British Art Show 9, the landmark touring exhibition that celebrates the vitality of recent art made in Britain, is coming to Plymouth. It will be delivered in partnership with Plymouth Culture and shown across four venues: The Box, KARST, The Levinsky Gallery at the University of Plymouth and MIRROR at Arts University Plymouth. It opens on October
and continues until December 23 (until January
at The Box. See our feature on pages
and
be exhibited at The Box as part of British
The work was inspired by his late grandmother, who left him 300 china cats. Don’t miss the biggest show in town! See the special
on British Art Show
in Plymouth on pages 10 and 11.
Millions of people are joining Stoptober and we’re back with our 11th mass quit attempt this October. We want this year to be our best ever because, while millions of us are kicking the habit, tobacco still causes almost 75,000 preventable deaths a year in England and over 350 in Plymouth alone.
Quitting is one of the best ways a person who smokes can feel better and improve their health.
That’s why we are encouraging you to join in and give quitting a go for the month of October. People who do quit tell us they see the benefits really quickly – they stop feeling so breathless, stop smelling of stale tobacco smoke and save hundreds of pounds.
Research has shown that if you stop smoking tobacco for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
And you can get friendly, personalised support over the phone and face-to-face from Livewell, commissioned by Plymouth City Council.
Call 01752 437177 or email oneyou.plymouth@nhs.net today to find out more.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from others in Plymouth, with tips on how they quit smoking for good…
John (aged 56), started smoking when he was 16. Before he became smoke-free he would smoke up to 30 cigarettes every day.
He would consistently wake up in morning with a terrible cough and struggle to make it to the kitchen due to extreme breathlessness. He put his ill health down to smoking and knew it was time to quit.
He called One You Plymouth for support and was promptly booked an appointment with one of their local NHS stop smoking practitioners.
He used Zyban to aid his quit attempt. For the first seven days he took one tablet a day and was still permitted to smoke. After this he was instructed to increase his intake to two tablets per day.
Jessica started smoking when she was 15 and smoked for 12 years before she became smoke-free. She used to smoke up to 10 cigarettes a day.
Then Jessica found out she was pregnant. Determined to protect her baby and have a healthy pregnancy, she knew she had to stop smoking.
She successfully quit through One You Plymouth’s ‘Swap-to-Stop in Pregnancy’ vaping programme. She received a 12-week supply of vapes and vaping fluids to help her on her quit journey.
Jessica said: “It gave me confidence knowing the vape was there in case of cravings. I used to smoke in the car when stuck in traffic and when watching the TV in the evening; the cravings are worst at those moments. Vaping really helped me cope.”
Jessica also worked out that she was saving around £70 per month!
She received regular supportive phone calls from her NHS stop smoking practitioner Lisa.
“Lisa was so friendly and non-judgemental; I knew I could be honest with her without the fear of being judged. I felt that she genuinely cared about my wellbeing; we could even have a laugh and built up really good rapport.
“She also said that I could text her between phone calls. It was nice to know that there was additional support out there.”
Inspired by Jessica’s journey? Call 01752 437177 or email oneyou. plymouth@nhs.net.
To his surprise he found that smoking made him feel sick and he could not stand the smell of smoke any more.
John said: “I needed to change for my health; it was really starting to affect me. After starting the treatment I never smoked again and still don’t to this day. I wake up in the morning and have a whole new lease of life and so much more get-up-and-go! I don’t have a bad cough anymore and I have so much more energy.”
With his breathlessness and coughing completely gone, he is delighted that he can take long walks; something that was not possible while he was smoking.
He also noticed that food tastes so much better now and can eat proper meals again instead of just snacking on food.
What’s more, John is delighted by the fact that he is saving so much money by not buying expensive cigarettes.
“I am saving roughly £10 per day! With all the savings, I can afford for me and the wife to go on a lovely holiday.”
Inspired by John’s journey? Call 01752 437177 or email oneyou. plymouth@nhs.net.
John...saving
We all need good mental health and wellbeing – it’s essential to living happy and healthy lives and can help us sleep better, feel better, do the things we want to do and have more positive relationships. The little things we do for our mental wellbeing really can improve our lives and help us cope with life’s challenges.
World Mental Health Day is an annual campaign held on 10 October and is a chance to talk about mental health in general, how we need to look after it and how important it is to talk about things and get help if you are struggling.
If you, or anyone you love or care for needs help with mental wellbeing there is lots of support available in Plymouth.
New free online mental health service
Commissioned by the NHS and Plymouth City Council, Qwell aims to help people manage their own emotional health and wellbeing.
It focuses on supporting selfcare and provides a safe space for adults to access therapeutic activities, with a peer support community, self-help articles
and forums and discussion boards moderated by qualified practitioners.
It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As well as the self-help and community support, there is an anonymous one-on-one counselling, live text chat and messaging counselling service with a team of professionally qualified practitioners.
Go to www.qwell.io.
An NHS talking therapy service for people aged 16 and over, Plymouth Options can help you to feel better by giving you the tools and techniques to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
Go to www.livewellsouthwest. co.uk/plymouth-options.
Livewell Southwest’s 24/7 crisis line provides advice, support and signposting for people experiencing mental health difficulties. If you feel worried about your mental health, or that of a loved one or a friend, reach out now.
9323.
Gables Dogs and Cats Home are no strangers to the horrendous damage that backstreet breeders, commercial breeders and puppy farms do to the health and wellbeing of dogs, having taking in close to 100 dogs from local puppy farms in recent years.
Gables had hoped that the huge demand for dogs would fall as people returned to work after the pandemic. Sadly this is far from the case as there is still a huge demand for puppies, which is encouraging breeders to cash in while they can.
This current demand for puppies has resulted in 90 dogs and puppies, living in horrific conditions, being removed from a single Devon property, with Gables taking in 23 of them.
The dogs, a mixture of small ‘designer breeds’ ranging from seven days old to 12 years old, had been living in terrible conditions resulting in them all suffering from overgrown claws, flea and worm infestations, as well as severe malnutrition.
On arrival at Gables most of the dogs were extremely matted and covered in their own faeces as well as suffering from ammonia burns on their skin from living in their own urine. The tight matts have made it difficult for the dogs to move about and go to the toilet as well as causing incredibly sore spots on their skin.
The huge flea burden has resulted in some of the dogs constantly scratching, leaving them with
open sores from the self-inflicted wounds. The mothers of the puppies had been struggling to keep up with the demand of having to continually nurse litter after litter in these conditions. It is feared that it may already be too late for the weakest of the little puppies, but Gables is doing everything they possibly can to keep the puppy alive. Gables have also started supplementing all
the puppy’s diets with specialist puppy milk to give them the best chance of survival, while their emaciated mothers start to build up their own strength.
All the dogs have been seen by Gables contracted vets, Filham Park in Ivybridge, and there are concerns some of them may have some serious underlying medical issues caused by inbreeding
Plymouth University is celebrating the graduation of its first district nurses for 15 years, following a shortage of this specialist area of the profession in the South West.
District nursing is a specialist postgraduate qualification, validated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and enables those in the role to take on more responsibility such as nonmedical prescribing and advanced clinical practice.
Based in the community rather than a hospital setting, the University relaunched the programme as a degree apprenticeship in 2020 following a demand for the role across the South West.
Now the first cohort in 15 years has celebrated its success, with seven students graduating and already making a difference in the community.
Interim programme lead, Lisa-Marie Rowe, who delivers the programme alongside Linda Duggan, said: “The University of Plymouth would like to congratulate you all. We have been privileged to witness this cohort becoming specialist practitioners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to lead, manage and promote evidence based, advanced patient centred care in the community.
“These graduates will change the face of community nursing in the region. Their passion, drive and commitment to community nursing, make them a credit to their employers and to the University of Plymouth.”
Dr Crystal Oldman, chief executive of The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI), added: “I am absolutely thrilled
as well as the terrible living conditions they have been forced to endure.
Deputy manager, Ruth Rickard said: “When we were contacted about these dogs I could not believe help was needed with yet another local puppy farm, it was truly heart-breaking. These traumatised dogs have to suffer such terrible conditions purely for money. It is so frustrating how easy it still is for breeders to get away with it. I am glad we are able to give these dogs the love, care and attention they deserve and our priority is to carefully remove the matted fur and give them the support and treatment they need to go on to find new loving homes”.
It is estimated it will cost Gables an additional £5,000 to cover the costs of all the treatments these poor dogs require as well as their basic care such as flea and worm treatments and ensuring all the dogs and puppies are neutered before looking for their forever homes.
Gables Dogs & Cats Home does not receive any government funding and has felt the financial strain from the Coronavirus pandemic, but they are determined to help all these poor dogs.
Anyone wishing to help ease Gables financial burden by making a contribution to their ‘Puppy Farm Palaver Vet Appeal’, should call 01752 331602 or alternatively visit www.justgiving. com/campaign/pfp or www.paypal.me/ gablesdogsandcats to donate online.
Celebrating the district nurse degrees
that the University of Plymouth is seeing its first graduates in 15 years from the District Nurse Specialist Practitioner (DNSPQ) programme this summer.
“I remember at the QNI annual conference several years ago, Queen’s Nurses in the South West flagged up that a DNSPQ programme would be hugely beneficial to communities in the region who rely on the District Nursing service. The QNs have been instrumental in making sure that this was designed, created and delivered, with support from local employers.
“My congratulations and those of my QNI colleagues to all those involved with the programme, at the university and in practice – and importantly, huge congratulations from all at the QNI to the District Nurse graduates who have worked so hard for their qualification and are now going on to lead and manage teams in the community, working at an advanced level of practice and serving their local populations. We look forward to the graduates keeping in touch with the QNI as your career develops.”
Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.
Oct 15 and 16
By the Dartmoor 009 group at Ford Park Cemetery
Visitor Centre from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and 10.30am to 3.30pm on Sunday. For details call 01752 665442 weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
Frank ‘N’ Stein’s Teddy
Oct 15 to Oct 22
Performed at Soapbox Children’s Theatre Devonport Park this show is suitable for children aged 8 and under and their big people. Frank and Stein accidently break their teddy Victor. Can our two madcap scientists put teddy back together again? With extraordinary science, magical tricks and puppets all based in the Soapbox Laboratory, this fun and inventive show is for children and adults alike. Pay what you can tickets starting at £10 (Children under 18 months are free) For tickets and further information go to www.stiltskin.org.uk and select Box Office.
Plymouth Harbour 10k
Oct 16
Two local charities have partnered to launch the Plymouth Harbour Runs, a pair of new community running challenges. Mental health charity Devon Mind and men’s health charity the Chestnut Appeal are inviting local running enthusiasts to participate in the Plymouth Harbour 10K this October, which is now open for registration. A second event, the Plymouth Harbour Half, will take place on a date to be confirmed in 2023. Registration for the Plymouth Harbour 10K is now open at runplymouthharbour.co.uk
Oct 16
Writer, broadcaster and comedian Dom Joly, best known as the creator of Trigger Happy TV, is back on the road with his one-man theatre tour, giving fans a rare opportunity to see him live at Plymouth’s Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus. Dom will be talking about his exploits as a serial globe-trotter and seeker of dangerous travel spots when he returns to the road to complete his ‘Dom Joly’s Holiday Snaps’ tour.Tickets are available at www.comicalentertainment.com
Oct 21
Plymouth Area Police Choir continue to celebrate their 50th anniversary with a concert at Janeva Court, Saltash in support of the Sue Hooper Charitable Foundation. Concert starts at 7pm and tickets at £8 can be obtained from Sue Hooper or suehcf@msn. com
Oct 23
Organised by the Plymouth Diecast Club at the Jan Cutting Healthy Living Centre, Scott Business Park, Beacon Park from 10am to 1pm. Admission adults £1 children free. Parking and cafe onsite. Wheelchair friendly.
Oct 27
Designed for children and adults alike, Mark’s Spectacular Science Show explores the strange and magical properties of matter with exploding elephant’s toothpaste, vortex-generating dustbins and even howling jelly babies! Mark is appearing at the Quad Theatre on the Marjon University campus at 2.30pm. Tickets available from www. comicalentertainment.com
the special guests who will be switching on the awesome sparkly Christmas lights, at approximately 5.30pm.
Nov 26
At Trinity United Reformed Church, Torr Lane, Hartley from 10.30am to 12.30pm. There will be light refreshments, stalls including home grown produce, preserves, recycled gifts, tombola, books and cake stall.
Nov 26
Popular annual event at Ford Park Cemetery from 11am to 2.30pm with many stalls present.
Dec 3
Seasonal music by Bach, Chilcott, Palestrina performed by West Devon Chorale at Minster Church of St Andrew in Plymouth at 7.30pm. Tickets from www.wegottickets/westdevonchorale or from 01752 776479.
Omid Djalili
Oct 27
The veteran stand up comedian brings his ‘Good Times Tour’ to the Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus. Details and tickets available at www. comicalentertainment.com
Spooky Weekend
Oct 29 and 30
Plymouth Valley Railway will be running spooky themed trains over the weekend. Go along dressed up and travel to Plym Bridge. Visit www.plymrail.co.uk for details and bookings.
Soup and Sweet Lunch
Oct 29
At Ford Park Cemetery Visitor Centre from 12 noon to 2.30pm for £6 and including delicious home made dishes. For details call 01752 665442 weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
Nov 5
Plymouth’s spectacular Bonfire Night celebration on The Hoe is a safe and free way to spend the most explosive night of the year. Watch as the huge bonfire is lit, then gaze in awe at the brilliant firework display.
If you’re feeling brave enough, have a go on the fairground rides or warm up with a bite to eat from one of the food stalls. More details will be published closer to the time.
Nov 11 to 13
Sounds Musical Theatre Company present their three date tour following last year’s sell out sales. This musical concert features top class performers from one of Plymouth’s longest running societies. Broadway Showstoppers showcases hits from past and present respectively at St Boniface’s College, Boniface Lane PL7 3AG; Elburton Methodist Church, Springfield Rd PL9 8PR and Plymstock School, Church Road PL9 9AZ. Book tickets at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ sounds
Nov 12
Concert at 4pm at Stoke Damerel Church titled
Just As The Tide Was Flowing including folk song arrangements by Vaughan Williams and choral arrangements of cabaret-style songs. Tickets £10 (£5 for 18 and under) from www.trybooking.co.uk/BUOE or on the door.
Nov 12
Plymouth Samaritans will be holding their 50th Anniversary Ball at the New Continental Hotel in Plymouth. The evening will feature welcome drinks to
a live band - the Smooth Jazz Combo, a quality three course meal, dancing to the Fabulous Swing Kings, a bumper raffle and an auction. The auction will include signed pieces from Adele, Ed Sheehan, Daniel Craig and Mo Salah among other dazzling items. Tickets for the Ball are £55 per head and can be obtained from Mrs Jan Sherriff at janetasherriff@btinternet.com
Nov 14 to Nov 17
The Post Mortem Live arrives at Plymouth Guildhall with six live shows offering attendees the chance to solve a murder working with award winning human anatomist Sam Piri in this four-hour long experience. Tickets from £35. For details visit www. thepostmortemlive.co.uk
Annual meeting
Nov 16
Plympton Branch of the Royal British Legion at The Club, Market Road, Plympton at 7pm. Membership cards to be brought to vote.
The official kick off for the Plymouth’s Christmas holiday calendar, also marking the start of festive late-night shopping every Thursday night in the lead up to Christmas. The switch on is due to take place between 6pm and 6.30pm and there will be an exciting programme of free, family-friendly entertainment to enjoy on stage in the Piazza from 4pm. Enjoy live music, with performances of carols and popular Christmas songs from local groups and choirs.
Grand Christmas Fair
Nov 19
Plymouth Highbury Trust, Outland Road from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Harry Potter stall, cakes, refreshments, crafts, tombola and raffle.
Nov 19
An afternoon of festive fun in the Barbican and Sutton Harbour from 12 noon to 6pm. Children will be able to visit Santa in his grotto, after he has arrived from across the water on the RNLI boat. Families can soak up the festive joy of the local choirs as they perform on The Parade. There will be Christmas themed street entertainment and rides to have a go on, plus a selection of stalls selling some delicious Christmas treats. Take part in the free Christmas trail across the Barbican, with some tasty prizes! Follow the trail around the shops and restaurants, and maybe pick up some wonderful unique Christmas gifts or enjoy some festive refreshments along the way. Look out for festive bus on Southside Street, which will be hosting
Dec 3
St Francis Church, Honicknowle from 11am to 2pm. Various stalls, turkey sandwiches and refreshments. Father Christmas will arrive at 1pm bringing gifts for the children.
Dec 3
Organised by Elburton Residents’ Association at Elburton Village Hall from 3pm. Lots of stalls to browse with food and drinks available. Santa will be there for the children and the the Elburton Village Christmas lights will be switched on at the event.
Dec 7
In the Chapel at Ford Park Cemetery at 6.30pm. Entry £6. Details at 01752 665442 from 10am to 4pm.
Christmas Raffle
Dec 10
Ford Park Cemetery Visitor Centre from 2pm to 4pm. Refreshments available. Details at 01752 665442 from 10am to 4pm.
The Christmas Mouse
Dec 15 to 24
Soapbox Children’s Theatre present a delightful Christmas show at their Devonport Park theatre. A special seasonal treat for eight year olds and under and their big people. With stunning puppets, this is a Christmas story sure to make memories and warm little hearts. To book visit stiltskin.org.uk/soapboxchildrens-theatre-devonport-box-office/
Various dates
Plym Valley Railway will be running Christmas specials every weekend in December. Booking for either a table for four or compartment for six adults. Every fare paying child will receive a gift from Santa. Visit www.plymrail.co.uk for details and bookings.
Dec 17 to 24
Soapbox Children’s Theatre in Devonport Park invite you to join them on this Christmas adventure. With incredible puppets, magical characters and a fantastic soundtrack, our winter season show will take you on a journey unlike any other. To book visit stiltskin.org.uk/ soapbox-childrens-theatre-devonport-box-office/
Send details of your event to info@ cornerstonevision.com and we will do our best to include them in Out and About. Unfortunately because of space limitations we are unable to publish details of regular meetings of groups and societies or similar organisations.
Bonfire Night on The Hoe Photo: Jeff Tomkins One Plymouth
A number of people have been handed out £100 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for having their dogs off the lead on and around the grass cricket pitch at Harewood Park.
Some complained about the lack of warnings about the rules and others claimed they were unfairly fined because their dogs were not on the marked out cricket pitch but loose on the perimeter of the park.
One local resident said: “Lots of dog owners bring their dogs down there. We asked lots of them and no-one was aware that you had to have your dog on a lead. The only sign we found was on the rubbish bin outside the tennis courts. It’s very small.”
Responding to the incidents which took place in September a Plymouth City Council spokesman said: “We do not comment on individual cases. The laws on dog control in Plymouth are clear. Dogs must be kept on a lead on all Council owned/managed sports pitches within the marked pitch/playing area.
“Details on what to do if you are issued with an FPN that you feel is unfair are available on our website https://new.plymouth.gov.uk/ environmental-crime”
Among the information provided on that link is the following statement:
“There is no legal appeal against an FPN. It is a criminal offence. You can pay the FPN to discharge your liability for the offence or the case will be considered for prosecution in the Magistrates Court. You can put your case to the Magistrates Court if you do not agree with the FPN.
“We will consider written representations in certain circumstances and only within 14 days of the FPN being issued. We will only accept these by using the form on the FPN Make a representation link below. We do not accept representations if you did not know enforcement was being carried out, if it was the first time you had committed the offence or that you were not aware of the law.
“You will receive a response to your representation if it is made in the time limit. If the representation is accepted, the case will be closed and you will hear nothing else from us. If the representation is rejected you will have a further seven days to pay the FPN.
“The council is pursuing cases of envirocrime through the Magistrates Court. Convictions can lead to a fine, court costs and a criminal record, imposed by the Magistrates or Crown Court.”
Meanwhile the adequacy of warning notices in Harewood Park and also St Mary’s Park, where the same rules apply, was among the issues raised during councillor reports at last month’s meeting of Plympton Community Council. Both Cllr Natalie Harrison (Cons, Plympton St Mary) and Cllr Terri Beer (Ind, Plympton Erle) agreed the warning signage is poor and are calling for it to be improved.
A Plymouth businessman is popping open the fizz after his company was crowned the UK’s ‘Champagne & Sparkling Specialist Retailer of the Year’, just two years after the company was launched.
Daniel Blatchford, 38, who attended Hele’s School in Plympton and the University of the West of England in Bristol, launched Sip Champagnes with his business partner, Peter Crawford, in 2020.
Just two years later, Sip Champagnes has been awarded this prestigious accolade by the world’s leading wine media brand, Decanter, who singled out the newcomer for its ‘laser-like focus on cutting-edge wines from the region’, and in the words of one judge, ‘is changing the game for champagne.’ Sip Champagnes was also a runner up in the ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Judges Choice’ categories.
Decanter engages with wine lovers in over 100 countries around the globe, providing authoritative content and independent advice on the world’s best wines and champagnes. The annual Decanter Retailer Awards provides an indispensable guide to the best wine shops, online retail, wine specialists and wine support services in the UK.
Daniel Blatchford, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been awarded the title of UK’s ‘Champagne & Sparkling Specialist Retailer of the Year’ by Decanter just two years since setting up the company.
“We put our success down to our continued focus on quality, as well as sourcing and supplying only the best small-batch, handcrafted champagne straight to consumers and the hospitality trade from France’s iconic wine region.
“With the UK’s largest collection of 60 Champagne producers and over 236 individual cuvées from across 25 villages in our range, Sip Champagnes only deals with ethically-sourced and artisan products direct from the farmer.”
He added: “Despite a wider industry decline, UK consumers have certainly not lost their taste for small-batch and handcrafted champagne sourced straight from the grower. Champagne lovers are also willing to pay a premium for a unique, artisan and quality product, including our exclusive collection that they can’t buy anywhere else in the UK.”
Daniel is an experienced product strategist and director. Having owned, designed and built successful cross-platform digital products, teams and services for both start-ups to enterprises, across the media, property, utility and finance sectors, his passion is all things digital.
The latest three releases from Sip Champagnes are unavailable to buy anywhere else in the UK and it is the first time ever that
co-founder Daniel Blatchford and (below) the company’s autumn product range
these three new producers are being made available to consumers and the hospitality trade outside France.
This summer, Sip Champagnes reported a record 219% boost to sales in the last year despite a wider slump across the industry.
Sip Champagnes, which also won The Drinks Business ‘Specialist Online Retailer of the Year Award’ for 2022, is also bucking the industry trend with month-on-month sales growth in 2022 as UK consumers develop a taste for unique grower champagne.
The dominance of the big wine houses and supermarket champagne has meant that champagne choice has been very limited in the UK until Sip Champagnes came along. The small producers previously had no supply chain and no access to highend restaurants, bars, hotels and wine boutiques, which meant consumers had little choice, until now.
Alongside their online store, which sells individual bottles and curated cases, Sip Champagnes also offers curated monthly subscription packages to help people enhance their understanding of the grower champagne movement. Alongside exceptional bottles, there are tasting notes and even live tasting sessions with the farmers themselves.
All Sip Champagnes packaging is made from recycled material and is 100% recyclable. They also invest in carbon offsetting programmes to reduce their environmental impact and they plant a tree for every order placed.
For more information on Sip Champagnes visit www. sipchampagnes.com/collections/ new-producers-champagnes and follow on social media, including Facebook www.facebook.com/ sipchampagnes; Twittertwitter. com/ChampagnesSip and Instagram www.instagram.com/ sip_champagnes
Thousands of Plymouth households are soon to benefit from an additional pot of just over £550,000 to help with rising
costs.
Following an extensive modelling exercise, the money will be distributed to the 1,453 households in the following groups:
Households which are receiving Council Tax support and live in a property banded from E to H will receive £150
Households with residents that are severely mentally impaired and live in a property banded from E to H will receive £100
Households with a Disabled Band Relief and live in a property banded from F to H will receive £100*
Households which have a single person discount and live in a property banded from E to H will receive £100.
In addition, more than 23,000 households which receive Council Tax Support and live in a property banded from A to D will receive a £17.50 payment. This is in addition to the £150 rebate they received earlier in the year.
A further government grant for all households will also be available later in the year as well as additional support for vulnerable households.
Councillor Rebecca Smith, Cabinet member for Strategic Planning, Homes and Communities, said: “The cost of living crisis is affecting us all. But when faced with the decision of how to allocate this additional funding, it was important to ensure we looked after those who we know are most vulnerable either physically or financially.”
All eligible households which currently pay Council Tax by Direct Debit will receive payment direct into their bank account within the next few weeks
Council Tax Support is a local means-tested scheme for people on low incomes to help them pay their Council Tax. Any owner-occupier or tenant aged 18 or over who is legally responsible for the Council Tax can claim Council Tax Support. Find out more at new. plymouth.gov.uk/council-tax-support.
Where Direct Debit details are not held, eligible households will receive a credit to their Council Tax account.
If households wish to claim the credit as a cash payment they will have the option to request this as a general refund using an online application at www. plymouth-self.achieveservice.com
* Disabled band support relief is for households who live in a larger property than they would need if they or another occupant were not disabled. If you qualify, bills are reduced to the next lowest Council Tax band.
Two dozen bags of rubbish as well as some larger items of waste were removed during a clear up around Langage Power Station over the first weekend of October.
The ‘Community Sunday’ litter pick was a collaboration between Plympton Rotary and Clean Our Patch CIC. During a 90 minute clean up of the area volunteers from the two groups amassed 24 bags of rubbish.
Afterwards they retired to the Chaddlewood Farm Community Centre for well deserved teas and cakes.
More Community Sunday litter picks are likely to take place in due course.
(Story courtesy of Plympton Podcast)
The inaugural Print in Action arts festival is taking place across Plymouth in October.
Co-ordinated by Real Ideas, the weekend festival on October 22 and 23 is a culmination of six months of Print in Action activities designed to showcase a variety of print techniques and celebrate print in all its inspiring forms.
The Print in Action weekend will comprise exhibitions, workshops, music, food, talks and masterclasses with the opportunity to connect with like-minded print creatives across the UK and beyond. Celebrating the talent of printmakers of all kinds, more than fifteen professional printmakers, from across the world and the region, will provide demonstrations throughout the two days.
Key international artists include Polish artist Alicja HabisiakMatczak who is head of the Intaglio Techniques Studio, and Jolanta Rudzka Habisiak, also from Poland, whose work predominantly centres on the art of textiles, alongside her role an academic teacher and rector of the Academy of Fine Arts at Władysław Strzemiński in Łódź
Further UK-based artists providing demos, talks and workshops include Jemma Gunning, Sarah Gillespie, Anita Reynolds, Peter Ursem, Mary Gillett, Simon Ripley, Luke Wade,
Sonja Burniston, Victoria Willmott, Alan Qualtrough, Beth Munro and Theo Carter-Weber. Print collectives including the Bristol Print Collective, the Letterpress Collective, Double Elephant, The Printery and Pressing Matters Magazine are also all heading for the Festival.
Hoardings at Ocean Studios will be dominated by The Truth Wall – a public statement of what is important, directed through the art of print and creativity by Plymouthbased letterpress artist Alan Qualtrough.
Alan said: “Freedom of expression is a protected human right. However, many of us stay silent when the world rages around us. The Truth Wall at Print in Action will invite participants to make visual what they feel is important to speak up about in the world. Using a range
of letterpress, screen printing and mono printing techniques, the resultant prints will be pasted on the hoardings at Ocean Studios as a public message to the world. Over the duration of the festival, the messages will grow in number and accumulate a powerful collective message.”
Whether consumers or artists are new to print or an expert in a variety of print practices, there’s something for everyone at this wide-ranging festival. The diverse range of printmakers will provide live demonstrations, workshops and masterclasses for people of all abilities.
There will also be market stalls, food and live music, as well as a fashion show with a variety of prints and patterns created for clothing fashionistas. Original pieces will be
available to buy at the Print Pop Up Shop, and a market showcasing a variety of printmakers and suppliers, meaning festivalgoers can find something unique to take home with them or make a connection with an artist or supplier.
It is the first time there has been a collaborative focus on printmaking and showcasing Plymouth city-wide talent across the area. Venues to host the festival are: Ocean Studios at Royal William Yard; The Printery, Mutley Plain; The Craft House, near The Barbican; and the Arts University, Tavistock Place.
Francesca Hawkesworth, programme co-ordinator, at Real Ideas said: “This festival showcases our thriving print community across Plymouth, whilst bringing together individual print artists, and print collectives from across the UK, and beyond with our Polish artists.
“Print in Action also introduces the whole community of Plymouth to printmaking in all its art forms. It is an opportunity for all forms of artists to come and immerse themselves in the print making practice, but also for adults who may not have an artistic background to explore their creativity, while learning a new skill.
To find out more about Print in Action, book workshops, and reserve tickets for the finale festival, visit printinaction-festival.co.uk.
Plymouth’s city centre could be made an investment zone by the Government, unlocking millions of pounds of investment for much-needed housing and business growth.
Plymouth is one of 38 authorities invited to work in partnership with the Government to create an investment zone to attract investment and unleash growth.
Details of what Plymouth’s investment zone could entail will be part of a business plan that will be submitted to Government, but is expected to include interventions designed to speed up the delivery of proposed housing, retail and mixed use development. Interventions could include:
• Lower taxes – businesses in designated sites will benefit from time-limited tax benefits
• Accelerated development – with designated development sites to release more land for housing and commercial development and to support accelerated development. The planning process could also be radically streamlined. Development sites may be co-located with, or separate to, tax sites, depending on what makes most sense for the local economy.
• Wider support for local growth – for example, through greater control over local growth funding for areas
Richard Bingley, Plymouth City Council Leader said: “This is a massive opportunity to increase household income, business creation and quality urban home building in our Ocean City.
“The fact that Plymouth has been selected as a first wave of investment zones is a testament to our administration’s laser-sharp focus on higher-value job creation schemes. We’ve relentlessly lobbied Government for more funding, more local freedoms, and for tax burdens across the piece to fall.”
The Government has set out the proposed tax offer within planned Investment Zones which are designed to encourage investment and new economic activity, supporting growth and jobs.
Businesses in designated areas within investment zones will benefit from 100 per cent business rates relief on newly occupied and expanded premises.
Local authorities hosting Investment Zones will receive 100 per cent of the business rates growth above an agreed baseline in designated sites for 25 years.
Businesses will receive full stamp duty land tax relief on land bought for commercial or residential development and a zero rate for Employer National Insurance contributions on new employee earnings up to £50,270 per year.
There will also be capital allowance relief to encourage investment. In addition to the tax offer, planning flexibilities are also being considered with more details about this aspect of the zones expected shortly.
The city also has adopted the Plymouth Plan and Joint Local Plan that sets out the priorities and opportunities for the city centre and waterfront as well as an agreed master plan for the city centre, all of which have been through extensive consultation.
The Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will shortly set out the selection criteria to become an Investment Zone, and the process for designating sites within it.
structure
wooden fence
front garden rotted,
a recent storm
it
road, thankfully
down
the neighbour’s car. However, every cloud has a silver lining,
You’re invited to British Art Show 9, the UK’s most ambitious touring exhibition of contemporary art – right here in Plymouth!
From 8 October to 23 December (8 January at The Box), come and see the work of some of the country’s most exciting artists. British Art Show 9 is a free exhibition that visits four cities across the country, once every fi ve years.
British Art Show 9 showcases art produced by 37 different artists from 2015 up to now; a period that begins with Britain voting to leave the European Union and closes with the still unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.
The artists in British Art Show 9 use film, photography, painting, sculpture and performance to highlight and respond to this complex moment; exploring new modes of resistance and imagining a more hopeful world.
Whether you’re an avid art-lover or a fi rst-time visitor, don’t miss this opportunity to see this blockbuster exhibition with family, friends or by yourself, in four of the city’s best arts venues.
Saturday 8 October, All venues
Sunday 16 October, The Box Friday 28 October, KARST
Selected dates, from 11am, All venues Film Programme
Selected dates, The Box, Jill Craigie Cinema and Plymouth Arts Cinema
Selected Wednesdays, 1pm-1.45pm, See online for more details
Selected Thursdays, 6pm-7pm, See online for more details
Family Activities
22-23 and 25-29 October, The Box
Florence Peake Performance 26 November, The Box
Visit madeinplymouth.co.uk and britishartshow9.co.uk for full details and more events.
Cut out this slip and take it with you when you visit British Art Show 9 at The Box to add to our comments wall.
We’d love to get your feedback.
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What did you make of it?
Plymouth residents have been invited to get the low down on one of the biggest and boldest city centre investment projects –the regeneration of Armada Way.
Plymouth City Council has unveiled exciting plans to revive and renew this key route into the city centre and are currently finalising the designs that will see 1980s piecemeal landscaping replaced with a new linear park over a kilometre long, lined on either side by an avenue of trees.
The aim is to create a more impressive route from North Cross roundabout through the city centre and a clear visual link to the sea, which was the original ambition of Armada Way.
The project is part of an ongoing programme designed to address years of under-investment in city centre streets and spaces.
The information event took place on September 29 on the third floor of Drake Circus shopping mall. Council officers along with the design team for the project were on
hand to discuss the plans and answer queries.
The £12.7 million investment project is being funded through the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund and matched by Plymouth City Council.
As well as restoring the view to create a more impressive and grand welcome into the city centre, new features planned include play and mixed use games areas for all ages, water-based play space and water fountain jets, dramatically improved café seating areas, attractive places to stop and rest, refurbished Braille Garden and Phoenix fountain and a new stepped amphitheatre space, a new running water feature, and linear tree pits.
The Sundial and its settings will also be refurbished, a mobility hub is on the cards as well as an improved crossing on Mayflower Street to enhance north-south connectivity.
The new look will take into account climate change, with the planting of plants and trees that are more resilient to an urban environment.
A sustainable urban drainage system,
integrated into a new stream feature, will form part of a wider strategic network in the city centre. The system includes features such as reed beds, which integrate the drainage system with the new planting to make the best use of surface water.
Cabinet Member for Transport Councillor Jonathan Drean said: “This is one of the most significant investments in public space in the country at the moment and we are doing it because we want to transform our city centre and make it more attractive to visitors, business and to investors.
“The plans have changed considerably since the public last saw them in a consultation event in 2018, so we wanted to give people the opportunity to see what’s changed –including taking a more sustainable approach. This event is a chance for residents and businesses to see what’s new and talk to the team behind the scheme.”
The work will be carried out in stages in an effort to minimise disruption to the city centre.
Colin Bunney has been named as Plymouth Argyle’s Community Captain in recognition of his incredible work over the past 17 years as both an employee and volunteer at the Argyle Trust, delivering coaching for youth and disability participants aged from two to 16.
The Community Captain accolade is being given to more than 100 members of the public who have made an outstanding contribution to their club and local community, as part of the Premier League’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Colin was presented with the award at Manadon Sports Hub, which is used by more than 30,000 people each year, has a floodlit 3G pitch, grass pitch and a modern pavilion with four changing rooms. It was opened in 2019 on a formerly derelict site, following a grant of more than £800,000 from the Football Foundation – funded by the Premier League, the FA and Government.
Colin was presented with a Premier League Community Captain pennant and special captain’s armband by Argyle Trust CEO Mark Lovell and former Plymouth Argyle skipper Gary Sawyer, who said: “Naming Colin as the club’s Community Captain is an opportunity for us to demonstrate appreciation for Colin and his 17 years of incredible work with the Argyle Trust helping and inspiring young people.
“Colin just has this amazing passion and enthusiasm for football and seeing people succeed. Which makes him a more than worthy captain in our eyes.”
Colin said: “Being recognised by my work colleagues as a Community Captain in this way is a big honour. I have always been football-crazy, playing from the age of five until I was 50, before becoming a coach.
“I love my job and I don’t do it for recognition. There’s a great team of people working at the Trust and there’s opportunities for everybody to be involved, which I think is fantastic.”
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “As we mark 30 years since the Premier League first kicked off, it is important we celebrate
the unsung heroes who deliver brilliant work in their communities. These people – whether they are participants, coaches, volunteers or long-time employees – are the lifeblood of their clubs and their communities.
“The continued success of Premier League football enables us to provide unprecedented investment in communities and wider football. As we look to the future, we are committed to investing more than ever, to help develop the game and provide opportunities to people of all ages.”
The Premier League provides £280,000 each year to the Argyle Trust to support its delivery of community schemes. This includes free weekly Premier League Kicks football sessions and positive activity for eight to 18-year-olds, as well as in-school support for primary schools running the Premier League Primary Stars education programme.
Across England and Wales, Premier League investment supports the community organisations
of all 92 Premier League and English Football League clubs, plus the 68 National League clubs.
Over the next three years, the League will continue its world-leading levels of support by contributing £1.6 billion to communities and the wider game.
During the Trophy Tour, the League will be announcing new financial commitments to benefit fans and communities.
This includes increased investment into the Premier League Fans’ Fund, with £5m available to support fan engagement projects across the top four divisions of the football pyramid.
The League is also investing an additional £13.5 million into the Football Foundation to create small-sided pitches in the heart of communities that need them the most. The tour will also give an opportunity to highlight new Premier League investment into women’s and girls’ football, including the Emerging Talent Centres announced earlier this summer.
Are you ready to cheer again? It’s time for the Football World Cup!
Perhaps if we’re British we are more used to these occasions as opportunities to practice coping with disappointment.
(We are talking about the men’s team after all!) But we still love to dream, don’t we? And I’m sure the dreams are bubbling over all the more after our Lionesses’ glorious victory earlier in the Summer, winning our first major football trophy in over half a century.
What a privilege it is to represent your country! What an opportunity! So many of our children are growing up dreaming of representing their country – whether it’s in one of our national football teams, cricket teams, rugby teams or whatever sport they love. In Plymouth we know something of the buzz of seeing ‘one of our own’ performing at the highest level: over the last 10 years we might immediately think of Tom Daley’s diving exploits, Heather Knight’s heroics on the cricket pitch and Mark Ormrod’s stirring performances at the Invictus Games. And, a bit further back, let’s not forget Sharron Davies’ Olympic and Commonwealth games medals.
But spare a thought for those young men who will soon be getting onto the plane to Qatar.
Think what a burden of responsibility they carry with them. They carry the hopes and dreams of a sportcrazy nation. They carry the responsibility of representing their nation not just on the football pitch but off it as well. On this latter point, lots of the team have spoken about the responsibility they feel to represent our national values as they compete in a nation that has a patchy human rights record.
By Revd Tom Brassil
One of Plympton’s biggest land eyesores is set to be rejuvenated after the city’s planning committee approved an application to redevelop the Errill Retail Park site.
This will see a new Home Bargains store where Buyology used to be and a new builders merchants on the former Allied Carpets site. The old Homemaker building will be demolished.
After an 83 minute meeting at which it was the only application to be considered, councillors voted by eight votes to three to approve the application with some minor modifications and further consultation with the planning Chair, Vice Chair, Plympton Erle and St Mary Ward councillors and opposition planning leads on certain discharge points to the development – such as volume of EV charging points and tree screening at the Eastern edge of the site.
One of the thorniest issues for the committee was the loss of the potential opportunity for housing. The site had been earmarked in the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan as a plot to accommodate 60 houses.
The committee heard that the site had been used for retail purposes since the 1980s, before two units previously used by Allied Carpets and Plymco Homemaker became disused and fell into a state of disrepair. The remaining unit was vacated by Buyology earlier this year when their lease came to an end, leaving the entire site unoccupied
The meeting also heard that in 2013 planning permission had been granted for a Morrisons store there, but this never came to fruition and that planning permission had since lapsed, although it was felt that later developments by Lidl and Aldi in Plympton had to an extent satisfied the shopping need previously identified by Morrisons
The meeting also heard that as things currently stood with planning consents on the site there was nothing stopping all three currently disused units being brought back into use with no restriction on the type of goods which could be sold there.
and that a ward councillor had expressed safety concerns over the state of the units.
Earlier this year the front of the old Allied Carpets building blew off in a storm and became a magnet for local children to explore the inside of the exposed building.
The redevelopment is expected to lead to 190 FTE jobs and have minimal impact on other businesses in Plympton.
Adrian Fox, agent for the applicant, T.J. Morris (the parent company of Home Bargains) told the meeting that his client was a leading discount retailer not currently represented in Plymouth, that there was currently no positive economic or social contribution arising from the site and that it was prone to vandalism and trespassing.
By contrast, the proposal, if approved, would lead to 335 construction jobs, increase business rates revenue, improve consumer choice and improve the local landscape as well as removing the dangers of the current disrepair as highlighted by a ward councillor.
Members of the committee were informed there would be three new pedestrian crossings on the developed site, 177 car parking spaces, with 20 for disabled and parent with children parking. There would be 185 metres of new hedgerow and a net increase of 30 trees and new solar panels on the roof of unit A, thus improving the biodiversity of the site.
Officers explained that although the site had been earmarked for housing in 2019, this site was felt to be one of the more tricky in the Joint Local Plan to deliver for housing and it was not due to be part of the immediate housing delivery plans until 2030-31.
It is not part of the immediate five year housing delivery plan for which there is currently a surplus of available land, so the loss of a site for 60 homes was ‘not crucial’ to Plymouth’s ability to meet future housing needs.
Cllr Bill Stevens was not especially convinced by the explanations given and asked why the site had been earmarked for housing in the first place if this was considered a challenging site for delivering housing. He was told that originally due to ‘retail creep’ along Plymouth Road it was desirable to have a housing balance. This site was felt suitable for housing as it is on a bus route, close to local schools and also shops. However, no developer has come forward with a proposal for housing on the site.
Cllr Dylan Tippetts asked if the council had thought about buying the land for its own delivery of social housing. He was informed that the land owner had been approached about selling the site to the council but was not interested and that the land owner did not agree with the earmarking of the site for housing
Cllr Stevens also suggested a requirement for ‘net zero’ would point towards using the site for dwellings rather than retail. He was reminded current consents on the site would allow all three units to be brought back into retail use ‘as is’ and that the proposed redevelopment, which would see less retail floor space at the site, was likely to lead to reduced journeys than if all three units came back into retail use.
Cllr Watkins was concerned that no end user for the builders yard, which was proposed for the eastern end of the site, had yet been firmed up. She was told there was some interest, but as yet nothing firm.
Cllr Rebecca Smith was concerned that the number of EV charging points for the site had not been sufficiently finalised and that solar panels were only being proposed on the roof of one of the new buildings rather than both.
Cllr Ian Darcy was concerned about the proposed trading hours as this site was closer to domestic dwellings than Lidl. He introduced an amendment, which was adopted, to restrict these down by an hour to 7am to 10pm. He also felt an identified gap in trees could cause vehicle lights to intrude on nearby residential properties.
At the same time they have the responsibility of being role-models to a generation of young people in need of positive examples to follow. And we know that some of the squad still carry the scars of hurtful comments on social media in the wake of their defeat in last Summer’s Euro 2020 final.
Being a representative is a tough job. You have to bear that weight of expectation; you have to live up to the values and standards of the school, company, region or nation that you represent. And you have to bear with the stinging words of those who want to criticise you publicly. Who can do all that?
In the Bible we find that Jesus is a representative not once but twice over! First, he came as God’s representative to us. In other words, if we want to know what God is like, Jesus is our answer. Second, he lived and died as our representative. His battle wasn’t a sporting rivalry but a duel to the death – with death itself. And at Easter we celebrate how he won that victory for us. That’s infinitely better even than the famous Jules Rimet trophy that (we hope) our boys will bring home this Summer! Could you find a better representative than him?
Want to discuss any of this further? Send me a message at tom@sherfordchurch.net
Councillors were informed that there needed to be good reason to deviate from the Joint Local Plan, but that there had been changes since it was formulated, such as the climate emergency declaration and the current overall economic context.
The planning committee was informed that the current units were damaged, present a poor image to local residents
After detailed consideration however the Home Bargains application was approved on a majority vote, with the stated caveats. The applicant now has three years to start the redevelopment, although it is anticipated given the applicant’s enthusiasm it will be brought to fruition much earlier.
ANDREW WARD is managing director and sales director of Ability Bathe, a family-run independent bathroom installation company which was founded by Andrew and his wife in 2012.
Andrew has owned and run a complete bathroom supply and installation company for 25 years, fitting all types of bathrooms and wet rooms in the North of England. Since expanding into the South West, Andrew – together with a small team of employees – has specialised in installing and fitting not just bathrooms, but also walk-in showers and wet rooms.
Let Ability Bathe make your life easier. It is small enough to be very personal and approachable, and large enough to have the experience to complete a wide range of bathroom installations quickly and successfully to a very high standard.
Andrew personally goes out to the initial consultation, paying great attention to detail and customer requirements. On commencement, he again attends and personally sets up the installation, running through all points raised with his employees, who will do the hands-on installation.
Then he spends the final finishing hours at the customer’s home to make sure the customer is happy with the installation quality and service. Ability Bathe’s motto is: “A bath to shower in 48 hours”
Andrew says: “We make the promise that we don’t come to you until our previous job is complete and we will not leave you until yours is complete”.
Ability Bathe offers home appointments up to 8pm; for a free, no-obligation quotation call 07711 184309.
Award-winning local women’s charity,
has announced it is
with Plymouth-based Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE) to deliver life-changing dental treatment to those women affected by domestic violence and abuse.
In the UK, one in four women will experience domestic abuse, while one in 20 women experience extensive and repeated abuse and rape as children and adults. In Devon & Cornwall, there are 14,700 women victims of domestic abuse per year.
Women affected by domestic violence often experience immediate dental trauma like damage to teeth or loss of teeth and ongoing health problems related to lack of dental treatment. This can further lower their self-esteem even when they escape the violence because they no longer feel able to smile.
Many women at Trevi’s Jasmine Residential Recovery Centre and those accessing their Sunflower Women’s Centre may also have been homeless or sleeping rough for a time. In this instance, poor general dental health means they often suffer from severe dental problems such as pain and the lack of any teeth, causing difficulty with eating and speech.
Dental damage serves as a visible reminder of the abuse that survivors have experienced and can significantly affect their confidence. By restoring the smiles and oral health of women affected by domestic violence, can have a significant impact on their lives.
SailGP has won a top accolade in the first edition of the BBC Green Sport Awards.
SailGP which was a huge success in Plymouth in the summer won the Ambition and Impact Award - one of just five BBC Green Sport Awards. It is awarded to any elite, professional or or high-performance sporting body involved in the organisation of, or participation in, competitive sport that has net zero and reduction emissions targets by a specified date.
SailGP was lauded by the judging panel of leading sustainability experts for its brave and ambitious approach to purpose, in particular the introduction of its ground-breaking ‘Impact League’ – a second leaderboard which runs alongside the Season Championship and rewards teams for the positive actions they take to reduce their overall carbon footprint and accelerate inclusivity in the sport.
SailGP was also credited for winning three gold medals in the UN Climate Neutral Now Initiative, setting an ambitious target of 55 per cent reduction of its carbon footprint by 2025 and having already made significant progress in Scope 1 and 2 reductions.
SailGP global director of purpose and impact Fiona Morgan said: “I’m so proud that all our staff and athletes’ hard work and the league’s bold and ambitious approach to sustainability in sports has been recognised at such a high level. It’s fantastic to see the BBC as such a global media organisation creating these awards to celebrate the power of sport in tackling the climate crisis and engaging their audience on such a crucial issue.
“We’re only at the start of our journey at SailGP and we’re excited about achieving our ambition to be the world’s most sustainable and purpose-driven global sports platform, as well as inspiring other sports to do things differently.”
Tammy spoke about her experience of dental trauma during a frightening time in her life and the impact dental treatment will has on her life.
She said: “My teeth have never been perfect.
However, for years I was in a very violent relationship where my ex-partner literally pulled some of my teeth out with a pair of scissors damaging other teeth at the same time. This really affected my mental health, self-esteem and confidence - it was literally like something you would expect to see in a horror movie!
“On discovering I was pregnant and escaping the relationship I fled to a women’s refuge and relocated to Plymouth with the help and support of Trevi. I have tried on numerous occasions to get a dentist here in Plymouth only to be told that there is currently a long waiting list for NHS dentists and I can’t afford to go private.
“I have been able to have teeth removed that were broken and causing pain and other times I
have had to literally pull teeth out myself due to the pain and not being able to access a dentist. I now have no bottom teeth at all and on the top all I have left are a couple of broken stubs that are basically just the roots.
“Every time I look at myself in a mirror it’s a constant reminder of the domestic abuse I suffered for so many years and would love to put that behind me, it makes me feel quite depressed. It would mean so much to me to be able to smile with confidence again.”
Plymouth-based Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise has a reputation in the community for supporting vulnerable adults, including the homeless in the community. They visited Trevi to meet with Ruth and some of the women in need of dental treatment.
As a result, community dentist, Elizabeth Murphy, is now providing regular treatment to Jasmine residents on a Thursday. She meets with the mums and looks at priority needs. Treatment could include
fillings, extractions and dentures. The impact for the women is huge, allowing them to improve their smiles and build their self-esteem.
Ruth Branagh, Jasmine Recovery Centre manager, said: “Many of our residents have lost teeth due to domestic violence, substance misuse and sleeping rough for many years. At Jasmine, there is no judgement, and we welcome our residents just as they are. However, we recognise that as our mums start on their road to recovery and building selfesteem, part of that confidence comes from their beautiful smile.
“The offer from Peninsula Dental Community Outreach Team to provide dental treatment for our ladies will make an enormous difference and will definitely give them something to smile about. We are thrilled to collaborate with the team and Elizabeth Murphy, the community dentist.”
Karen Burn, Dental Outreach lead for PDSE said: “I am really excited that we are able to offer this service to the women at Jasmine Recovery Centre, as they are a group of people who really need this service to boost their recovery and self-esteem. The impact of poor oral health is far greater than just someone with tooth decay, it can affect their general health with links to heart disease and stroke.
“I am also delighted to be able to support the women in looking after their children’s teeth, by delivering a training workshop where they can ask questions and learn about the importance of good oral health for their children.”
with Councillor Rebecca Smith
Since I last wrote, our dear Queen Elizabeth II has died and as a community and nation, we have mourned the loss of our much loved monarch and welcomed our new King, Charles III.
Sadly I never had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty, although I was once on the same train as her, even if I didn’t realise until I got off! However, as an ardent Royalist it is was both sad and reassuring to see how the country came together and how the younger Royals have transitioned so reassuringly into their new roles.
It also means that lots of council business was cancelled or postponed so things are just beginning to start up again.
A couple of weeks ago I had an invitation to go out with the Police to see how they were supporting Freshers Week, with a specific focus on the safety of young women and girls.
I am guessing there will be readers whose daughters, granddaughters and nieces may have started university in the last couple of weeks - both in Plymouth and further afield. All I can say from what I saw is that Op Vigilant which was specifically supporting during Freshers Week was excellent and it was great to spend time with members of the Plymstock Neighbourhood Team as they took part in this additional project in the city centre.
October started with Party Conference though
so I’m typing this from Birmingham. Whilst the the main headlines at the moment are rightly centred around the cost of living, rising interest rates and financial uncertainty (and I shared about the Cost of Living Taskforce I’ve set up in Plymouth last month), there is other work going on in politics too.
I was pleased to be invited to speak on two Fringe Panels at Party Conference in Birmingham – the fringe is where all the interesting stuff outside of the main speeches takes place at a party conference - one about sustainable fishing and one on the important topic of Violence against Women and Girls where I was able to share the findings of our recent Commission report.
Plymouth has so much good stuff happening across a wide range of a sectors and being able to share some of this on a national stage is always a part of my job which I love.
To close, the Cost of Living Taskforce is working to put together a package of support for individuals and families across the city including warm spaces, food provision including a focus on Christmas and also financial and debt advice. The Chronicle is committed to playing a valuable role in sharing this information for which I am really grateful, so do keep an eye out for more information.
Please let me know if I can help in any way. Email me at rebecca.smith@plymouth.gov.uk or @ PlymouthRebecca on social media.
Further tough decisions will be needed over the coming weeks as Plymouth City Council continues to address extraordinary budget pressures caused by rapidly rising energy costs and other national and international factors.
Cabinet member for Finance Mark Shayer said the council’s recovery plan will leave no stone unturned to identify ways of reducing costs to deal with the unprecedented budget pressures it is facing for this stage in the financial year.
Councillor Shayer said: “Last month we identified a potential overspend of £13.6 million, caused in large part by national issues beyond our control which are impacting all councils across the country. Since then we have been working hard to identify savings but at the same time have also identified further unavoidable increases in our costs.
“Our additional costs this year now amount to £14.8 million but the work we have done so far means we are in a position to reduce the projected overspend to £8.7 million – a saving of £6.1 million already. This is good progress but it remains a very serious position to be in at this stage in the financial year, especially when we know we will have a very significant shortfall in the resources we need to set a balanced budget for next year.
Thirteen new ‘help points’ have been installed in and around the city centre, Barbican and Mutley as part of a package of measures to make people, especially women and girls, feel safer.
The well-lit help points are located near new and existing CCTV sites, offering increased surveillance in areas of higher footfall where there is a perceived fear of crime, as well as statistically higher crime rates.
Anyone who activates them is automatically connected to the Council’s 24/7 CCTV control room, which has direct links to enforcement colleagues, the police and Plymouth
Against Retail Crime team.
Lighting will brighten on activation and cameras nearby will move to pick up the help points so staff in the control room can monitor a situation while an appropriate emergency response is on its way.
The help points are part of a package of measures awarded Safer Streets 3 funding from the Home Office to target violent crime against women and girls and improve feelings of safety by:
• strengthening the local environment to improve safe passage
• targeting prevention
Councillor Rebecca Smith and Councillor Jonathan Drean pictured at one of emergency help points• helping the community to develop their own solutions, reclaim community spaces and improve guardianship.
They have been installed at the following locations, selected as they are high footfall areas with shops, bars or local schools nearby.
• Armada Way (near the sundial)
• High Street Primary Academy, Stonehouse
• King Street Pharmacy, Stonehouse
• Mayflower Street (at the Armada Way junction)
• Mutley Plain (outside Starbucks)
• North Hill (outside Spar)
“This is urgent and we have to take decisive action. We will leave no stone unturned or opportunity missed to identify ways of reducing costs as overspending is simply not an option. As a political leadership team we are treating this like we would a serious emergency and will be taking positive action to address it.”
“We have now launched a recovery plan that includes thorough reviews of all fees and charges, our procurements and contracts, our capital programme costs, management of debts, reserves, grants and subsidies, our buildings and estates and our current transformation initiatives.
Councillor Mark Shayer“This is urgent and we have to take decisive action. We will leave no stone unturned or opportunity missed to identify ways of reducing costs as overspending is simply not an option. As a political leadership team we are treating this like we would a serious emergency and will be taking positive action to address it.
“While we want to protect services as much as we can, with a budget shortfall this large we simply can’t expect to be able to carry on doing everything we currently do to the same level. Until we get a clear indication of the amount of government financial support, if any, we may have to pause or withdraw some discretionary services. Statutory services of course remain protected.”
A report to Cabinet in September said authorities across the country are facing similar issues due to rising costs. Plymouth’s cost pressures include £7 million of non-controllable costs, including a £4.3 million rise in energy costs.
The council is forecasting that gas bills for its buildings estate, including the crematoria, will increase from £334,000 to £984,000, while electricity bills will increase from £1.3 million to £2.7 million. The energy costs of lighting Plymouth’s streets will rise by £1.1 million and fuel bills for the council’s fleet of more than 200 essential vehicles such as refuse lorries have risen by more than £64,000.
The ongoing impact of the pandemic is also being seen in other rising costs and demand pressures. Changes to people’s working habits have led to an increase in the amount of domestic waste that needs to collected, adding to our annual collection costs. Demand for social care and emergency accommodation has also increased, while income from parking and libraries has decreased.
Councillor Shayer added: “This is not a position that any council administration wants to be in but this emergency has happened on our watch and we will deal with it.
“We are very conscious that families in Plymouth are experiencing the same issues at home that we are as a council, with bills rising to a level no one could have anticipated. We will always listen to the views of all councillors and especially Plymouth residents as we go through this process.”
• Old Town Street
• Royal Parade (Armada Way pedestrian crossing)
• Southside Street (one at Friary’s Lane junction and another outside the Crown and Anchor pub)
• Union Street (one outside Lidl and another on The Octagon)
• West Hoe Park
Councillor Rebecca Smith, Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities and Chair of the Violence Against Women and Girls Commission, said: “We want everybody, especially women and girls, to feel safe when they walk around Plymouth’s streets.
“These help points are just one the practical measures we have introduced to improve public safety and hopefully reassure people as they go about their business, whether they are shopping, enjoying a night out or just getting from A to B.”
Councillor Jonathan Drean, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We worked with partners and the police to agree locations for the new help points and areas around the city centre, waterfront, Mutley and North Hill were selected as they see high footfall, in particular during the evening.”
The Home Office award was secured via a partnership bid by the Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, NSPCC, Eddystone Trust, University of Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association and Street Pastors.
Woodside Animal Welfare Trust has been presented with a cheque for £650 raised by Plympton Bowling Club.
Each year club members select a charity to benefit from the annual charity day and this year it was Woodside which was chosen. A cheque was presented to Maria from Woodside by Plympton Bowling Club president Jan Stapleton accompanied by bowling club members and committee. The day was meticulously organised by Derek Scantlebury and the club’s competition secretary Bob Williams who is responsible for the organisation of all internal club competitions.
The money was raised by the club members having fun playing a ‘Triples Charity Event’ helped with generous donations, raffle prizes plus other money-raising ideas. The club is proud of its charity fund raising events and thanks are due to everyone who assisted and donated. Since 2004 the club has raised in excess of £13,000 for mainly local charities.
A spokesperson for the club said: “Plympton Bowling Club send best wishes to the staff at Woodside, who we applaud for carrying out such a splendid and worthwhile service for animal lovers throughout Plymouth and the South West.
“This band of volunteers are crucial with regard to the
Maria from Woodside, accompanied by Rita the Doberman n, receives the cheque from club president Jan Stapleton
support, health, wellbeing and re-homing of abandon and unwanted animals and are dependent entirely upon donations made by individuals and event raising such as this, in order to be able to carry out their dedicated work.
Maria from Woodside said: “A big thank you this will be a great help in these trying times.” Woodside can be contacted on 01752 347503 or visit their website at www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk
Plymouth Samaritans have received auction donations for their 50th Anniversary Ball from a wide variety of stars of music, sport, film and art.
Donors include musicians Adele and Ed Sheeran, sports stars Mo Salah, Jack Leach and the England Lionesses, and film stars Daniel Craig and Rami Malek.
Artist Jo Beer has donated a portrait of Samaritans founder Chad Varah as an item for auction at te Ball.
There have also been some wonderful donations from local businesses which include restaurant meals, hotel stays, theatre tickets, fine jewellery and hairdressing vouchers.
Branch director Norman Holmes said: “We sent out a number of requests for donations two months ago and, quite honestly, we’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of the folk who are happy to support our work. These wonderful donations will enable us to raise the funds we need to ensure our office and phonelines stay open.”
Supporters of Plymouth Samaritans are invited to attend the 50th Anniversary Ball which will be held on November 12 at the New Continental Hotel to cap off the anniversary celebrations and to raise much needed funds for the branch.
Tickets for the Ball are £55 per head which includes drinks on arrival, a three course meal and dancing to the Swing Kings alongside an amazing raffle and auction. Tickets can be obtained from Mrs Jan Sherriff at janetasherriff@btinternet.com
A Plymouth-based breast care charity is launching a three-year campaign to boost the money it raises for local NHS breast services and to increase awareness of the importance of breast care.
The campaign by The Primrose Foundation comes as latest figures show a worrying drop in the number of women in the area attending breast screening. The campaign launch in October 2022 coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The charity, which is based at the Primrose Breast Care Centre at Derriford Hospital, is also using the ‘Support Us to Support You’ campaign to emphasise the benefits of wearing the right fitted bra. And it says that if just 10% of the 25,000-plus people who use the breast care service at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust annually donated the cost of one bra each year, it would raise tens of thousands of pounds.
On average, the local service diagnoses 400 cancers every year, many of them detected at screening appointments at Plymouth Guildhall or the mobile screening van. Yet the uptake for screening appointments locally is declining and as many as 30% of those invited are not getting screened.
Dr Karen Paisley, Consultant Radiologist at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and Director of Breast Screening, hopes the campaign will encourage more to come forward when they are called for their routine checks: “This is a really exciting opportunity to raise breast awareness and promote our breast screening service, especially as the uptake for breast screening across West Devon and East Cornwall has unfortunately gone down to 70% according to recent annual figures.
‘’I am extremely grateful to The Primrose Foundation for their great work in supporting The Primrose Breast Care Centre, our staff and consequently our patients,” she added.
The Primrose Foundation has raised millions of pounds since it was launched in 1995. Its aim at the outset was to help fund a one stop breast care clinic at Derriford Hospital, which was achieved in 2001, with match funding from the then Plymouth Hospitals Trust.
Madeleine Matthews, Fundraising Coordinator for The Primrose Foundation, said that ‘Support Us to Support You’ has several aims: “This is a unique campaign over three years, and it could not be better timed, with the recent
drop in people attending screening - even though we know how vital it is in providing early detection and diagnosis. The main aim therefore is to raise breast awareness and to encourage people to attend their breast screening.
“We are also hoping it will raise awareness about The Primrose Foundation and the incredible work that the charity does. We want to encourage new support from patients and local businesses, so that we can raise even more money for breast care services in our area.”
The Foundation is particularly keen to forge closer links with supermarkets across West Devon and East Cornwall, with the hope that they can display the charity’s information about breast screening, who is eligible, and when screening is being carried out in specific areas. It is also inviting local organisations to become a corporate sponsor of The Primrose Foundation, with the charity offering a range of corporate sponsorship benefits.
Another big part of the campaign is to emphasise the importance of a correctly fitted bra. The campaign is supported by Marks & Spencer Plymouth, which offers a free bra fit service.
Madeleine said: “Your bra offers a vital support role because a wellfitted bra supports your posture, confidence, and health. Like your bra, The Primrose Foundation supports your breast too. We offer support to those that require breast care, including breast cancer care, so with this campaign, we are asking: ‘would you support us so we can continue to support you’?
“We are incredibly proud of all our amazing achievements over the past 26 years, all of which have been possible thanks to the wonderful encouragement and support we receive locally,” she added
“It is a privilege to help the Primrose Breast Care Centre at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and know that together we are ensuring the best possible breast care services are provided to patients and their families across West Devon and East Cornwall.”
To get involved or donate to the campaign, visit The Primrose Foundation’s JustGiving page, www.justgiving.com/campaign/ supportustosupportyouSupermarkets and organisations wishing to take part in the campaign can contact Madeleine by email at madeleine@ primrosefoundation.org or on 01752 975217. For more information about the charity’s work, visit www.primrosefoundation.org
People walking around the centre of Plymouth are being given a futuristic glimpse of the city’s past.
The University of Plymouth and The Box have joined forces for an augmented reality project that enables residents and visitors to unlock a series of heritage films from the British Film Institute archive featuring Plymouth’s post-war reconstruction.
Passers-by are able to use a smartphone to scan QR codes displayed in five city centre locations, gaining access to archive footage played out in the setting where it was captured.
The AR/Chive project, which will run until the end of September, is centred on Plymouth’s Civic Conservation Area, which stretches from Royal Parade to Hoe Park.
The area represents one of the country’s most iconic examples of reconstruction following the Second World War, with much of it having been devastated by the Blitz of Plymouth in 1941.
The first of the QR codes is located on a sign outside the Guildhall and links through to archival film footage of a Royal visit to the city captured in 1941.
Other footage features the bombed out Minster Church of St Andrew, an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ style film created to mark the
opening of the Civic Centre in 1962, and other iconic city centre developments including Theatre Royal Plymouth and Dingles.
The project is a joint venture between The Box and the University’s MA Smart Urban Futures programme, which encourages students to address design challenges at the boundaries between smart technologies and urban design and planning.
Will Braddon-Milon, the MA Smart Urban Futures student who has worked on the project, said: “It has been fascinating to work together with The Box and bring some of its vast collection of archived film content to life using the latest technologies.
“By placing QR codes around relevant locations within Plymouth, we have been able to show the films within an augmented reality space. It not only makes them more accessible to the general public, but also means they are more engaging and interactive.”
AR/Chive has been funded through the Innovative Placements Scheme with the Bridge as part of the the iMayflower programme. It is also supported by the BFI and the Cultural Development Fund, which is administered by Arts Council England and Historic England’s High Street Heritage programme awarding National Lottery funds.
In light of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we have decided to postpone the Cross Rhythms Experience article which had been planned and instead share some reflections about the life of the late Queen.
It was just three months ago that I wrote an article celebrating the life of the Queen in light of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Little did I know it would be so soon that I would be commenting on her passing.
The main focus of my article in the July editions was a focus on her Christian faith.
In the recent tributes paid by MPs to Her Majesty, Tim Farron MP commented; “She was a constant to us all, but, as has been said already, the constant in her life was her faith in Jesus Christ. Let us remember this: for many people it may be a perfunctory ceremonial faith, but for her it was not; it was a living, active faith in a living saviour. Let us remember this: we have sung for 70 years ‘God Save The Queen’. If her faith is accurate – I am certain it was – God has saved the Queen.”
Undoubtedly the faith of Queen Elizabeth II would have been much deeper than any of us
will ever know. However, every Christmas she would lift the lid on how important the gospel of Jesus Christ was to her personally.
Sir Gary Streeter MP noted in his tribute to the late Queen: “If she was the rock on which modern Britain was built, it was because she stood on the true rock – the rock of ages. In our pluralistic society, containing citizens of all faiths and none, her declaration of Christian faith never jarred, grated or alienated … because it was authentic, and this was demonstrated through her magnificent Christmas broadcasts.”
Here are just a few of the comments Queen Elizabeth II made about her Christian faith in some of her Christmas broadcasts over the years.
In 1986. “When, as the Bible says, Christ grew in wisdom and understanding, he began his task of explaining and teaching just what it is that God wants from us.
“The two lessons that he had for us, which he
Members of Plymouth City Council have agreed a motion expressing their profound sorrow at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and extend their deepest sympathy to His Majesty King Charles III and members of the Royal Family.
At the special meeting on September 30, the council was united in its tributes to Her Majesty – unanimously paying their respects on behalf of the city. Councillors not only shared their condolences, but also their reflections and memories of Queen Elizabeth II.
Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Sue Dann, who proposed the motion, said: “It is right that all councillors come together to pay tribute on behalf of the council and their residents to such a well-loved monarch.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the paragon of public service ever since her commitment to the British people at the age of 21. Her life was an example to all of us in the Council chamber who have committed to public service by serving the people of Plymouth with duty, integrity, selflessness, objectivity, accountability and stewardship, openness, honesty, leadership and respect.
“She will be greatly missed. This special meeting of the council has allowed all elected members to pay tribute, and give the official recognition for the love and respect in which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held by our city.”
The sole item for debate on the agenda was a motion which stated:
The death of the Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022 has united people across the country, commonwealth and world in grief.
Her Majesty was welcomed in Plymouth, both as a Princess and a Queen, many times. One of her most special visits to the city was when she opened the Civic Centre in 1962. This was a milestone in the rebuilding of Plymouth after the devastation of the Blitz.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth also unveiled the Sundial in Plymouth city centre in 1988 with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Armada celebrations. Over her seven-decade reign, she showed unwavering and inspirational dedication in service of the nation and the Commonwealth.
This Council therefore resolves to:
Give thanks for the exceptional 70 years of service of the late Queen Elizabeth II
Offer its deep condolences, and those of the people of Plymouth, to His Majesty the King and the Royal Family on the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II
Express to His Majesty the King our loyalty and our conviction that His Majesty will strive to continue the resolute commitment to the happiness and prosperity of his subjects now and in the years to come.
underlined in everything he said and did, are the messages of God’s love and how essential it is that we, too, should love other people.
“There are many serious and threatening problems in this country and in the world but they will never be solved until there is peace in our homes and love in our hearts.”
In 2002. “Our modern world places such heavy demands on our time and attention that the need to remember our responsibilities to others is greater than ever. It is often difficult to keep this sense of perspective through the ups and downs of everyday life - as this year has constantly reminded me.
“I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.”
In 2017. “We remember the birth of Jesus Christ whose only sanctuary was a stable in Bethlehem. He knew rejection, hardship and persecution; and yet it is Jesus Christ’s generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad.”
In 2020. “The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.”
I could have picked out so many more quotes from the Queen’s Christmas broadcasts over the years and in fact I recommend you take the time to look back at some of her messages. You can find them online at www.royal.uk/christmasbroadcast-2021. Simply change the year at the end of the web address to look back at any prior year.
As we look back at the faith that shaped the personal life of Queen Elizabeth II we recognise it is a faith which, if we’ll let it, will shape our lives for good too.
Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website at www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth
Plymouth’s Barbican Theatre is celebrating the impact of a year of selling all their shows as Pay What You Decide tickets, which has encouraged risk taking and brought in new audiences.
The Pay What You Decide events offer audiences the opportunity to pay whatever they feel an event is worth to them - including no payment at all. Audiences can pay when they book or after they have seen the show.
During 2021-22 over 3,100 Pay What You Decide tickets were issued generating income of £17,224 and the theatre’s data shows that over 60 per cent of those attending were new audiences.
Laura Kreifman, Barbican Theatre’s chief executive said: “We’re fuelling a new consistent audience, with shows selling extraordinarily well and with our ‘small’ venue achieving a reach of over two million people in the last two years.
“Our passion has been about creating new routes into seeing ‘culture’ and that means we have to rethink everything from price, value, how you talk about money, coded and biassed language and advertising, what copy and images actually say to totally new techniques to reach different audiences.”
Jo Cann, Barbican Theatre’s marketing and communications manager said: “Feedback from audiences has been incredible, and proves to the Barbican team that Pay What You Decide is making a huge difference to who can attend and benefit from the experience of culture and live events.
Bishi performing at one of Barbican Theatre’s Pay What You Decide shows
“We have spent a great deal of time making sure the language used to communicate how Pay What You Decide works is both accessible and transparent and it’s genuinely so great to see how this has really worked for us and our audiences.
“We now know that the average price people can actually afford to take a risk on seeing a show is just over £9 a ticket.
“While this has an impact on our box office yield, we’re fuelling a consistent new audience, with shows selling extraordinarily well and with our small venue achieving a reach of over two million people
in the last two years.”
Barbican Theatre was able to commit to a year of Pay What You Decide thanks to the support of the Esmee Fairbairn and Garfield Western Foundation.
Another new season of Pay What You Decide events has been announced including Malaika Kegode & Jakabol’s Outlier (gig/theatre October 14-15), Scratchworks’Hags: A Magical Extravaganza’ (comedy/ theatre October 28-29) and Vincent Dance Theatre’s Hold Tight (dance/ theatre November 12).
Tickets are all available at barbicantheatre.co.uk
Work on Central Park’s newest attraction is set to begin.
A network of ponds and features to capture rainwater are planned for the area near the pond at the Barn Park Road entrance, turning this corner into a home for wildlife as well as somewhere for people to enjoy the surroundings.
It is part of a system that uses sustainable drainage that also includes a swale - a shallow channel to capture water run-off – to allow nature to help reduce the localised flooding that occurs in this part of the park.
Repairs to drains and paths as well as the addition of a number of new trees around this area to help contribute to improved air quality and increase biodiversity in the park are also on the list.
Councillor Bill Wakeham, Cabinet member for the Environment and Street Scene, said: “Central Park has long been one of the city’s most-loved green spaces – adored and visited by residents for generations.
“These works are essential to ensuring that this part of the park is protected from our ever-changing climate and while it may not look a bit muddy while work is ongoing, it will soon flourish into a place where people can come and enjoy the water and the diverse wildlife that the new ponds will encourage.”
Planning permission for the project was initially approved in July 2020, but was revised in early 2022 with measures to further benefit wildlife and give the scheme a more natural aesthetic, while also addressing some comments received during the consultation for the first planning application. The designs show vegetated walls planted with wildflower seed mixes and spaces for residents to enjoy the new ponds, with opportunities for education and engagement to learn about water and wildlife.
Works will begin in October and are expected to be complete by next summer.
For the first four months of the works, there will be a day time closure on Coronation Avenue, which links Milehouse Park and Ride with the Barn Park corner.
The closure will only effect the bottom half of the path, with pedestrians and dismounted cyclists diverted through Pounds Park. The closure will be lifted at weekends and in the evenings and local signage will be in place.
Find out more at https://new.plymouth.gov. uk/central-park
Plymouth designer fashion brand, Identity Fashion, together with Bulgarian designer, Nikolay Pachev, organised a unique fashion show in Royal William Yard for the local community, raising more than £5,000 for the Chestnut Appeal for men’s health.
The collection presented was entitled ‘HUG’ based on the idea that individuals are essential to one another and should cherish each moment shared together.
“The concept behind HUG is simple: I’m here for you, I am standing by your side, I am holding your hand. It’s all about support,” said the internationally acclaimed designer, Nikolay Pachev.
When creating the clothes, Pachev used prints of hands and deconstructed geometric shapes to create a unique look.
The show started with classic 80s power suits which evolved to V-silhouette trenches, silk-layered kimonos, and volume pleated dresses. The high point of the show was several huge puffer jackets that resembled hands embracing the body.
The event marked the third collaboration between lifelong friends Denitsa AvramovaBastable, owner of Identity Fashion, and Nikolay Pachev who had previously worked together on other collections.
In order to strengthen the message behind the show, Bastable and Pachev chose friends and close ones to walk the runway.
The collection was shown in three parts culminating in a performance by Bulgarian contemporary dance artist, Aleksandra Spasova. When models were not strutting down the runway, people had the opportunity to bid in an auction for luxury items.
Denitsa said: “Identity Fashion is all about supporting your own style and identity and helping you wear what makes you feel good. We want to put Plymouth on the fashion map
and ‘HUG’ was a cutting-edge show that could fit right into London Fashion Week. Nikolay’s designs are not only superbly stylish but also thought-provoking. The show was a real celebration of people supporting each other.
“Identity Fashion is a lifestyle brand and is all about community. It supports local artists showcasing their work and offering a platform for them to be seen. Our passion is helping the community and I feel we achieve this with the more personal approach we have when customers visit us.
“We have a team of young designers that help us to create unique sustainable fashion with high-quality fabrics that last beyond the seasons and we do our own unique jewellery in our shops to compliment our looks. Our collections are exclusive, bespoke and unique.
“We are based in the beautiful Mills Bakery building in Royal William Yard. It’s such a unique destination, just like our designs.”
All funds raised went to the Chetsnut Appeal. Lesley-Ann Simpson from the Appeal said: “We’d like to thank Identity Fashion for choosing Chestnut as their charity. What a show it was!
“The evening was very well supported, with the help of some very generous people. Thousands of pounds were raised towards finding the missing men of the pandemic. Over 350 men were tested at our PSA testing
Dame Mary Perkins, Specsavers co-founder, and Plymouth Deputy Mayor Cllr Chris Penberthy were among invited guests at a grand opening of the city’s Newmedica eye clinic.
Visitors at the ribbon-cutting event heard that staff at the state-of-the-art Derriford centre were already working alongside the NHS to assist with its waiting lists.
Dame Mary Perkins, who cut the ribbon at the event, said: “The NHS is under huge pressure, so this clinic is helping. The aim is to improve people’s lives through better eye health.
“Eye health is so important. If your eyesight is deteriorating, you can’t drive your car, read a book or watch the television. No-one wants to lose the ability to do those things, which is why this clinic has opened.
“Of course, having someone operating on your eyes can be frightening, but the whole team looks after patients and makes them feel at home by treating them like a member of their own family, which helps to take away any fears.”
The Forder House clinic, which has created 24 local jobs, opened its doors last month to begin helping patients.
It provides NHS and private treatment for cataract surgery and aftercare, and also offers YAG laser treatment – a treatment used after cataract surgery. There are plans to offer additional services in the future.
Cllr Penberthy said: “My mum and some friends have had cataract operations, so Iknow the huge difference it can make to people’s lives. Here, we have a locally led state-of-the-art solution to people’s cataract problems, and I’m all in favour
event, which is just one of the projects we are working on across Devon and Cornwall to support men in the community.”
For more information visit the website at www.identityfashion.online
of local solutions, so I thank you for the significant difference you will make to many, many people’s lives in the future.”
Newmedica Plymouth is run by a team of five local partners – operational director Amanda Worley, and consultant ophthalmologists Tom Cudrnak, Nick Edmeades, Vasant Raman and Theodora Stavropoulou.
Nick Edmeades said: “This is an exciting day for us. We want to alleviate the backlog of people needing a cataract operation. We’ve got the latest technology, we have fantastic staff, and we want to bring the best possible service to our patients.
“We’re all local: local doctors and local staff so we’re here for the long run, pushing ahead with our plan to provide the highest levels of eye care in the region.”
from independent health provider Newmedica, and has free onsite parking with charging points for electric vehicles, alongside public transport links.
To find out more, visit www.newmedica.co.uk/ clinics or call 01752 421622.
The Roundabout pub in Plymouth city centre has reopened following a £350,000
Receiving a complete transformation throughout, the venue’s new look interior has seen the pub given a new lease of life.
The pub has also seen a new large outside area opened with 16 tables for guests to enjoy the last of the summer sun.
The pub’s facelift has really brought a fresh feel to the popular venue. Inside has seen the pub’s ground and mezzanine floors given a complete makeover, being painted, and having its flooring, carpets, furniture, and lighting all replaced and modernised.
The refurbishment has also seen air conditioning installed as well as two new pool tables.
Externally the venue has been painted blue, with a local graffiti artist, Harriet Wood & Hazardone, also adding a new look to the pub with a mural sprayed onto the outside of the building, making it really stand out from the crowd.
The pub is run by general manager Richard Smith, who has worked at The Roundabout for nearly nine years. Richard is also a volunteer for the national Pubwatch covering the southwest of England and also chairman of the local Plymouth Pubwatch which is the largest in the country with over 150 venues.
Working very closely with the authorities they have a great relationship as partners making Plymouth a Purple Flag city and a very safe one to come and enjoy the entertainment.
Speaking on the reopening, Richard
said: “It’s great to be back open with our new look and space outdoors, and we’ve been as busy as ever since reopening the doors. As well as our popular student nights and weekend events were looking to bring more and more entertainment to the pub, making The Roundabout the place to be for nightlife in the city.”
Events and offers can be found on the pub’s social media page at www.facebook.com/ Roundabout.Plymouth
The latest addition to Plymouth’s network of Wellbeing Hubs has opened in Mount Gould at The William and Patricia Venton Centre, home of Age UK Plymouth.
The partnership between Age UK Plymouth and Plymouth City Council will see local organisations including Improving Lives Plymouth, Timebank South West, Livewell South West and Wolseley Trust using the Hub to host community groups, events and activities as well as services such as social prescribing and age positivity projects.
The Hub, designed to focus on making access to services easier for the community, will have four main aims: to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for local people, to reduce inequalities in health and wellbeing, to improve people’s experience of care and the sustainability of the health and wellbeing system.
In addition to the newly refurbished area at the centre, Age UK Plymouth have also assembled a new team to specifically oversee the running of the Hub and community projects and services which will be run from the centre.
The offer at Mount Gould’s Wellbeing Hub includes:
• health advocacy through social prescribing
• advice on a range of issues including social care, welfare benefits, housing and consumer issues from Age UK Plymouth’s Information and Advice Team
• a dedicated befriending and phone friend service
• a range of local volunteering opportunities
• signposting of local and citywide providers of health services and community groups and activities
• activities, workshops and events including coffee mornings and lunch clubs
• advice with managing long term health conditions through a partnership with Livewell South West that enables drop in sessions to be made available within the community
• working in partnership with Improving Lives Plymouth, both to provide support for carers and on an age positive programme.
The new Hub will be open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
Councillor Dr John Mahony, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “I am really pleased that we are opening the new Health and Wellbeing Hub in Mount Gould, the result of a very successful partnership between organisations in the city and it’s fantastic to see it come to fruition.
“The Hub will bring people together, helping to reduce loneliness and isolation and offering useful advice, all of which will improve wellbeing. New community projects will compliment the range of services already on offer including veterans’ projects, befriending services and social events, providing supportive services for anyone who needs it.”
Alison Feek, Wellbeing Hub manager for Age UK Plymouth said: “Plymouth’s network of Wellbeing Hubs are a fantastic asset for the city. We are very fortunate at Age UK Plymouth to work collaboratively with other organisations and charities in the city to signpost and refer; but now we and our partners can really strengthen our offering for the community by coming together under one roof.”
Heather Stenning, head of services at Age UK Plymouth said: “We are proud to have been selected as the location for this new Wellbeing Hub, it really speaks to the strength of the partnership we have with Plymouth City Council and is a testament to the success of our community based projects over recent years. We look forward to growing our programme of regular services and events and hosting our partner organisations as they continue their excellent work providing a varied and quality offering to the community.”An open day was held today to celebrate the launch of the Hub, giving members of the community an opportunity to explore the new facilities and access advice and information about the services on offer.
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The new Bishop of Plymouth has been consecrated in a service at Westminster Abbey led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Rt Rev’d James Grier made history shortly before the service on September 29 when he became the first new bishop to swear an oath of allegiance to King Charles III.
Speaking afterwards he said: “It was profound and historic, to be the first bishop consecrated under the new King feels overwhelming, humbling and momentous in terms of the honour and privilege of that role.”
As Bishop of Plymouth, he will have the whole of West Devon in his care, including Plymouth, the South Hams, Torbay and much of Dartmoor.
James grew up in Plymouth before studying for ordination in Oxford and ministering in Birmingham before returning to Devon to be a rural team vicar alongside setting up a youth church in Exeter.
During the service he was presented for ordination by the Bishop of Crediton. He was also anointed with oil and presented with a Bible and a ring by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In the congregation were friends, family and members of the clergy who had travelled to London to witness the ceremony.
Hymns chosen by James included Be Thou My Vision, In Christ Alone and the great Wesley hymn And Can It Be.
His wife Liz, who is training for ordination herself, helped administer the wine during communion and his sons read two of the Bible readings.
The service took place place on the feast day
of St Michael and All Angels. The theme of angels was picked-up in the sermon, which was given by the Rt Rev’d Graham Tomlin, who recently stepped down as Bishop of Kensington to establish the new Centre for Cultural Witness.
He told James his role was to “Be a messenger who deals in the good news of Jesus Christ and an angel to the people of Plymouth.”
After the service James said: “That for me is what ministry is about, it’s about bringing the good news of Jesus Christ.
“The God of the universe is bigger than our
struggles, he has defeated evil and he brings us hope. That is what I will be saying wherever I am and whatever I am doing, Jesus loves people, he wants to travel with them and give them hope and purpose.”
After his consecration Bishop James undertook a six day ‘Going in Prayer’ walking pilgrimage from Exeter to Plymouth, finishing at St Andrew’s Church, Plymouth on Friday October 7.
He is then due to be officially welcomed to the Diocese of Exeter with an installation service at Exeter Cathedral on Sunday October 9.
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