Widdrington.

Jason Gilkison said: “We are delighted to announce this incredible line-up of Strictly dancers for this year’s official Strictly Professionals tour.

These much loved pros are set to dazzle audiences across the country this spring, with two hours of the finest choreography and dancing. Watching them perform at such an incredible standard is an experience not to be missed.”

Audiences nationwide will enjoy the inspiring talent of the multi award-winning world-class dancers as they perform stunningly choreographed Ballroom and Latin routines in exquisite costumes, with all the glitz, glamour, sequins and sparkle of the smash hit BBC One TV show - live on stage!

Tickets are on sale now at StrictlytheProfessional.com

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16 March 2022

COUNCIL TO SEEK WHITE RIBBON ACCREDITATION IN COMMITMENT TO ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS Plymouth City Council is starting the work required in order to seek the prestigious White Ribbon accreditation.

Councillor Nick Kelly announced the council’s intention to work towards achieving White Ribbon UK accreditation, part of the global White Ribbon movement to end male violence against women, at the full council meeting in January.

White Ribbon are a leading charity aimed at ending male violence against women by engaging with men and boys to make a stand against violence. Their mission is for all men to fulfil the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.

The accreditation, demonstrates a commitment to improving organisational culture, safety and morale, and helps staff and communities address the serious issue of male violence against women.

The council will now work on a White Ribbon accreditation plan, which will form part of a larger programme of work to address violence against women and girls in Plymouth.

This includes the Safer Streets programme, which is a wide range of practical measures being introduced across the city, and setting up the innovative Violence Against Women and Girls Commission, which brings experts and key partners together to look at what more needs to be done.

Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “In recent weeks I have met with a number of local organisations who provide vital and valuable support to women and girls who are victims of violence at the hands of men in Plymouth. All have emphasised that the council must take this issue seriously. And we do.

“I have already established a Commission, which is working at pace.

However, work must not stop whilst the Commission scrutinises what is being done in the city, and what needs to happen in the future. It is therefore vital that as a council we move forward with our plans to achieve White Ribbon accreditation.

“Achieving White Ribbon status as an organisation will further demonstrate that we are best placed to help our residents in combatting violence against women and girls, and we must champion this important issue.

“Our staff continue to work tirelessly for our residents, and this accreditation will demonstrate and enhance the skills and knowledge of our workforce in addressing violence at the hands of men in our communities.”

16 March 2022

@PlymChronicle

Looking back on 2021 - a year of tragedies and triumphs

By Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council 2021 was a year few of us will never forget. Notwithstanding the impact on all our lives from the pandemic, which is still affecting us to this day, Plymouth faced some huge challenges, tragedies and setbacks that we never want to experience again, however we also won many awards and accolades through our achievements.

Most notably from the Municipal Journal for Local Authority of the Year, which is a testament to all the hard work of staff, councillors and partners.

As a city, the Keyham tragedy is the worst we have endured since the war. However, Plymouth came together, with all key organisations working collaboratively to secure the resources needed to ensure that the community had, and will continue to have, all the support they need.

Safety on our streets has become a real focal point that we have made a priority to improve, especially after the tragic murder of Bobbi-Anne McLeod.

We have installed new CCTV cameras, improved street lighting and ‘helppoints’ which are stand-alone emergency points, all put in place as part of a package of measures to make people, especially women and girls, feel safer.

We have also launched a new multi-agency Commission, led by Cllr Rebecca Smith to tackle violence against women and girls, bringing together key partners and agencies across the city to review what more needs to be done to prevent this type of crime.

When we won the elections in May 2021 we came in as a new administration and a new Cabinet with big ambitions for Plymouth, and the pace we set ourselves has felt relentless, however I couldn’t be more proud of all that we have achieved in the past seven months. We have delivered 43 of our 86 Manifesto Commitments, the very Manifesto that the people of Plymouth voted for and put their trust in us to deliver. We are delivering, despite the challenges, none more so than COVID.

Overturned

also in the summer installed a swimming pontoon for Plymouth’s wild swimmers, which we are looking to repeat. We have repaired slipways, steps and railings along the waterfront as part of the physical improvements. We are delivering on our promises.

We have now started work on a scheme to refresh and revive Old Town Street and New George Street as part of a multi-million pound investment in the city centre. Alongside this we have progressed plans for a new multimillion pound, multi-storey, multi-disciplinary health and wellbeing centre in Colin Campbell Court.

In partnership with local bus operators we submitted a £117 million plan to transform local bus services, with the aim to make buses an easier choice for everyone. It is hoped the plan will deliver improved frequency of buses, particularly in the evening and at weekends, amongst many other things.

We have opened two new, off-road cycling and walking paths, and secured just under £60,000 to run a number of trial schemes designed to encourage greater uptake of electric bikes. These initiatives will help with our focus on the climate emergency.

We have made plans to build at least an additional 153 new homes in the city, thanks to a new agreement with LiveWest. This partnership will bring forward £31 million of investment opportunities with the Council providing land and £2.5 million of financial assistance through the Plan for Homes.

We are lucky that Plymouth has an abundance of green spaces and a huge amount of work is underway to make them even better. We were successful in our bid to create a new Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, and are introducing a new smartphone app to bring Central Park to life for families.

We started the third phase of the already successful Improving Plymouth Play Scheme, which now sees ten more play areas receiving investment to upgrade play equipment, with improvements to the landscape and seating.

We started our administration by immediately over-turning some unpopular decisions such as scrapping the charges for delivering bins and Local families will be encouraged to disposing of soil and rubble at Chelson engage with any plans to ensure that Meadow, as well as extending the garden improvements are inclusive and allow waste collection period and the need to stimulating and fun adventure for register every year for this service. children with a range of abilities.

We also immediately delivered our We have already planted 2,021 trees, as commitment to reduce the cost of city we committed to in our manifesto. Plans councillors by removing some additional are in place to plant additional trees in allowances introduced by the previous the next few months to boost our green Labour administration, and the number of infrastructure and help reduce the impact Cabinet positions. Your elected council is of climate change. This is just one of now more cost effective than before. many measures being brought forward As we know the pandemic had a huge through the Council’s Climate Emergency impact on businesses and we wanted to Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council Action Plan. build back better in Plymouth, we have As a city we have benefitted from worked hard to support the economy, additional funding for adult social workers. We received just over £869,000 helping local businesses and creating and protecting jobs. We have been which between the NHS Devon CCG and the Council have topped up to £1.6 able to pay out £92 million in Government grants, this has supported 7,440 million. This will support timely and safe discharges from hospital as well as Plymouth businesses. helping individuals in our communities. I just want to take this opportunity to We have also just announced the most recent Government grant to help express my thanks to all our care providers and staff, who have continued to support businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector that have been deliver an excellent service through exceptionally challenging times. impacted over the Christmas and New Year period. The council have worked We delivered on our commitment to make it easier for people diagnosed quickly to get this latest grant scheme up and running for Plymouth. with a terminal illness to apply for disabled facilities grant and blue badges.

We also wanted to increase our local spend by 10%. We exceeded this and A further commitment we made is to listen to residents more by consulting spent around £40 million more with local businesses this financial year. That’s with local communities. We have carried out numerous consultations so an additional 907 jobs and £22.34 million into the Plymouth economy. residents can influence decisions before they are made. I was very pleased Working in partnership with South Hams District Council and Devon County that a record number of you took the time to give your views about our Council, we have recently submitted our outline business case to Government to create the Plymouth and South Devon Freezone. This will unlock millions of priorities as part of our budget engagement exercise.

Part of taking pride in our city includes taking action against people who pounds worth of public and private investment, as well as create thousands litter and fly tip, and the Council has issued more than 400 fixed penalty of jobs. The business case focuses on our city’s engineering and advanced notices for littering and fly-tipping. manufacturing sectors, and builds on Plymouth’s strengths in the marine and Big events are the lifeblood of Plymouth’s cultural calendar, and for defence sectors. me SailGP was one of the highlights of the summer. As well as being a This is such a brilliant opportunity for Plymouth and the surrounding area, spectacular event enjoyed by thousands of people, it injected millions into it will enable us to build back better and drive economic growth across the the local economy and showcased our city looking its best to a worldwide region. audience. I am delighted that we have secured the return of this event for July Fishing has been at the heart of Plymouth’s economy for centuries, and I 2022, beating off stiff competition from other leading cities of the world. have been personally talking with partners and those working in the industry This is just a flavour of what we have achieved in just over a half a year. about our exciting plans for a bigger and better fish market.

Our priority is to keep delivering for Plymouth residents and businesses.

Alongside this, one of our commitments was to ensure people enjoy and We don’t intend to rest on our laurels as we deliver the remaining 43 benefit from our city’s amazing waterfront and coastal waters. We’ve made commitments over the coming months, including plans to get the airport huge progress in the past seven months by securing £9.5 million for the UK’s operational. We will continue our focus to work hard to make Plymouth a first National Marine Park in Plymouth Sound. truly amazing place to live, work and visit.

We have installed vital life-saving equipment along the waterfront, and

Climate change

@PlymChronicle

Childrens cancer charity has big expansion plans

A Plymouth charity has embarked on an ambitious expansion programme to support its work for families battling with childhood cancer.

Hugs Childrens Cancer Charity - originallyly Hugs for Henry - has just opened a megastore at Sugar Mill Business Park in Plymstock and is also moving its shop in the Broadway to larger premises.

The charity has emerged out of lockdown in a strong position - despite having to restrict its fundraising and other activities to comply with COVID restrictions.

During the pandemic the charity worked with local food business DB Fitness and Nutrition to support dozens of families who were self-isolating by delivering pre-cooked meals.

Free accommodation was also provided for families at ‘Henry’s Hideout’ – the charity’s respite cottage in Cornwall.

Now with the worst of the pandemic behind them, the charity is fully-focussed on generating increased income from its retail activities.

The opening of a 2,000 sq ft shop and donation station at Sugar Mill Business Park is enabling Hugs to take in as much as 1.5 tonnes of donations every day - six days a week.

The Sugar Mill premises will stock mainly furniture, toys, bric-a-brac and other items everything except clothing, which is sold through its other shop in the Broadway.

Retail development manager Ryan Jackson in the new megastore

The next stage of the charity’s development is the move from its existing location to the former Barclays Bank premises in Plymstock Broadway. It will provide bigger, brighter premises for the extensive range of good quality clothing and other items on sale.

The charity’s retail

Stacks of toys and games in the new megastore

development manager, Ryan Jackson, said: “We knew that expansion was the only reliable way for us to ensure the charity’s survival.

“The donation station was opened to help with stock for the shop we have on The Broadway and also to generate revenue for the continuation of support for

the families needing it at such a difficult time.

“The generosity and support Hugs we have received from the local community and donors far and wide has been absolutely incredible.

“We have had so much support from our customers that we have exceeded our opening targets and more which is all down to the generosity of Plymouth’s charity shop customers visiting more than once a day in some cases, shopping and offering more and more support.

“It’s been refreshing to be able to do something that is received so positively that we are now really excited to move our main shop in Plymstock Broadway into the new location at the old Barclays Bank, to show off all the lovely donations we receive.

“We were also mindful that we wanted to ensure that the expansion was considerate with the ethos of a charity shop which means recycling and repurposing items as much as we possibly can.”

He paid tribute to the charity’s staff and team of volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic. “We have a great bunch of volunteers and couldn’t achieve all our goals without them,” he said.

Longer term plans include the opening of further retail outlets in the Tavistock area and also in Cornwall near the respite cottage.

For more information visit www.hugsccc.com

Furniture and bric-a-brac in the new megastore

Extra funding for frontline adult social care workers Plymouth City Council has welcomed a second cash injection from the Government that will provide additional support directly to adult social care workers.

In November the council was awarded nearly £870,000 as part of the Workforce Recruitment and Retention Fund which was further enhanced by the council and NHS Devon CCG to bring the total fund up to £1.6million. Now the council has been awarded an additional £1,605,131, to further support the city’s adult social care workforce in the second round of funding.

As with round one, the grant and top-up funding has been applied to adult social

care sectors on a sliding scale, to reflect the most urgent workforce challenges: £493k for domiciliary and extra care, £664k for residential care, £391k for supported living and this time £57k for day care settings.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “We are delighted to be able to grant additional funding to the services supporting our vulnerable adults, and to be able to include day services in the round two allocation.

“We recognise that staff in all these services are working very hard to help us to keep people safe and cared for.”

The additional payments, which need to be

used before the end of March, will be used to help recruit new staff and also support existing staff to stay working in adult social care settings. The fund focuses on the winter months as those are usually busiest for health and care services.

Councillor Nicholson added: “Supporting people to live independently in their own homes is one of our key priorities and we continue to actively recruit home care assistants.

“There are a huge range of temporary, permanent and flexible roles available in Dom Care in Plymouth right now, so I would urge anyone who is interested to visit our website and register their details www. plymouth.gov.uk/workinhomecare”

March 2022

17

New project to support city’s young carers Improving Lives Plymouth Caring for Carers team has announced the launch of ‘Making Carers Count’, a new project aimed at supporting Young Adult Carers aged between 18 and 25.

Carers Support Coordinator, Nicolle Ormiston said: “We are lucky to be one of twenty-five providers across the UK that have successfully secured two and a half years funding from The Carers Trust COVID-19 Fund to run such a vital and much needed service within the city of Plymouth.”

It is estimated that in the Plymouth area there could be up to 4,000 Young Adult Carers who are looking after relatives and others on a daily basis.

A support group and forum will be run on the second Monday of each month at the Salvation Army at Lancaster Gardens in Whitleigh, from 5.30pm until 8.30pm.

Alex Swabey, who works alongside Nicolle said: “The aim of the support group is to provide Young Adult Carers with information and advice as well as provide much needed respite time away from their caring role with other like-minded carers.

“The forum will allow us to gain vital feedback from Young Adult Carers to help us shape the provision we provide going forward.”

The Young Adult Carers Team also facilitates a variety of monthly activities aimed at providing experiences alongside like-minded, supportive peers, all whilst having fun.

“We know this is an important part of the project,” said Nicolle. “The Carers’ Trust found that 69% of young adult carers are feeling less connected to others since the start of the pandemic, so bringing them together with their peers is vital.”

The Making Carers Count project also partners with City College Plymouth to deliver skills workshops on the third Monday of each month. Held at City College Pinpoint in the City Centre from 5pm to 7pm, these workshops will help facilitate employment and educational skills to improve people’s future prospects.

Young Adult Carers will be able to work on improving their confidence and resilience, personal care knowledge, dementia awareness and Maths and English skills, among a range of other workshops. They will also have the option to undertake accredited courses.

If you look after someone who is over 18 and you are aged between 18 and 25, then get in contact to see how you can get support going forward by emailing yacs@improvinglivesplymouth. org.uk. Alternatively call Nicolle on 07305 043634 or Alex on 07496 641182 #MakingCarersCount #ImprovingLivesPlymouth #CaringForCarers

18 March 2022

18 March 2022

@PlymChronicle

Trevi to distribute £100,000 to charities which help protect women from domestic abuse Trevi, the leading women’s charity based in Plymouth, is inviting grant applications from other third sector organisations working to prevent women with multiple disadvantages from being affected by domestic violence and abuse.

As part of the Southwest Women’s Spark Project, Trevi is gifting grants of up to £5,000, £10,000 and £20,000 to other charities across Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset.

Trevi, which secured almost £900,000 as part of the Government’s Tampon Tax Fund in 2021, has been able to set up The South West Women’s Spark Project in partnership with seven other organisations. These include the Women’s Centre Cornwall, Exeter CoLab, the NSPCC, The Zone, Plymouth City Council, BCHA and the Eddystone Trust.

The partners’ passion and determination to improve outcomes for women and girls is at the forefront of the project delivery goals, aiming to improve outcomes for women affected by domestic violence and abuse, ultimately achieving a better quality of life.

Responding to a significant need in local communities due to a rise in domestic abuse, the project as a whole will deliver 24/7 support by

The Sparks Project team

providing a wrap-around, outreach programme incorporating trauma-informed assertive outreach practitioners, fast-track access to women-

only supported accommodation, practical and therapeutic support, and violence prevention programme in schools.

The Spark project is vital in the South West to connect and illuminate the pathways to increasing women’s safety and quality of life. Addressing the entire cycle from prevention at school age to working with Experts by Experience, Spark will result in a transformational blueprint for meeting women’s unmet complex needs with long-term sustainability in mind.

Hannah Shead, Trevi’s chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to have partnered with such strong organisations to enhance the offer to women across the peninsula. It is a sad truth that covid has affected women in this region, with increases in domestic abuse and sexual violence.

“This funding will enable us to reach more women, including a vital out of hours provision and access to women only accommodation. We are excited about being able to make an immediate difference to women and also to help shape how services for vulnerable women are designed.”

The closing date for funding applications is midnight on February 27 2022. To apply, visit trevi. org.uk/southwest-womens-spark-project-fullapplication-questions/ For more information on this partnership project, please contact communications@trevi. org.uk

Go-ahead for devolution deal for More marshals and training to help women feel safer Plymouth, Devon and Torbay Council leaders have welcomed Government backing for a Plymouth, Devon and Torbay devolution deal, aimed at delivering on key economic and social priorities for the area.

The announcement by Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove commits the Government to working with a strong partnership of councils on the detail of a deal as part of the Government’s levelling up policy.

When finalised, it’s hoped the ‘County Deal’ with Government will provide councils across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay with extra powers and influence to improve economic and social conditions in all the communities they serve.

Councils have identified skills and training, affordable housing, health and social care, and transport and digital connectivity as priorities to help tackle inequality and poor social mobility.

Alongside these challenges are opportunities for clean economic growth which it is hoped an eventual deal with Government will help realise.

Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “For too long, decisions that impact Plymouth and Devon have been made in London.

Devolving funding and power to the most local level possible is absolutely the right thing to do.

“This is a bold and exciting step towards a better deal for Plymouth, that will also benefit every part of Devon and Torbay. It’s not about individual councils losing power - it’s about us coming together to have one voice and being a credible partner with the Government and others to be able to get investment and development,

having more power and influence on funding and decision making locally.

“It is still very early days. And there is a lot of work to do to shape what this formal arrangement might look like moving forward.

“However, we believe that this partnership will act as a stimulus to help drive our local economy, deliver more jobs and a stronger local labour market, open more shops, offices and houses, and enjoy better travel and transport and infrastructure. This deal will also help us to breathe new life into our city centre.

“We expect the deal to unlock and accelerate our ambitions around the city’s high potential opportunities in marine autonomy, particularly the massive opportunity in the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, and also in our emerging sectors like health diagnostics and creative digital.

“I look forward to beginning the journey towards a Devon devolution deal that enables us to deliver for our people and communities across Plymouth and the wider region.”

Devon, Plymouth and Torbay County, Unitary and District councils view work on the Deal with Government as a natural and logical next step in a strong track record of partnership work across Devon and the South West.

A Deal will provide opportunities for deeper collaboration with stakeholders such as universities, colleges, business, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors, National Parks, town and parish councils.

There is no requirement nor plan for local government reorganisation or elected Mayors.

More street marshals will be out on Plymouth’s streets at weekends as part of an ongoing push to help people – especially women and girls - feel safer.

A further four marshals will be deployed at weekends to improve feelings of safety and to reduce the likelihood of offences in and around the city centre, the Waterfront and North Hill, home of most of Plymouth’s clubs and pubs.

The extra patrols will be linked via radio to the CCTV operators, Street Pastors and the police and will be highly visible at taxi ranks and Plymouth’s Safe Bus, the pop-up medical support which parks up at Derry’s Cross on Friday and Saturday nights.

Councillor John Riley, Cabinet member with responsibility for community safety said: “We know that most offences occur at the weekend and often involve drink, so having more a uniformed presence on the streets where people are likely to be socialising in numbers is reassuring for those out and about.”

As well as tempering behaviour outdoors, funding has been secured to help shape hearts and minds with special training and mentoring sessions for men.

Councillor Riley continued: “How safe women and girls feel is something everyone needs to think about. Around a quarter of the questions at our recent Question and Answer sessions on violence against women and girls were about how men and boys need to be involved in changing what is happening right now.

“Many men want to get help but are unsure how. We’ve commissioned ‘Beyond Equality’ to help train and mentor them so they can be more confident and be part of the conversation.”

Initially the training will be for identified individuals among the city’s partners, including the council and the police. They will work with the

men to learn about the causes of violence against women and girls, and to explore ways in which they can be part of eliminating violence in the future.

Dr Daniel Guinness from Beyond Equality said: “We know many want to play their part in prevention, and are looking for guidance on what roles they can play. We want to create a space for men to come together to start having those difficult conversations and to learn more about the experiences and context of this violence.

From this point, they’ll be better equipped when challenging harmful behaviour when they see it or hear it.”

A number of the Safer Street funding projects are progressing. Bystander intervention training – to give people the courage and the skills to step in when they see or hear unacceptable behaviour – is now underway.

Projects are ongoing in schools to encourage young people to understand consent and gender stereotypes.

The council is currently procuring equipment to install new help points and lighting improvements and a campaign will be launching shortly to improve how organisations work with people at risk of causing harm, to help prevent crime happening rather than respond to offences once they have occurred.

Plymouth was awarded £512,000 from the Government’s Safer Streets fund. The submission was made by Plymouth City Council supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

This is the second round the city has successfully won. Since its inception, the Government has committed £70 million to the Safer Streets Fund to support local areas across England and Wales to introduce initiatives aimed at stopping offences happening in the first place.

Plymouth Lions make second donation to Brain Tumour Research Plymouth Lions Club has made a second donation to the Brain Tumour Research charity, in recognition of the important research being carried out at the University of Plymouth.

In 2014 the University became one of only three Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence in the UK and is playing a vital role in identifying the causes of brain tumours and potential cures.

The Lions Club of Plymouth are fully aware of the input British University Research Departments have had with the recent achievement in the development of the COVID 19 vaccination programme.

A spokesman for the Lions Club said: “The University of Plymouth’s dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence are carrying out continuous sustainable research into brain tumours, with a view to improve the clinical

outcomes for brain tumour patients. The research is vital to achieve the vision of finding a cure for brain tumours.”

Lion President Jeff Horgan accompanied by Immediate Past President Lion George Poad, presented the cheque to Tasha Carroll on behalf of Brain Tumour Research (see photo on the left).

This followed a previous donation of £300 made by the Lions Club to the charity in December 2021.

Building strong grassroots organisations, charities, and social enterprises in Plymouth

Helpline Numbers:

By the people for the people The votes are in! Nine projects, chosen by the Keyham community for the Keyham community, will each receive £3,000 from the Keyham Community Sparks Grant to transform their ideas into reality. There’s something for everyone: from adventurous activities on the water to exploring the undergrowth in a ‘forest school’, the range of projects has been selected entirely by residents reflecting the projects they want in their own back yard.

The Keyham Community Sparks Grant has been set up with money from the Home Office; the Department of Education and the Alex Ferry Foundation (which supports traditional shipbuilding communities) and is being managed by POP and Plymouth City Council. In a unique selection process at the end of January, open only to Keyham residents, 198 people cast more than 600 votes for the projects they favoured under the Larger Grants Scheme. Here are three of the nine selected: Wellbeing Warriors: transforming seven to twelve-year-olds at an after-school club (run

by The Tree Project) through fun; friendship and wellbeing. Where children can learn how to manage life’s ups & downs by creating and following their own recipe for living a happier life.

Men’s Shed at KGP: to buy a large workshop at Keyham Green Places and equip it, where men can come and ‘tinker’ to their heart’s content while at the same time enjoying the ‘slow’ company of others. A national success, the Men’s Shed initiative has proved to attract this typically hard-to-reach sector of society many of whom are widowers and/or men no longer in employment through, perhaps, retirement or redundancy.

There Be Giants in Keyham: A team of community artists from the Barbican Theatre, working with the Wolseley Trust and Keyham Green Places, will be collaborating with residents from four different community groups to design and build the first two (of five) giant puppets representing the past, present or future of Keyham and Plymouth.

They will be revealed at a ‘giant party’ next month: there will be free entertainment and the chance for locals to get close to their new friends.

(For a list of all successful projects visit www.plymouthtogether.co.uk)

While these, and the other six selected projects, are likely to get underway as soon as is possible, change is already afoot in Keyham.

Since January, small yet significant, grassroots initiatives have been springing up in, and across, the area. More than twenty projects have already received £500 under the Small Grants Scheme and been told to spend the money as quickly as possible.

The 1st Keyham Scout Group is spending it on the “Squirrels”, a new scouting section for four to six-year-old boys and girls while Ford Youth and Community Centre is providing free gym membership and youth classes for ten weeks to all eligible youngsters. The Keyham Community Chaplaincy is offering pastoral care to all those in the Keyham and its surrounding community who have suffered trauma and loss while the good folk at St Thomas Church will be using the money to put up a new notice board to keep the whole community better informed.

The purpose of every single penny from the two funds is to create and strengthen relationships in Keyham and, ultimately, to help make the community stronger than ever. But money isn’t everything: POP will giving one-to-one support to each of the nine successful partnerships to help them further develop their community work. POP will also be encouraging those involved to learn from – and support - each other, inviting participants to join the Community Voices network. And, one more thing, POP will also be supporting those projects that did not get through, believing in their idea and recognising the potential they have to succeed.

It is the collective hope of all those involved that all these projects flourish and that their work continues long after the spotlight on Keyham fades.

The conditions for the £3,000 fund are unique to Keyham. Projects must: • Be delivered in Keyham (or the closely surrounding area) • Have finished by the end of March • Seek to address an ‘issue’ that has been identified & is supported by residents • Encourage local people to do more community-based activities/initiatives within the public or community spaces • Aim to create & strengthen relationships; resilience; local pride & greater engagement between residents & their local environment.

Funding under the Small Grants Scheme is still available. A bank account is not necessary. Unlike with most conventional funds, decisions are quick: each application is approved or rejected within a week.

If you would like to apply, then call in to the Plymouth Together Hub at Keyham Green Places or to the Jan Cutting Centre; visit www.plymouthtogether.co.uk or phone Debbie on 07769 300 126.

Efford Efford Community Community Network Network

Efford Efford 07380 309586 07380 309586 Glenholt Glenholt 07849 413125 07849 413125

SUPPOSE YOU HAD £1000 TO SPEND IMPROVING YOUR COMMUNITY

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

POP is working with Street to Scale to bring grassroots community ideas to life.

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

If you’d like £1000 to spend on your community, contact: 07842 043399 (WhatsApp)

Marching into Moments Do you need support with a long-term health condition?

Are you a Carer?

Do you have a sight or hearing impairment?

Do you need advice about Benefits?

Are you a veteran in need of support?

A Charity supporting people since 1907

For the month of March specialists from Improving Lives Plymouth – the local charity that supports people with disabilities and long-term health conditions - will be in residence in the city centre, upstairs at Moments Café in the Memory Matters Hub. Every day there will be someone from the charity present to offer specialist advice and information on services across the city while certain dedicated ‘clinics’, such as those for adults with long-term health conditions; a learning disability and/or autism, have been scheduled to help individuals find new ways to better manage their lives.

The Marching into Moments event kicks off at 1pm on Monday March the 7th with support for people with hearing and/or sight loss.

For more information visit www.improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk

Sensing the Barbican: A guided walk as part of the Sensory Solutions project run by Improving Lives Plymouth supporting people with hearing and sight loss.

20 March 2022 THE

Experience In earlier pages of this edition of the Plymouth Chronicle you will have seen that we have recently been granted a five year licence extension for Cross Rhythms Plymouth to broadcast until at least March 2027.

We are delighted to be able to bring more hope filled content to the city on 96.3FM especially in the challenging times that we are all living through.

It has been a real encouragement to me and the team to hear feedback from listeners in recent weeks who have found comfort and strength from our programming.

For us at the station this comfort and strength comes from the message in our Christian faith of a God who is present with us in whatever challenges we face and loves us even at our very worst.

Sharing this message with others is a real honour and we are all only too aware that for many Christians across the globe it is illegal for them to broadcast anything to do with their faith.

20 March 2022

@PlymChronicle

Importance of freedom of speech

By Dave Simpson, Station Manager Cross Rhythms Plymouth

Open Doors and Release International are have the freedom to express their faith two organisations who support persecuted without persecution. A sobering reminder Christians across the globe. They report that British residents haven’t always that at least 360 million experienced the freedoms Christians around the world we enjoy here today. face daily persecution on a A real beauty of living in number of levels. a country where we have Many people are freedoms of speech and imprisoned for their faith expression is that it brings in countries where religious out a diversity of opinion. freedom simply does not At its best this diversity exist. can lead to fascinating and Freedom of speech and enriching discussions where personal and religious we reason our beliefs with expression are hallmarks those who don’t see things of our lives in the UK which the same way. we should never take for Sadly this seems to granted. happen less and less in They are also aspects of our society as we seem to society which are especially become more prone to fear linked to the history of those we disagree with and Dave Simpson Plymouth. Just over 400 argue with each other. Often years ago the Mayflower ship using only 280 characters set sail from the Barbican onTwitter to do so… for America with a group of people who had None of us should take our freedoms for fled the UK and Europe because they didn’t granted and they should be celebrated and

Devoted Plymouth man recognised with honour A Plymouth man who has been devoted to helping vulnerable and traumatised children in South Africa for the last fifteen years has been recognized with a medal in the Queens Honours list.

Harrison Dax Nash, aged 33, received the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the children of South Africa. This was presented by the countries British High Commissioner, Anthony Phillipson.

Harrison’s involvement began 15 years ago at the age of 18 in 2007, after a volunteering trip to South Africa, where he spent four months in Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. Harrison was given classes of up to 50 children to teach straight away, before he was transferred to Protea Primary School, a school especially for children with emotional and behavioural challenges, where he serves on the School Governing Body today.

It was during his stay on his first trip to South Africa that he became attached to a youth project next door to where he was staying, which quickly became very close to his heart. Maranatha-Siyakatala Child & Youth Care Centre now caters for children and young people, aged two to 24 years old, receiving full time residential care. The project was founded by Dr Trudi Basson in 2002, the manager of the organisation, who identified the needs of kids within the city.

Harrison then established the UK charity Maranatha Care Children, which aims to help South African children by offering development in education, life skills, providing suitable home environments and safeguarding the future of those in care.

This was with a primary focus to assist with fundraising efforts to open doors for such young people in care, especially when it comes to education.

Harrison also made the decision to not pursue his marketing ambitions, and instead began studying a Social Work degree at the University of Plymouth to become a qualified social worker. Today he also serves as an honorary lecturer of the university. He is very proud of his profession.

Following his graduation, Harrison became determined to move to South Africa, and in January 2012 relocated to Gqeberha with the hope of this becoming a permanent base.

It was in May 2014 that Harrison obtained a

championed.

As we move into the next five year period of our broadcast licence at Cross Rhythms Plymouth we are excited to bring the city more content brought out of our freedom to express our convictions that no matter who you are, or what you have done, you are loved by your creator and you are never too far from being reconciled to living a life in relationship with God. If you disagree entirely with that, why not tune in sometime on 96.3FM or online at crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth and consider things from another point of view.

As a charity-run station we rely on the support of donations to broadcast.

If you would like to find out more about the station or support it into this new licence term please email station manager Dave Simpson on dave@crplymouth.co.uk.

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

£250,000 in travel grants up for grabs

Plymouth businesses are being offered the opportunity to bid for matchfunded grants of up to £25,000 to pay for measures that help staff travel more sustainably to, from and at work.

Harrison Dax Nash (rear centre) pictured with Maranatha Junior Girls. The British High Commissioner Anthony Phillipson is pictured on the left

work permit to stay in the country on a long term basis. This allowed him to be officially employed as a programme manager by Maranatha Streetworkers Trust, the umbrella organisation of Maranatha-Siyakatala, where Harrison serves on the management committee and is affiliated with his charity.

In 2016 he was also recognized with a British Citizen Award (BCA).

Harrison has helped traumatised and vulnerable children in many different ways, through volunteering and serving as a dedicated therapist to numerous children. In his role he helps to organize and coordinate recreational, developmental and therapeutic services to children in care. Since his first trip to South Africa in 2007, Harrison has been involved in a variety of projects and has made a direct impact on the lives of so many children.

This year marks 10 years of full-time service to young people, many of whom he has followed on a journey for more than a decade, as the organisation also has a successful independent living programme which continues to support young people post-18 into further training, higher education and work opportunities.

Speaking about the award, Harrison said: “I

first visited South Africa when I was 18 years old, having naively seen about the hardship in Africa and just wanting to do something to help. I decided it was the right time to visit before university in order to do something worthwhile.

“My first experience in South Africa made me realise very quickly that I wanted to make a bigger difference than just one visit. This was often the status quo of a gap year and I just felt that there was a calling for me to ‘do more’.

“For me the children are my heroes and to walk with kids on a path to becoming self-sufficient young people, some now at university or with positive work roles, inspires me daily.

“I cannot believe it is now 15 years since I first arrived in South Africa, but I am so grateful I was led in this direction. I am beyond humbled with this recognition, there are so many deserving people doing incredible international work, but I share it with the whole team of the organisation and inspirational children that we will always put first and continue to provide the best level of care for”.

The website of the charity is www. maranathacarechildren.com

Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Our Workplace Travel Grants help all businesses, regardless of size, develop practical solutions to make essential business journeys more sustainable. They also help keep companies moving as we all continue to grapple with the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year we’ve supported 26 companies, including Rame Riders, Hindhead Property Ltd, Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, YMCA Plymouth and Womble Bond Dickinson and I’d encourage all local businesses to get in touch to see how the council can help with their particular transport needs.”

Launched in October 2020, the programme has already benefitted 36 companies, with more than £430,000 in grants and business contributions being invested in schemes that encourage more trips to be made by sustainable transport. Improved shower facilities, cycle parking, electric vehicle charge points and staff pool bikes are just some of the measures funded so far.

Tom Lavis, CEO of YMCA Plymouth, said: “We are delighted to receive this support from Plymouth City Council towards developing our new staff showers and changing facilities.

Our workforce overwhelmingly expressed that they would make the change to their usual commute if these facilities were improved.”

The Workplace Travel Grants scheme is part of the council’s Productive Plymouth programme, funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund, which aims to boost productivity through investing in sustainable travel infrastructure, improving air quality and supporting healthier lifestyles Applications for the 2022/23 grants will be accepted until September 30 and schemes need to be delivered by March 2023. Further details about the grants including how to apply are available at www.plymouth.gov.uk/ workplacetravelgrants.

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22 March 2022

22 March 2022

Oral health education starts early in Plymouth schools – courtesy of Geoffrey the Giant

Tooth decay is a serious public health problem in children and is the most common reason for hospital admission for five- to nine-year olds in England. In 2019 in Plymouth 620 children had a total of 3,935 teeth extracted under general anaesthetic.

Despite this, tooth decay is largely preventable.

The consequences of poor oral health in children are more than just tooth pain and infection. Dental decay can lead to difficulties with eating, sleeping and socialising. The wider impact of childhood tooth decay includes children’s wellbeing, readiness to start school, and school attendance.

In a bid to reduce the numbers of children suffering with the results of tooth decay, Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC (PDSE), working in partnership with Well Connected, a health and wellbeing charity based in Plymouth have developed a short animated film, designed for children in year 1 and 2 in primary schools.

‘Open Wide and Step Inside’ uses a cartoon animation and a cast of fun characters to engage children about oral health prevention advice.

The film follows the journey of Geoffrey the Giant. Geoffrey has toothache and on his way to visit Daisy the Dentist, he meets lots of his friends. Each of them has a different health message to pass on to help him keep his teeth healthy in the future. The animation includes a brushing song and a quiz; there is also a story book to accompany the film, which schools can use to embed the messages.

Karen Burn, who leads on dental outreach for PDSE, said: “It is vital that children understand the importance of good oral health at an early age. By teaching them the key oral health messages and showing them how to brush their teeth effectively we can ensure they have the tools to look after their own oral health for the future. Tapping into their learnt behaviours we can encourage children to feel confident about brushing their teeth and visiting the dentist.”

Dr Robert Witton is the chief executive of PDSE, and was instrumental in developing Open Wide and Step Inside. He said: “An important part of the programme is to support teachers to deliver key oral health messages throughout the year as part of the Key Stage 1 curriculum, using specially designed teacher resources from the animation, making sure children get the best advice about looking after their own teeth for life as part of their early years education.”

‘Open Wide and Step Inside’ is delivered by an Oral Health Educator who reinforces the messages in the film, using interactive props and offering the opportunity for the children to ask questions. This programme is currently offered to primary schools in Plymouth.

If you would like more information about the programme please contact the PDSE Dental Outreach Team on dentaloutreach@ plymouth.ac.uk

@PlymChronicle

World Book Day treat in store for thousands of city schoolchildren Thousands of primary school children in Plymouth will be enjoying World Book Day with a special reading of a new children’s book.

For World Book Day on March 3, Plymouth Drake Foundation is offering all KS1 and Reception children an in-person reading of the brand-new children’s book, Stop Dropping Litter, all about a little girl called Scout... who likes to figure things out!

They expect to reach in excess of 7,000 children throughout Plymouth during this event supported by an incredible cast of avid story tellers from all sectors of the Plymouth community.

Kerry Bidewell from Plymouth Drake Foundation said: “As a charity we work under the premise it takes a community to make a difference and with this event we are delivering exciting role models, active learning and positive, early literacy engagement.

This day is about the ‘grown ups’ in the city coming together and sharing their love of reading with the children and talking about themselves and what they do.”

The list of those taking part as readers is extensive and includes the book’s authors (Babcock engineers Nick, Jon and Matt), city MPs Luke Pollard, Johnny Mercer and Sir Gary Streeter, local councillors, the Lord

Babcock engineers Nick, Jon and Matt who wrote the book

Mayor, Laura Horton (Plymouth’s Laureate of Words 2021-22), and readers from the University, local businesses, charities and a team of volunteers from Theatre Royal Plymouth, including the new CEO James Mackenzie-Blackman.

The Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce has donated the use of its electric cargo bike for eco-friendly deliveries of books to schools.

Chamber CEO Stuart Elford said: “The Chamber is proud to support The Plymouth Drake Foundation on World Book Day as they encourage

the next generation of business people, entrepreneurs, dreamers and creators; and what better way to do it than by our electric bike that helps protect the future for them.”

The cargo bike will be ridden by volunteer cyclist James Smith, who added: “Reading is one of the most important tools for a young mind, and delivering books by bike will hopefully help the children see the possibilities of cycling, too.”

Check out the book, Stop Dropping Litter, by heading to the authors’ website www.the3engineers.com

Another £3m boost for Plymouth’s Central Park Plymouth’s Central Park is set for yet more investment over the next 18 months. The park, which since 2017 has benefitted from a range of new facilities and upgrades, will now benefit from an extra £3 million.

The money will go towards the third phase of park improvements, including a network of ponds and features to capture rainwater near the pond at the Barn Park Road entrance.

The plans, recently revised and resubmitted for planning permission, show brand new ponds with new plants and vegetation.

A swale - a shallow ditch to capture water run-off – will also be added to allow nature to help reduce localised flooding and form part of a Sustainable Drainage System.

Also in the plans are repairs to drains

and paths as well as the addition of a number of new trees near Pounds House to help contribute to improved air quality and increase biodiversity in the park.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “I make no secret of the fact that I am very passionate about Central Park and I’m immensely proud of the work that has been done so far.

“This next stage of improvements will help to further improve the park as a destination for people to visit and make it even more attractive to organisations hoping to hold events.

“I look forward to the projects progressing and welcoming yet more people to our flagship green space.”

Planning permission for the sustainable urban drainage system was initially approved in July 2020, but has now been improved to benefit wildlife and give the scheme a more

natural aesthetic, while also addressing some comments received during the consultation for the first planning application.

In the initial design gabions, metal cages filled with rock, were used but they have now been omitted in favour of vegetated walls planted with wildflower seed mixes.

In addition, the design of fences has changed to be more complementary to the park and the shape and level of the ponds adjusted to store a larger volume of water.

It also improves the environment for wildlife and aims to increase biodiversity, safeguard historic and ecologically important trees, and create opportunities for education and engagement to learn about water and wildlife.

Find out more at www.plymouth. gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspaces/ findpark/centralpark

Electric vehicle chargers installed on city streets More than 100 on-street electric vehicles charge points will be installed across Plymouth over the next eight weeks.

Work started on six units in Coleridge Road in Lipson in early February and will continue across a further 20 streets by the end of March.

Once work is complete, it will allow the nearly 40% of Plymouth households who do not have access to off-street parking to access the charging infrastructure.

The streets included in the scheme are: Bath Street 4; Camarthen Road 4; Coleridge Road 6; Fore Street 6; Glen

Park 6; Granby Way 6; Grand Parade 6; Hornchurch Road 6; Hospital Road 6; May Terrace 6; Northill Car Park 6; Northumberland Terrace 6; Parkside 6; Ringmore Way 6; Rydal Close 4; St Johns Road 8; Stuart Road 8; Theatre Ope 6; West Park 6 and Wilton Road 4.

Plymouth City Council have emphasised that there will be no loss of ordinary parking because of the chargers.

The parking bays in front of them will remain available to all vehicles.

Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet member for Transport, said: “This scheme is all about making sure that we are

prepared for the future and that we can reach our ambitious target of carbon neutrality before 2030.

“We know not everyone has an electric car and we know that they may not immediately be financially viable for a lot of people at the moment but one day they will be and when they are, this infrastructure will need to be in place, ready to go.”

Installation of the EV chargers form part of the Climate Emergency Action Plan, which explores the role that the council can play in influencing residents behaviours.

March 2022

@PlymChronicle

Chance to have your say about safety in Plymouth for women and girls A new multi-agency commission is inviting local people to share their views on how violence affects women and girls in Plymouth, to help shape their future agenda.

Earlier this month the new Violence Against Women and Girls Commission met for the first time to agree their areas of focus over the next three months.

As part of their work, the Commission is inviting evidence and feedback from a wide-range of local organisations, victims, and experts, including a number of public sessions.

They are also keen to hear from as many local people as possible, in order to understand how violence affects women and girls in Plymouth. They have already heard from over 150 people at the recent virtual Q and A, however they want more feedback to help shape the future programme.

One of the first actions the Commission agreed is a survey which aims to: • Help the Commission understand the extent of violence against women and girls in Plymouth • Better understand the experiences of victims of violence against women and girls • Identify what will make women and girls feel safer • Allow residents an opportunity to help shape the city’s response to violence against women and girls The survey is open to everyone, however, the Commission is keen to hear

from any women and girls who have experienced or witnessed harassment or harm of any kind in Plymouth in the past five years.

Councillor Rebecca Smith, chair of the Violence Against Women and Girls Commission, said: “It was clear from the virtual Q and A that many women and girls are very worried about safety in Plymouth. Therefore, it is essential that we understand the real scale of the issue.

“We know that many crimes go

un-reported, therefore the most powerful evidence will come from the testimony of those who have been subjected to these crimes, or who are worried about them.

“I would encourage all women and girls to let me know their views so that we can determine what the city can do to make you safer. This is an important survey that I hope will make a real difference to public safety in Plymouth.”

“We recognise that violence Cllr Smith was interviewed on BBC Spotlight about the Commission on Violence against Women and Girls

23

against women and girls can be a sensitive topic and are committed to carrying out this engagement activity in a compassionate and trauma – informed manner. Please note that this survey includes content about harm against women and girls, including, harassment and violence (including of a sexual nature) and asks about your personal experiences.

The survey is open until midnight on Sunday February 13. All responses to this survey are anonymous and the results will be collated and analysed to identify themes and recurring issues.

To ensure the survey is accessible to all, it is also available in additional formats and languages upon request by emailing VAWG@plymouth.gov.uk Alternatively, anyone who does not wish to complete the survey and just wants to get in touch to share their experience or ideas that they would like the commission to conside, the free text option on the council’s consultation portal, details of which are shown below.

The same applies to practitioners, organisations or partners and which share any research, data or intelligence that would be valuable The survey can be completed or the free text option selected at https://plymouth-consult. objective.co.uk/kse Women and girls are advised to only take part if they feel safe to do so. Anyone in immediate danger must call 999.

‘Stop It Now’ campaign launched in Plymouth A hard-hitting campaign is underway in Plymouth this to stem the rise in the number of people viewing sexual images of children online or sexually harming children in person and to encourage them to seek help to stop.

In their 2021 threat assessment, the National Crime Agency estimated between 550,000 and 850,000 people in the UK pose a sexual risk to children, both online and offline, with evidence suggesting the problem escalated during lockdown.

The Stop It Now! campaign aims to educate those worried about their own sexual thoughts, feelings and behaviour towards children. It also informs those at risk of offending, either online or offline of the confidential help available to stop their illegal behaviour. The campaign in Plymouth features a series of short clips which will be shared across the city’s social media networks as well as targeted advertising which aim to get people – and particularly men – to question their own thoughts and behaviours.

The campaign promotes the Stop It Now! confidential helpline - 0808 1000 900 and website https://www.stopitnow.org.uk for people to read and understand what triggers their illegal behaviour and get support they need to tackle illegal behaviour.

Last year over 3,100 people from Devon sought help via the confidential hotline or self help website.

The helpline is run by trained advisors who are

on-hand to explore with callers their thoughts and to work with them on an action plan to stop their behaviour. Calls are free and confidential, unless identifying details are given and a child is at risk of harm or a crime has been committed.

Helpline advisors also explore with callers the possibility of any direct risk to children, including in the caller’s own family, to ensure these children are protected. Donald Findlater, director of the Stop It Now! helpline, said: “Across the UK, including in Plymouth and the rest of Devon and Cornwall, there is a growing problem of people viewing and sharing sexual images of under 18s online.

“It is vital we all understand that viewing and sharing this material is illegal, that many of the images are of children being abused, and that those looking at or sharing them are causing harm and risk arrest, prosecution and being put on the sex offenders’ register.

“The Stop It Now! helpline and website provide anonymous and confidential support and advice to help stop this behaviour. We also support friends and family worried about a loved one’s behaviour online, so that they can get the support they need at an early stage. No-one has to deal with it alone – we can help, just as we have helped tens of thousands of people in this position over recent years.”

The campaign in Plymouth is being backed

by Together for Childhood – a partnership of 45 organisations who work to prevent child sexual abuse using an approach that ensures not only

children are supported but that the workforce, parents, carers and people who may sexually harm understand how they can play their part in preventing this type of abuse.

Workforce training has been organised across the city and the partnership is encouraging employers to support the campaign by helping staff feel more confident to routinely share the information on help available.

The Stop It Now! helpline is run by The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, the only UK-wide child protection charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse.

Adult family and friends of people who are, or are at risk of, offending online or offline can also get support from the Stop It Now! helpline, whether they are worried about another adult or a child or young person with worrying sexual behaviour. The helpline is also available for professionals who are worried about the sexual thoughts or behaviour of others.

Superintendent Jennifer Bristow from Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Child sexual abuse and exploitation has a terrible impact on victims and their families. It is important to understand that every image features a victim or victims experiencing sexual assault or abuse.

“We are working hard to keep children safe from abuse and exploitation and we ask that any person who is struggling with inappropriate thoughts towards children reach out to the Stop It Now! Helpline for support.”

For information visit www.stopitnow.org.uk

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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 Brickfields Recreation Ground Manadon Football Dev’ment Centre Plympton Swimming Pool Plymouth Pavilions Megabowl, Coxside Tourist Information The Beckly Centre, Plymstock

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24 March 2022

24 March 2022

Woolly mammoth remains uncovered by archaeologists at Sherford site Archaeologists have made a number of rare and nationally significant discoveries during investigations at Sherford, offering a unique glimpse of Ice Age Britain.

The remains have been painstakingly recovered by a specialist and highly skilled team from across the UK, and are now being analysed.

Initial findings confirm that the well-preserved remains of several species of animals have been found, including woolly mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, wolf, hyena, horse, reindeer, mountain hare and red fox.

The discovery has attracted huge media attention with coverage on national TV and in the national press.

The ‘megafauna’ – large animals now extinct – that have been found are estimated to be from the last Ice Age, around 30,000-60,000 years ago in the Middle Devensian period, when temperatures were generally colder than today.

It is hoped the Sherford discoveries will provide new insights into early Britain and enrich what is already known. Understanding the range of mammals present, particularly herbivores and their food sources, also provides an insight into the plants that may have existed in the local environment, for which little evidence survives today.

The Sherford Consortium – a partnership of Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Partnerships – instigated archaeological work at the start of construction in 2015 and have remained committed to funding an ongoing programme of archaeological investigation ever since. Excavation during infrastructure work led to the discovery of these animal remains, in an area near old lime kilns and Sherford Quarry.

Over recent months, the archaeological team has conducted a detailed scientific sampling exercise to obtain as much information about the findings as possible. The work has been led by an expert team that includes Orion Heritage, Exeter-based AC Archaeology, and multiple expert academics, supported by the South West Science Advisor from Historic England.

The project has involved a close partnership with Devon County Council’s Historic Environment Team – as archaeological advisors to South Hams District Council – and the programme of investigations has been informed by specialist advice and expertise from the local archaeological and geological community.

The animal bones and environmental samples have been carefully recorded and removed from the ground and are now undergoing academic analysis and conservation. It is expected that the full archive of remains will return to Plymouth, into the care of The Box, The Sherford Consortium will preserve the area where the remains have been found. The underground space will be conserved, and no construction will take place on top of it. However, the entrance will be closed to both protect the historic site and ensure public welfare. It is not, nor will be, possible for the public to safely access

Archaeologists recovering woolly rhinoceros remains and (inset) a woolly mammoth pelvic bone Images AC Archaeology

the area in which the discoveries have been made.

Rob Bourn, managing director of Orion Heritage and lead archaeologist on the project for the Sherford Consortium, said: “This is a major discovery of national significance – a once in a lifetime experience for those involved.

Construction happening at Sherford is the sole reason these findings have been discovered and it is remarkable that they have laid undisturbed until now.

“To find such an array of artefacts untouched for so long is a rare and special occurrence. Equally rare is the presence of complete or semi-complete individual animals. We look forward to reaching the stage where the discoveries can be shared and displayed, so that everyone can find out more about our distant past.”

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “This discovery is exceptional. To have found partial remains of such a range of species here in Devon gives us a brilliant insight into the animals which roamed around Ice Age Britain thousands of years ago, as well as a better understanding of the environment and climate at the time. We are delighted that this important part of our history will be preserved for future generations.”

Victoria Pomery, CEO at The Box, said: “What an amazing discovery this is. We already have some fascinating items in the collections at The Box from this era, some of which provided the inspiration for the hugely popular woolly mammoth and cave lion skeleton we have on display in our natural history gallery. Once all the analysis work is completed it will be a huge honour to care for and display these newly discovered finds, and to play an ongoing part in the public’s understanding of Plymouth and the animals that were here during the Ice Age.” The significance of the recovered remains lies in their likely age and potential to provide clues about life in Britain in the last Ice Age, and the array of bones from different animals has especially intrigued experts.

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The detailed samples taken from the site have so far uncovered: • Partial remains of a woolly mammoth, including a tusk, molar tooth and other bones • Partial remains of a woolly rhinoceros, including an incomplete skull and lower jaw • A virtually complete wolf skeleton • Partial remains of hyena, horse, reindeer, mountain hare and red fox • Bones of various small mammals such as bats and shrews.

It is anticipated that further bones of small mammals will be identified during post-excavation laboratory analysis.

Whether all of the creatures uncovered at Sherford co-existed in a similar time period, or existed at different points over a much longer time span is uncertain. One theory is that some of the creatures fell into a pit and were unable to escape, and carnivorous scavengers followed and met a similar fate – or the animals died elsewhere and the bones washed into the area over a period of time.

Rob Bourn added: “The South West would have been very different back then; it was an area where mammoths and other creatures thrived, roaming great distances across a landscape that looked very different to today. With glaciers not far away in South Wales, and a volatile climate prone to huge floods, what we have found at Sherford may well have died somewhere nearby and were washed up here to create this unique collection of historic remains.”

The archaeological excavation of the Ice Age animal remains has just been completed, but work continues offsite, where the bones are now being cleaned, conserved and studied in detail.

While all parties involved in these exciting discoveries recognise there will be public interest, people are asked not to visit the site. This area of Sherford is not suitable or safe to visit, and access is highly restricted in the interests of health and safety.

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March 2022

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Gables Dogs and Cats Home have launched an urgent appeal for funds to help treat Popeye the cat See Page 6

Plympton & Plymstock

The Bishop of Plymouth, the Right Reverend Nick McKinnel is to retire later this year See Page 7

A Mutley woman’s mental health information website is attracting a big following For details see Page 15

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