Plymouth Chronicle Plympton & Plymstock November 2021

Chronicle Plymouth

November 2021

Gables Dogs and Cats Home are caring for a tiny kitten called Fun-Sized Freddo For details See Page 3

# PLYMOUTH TOGETHER

Plympton & Plymstock

The Box has celebrated its first anniversary with a host of awards and 100,000 visitors See Page 24

A very special party was organised for city youngsters by the charity Friends and Families of Special Children See Page 10

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

We’re dance crazy!

Plymouth’s Barbican Theatre is one of just eight companies commissioned

by BBC Arts and One Dance UK to create a new dance film as part of Dance Passion 2022. It has proposed a groundbreaking new dance film that built upon their hugely successful Petrol Headz Project, which reached over 4,000 people in Plymouth this summer • See page 23 Photo: Greenbeanz Photography

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2 November 2021

2 November 2021

@PlymChronicle

Get protected for evenings indoors As the nights draw in, it’s important to remember that Covid is very much with us.

At time of going to print, Plymouth’s rate of cases per 100,000 population is 322, very close to the national rate of 329 per 100,000. This means on average we’re seeing over 100 new cases of COVID-19 every single day in Plymouth. People are still being admitted to hospital and, sadly, we are seeing several Plymouth residents pass away each week with Coronavirus.

As winter sets in, we might be less likely to meet outside and so we need to think about the steps we need to take to keep each other safe.

This includes: Getting vaccinated If you haven’t had your vaccine yet, there’s plenty of opportunity to get it now – it’s not too late. Anyone aged 16 or over can book or attend a walk-in vaccination session at Home Park. If you have had both vaccines over six months ago, you will now be eligible for a booster vaccine just to top up your levels of protection.

This will be for anyone who: • is aged 50 and over • lives or works in a care home • is a health or social care worker

• is aged 16 and over and has a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 • is aged 16 and over and is a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19 • is aged 16 and over and lives with someone who is more likely to get infections Also look out for your invitation for flu vaccination if you are eligible – with less social distancing, we expect flu to be affecting people again this year.

Ventilation Remember, it’s still safest to meet outdoors, so please take the opportunity to explore a new park, beach or wood when seeing others. If you must meet indoors, open a window to blow the virus away and try to keep your distance from others. Wearing a mask is still strongly advised, especially when in an enclosed space and handwashing is a must.

Rapid testing Make sure you’re still taking regular lateral flow tests; you can pick them up from our libraries, Place de Brest, pharmacies or order them online.

Due to uncertain winter weather our targeted COVID Community Engagement Team will no longer be setting up the mobile testing unit

at static sites. Instead, they will be travelling around Plymouth, engaging with residents and distributing test kits at various locations.

Getting test kits from a pharmacy Before you call in to your nearest pharmacy to collect lateral flow tests to do at home, you now need a ‘collect code’. You can get your code, which you will need to show when you collect your test packs from your pharmacy, by registering at https://test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/collectlateral-flow-kits. Pharmacies will be displaying posters or leaflets explaining this new change, with a QR code that will take you to that webpage.

You do not need a collect code to pick up test kits from any other location or from our targeted community testing team.

With these high rates, please also remember that if you have symptoms, you must isolate immediately and get a PCR test. If you miss out on work because of isolation, support is available from the Government. For more information, please go to our website: www.plymouth.gov.uk.

By Dr Ruth Harrell

Director of Public Health for Plymouth

City leaders unite in public letter urging Plymouth to protect jobs and businesses from COVID-19 As levels of COVID-19 remain high across the city, Plymouth City Council, HM Naval Base, Babcock, the Theatre Royal, Princess Yachts, Marjon University, Plymouth College of Art and Plymouth Social Enterprise Network, Plymouth Octopus have come together to urge local people to protect businesses and jobs this winter from the impact of Coronavirus.

In a letter to all residents of the city, the organisations ask local people to remember that if we don’t get COVID-19 under control by the winter the consequences could be devastating for the business community – particularly if mandatory measures are brought back.

Businesses across the city are asking their staff to do their bit and are also asking local people for their help.

Face coverings and social distancing may no longer be compulsory but they will still protect us. We know these measures are effective in helping to reduce transmission and everyone is being asked to continue with these in settings such as shops, on public transport and in cinemas and theatres. Businesses are also urging customers and visitors to wear a mask.

These measures not only help to protect you, they reduce the risks for others around you, including those who are vulnerable or anxious.

For more information go to: www.plymouth.gov.uk.

Changes to COVID-19 testing Rates of COVID-19 are still high across Plymouth.

Around one in three people with COVID-19 don’t have any symptoms but can still pass it on.

Although you might not be showing any symptoms, you could still be carrying the virus without knowing and putting other people’s lives at risk.

Taking a regular test is an opportunity to control COVID-19, save lives and get back to a more normal way of living.

You should do a lateral flow test twice a week (every three to four days) to check if you have the virus, even if you are double vaccinated. If you test positive you should self-isolate and apply for a

confirmatory PCR test.

Please remember, if you display any symptoms of COVID-19 you must isolate immediately and take a PCR test.

You can still pick up a box of lateral flow tests from a pharmacy, local library or Place de Brest or order them online. Remember, before you call in to your nearest pharmacy to collect your tests to do at home, you now need a ‘collect code’.

You can get your code by registering online https://test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/ collect-lateral-flow-kits. You do not need a collect code to pick up test kits from any other location or from our targeted community testing team.

Where to get your vaccine jab

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

Our mobile van will be visiting the following locations next week between 10am and 3pm. Only

the Pfizer vaccine will be available for first and second jabs. No appointments are needed: • Saturday 16 October: Tothill Community Centre • Thursday 14 October: Frankfort Gate Home Park is also offering walk-in vaccinations.

Go to: www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/gettested for more information.

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

The information on this page was correct at the time of going to UP-TO-DATE NOTE: press on October 7.

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

Journeys from Plymouth Until Nov 14 The latest exhibition at Ford Park Cemetery’s Visitor Centre is Journeys from Plymouth, which looks at how local people went out into the world to explore either on military service or to make their fortunes. The exhibition is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.30am t0 3.30pm and from 12.30pm to 3.30pm at weekends.

Cancer Research’sa Race for Life is taking place in Plymouth on October 17 Photo: Visit Plymouth

Quest for the Ice Dragon Oct 15 to Oct 24 Stiltskin Theatre Company present their winter show. An immersive promenade performance in and around The Soapbox Children’s Theatre in Devonport Park. For times and other details visit www.stiltskin.org

Charity Ball Oct 16 Fundraiser for Dartmoor Zoological Society at Boringdon Park Golf Club featuring live music from Joey The Lips, charity raffle and auction hosted by David Fitzgerald. Three course meal and drink on arrival. Starts at 6.30pm. Tickets online at dartmoorzoo.beaconforms.com/ form/1d6e8022 Back from the Bed Tour Oct 16 Comedian Seann Walsh brings his new show to Plymouth at the Marjon University’s Quad Theatre. Recognised as a leading observational comedian, he has appeared on numerous TV shows including Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo. Tickets at www.comicalentertainment.com Autumn Bazaar and Craft Fayre Oct 16 The congregation and friends of St Andrew’s Church in Royal Parade are holding a bazaar and craft fair from 10am to 4pm. There will be lots for all the family to enjoy at the even with games and competitions for the children, a bouncy castle and much, much more. Tours of the Prysten House, usually closed to the public, will be available. The house is one of the oldest residential houses in the city dating back to 1492 with a wealth of history.

Good Food Sunday Oct 17 The Good Food Sunday returns to Home Park from 10am to 3pm. Go along and enjoy the great local food and complementary crafts on offer.

Free entry and free parking.

Race for Life Oct 17 Hundreds of people of all ages are expected to take part in this year’s Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK. The event starts at 11.30am on The Hoe Promenade and covers a 5k course.

Entry details and other information at www. raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org Halloween Trail Oct 23 to Oct 31 Locate the 15 Halloween characters displayed in shop windows in the city centre to be in with a chance of winning £100 to spend in Waterstones.

Details and entry form at www.visitplymouth. co.uk/whats-on/major-events/the-halloweentrail Boo at the Zoo Oct 29 and 30 Boo at the Zoo is back, and scarier than ever! Dartmoor Zoo is opening its gates after dark to invite families to join a spooktacular trail through the Zoo! For details visit wwwdartmoorzoo.org.uk Winter Food & Craft Fair Nov 5 to Nov 7 Buckland Abbey, near Yelverton hosts a winter fair full of festive sparking, food and shopping opportunities. For times and admission prices call 01822 853607.

Funky Llama Festival Oct 29 and Oct 30 Theatre Royal Plymouth’s flagship community event Funky Llama Festival is back! This October half-term, step right up to the greatest show in town for two big days! Visit Plymouth’s Central Park for some Big Top magic and funky Halloween fun. With wild costumers, wacky workshops and magical moments for everyone to enjoy, this is the festival fix you’ve needed after lockdown. Expect live music, DJs, craft stalls, a fully licensed bar, circus acts, comedy and magic from local and national performers. Including the latest show Human by Extraordinary Bodies, the UK’s leading disabled and non-disabled circus company, created in partnership with show makers Cirque Bijou and leading arts and diversity practitioners Diverse City.

Bonfire Night Nov 5 Spectacular bonfire and fireworks display on The Hoe. Katherine Ryan: The Missus Tour Nov 6 Award-winning comedian, writer, presenter and actress Katherine Ryan makes a welcome return to the Plymouth Pavilions stage with her brand new show Missus. More information at www. plymouthpavilions.com All Together Now! Nov 12 to 14 Sounds Music Theatre Company are presenting their long awaited return to live stage entertainment with an aptly named musical theatre concert, All Together Now! The concert is staged at three venues to choose from: The Woolwell Centre on Friday November 12 at 7.30pm; Elburton Methodist Church Hall on Saturday November 13 at 2.30pm and Plymstock School Hall on Sunday, November 14 at 2.30pm. A live performance which will appeal to all tastes and age ranges with songs from musical theatre, including popular favourites and those from contemporary shows. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/ sounds at £6.50 (includes booking fee) or call 01752 343472. The venture is part of Music Theatre International’s celebration global event to be held in 36 countries in 1,600 venues.

Christmas Lights Switch On Nov 18 The Christmas holiday calendar officially kicks off with the switch-on of this year’s beautiful Christmas lights, marking the start of late-night shopping. More information from visitplymouth.co.uk

Roots Up! Nov 19 The sensational Roots Up! Hip Hop festival is back on track as the high energy team from Plymouth’s Street Factory get set to stage a spectacular two-hour show in Plymouth City Centre at 6pm, the day after the Christmas Lights Switch.

Christmas at Saltram Nov 19 to Jan 3 This Christmas it’s the perfect time to meet up with family and friends to see the well loved story of The Nutcracker bought to life within the house. The grandest room at Saltram, the Saloon, will be transformed into a magical fairytale forest with decadently decorated trees and magical interventions to make the house feel alive. Plus, have fun on a walk round the garden and learn about the natural ‘nutcrackers’ that live within the gardens and parkland at Saltram.

Plymouth Christmas Show Nov 20 After the very successful Plymouth Christmas Shows of previous years, the show returns to Plymouth Guildhall with a festive market, live music, food, drink and Santa’s Grotto. Free entry 10am to 4pm.

Andy Parsons Nov 25 Mock the Week regular Andy Parsons is back on the road with his Healing the Nation tour which was postponed because of COVID. He will be appearing live on stage at Marjon University’s Quad Theatre. Tickets from tickets.ents24.com Illuminate Nov 25 to 28 The spectacular Illuminate light festival, will once again transform Royal William Yard through light art installations and projection mapping. Created by local and international artists, tech designers and students, the festival promises to deliver an inspiring, immersive experience which will delight visitors of all ages. Illuminate is free to attend. Families are welcome and there are plenty of interactive and playful workshops for everyone to get involved in, both during and in the lead-up to the festival. For more information visit illuminatefestival.co.uk/ Plymouth Together fundraiser Nov 26 An evening of music poetry and performance at The Junction pub on Mutley Plain raise funds

for the families and communities affected by the tragedy in Keyham. The evening’s entertainment, which kicks off at 7.30pm, will feature sets from local bands, including The Busketeers, Tailfin, and acclaimed Cornish singer Ezmay Grace, while spoken word and poetry will also be performed by the likes of former Plymouth laureate Thom Boulton and Plymouth arts collective WonderZoo founder Peter Davey. Admission £5 on the door Plymouth Christmas Market Dec 2 to Dec 21 Pick up some individual and unique Christmas gifts at Plymouth Christmas Market, located in the heart of the city centre. With an open air festive bar, food and drink and plenty of artisan gift stalls it’s the perfect place to pick up some Christmas gifts and get into the Christmas spirit.

There will an array of entertainment on various dates including live music, funky hooping, illuminated roller skating and a sofa driving Santa. For dates and other information go to www.visitplymouth.co.uk Barbican Lights Switch-On Nov 27 Head to the Barbican for the annual Christmas lights switch on with family-friendly entertainment, free activities and some very special guests.

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

Love Local Christmas Festival Nov 28 Miss Ivy Events present their popular Christmas Festival at Plymouth Albion, Brickfields from 10am to 3.30pm. The day will be jam packed full of festive treats from over 50 artisan, upcycled and gift exhibitors selling a selection of jewellery, candles, gifts and many other amazing items. On offer will be a gnome trail for the little ones, Festive Punch & Judy Show, rides and face-painting. There will also be local choirs, street food, mulled wine bar and lots more! Entry £2 (under 16s free).

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

4 November 2021

4 November 2021

Freddo’s fight for survival A tiny kitten who needs critical lifesaving care has recently been rescued by Gables Dogs and Cats Home.

Fun-Sized Freddo is the sole survivor of his litter, as his three siblings sadly died as a result of a massive flea infestation. Although he is more than a month old, he weighs less than a two week old kitten and is severely emaciated and dehydrated due to the infestation of fleas. The charity were contacted by a local vet to ask if they would take this poor little boy into their care to try to save his life and they agreed as they knew they could give him a fighting chance.

Even though Fun-Sized Freddo received treatment for fleas at the vets prior to arriving at Gables, he still had over 100 blood-sucking fleas on him, as they take a while to die off. The charity’s general manager Claire Sparkes took him home to provide the specialist 24 hour care he desperately needed. Claire initially spent several hours meticulously removing the fleas from his scrawny body to try to reduce their burden on him.

For the last two weeks Fun-sized Freddo has precariously clung to life despite only weighing 160g, the equivalent weight of an avocado.

Claire has been feeding him specialist kitten milk every hour, including all through the night.

Despite the devoted care he has received, he remained at this dangerously low weight for 10 worrying days. However the charity’s dedication has paid off as he is starting to eat small amounts of specialist kitten solid food and has gained a small amount of weight.

The charity are hopeful that with this round-the-clock love and support he will survive.

General manager Claire said: “When we were approached to help Fun-Sized Freddo we just had to give him the best possible chance at life. As the only survivor of his litter we owe it to him to help him succeed in his fight for survival, as he has already proven to us that he has a strong desire to live. It is so frustrating to see animals suffer like this when it is so easily preventable with basic vet care such as flea and worm prevention treatments. We are determined to help him recover and gain weight so he can go on to live a happy and healthy life. We would be so grateful for any help that our fantastic supporters can give towards the cost of his treatment and care.”

It is estimated it will cost Gables an additional £600 for all the lifesaving nutrition, expert veterinary treatment and 24 hour care that Fun-Sized Freddo will need to save his life. If Gables is lucky enough

BROWN CREAM

BLUE

to raise more money than is needed it will go towards helping the other animals in their care.

Anyone wanting to help ease Gables financial burden can make a contribution to ‘Fun-Sized Freddo’s Vet Appeal’, call 01752 331602 or visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/funsizedfreddo to donate online.

@PlymChronicle

News in Brief

Substantial parts of Strode Road and Galileo Close are set to have double yellow line parking restrictions put in place to allow improved traffic flow but concerns have been raised that this will increase traffic speeds, make it more difficult for pedestrians to cross and cause parking displacement into nearby residential streets.

---People are being asked to be more careful about not dropping litter after an eight-month old puppy ingested a discarded sandwich bag.

The concerned owner was having to wait to see if the bag would pass through her canine or whether an operation to remove it would be necessary.

--The British Red Cross Bookshop in St. Stephen’s Place is appealing for donations of unwanted books to top up deplenished stocks.

These can be dropped in to the shop anytime during opening hours which are 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

--The popular first Saturday in the month table top sales at St Mary’s Church Hall have resumed after a long enforced absence due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The next one will take place on Saturday 6 November from 10am to 1pm. The number of sales tables has had to be reduced from 28 to 21 as part of COVID precautions.

--Members of the Plym Chamber of Commerce are currently busy with their plans to stage this year’s #LightUpPlympton event which will take place on November 29. As well as the switching on of the Christmas lights in Ridgeway there will be an outdoor market. To enable people to spread out as much as possible the outdoor market will extend this year into the Mudge Way car park by Iceland.

(News in Brief provided by Plympton Podcast)

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Two friends are given massive fines for littering from car

Two young men have been handed massive fines for throwing litter from a parked car window.

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Taylor Scarff, aged 21 of Finch Close, Laira, and his accomplice Kalen McLuskie, aged 22 of Charlotte Street, Morice Town, had their cases heard before Plymouth Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court was told how in June 2021 a resident in Benbow Street found a pile of litter, including fast food packaging and used nitrous oxide canisters, discarded on the pavement in front of his property.

The resident then checked his own CCTV, which showed a white BMW pull up outside the house. He could see the driver lower his window and throw litter onto the pavement.

The male in the front passenger seat then started to throw a number of empty gas canisters out of the driver window onto the pavement. The front passenger then unwraps some more canisters and throws the plastic wrapping out of his window.

Once the driver had finished some fast food, he then opened his door and placed the box along with other items onto the ground and then drives off.

Angered, the resident sent the CCTV to the Council’s environmental enforcement team who swiftly identified Scarff as the owner of the car by using DVLA records.

Scarff was sent a number of questions in a formal Interview Under Caution, which he returned, confirming he was the driver and identifying McLuskie as his front seat passenger.

Ordinarily, offences like this are dealt with via a fixed penalty notice but it was decided that due to the amount of items that were littered and the fact that gas canisters and fast food packaging are regularly thrown from vehicles all over the city, the offences should result in prosecution.

Neither Scarff nor McLuskie attended court but Scarff did plead guilty by post.

McLuskie was found guilty in his absence.

Scarff was ordered to pay a fine of £1,026, costs of £335 and a victim surcharge of £103, while McLuskie was fined £1,400, ordered to pay £355 in costs and a £140 victim surcharge.

Payment must be made in full within 28 days. Both will now carry a criminal record.

Councillor Maddi Bridgeman, Cabinet member for the Environment and Street Scene, said: “When we are presented with hard evidence of environmental crime, we are not afraid to act.

“These are big fines for a completely avoidable offence so I’m pleased that we have been able to make an example of these men in court.

“Littering out of car windows is the epitome of laziness and it will not be tolerated in this city. These guys now have to pay over £1,000 each. Keeping their litter in their car would have been free.”

The CCTV footage can be viewed at https://youtu.be/nVBcJdQB0K4

6 November 2021

6 November 2021

@PlymChronicle

Academy teachers run London Marathon for charities Two teachers from Plympton Academy took part in the London Marathon on October 3 as part of fundraising efforts for the school’s previous ‘charities of the year’.

Each year students and staff are able to nominate a charity to be Plympton Academy’s charity of the year with the nominations then put forward to a vote which all students and staff can take part in to determine the overall winner.

In 2019-20 this was Crohns and Colitis UK and for 2020-21 St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. As part of the fundraising activities for these charities two members of staff ran in the London Marathon, which due to COVID restrictions was postponed twice.

Assistant principal Ian Hartley ran for Crohns and Colitis UK while health and social care teacher Danni Heard took part for St Luke’s Hospice.

Ian Hartley said: “Students nominate charities that are very close to their hearts and it is really interesting to see which charities are nominated and why. We have a number of students and their families who suffer from Crohns and Colitis who have

benefitted from the support that Crohns and Colitis UK provide through their local and national groups.

“We also have students whose family members have been looked after by the amazing team at St Luke’s. Unfortunately neither Danni nor myself were able to run the London marathon when we were meant to, so we were both delighted to finally make it.

A separate team of staff also recently ran in the Plymouth Half Marathon raising an additional sum for St Luke’s Hospice.

The vote for this year’s charity of the year has just taken place and the academy is pleased to announce that thisyear we will be raising money for the RNLI. More details about the fundraising events can be found on theacademy website.To sponsor either Danni or Ian, their sponsorship pages can be found following these links:Danni: https://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/DanniJohns/2 Ian: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ IanHartley7/1 (Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

Academy staff who took part in this year’s half marathon

Ian Hartley and Danni Heard

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Independent stores across Plymouth are joining in two-week shop local campaign from October 9 to October 23.

Plymouth is joining more than 100 independent high streets across the UK to put on special £5 offers across two weeks in October, as the Totally Locally Fiver Fest returns.

Starting on October 9, there will be a selection of £5 offers across the city, aimed at encouraging more people to shop locally and support our independent shops, cafes and restaurants which have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “Fiver Fest is now a big part of our work for our independent businesses. The community support for local businesses has been amazing during lockdown, so these offers are to say thank you to customers, and to highlight the great value and economic impact of shopping locally.”

The special offers available in Plymouth can be found on the Shop4Plymouth website at shop4plymouth.co.uk/fiverfest and there’s still time for independent businesses to join in.

The Shop4Plymouth website and social media channels are part of the #GeddonPlymouth marketing campaign, which was set up by the Plymouth City Centre Company in partnership with Plymouth City Council and the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership to support businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.

Fiver Fest is a free-to-join campaign, devised and run by Totally Locally, a grassroots high street organisation that has been helping businesses and high streets to help themselves since 2010 with incredible results.

A spokesman for the campaign said: “If every adult in Plymouth spent just £5 per week in their local independent shops and businesses, it would mean more than £50 million per year going directly into our local economy which can lead to more jobs, a better high street, a stronger economy and a nicer place to live. Makes you think doesn’t it?”

For more information and the list of offers, please see: shop4plymouth.co.uk/ fiver-fest/

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8 November 2021

8 November 2021

@PlymChronicle

Work starts on short-term care centre Refurbishment work is now underway to create the first ‘short-term care centre’ for Plymouth, to help people to recover from illness and to stay well.

said: “We are delighted to be making progress on such an important project to support more people to be able to recover from illness and stay well rather than occupying a hospital bed at Derriford.

Plymouth City Council is working in “Partnership working with Age UK Plymouth partnership with Age UK Plymouth and NHS has been key to getting the project to this Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (Devon stage and we are really excited to take the CCG) to refurbish the upper two floors of the next steps in getting the building ready to William and Patricia Venton Centre, which is support the people of Plymouth.” near to Mount Gould Hospital.

The building used to be a residential The short-term care centre will provide care home and the refurbishment works accommodation for patients to stay after will update the 24 en-suite bedrooms and they have been in hospital. This could be for provide space for lounges and offices. Age UK up to six weeks, with support from therapists Plymouth’s day centre for adults will remain and assistive technology and opportunities on the ground floor. to engage in social Age UK Plymouth activities in the rest Chair, Liz Edwardsof the building. The Smith said: “Trustees aim is that when are delighted that people leave the work is commencing centre they are on the short-term feeling much better, care centre. We are and ready to go pleased to have home and live as been able to work independently as The exterior of the William and with partners in the possible.

Patricia Venton Centre city to develop a The centre will facility that will offer help with making those in later life a chance to regain their sure people don’t stay in hospital any longer strength and confidence before returning than they need to and will also be accessible home to continue to live as independently as to wheelchair users. possible.”

The care centre will also offer support to Age UK Plymouth’s new chief executive older people who would otherwise be at officer, David Wood said: “The short-term risk of being admitted to hospital. This will care centre will act as a catalyst as we look also support the wider Plymouth health and to enhance and develop the services we offer social care system to reduce pressures on to those in later life in Plymouth. We are Derriford Hospital. determined to contribute more extensively Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Cabinet and to positively impact on older people’s Member for Health and Adult Social Care

Pictured at the centre (from left) Clinton Brewer of Ian Williams Ltd; David Wood, chief executive of Age UK Plymouth; Elizabeth Edwards-Smith, Age UK Plymouth; Sandra Pentney, project manager for Plymouth City Council and Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council

quality of life in our communities.”

The refurbishment works are being carried out by Ian Williams Ltd. Business manager Clinton Brewer said: “We are one of the UK’s largest independently-owned property services companies and have been a longterm major employer in Plymouth for the last 40 years. We are extremely proud to be supporting this project.

“We currently employ 64 colleagues

including 50 trade operatives with various skillsets including multi-trade, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, plasterers, tilers, roofers and decorators. We are also proud to have eight apprentices and two trainee surveyors taking their first steps on the career ladder in Plymouth with our business.”

The council is investing £823,410 capital funding into the refurbishment and will lease part of the building from Age UK Plymouth.

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10 November 2021

10 November 2021

Festival will highlight city’s social enterprise successes With more than 200 social enterprises in Plymouth employing nearly 10,000 people, the city is developing as a global ‘social enterprise city.’

It has one of the most active social enterprise networks in the country - a fact that will be celebrated in November when the 2021 Social Enterprise City Festival will take place.

For the past eleven years Plymouth Social Enterprise Network has hosted the festival highlighting and celebrating the businesses which operate with a social conscience. What started as a half-day event in 2010 is now one of the UK’s leading celebrations of ethical business with speakers and workshop leaders from across the UK. This year the Festival will take place over a took week period from November 11 to November 25 with a mixture of face to face and online events as well as blended events that allow for multiple attendance methods.

The event will be bigger than previous years and a Crowdfunder has been set up to enable participants to take part in workshops and events for free whenever possible.

Jess Holliland, network co-ordinator for the Plymouth Social Enterprise Network said: “Social enterprise is a way of doing business that gives back to the community and causes that are important. They believe in working for a purpose not just a profit and they are all over Plymouth.

“The festival will be jam packed with workshops, opportunities to meet others, skills sharing, training for everyone, making, creating and plenty of fun! And it’s not all business; there will be events for businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs, and the public alike. We want as many people as possible to come along and join us in showcasing amazing local businesses – They might just learn something special!

“Under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) we are in the Decade of Action and we have a limited time to rise to the challenge of changing how we run our businesses, our homes, and our economy.

“The UK goal is to have taken significant steps by 2030, but here in Plymouth we have a huge community of businesses that

shop4plymouth.co.uk

@PlymChronicle Photo: Aqua superPower

Plymouth leading the way with shore-side charging for e-boats are already walking the walk. We will be running events across the city to bring people together to share learning, talk about challenges, gain skills and work out how we can all take Local Action for the Global Goals.

“If you run a business doing great things, or you want to connect with people doing great things then make sure you follow @plymsocent on social media to find out more.

She added that Plymouth Social Enterprise Network believes that by working together it can create a better future for Plymouth, and the UK, where business and community can support each other to create a stronger, healthier place to live and work.

“We believe in Doing Business Differently – because the future is social,” said Jess.

More details about the festival, along with information about running a social enterprise or hosting an event for the festival can be found at at www.plymsocent.org.uk.

To support #DoingBusinessDifferently and collect one of the attractive rewards in the Social Enterprise City Festival Crowdfunder which runs until October 18 go to Crowdfunder. co.uk/plymouth-social-enterprise-city-festival Anyone interested in supporting the festival financially, by sharing the news, or otherwise then the team would be pleased to hear from you by e-mail at festival@plymsocent.org.uk.

Join our city’s cast of amazing characters

Plymouth is set to become the first city in the UK to install a network of shoreside charging facilities for its expanding fleet of electric maritime vessels.

Over the past year, the city has become home to the UK’s first marine electric passenger ferry and an electric water taxi that will operate 364 days a year.

However, access to infrastructure is currently a barrier to ensuring further growth in this emerging sector can happen in a coordinated and sustainable way.

With that in mind, a consortium of city partners is joining forces to create Plymouth’s Marine e-Charging Living Lab (MeLL), which will provide the pivotal infrastructure required to accelerate innovation and growth.

The project has received more than £570,000 funding as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership

with Innovate UK. It will develop a network of charging facilities around Plymouth Sound, offering multiple, flexible sites and responding to the Maritime 2050 route map for maritime net zero.

The project is being led by the University of Plymouth in partnership with Plymouth City Council, Princess Yachts Limited and Aqua superPower.

Between now and March 2022, it will identify suitable locations for charging facilities that can be easily linked to the National Grid while meeting both consumer and commercial demand. It will also develop and deploy an array of sensor technologies that can assess the environmental and operational impacts of e-charging.

The scheme furthers Plymouth’s reputation as a centre of excellence in clean maritime innovation, and will be designed to complement existing and emerging initiatives including Oceansgate, Smart Sound Plymouth, the Plymouth Freeport and the UK’s first National Marine Park.

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12 November 2021

12 November 2021

Music, poetry and performance at special fundraising gig An evening of music, poetry and performance is being held in aid of the families and communities affected by the tragedy in Keyham.

The Plymouth Together fundraising gig will take place on November 26 at The Junction pub on Mutley Plain.

Admission will cost £5 on the door, with all proceeds going to the Plymouth Together Recovery Fund, coordinated by the Wolseley Trust.

The evening’s entertainment, which kicks off at 7.30pm, will feature sets from local bands, including The Busketeers, Tailfin, and acclaimed Cornish singer Ezmay Grace, while spoken word and poetry will also be performed by the likes of former Plymouth laureate Thom Boulton and Plymouth arts collective WonderZoo founder Peter Davey.

Event organiser Sam Blackledge said: “The awful tragedy in Keyham affected everybody in Plymouth. We hope this event can play a small part in helping the families of the victims, and all of those who are still recovering and trying to process what happened.

“We are very grateful to The Junction for providing an excellent venue for the gig, as well as the local acts who have generously agreed to come and support with their art.

For more information about the Plymouth Together fundraising gig event page on Facebook, or follow on Twitter. To get in touch with the organisers directly, email plymouthtogethergig@gmail. com. The Plymouth Together Recovery Fund aims to generate £20,000 to support those most affected by the Keyham tragedy.

@PlymChronicle

Street Factory’s Roots Up! Hip Hop Festival announced The sensational Roots Up! Hip Hop festival will now take place at 6pm on Friday November 19 in Plymouth city centre, the day after the city’s Christmas lights have been switched on.

Underneath the sparkling festive lights, Street Factory will shine their own spotlight on Hip Hop music, dance and culture – including a mass dance challenge for the whole community.

The event is part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations, but has been delayed due to the pandemic.

Working closely with Plymouth City Council, Street Factory is now able to present Roots Up! by utilising the fantastic stage set-up on the Piazza for the Christmas lights switch-on event.

Toby G and Jo Gorniak, founders of the multi award-winning Street Factory Hip Hop social initiative, were determined to fulfil their dream to showcase the talents of professional and emerging artists and to demonstrate that Hip Hop is a positive and inspirational culture that people of all backgrounds and ages can connect with.

Toby G said: “We are buzzing and so excited to bring Plymouth a night of Hip Hop culture and shine a light on talented artists from all over the city. Featuring home grown talent, dancers, rappers, and musicians, and it will be a night to remember 100%.”

The thrilling three-hour production will present multiple creative elements of Hip Hop, including breaking or b-boying,

MCing, DJ-ing, graffiti, rapping, poetry and spoken word, plus a bonus touch of R&B. A series of thoughtful Hip Hop theatre pieces will feature the skills of current members of the Street Factory family as well as those who have gone on to reach professional level in the wider world of Hip Hop, dance and production, plus original music and with themes chosen to reflect the Mayflower and the core values of Street Factory: Freedom, Humanity and the Future.

There’s also a mass dance, set to the inspirational soundtrack of a brand new Hip Hop track called STF That’s the Fam, its lyrics written by Jman & Lincoln Gorniak, to deliver a powerful message promoting the Street Factory values of respect, peace, love, freedom and having fun.

Street Factory has created

instructional videos, so that everyone in the audience can learn the routine in advance and join in on the day.

Charles Hackett, chief executive of Mayflower 400, said: “The Street Factory family have been working incredibly hard on this fantastic performance, which reflects on the Mayflower’s journey in a new and exciting way.

“We’re delighted that they’re now able to present the Roots Up! show during Plymouth’s festive season and will be bringing a brilliant party to the Piazza.”

The event has been made possible with support from Arts Council England, Mayflower 400, Plymouth Culture and Plymouth City Council.

Find out more at www. visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/majorevents/roots-up.

Rotary Clubs join forces to provide laptops to dozens of schools during the pandemic Throughout the numerous lockdowns, the people of Plymouth and Ivybridge have demonstrated that in a crisis they can support the community’s most vulnerable from the impact of the pandemic.

The effects that COVID-19 through lockdowns and self-isolation created, have been no more evident than the implications it has had on those children who struggled with access to online learning at home.

However, there was good news when a collaboration between Ivybridge and Saltram Rotary Clubs, along with donations from local businesses, individuals, local authorities and city and parish councillors, sought to reduce the digital-divide by donating 380 devices to local primary and secondary school children.

It was during the first lockdown that Ivybridge Rotary president Paul Fletcher and his team formed the ‘Online Learning Project’, with the aim of providing refurbished devices to enable children to access their learning from home.

The scale of the problem soon became apparent and so Saltram Rotary were invited onboard.

Together, they received and processed donated devices which

Laptops donated to Sherford Vale School during the pandemic. in 2020. Pictured are Rotarian Jo and President Sam with headteacher Carla

were refurbished by Dan’s Computer Services of Ivybridge.

Paul explained: “During the first phase of our project we received several hundred devices for recycling and by establishing links with local headteachers, we were able to ensure that the refurbished devices went to the homes where the need was greatest. In all we have provided devices to thirty five schools in the area. This is a significant achievement and has only been possible thanks to the generosity of the people of Ivybridge and

Plymouth, as well as the financial support we have received from various sources.”

One of the biggest boosts was an injection of funds from the Beresford-Jones Trust. This enabled the project to have a much broader reach and extend the provision of new and refurbished devices to numerous secondary schools.

The members of the Online Learning Project sincerely hope that their work will have gone some way to reducing the disadvantages among children in local communities.

Plymouth wins Local Authority of the Year Award

November 2021

@PlymChronicle

Plymouth City Council has won the local authority of the year award in the 2021 Municipal Journal awards beating five other councils who were shortlisted for the prestigious trophy.

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Plymouth City Council Leader Nick Kelly and chief executive Tracey Lee with the Municipal Journal Award

targets. It sets out action plans for the city’s 11 key economic sectors; including a focus on increasing spend in the local economy; a Skills Launchpad and supporting Marine, Green and Culture priorities.

A total of more than over £92 million was distributed to 7,440 Plymouth businesses.

The Skills Launchpad worked with over 100 businesses to identify 8,000 job creations over 18 months, and enabled 10,000 citizens to access self-support.

Infrastructure: £200 million investment including the Forder Valley Link Road and Interchange, the Brunel Plaza redevelopment at the railway station; £47m of highway maintenance and engineering projects and 12 projects under the Transforming Cities Fund for sustainable travel and green infrastructure.

Culture: The Box, the £42m redevelopment

delivered emergency PPE, and stood up local testing arrangements for residents and staff prior to national testing programmes.

Caring for Plymouth: Through the council’s partnership with Livewell Southwest and the voluntary and community sector, over 8,000 Council leader Nick Kelly, Deputy shadow calls from vulnerable people were taken, leader Councillor Sue Dann and chief 3,000 welfare checks carried out, hundreds of executive Tracey Lee were presented with the food parcels were distributed and medicine award by Ed Balls at a ceremony in London. and prescriptions were collected and The judges said: “Pride in the city leaps delivered 1,600 times. off the pages of Plymouth’s submission. It Through the Plymouth Alliance Contract has taken a novel, consistent and effective the council is taking a systematic approach approach to putting the city on the map as for people with complex needs, covering Britain’s Ocean City. substance misuse, homelessness, mental “The council is clearly ambitious, strongly health and offending and have seen a engaged in its communities and is working dramatic drop in rough sleeping and the well with partners on key agendas.” The prevention or relief of homelessness for 988 citation said that Plymouth was an authority households over the last year – double the that put culture led regeneration and a sense annual target. of place at its heart, one that is determined City Climate Emergency and Corporate to put its city on the map for all the right Carbon Reduction: Plans were agreed reasons and where political and officer “I am absolutely thrilled that we have which have over 100 realistic, achievable leadership is genuinely a single voice for and deliverable actions. Successes so far the benefit of all residents. been named the local authority of the include upgrading homes of vulnerable Council leader Nick Kelly said: “It’s been a year like no other. I know staff year. I want to build a real sense of pride residents with energy efficient measures; installation of 77 electric charging have worked around the clock to in Plymouth and to get this award is just points; a rolling investment in LED deliver services as well as handle every lighting in subways and other highway challenge the pandemic has thrown at fantastic” infrastructure. us all. I am absolutely thrilled that we Plymouth City Council Leader Nick Kelly The Transforming Cities Fund have been named the local authority of programme includes 300 public electric the year. I want to build a real sense of vehicle charge points, 400 electric bikes, pride in Plymouth and to get this award is of the Grade II listed former museum and art setting up an electric car club, 14 kilometres just fantastic.” gallery and central library buildings with a of off road-cycle improvements, junction Chief executive Tracey Lee: “I could not contemporary extension was formally opened improvements and a new control centre, be more proud of all the staff and our Social care: Improvement continued in hosting the latest in technological signal councillors who have helped us to win this supporting children and young people in advancements accolade. The commitment and the can-do need of social care.

In Spring 2020, social Plymouth City Council’s Pause Social attitude that our staff show day in day out is workers completed risk assessments for Outcomes Partnership was highly humbling.” every child and young person in the service. commended in the ‘Delivering Better Leader of the Opposition Tudor Evans These identified which children needed faceOutcomes’ category. Pause is a charity that added: “We are all believe fiercely in to-face visits. works with women who have experienced, Plymouth, in its potential and all work Education: 800 laptops were delivered to and are at risk of, having children removed phenomenally hard – from the directors vulnerable children, enabling regular contact from their care. to our street sweepers to do our best for and better management of schoolwork.

The programme offers an intensive the city. It’s great to have this hard work Education: School meals provider CATERed, relationship-based, trauma-informed model acknowledged.“ which the council owns with the city’s of support to women, so the removal of a 2020 was always going to be a big year for schools ensured free school meals were child should never have to happen more than Plymouth, with years of preparation leading available to all eligible pupils throughout once. up to the 400th anniversary of the sailing Plymouth was the first local authority school closures – nearly 14,000 meals a week of the Mayflower – but instead the council, in the summer 2020, rising to 47,000 meals a in the UK to commission a Pause service like many others, found itself dealing with a week when schools reopened. through an innovative Social Outcomes global pandemic, lockdowns and the myriad Adult social care: 97 care homes were Partnership, in which the council works of challenges it brought. Here are some of supported with the council’s adult social collaboratively alongside other local and the council’s achievements: national organisations including Trevi, care provider Livewell Southwest, University Plymouth Economy: The Resurgam Hospitals Plymouth and the Devon Clinical Bridges Outcomes Partnerships and the programme was launched to address the Commissioning Group, and provided Pause national charity, with a shared aim to unprecedented economic challenges caused dedicated infection control advice and improve outcomes experienced by some of by the pandemic and to get back on track training, managed staffing and resources, the city’s most vulnerable families. in meeting the city’s ambitious growth

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14 November 2021

Sherford Life There’s always something to be thankful for! Even as I write this in (what we hope is) the tail-end of the autumn ‘fuel crisis’ I can be thankful that at least we have plentiful supplies of toilet roll – unlike a year ago! What are you thankful for?

By the time you read this we will be coming to the end of the traditional season of Harvest, where we give thanks for the food that has been successfully grown in order to get us through another year. Perhaps that has less real-world connection to us these days, in our connected world where we import every food imaginable from every corner of the globe on a daily basis.

But maybe it’s because culturally we’ve forgotten how to be thankful. The organisation Speak Life has recently put out a Harvest video on YouTube entitled, ‘Mr. Thankful’, featuring a man who goes around thanking everyone at every opportunity.

He rings up the customer services number on the back of his cereal packet to thank them for such delicious food; he leaves little notes for his co-workers; he even tries to high-five the driver of the rail replacement bus service. The comedy is in the awkward un-Britishness of the whole thing.

But the sting in the tail is that maybe we should be more thankful.

And then at the end of this month we come to the American season of Thanksgiving.

Isn’t it great that they have

By Revd Tom Brassil thankfulness built into the calendar? I’m not necessarily calling us to adopt another one of America’s cultural holidays, but can we learn something from the spirit behind it? And it turns out that gratitude is actually good for us. Researchers are beginning to look into the mental health and relational benefits of practicing gratitude in our daily lives.

So…what are you thankful for? One of the big things I’m thankful for is for good things coming up: exciting Christmas plans in Sherford (more on those next month!); the real prospect of a permanent return to normality with the COVID R number’ dropping below 1 in the South West; family birthdays and other celebrations coming up – and family in general. What about you? Take a moment to list a few things, and maybe find a way to express it. It will make you feel good too!

As a Christian I’m not surprised that thankfulness is good for us: in the Bible we find again and again the signs that the world was made by a good God who loves to give good things to us.

At one point Jesus says to a crowd of listeners that, if they give good gifts to their children (despite their flaws), how much more will our perfect Father God give good gifts to us! So as we’re practicing gratitude, why not thank God too?

If you have any questions about Sherford life, or if you would like to know more about Sherford Community Church and what we are thankful for, please contact me at tom@sherfordchurch.net

14 November 2021

@PlymChronicle

National recognition for city’s innovative IGNITE festival

An innovative digital platform that connects arts graduates with creative agencies and employment and volunteering opportunities has been shortlisted for a prestigious major national education award.

The IGNITE Futures digital platform, the online hub at the heart of the city-wide IGNITE Festival of Creativity, is among six UK higher education projects shortlisted for a highly competitive THE Award in the Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year category.

Created by the University of Plymouth and Plymouth College of Art, in collaboration with creative agencies Just Enough Brave and Altitude Design, IGNITE Futures has helped to showcase the work of more than 400 students and resulted in the creation of 11 new graduate jobs.

The third IGNITE Festival of Creativity took place across the summer, putting a unique spin on the traditional art degree show model by combining online technology with physical installations and exhibitions in community spaces to showcase work by graduates from the University of Plymouth and Plymouth College of Art. Professor Chris Bennewith, interim executive dean, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business at the University, said: “To be shortlisted by the THE Awards is outstanding recognition of the innovative and collaborative spirit that has driven the creation of the IGNITE Futures platform. It has transformed the very nature of the traditional arts degree show, and created an interactive portal

Plymouth Citybus supported the IGNITE initiative

that connects our creative industries with new and emerging talent.”

Ian Hutchinson, head of development at Plymouth College of Art said: “Creative skills aren’t just needed in the arts and media sectors.

That is the great value of the IGNITE platform; it offers a portal that connects people with the creative talent of graduates who can add value to a wide range of industries. IGNITE is incredibly efficient way of connecting people, whether as a means of generating employment or kick-starting community campaigns.”

For the 2021 IGNITE Festival of Creativity, the digital platform was one of a number of key innovations. With help and support from organisations including Real Ideas, Plymouth

Work by University of Plymouth arts graduates on display on Plymouth Waterfront

Citybus, Barclays, Open Media, Drake Circus, the Plymouth City Centre Company, Oyo Hotels, Ocean Studios, and Plymouth Arts Cinema, graduating students from Plymouth College of Art and University of Plymouth transformed the city of Plymouth into a living gallery, hosting more than 70 public exhibitions at multiple sites across the city.

Work by graduates was showcased across the sides of public transport led by Citybus, inside Barclays Bank, at the Market Hall in Devonport, on digital screens outside the Barcode, inside Ocean Studios and across the local waterfront.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “We were delighted to be able to support the festival, which fits in perfectly with our aim of bringing new life to the city centre and finding new uses for empty shops.”

Dan Howson, IGNITE producer, said: “We have seen IGNITE evolve to offer both a physical and digital celebration to great success. We created a unique spin on the traditional arts degree show with online technology working in tandem with physical community engagement.

“As a result, we have been delighted to surpass our expectations and achieved a massive footfall of tens of thousands of people during the festival and more importantly IGNITE has been successful in creating 11 jobs for creative graduates.”

IGNITE is supported by Plymouth City Council as part of the iMayflower project, and by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who fund the Cultural Development Fund administered by Arts Council England.

Mayflower Marina wins prestigious award Plymouth’s Mayflower Marina has won the Yacht Harbour Association’s 2021 Coastal Marina of the Year Award for over 250 berths. Voted for by members of the public and marina berth holders, the prestigious Marina of the Year awards focus on the quality of the marina facilities and the customer service provided by marina staff.

Jon White, general manager of the Yacht Harbour Association, who announced the awards commented: “We are in the second year of operating in this new environment where marinas have to protect their staff, protect their customers and above all deliver excellent service. Marina managers and staff have risen to that challenge in an outstanding way. We recognise that this has been complex to manage and so it’s fantastic to see the number of votes that have been placed for these awards, which recognise superb efforts.

“We are very excited to announce that Mayflower Marina has been awarded Coastal Marina of the Year (over 250 berths), huge congratulations to Charles and the team.”

Charles Bush, managing

director of Mayflower Marina, said: “It feels really special to win such an award after the challenges of the past 12 months, and for us to be considered worthy of so much customer support is really quite humbling. I am so pleased for our staffing team for whom this award is a testimony to their individual and collective contribution in upholding the high standards we aspire to.”

Mayflower Marina’s deputy arbour master, Mike Knowles also received a special mention in the Employee of the Year category at the awards.

The Marina of the Year Award comes on the back of news that Mayflower Marina has retained it’s Five Gold Anchor status.

This externally assessed accreditation was confirmed after an extensive review of the marina by assessors from The Yacht Harbour Association.

The internationally recognised award is highly regarded with the objective of raising standards and providing customer-focused services. Mayflower Marina is one of just over 100 marinas in the world currently achieving Five Gold Anchor status, highlighting its high standard of facilities, its commitment to customer service excellence and operational competence.

David Crouch, chairman of Sailport PLC who own and operate Mayflower Marina says “We are delighted to learn that Mayflower Marina has retained its Five Gold Anchor status.

Against the COVID backdrop and the increasingly high standards required to achieve this prestigious award, Charles and his team are to be congratulated. For Mayflower Marina to be ranked amongst the very best is hugely to their credit.”

@PlymChronicle

Artist’s support for local charity Professional artist and lifelong sailing enthusiast Kitt Athay has donated a special painting to raise funds for children’s sailing charity, Horizons Plymouth, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

The mixed media painting, which denotes a playful, collaged harbour scene is entitled ‘A Bid for Freedom’ to celebrate the lifting of the COVID Lockdown in 2021. It is hoped the proceeds from the successful auction will raise vital funds for the muchloved local charity.

Horizons Plymouth, which is based at Mayflower Marina, provides learning and educational opportunities for young people, through water-based activities. It runs sailing clubs for disadvantaged children from the inner-city communities of Plymouth and vulnerable adults from across the city and beyond.

The charity relies on both charitable donations and the dedication of their 60-strong team of volunteers to maintain the 3,000 sailing sessions which take place annually.

Simon Mace, chief executive of Horizons Plymouth said “This year

A Bid For Freedom will be auctioned in November

has certainly been a challenging one, which has seen us completely adapt to a different way of working in order to still give young people the opportunity to get out on the water, in the safest way possible under the circumstances.

“We rely solely on charitable grant making trusts and donations which has been and will be even more

challenging over the years to come, so the donation of this fantastic painting will give us a unique opportunity to raise much needed funds to continue giving young people the opportunity to access the water and all the associated health benefits it can bring with it. We are very grateful to Kitt, and Mayflower Marina for choosing to support

Horizons, and we hope the painting provides an amazing centre piece for the lucky bidder!”

Kitt Athay, who himself sailed as a child with his family around the South Coast said: “More than ever the importance to encourage children into outdoor activities is now evident. Having spent over a year under curfew, unable to attend school and engage with friends, this year will have influenced mental as well as physical health for many children. I hope that the sale of my painting can bring some muchwarranted joy to many Horizons participants. My fiancée and I would also like to thank Mayflower Marina for their outstanding support over lockdown.”

Horizons Plymouth will display ‘A Bid for Freedom’ at nearby Mayflower Marina bar and bistro Jolly Jacks, whilst bids are generated to win the unique work. The auction is due to complete on November 17 and the winner will be announced on November 20 at the fundraising Horizons 30th Anniversary ball at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel.

Bids can be made by emailing Annette Molloy via annette@ horizonsplymouth.org.

21 Oct 2021 – 27 Feb 2022 Book Now theboxplymouth.com AU/UK

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Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters is an international touring exhibition produced by the National Museum of Australia with the ongoing support of the traditional Aboriginal custodians and knowledge holders of this story.

Image: montage photographs by Sarah Kenderdine, Peter Morse and Paul Bourke. Seven Sisters rock art reproduced with the permission of Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara and the Walinynga (Cave Hill) traditional owners.

This exhibition is delivered by The Box and The Arts Institute, University of Plymouth partnership.

FREE Educational Event Sponsored by West Financial Management

Wednesday 24th November, 10.30am Boringdon Golf Club, Plympton Speaker - Helen West, Independent Financial Advisor Guest speaker - Alex Clapcott, Transformational Vanguard Creator Enjoy a coffee and discover your options regarding: Cash, Crypto Currency, Shares, Bonds, Collective Investments, Pensions, ISAs etc.

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November 2021 15

City Council increasing local spend Plymouth City Council has smashed its own local spend target.

As part of its COVID-19 economic recovery plan the council made an ambitious commitment to increase its local spend by 10 per cent over two years. This target aimed to provide 280 additional jobs and generate an additional £8.20 million GVA (Gross Value Added) for the Plymouth economy.

Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “I thought it was important to inform the people of Plymouth that the Council spent around £40 million more with local businesses this last financial year than the previous year.

That’s an additional 907 jobs and an additional £22.34 million GVA into the Plymouth economy. This means more jobs and increased job certainty for Plymouth people, with more money coming into Plymouth businesses.

This spend was also spread across an increased number of local suppliers, meaning the council has supported numerous local businesses during these uncertain times.”

The work does not stop there.

While restrictions may be lifting and the city seeing a return to a more ‘business as usual’ approach, Councillor Kelly added: “The council is dedicated to maintaining an increased level of local spend as the city continues to recover and looks to the future.”

The council is taking its commitment to maximise the benefits of spending for the city’s economy, society and environment one step further by setting a brand new Social Value target.

Social Value is the term that is used for quantifying the additional benefits that the community will get from the monies that the council spends; meaning more local jobs, more local skills and improving our local environment for future generations.

This coming year the council aims to secure ‘Social Value’ to 20 per cent of contract value. It is an ambitious target but the council aims to lead by example and encourage other public sector organisations to follow suit.

Plymouth Samaritans host mental health talk Plymouth Samaritans are hosting a talk on mental health and stress management at 7pm on October 27 at the Copthorne Hotel in Plymouth.

The speaker, An Swinnen, will explain in a simple and fun way how the brain works, what the causes of anxiety and depression are, and what can be done about it.

Attendees will be given a copy of An’s book titled Brain Based Stress Management.

Norman Holmes, Plymouth Samaritans’ Director said: “We are delighted to invite An to help us all learn to manage our mental health and emotional well-being.

This is an open event so feel free to invite friends and family along.”

Tickets for the event – at £15 per person - can be reserved by emailing norman. holmes@live.com Entrance fees will be collected on the night.

Samaritans can be contacted by people in need at any time during the day or night by calling Freephone 116 123

16 November 2021

16 November 2021

Local creatives use digital design skills to protect Plymouth’s wildflower meadows

Digitally fabricated signs designed by local creatives in a workshop led by Plymouth College of Art’s Smart Citizens Programme have been installed in wildflower meadows across Plymouth, celebrating and protecting these important areas of urban re-wilding.

Co-hosted by Plymouth City Council’s Green Minds project, who are leading a number of activities across Plymouth, the workshop supported participants to combine new computer aided design (CAD) skills with their creative talents to design nature-inspired signs. The signs were then laser cut at Fab Lab Plymouth and installed in 24 locations around the city.

During the workshop, students, young people and members of local businesses developed new skills in digital design, learning about the process of laser cutting and how to use the 2D design software, ‘Inkscape’.

Drawing inspiration from nature for their designs, participants created fun drawings and messages to raise public awareness about Plymouth’s wildflower meadows and their importance. Far from un-mown grass, the re-wilded meadows planted by Green Minds are vital to support the biodiversity of the city, create new habitats for wildlife and inspire local citizens to connect with nature.

Participant Lauren Williams, a first-year UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design student at Plymouth College of Art, draws inspiration from mental health and the natural environment for her artistic practice.

Reflecting on the workshop, Lauren said: “I had a particular interest in this workshop because it brought together art and the environment, creating a way to raise awareness of the importance of wildflower meadows.

“I enjoyed the process of collaborating with like-minded people, learning a new digital skill through an easy-to-follow tutorial and communicating ideas with my peers. With the knowledge that our work would go towards educating people on the importance of wildflower meadows for bees, butterflies and other beneficial wildlife, without which our pollinators face a dire future, I knew this would be an amazing project to be a part of.”

The creation of the wildflower signs marks an ongoing collaboration between the Smart Citizens Programme and Green Minds project, utilising the innovative digital resources at Fab Lab Plymouth and supporting digital skills development in the city to protect Plymouth’s green spaces and reveal hidden nature in the city.

Since their installation, the wildflower meadow signs have

@PlymChronicle

Leading healthcare company announces drive to create 375 new jobs in Plymouth A leading healthcare provider has announced that it is creating 375 jobs in Plymouth. The roles will be made available across its branches in Plympton, Plymstock, Wembury and Kingsbridge.

Lauren Williams with her wildflower meadow sign (Photo credit - Paul Williams)

been received with enthusiasm by members of the public, demonstrating a clear engagement with Green Minds’ re-wilding aims.

Following this public support, a further 60 signs have been commissioned by Plymouth City Council, which will be laser cut at Fab Lab Plymouth and installed in new locations around the city in Spring 2022.

In addition to supporting participants to create environmentally-friendly objects, the Smart Citizen Programme also encourages makers to create in more sustainable ways.

Connecting local citizens, students, entrepreneurs and businesses with new skills in digital design and fabrication, the programme champions sustainable techniques that are digitally enabled, increasingly local and reduce waste and pollution following the circular economy principles. When designing their signs, participants were introduced to laser cutting, a process that produces minimal waste material.

Bethan Price-Nicholls, a student who recently completed her first year in BA (Hons) Illustration at Plymouth College of Art, said: “I love experimenting with new materials and media. While taking part in the workshop I learnt about the laser cutting process, which I had never seen up close before.

“Laser cutting gives a completely different feel to other mediums that I have used in the past. I found the whole workshop to be an eye opener and it was a vital experience for my creative practice, teaching me that there are still many ways in which I can develop and learn. It has also welcomed me to the possibility of expanding my creative practice and really getting out of my comfort zone to try more new things.”

The activity was part of the iMayflower project and has been supported by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, who fund the Cultural Development Fund, which is administered by Arts Council England.

Cera, which provides healthcare at home, was launched less than five years ago and is now one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies.

The company has reached its initial goal of filling 10,000 jobs during the pandemic and by the end of 2021, several months ahead of schedule.

The new roles have been announced to further bolster the social care sector, and put thousands more people back to work.

The majority of these new roles will be in frontline healthcare services such as professional carers and nurses, but Cera also wants to employ professionals across operations, technology, finance and data to accelerate and facilitate its growth.

Cera hopes to incentivise prospective professional carers to join the company by introducing

a new £500 ‘Golden Hello Bonus’, applicable to care professionals who have joined the company since late August.

Applicants for professional carer roles do not need to hold specific skills or qualifications to apply for an advertised role at Cera. The company’s technology enables the firm to recruit, train, certify and deploy new professional carers in a matter of days.

Commenting on the jobs drive, and Cera’s rapid growth, cofounder and chief executive Dr Ben Maruthappu said: “At the start of the pandemic, we set out to solve two of the most pressing issues facing the UK. Firstly, we wanted to reduce pressures placed on the NHS due to the pandemic by bringing more talent into the Care sector and, secondly, we wanted to offer jobs to thousands of people to help counter the unemployment crisis, allowing them to retrain and gain fulfilling careers in healthcare.”

“We’re enormously proud of the role we’ve been able to play thus far.

However, this is just the beginning

- in the short-term we plan to grow Cera further, and bring an additional 375 new professionals into the health and social care sector in Plymouth during a period of unprecedented pressure.”

Cera’s pioneering technology predicts changes in the condition of those it cares for by more than 30x faster than traditional methods, by combining digital analytics with real-time monitoring of vital health data.

It’s technology is used by 2,000+ companies, while Cera responds to more than 5,000 ‘high-risk’ alerts among older and vulnerable people every day, drastically reducing hospitalisations and protecting vital NHS resources.

As one of the UK’s largest healthcare-at-home providers, Cera delivers more than 40,000 healthcare visits to older and vulnerable people up and down the country every single day. The company has overseen more than 10 million healthcare visits since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To apply for a role at Cera, please visit www.ceracare.co.uk.

Charity bowled over with club’s fundraiser

Each year the Plympton Bowling Club selects a charity to be awarded with the money raised from a charity day event.

The charity selected this season was South West Blood Bikes, whose chairman Mark Bentley was presented with a cheque for £650 by Plympton Bowling Club president Jan Stapleton, accompanied by members of the club committee.

The day was organised by the club’s competition secretary who is responsible for the organisation of all internal club competitions. The money was raised by the club members playing a ‘Triples Charity Event’ helped with generous donations, raffle prizes and all other money raising ideas.

Plympton Bowling Club sent best wishes to the riders and organisers of the South West Blood Bikes Fund, applauding them for carrying out such a splendid and worthwhile service for Plymouth and the South West.

The volunteers provide a vital service ferrying blood and other important and critical information between hospitals and hospices without government support and are dependent entirely on donations made by individuals and event raising such as this, in order to be able to carry out their dedicated work.

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November 2021 17

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Plympton firm plays key role in Matrix project A Plympton manufacturer is playing a key role in helping develop a new seating system for wheelchairs that improves function and corrects body posture.

Langage-based Source Engineering, a specialist in pressed and machined components, has supported Matrix Seating with a complex stamped part that acts as a locking clamp for the unique micro modules that are shaped to deliver customised support.

A five-strong engineering team has worked with inventor Dr Steve Cousins to come up with an 11-stage progression tool capable of producing the ‘lock’ in spring steel – vital for delivering strength and flexibility at a unit price that works.

120,000 of the components have already been manufactured and delivered, with an increase in sales from the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the US set to result in a surge in volumes.

“This is a really exciting project to be involved in and we are delighted to be able to use our design and manufacturing expertise to help people enjoy a longer and better standard of life,” explained Pablo Gutierrez, technical director at Source

Technical director Pablo Gutierrez (left) pictured with Source Engineering colleagues Andrea Taylor and Ian Matthews

Engineering.

“Steve approached us about coming up with a stamped metal part to replace what was previously a plastic and then hybrid component. He’d been to a number of other suppliers, but we were the only one prepared to invest the design time in trying to come up with a solution that worked.”

He continued: “There was a lot to consider.

We had to deliver a critically strong part that still allowed the system, which looks like a robust mesh and is fitted in place of the usual wheelchair back, to move to deliver the potential orthotic spinal correction.

“Initially, it was deemed to be just one part for the locking clamp, but after a number of

prototypes and iterations we found that it was best to manufacture two components - a top and a bottom that would be connected with a bolt. Tolerances were really tight and also had to meet clinical specification.”

Source Engineering has a long track record of taking projects from design and prototyping to volume production and this experience really came to the fore with this opportunity.

The 11-stage progression tool has been proven to deliver both parts successfully, with the firm’s wire erosion capabilities producing an accurate tooling insert that fits like a jigsaw to create the different circular and hex-shaped holes.

Repeatable quality has been outstanding and stringent lead times have been met on the initial orders allowing Matrix Seating to fulfil current orders.

Dr Cousins, who spent 19 years at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability before founding the company, continued: “This is the fourth generation of locking clamp that holds our unique structure together and I believe we’ve found the long-term solution.

“Our manufacturing is all completed in the UK and Source Engineering is a very welcome addition to our supply chain, understanding the potential of our product and going above and beyond to deliver parts that have come through a tough engineering challenge.

“What was especially impressive was the ability to create parts that have a sharp edge in just the right place, so they dig into the nylon ball in the middle of the module. This was very technical and had to serve its main role, as well as not being exposed to the user of the chair.”

He concluded: “We feel that we finally have the right locking clamp and look forward to moving forward with Pablo and his team.”

Source Engineering, which is approaching 30 years in business in 2021, employs 32 people across its two divisions on the Langage Business Park.

Investment in a new high speed press line from Bruderer UK has given it additional capacity to secure reshoring contracts from abroad and support its desire to increase annual sales by 20% over the next twelve months.

For further information, visit www.sourceengineering.co.uk. More details on Matrix Seating, can be found at www.matrixseating. com.

Portcullis Legal opens its News in Brief • News in Brief second office in Plympton As businesses fight back after the challenges of the past 18 months, national award-winning law firm Portcullis Legals has opened up a second office in Plympton.

Launched in 1988 by Plymouth-born managing director Trevor Worth, the firm has gone from strength to strength in that time and has demonstrated it’s commitment to clients, colleagues and the community by investing in apprenticeships, working with all of the main educational institutions with mentoring and becoming the first firm in the world to introduce the four-day week and increase salaries in 2019.

They also run the Home Park Sleep Out in partnership with Plymouth Argyle which takes place on November 20 this year to support Shekinah.

Trevor Worth said: “We believe in looking after the three elements of our business that I term ‘the three c’s (clients, colleagues and community)’ as without great people in the business supporting the people and families we look to advise and serve, we don’t really have a business.

“If the past 18 months has demonstrated anything it is that we all need each other to support one another and the drive towards buying local has never been more important, hence our move to PL7 and to provide better facilities for our clients and our colleagues.

The free parking we have is just one major bonus! We advise our clients with meetings in our offices or via telephone or Zoom video calls or even home visits, whatever works best for our clients.”

Specialising in estate planning only, the subject of powers of attorney, wills, trusts and estate administration (probate) may not

be the most glamorous, but it is critically important for families and business owners.

Portcullis are one of the country’s leading specialists in this field and they are proud of their 5 Star Google Reviews. Trevor is one of the most highly qualified specialists in his area of expertise in the country holding the global TEP qualification, all delivered in a friendly and relaxed manner.

If you would like to speak with one of the Portcullis team at their new Langage offices or at Plymstock, call Plymouth 401401 or email enquiries@portcullislegals.co.uk.

A community open day at the Rees Centre Wellbeing Hub on September 15 attracted a steady stream of visitors who were able to find out about the numerous services now offered at the centre or how to be signposted to other relevant organisations.

More details about the services available there can be viewed at www.facebook.com/rees. hub.9 These include work, money and benefits advice, gambling and other addiction advice, ways to improve your mental health, things teenage children can do to keep occupied, weight management issues, befriending services, wellbeing conversations and counselling for young people, a youth cafe and much more for people of all ages.

A pay-as-you-go gym has now opened at Hele’s Community Sports Centre and costs just £2 per session. It’s available to everyone and is open six days a week from 5pm. More information is available at www.facebook.com/ helescommunitycentre --A new group for acoustic musicians is now meeting on the first Monday of each month at 8pm at the Crooked Spire pub in Ermington.

--The Heritage Room at Harewood House is back open again, currently each Friday from 10am to 2pm when visitors can drop in to take a look at the various artefacts and historic documents on display.

(News in brief provided by Plympton Podcast)

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18 November 2021

18 November 2021

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Plymstock Matters with Councillor Rebecca Smith

Frustrating time for bus passengers

I’m writing this on the first Saturday of October with rain tipping down outside (and for the rest of the day) - as good a time as any to type this!

To start, I wanted to say I am fully aware of the headache our local bus services have become lately. While they are not services controlled by the council and it’s public transport subsidy (meaning less leverage), I have been in touch with both Stagecoach and CityBus over the last couple of weeks, as I know Sir Gary Streeter MP has.

While I can’t sadly magic bus drivers out of the air, I have been putting across the feedback I’ve been receiving and will continue to do so if things don’t see a marked improvement.

On a more positive note, after the survey we undertook in Saltram Meadow, I had a really productive meeting with Persimmon Housing recently.

The biggest issue on the doors that came up was the lack of play facilities. While I understand that this was written into the planning application for the site to be delivered in the next year

or so, I’ve asked Persimmon to seriously consider some temporary facilities while they build the forthcoming Market Square which will incorporate the majority of play space. They made very positive noises and I’m hopeful I can report back some success in the coming months.

Finally, I’ve mentioned this before, but we have some amazing local volunteers who run Rainbow, Brownie and Guide groups across the area (other varieties also available!) I know that there are spaces available in some of the Plymstock groups in particular so if you have children interested in joining a local group, you can get in touch here: www.girlguiding.org.uk/ get-involved.

There are also opportunities to volunteer as helpers and leaders. I’ll be visiting a couple in the next few weeks to talk about Parliament and Remembrance!

As always, do get in touch if I can help in any way: 07825 034970/ rebecca. smith@plymouth.gov.uk/ @ PlymouthRebecca (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)

Mark Ormrod reached the finals of the Amplifon Awards For Brave Britons 2021

Mark Ormrod in Amplifon Brave Britons finals Cllr Rebecca Smith pictured at Saltram Meadow

Building staff club together for charity Staff at a local building supplies firm have come up trumps for three Devon and one national charity after staging a company golf tournament.

Palladium Building Supplies which has depots in Plymouth, Ivybridge and Kingsbridge staged the golf day at Bigbury Golf Club in August and have recently made presentations to the four selected charities.

The golfers were met with perfect weather for the day-long event which culminated in a charity auction in the evening once they had completed their time on the green.

Before the auction got underway company directors Gary and Keith Olver presented prizes for the highest individual points score and the highest team score. They also presented booby prizes for those not so perfect games which included lost balls and not getting

out of many bunkers! The charity auction followed with items donated

by Palladium and their suppliers with Keith Olver taking the role of auctioneer.

The bids came thick and fast with a total of £3320 raised for the four charities that were represented on the night.

The overall sum raised by both the golfing tournament and the charity auction has enabled presentations of £835 to be made to each of the four beneficiary charities: Kingsbridge Triangle Centre, Rainy Day Trust, Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Gables Dogs & Cats Home in Plympton.

The Rainy Day Trust is a UK-wide charity and the only one which exists solely to support people who have worked in the UK home improvement and enhancement industry who have fallen on difficult times.

(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

Cheque presentation at Gables

PLYMPTON ACADEMY TRIO WIN DAHL BOOK

Three students at Plympton Academy have been awarded with a copy of Roald Dahl’s final book after impressing with their own Dahl character.

Roald Dahl was born on September 13 1916 - so each year, people mark this day to commemorate his life and achievements!

To celebrate this year’s Roald Dahl Day, students at Plympton Academy were asked to create their own character inspired by his books.

As a result three students, Logan Corry (Yr8), Adam Corley (Yr7) and Riley Shaw-Smith (Yr 7) have been awarded a copy of Billy & The Minpins as a prize.

This was Roald Dahl’s final book after an illustrious literary career, spanning almost half a century, during which he wrote 19 novels and 13 collections of stories.

Assistant Principal Sarah Glover said: “Roald Dahl’s books continue to entertain and delight children of all ages and it is always a joy to mark Roald Dahl Day in school. The students created delightful new characters and now have a new Roald Dahl story to enjoy!”

Story courtesy Plympton Podcast

A Plymstock war veteran and triple amputee has been named as a finalist in the Amplifon Awards For Brave Britons 2021 after raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity by undertaking remarkable feats of endurance.

Mark Ormrod, 38, who this year completed a 5km run, a 1km swim across Plymouth Sound, and a 99.9mile bike ride to raise money for the veterans’ charity REORG, has reached the final four of the Charity Champion category in global-hearing specialist Amplifon’s search for the ‘Best of British’ heroes.

He will now be invited to the virtual awards presentation on Tuesday, October 5. The event will be hosted by BBC1 TV Breakfast and Radio 5 Live presenter Rachel Burden and Falklands War hero Simon Weston will be guest of honour.

Mark joined the Royal Marines in 2001 when he was just 17. On Christmas Eve 2007 whilst serving in Afghanistan with 40 Commando Royal Marines he was blown up by an improvised explosive device which resulted in him losing both legs and his right arm.

During the immediate aftermath he was twice pronounced dead.

Since then however he has set himself one amazing goal after another.

Apart from writing his highly acclaimed autobiography ‘Man Down’ he has run 3,500 miles across the US to raise awareness of wounded veterans, has cycled 3,000 miles around the UK, and has won 11 medals including five gold at the Invictus Games.

He has even abseiled down the BT Tower in London to raise money for the Royal Marines Charity.

Mark, who is married to Becky and has three children Kezia, 16, Mason, eleven, and Evelyn, eight, said: “I never wanted to be a burden on anyone either my family or the tax payer and I used that as my motivation to regain my independence and push myself as hard as I could so my wife and children would be proud of me.”

Now the owner of several small businesses and a motivational speaker Mark is an employee and ambassador of the Royal Marines Association.

He said: “It is a daunting task to lose limbs when your job and your whole life is focused on being physically fit. But Blesma (British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association) know how to help because every one of their members has been through exactly the same thing.”

POP goes the AGM! Book your place and join us as we celebrate a year of outstanding community action

On Your Bike Created by the artist Kate Crawfurd, from the Plymouth Eco Collective with funding from POP. Kate says, “This mural was inspired by the Scrapstore; the incredible community who run it; their compassion and their love for a lost member of their community. Like ants, the scrapstore workers, play a vital role in the collecting and redistribution of materials around ecosystems, working in harmony with others and preventing waste.”

How being ‘too big for their boots’ gave kids a sporting chance

An ongoing relationship between the social enterprise, Bikespace and Devon and Cornwall Refugee Support has provided people the freedom to get around; a means of exercise and a little bit of joy.

At the beginning of 2020 DCRS acquired some funding to rent out part of the Bikespace workshop for a new project one day a week to repair old bikes which would then be given to members of Plymouth’s asylum seekers community.

The project ran for several months and during that time more than twenty bikes were repaired by Ronnei, a trained mechanic and Kurdish refugee, who helped to devise the programme with Suvi Rehell, project manager with DCRS at the time. Almost immediately, Suvi saw how the project was making a difference; “I was going for a walk and I saw two guys cycling by the seaside and I knew that they had got their bikes from us.

So, not only are they able to get to their appointments and college and where they want to be for free, but they could cycle to the seaside and get some fresh air and that made me very happy.”

And it worked out well for Ronnei too.

Once the project with DCRS came to an end he was taken on at Bikespace.

Now, after completing a course at the City College, he is once again working as a qualified mechanic in one of the city garages. As Suvi from DCRS confirms: Integration of refugees through sport is about more than sport.

Wheels keep turning: if you have a bike that you no longer require you might like to donate it to Bikespace. www.bikespace.org.uk

POP gets to hear about many wonderful initiatives that begin because someone somewhere has a good idea: that idea then turns into action and, before-you-know-it, a fantastic grassroots community project has been born.

Take local painter & decorator, Luke Riggs, for example: two years ago he was a Dad helping out with a bit of coaching at his son’s football team (Marjons U14s) the next minute, he’s established a Football-BootBank and providing thousands of boots to hundreds of families across the city freeof-charge. The need for the project has, he says, taken him, completely by surprise: “It started off with me polishing up my son’s football boots and offering them up on facebook. And then it just got bigger, now we’ve got about two hundred pairs of boots going out every month; we’re sending to Cornwall and looking at starting one in Exeter.”

Luke reckons that since it began, he has sent out more than 3,000 pairs of boots. The majority – about 90% - stay in the city, the rest, which are often of a slightly inferior quality, travel to Gambia where “they literally play in bare feet”. As a parent, Luke understands that some families will find it hard to pay between £30 and £100 every time their children need a new pair of boots: “There’s so much pressure on parents with financial problems trying to keep up with expensive uniform and sportswear and this is just a great way of being able to support them.”

With £1000 grant via POP from the Streetto-Scale fund and the willingness of several local companies to support the project and sponsor a bin, the Football Boot Bank has been able to pay for forty eight ‘collecting’ bins and set them up at schools, sports clubs and businesses across the city. A charity match last year helped to raise another £1800 which has meant that the boot bank can now rent a garage which has helped enormously. With several hundred pairs of boots coming in every month Luke was running out of storage room:

“I’ve got a 4’ by 6’ shed and that soon filled up and then the boots were taking over the spare room as well!”

And there have been a lot of redundant boots: with lockdown, all club sports stopped, and thousands of pairs of football boots sat idle, while, at the same time, children continued to grow. The problem post-lockdown: children had got too big for their boots.

“We passed on a brand-new pair of boots”, says Imogen Potter, “with no games, the boots just hadn’t been worn.” Imogen also gave Luke some advice. As the capacity building manager for POP ideas, Luke had approached Imogen for help with the development of the boot bank. Now, with a committee and a constitution, the Football Boot Bank has evolved into a formal organisation. As Luke admits there’s a bit difference between being a football ‘Dad’ to running a city-wide project: “It’s been a bit mad at times and it’s taken up a lot of time and effort. But I couldn’t stop now, not knowing that there’s such a demand for it and the difference it makes.

And I’ve got to know some of the families and some of them are so grateful they send me photos of the kids in their boots … no, I couldn’t stop now.”

We are back in the room! On Tuesday the 9th of November, we will be delighted to welcome members, new and old, to the POP AGM 2021. Come along to The Beacon in North Prospect and hear about the work that we have been doing during the pandemic and meet some of our wonderful members. Entitled “Voices”, we will be giving individuals; partnerships and organisations the opportunity to be heard and to have their voices amplified. We want them to tell their stories of the work and the change that has been achieved through the collaboration of communities.

Because we know that together we are stronger.

We are delighted to announce that our guest speaker knows a thing or two about collaboration. Regarded as a world leader in community-driven change and citizencentred democracy, Cormac Russell, the MD of Nurture Developments, has worked with communities, NGO’s and governments in more than thirty countries over the last twenty years. Cormac will be joining us, via zoom, to help us consider

“How can we help people to live a good life? Instead of trying to right what’s wrong within a community, we need to start with what’s strong.”

To book your place: www.plymouthoctopus.org/events/ pop-agm-2021

Helpline Numbers:

If you’d like to donate a pair of boots; get involved; support the Football Boot Bank in your community or if your child is in need of a pair of boots contact Luke at Plymouthfootballbootbank@yahoo.com or visit their facebook page.

Putting the boot in - Luke Riggs, founder of the Football Boot Bank

Efford Community Network

Efford 07380 309586 Glenholt 07849 413125

20 November 2021 THE

Experience No matter who we are we all have weaknesses and none of us are immune to things going wrong – even Facebook, one of the most powerful and wealthy companies in the world.

During their recent outage, which saw Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp all going down, they were inaccessible to users around the world for several hours. With so many people using these platforms all day, every day, that’s quite a problem.

The same week as this happened we at Cross Rhythms Plymouth experienced some technical difficulties with our transmitter. It is a vital piece of kit which broadcasts our FM stream.

As I write this we’re working hard to resolve the problem but, like the Facebook outage, this was unexpected and not something we foresaw.

It made me think about the weaknesses in our lives. Those things that we know might cause things to go wrong for us. It might be

20 November 2021

@PlymChronicle

The strength of weakness...

By Dave Simpson, Station Manager Cross Rhythms Plymouth

we’re prone to certain behaviours that we from Alcoholics Anonymous and they said know are unhelpful. Possibly an addiction exactly that. You can listen to that interview that we keep hidden but could surface at and others on the listen again pages at any time and derail our lives. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth. They prove In general we don’t like to stop and think that when we face our weaknesses we can about our weaknesses. We’d find strength. rather focus on what we’re There is a quote in the good at and where we know Bible which states that God’s we are strong. strength is made perfect in Being self-aware enough our weakness. An interesting to know our weaknesses is statement which says to vital if we want to thrive. It’s me that there is divine help only then that we can do available to us if we are something about them and, willing to be honest with in many cases, get the help ourselves and God about our we need with them. weaknesses.

Taking addiction as an So why not take the time example: so many ex-addicts to think about your life and will talk about the value the areas that you know of sharing their struggles are weak. Perhaps there with other people who is someone you can share are seeking a way to deal these with whom you know with the same weakness. is likely to want to help or Dave Simpson We’ve interviewed people give you good advice. Maybe

even take these things to God in prayer and see what happens.

As these Cross Rhythms Experience articles have been written over the years we’ve often mentioned Cross Rhythms Plymouth and I hope that you may have listened and enjoyed it as a result. In the spirit of acknowledging our weaknesses it seems right I share that it is a charity run community radio station with only a small team behind it and a limited budget. When it comes to broadcasting all day everyday this can be a weakness, especially when we find ourselves with equipment failures like those mentioned! If you like the station and want to help in this, please email me 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

Wampum belt to return to Wampanoag Nation National

Marine Park is seeking first chief executive

Four centuries ago, the passengers of the Mayflower arrived in Native America in the home of the Wampanoag people.

400 years on, a representative of the Wampanoag Nation was in England as a new wampum belt - that has been touring the UK - is prepared to return to the Wampanoag in Massachusetts.

Steven Peters, a tribal member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation received the thanks of Mayflower 400 in Plymouth, England at a reception held at The Box in September. Steven has been key to the Mayflower 400 partnership, which has delivered the national programme and ensured a shared history has been told for the first time.

At the event he was reunited with the wampum belt, made by people of the Wampanoag Nation. It was significant, as a famous wampum belt that was brought to England more than 300 years ago has not yet been returned. The wampum belt of the Wampanoag chief Metacom, taken from his dead body, was sent to England in 1677 and went missing. It has been the subject of an intensive international search that began in late 1970 and continues to this day.

Steven Peters said: “Together, with our partners in the UK, we have corrected historical inaccuracies while properly commemorating a historic event that shaped the world we live in today. We have forged stronger relationships while engaging the public on both sides of the water with interactive exhibitions and unique art installations. Art is a powerful way to tell our story…a story that involves perspective from four nations. I want to thank our partners for taking this journey with us.”

Commissioned to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower, the new wampum belt formed the central part of Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America – a touring exhibition co-curated by the Wampanoag people alongside The Box, Plymouth and The British Museum.

Adrian Vinken, chair of the Mayflower 400 Partnership said: “I’d like to thank Steven and other members of the Wampanoag advisory committee for their support and partnership throughout the many years of the Mayflower 400 commemorative programme.

“Ultimately it was their involvement and support that gave the commemoration its

The hunt is on for an interim chief executive to steer Plymouth’s vision of a National Marine Park.

Steven Peters pictured with Adrian Vinken and the Wampum Belt

legitimacy and has been key to the success of the anniversary and its cultural programme.

“The Mayflower commemorative programme has had a significant impact across our international partnership, creating new cultural products and experiences here in Plymouth and across our partner locations in the UK, US and Netherlands, reaching thousands of people directly and millions online and via the media. It has widened the awareness of the Mayflower voyage but, more importantly, the impact of that voyage on people on the other side of the Atlantic and how it has profoundly shaped our world today.

“We could not have done that without the support of all our partners but especially our Wampanoag colleagues. Without Steven and his compatriots we could not have realised the excellent ‘Legends and Legacy’ and ‘Wampum Belt’ projects we see here

today nor the many wider programmes that address this history more honestly and more challengingly than ever before.”

Steven Peters talked to those attending the reception about the significance of the Mayflower 400 partnership, the symbolism of the new wampum belt and its tour of the UK, as well as his work on the Legend and Legacy exhibition at The Box, Plymouth.

The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Terri Beer and Leader of Plymouth City Council, Councillor Nick Kelly, personally thanked Steven and the Wampanoag people for their support for Mayflower 400 and their defining contributions to commemorations on both sides of the Atlantic. The reception was attended by dignitaries, partners and contributors to the Mayflower 400 programme including representatives from the US Embassy and Plymouth City Council.

Partners across the city created the UK’s first ever National Marine Park in 2019 and the ‘Park in the Sea’ was awarded £9.5 million earlier this year from the National Lottery Heritage Fund Horizon Awards to fully develop the idea.

Now the search is on for an interim chief executive officer to set up all aspects of the park, shape a city wide programme, support the community and stakeholder engagement and help make the park vision become a reality.

Council leader Nick Kelly said: “Plymouth is home to the first ever National Marine Park. The city council has already done incredibly well to win considerable funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund Horizon Awards and I’d like to thank all of the lottery players who have helped us to make our dream a reality.

“We are on the cusp of something incredible but we must ensure that the park is sustainable into the long term. We need someone at the helm able to make sure all the Sound’s users – those who work or play in it, on it and under it feel part of this journey.”

The ‘Park in the Sea’ aims include supporting the ongoing enhancement of the world class natural environment and heritage landscape and also position Plymouth as a UK top dayvisitor destination.

It also aims to get the entire city and surrounding communities involved with the Sound.

Over the next two years the interim chief executive will guide the National Marine Park into being a legal entity in its own right, to further develop relationships with over 100 organisations involved in the Sound and establish a marine parks operating model.

To find out more with details on how to apply go to www.visitplymouth.co.uk/ invest/news/plymouth-sound-nationalmarine-park-interim-chief-executiveofficer

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22 November 2021

Plymouth gives warm welcome to cruise ships during 2021 Plymouth’s cruise industry has seen a

positive restart with seven cruise calls to Britain’s Ocean City this summer.

The city has welcomed visits from ships including the Golden Horizon of Tradewind Voyages, the world’s largest square rigged sailing cruise ship; the boutique cruise ship Hebridean Princess; and most recently the maiden call of Vasco da Gama of Germany’s Nicko Cruises, part of the Mystic Cruises Group.

The seven visits during 2021 were warmly welcomed after all visits during 2020 were cancelled due to COVID-19. A further 11 cruise calls are already scheduled to take place in 2022.

Amanda Lumley, executive director of Destination Plymouth said: “We’ve been working hard to grow the number of cruise visits to the city and develop the offering for passengers so were delighted to welcome seven ships this year.

“Cruise tourism is a huge opportunity and provides a real economic boost for local businesses as many passengers will choose to remain in Plymouth and explore our attractions, shops and eateries.

“We’ve pledged to get serious about cruise, increasing the number of visits and the financial and reputational benefits that each of those visits brings.”

This has included appointing a new cruise development manager, Glen Gardner, who joined the Destination Plymouth team earlier in 2021.

Throughout the year, extra effort has been made to improve the welcome that cruise visitors receive when they arrive in Plymouth.

A team of Cruise Ambassador Volunteers have been on hand to provide a warm welcome and share information and advice about what to see and do. In addition to this, Town Crier John Pitt and Deputy Town Crier David Green have joined the welcome parties.

During the call of the Vasco da Gama in September, a newly refurbished Destination Plymouth cruise caravan trailer was set up onsite at Commercial Wharf to provide ‘pop-up’ tourist information, staffed by the team of Cruise Ambassador Volunteers.

Material provided for the guests included maps and information in German as well as leaflets and flyers about city attractions. Tasty samples of locally produced food and drink were also on offer, thanks to donations from Plymouth Gin and Burts Snacks.

A plaque exchange also took place in the Harbour Master’s Cattewater office, where senior officers from the Vasco da Gama were presented with a City of Plymouth plaque by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Terri Beer. In return, the staff captain of the ship presented their own plaque to the city.

This is a tradition going back centuries, whereby a port representative will hand over a plaque of the port of call and in exchange the ship’s captain, or senior officer, will present a ship’s plaque to the port city.

Prior to calling at Plymouth, Vasco Da Gama has been cruising around the British Isles with stops in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. For most of the ports, including Plymouth, it was been the first time an international cruise ship has visited since the pandemic began in 2020. Strict protocols were in place for all guests and crew on board, with access only being allowed at each port after stringent checks including a full testing regime and other safeguards.

22 November 2021

@PlymChronicle

Very special party for city youngsters

It was party time at last for dozens of children and young adults in Plymouth who have been more affected than most by the pandemic.

Many of the youngsters at the party thrown

by Plymouth-based charity Friends and Families of Special Children had to shield throughout lockdown and are only now starting to socialise and take part in activities again.

The party at the Mountbatten Centre was their first full get-together since Christmas 2019, and everyone was determined to make up for lost time. The children threw themselves into the activities that were laid on and took an active part in the sensory entertainment provided by Rob Pudner of Entertainingly Different.

Some also joined in with well-known folk musician and singer Jim Causley, whose sea shanties by the waterside went down a treat - as did the party food and ice cream van! Sadly, the wind conditions meant that planned trips on board the historic Tamar barge, Lynher, had to be rescheduled until a later date.

The charity provides an integrated, holistic support service to 1,700 families and carers of children and young adults with special needs in the Plymouth and surrounding areas. Services include specially tailored activities and a Fun and Freedom Club for young carers who help to care for their siblings.

The summer party proved particularly special for one young carer, with a surprise award. Taylor Hardy, 12, was presented with a trophy for being the charity’s Fundraiser of the Year.

Taylor, from Plympton, raised £4,469 with his 603-mile static bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Two of Taylor’s brothers, Danny, 13, and Sonny, 9, have disabilities, and Taylor and his younger brother Jack both help to care for them.

Great fun for youngsters at the special party organised

by Friends and Families of Special Children

Mum Theresa said she felt ‘ridiculously proud’ of Taylor’s achievement: “He told us he wanted to do something good during lockdown that everyone could remember as a positive memory.

He hoped to raise £1,000 but he did that in the first week!

To raise almost £4,500 was absolutely amazing.”

All four boys take part in the charity’s activities and Theresa said: “They are happy to have some normality back in their lives. Taylor loves the activities that the charity organises in the Fun and Freedom Club, so it’s great to have those back again.”

Over 300 families have accessed the charity’s much-needed activities since they re-started this summer.

The charity’s chief executive, Tim Tod, said: “It’s lovely to end the summer holidays by bringing everyone together again. It’s been a challenging year for many of our parents. But here, we have created a space where they feel comfortable and where they are among friends.

“There are some things that most people take for granted, but that’s not the case with many of our families. Today, they have felt happy to come along and have some fun - and that’s what the party was all about.”

Special guest for the afternoon was the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Mrs Terri Beer, and Consort Mr Colin Beer. The Lord Mayor chatted with families and paid tribute to the charity for its ‘absolutely splendid’ work.

Spaniel Marley helped by shelter’s new mental health scheme A nervous Springer Spaniel who survived for days alone with his deceased owner, is among the heart-breaking cases being helped by a new mental health scheme at a Plymouth charity.

Woodside Animal Welfare Trust has launched the Mental Health and Enrichment Sponsorship programme to support more animals like nineyear-old Marley, who was discovered by police at a flat in Plymouth this summer.

The unsocialised dog was scared of going for a walk, meeting other dogs and wary of people when he was first taken in by Woodside.

But with the help of the charity’s new mental health sponsorship programme, the once shut down spaniel has grown in confidence and is starting to understand that both animals and people can be his friend.

Three months after he first arrived at the sanctuary in Plympton, Marley is now ready for his forever home.

Assistant manager Dawn Cornish said helping animals like Marley was at the heart of the new sponsorship scheme. “Marley’s owner wasn’t found for days so Marley was alone in the flat with him before police visited,” said Dawn. “His owner struggled with severe mental health problems so poor Marley has really suffered both from watching his owner struggle and then grieving for him.”

She added: “The importance of mental health is becoming much more talked about and there has certainly been a push in awareness of how mental health affects each and every one of us. This is true for animals as well as people.”

The Mental Health and Enrichment sponsorship scheme is helping animals cope better with life in rescue, and ultimately their forever homes, by reducing stress and boredom and enriching their days.

When animals arrive at the shelter, many will struggle with their new environment and some have suffered years of treatment that has impacted on their mental health.

Dogs that have never learnt to chase a ball, dogs afraid to eat from a bowl and injured cats

Spaniel Marley is well on the way to recovery from his ordeal

struggling with confinement as they recover, are just some of sad stories seen at Woodside.

For these animals, the transition to shelter life can cause anxiety, boredom, skin disorders and even self-inflicted harm from chewing, for example.

Dawn said: “Whilst this is the newest sponsorship to be added, it is something that the sanctuary has been working very hard with for many years.

“When it comes to our young cats and dogs we know that being in a pen can bring boredom, which then hugely impacts on their mental health. We have a number of strategies to help combat this and we are always looking for new ideas.”

When Marley first arrived at Woodside, overweight and with a sinister lump that needed veterinary treatment, he ran away from balls in fear and was scared of eating from a bowl.

From initially feeding Marley by hand to ensure he had his medication, staff slowly introduced

a feeding tray and scattered food to encourage movement and weight loss.

Marley was regularly brought into the charity’s reception area to build his confidence and was introduced to the resident dog Lucky, whose company helped him to progress both mentally and physically.

“Marley is a completely different dog to the one that arrived at Woodside, Dawn said. “Staff have helped to build confidence in so many ways and with their experience he is now a dog who understands that a ball is for playing with, rather than running away from.

“Marley has since had his lump removed and is facing a much more positive future.”

Woodside’s new sponsorship programme costs £10 a month, which funds the enrichment of up to 19 animal species, including cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens and livestock.

Treat challenges, toys, games, activities, one-toone contact and animal interaction are just some of the methods used to enrich the lives of the animals.

For the livestock, there are mud baths and fruit ice lollies, a specially-made swing for the chickens, bathing pools for the dogs and special feeding mats, games and treat toys to keep dogs and cats entertained.

Among the other animals to be helped by the sponsorship scheme is young cat Woody, who arrived at the sanctuary with a broken jaw following a road accident.

Being young and energetic, staff knew Woody would struggle without enrichment activities adapted to help with his recovery.

This included stuffed treat toys, plenty of one-to-one time with staff and games such as a walkway ball challenge and catch the mechanical fish.

“His time with us, despite being longer than we would have liked, was most certainly a fun adventure for him and his recovery and progress was remarkable,” Dawn said. “Woody has since been adopted and is loving his new life.”

To support Woodside’s Mental Health and Enrichment Sponsorship scheme, please call 01752 347503 or visit www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk.

November 2021 23

@PlymChronicle

Barbican Theatre is chosen for prestigious series of dance films Plymouth’s Barbican Theatre is one of just eight companies commissioned by BBC Arts and One Dance UK to create a new dance film as part of Dance Passion 2022.

Barbican Theatre proposed a groundbreaking new dance film that built upon their hugely successful Petrol Headz Project, which reached over 4,000 people in the summer.

Neon Romance is a love story about engineering, imagination, hybrids and rebels.

After dark, when the LED headlamps light the way and the rules want to be broken people slip into another place and dance on cars!.

This film has one message: Passion, imagination and creativity is the recipe for love, not judgement. Across Plymouth’s modified car, street sports and dance scene: when the music starts and the night begins - everyone’s soul is equal.

The piece brings five individuals together for a night on top of show cars - sharing grooves, headlights, and love. Afrobeat, Breaking, Chicago footwork, Contemporary and Parkour. Celebrating the neon lights, shimmering car-shells, whirring engines, and spinning bodies before pulling the audience into a slippery blurry world of light and sound.

The film will be available world-wide on BBC iPlayer and will showcase the exceptional creativity and talent in Plymouth, brought together

by Laura Kriefman and the Barbican Theatre in 2021. Including Drew Shears (Chicago Footwork), MaddyV (MC), Jack Dodds (Parkour), Beryl Tebug (Afrobeat), Charlotte Eaton (Contemporary), Perry Johnson (Hip Hop and Breaking) and leading local modified car company Dip Demon. It will be filmed by Dan Martin, and choreographed by Laura Kriefman.

Along with leading names and exciting new talent, Dance Passion will feature across television, radio and online on BBC networks, stations and platforms in 2022.

Laura Kriefman, Barbican Theatre’s chief executive said: “We’re so excited to be featuring Plymouth’s world-class talent as part of Dance Passion’s alongside so many brilliant companies in the UK. But mostly I am so excited to be able to bring our extraordinarily creative team back together to make Neon Romance and continue our collaboration with the modified car scene in the Peninsula.”

Dance Passion is a collaboration between BBC Arts and One Dance UK and is supported

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Photo: Brett Lockwood for Barbican Theatre

by funding from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme. BBC Arts and One Dance UK, along with BBC Connected Studio, are proud to be working with a network of dance companies, independent artists and technical providers to showcase dance talent from the UK. It is aimed at those who love dance and those who don’t yet know they love dance.

Lara Coffey, Head of Marketing & Communications for One Dance UK said: “The eight films we have commissioned are an excellent collection of visual storytelling that is exciting and memorable that are up to a maximum of five minutes. These films demonstrate the breadth of possibility offered by film, through stylistic innovation, experimentation with sound, image, structure, narrative and storytelling, animation, performance, scripted drama, music or other means. Above all, each film showcases what’s best about dance created in the UK.”

As part of this celebration, BBC Arts and One Dance UK invited dance companies, independent artists, choreographers and associated technical partners to apply for funding for short form films and interactive projects which will delight existing dance lovers and bring new audiences to the art form.

With funding provided by BBC Arts and Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme, Dance Passion will showcase dance talent from the UK with five short films (no longer than 5 minutes each, featuring live performance, behind the scenes insights or animation) and five interactive projects using tools in BBC Connected Studio’s MakerBox suite. This opportunity was open to dance companies, independent artists, dancers and choreographers based in the UK from both the professional and non-professional sectors, along with those based in dance education and dance medicine.

Station car park plan submitted

The massive regeneration of the area around Plymouth Station has reached another milestone with the submission of a planning application for a new multi-storey car park.

Plymouth City Council is submitting the application for the structure which aims to be more modern and accessible than the current concrete car park opposite the station entrance.

The new car park will have: Artist’s impression of the new • 460 parking spaces arranged over six multi-storey car park floors • EV charging facilities with capability to expand as demand increases in the future • A new mobility hub which will offer more transport choices to reduce private car use. This could include electric bikes, electric vehicles available for hire, bike parking, lockers for delivery and storage • Disabled and family parking spaces Should the scheme be given the goahead, the car park will be built to the east of Intercity House on the site of the former RISC building.

The proposed multi storey car park is another piece of a complex jigsaw that is seeing the gradual transformation of the entire area around the station and the creation of Brunel Plaza.

The new car park’s location heralds a significant change to how private vehicles will be allowed to use Station Approach.

It is intended that all private vehicle trips to and from the new multi-storey carpark once operational will enter and exit from North Road East (Station Approach) which will be widened into two lanes rather than the current oneway configuration.

This will remove the majority of the vehicle movements from out the front of the station, create more space and improve the welcome for visitors arriving at Brunel Plaza.

If all goes according to plan and permission is granted, work could start as soon as autumn 2022 and should be completed by summer 2024.

Once the new car park is open and operational, the old multi-storey will be knocked down creating developments sites for further university campus extensions and a new hotel.

Major work has been progressing at Intercity Place – the tower above the station, with existing fixtures and fittings being removed from the building to prepare for its wholesale refurbishment as a new Faculty of Health for the University.

Work is also nearly finished on the doubling the size of the ticket gateline to make it easier and smoother for passengers to get in and out of the station. Changes are also being made to the entrance to the station and to improve the retail offer on the concourse and the platforms.

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Plymouth Life Centre 01752 606900 Brickfields Recreation Ground 01752 563320 Manadon Football Dev’ment Centre 01752 201918 Plympton Swimming Pool 0870 300 0020 Plymouth Pavilions 0845 146 1460 Megabowl, Coxside 0871 5501010 Tourist Information 01752 306330 The Beckly Centre, Plymstock 01752 484433

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

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

24 November 2021

24 November 2021

Awards galore and 100,000 visitors marks first anniversary of The Box The Box in Plymouth celebrated its first anniversary at the end of September – a landmark moment for the museum, art gallery and archive, cementing its status as one of the UK’s leading cultural institutions.

Since opening its doors to the public on September 29 last year, and despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, it has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors, showcased work by eight international artists, launched a major exhibition for the Mayflower 400 anniversary, secured a blockbuster exhibition as part of the forthcoming UK/Australia Season of Culture and won an array of awards.

In Plymouth, local residents have really taken The Box to their hearts. Three quarters of visitors during its first three months of opening were Plymothians and it’s received over 200 five star reviews online. Over the summer, when it offered a series of holiday activities for families and welcomed more tourists for the first time, it averaged over 1,000 visitors a day. Its shop has sold over 500 Gus Honeybun toys and nearly 1,000 woolly mammoths!

Victoria Pomery joined The Box as its new chief executive officer on October 4. Her arrival in Plymouth coincides with the start of The Box’s next phase of remarkable exhibitions, starting with the European premiere of award-winning Australian exhibition Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters, which opens on October 21.

The Box is also the first museum in the UK to be loaned artworks from the National Portrait Gallery as part of its National Skills Sharing Partnership programme. Six works have gone on display in its ‘100 Journeys’ gallery featuring Captain Cook, Charles Darwin, Napoleon Bonaparte, Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Ralegh, all of whom took part in or led some of history’s most momentous and notorious voyages.

The Box will also be one of the host venues for the final leg of British Art Show 9 next year.

Coming to Plymouth from October 8 to December 23 2022, the exhibition, which is just coming to the end of a highly successful run in Aberdeen, celebrates the work of 45 British artists who have made a significant contribution to international contemporary art including Turner Prize nominees Oscar Murillo and Hurvin Anderson.

Over the last twelve months, The Box has won or been shortlisted for a significant number of significant awards and accolades. They included being named winner of the Restoration/ Conservation Project of the Year for the Royal Naval Ship’s Figureheads in the 2020 Museums + Heritage Awards.

The latest accolade for The Box came on October 1 when it on the top prize at the South West’s most prestigious civil engineering event.

The Box was presented with the highly-coveted Showcase Award, from a shortlist of 10, with the judges praising the ‘clever civil engineering solutions underpinning a dazzling structure.’

The Box has also launched the largest

Mildred the wooly mammoth has been a big hit Photo Wayne Perry

commemorative Mayflower exhibition in history, co-curated with the Wampanoag Native American Advisory Committee: the award-winning Mayflower 400: Legend & Legacy. It’s also celebrated international contemporary art with a flagship exhibition titled Making It, featuring work by renowned artists Antony Gormley, Leonor Antunes, Christopher Baker, Alexandre Da Cunha, Eva Grubinger, Kehinde Wiley and Camille Walala as well as two new public art commissions by Gormley and Antunes.

Since re-opening to the public in May 2021

PART-TIME, SELF EMPLOYED

Award winning naval figureheads Photo Wayne Perry

following the third UK lockdown, The Box has presented a new and ambitious exhibition titled Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America, centred on the creation of a newly crafted wampum belt, whose beads carry the history, culture and name of the Wampanoag people of Massachusetts. It was the first-ever wampum exhibition to be staged in the UK and formed another key part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations involving the UK, USA, The Netherlands and Wampanoag Nation.

In July, The Box re-opened two historic buildings and visitor attractions as part of The Box family: Plymouth’s famous striped red and white lighthouse Smeaton’s Tower and Elizabethan House. One of the few remaining buildings from this era in Plymouth, Elizabethan House re-opened this summer after a six-year, £1.7m restoration, providing a new visitor attraction that takes visitors on an immersive yet authentic journey through 400 years of history.

The Box also welcomed The Princess Royal for a visit in July to celebrate its reopening and its award-winning displays. Her Royal Highness was particularly interested to see the fourteen monumental naval ship’s figureheads suspended from the ceiling in The Box’s main entrance which underwent a two-year restoration process to save them for the nation.

Paul Brookes, outgoing chief executive of The Box said: “It’s been an amazing journey to get to this point and a challenging but massively rewarding year. I’m so proud of everything that’s been achieved, to have welcomed so many visitors and to have received so much amazing feedback. We couldn’t have done it without the support of the public, amazing funding support from Plymouth City Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, and most of all our fantastic staff and volunteers.”

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Chronicle Plymouth

November 2021

Gables Dogs and Cats Home are caring for a tiny kitten called Fun-Sized Freddo For details See Page 3

Or online at cornerstonevision.com

# PLYMOUTH TOGETHER A very special party was organised for city youngsters by the charity Friends and Families of Special Children See Page 10

Plympton & Plymstock

The Box has celebrated its first anniversary with a host of awards and 100,000 visitors See Page 24

ALSO INSIDE:

• Dial the Experts • Local news and views

• Cross Rhythms Experience • Useful numbers

We’re dance crazy!

Plymouth’s Barbican Theatre is one of just eight companies commissioned

by BBC Arts and One Dance UK to create a new dance film as part of Dance Passion 2022. It has proposed a groundbreaking new dance film that built upon their hugely successful Petrol Headz Project, which reached over 4,000 people in Plymouth this summer • See page 23

Photo: Greenbeanz Photography

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