Chronicle Plymouth
September 2021
COVID UPDATE See inside for news and information from Plymouth City Council Page 2
www.plymouthchronicle.co.uk The popular Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival is back in September. For details See Page 3
Plymouth Samaritans have commissioned a stunning work of street art with a vital message See Page 18
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Celebrating city’s culture
A new website has been launched to promote, celebrate and explore the cultural sector of Plymouth. The new digital platform www.Madeinplymouth.co.uk has been created as the cultural community emerges from lockdown. Pictured are Plymouth Dance Photo by Dom Moore • See story on page 24
2 September 2021
2 September 2021
@PlymChronicle
Think about what you should do, not what you can Thankfully over the past week our COVID-19 rates have started to drop. This follows a worrying few weeks where our figures were the highest they had ever been.
This just shows us how quickly and easily the Delta variant can spread after even minimal contact. We must remain vigilant. It is clear that with rates still high we cannot afford to relax our guards. While the Government has now lifted the mandatory COVID-19 restrictions, it has stressed that the risks from the pandemic are by no means over and people need to take personal responsibility for protecting themselves. This means that while measures such as wearing face coverings are no longer required by law, people are strongly encouraged to do so, particularly in busy indoor spaces and when using public transport. With so many people in Plymouth contracting COVID-19, I urge everyone to think not about what they can do, but rather what they should do in order to stay safe. We’ll only be able to reduce the rates in Plymouth if everyone does their bit, looks out for each other and continues to follow the
measures such as wearing face coverings. Please support the many venues and employers in Plymouth that are continuing to ask customers and visitors to take these precautions. For example, the Council is maintaining safety measures at its buildings, such as libraries, and is asking everyone to wear a mask. Basic COVID-19 safety can remain part of our daily lives without significantly disrupting how we live. These include: • Wearing a mask in indoor public spaces • Getting tested • Staying outside where possible • Getting your vaccinations I know many people question why ongoing measures are necessary when so many people have now been vaccinated and when so many cases are in the under-25s age group. The vaccine is very good and it is preventing many people from getting seriously ill. Thankfully, it has minimised the numbers dying from the virus and hospital admissions are much lower than they were last year. However, the vaccine does not stop transmission
or illness completely. Most people will only suffer mild symptoms but unfortunately people of any age can still get ill and need hospital treatment. Some will also suffer lasting effects of long Covid. High COVID-19 rates are already putting pressure on health services, not only through the number of patients being admitted to hospital, but also through pressure on staffing and the impact on the whole health system. This is before we have to deal with the extra pressures that come each winter. We all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of the virus now. It is a highly infectious disease and we know that the more contacts people have, the more likely they are to get the virus and spread it. Around 30 per cent of new cases have caught COVID-19 from a household member, another 10 per cent in other settings that can be identified, but the majority – around 60 per cent – do not know where it has come from. So please consider this when planning to meet people and take lateral flow tests regularly to ensure you aren’t going to give the virus to others
If you haven’t had your COVID-19 vaccination yet, or you’re due your second jab, you can get one at the Council’s mobile vaccine van in the city centre – and you don’t need an appointment or NHS number.
Now that the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, the number of positive cases across the city remains high. That means it is more important than ever that people get both doses of their vaccine, to protect themselves and those around them. The mobile vaccine van will be at Frankfort
Gate, in the city centre, every Thursday in August between 10am to 3pm. Only the Pfizer vaccine will be available. The walk-in clinic allows people to attend at a time that is convenient for them and means groups of friends can attend together to have their first doses. It is also an opportunity for those who missed their second dose of the vaccine or haven’t got round to booking it, to ensure they are fully vaccinated. However, please remember that second doses are ONLY given to those who received their first dose Pfizer eight or more weeks ago.
can check the latest number of COVID-19 cases in Plymouth HOW TO KEEP You on the Council’s website at www.plymouth.gov.uk/COVID-19. The information on this page was correct at the time of going to UP-TO-DATE NOTE: press on August 5.
and that you haven’t come home with it. We are likely to have a few weeks with high rates, and now is another time when we have to pull together to keep Plymouth safe.
Get your COVID-19 test this week! The Council is continuing to take its mobile testing site on a mini road trip to hand out free COVID-19 testing kits, for people without symptoms.
Grab your vaccine jab this August
By Dr Ruth Harrell
Director of Public Health for Plymouth
The team will again be visiting busy parts of the city to make it as easy as possible to pick up a kit and to get a test. The upcoming dates and locations are: • Monday 9 August: Tesco Roborough • Tuesday 10 August: Plymstock Broadway • Wednesday 11 August: Tamar House, Devonport • Thursday 12 August: Frankfort Gate • Saturday 14 August: Aldi Stonehouse
You can also pick up home testing kits from libraries, but tests themselves will not take place at these locations. The mobile locations are in addition to the site at Place de Brest in the city centre, which is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm, offering assisted testing and handing out home testing kits. All of the city’s pharmacies also stock the testing kits or you can order them online or through 119, to be delivered to your home. For more information visit www.plymouth. gov.uk/gettested.
Out and About Your guide to events in the local community and beyond
The Hatchling August 14 and 15 Plymouth hosts the world premiere of The Hatchling, a ground-breaking theatrical performance over two days which will see a spectacular dragon hatch in the city centre and grow to the size of a double decker bus before attempt to take to the skies on The Hoe. Created by a leading design team specialising in puppetry, kites and immersive theatre. Details at www.thehatchling.co.uk.
Bird and Aftershock. 10am to 9pm. More details www.skymindstudios.com Tom Jones in Central Park Sept 18 One of Britain’s best-loved entertainers Sir Tom Jones has sold over 100 million records in a career spanning more then five decades. With over thirty-five Top 40 hits in the UK, including ‘It’s Not Unusual’, ‘Sexbomb’ and ‘Delilah’, don’t miss this chance to see Tom Jones performing live in Plymouth. Details www.beeyay.com
British Fireworks Championships Aug 18 and 19 Tens of thousands of people will flock to The Hoe for the return of the pyrotechnic spectacular as six companies battle for the title of British Fireworks Champions. ROOTS UP! Aug 19 Street Factory’s hip hop festival and dance challenge from 6.15pm to 9.15pm at The Hoe on the final night of the British Firework Championships. Event will feature multiple elements of Hip Hop including breaking or b-boying, MCing, DJ-ing, graffiti, rapping, poetry and spoken word, plus a bonus touch of R&B. Midnight Walk Returns Aug 20 St Luke’s popular Midnight Walk is back! It’s an opportunity for women and girls of all ages to come together as one to pay tribute to relatives and friends who are gone but will never be forgotten, sharing precious memories and creating new ones as they stride the streets of Plymouth for either a five, 10 or 15 mile sponsored walk. Sponsored by GA Solicitors, this year’s event kicks off from Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park Stadium and is set to be a night to remember. Details www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/ midnight-walk/ The Great British Summer Garden Fete Aug 22 Turn back the clock and enjoy English tradition at its best at the summer fete, being held in Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. The familyfriendly day out is presented by Miss Ivy Events and will provide a whole host of fun and entertainment for young and not so young alike. The children will have a wonderful time with the bouncy castle, circus workshops, Punch & Judy Show, bubble football, traditional games and lots more! Events is from 10.30am to 4pm. Entry £5 per adult, under 16s free. Tickets must be pre-booked at www.missivyevents.co.uk 1 Big Summer August 27 to 29 Spectacular three day music event featuring
Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival returns on September 18 and 19 Photo: visitplymouth.co.uk Ibiza Classics on Friday featuring a full 26 piece live orchestra as well as including a DJ set by Chase & Status and Rage, top names such as Deadmau5 and Raye on Saturday and the Great British Sausage and Cider Festival on Sunday. One for the whole family with games, competitions and food and entertainment all day. For tickets and information visit www.1bigsummer.com
reputation for electric stage performances and a voice unmatched in the world of rock and roll, Tina Turner has been wowing audiences for over six decades. Now, with a cast of some of the West End’s most incredible talent and a phenomenal eight-piece band comes a spectacular one-night concert of her amazing music Tickets are available from £20, available through www.argyletickets.com, or 01752 907700.
West End Carnival Aug 28 Live entertainment and free fun for all the family hosted by Plymouth City Centre Company and Plymouth Market in the market and around the West End of the city centre. (See story p22).
Gary Delaney Sept 3 Star of Live at the Apollo and sell-out sensation Gary Delaney is appearing at Marjon’s Quad Theatre. Details www.comicalentertainment.com/
Lazy Sunday Market Aug 29 Spend a Sunday savouring quality time with friends and family at the new Lazy Sunday’ Market at Plymouth Albion from 10.30am to 4pm. There will be an array of local businesses with unique gifts and food, perfect for browsing and the opportunity to support local businesses. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy delicious Street Food while listening to some chilled Sunday music, lawn games, performances by Aerial Allsorts and a charity dog show in aid of Refuge4Pets. Dogs are welcome and there is lots of free parking on site. Free entry. An Evening of Tina Turner Aug 29 Fresh from a successful summer schedule of live music and big-screen action, Home Park Stadium will play host to An Evening of Tina Turner. With a string of fabulous hits, a
Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival Sept 5 Originally scheduled to take place in May, the Festival was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Thousands of runners are now expected to take part in the Half Marathon, 5k and 10k races which take place simultaneously. For more details visit www.runplymouth.co.uk Classic Car Show Sept 5 Organised by Saltram Rotary Club in aid of Devon Air Ambulance at the beautiful setting of the Lyneham Estate near Yealmpton from 11am to 4pm. Admission £5per car pedestrians £2. Park Fest Sept 11 Skymind Studios bring live music to Devonport Park with two stages and plenty of fun for all the family. Bands taking part include Rock Fit, MC Harmony, Gozer Goodspeed, Ukeabillies, Fire
£60,000 to make Plymouth safer this summer
Funding totalling £60,000 will provide street marshals and extra CCTV monitoring to help make Plymouth safer this summer.
The funding is part of an overall pot of £350,000 from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The money is aimed specifically at preventing antisocial behaviour (ASB) by young people and creating safer settings for the evening and night-time economy (ENTE) in key areas. These themes were deliberately chosen to tie in with Devon and Cornwall’s summer policing plan which highlights both ASB and ENTE as potential issues this summer. In Plymouth, funding of £30,000 has been matched by Plymouth City Council to give an overall spend of £60,000. The money will be used to provide night-time street marshals and extra CCTV monitoring as well as support for Street Pastors. These services will cover the Barbican and Hoe, Mutley and North Hill area as well as the City Centre, where there will also be taxi marshals on weekends throughout the summer. The Commissioner’s £350,000 investment will also fund specific youth antisocial prevention activities across the city over the summer, including weekly sports sessions in Coxside,
Cattedown and Prince Rock, activity days and a tombstoning diversionary programme. Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “I’m aware some of our community are nervous about the spread of Covid during the unlock and may be too afraid to enjoy our beautiful towns, cities and coastline. “Our experiences last summer showed that dry weather, alcohol and freedom led to some dire consequences. I want this opportunity to be used to prevent the escalation of antisocial behaviour because someone will intervene early setting clear expectations. “Tourism is the lifeblood of Devon and Cornwall and it’s understandable that both locals and visitors will be wanting to make the most of their new-found freedoms and enjoy the summer. “However, it’s important this does not veer into criminality or behaviour that can make others feel threatened or vulnerable. “The measures we are funding will help us keep an eye on both antisocial behaviour and the night-time economy and hopefully prevent any unwanted scenarios, allowing everyone to enjoy themselves.”
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Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival Sept 18 and 19 Seafood lovers are in for a treat as Plymouth Seafood Festival returns to The Barbican and Sutton Harbour. Organised by the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, this free festival is a vibrant celebration of the incredible sustainably caught fresh fish and seafood on offer in Britain’s Ocean City. There will be plenty of fun activities for children to get involved with too, throughout the two days, there’s something for everyone. Stalls will line Quay Square and The Parade, selling delicious fresh dishes to enjoy on the day, as well as some special treats to take away. Soak up the festival atmosphere with some refreshments and live music, with sea-shanty bands who will be entertaining the crowds during the weekend. The Weekender Festival 2021 Sept 25 and 26 Staged at Newnham Park, Plympton the two day event will feature more than 20 acts, a whole host of local talent, cocktails and a funfair. It will feature the best in underground electronic music and commercial dance over a jam-packed weekend. With the legendary Pete Tong, Wilkinson and globe trotter Ben Nicky on headline, while Casa showcases the likes of Eli Brown, Bart Skils, and Danny Howard. Joel Corry, the man behind the current UK No 1 single is joined by fellow chart topping stars 220 Kid, Franky Wah, and Nathan Dawe. For details visit www.theweekenderfestival.com Tour de Moor Oct 10 The Tour de Moor being challenge in aid of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth returns to the rugged wilderness of Dartmoor in October. The popular event offers cyclists an adrenalin-packed adventure over the hillfilled, 52km mixed terrain route of mud, sweat and gears for those aged 12 and over. Shorter courses available for young ones and families. Register at www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/tourde-moor-registration-page
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4 September 2021
4 September 2021
Margaret Hall served as a governor at Plympton Academy for over 20 years
@PlymChronicle
Margaret steps down after more than 20 years as a governor at Plympton Academy Margaret Hall has retired as a governor at Plympton Academy after more than 20 years.
Margaret has had a varied career and now spends her time raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance and helping run the annual Cornwood Show. Her contribution at the Academy has assisted four headteachers and four Chairs in continuing to improve the high standards of education at the Academy and she was a valued member of the governing body.
Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a warning to residents after a number of injury incidents in the area involving the use of e-scooters.
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Two such incidents have occurred recently in Plympton, the first in Glen Road and more recently in Market Road on July 23 when a man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after he came off an e-scooter he had been riding. Although trials allowing these machines to be used in public areas have been going on in some parts of the UK, Plymouth is not one of the trial locations and they cannot be lawfully used on public highways, pavements or cycle tracks in areas which are not part of the trial. The man involved in the incident in Market Road suffered a serious head injury and blood loss. Due to the nature of his injuries there was attendance by both a road and an air ambulance. The man was rushed to Derriford Hospital initially with suspected life threatening injuries but he is since understood to be in a stable
Thinking of a job change or want to start something new? You can put a real smile on someone’s face!
own children came along and as they grew older I took various part time jobs, cleaning, working in a bakery. In February 2020 I was asked to join the team at Friends, and I haven’t looked back. That was right at the start of the pandemic – that must have been quite an experience?
How did you start working in care? It was my first job when I left school; then I moved into child care, then my
deserved all of our thanks.” Paul Hutchings, Governor, added: “I have worked with Margaret for all of the many years she has given time to the school. Margaret can be relied on to be frank and to always stick to the point. “Margaret has never been afraid to ask a question and she has always supported new governors by helping them feel relaxed and at ease in their role. Margaret’s ‘way’ made being on the governing body with her a joy and I thank her for her support over the years.”
Police issue new warning over e-scooters
PRIDE & JOY
Rebekah Dyer is a carer working with Friends Helping at Home for the last 18 months, here she gives you the lowdown on what her job is like:
Principal Lisa Boorman welcomed Margaret back to the Academy for a tour of the new building and a cream tea, personally thanking Margaret for her contribution to Academy life. Cllr Sue Dann, chair of Governors, said: “Margaret’s real passion was the welfare of the students: she always wanted to make sure that they had a voice and were listened to, something that is embedded in our culture. Margaret volunteered for over 21 years in her role as a governor which is an amazing achievement and
Yes, everyone was worried, some were scared at the start. So much bad news and media coverage, our elderly clients needed a lot of reassurance. Fortunately even though PPE was hard to get, my branch manager made sure we were fully resourced, so once we were totally safe it was a question of getting on with the job of caring. Family members as well as clients needed our reassurance and it was a key part of my role. It’s eased up now, and we’re even able to take some of our clients out for social
condition, albeit that the effects of his injuries are likely to be with him for some time. In a statement on their Facebook page Plympton Police said: “We would like to remind everyone that it is currently illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter in a public place in the UK. This is because scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles, so they are treated as motor vehicles. So, if they are used on a road, pavement or a public place they are subject to the same legal requirements as any motor vehicle. The penalties are the same as they are for “motor vehicles”: No insurance; 6 points, £300 fine and the scooter seized. No Licence; penalty points, a fine and seizure of the scooter - please, don’t waste your money purchasing an E Scooter for yourself or anyone else.” There is however a fair chance that the use of e-scooters will ultimately be legalised in some form following the trials which are ongoing in certain areas of the UK, but no formal decision has yet been reached. (Story courtesy of The Plympton Podcast)
walks – for some of them it’s a massive sigh of relief when they get outside. But each person is different, for some it’s one step at a time – caring is always like that, tailored to each individual. The support and advice from my branch manager has been really important to me – she’s just on the end of the phone, always ready to help. Putting the pandemic on one side, what do you love most about your job? It’s a flexible job and every day is different. I have lots of regular clients, so there’s continuity for them and me, but there’s a lot of variety – people are interesting! Their stories and memories from long lives actually give something to you as a carer, as well as the care you give to them. If someone is down and through your visit and care they genuinely become a bit brighter, it’s so rewarding – you’ve made their day.
What advice would you have for someone who is thinking about changing jobs or maybe starting work? If I was older and needed help, I’d like to think there was someone there to provide it – that makes this a job worth doing. Some clients just need to see your friendly face and chat as you come in and make their tea; others need some more personal care. Whatever level you’re at, there’s training available and you have the support of your manager who will work with you to match your skills and experience to the right clients. Your life experience counts for a lot, too. There’s a lot of people who put a brave face on their circumstances but they’re desperately lonely – just by being there you can put a real smile on their face. I’d say find out more and if it fits, give it a go – so many people can benefit from your care.
We provide a safe, friendly and professional service that enables people to remain living in the comfort of their own homes.
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September 2021 5 @PlymChronicle
New urban rangers introduced as part of nature project
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Plymouth’s vast array of local nature reserves will get new dedicated urban rangers as part of a new project.
The Plymouth Natural Grid will support the ongoing Green Minds project in helping to make nature more accessible to residents across the city. It will create 22 new jobs, including five urban rangers, who will work across and care for council and National Trust sites across the city. The rangers will also deliver skills, training and learning opportunities for young people, with Kickstart placements (for people not in employment, education or training) and shortterm accredited learning programmes. Nature conservation will be at the forefront of the project, with improvements across our 13 protected sites that focus on rewilding and nature restoration. There will also be a programme of community engagement to ensure that Plymouth’s more deprived urban areas are connected to their local nature reserve. The scheme is part of an 18-month partnership between the council, National Trust and Real Ideas Organisation and is funded by a £1.2m grant from the Green Recovery Challenge fund. The money will not only support the new jobs but restore and connect wildlife sites across the city and open up opportunities for local communities to get engaged and become nature advocates. Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Plymouth is a very green city, with nature reserves right on the doorsteps of thousands of residents. “What’s so exciting about this project is that for the first time, we will be able to make sure that each reserve is as accessible; is as bio-diverse and is as well kept as the next, allowing us to help springboard the city’s postpandemic nature recovery from Ernesettle, right across to Saltram.” Jez McDermott, general manager for the National Trust at Saltram said: “We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Real Ideas with funding from GRCF. “This project is a great boost right across the city for training and employment within the natural environment. A city wide project, our joint urban ranger team will engage communities and young people whilst delivering a range of exciting and innovative nature based solutions, including at Saltram and Plymbridge woods.” Ed Whitelaw from the Real Ideas Organisation said: “Nature conservation is about our collective future, it is therefore right that young people are at the centre of Plymouth’s Natural Grid, as both our future environmental leaders and the biggest stakeholders”. The Plymouth Natural Grid is one of 90 nature projects across England to be backed by the Government’s £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund. More information on the scheme can be found at: www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureand greenspaces/plymouth’snaturalgrid To find your nearest Local Nature Reserve go to : www. plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspaces/ localnaturereserves
6 September 2021
6 September 2021
END IN SIGHT FOR ‘ABANDONED’ ROADWORKS? The end could soon be in sight for beleaguered Chaddlewood motorists who have become frustrated at the inaction in finishing off a junction improvement scheme which started earlier this year.
Cheque presentation: Vera Price, Plymstock Bowling Club’s Ladies Captain and Fred Burch, Club President, present the cheque to Carol and Michael Frost, from Guide Dogs for The Blind
Plymstock Bowling Club raises over £3,000 for Guide Dogs Plymstock Bowling Club’s Saturday Evening Quiz Night, on July 24, got off to a great start.
Vera Price, club cptain for the 2019-2020 Bowls Season presented a cheque for £3100 to representatives of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. The sum of money, donated by club members and friends, was even more appreciated by Guide Dogs for the Blind as it was collected when the club had very little playing time, or fund-raising events due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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to be moved in order for the works to be completed and we are working with BDWH and Plymouth City Council to make sure this will be done in a way that will not compromise the integrity of our infrastructure”. After months of the issue being Work at the junction of Glen batted back and forth, however, Road with Hillcrest Drive ground some signs of progress have at to a halt some last emerged. A months ago and spokesperson nothing evident for Barratt has happened at David Wilson the junction since, Homes said: “We leaving it difficult apologise for the to negotiate due to inconvenience obstructed vision and are working and a narrowed to resolve turning area for the situation those entering it as quickly as from the Westfield possible. We’ve The semi completed junction direction. been in discussion Workers downed with Openreach tools after finding since earlier this year and have now they could not finish off the works agreed a way forward to complete due to the presence of underground the works.” cabling belonging to Openreach and An announcement on when the this resulted in an impasse while remaining works will finally get Barrett David Wilson Homes (BDWH), underway has yet to be made and Openreach and Plymouth City while the alterations at the junction Council debated between them how are intended to improve the road, to resolve the problem. not everyone agrees the changes are It is understood that as part of an improvement - and some are even a Section 106 agreement attached calling for the work to be backfilled to planning permission to build in and the original layout reinstated. a nearby housing estate BDHW One local motorist posted on homes were required to carry out the Plympton Podcast Facebook various alterations in Glen Road, page saying: “I use it everyday and including amending the layout of apart from the fact that the lanes the roundabout at the Hillcrest Drive are impossible for larger vehicles, junction and introducing extra lanes the visibility for motorists is very to it. very poor. How on earth this is an Openreach blamed the delay on improvement baffles me.” BDWH’s alleged failure to ensure Another seemed to strike a chord, the safety of the underground judging by the number of likes to the cabling before the works started. post, by remarking: “Just backfill it all A spokesperson for Openreach in, scrap the dangerous ‘extra lane’ at said: “Barratt David Wilson Homes the roundabout and revert it back to commenced highway works at how it was, it was far less dangerous the junction of Hillcrest Drive than it is now!” and Glen Road without engaging The new layout does however look with Openreach to make sure our set to stay once the remaining work telecommunications infrastructure is finished off. would be protected during the works. (Story courtesy of The Plympton Some of our ducting will need Podcast).
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News in Brief REFURB FOR OLD PRIORY The summer holiday period is being used at Old Priory Junior Academy for a refurbishment of the Year 5 classrooms. Everything is being ripped out to bring them up to date. This is the start of planned refurbishment works for the school’s classrooms over the next few year
HAIRDRESSER APPEALS PLANNING REFUSAL A Plympton hairdresser who was told by Plymouth City Council that she cannot use an annexe at her home as a salon is appealing her case to the Planning Inspectorate. Charlotte Hutchings was refused retrospective planning permission for her salon in Stoggy Lane, but is now challenging that decision with an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Anyone who commented on the original application has until August 16 to make any further submissions as does the City Council. The appellant then has until August 30 to send in their final submissions after which the Inspectorate will organise a site visit and issue a written decision on the appeal. POSITIVE TESTS DELAY MAIL Postal deliveries in Plympton have been taking longer than usual in recent weeks after a number of workers at the Royal Mail delivery office in Plympton had to self-isolate when a colleague tested positive for COVID-19. A Royal Mail spokesman said: “A number of colleagues are self-isolating at the Plympton Delivery Office following a positive case of COVID-19. We wish our colleagues a speedy recovery. The impact on staffing levels may result in some disruption to services. We are working hard to restore normal service levels as quickly as possible. We remain grateful to all our customers for their patience and understanding.”
CROSSING TAKES A STEP CLOSER It is hoped the long awaited zebra crossing in Larkham Lane will be in place for the start of the new academic year after a recent consultation with residents. The proposed location has now moved to be directly outside the entrance to Woodford Primary School after issues were raised about access to the car park for the Larkham Lane Dental Practice. The cost of the scheme has now increased to an estimated £87,000, just under £14,000 of which will come from the devolved highways budget of Plympton St Mary Ward Councillors. The new crossing has been long called for after a history of children being knocked down while crossing Larkham Lane.
PUB IN BID TO COMBAT LONELINESS Plympton Pub The Stannary Court in Ridgeway has started putting on community mornings every Tuesday in a bid to tackle loneliness and the first one took place on 27 July. Pub manager Nico Williams said: “We all know it has been a difficult and often lonely 18 months and as we start to see restrictions start to ease we are keen to help combat loneliness in our Community.” People are invited to come along to the pub between 9 and 11am on Tuesday mornings where they can meet others, have a chat, make new friends and sample the complimentary biscuits on offer. APPLICATION LODGED TO RESTORE FIRE DAMAGED COTTAGES A planning application has been lodged to carry out work to restore two cottages in Underwood village which were badly damaged by a fire in November 2019. The two properties have been boarded up ever since the fire but following the recently lodged planning application these properties could come back into use again. However, the application hangs in the balance as part of it provides for the creation of an off road parking space. This aspect is being opposed by the Highways Authority and this could result in the application in its current format ultimately being unsuccessful. (News Briefs Supplied by Plympton Podcast)
September 2021 7
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Talented singer-songwriter performing in Plymouth Live music in Plymouth is officially back and to mark the launch of Redeemer Church’s Autumn Alpha Course, talented singersongwriter Benjamin Haycock will be performing a gig on 24th September at 7.30pm live from The Redeemer Building (Redeemer Church, St Barnabus Terrace, PL1 5NN). In 2021, Benjamin appeared on The Voice UK and astounded the coaches by doing an emotional rendition of his original song ‘Restlessness’ that he wrote as a letter to his late Father. Suffice to say, all four of the coaches turned around for Benjamin and gave him incredible feedback in which they called him the ‘real deal’. Such was the level of his audition, it has since been viewed on YouTube by over 1 million people. Subsequently, Benjamin released ‘Restlessness’ as a single and got to second in the iTunes singersongwriter charts. He followed up this success by releasing his second EP ‘Enigma’s Quay’ which got to third in the same iTunes chart, with his debut EP making the top 10 within the same time period. His latest success has led him to partner with Australian guitar company ‘Maton’ and become one of their official artists, alongside the likes of global superstars Keith Urban, Tash Sultana and John Butler. As well as being an exciting evening of live music, Benjamin will be sharing his life story and helping to launch Redeemer
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Church’s next Alpha course which starts on 6th October…..but what on earth is Alpha? Alpha is an 8 week course that creates the space to ask some of life’s big questions about faith, life and God. For many people this past 16 months has caused us to ask some of these deeper questions….questions like “What’s the meaning of life?” or “Is there more to life than this?” or “Why is there suffering?” “What happens when we die?” or even “Is there a God who even cares?” These are the sorts of questions that Alpha helps us to explore as well as examining the basics of the Christian faith. Each evening there is free food, a short talk and an opportunity to discuss the topics with others in an open, relaxed, non-judgemental way. Alpha is open to everyone, people of all faiths and none. So come along and give it a try. There really is nothing to lose.
The Alpha course is completely FREE and tickets for the live gig are just £2. To sign up for them go to www.redeemerplymouth. uk/alpha. Book quickly to avoid disappointment
Dance school celebrates 45 years The Susan Jane School of Dancing will be celebrating its 45th anniversary in September. With the easing of restrictions the school plans to expand and are excited to see what the future holds!
In 2018 the school won the prestigious Marjorie Lynden Award which was presented to them by then Stannator Andrew Hill (see picture above). The award was founded in 1986 by Marjorie Lynden during her own Stannatorial year and successive Stannators have presented the award to their own chosen deserving young person or group of young people who have done something outstanding for their community in Plympton. The Principal of the Susan Jane School of Dancing is Mrs Sue Heesem who started her school in 1976 at just 16 years of age and quickly built up her all inclusive school where she has taught many children including those with learning difficulties. The children dance to a high standard following the NATD syllabus and they have an exceptional exam pass record. In ‘normal’ times all the youngsters are involved in staging a biannual charity fundraising show. The children love performing and everybody participates. Alongside the main shows the School has also performed over the years for the elderly at Harewood House and many nursing homes in the area and they also usually perform at the Lamb Feast. The School has raised money for CLIC Sargent, Cancer Research, St Luke’s Hospice and AGSD-UK, raising thousands of pounds over the decades. Generations of families have enjoyed dance lessons at the school. Jan Sherrington and her family are an example. She said: “My two daughters, myself and now my granddaughter have loved going to Auntie Sue’s dancing school, what a star she is!” Children’s classes take place between 4pm and 9pm on Monday nights with adult classes on Wednesdays between 7pm and 9pm, both at St Maurice Church Hall. Enquiries can be made to Sue Heesem on 01752 342520 or by e-mailing sjheesem1@ hotmail.com (Story courtesy of The Plympton Podcast)
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Angel wings brightening up Hooe!
8 September 2021
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If you pop down to Hooe today, you’re in for a nice surprise!
Local artist Mrs Murals, known for her community support and public art works, has joined forces with Hooe Primary School and Councillor Rebecca Smith to create a piece of art on a previously dull and drab grey wall opposite Hooe Green. Mrs Murals, as artist Ellie Johnson is known, has transformed an ugly wall by the primary school in Hooe from an old toilet block to an inspiring, interactive mural. Speaking about the project, Mrs Murals said: “The design of the mural is interactive, depicting wings that people can stand in front of to give the appearance of them having wings. The colours are those of the school and Devon, and also contains the school logo. “I designed this mural for my local community to signify the end of lockdown and restarting our economy together. “The support from local people both passing by and on social media has been overwhelming, from people stopping for a chat or to offer help, to a welcome cuppa, all of which I am very grateful for. Over the last year I’ve felt more connected to my
Mrs Murals and Cllr Rebecca Smith at the Hooe mural
local community, which has inspired me to paint something for everyone to enjoy. “I was delighted to invite parents and children to use the mural to take photos as I was finishing the final touches too. “Thank you to Hooe Primary Academy and Cllr Rebecca Smith for making it happen and thanks to everyone in Hooe for your kind words, help and support!” Local Plymstock Radford Councillor, Rebecca Smith was contacted by Mrs Murals about the possibility of a mural on this wall in Hooe and
offered to use her Community Grant to pay for a project as well as being to identify the owner of the wall (Hooe Primary Academy!) After a visit to see the final artwork, Councillor Smith said: “One of the highlights of being a City Councillor in Plymouth is having a pot of money to contribute directly to the community each year. When Mrs Murals approached me about supporting a project in Hooe, I was only too pleased to be able to use my Community Grant to pay for it. “The angel wings are a lovely addition to the
area and I know have already been much used by local children and adults alike including me!” Before the school holidays started, the Headteacher of Hooe Primary Academy whose wall has been been transformed, Mrs Lewin said: “When Mrs Murals and Councillor Smith approached us about transforming the old grey wall outside school, we were delighted. “We love the work that Mrs Murals has painted on our school wall. All of our classes have been to visit and enjoyed the interactive nature of the piece either with a friend or a family member. We are thrilled that this has brightened up what was a dull and wasted wall. “Although there was no intention with this by Mrs Murals, for some of our older staff, the wings represent two of our wonderful ex-pupils; it brings an extra special meaning to the piece. Thank you so much for arranging for this to be completed what a thoughtful thing to do for our community. We would love for Mrs Murals to support us in the future with a Year 6 art legacy project.” Next time you’re in Hooe, please pay a visit to the lovely angel wings and grab a picture. Feel free to share on Facebook or Instagram with @mrsmurals and @plymouthrebecca!
Criminal record for Mutley woman who fly-tipped sofa Over 10,000 people have chosen us to fit their loft ladder, this is because we offer: • A large selection of ladders to choose from • A FREE home visit • A FREE written quotation • Fully guaranteed
A fly-tipper has been slapped with a criminal record and hefty bill after a hearing at Plymouth Magistrates Court.
The court heard how in March this year, a woman from Mutley had left an old sofa on the street outside her home, blocking the pavement. A Council enforcement officer was in the area on patrol and came upon the fly-tip and carried out investigations to determine who had dumped it. When enquiries led to the woman, she admitted she had dumped the sofa and a fixed penalty notice for £400 was issued. However, despite reminders, the fixed penalty notice went unpaid and the woman was summonsed to court. Having attended court and pleaded guilty, she was fined £200, with legal costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £34. Councillor Maddi Bridgeman, Cabinet member for the Environment and Street Scene, said: “Another week, another flytipping case against another person who didn’t do the right thing with their waste. “When will people understand that we do not tolerate fly-tipping in this city? I urge residents to please take responsibility and ensure that waste is disposed in the correct way.”
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Brent Singers on air and in the open air! The Brent Singers have had one of their recordings showcased on the radio and have rounded off their singing season with their first face to face performance involving the majority of the choir in 18 months.
Zoo volunteer Mark creates wellbeing area in memory of his partner Sharon A brand new wellbeing area has been officially opened at Dartmoor Zoo. ‘The Breathing Space’ is located by the walk-through enclosure and is a peaceful area of the Zoo where guests can sit and reflect. Mark Scott, a volunteer at Dartmoor Zoo, decided to create this area as a living legacy following the passing of his partner in March 2021. He said: “At the young age of 62, my partner Sharon sadly passed away in her sleep. On a weekly basis, we would watch the film We Bought a Zoo and Sharon took inspiration from Benjamin Mee (chief executive of Dartmoor Zoological Society) with his ‘can do’ attitude to life. “I wanted something more than a plaque to remember Sharon so approached Dartmoor Zoo with the idea of creating a quiet area.
“After months of hard work, I’m delighted that this area is now ready for the public and hope that everyone is empowered by what it stands for and gets as much from it as I do.” As a wildlife charity, Dartmoor Zoological Society has developed a wellbeing programme over several years. They have fostered the benefits of biophilia and how working with or being surrounded by animals and nature can improve wellbeing. This project enhances the programme further and will benefit thousands of people. There are several ways for people to pay tribute to the life of someone special, whilst make a lasting difference to wildlife and people. For more information, please contact zoobase@ dartmoorzoo.co.uk. Dartmoor Zoological Society relies on the generosity of individuals to continue its important conservation work and donations can be made here: https://bit.ly/DonateDZS
After practice sessions on Zoom and three weeks of small group rehearsals in the open, the singers from South Brent were delighted to recently perform together privately in the open at Lukesland Gardens in Ivybridge at the request of the Howell family. They have also had one of their recordings from a pre-lockdown concert featured on a new local radio show dedicated to the work of local singers. Songs of the Westcountry is a thirty minute show broadcast on Hospital Radio Plymouth on Sunday and Monday nights and is hosted by Plympton broadcaster Andrew Hill. A recent edition of the programme focused on music from local choirs in Devon and Cornwall and featured the Brent Singers giving a rendition of Ol’ Man River from the musical Showboat. This was among a number of pieces the choir sang in a concert at St Petroc’s Church in South Brent in 2018. After a summer rest during August, the singers will start their new season of rehearsals in September. More details about them can be found at www.brentsingers.org.uk It is hoped that Lukesland Gardens will be able to re-open to the public in October. Past editions of Songs of the Westcountry can be found by performing a search on that programme name at mixcloud.com (Story courtesy of The Plympton Podcast)
Brent Singers rehearsing at Lukesland Gardens
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Plymouth women celebrate victory in state pension campaign after Ombudsman’s ruling Women in Plymouth born in the 1950s who were not told their state pension would delayed by several years are celebrating a notable victory in their campaign for justice.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman ruled recently that Government officials were too slow to tell many women they would be affected by the rising stage pension age. The findings bring the prospect of compensation closer for millions of women who have been affected by the issue. It also marks a major victory for WASPI - Women Against State Pension Inequality - which has been at the forefront of the campaign. Plymouth members of WASPI gathered on Plymouth Hoe to celebrate the Ombudsman’s ruling and to raise awareness of the
difficulties many women have faced because of the issue. Kim Eynon from Milehouse has been a leading member of WASPI for a number of years after finding out that her plans to retire at 60 had been shattered and that she would have to wait until she was 66 to receive her state pension. Kim and her husband Paul ran the Lemon Tree Bistro in Elburton for 15 years and they had planned to retire when she was 60. She said: “I was in my late fifties when I was told that I would have to be 66 before I received a pension. It was a real kick in the teeth. I had worked hard ever since I was 15 and to find out that I would have to wait so much longer knocked my socks off. “It meant all our plans for retirement had to change and I now have to claim Universal Credit, which I could never have imagined
Getting the message across: WASPI members with their protest banner on The Hoe
Plymouth WASPI members take their protest to The Hoe Photos: le23photography
would happen.” In the wake of the pension controversy Kim and Paul decided to sell their business and retire anyway. Ill health and looking after elderly parents also influenced their decision. Kim said: “I still have to wait several years for my state pension, so I have been forced to claim Universal Credit - which I never imagined would happen.” Kim said that many women affected by the DWP’s decision had faced serious financial hardship and other issues. “I’m aware that there are women who have had to sell their homes, ended up on the streets or lost their lives because of the
worry and anxiety caused,” she said. WASPI is now urging its members to lobby their MPs and Chancellor Rishi Sunak in a bid for compensation or interim payments. Angela Madden, who chairs the national WASPI campaign, said: “The findings reinforce what we, unfortunately, knew all along; that the DWP failed to adequately inform 3.8 million 1950s-born women that their state pension age would be increasing. “These women have been waiting for many years for compensation. We cannot wait any longer. We are calling on the government to agree fair and adequate compensation rather than allow what has become a vicious cycle of government inaction to continue.”
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Community groups prepare to welcome The Hatchling Community groups and creative organisations from across Plymouth are preparing to welcome The Hatchling, a monumental dragon puppet created by outdoor arts producers Trigger.
Over the weekend of August 14 and 15, The Hatchling will roam through the city encountering locals, and their offerings, on her journey, creating a duet between the two characters of the performance: the dragon and the city. The public are being invited to take part in the show across the weekend. Theatre Royal Plymouth are looking for people to join their regular groups to create a fitting welcome for the dragon. No performance experience is required, but people are being asked to register their interest and availability for rehearsals at www.theatreroyal. com/thehatchlingbepartofit. Meanwhile Trigger are searching for local buskers to perform along the route - interested musicians should contact becca.gill@triggerstuff.co.uk. A number of groups are already preparing to take part in the two-day event including Barbican Theatre, who are creating new work especially for The Hatchling. On Saturday August 14, 30 singers from The Lost Sound choir will perform a lullaby to send The Hatchling to sleep after a day of exploration. The following day, performers from Plymouth Roller Derby will encounter The Hatchling on the Hoe before she undergoes a miraculous transformation, unfurling her wings and flying off
the coast in a world-first attempt. The epic finale will take place to the melodies of Mayflower A Capella group who will perform a musical soundscape with a blend of 26 voices harmonising together. In advance of The Hatchling’s visit, designers and makers in Plymouth are creating their offerings. Plymouth College of Art students have joined Trigger’s costume department to make outfits for performers, and Mother’s Who Make are producing individual textile works that will be stitched together during the weekend to form a huge quilt for the sleeping dragon. Elder Tree will be participating in knitting and crochet work on Saturday before hosting a mass Tai Chi Class on the Sunday. Plymouth communities are also getting involved through the Real Ideas Organisation who are working with families to create windsocks which will fly on the Hoe on Sunday Members of Plymouth Roller Derby will encounter The Hatchling evening.
The Conscious Sisters are working with local groups around the city to make lanterns which will be shown in a parade with the help of Nudge Community Builders. Sandra Smith from The Lost Sound said: “Coming out of lockdown has been hard for our communities; we haven’t been together at large events for a long time and we’ve missed that buzz! But wait till you see this amazing outdoor show - The Hatchling will burst out onto our Plymouth streets and allow our minds and imagination to soar again – to dream big! We can’t wait to be part of it, it’s time to fly again!” Harriet Bolwell, senior producer at Trigger said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with so many participants and partner organisations from across Plymouth to create The Hatchling. The event is a true celebration of the city and the creative people who live here, and we can’t wait to come together after a year of isolation.” After Plymouth, The Hatchling will continue her journey to London to head a procession of more than 5,000 performers at Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant, taking place on Sunday June 5 2022.
University scientists help to unlock hidden secrets of rare UK meteorite Scientists from the University of Plymouth are helping to uncover the secrets of a rare meteorite which could possibly reveal the origins of the oceans and life on Earth.
Research carried out on the Winchcombe meteorite, which fell in and around the Gloucestershire town earlier this year, estimates the space rock dates back to the beginning of the solar system, 4.5 billion years ago. The meteorite was tracked using video footage from the UK’s meteor camera networks, including the UK Fireball Network, and fragments were then quickly located and recovered. Since the discovery, UK planetary scientists – including Dr Natasha Stephen and colleagues in the University’s Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC) – have been trying to determine its mineralogy and chemistry to better understand how the solar system formed. They have found the meteorite is a carbonaceous chondrite – a stony material, rich in water and organic matter, which has retained its chemistry from the formation of the solar system. Funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), the research work in Plymouth has include analysing small samples of Winchcombe to determine both the fine and coarse-grained mineralogy of the meteorite. Preliminary results of chemical and micro-
structural analyses of the different textures in Winchcombe have shown in-tact chondrules, metals, and mineral fragments, all held within the fine-grained matrix, which represent some of the earliest materials to form in the Solar System. The work has been carried out by Dr Natasha Stephen, lecturer in Advanced Analysis (Earth & Planetary Sciences), and PEMC technicians Dr Jennifer Mitchell and Lorelei Robertson. They have also been supported by planetary science postgraduate student Francesca Willcocks, and they are all using the cutting edge electron microscopes within PEMC to conduct the investigation. Dr Stephen, director of the Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre, has spent more than a decade analysing Martian meteorites and has been on meteorite hunting expeditions all over the world. She added: “Collecting meteorites in the field is always special, but doing it in your home country is even more so. Now we have a piece of Winchcombe to analyse right here in Plymouth. It’s the first time we’ve had a British meteorite in the lab, so everyone is incredibly excited and keen to be a part of the initial analyses. “The small planetary geology group we have here are all helping, thanks to STFC funding, so it’s been a fantastic catalyst for a new study bringing together academics, technicians and students.”
The Plymouth University Winchcombe team Dr Natasha Stephen (front), postgraduate student Francesca Willcocks (middle), and new technical specialist Dr Jennifer Mitchell (back)
September 2021 13
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Latest veterans’ self-build underway Work is about to begin on the Stirling Project, Plymouth’s latest veterans selfbuild scheme.
Based on the site of a former residential care home on Honicknowle Green, the project will see eight previously homeless veterans involved in the construction of 25 selfcontained affordable homes to rent. The start on site has been made possible through a partnership between the Plymouth City Council, housing association LiveWest and veterans’ charity Alabaré, who in 2019 merged with the Community Self Build Agency. Taking inspiration from the successful Nelson Project, 12 of the new homes will be built, and lived in, by former service personnel who have been previously homeless or are in need of housing. During the course of the build, the veterans will earn construction qualifications and skills which will help them gain employment once the project is complete. The Alabaré team specialise in providing support to the veterans throughout the project to help them rebuild their self-esteem, mental health and wellbeing, enabling them to live successful, independent civilian lives in the new homes they have built. The support provided by Alabaré has been funded thanks to a grant from Plymouth City Council. Adrian, a veteran who has joined the Stirling House Alabaré Veterans Self-Build team, said: “This is a unique opportunity for me to learn new skills and to have a fresh start and to seek new challenges ahead.” Councillor Vivien Pengelly, Cabinet member for Home and Communities, said: “We are so proud to be able to support this the Stirling Project, Plymouth second veteran’s self-build project “Plymouth is a service city and we owe so much of the character and vibrancy that we have in the city to the many former and serving military personnel who live here which is why it’s so important we deliver to help those who have served their country through projects such as these.” “I look forward to watching the project and individual veterans go from strength to strength as the project progresses.” Russell Baldwinson, executive director of Development for LiveWest, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners on such a flagship scheme for Plymouth, supporting the further regeneration of the city. “The Stirling House project will provide much-needed housing for a wide range of people and will also offer something unique and special, where during the construction period ex-service personnel will have the opportunity to train and build on the scheme supported by Alabaré. “We are proud to be bringing forward highquality build and design which focuses on the wellbeing of residents making it an exemplar project. “We are looking forward to this exciting development progressing over the coming months and seeing the veterans gain some valuable experience in construction and jobbased skills.”
up to
On site at the Stirling Project (from left) Graham Devine, director of LHC Design; Russell Baldwinson, executive director of Development for LiveWest; Adrian, veteran; Debbie, veteran; Cllr Nick Kelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council; Tim, veteran; Major (Ret’d) Ken Hames, chief operating officer for Alabaré Veterans Self-Build; Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moorview and Adrian, veteran
Major (Ret’d) Ken Hames, chief operating officer for Alabaré Veterans Self-Build, said: “This is our second veterans self-build in Plymouth and we are pleased to be in partnership again with Plymouth City Council and LiveWest. “As a veteran myself I understand the difficulties some veterans face transitioning to civilian life. This scheme offers the right support, challenge and training to help veterans toward full time employment and independent living. “It also demonstrates a wider objective to bring an inspired vision of growth and regeneration to the Honicknowle Community.” The project will be built on the site of the former Stirling House, a former residential care home, owned by the Council, which had been empty for several years. The scheme follows on from the completion of the Nelson Project in October 2017. This multi award-winning scheme saw the
construction of a 24-home development that includes 12 self-build homes for military veterans and 12 mixed use affordable homes, including supported housing. Totnes-based, Coyde Construction, has been contracted to build the Stirling House scheme which has been designed by architects Form Design. Of the 25 homes, 19 will be one and twobedroom flats together with two, three and four-bedroom housing. Once complete, all of the homes will be let by LiveWest at a subsidised social rent, in order to provide support for households in high need. The large four-bedroom house has also been designed as a wheelchair adapted property, helping to address the significant shortage of such properties across the city. The project will benefit from grant-funding from government housing agency Homes England.
A new Home Office scheme will relocate locally employed staff who worked for British forces, often in dangerous and challenging situations, during the conflict in Afghanistan. The staff, who will move with their families, provided roles such as translators, interpreters or clerks. Their work undoubtedly contributed to saving British lives and, in recognition of the commitment and bravery shown since 2013, they will be entitled to build new lives in the UK. Plymouth is just one of a number of cities joining the scheme and our involvement supports the city’s strong connections with the Armed Forces and further boosts our credentials as a welcoming city. During the first 12 months in the UK, the staff and their families will be supported through an integration package to assist in adjusting to their new life in the UK, including finding employment.
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An artist’s impression of the Stirling Project
Afghan heroes to build new lives in Plymouth
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Although the language skills of the primary applicant are likely to be pretty advanced, support will also help family dependents so that attending schools and community activities is quickly possible. After completing the five years limited leave, they can apply for permanent residence in the UK, ensuring that they can settle permanently in Plymouth and continue to build their lives and future. Councillor Vivien Pengelly, Cabinet member for Homes and Communities, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Plymouth is set become part of this scheme. “These people are heroes. The courage they have shown in helping our troops among complex communities in Afghanistan is rightly being rewarded and I look forward to welcoming them here to Plymouth to join our warm armed forces family.” Participation in the scheme follows on from a similar project run between 2014 and 2016 which saw 16 households welcomed to Plymouth.
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14 September 2021
Summer splash for pontoon
Plymouth’s wild swimmers will be able to use a swimming pontoon as the city begins to make waves as the UK’s first National Marine Park.
The floating pontoon has been installed as part of a pilot scheme to see how well it is used. Cattewater Harbour Commissioners have towed the pontoon to its new home off Tinside before it was secured to the sea bed. The pontoon is the latest in a raft of new facilities that have been popping up along the waterfront thanks to a grant worth £625,000 from the Getting Building Fund. New defibrillators have been installed along the waterfront and businesses offered training and the package has also helped fund the digital infrastructure to host the epic SailGP event, which saw thousands enjoy Plymouth at its very best. Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “Hot on the heels of being awarded the funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to create the first National Marine Park, we are being proactive in encouraging more people to enjoy the Sound as safely as possible. “By re-introducing the popular swimming pontoon we are demonstrating that we have listened to people’s requests and this is a practical measure that will help people feel safer whilst undertaking activities in the sea. It will be located off a popular swimming beach and is ideal for swimmers to rest if they get tired or should suffer from cramp. “This is part of the new Council administration’s continued commitment to improving our amazing waterfront and making the most of this spectacular location through investing in maritime facilities, allowing more people to benefit from our coastal waters and making accessing the sea easier. “The pontoon is going to be in place for eight weeks over the summer season to see how well it is used and to monitor any issues, with plans to install larger and more permanent platforms next year.” The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership was allocated money from the Government’s Getting Building Fund to invest in major infrastructure projects to support economic growth across the city. The project is one of a number to be successfully submitted by the council and partners across the city. About the National Marine Park Last month the city learnt that Plymouth Sound, the home of UK’s first National Marine Park had been awarded £9.5 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to make its vision of a park in the sea a reality. The success of the Heritage Horizon Awards bid means that the city can press on with its vision to help reconnect to the sea, the marine environment and its history. As well as physical improvements to key gateways to the park, there will be a city wide community engagement programme designed to get all Plymothians in, on, under and next to the water and develop new ‘green’ marine employment opportunities.
14 September 2021
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Plans for new cricket pavilion at Sherford as sports and lesiure facilities continue to expand Plans have been submitted for Sherford’s first cricket pavilion. It follows the opening of the town’s playground, skate park and games area, and is another expansion of community facilities.
The proposed new pavilion will be located near an area known as the ‘Western Pitches’ a space dedicated to a variety of outdoor sports. The area will also include a cricket pitch, full-sized football pitch, and two five-aside football pitches. With a huge investment being made into the creation of high-quality play facilities, it will be a stone’s throw away from the newly opened playground, skate park and games area – and where tennis courts and a 3G pitch are also set to open soon, followed by the construction of Sherford’s leisure centre. The plans for the new cricket pavilion show a facility that will enable sports teams and clubs to prepare, recuperate, and socialise, with the building set to include a club room and treatment room, as well as changing, shower and accessible WC facilities. The building will be able to benefit a host of different sports and social groups, providing a useful new community building for the growing town. The state-of-the-art new structure has also been designed to integrate and enhance the surrounding green landscape, with its design drawing inspiration from natural resources and materials. Following approval, construction of the new, one-storey, pavilion could begin as early as this autumn, with completion expected in early 2022. The
Artist’s imprssion of the new cricket pavilion
pitches are already under construction and will open in stages, when each new surface is ready. Ian Pugsley of Taylor Wimpey, part of the Sherford Consortium, said: “Cricket is a great community sport, and the pavilion will be an exciting addition to Sherford. With a number of new outdoor facilities now open and with even more planned, the town’s communal spaces are expanding. This area is fast becoming Sherford’s ‘sports district’; a location dedicated to outdoor sports and play. “A massive investment is being made in the creation of these new facilities, which we will hope will help bring people together, while offering sports enthusiasts and families a safe, secure and accessible location to enjoy a variety of different activities. We are
committed to providing everything needed for a thriving new community to play, learn and take advantage of the great outdoors.” Sherford is set to be one of the region’s most vibrant and thriving new communities. Decades in planning, construction at Sherford is progressing well, and the town is already home to hundreds of families. When complete, Sherford will have 5,500 homes in three distinct neighbourhoods, four schools, community facilities, shops, businesses, abundant green spaces, a 500acre community park and much more. The Sherford Consortium – a partnership between Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Partnerships, which includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes – is responsible for development of the new community. Visit Sherford.org for more information.
Plymstock tapestry project nearing completion Back in 2018 before all the COVID 19 restrictions the Plymstock Community Forum initiated a plan to create an historical tapestry to be installed in Plymstock Library.
Little did organisers know at that time what a challenging task this would be. The whole idea of a tapestry depicting the history of Plymstock came about because an historical mural on the outside of the old library building had been destroyed when the library was demolished and someone suggested a tapestry would be a good alternative. From that point on, a small group of the committee of the Plymstock Community Forum met to plan the project. In the course of a few weeks, a meeting was called inviting people to get involved with the planning, historical content, design and embroidery of the tapestry. The Forum also had to seek funds to from various sources including the Mayflower 400 fund. They were delighted with the response from the community and the funders and soon had historians, artists and embroiderers on board. After much discussion, the group ended up designing 15 tapestry panels depicting
the Plymstock area through the ages starting with Prehistory then Romans, Saxons, Normans and Elizabethans, right through to the present day. Many significant characters are depicted and events recorded over the centuries and these are represented in the tapestry designs. Brian Steele, a member of the Tapestry steering group said: “A great deal of time and effort has gone into the project and just as we got into the swing of things lockdown hit us. Despite not being able to meet together the work has progressed well and we now have the historical and colourful panels almost complete. “The Tapestry steering group cannot but admire the skills of the embroiderers and the designers who have applied themselves without the chance of meeting together. We can’t wait to get together and share what has been done. He added that if the plan goes well the tapestry teams will be able to get together in the autumn and will be able to install the panels in the library hopefully, by the end of the year. That is when the public will be able to visit the library and see the results.
Tapestry group members Angie Low (left) and Krystyna Skinner with the Elizabethan panel
September 2021 15
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Demand for new commercial premises growing Demand for additional commercial buildings at one of Plymouth City Council’s popular business parks is being satisfied by new buildings being constructed to help expanding city firms grow and to attract new investment into the city.
The council has started the third and final phase of its highly successful development at Hearder Court on the Langage Business Park in Plympton. Work got underway in May, with the ground work, piling foundations and drainage for the scheme all nowcompleted Soon the first of the steel girders will go in which will frame the building and give a sense of the scale of the 2,355 square metres of commercial space that’s to come. The three units of the £2 million development are designed to be flexible with internal party walls that can be removed to allow units to be combined. Additional space can be created at first floor level by expanding the offices or installing mezzanine floors. The workspace will have solar voltaic panels, high levels of insulation and lift access to units with first floor office accommodation. Offices will be heated, lit (LED lighting) and carpeted, with natural ventilation, extensive glazing to office areas and roof lights within the production space to maximise natural lighting. The scheme has been designed to be highly efficient and will assist in reducing running costs to occupying businesses. The scheme itself is targeting the highest Energy Performance Certificate rating for commercial buildings of ‘A’. Facilities include toilet and shower facilities, kitchens, dedicated car parking and large service yards. There will be EV charging pods for vehicles, cycle shelters as well as recycling zones. Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “We are conscious there is a shortage of high
Council Leader Nick Kelly pictured n the digger with (from left) Alistair Todd, site manager, Stuart O’Higgins Devon contractors contract manager and James Watt, head of land and property at Plymouth City Council
quality space for businesses locally, so we are investing and delivering the premises required to encourage expanding firms to flourish or new firms to operate in our city. Not only are we helping to meet the demand for employment space for around 70 people, we are helping secure local construction and supply chain jobs. “Hearder Court Phase 3 is tangible proof that Plymouth has a vibrant and expanding commercial sector that bodes well for the city with the creation of local jobs and that our city is able to meet the needs of the business community.” When complete, the premises will become part of the Council’s growing property portfolio, helping to bring in rental income into the city’s services. The build is being carried out by Devon Contractors who were awarded the contract following a tendering exercise by the Council last year. Contracts manager Stuart
O’Higgins for the company said: “We are delighted to begin work on this exciting project, which will provide top-quality working space for innovative Plymouth businesses and contribute to the wider economic success of the local area. “Devon Contractors will be working hard to ensure the project is finished to the highest standard and ensure positive progress for this important scheme bringing investment and employment opportunities to Plymouth.” Detailed planning was secured in May last year and if all goes according to plan, the units should be ready for businesses to move into early next year. It is anticipated that these high quality units will be in demand and are available to lease now (by way of pre let) Interested parties are encouraged to make contact to discuss their requirements. For details contact Tom Palmer of Commercial Property Team on 01752 304202 or email tom.palmer@plymouth.gov.uk
£200,000 invested in new flooring store
One of the fastest growing retailers in the UK is well on its way to reaching its target of opening 25 new stores in 2021, with Plymouth now being added to its list of locations.
Flooring Superstore opened the doors to its newest store on the city’s Marsh Mills Retail Park in July. The retailer has invested £200,000 in the 3,400 square feet outlet, which is resulting in the creation of four new sales representative roles for local people. It is the 13th store Flooring Superstore has launched in the UK since non-essential retail was permitted to resume trading from April12 and forms part of a plan to open a total of 25 stores in 2021; taking their total store count up to 50 across the UK. Flooring Superstore regional manager, Nathan Pritchard, said: “We are delighted to be able to add Plymouth to the list of our stores in the UK. “It’s a fantastic location for us, providing us with a presence on a thriving retail park and we’re looking forward to introducing our products to shoppers. “This is our second store in Devon, having opened an outlet in Newton Abbot in 2019, so we are pleased to once again be able to support the local and regional retail economy.” This bring the total number of stores it has in the UK to 35 and by the end of the year it is planning to have 50. Nathan added: “Less than 10 years ago we purely had an online business, so we have a come a long way in such a short space of time.”
THE HATCHLING
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16 September 2021
16 September 2021
Plymstock Matters with Councillor Rebecca Smith
Not sure if you found the July heatwave a blessing or a curse. Once I got used to working rather than being on holiday in such high temperatures I quite enjoyed it!
As the school holidays are in full swing, did you know that there is a free holiday club, Feast of Fund, taking place at Plymstock United Church on Plymstock Road every Wednesday morning in August from 10am-12.30pm with games, crafts and activities with lunch provided? I’m really pleased I have been able to use some of my Community Grant to support this annual event. You might also like the check out the new interactive mural outside Hooe Primary School. The two angel wings are designed so you can try the wings for size and hopefully have fun with family and friends getting a picture or two. Again, I’ve been able to pay for this artwork which has been painted by local artist, Mrs Murals. You can read the full story on page 8. We’d love to see your pictures on social media! Feel free to tag @ mrsmurals and @plymouthrebecca on Facebook and Instagram.
Finally, have you heard about the Plymstock Tapestry project that been taking place throughout Lockdown as part of the Mayflower 400 celebrations? In 2018 before all the COVID-19 restrictions came about the Plymstock Community Forumdecided to create an historical tapestry that would be installed in Plymstock Library. After much discussion, the specially formed team designed 15 tapestry panels depicting the Plymstock area through the ages starting with Pre-history then Romans, Saxons, Normans and Elizabethans, right through to the present day. Many significant characters are depicted and events recorded over the centuries and these are represented in the tapestry designs. Despite not being able to meet together the work has progressed well the panels are almost complete. You can read the full story on page 14. Enjoy the summer and let me know if there is anything I can do to support you. rebecca.smith@ plymouth.gov.uk/07825 034970/ @PlymouthRebecca (Facebook, Twitter and Intstagram)
@PlymChronicle Members of Plymouth Philharmonic Choir performing at The Garden House Photo Howard Perks
Gardens are perfect setting for choir’s outdoor performance One of Britain’s finest gardens, The Garden House on the outskirts of Plymouth at Buckland Monachorum, recently hosted members of the Plymouth Philharmonic Choir who gathered on the front lawnto sing in an idyllic setting.
For head gardener Nick Haworth, gardening means selecting the best forms and cultivars to ensure diversity of seasonal interest – always innovating, always refining. Harmony and counterpoint like the work of a good choir. Plymouth Philharmonic Choir are used to performing concerts of three or more major choral works a year with a full orchestra and nationally renowned soloists. Training and nurturing voices of current and new singers, blending to create sublime harmony and being at peak perfection on concert days for
participants and audience members’ delight. Like a drought-stricken plant, voices need to revive, strengthen and flourish again. To begin that process it was a very appropriate choice, by musical director Christopher Fletcher, to select works from the aptly named A Sprig of Thyme by John Rutter. The folk songs requiring a narrower vocal range and with their familiar melodies, were straightforward to sight sing and provided time for brains to get back into gear with the intricacies of musical notation and dynamics! In line with the words of the first folk song The Bold Grenadier ‘I am going a walking by the clear crystal stream to see cool waters glide and hear nightingales sing’ the choir enjoyed a stroll in the shade through the arboretum to the lake, where bird song took over the accompaniment. An afternoon spent in the most
beautiful surroundings with glorious weather would always be special, but all of this, and on a day which saw the further relaxing of restrictions, meant that the words sung, took on greater significance in the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves by Giuseppe Verdi ‘When will grief and lamenting be over … Hear the voice of thy people at last.’ From what was once the vicarage, singing down the valley to Buckland Monachorum church, the afternoon ended with the chorus ‘And the Glory of the Lord’ from Handel’s Messiah. It’s doubtful that the tear in my eye at the end of such a joyful couple of hours could be attributed to the very high pollen count! The choir is preparing to start rehearsals on September 9 (further details will be available in due course on the choir’s website) www. plymouthphilchoir.org ).
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September 2021 17
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Family quartet set to go the distance in memory of much-loved Mary
Treasured memories of a big-hearted mum and grandmother are inspiring four females from the same Plymouth family to step out together in support of the local charity that gave her such compassionate care at the end of her life.
Louise Pudner and her daughters Chloe, 25, Megan, 22, and Laura, 16, have all signed up to take part in this summer’s Midnight Walk, the annual mass-participation event raising vital funds for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth Louise’s mum Mary Mannell with her husband Les
and the specialist service it provides for terminally ill people at home, in hospital and at its specialist unit at Turnchapel. With the ladies’ walk making its comeback on Friday August 20 after it had to be cancelled last year because of the pandemic, the foursome is taking up the opportunity to stride the streets, paying tribute to Louise’s mother Mary Mannell, who was looked after at Turnchapel as she neared the end of her life. Sadly, Mary died in 2011 but memories of the special person she was, and the huge love and affection she gave her four children, plus the 15 grandchildren born while she was alive, are cherished by her family. Louise, who lives in Southway, said: “Mum was such a caring person and is sorely missed by us all. Growing up, she was always there for us and when her grandchildren came along she devoted herself to them, too. “When she was ill it was a very difficult time, and our whole family is so grateful to St Luke’s for being there for her and us as well. It wasn’t just the excellent medical care they gave mum that made a difference, but the way they always accommodated our visits - day or night - making all of us, including the children, feel
Louise Pudner with her daughters Chloe, Megan and Laura...walking in memory of Mary Mannell
welcome and at ease. “I’ll always remember spending precious time with mum in the gardens at Turnchapel, taking in the beautiful views over the water. That meant a lot to her because she and dad always loved the sea.” Sponsored by GA Solicitors, Midnight Walk will see hundreds of women coming together to support St Luke’s. Just like Louise and her daughters, many will be going the distance in memory of lost loved ones, celebrating their lives while making new memories. All are welcome, regardless of whether St Luke’s was involved in the care of their relative or friend. The event starts and finishes at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park Stadium, with ladies completing a 5, 10 or 15mile route across the city. Louise, who along with Chloe, Megan and
Laura is taking on the 15-mile route, said: “Walking together is something we are really looking forward to. We’ll be remembering both mum and my dad, who sadly also died from cancer. “It’s our way of saying thank you to St Luke’s, not only for care given in the past but right now, too, looking after people who are special to our family. It’s a charity that touches so many lives and we must never take it for granted.” Registration for Midnight Walk costs £22, which includes the cost of your tee-shirt as well as a medal and goodie bag for all completers. Visit www.stlukesmidnightwalk. co.uk for more information and to sign up. If you would like to sponsor the Pudner ladies, please visit their Just Giving page at www. justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-pudner
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18 September 2021
Highways England apologise for road closure confusion
Highways England have apologised to motorists for failing to adequately communicate that a road closure at Marsh Mills had been postponed, leading to people taking needless diversions.
A full weekend closure of the A38 Marsh Mills eastbound entry slip road was scheduled to take place between 8pm on Friday July 23 and 6am on Monday July 26. Signage was put in place giving advance notice of the closure and advising motorists to select an alternative route during the closure period. In the event however the works were postponed at short notice but not all the advance warning signs were removed from the area, leading to a weekend of confusion as to whether the road was open or shut. The slip road was to be closed for essential work and the construction materials that were to be used required dry weather. The weather forecast in the days leading up to the scheduled work period indicated heavy rain was expected in which case it would not be feasible to keep the work area sufficiently dry. As a result the decision was made to postpone the closure and rearrange the work. This maintenance work will now take place in September, following the busy summer period. Nicholas Hawtin, senior site engineer for Highways England, said: “We made every effort to remove all signs to ensure residents and motorists were aware the works were no longer taking place but some were unfortunately missed. We apologise for any confusion caused.” (Story courtesy of The Plympton Podcast)
COVID leads to early closure of Academy
18 September 2021
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Street artists create striking mural with a vital message A bare wall in Stonehouse has been transformed into a vivid and colourful piece of street art - with an important message.
The Plymouth Samaritans branch is always keen to connect with people and the vibrant artist Jessie Wellington was commissioned to take on a monumental task with her own superbly refined and creative artistic skills and talent. She has created a breath-taking work of art on what was a barren and forsaken wall at the Plymouth Samaritans’ Centre in Oxford Place, Plymouth. Jessie said: “I knew straight away that I wanted to create something for this space that both reflected the core of what the Samaritans do for us, as well as the hope they provide to those who need them. Very quickly this Pop Art inspired, superhero, vibrant idea came to mind. Something that adds some colour out of the darkness. “Everyone who volunteers, uses or has been touched by the Samaritans in some way has a story to tell, so I wanted this piece to both tell a stand-alone story and for anyone viewing it to see themselves reflected in that story in some way. “But, ultimately, the main point of the piece is to remind you that you are not alone and the Samaritans will always be there for you when you need them.” Jessie and co-worker Tony Fairchild worked tirelessly against the unpredictable British weather, and over five days, painstakingly applied the paint to the wall from her design. “It’s been an honour to create this for Plymouth Samaritans, working with such incredible people
The eye-catching mural with its vital message Photo Plymouth Samaritans
for such an amazing cause,” added Jessie. Tony Fairchild said: “Art is my self-therapy and self-development which has supported my own mental-health during lockdown and so working on a project for an organisation which supports lives, I’ll be always grateful for this amazing opportunity working with, and for, such dedicated people.” Samaritans would additionally like to say a massive warm thank you to Rick at South
West Hire and Sales, for letting providing tower scaffolding, Brett Lockrood and Guy Harris for taking photos of the art progression and the final photos of the finished mural, Morgan the plasterer, for assisting in the preparation of the wall for painting, Gypsy Greaves, for helping to clear the space, Brewers, for providing the paint, and Plymouth Artists Together for connecting Plymouth to its artists. The Samaritans of Plymouth, East Cornwall and South West Devon are part of a network of 201 Samaritans branches across the UK and Ireland who provide a listening service to lonely and
Plympton Academy closed early for the summer holidays after pupil attendance numbers fell to as low as 35% in some year groups due to COVID related absences. Principal Lisa Boorman issued a letter to parents on July 19 explaining: “You may be aware that we have a rising number of students testing positive and self-isolating - there are less than 50% of students in school today (some year groups have less than 35%). “This is obviously not the way that we wanted to end the school year - however our primary duty of care is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of students, staff and the wider community.” (Story courtesy of The Plympton Podcast)
Left, above and below Jessie and Tony busy at work on the mural Photos Brett Lockwood
distressed people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Samaritans can be contacted by people in need at any time during the day or night by calling Freephone 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org The Plymouth Branch is an independent charity in its own right. It is entirely run and staffed by volunteers and has to raise all of its funds by itself. It costs £30,000 per annum to run the branch. People can donate to Plymouth Samaritans at www.justgiving.com/samaritansplymouth or text PLYM to 70450 to donate £5
Pioneering one-stop-donations-shop helps city provide united response to Covid
Uniform Shop has no USP
There is nothing for sale in the Children’s Uniform Shop Plymouth (USP) which is up and running again for a second time. Launched last summer, more than three thousand school uniform garments were provided free-of-charge to about four hundred families. Now, the USP has made a welcome return. The project, which is jointly run by Plymouth Vineyard Church and Redeemer Church Plymouth, has opened up in the former Lawson’s shop (near M&S) until August the 26th for people to drop off donations and chose children’s uniforms for the new school year. The shop will be open between 10am & 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, it is also being supported by some of Plymouth’s city councillors enabling children to receive (new) pencil cases and rucksacks. Donations of clothing will be welcomed. For more information visit the shop or www.uniformstoreplymouth.co.uk
ARC Volunteers - Jo Asplin, Phil Loft and Karena Jolley. Eggs donated by St Ewes Farm, via The Hive UK.
The Aid Redistribution Centre (ARC) launched in January radically improved the way donated food is being collected from supermarkets; stored and redistributed across the city. Since then it has effectively and efficiently provided more than seventy tons of food to local charities and causes. Acting as a central point from which food could come and food could go, it has changed the way local food banks; community projects and voluntary organisations work for the better and for ever. The ARC has evolved rapidly and today it’s not just about food: more than sixty diverse organisations are being supported, for example, the (newly established) Hygiene Bank with toiletries; the Uniform Store with clothes for school children and Brambles Pet Food Bank with... pet food. Meanwhile, as word has spread about its role, donations are arriving every day from all manner of businesses, such as, sun cream & sleeping bags from Service Design Solutions Engineering Consultants; kitchenware from national retailers and eggs from local farms. Ayshea Cross, the Plymouth Food Aid Coordinator, says all donations are passed on; “The challenge is to be creative, we recently had, for example, thousands of black flower buckets donated by the Coop. The Arc gave several hundred to gardening projects supporting people with loneliness and isolation and sent loads more to refuges living in Greece via a Plymouth-based humanitarian charity OHOB.” An unexpected outcome of the project has been the willingness of people to work together. For example, drivers from the Coop, en route to the ARC, are now stopping off at Marsh Mills and delivering Sainsbury’s donated goods as well as their own. Furthermore, as project volunteers coming
to the Arc are finding out about the other organisations so donations are being passed directly between the groups, speeding up the process. “Blankets donated by Suited To Help, came into the Arc,” says Ayshea “and then our volunteers immediately passed them on the volunteers from the soup run who were in the Arc to collect food for that night’s soup run. Several hours later, those same blankets were spotted out on the street with a person who was homeless.” The evolving collaboration has also led to changes across the voluntary and community sector with the ARC now acting as a one-stopdonation-shop for organisations; businesses and charities to both give and receive. This, in turn, has had a significant impact on the sector saving time and money and enabling volunteers to do what they do best – supporting local people: “Being able to offer a whole range of items to a whole range of projects makes for greater efficiency. A lot of these smaller grassroot groups have been started by individuals who saw there was a need for helping people and just got on with it: connecting into the ARC enables all of us to work better and support more people.” The ARC has rapidly established itself as a fundamental part of the city’s solution to supporting people through Covid and triumphed as a centre of excellence for efficiency and connectivity. The ARC has received funding from the National Lottery and the Government-funded Covid Grant. The project is supported by Food Plymouth CIC; the Plymouth Food Aid Network and Plymouth City Council. To find out how you can support or to donate items email: ayshea@foodplymouth.org
Come along and raise your voice at our annual general knees up! After a very long wait POP will finally be kicking off our face-to-face meetings again with a networking extravanganza; a fab lunch and our AGM. POP’s AGM will take place on the Tuesday the 9th of November and we will be hoping to make up for lost time with a fun-filled session! The theme of the day is “Voices” and we want to hear from ‘unfamiliar’ people and projects, giving them the chance to be better heard. If this sounds like your project then please get in touch with us at info@plymouthoctopus.org or phone 395131. We’d like to introduce you to our wonderful members and the work POP does so that we might find ways to amplify your voice across the city. To book your place: bit.ly/POPAGM2021
COMMUNITY RESEARCHERS NEEDED POP has embarked on a major South West study into ‘ageing’ and we are looking for people to be trained as ‘interviewers’. We would particularly like to invite ‘younger’ people to participate. Contact info@plymouthoctopus.org for more information.
Helpline Numbers:
Efford Community Network
Efford 07380 309586 Glenholt 07849 413125
Neighbourhood Networks continue to support individuals in their communities. If you or your organisation would like to volunteer text 07411 949 742.
20 September 2021
20 September 2021
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Don’t give up too soon - Tom proved that! THE
By Dave Simpson, Station Manager Cross Rhythms Plymouth
Experience At the time of writing this the Tokyo Olympics are in full swing.
One of the highlights of the games in my opinion was watching Tom Daley get Olympic Gold along with his diving partner Matty Lee in the men’s synchronized 10m platform diving. I can’t deny that a significant part of this is because Tom is a Plymothian and being a born and raised Janner myself I feel a measure of pride in anyone from Plymouth succeeding on the global stage. However the main reason why I found his achievement so profound is because of the journey he has been on to get to gold. This was not his first Olympics. It wasn’t even his second or third Olympics but his fourth Olympic games. In all the preceding tournaments he had come close to gold but not close enough, winning a bronze medal in the 10m individual platform diving in 2012 and a bronze in 2016 in the 10m synchro. If we try for something we really want and
don’t get it on our first attempt, I’m sure most the lesson it is in not giving up, I discovered a of us would dust ourselves down and try again. song on Cross Rhythms Plymouth by JJ Heller After two attempts don’t go our way there are called ‘Don’t Give Up Too Soon’. It is a profound many of us who may consider song with a beautiful message giving up on whatever it is encouraging listeners to keep we’re aiming for. After three going and press on beyond the failed attempts I’m sure the difficult seasons we all face in vast majority of us would have life. a really hard time going again It may be you are reading this for a fourth time! article and finding day to day The fact Tom picked himself life a real challenge. Perhaps up on three separate occasions you have faced tragedy in recent over 13 years to push on to days or you just can’t shake a fourth Olympic games and negative thoughts and feelings finally win the gold medal he about yourself. had been aiming for his whole Tom Daley’s gold in Tokyo life is truly inspiring. helps shows us all the value in It’s not like Tom had it easy not giving up too soon on our either. His father, who had dreams and ambitions. The song been a significant support in by JJ Heller goes a little further his diving career, died in 2011 to speak to people who are Dave Simpson just a few days after Tom’s 17th simply feeling like they want to birthday and just over a year give up on life itself. Her words away from the London 2012 games. encourage us to keep going and they remind As I was considering Tom Daley’s story and us of our profound God given value, which no
circumstance can take away. Whether you are persevering to achieve great things like gold medals or just pressing on to keep going from one day to the next, may these words from the chorus of JJ’s song encourage you: Please keep waiting for the morning Don’t give up too soon Jesus cares for every sparrow I know he cares for you Oh, please don’t give up too soon There are so many encouraging songs like this one on Cross Rhythms Plymouth. If you have never tuned in before or if you feel you need something to lift your spirits tune in on 96.3FM in Plymouth or online at crossrhythms.co.uk/ plymouth.
Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website at www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth
New animation explores Plymouth city centre’s heritage
A new animated film is helping Plymouth residents to learn much more about the heritage right under their feet.
‘Plymouth – City of the Future’ has been produced by animator Robin Holland at Saltashbased Carbon Pixel Limited for the High Street Heritage Action Zone Project. The project is managed by The Box, Plymouth Octopus Project and Plymouth City Council. It’s part of a £95 million government-funded programme which is being delivered by Historic England over the next three years to unlock the potential of 60 different high streets across the country. The animation runs for six minutes and uses archive photographs and film footage to bring the story of why Plymouth looks the way it does The comprehensive rebuilding of Plymouth’s city centre after World War Two is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most important examples of post-war planning. ‘A Plan for Plymouth’ was prepared by Sir Patrick Abercrombie, the leading town planner of the day, in collaboration with City Engineer James Paton Watson. ‘Plymouth – City of the Future’ includes an insight into their ground breaking plan.
Building screenshot from ‘Plymouth - City of the Future’
been doing some brilliant work over the last few months to raise awareness levels about the city centre’s heritage with a series of regular online talks and grants to support community projects that celebrate it. “This new animated film will take things one step further and will really help the public understand why our city centre is, and deserves to be, a designated conservation area with a number of historically important spaces and places.”
Gary Delaney is back in Plymouth! The film can be watched on the High Street Heritage Action Zone’s Vimeo channel at www. vimeo.com/562687547 and The Box’s website at www.theboxplymouth.com by clicking on ‘Visit’, ‘Outside The Box’ and ‘High Street Sparks’.
It will also be played at regular intervals on The Box’s outdoor film screen in Tavistock Place. Councillor Mark Deacon, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure and Sport said: “The High Street Heritage Action Zone project has
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Star of Live at the Apollo and sellout sensation Gary Delaney is back in Plymouth with his new show Gary in Punderland.
He will be appearing at Marjon’s Quad Theatre - the new home of comedy in the city – on Friday September 3 at 8pm. One of the most sought after joke writers in the country and longstanding Mock the Week special guest, Gary has been through the laughing glass and he’s ready to bring a brand new show with hit after hit of the kind of one-liners only a master could craft. This is a joint venture between Marjon and Comical Entertainment. Andrew Smallridge and James Maunder set up Comical Entertainment having found that few live comedy shows were available locally in Plymouth and across the South West. They now bring top comics to Plymouth, Launceston and Paignton in pursuit of their mission to become ‘The home of comedy in the South West.’ For tickets and information on forthcoming shows visit www. comicalentertainment.com
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22 September 2021
Council fast-tracks support for people with terminal illness Plymouth City Council has delivered on its commitment to make it quicker and easier for people diagnosed with a terminal illness to apply for disabled facilities grants, Blue Badges and disabled driver parking spaces.
Disabled facilities grants help people make essential changes to their home, for example widening doors, installing permanent ramps or providing accessible bathrooms. Grant applications will now be fast-tracked for anyone diagnosed with a terminal illness or life-limiting condition with a prognosis of less than two years to live. A dedicated case officer will also be on hand to support the process and ensure that the adaptation is delivered as smoothly as possible, with the aim of completing works within seven weeks. The council has also reviewed its policy on disabled driver parking spaces to include specific arrangements for Blue Badge holders with a terminal illness. These drivers will not be expected to demonstrate difficulty in finding a parking space near their home and applications will be processed within one day, with the aim of installing the bay within seven days. The website has also been updated to make it clearer that people with a terminal illness may be able to apply for a Blue Badge and that these applications are fast-tracked. Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member responsible for health and adult social care, said: “We want to help make the process as stress-free as possible for those who have been given a terminal diagnosis and their families during what is a difficult and often very upsetting time. I’m really pleased that we have been able to deliver on this commitment so quickly and hope these small changes will help to make life just a little easier for those who have been diagnosed.” For more information about disabled facility grants visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/housing/ adaptyourhome/disabledfacilitiesgrant. Information about Blue Badges can be found at www.plymouth.gov.uk/parkingandtravel/ bluebadgesanddisabledparking/bluebadges.
Key role for Labour leader Tudor Evans Councillor Tudor Evans, the Leader of the Labour Group on Plymouth City Council has been elected to the Board of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Cllr Evans is one of a handful of senior councillors from across the country to join the board and described it as ‘a big deal’. “It is a great honour for me to be able to represent Labour at the very highest level, it really is a big deal,” said Cllr Evans, who is a councillor for Ham Ward in the city. The LGA is a politically-led, cross-party organisation which works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. It comprises 328 of the 333 councils in England and includes district, county, metropolitan and unitary authorities along with London boroughs and the City of London Corporation. Cllr Evans said that the election, which means he becomes one of the most senior figures in local government, means Plymouth City Council ‘has representation at the highest level’. “The board makes decisions on behalf of all its members and is responsible for maintaining good relations with the government and opposition parties. “I’ll be lobbying on issues of concern and using it as a platform to raise issues not just in Plymouth but also the rest of the South West, which isn’t always on the government’s radar.”
22 September 2021
@PlymChronicle
Spectacular entertainment from Barbican Theatre for August’s West End Carnival Barbican Theatre is bringing a number of amazing performances to unique locations across the city this summer.
Petrol Headz On Tour will feature more than 100 artists, athletes and experts from the Plymouth and South West modified car, parkour, street dance, DJ and skateboard scenes. The first event took place the City Centre Piazza on July 24 and will be followed on August 28 when Barbican Theatre will headline at the West End Carnival. The carnival, organised by the Plymouth City Centre Company will feature live entertainment and free fun for all the family. Barbican Theatre will be providing exciting live entertainment at Frankfurt Gate during the day.
Following the day time events spectators will be led to the Piazza to experience a larger version of the first Petrol Headz On The Piazza performance in July, celebrating the unique voices and talents in Plymouth. Performances are scheduled for 4pm and 6pm and will last around 45 minutes. A bank holiday weekend spectacular showcasing the modified car scene and the surrounding street culture, Petrol Headz On The Piazza will be a show like no other with roaring sound systems, modified cars for skateboard tricks and parkour stunts, street dancers, DJs and MC battles and much more! This event will bring together a number of talented communities of enthusiasts, athletes and performers and holds a space for them to showcase themselves to
Barbican Theatre’s Beryl Tebug Photo Brett Lockwood
Barbican Thratre ReBels entertain Plymouth shoppers Photo Gemma Ward
the public. These communities include a range of ages from young children and their parents, to young athletes, Barbican Theatre Rebels and local professionals in their field. Suzie West, Barbican Theatre’s
ReBels co-Lead and show producer, said: “This show is not about conformity. It’s about Plymouth, being Plymouth. We’re really excited about this show and think it’s the perfect way to conclude the West End Carnival.”
Blooming beautiful illustrations by Plymouth schoolchildren brightening up Barbican planters Local schoolchildren have been creating beautiful Plymouththemed designs to adorn the new planters on the Barbican, as part of a competition run by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Business Improvement District (PWP BID). A total of 19 planters, filled with more than 2,000 trailing petunias, were recently installed along Southside Street. The aim is to provide a floral welcome to visitors to the Barbican, and make the area safer for pedestrians by discouraging parking on the pavements. The planters are part of the BID’s entry into the 2021 South West in
Bloom initiative, a regional heat of the renowned Britain in Bloom competition. PWP is now brightening up the planters themselves by decorating the sides with the children’s bright and colourful designs. A total of 135 entries were received for the illustration competition from children aged 5 to 11 from three local schools: St Andrew’s C of E Primary School, Pilgrim Primary School and Hyde Park Junior School. Diane Mansell, chief executive of PWP, said: “We were absolutely blown away by the creative and imaginative designs submitted into the competition and I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the children who got involved. It was a difficult process to narrow down all the amazing entries to just 19 winners! “The designs bring even more colour and cheer to the Barbican so make sure you visit Southside Street and take a look.” Each of the 19 Barbican planters will now host one of the winning designs, as well as new signage welcoming visitors to the area and showcasing unique facts about the city. For more information about PWP, please see: www.waterfrontbid.co.uk
September 2021 23
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Golden age of cruising comes to Plymouth In July Plymouth hosted the stunning Golden Horizon cruise ship on its inaugural sailing – and the ship is set to return to the city again in August.
The largest square-rigged sailing cruise ship in the world, Golden Horizon is operated by a new UK-based cruise line, Tradewind Voyages. The ship, which was undertaking a series of short cruises from Dover, arrived in Plymouth Sound on July 22. Passengers on board went ashore as part of the shore excursion programme to enjoy a ‘Historic’ Plymouth’ walking tour around the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe, led by Blue Badge Guide Adrian Chapman. They were the first cruise-ship guests to use the new Barbican Landing Stage, refurbished in 2020 by the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners. To welcome the passengers ashore were Plymouth Cruise Volunteers Douglas, Annemarie and Sandra, the Town Crier John Pitt, Harbour Master Richard Allen and recently appointed cruise development manager for Destination Plymouth, Glen Gardner. Executive director of Destination Plmouth, Amanda Lumley, said: “We are delighted to have given a really warm welcome to our first cruise passengers of the year here in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City. Everyone really went the extra mile in providing the best experience
possible for the passengers and we look forward to welcoming Golden Horizon back again in August. “It’s been such a long time since we’ve been able to showcase our amazing city to cruise guests, but this is just the beginning of a busy spell for the city and port with ten cruise calls booked over the following few months. “We were thrilled to learn that the passengers commented that they were pleasantly surprised with how lovely Plymouth was, with many saying they would make a return visit, and that it was their best port call of the cruise - words reiterated by the Destination Manager on board. “All of the passengers who came ashore were treated to a gift bag before they returned to the ship as part of our ‘Fond Farewell’. We have to say thank you to local businesses for making this happen including Plymouth Gin, Roly’s Fudge, The Boathouse and the Tourist Information Centre.” Captain Mariusz Szalek was also presented with a gift from Plymouth, as a token to mark the occasion of the ship’s first ever call to the city. Usually presented personally by the Harbour Master or a city official, on this occasion the gift was sent via the ship’s tender due to COVID-19 restrictions. Golden Horizon is scheduled to return to Plymouth on August 11.
ABOUT GOLDEN HORIZON
Golden Horizon boasts five towering masts, was built in Croatia, and weighs in at 8,784 gross tonnes. She was originally named Flying Clipper but was renamed by Tradewind Voyages - the UK firm which is running its cruises. Built in 2019, the ship is a near replica of the 1913-built ocean vessel, France II, and provides similar elegance, adventure and romance of an historic ship. The vessel cost 100 million Euros to construct and has a top speed of 20 knots, an overall length of 162m and a beam of 19m. With a passenger capacity of between 272 and 330 (in normal times), looked after by a crew of compliment of around 160, passengers have four decks to enjoy and there are 140 cabins.
Age UK Plymouth 01752 256020 Adoption UK 0844 848 7900 Al-Anon Family Groups 020 7403 088 Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 917 7650 Carers UK 020 7378 4999 Childline 0800 1111 Christians Against Poverty (Debt Advice) 0800 328 0006 Citizens Advice 0300 3309 043 Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 1671677 Devon & Cornwall Food Action 01752 651800 Disability & Information Advice Line 01302 310123 Drug Addicts Anonymous: Helpline 07818260811 Jan Cutting Healthy Living Centre 01752 203670 Money Advice Plymouth (Debt Advice) 01752 208126 NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 8005000 National Missing Persons Helpline 0500 700700 National Christian Helpline 0300 111 0101 NHS Direct 0845 4647 National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000247 Osteoporosis Support Group 075958 500314 Overeaters Anonymous 07000 784 985 Parentline Plus 0808 8002222 Relateline 0845 1304010 Samaritans 116 123 Talk to Frank 0800 776600 Shelterline 0808 8004444 Stop Hate Crime 24/7 Helpline 0800 138 1625 Stroke Helpline 0303 3033 100 West Country Landlords Assn 01752 242980
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Golden Horizon passengers are welcomed ashore
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24 September 2021
24 September 2021
@PlymChronicle
New website shows off Plymouth’s Advertise to vibrant cultural and creative sector over A new digital platform has launched in Plymouth designed to promote, celebrate and explore the culture sector in the city.
Madeinplymouth.co.uk has been born as the creative and cultural community prepares to emerge from more than a year of lockdowns and a forced shutdown of much of the sector. Artists, creatives, businesses and organisations can finally start to see the light at the end of a long dark tunnel, with events, gigs, shows and exhibitions now starting to appear again. Made in Plymouth tells the stories of the people and groups working incredibly hard to help culture thrive again. It has been created by Plymouth Culture, the support agency for the city’s cultural sector and has three main aims: • To attract people to take part, visit and enjoy cultural venues and events in Plymouth • To show off and celebrate the sector’s people and their work • To give a positive representation of Plymouth’s culture, attracting people to the city and persuading artists and creatives to stay It also includes a comprehensive guide to cultural venues in Plymouth as well as a curated listings service that welcomes contributions. Hannah Harris, chief executive of Plymouth Culture, said: “Now is a critical time for culture and Made in Plymouth is designed to celebrate, support and shout from the rooftops about the amazing work that has taken place during the Covid crisis as we emerge from lockdown. “We want to let as many people as possible know about the amazing array of cultural events taking place in Plymouth but we also want to speak to the future artists and creatives that will continue to build the city’s reputation as a cultural hub. “Made in Plymouth will profile the people in the sector and show their journeys –providing inspiration to a new generation and telling the rest of the world what we’re capable of” Organisations and individuals are being urged to get involved too. They can upload events from the website’s What’s On page and let the Made in Plymouth team know about their work, so it can be featured. Hannah added: “We hope Plymouth will tell us what’s missing – the places and stories Made in Plymouth should be telling, so we can truly be a beacon for the amazing work taking place in the city.” Plymouth Culture is supported by its funders including Arts Council England and Plymouth City Council and works with partners across the city. For details of the wide range and variety of cultural activities in Plymouth go to www.madeinplymouth.co.uk
City Culture: Street Art in Stonehouse with artist Joe Greenaway Photo by Brett Lockwood
City Culture: Barbican Theatre Rebels puppet parade Photo by John Allen
homes in Plympton and Plymstock The Plympton and Plymstock Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Woodford, Plympton St Mary and St Maurice, Chaddlewood, Langage, Elburton, Plymstock, Hooe, Turnchapel, Staddiscombe, Oreston, Pomphlett and Billacombe. The October edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Plympton and Plymstock will be published on September 10 with a copy deadline of August 30. The Plympton and Plymstock edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city. If you have an event listing, interesting story or news item you think would be suitable for the Chronicle, please send an email to info@ cornerstonevision.com. We welcome submissions, but cannot guarantee publication. We accept press releases in the form of text documents and images in JPG or TIFF format (high resolution please).
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Chronicle Plymouth
September 2021
COVID UPDATE See inside for news and information from Plymouth City Council Page 2
www.plymouthchronicle.co.uk The popular Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival is back in September. For details See Page 3
Plymouth Samaritans have commissioned a stunning work of street art with a vital message See Page 18
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A new website has been launched to promote, celebrate and explore the cultural sector of Plymouth. The new digital platform www.Madeinplymouth.co.uk has been created as the cultural community emerges from lockdown. Pictured are Plymouth Dance Photo by Dom Moore • See story on page 24
City Culture: Theatre Royal’s Funky Llama club night Photo by Dom Moore
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