Plymouth Chronicle Derriford & North January 2021

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Derriford & North

January 2021

Ryan’s beardgrowing fund raiser for Derriford’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit See page 19

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

An Eggbuckland woman who has cycstic fibrosis experienced a life-changing year in 2020 See page 11

ALSO INSIDE:

• Dial the Experts • Cross Rhythms • Latest on the Experience airport campaign • Useful numbers

Winter warmers!

These two cute little kittens at Gables Dogs and Cats Home didn’t have to wear scarves for too long to keep warm - thanks to the generosity of supporters who raised more than £6,000 for the Gables Winter Heating Appeal.

• See story on page 8

This winter we’re here for you at Derriford.

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2 January 2021

2 January 2021

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Plymouth will pull together to protect the NHS I know everyone is feeling pretty deflated by the latest lockdown announcement, but we must do all we can to keep this virus from spreading.

By Councillor Tudor Evans Leader of Plymouth City Council

This is scary stuff. We have been watching with growing concern the cases rocket across the country and have listened to reports of hospitals becoming overwhelmed.

We are doing all we can to keep the city running, to ensure our parks are enjoyable for your daily exercise and we are mobilising our Care for Plymouth scheme so that our vulnerable get the help they need.

We are also working flat out to make sure

businesses get the grants they are entitled to.

But I am asking you all to do your bit and to keep in mind that your family and your friends are all at risk of catching this hideous virus.

I know people in Plymouth will get behind these latest national measures and do the right thing to save lives and protect the NHS. The lockdown has, in many ways, made things simpler.

Everyone must stay at home where at all possible. Our schools and colleges have closed their doors (except to children of critical workers and vulnerable children) but staff are working hard to keep young minds open and

inspired. As many parents know from the first lockdown, this is not easy.

We are lucky to live somewhere with no shortage of green - or blue - space. We can leave the house for exercise and there are plenty of parks, nature reserves and open spaces right here in Plymouth to walk in.

I want to end on a thank-you to everyone who has done a great job in helping to stop the virus spreading so far. If we keep following the guidance, we can help lower the transmission rates. We also have the prospect of a vaccine on the near horizon.

We can do this.

We must use the lockdown to keep COVID-19 cases down

By Ruth Harrell Director of Public Health for Plymouth

The new lockdown measures announced by the Government are necessary as there is an urgent need to get the spread of the virus under control.

The new variant of the virus is a concern for us all as it spreads even more easily and this has resulted in a rapid increase in cases in the South East.

In Plymouth we have seen our rates increase again recently but we currently have a significantly lower rate of cases than many other parts of the country. This would have

been likely to change without the measures that are being put in place. We must make the most of them to stop the virus spreading around our community.

To do that we need to stick with the lockdown measures to save lives and protect the NHS. It is very important that we stay at home and do everything we can to minimise contact with others, while making sure we continue to wash our hands frequently and wear face coverings.

This is about doing the right thing and not seeing if you can get away with pushing the rules. This is particularly important as one in three people with the virus does not have symptoms so could be spreading it wherever

they go without knowing it.

The best way of protecting yourself and others is to act as if you have the virus and everyone else also has the infection.

I know we are all tired of the restrictions and the disturbance to our lives but we need to keep up our efforts until the vaccine is rolled out across our community.

activities for children where they are eligible to attend.

leave your home to exercise, and not for the purpose of recreation or leisure (for example. a picnic or a social meeting)

HOW TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE

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

There are also daily updates on the Council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Dr Ruth Harrell, Director of Public Health

What you can and cannot do during the lockdown Plymouth residents must now stay at home following the Government’s announcement of a new national lockdown.

The measures mean that everyone should stay at home, except for specific reasons, such as essential shopping, to work if you cannot work from home, to exercise and to seek medical help.

Primary and secondary schools have moved to remote learning until February half term, except for vulnerable children and those of critical workers. Parents should check with schools to confirm arrangements.

Shops selling non-essential goods will remain closed, apart from those providing click and collect services.

When you can leave home

You must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. The police can take action against you if you leave home without a ‘reasonable excuse’, and issue you with a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice).

You can leave home for: Work – where it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home, including people who work within critical national infrastructure, construction or manufacturing.

Volunteering – to provide voluntary or charitable services.

Essential activities – to buy things in shops or obtain services. You may also leave your home to do these things on behalf of a disabled or vulnerable person or someone self-isolating.

Education and childcare – for education, registered childcare and supervised

Meeting others and care – You can visit people in your support bubble (if you are legally permitted to form one), to provide informal childcare for children under 14 as part of a childcare bubble (for example, to enable parents to work) or to provide care for disabled or vulnerable people.

Exercise – You can exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area. You should maintain social distancing. You can only

Medical reasons – including to get a COVID-19 test, for medical appointments and emergencies.

Harm and compassionate visits – to be with someone who is giving birth, to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse). You can also leave home to visit someone who is dying or someone in a care home (if permitted under care home guidance), hospice, or hospital, or to accompany them to a medical appointment.

Animal welfare reasons – such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment.

Communal worship and life events – to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, a funeral or event related to a death, a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.

You should not attend work.

For full details of what you can and can’t do during the national lockdown visit the GOV.UK website

January 2021

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Council pledges to continue providing key services during national lockdown Plymouth City Council has pledged to continue to do everything it can to keep day-to-day services running during the national lockdown while ensuring the safety of staff and residents.

Additional support will be put in place where needed. This includes remobilising the city’s Caring for Plymouth scheme, the partnership between the Council, Livewell Southwest and a large number of voluntary and community sector organisations, to help provide a vital lifeline for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Services will focus on people who do not have established support networks so that they can access emotional support, food, medicine and support with paying bills and accessing money.

Teams are also looking at the implications of the latest Government announcement to help businesses, particularly the hard-hit hospitality sector, to get the latest grant support available.

Bin collections and recycling centres Refuse collections continue as usual and both Chelson Meadow and Weston Mill household recycling centres remain open.

Check www.plymouth.gov.uk/recyclingcentres for opening times.

If anyone in your home is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, bags containing used tissues should be placed into another bag,

tied securely and kept separate from other waste. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household waste bin.

Streets Gulley and drain cleansing schedules will continue to operate as usual. Street cleaning and grounds works are also continuing.

Parks, open spaces and play areas All Council-run parks, nature reserves and play parks remain open. If you visit a play area for exercise, please use hand sanitiser before and after and think about how you long you stay, to give everyone a chance to use it safely. Please don’t use play areas if you or your child aren’t feeling well.

Allotments remain open for allotment holders only.

Skate parks across the city are open. We would encourage people to only use them in line with the government guidance on exercise.

Tennis courts across the city are closed.

Multi-use game areas, like basketball and five-a-side football courts, are also closed.

Public toilets Council-run public toilets remain open.

Leisure centres Plympton Swimming Pool and Brickfields Sports Centre as well as Manadon Sports Hub are closed during the lockdown period, in line with the national guidance

The Plymouth Life Centre will remain closed until April 2021, while urgent works are carried out inside the building.

Libraries Nine libraries will provide a Select and Collect service at the door and essential PC use by appointment. Opening hours will be from 10am until 4pm on certain weekdays, with Central Library open Monday to Saturday. See plymouth.gov.uk/libraries for full details.

North Prospect and Estover libraries will be closed as they are inside other buildings The Library Service’s popular digital service is available and offers e-books and magazines, as well as audio books. Online activities like Storytimes and Rhymetimes will continue.

The Box The Box has closed. Anyone with booked tickets is being contacted about new dates.

The Tourist Information Centre on the Barbican is also shut.

Registration service The register office remains open for birth registrations, death registrations (can be made over the phone), notice of marriage appointments and virtual citizenship ceremonies.

Licensing and Public Protection teams Teams will continue to visit premises that are allowed to open to provide information and support on how to do this.

Education Schools and colleges have closed except to children of critical workers and vulnerable children, in line with the Government guidance.

Early years settings and childminders remain open. Please check with your provider.

Youth centres will remain open with limited access by appointment only.

LOCKDOWN TOP-UP GRANTS FOR CITY BUSINESSES The City Council continues to offer support for businesses and will be administering the latest grant announced by the Government in addition to earlier grants.

Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off lockdown grant.

The top-up grants are worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring.

A discretionary fund has also been made available to support other impacted businesses.

This follows the announcement that these business will be closed until at least February half term to help control the virus.

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The cash is to be provided on a perproperty basis to support businesses through the latest restrictions.

The one-off top up grants will be granted to closed businesses as follows: • £4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under • £6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 • £9,000 for businesses with a rateable value over £51,000 The further discretionary funding is being made available for local authorities to support other businesses not eligible for these one-off top up grants.

The Council will share details on the visitplymouth.co.uk/invest website as they become available.

NOTE: The information on these pages was correct at time of going to press on January 7.

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

Plymouth Citybus to take over five routes from Stagecoach

4 January 2021

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Thornbury’s fabulous fundraisers!

Seven of the 13 bus routes financially supported by Plymouth City Council will be run by new operators from January, following a recent tender process.

Plymouth Citybus will take over services 13, 14, 17, 18 and 39 - previously operated by Stagecoach - in the New Year and restart the Bovisand ‘beach bus’ (service 54) in the May half term. Oakleys Coaches will be operating service 52.

The remaining subsidised services – 2A (Elburton-Sherford), 19, 31, 42 (Mainstone), 42/42D (Seaton Neighbourhood) and 44A (Whitleigh-Camels Head) – will continue under the current operators.

Following feedback from passengers, services 17 and 18 will run into the city centre again (every other hour) and the number 18 will serve Nightingale Close instead of Candish Drive.

Service 13 will continue to run morning buses between Barne Barton, St Budeaux and Marine Academy Plymouth, replacing the link previously provided by service 32.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure said: “Most of the city’s bus services are run commercially but there are some that we financially support, to ensure residents can get from A to B and access the local services they need.

“We’re really pleased to have been able to retain a comprehensive network, as well as reinstate a direct link into the city centre for residents in Hooe and Elburton.

“Providing reliable bus services for people to get to work, school, shops and medical appointments is really important – not just for those without other transport. It’s about offering real sustainable transport choices, supporting the city’s recovery and our commitment to tackling climate change.”

For full details of the city’s subsidised bus routes see the ‘tendered services’ page at www. plymouth.gov.uk/publictransport.

People caught spitting will face £100 penalty People caught spitting in the street in Plymouth could face an on the spot £100 penalty.

The clampdown on the anti-social and unhygienic behaviour will be enforced by Plymouth City Council’s environmental enforcement team who are already authorised to issue fixed penalty notices.

Anyone witnessed spitting will be issued with the notice, which if not paid, could result in a court summons.

Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet member for Customer Focus and Community Safety, said: “Spitting is one of the most dirty habits I can think of. There is absolutely no need for it and during a pandemic which thrives on particles from people to survive, it’s just plain irresponsible.

“On top of that, it’s anti-social. We want to promote a vibrant waterfront city. People spitting in the street does not fit with that image.”

The council will not be acting on reports of spitting at or on other people. This constitutes assault and is a police matter. They are only interested in people spitting in the street.

Penalties will not be served to under 18s and all of the revenue received will go into paying for the service, with surplus invested into infrastructure and equipment to help keep the city clean.

Children and staff at Thornbury Primary School raised over £700 for digital tablets for Derriford Hospital for the ICU and the Elderly wards by holding a ‘Wear something odd/mixed up’ day.

Children and staff went into school wearing odd socks, pyjama bottoms and strange combinations of clothing.

Clare Hardisty, headteacher at Thornbury Primary School said: “This was related to our work on diversity and mental wellbeing we

started earlier in the autumn term, and also is to support the work we do on antibullying.

“We are very close to the hospital and many of our parents are staff there, and of course, many of our families have used the hospital too.”

The school are very aware, with the suspension of visiting at the hospital due to COVID-19, how important it is for the patients to be able to contact their loved ones, in their time of need, and this is a way of

helping those who don’t have a smart phone or similar device, to stay in touch.

Thornbury Primary School has a specialism in Speech and Language, providing a specialist centre for children with speech and language difficulties, integrated into the mainstream school, so are fully aware that the power of communication cannot be underestimated, particularly in the challenging circumstances which everyone finds themselves in.

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Mayflower 400: an amazing year of events into 2021 commemorating the journey of the Mayflower. Highlights in Plymouth include:

Illuminate

Mayflower 400: Legend & Legacy Running until 18 September 2021 The Box, Plymouth

Another Crossing 6 February to 1 May 2021 The Box and The Gallery at Plymouth College of Art

M400 Get Active sport and wellbeing activities January – July 2021 Various community hubs across the city

Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America 15 May – 26 June 2021 The Box, Plymouth

Illuminate February Royal William Yard

‘Roots Up!’ by Street Factory Saturday 22 May The Barbican and the Hoe

The 400 – Le Navet Bete 9 June – 4 July The Drum Theatre Mayflower Football and Community Games Event Saturday 12 June Central Park Mayflower International Festival 8 – 11 July 2021

The Rehabilitation Triathlon, hosted by the Royal Marines Thursday 8 July The Hoe Mayflower Muster Saturday 10 July The Hoe and waterfront Mayflower 400 Four Nations Ceremony Sunday 11 July The Hoe

For the full Plymouth programme visit: mayflower400uk.org/plymouth

Mayflower 400 National Supporters and Sponsors

*Event dates correct at time of print

Mayflower Big Toddle Sunday 23 May Central Park

The 400 – Le Navet Bete

January 2021

Thought For The Day

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Arts Cinema gets big grant boost - but then has to close again

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Plymouth Arts Cinema was one of more than 200 independent cinemas across England supported with £16 million in grants from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, allocated by the British Film Institute.

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It was awarded £47,419 which would have helped the cinema to continue to operate until March. However, the new national lockdown announced at the beginning of January means the cinema has been forced to close down again.

Anna Navas, the cinema’s director and film programmer said: “This is obviously disappointing for all of us, staff, volunteers and customers alike, but everyone’s safety is our main concern so we will be keeping a very close eye on any changes to guidelines as the situation develops.

“We will open the cinema as soon as we are able to do so safely. We will let all of our members, customers and friends know details as soon as we can.”

The cinema only reopened at the beginning of December so the latest closure is another setback, as it is for other leisure venues in the city.

Anna added: “We want to thank everyone so much for their continued support and patience, it doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. We are part of a network of small, local, independent businesses and we all rely on people continuing to buy tickets and watch films with us. We wish you all a healthy New Year; it isn’t the start to 2021 we were hoping for but we look forward to welcoming you back to see some wonderful films with us very soon.”

Holders of tickets for cancelled shows will be contacted to ask if they would like a credit note or refund - or to make a donation to the cinema.

Ben Roberts, BFI chief executive, said: “Across the country, local independent cinemas are hubs and lifelines for communities and often the only form of culture and entertainment. From educational programmes and workshops for young people, to screenings for the elderly and audiences with specialised needs, these cinemas play such an important role in people’s lives.

“The Culture Recovery Fund will mean that many of these cinemas survive the current crisis, and go on to play a vital role in the recovery of local economies and communities, bringing people together to offer joy, solace and the magic of the big screen.”

Over 200 cinemas have received funding so far from a £30 million pot allocated by the BFI, on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, as part of the biggest ever single investment in this country’s cultural sectors.

The BFI has been accepting applications and awarding grants to independent cinemas since autumn. Plymouth Arts Cinema also received a Safety Grant, to help venues meet the immediate costs of implementing Covid-secure measures to protect staff and audiences.

Cinemas will be able to apply for another £14 million in grants in the new year as part of the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund. The new round of funding is in addition to the £30 million already being allocated by the BFI.

6 January 2021

6 January 2021

Search is on for relatives of First World War hero from Plymouth An appeal has been made for help in tracing the relatives of a First World War hero from Plymouth.

35-year-old Lance Corporal George Onions to act as scouts for their company.

In the thick mist contact had been lost with the battalion on their flank. The two resourceful men located an old trench, which they found for almost its full length to be entirely unoccupied. They were planning their next move across more open ground, when a crowd of Germans appeared from nowhere and jumped into the trench.

were directed to the Commanding Officer.

Bill added: “The effect of this marching host emerging from the mist on Battalion HQ was apparently electric. Signallers and others, who At the outbreak of the war Henry Eades was had not fired a rifle in years, turned out to man a 21-year-old constable with the Great Western trenches and a considerable amount of confusion Railway Police at Plymouth Docks in Millbay. He resulted until an officer using field glasses saw the was one of many railway and dock policemen who party was unarmed and headed by Lance Corporal resigned their posts in order to join the war effort.

Onions with his rifle slung, while Eades brought up PC Eades joined the 1st Battalion of the the rear as a sort of whipper-in.

Devonshire Regiment and was later awarded “The effect on the East Surreys was only the Distinguished Conduct Medal after he and a little less profound. A man was apparently another soldier single-handedly captured 250 sent over to ask why the Devons had taken to German troops. practising ceremonial drill on the battlefield!”

Now the British Transport Police History The act of remarkable gallantry by Lance Group are looking at a project to produce a Corporal Onions and Private Eades was framed testament to PC Eades and present it recognised by the award of the Victoria Cross to the Plymouth Police Station of the British to George Onions for ‘his magnificent courage Transport Police to mark Henry’s endeavours and presence of mind’, while Private Eades and to make a ‘then and now connection.’

Bill Rogerson, secretary of the group said: was awarded the Distinguished Conduct “We are trying to trace any relatives of PC Medal (London Gazette 15 November 1918).

Eades, whose full name was Henry James Shortly afterwards, having survived for Conway Eades. We have managed to trace a most of the war, Private Eades was severely great nephew of Henry, who lives in Canada and wounded and died on the 1 September 1918 he has told us that Henry’s family lived in the at the age of 25.

The cemetery at Varennes where Private Eades is buried Stonehouse area at the time.

He is buried at Varennes Military “We don’t know where Henry’s medals are, but Onions and Eades, instead of disengaging Cemetery in France (Plot III, Row G, Grave 20.) He are keen to hear from any relatives.” silently at once opened rapid fire with astounding is remembered on the History Group’s Roll of Bill said that the incident which led to Henry’s results. Without returning the fire, the Germans, Honour. recognition took place on August 22 1918 on the about 250 strong, put up their hands in surrender Anyone who can help with information should Somme to the south of Achiet-le-Petit in northern and Onions, forming the whole group into fours, contact Bill Rogerson by e-mail at bill.valley@ France when Private Eades was sent out with marched them off back to their own lines and btinternet.com

YMCA gym gets refurb go-ahead Big changes are coming to one of the oldest community gyms in Plymouth for 2021.

YMCA Plymouth, based on Honicknowle Lane, is due to begin the first stage of their centre-wide development, which includes; modernising their gym with state-of-the art equipment, creating new changing rooms, and developing an innovative ‘immersive’ spin studio.

The over half-a-million-pound refurbishment is the biggest upgrade to the centre since the 1970s and is due to begin shortly and be completed by the end of the summer.

Stacey Ferris, centre manager, said: “The new first phase of development is upgrading our changing rooms - this will then soon be followed by the gym upgrade and immersive studio.”

“After a difficult year for everyone we’re confident that 2021 is going to be a fantastic one for our facility and the thousands of local people who use our centre and gym.”

YMCA Plymouth has established itself as a leading community gym in Plymouth for over 30 years - combining expert staff alongside a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Its unique gym model means that surplus generated from gym members directly helps support YMCA’s charitable work in the community.

Tom Lavis, chief executive of YMCA Plymouth said: “Many people don’t realise

A new immersive spin studio will be featured

YMCA is a charity. We always put people first and are genuinely here to make a difference, instead of a profit. Our model goes handin-hand with our ethos of giving people the support they need to lead healthier lives.”

Some of YMCA’s charitable work included a busy lockdown period; supplying IT equipment to young people in need, through its Discovery College, as well as providing virtual cardiac rehabilitation sessions for vulnerable adults.

The community ethos even seeps into the gym according to one YMCA gym goer, Stacey Chapman: “I’ve been to gyms that are quite

intimidating, but this one’s just really friendly and open. The staff are supportive and by exercising with other members I’m having fun and I’ve made it a habit.”

Another member, John Nancollis, said: “I can actually have a conversation, people say hello to me and there are people you can talk to here, whether that’s the staff or members.

There’s no jacuzzi or bar - but the people have kept me coming back!”

If you’re interested in joining YMCA Plymouth’s affordable gym today, find out more by visiting their website: www. ymcaplymouth.org.uk

Police appeal after motor cyclist sustains life changing injuries Police are appealing for witnesses of a serious collision between a motorcyclist and a car in Stoke.

The incident, which involved a black Mazda saloon, occurred at 12.55pm on the junction of The Elms and Osborne Road, on Monday December 14.

As a result of the collision the motorcyclist, a local man in his 30s,

sustained serious, life changing injuries.

He was taken to hospital where he is being treated for his injuries. The driver of the car did not sustain any injuries.

Armed Response Officers as well as Officers from the Alliance Roads Policing Team attended the scene. Once a thorough investigation into the collision had been conducted the road was re-opened.

Police would like to hear from any witnesses of the collision or anyone who has dashcam or CCTV footage which may have captured the incident or the driving of either vehicle prior to the collision.

Anyone with information which could assist police enquiries is asked to contact police on 101 or via email at 101@dc.police. uk quoting log number 351, 14/12/20.

@PlymChronicle

Life changing autism services in Plymouth

A Plymouth woman who battled with the impact of autism for much of her life has highlighted the range of ‘life changing’ services available for people with autism in the city.

Angela W said: “It was 10 years ago that I was becoming more and more paranoid that something was different about me, but I could not find out what.

“The Autism Act being passed in December 2009 led to the doors being opened to my diagnosis of autism, which I received a few months later. It has been challenging, but such a relief to know what the ‘it’ in my life was.”

Angela pointed out that since 2009 many valuable services have been launched in Plymouth for people with a diagnosis of autism.

The Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service (P.A.S.S.) has been developed to provide a dedicated and specialist service for adults with autism, their families, health and social care services and to collaborate with community organisations within Plymouth.

The aim is to promote and provide pro-active strategies to support adults with autism to live their lives as they want and to prevent the number of crises that they may experience. It is not a diagnostic assessment service.

For more information visit www. livewellsouthwest.co.uk/plymouth-autismspectrum-service The aDAPt service advises and enables autistic people to request Reasonable Adjustments if required when accessing Derriford Hospital with the aim of reaching the same outcome of care as other patients.

Derriford Autism Service does not offer a diagnostic service but can provide signposting and information on how to request a formal assessment if needed.

An alert can be added to hospital systems which means the Autism Service will be notified when people are admitted to hospital and can then ensure that the appropriate advice and guidance is shared with teams.

Find out more on their website www. plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/autism-service NAS Plymouth Adult Asperger’s Branch (NAS PAAB) is run by volunteers and offers support to adults with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism.

For more information go to www. nasplymouthadultaspergersbranch.webeden. co.uk NAS Parent group A new free monthly support group, run for parents, by parents for parents of children with autism. Email: plymouthparentsupport@nas.org.uk

Voter details to be checked by council Plymouth City Council is contacting just under 80,000 Plymouth households in the New Year to check voter details are correct.

Some changes were made as part of this year’s canvass reform, which mean councils can now check (or ‘data match’) voter details against other government records. Because of this many households did not need to respond during the recent annual canvass.

However, the council will be contacting these properties just to confirm and double-check the details held, ahead of the upcoming City Council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in May 2021.

As before, residents only need to respond if the information is incorrect or there are other people living at the property who are not listed.

Anyone who is contacted should check their details are correct and respond if asked to.

January 2021

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Unwanted greyhounds become local heroes Two unwanted rescue dogs at Gables Dogs & Cats Home in Plympton have helped save the lives of two seriously ill dogs. In August Gables were contacted

by Filham Park Veterinary Clinic, as they urgently needed a blood donor for a seriously ill dog that had been rushed in to them as an emergency.

Gables always have greyhounds on site looking for new homes, as they take them in after retirement from racing, when they are normally disposed of. Greyhounds make

excellent blood donors as they are very calm in nature, have large blood vessels and significantly more red blood cells than other breeds.

A wonderful greyhound, named Tesla, was taken to the vets to donate his blood to help the poorly dog. He stayed the night at the vets in case they needed more blood from him.

Upon his return the next morning he was treated to a hero’s welcome and spoilt rotten by the staff. Thankfully the poorly dog has now made a full recovery and even better news Tesla was adopted by a wonderful new family shortly after.

Bentley the greyhound helped save another dog’s life by giving blood

In November Gables were called on again by their vets as another dog in their care was desperately ill and needed a blood donor. This time it was the turn of Bentley the greyhound. Bentley was taken to the vets to donate his blood and was so relaxed about the whole thing he came straight back to Gables after eating some freshly cooked chicken given to him by the veterinary staff.

The poorly dog made a full recovery and is now back home with his family. Sadly Bentley has not yet been adopted and is still looking for a new family.

General manager Claire Sparkes said: “We are so proud of our greyhounds, who had no idea what all the fuss was about! We are always available to any vet surgery 24 hours a day seven days a week to help with blood donation. Greyhounds are truly wonderful animals and there are many misconceptions about them needing loads of exercise and not being suitable pets, which is simply not the case. Hopefully people will now see them in a new light and consider adopting one”.

Any family which thinks a greyhound would make the perfect addition to their household, please visit Gables website www.gablesfarm. org.uk where they can find information about all the greyhounds currently looking for homes as well as their other residents. There is also information about their new adoption process with access to an online application form.

Greyhound Tesla relaxing in his kennel after donating blood

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8 January 2021

8 January 2021

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Massive response from supporters for Gables Winter Heating Appeal Gables Dogs and Cats Home recently put out an appeal for help with their winter heating costs - and the response was magnificent.

It is vitally important that Gables provide their animals with the very best care during their stay with them and their pens must be kept warm and comfortable at all times.

During the winter months they use lots of donated duvets and blankets to help keep the animals warm and cosy, but their heating bills still increase dramatically.

There are 81 cat pens and 82 dog kennels to keep warm, which costs over £5000 each winter.

Gables supporters have been very generous in previous years and this year was no exception.

Their winter heating appeal went live in midNovember and donations started to add up.

At one point some of their cats took to wearing scarves and hats but thankfully they only needed to wear them long enough for a photo, as an amazing £6255 was raised

to cover the cost of Gables heating bills.

General Manager Claire Sparkes said: “We are totally blown away by the support we have received for our winter heating appeal this year. It has been a tough year for everyone but our supporters have Gables resident Insta keeps warm been amazing and we on a frosty walk are so grateful to them.

Christmas was made extra special knowing that we have one less thing to worry about during these difficult times. We cannot thank everyone enough.”

During the pandemic Gables Dogs and Cats Home are looking for homes for their animals using a, safe online process.

Visit Gables website at www.gablesfarm.org.uk for information about all the dogs and cats currently looking for homes.

There is also more about their adoption process and an online application form.

For more information please call Otterlie Griffiths, Helen Roper or Jade Dyer on 01752 342410 or email us at fundraising@gablesfarm. org.uk

“What care means to me” - Natalie

At Friends Helping at Home we are really keen to share the amazing stories of our service providers. Our dedicated ladies and gents work tirelessly to support clients across the South West. In this article, we celebrate the lovely Natalie!

Natalie has worked in both our Plymouth and Torbay branches and continues to share the love across the South West.

How did your journey in care begin?

I worked in a supermarket for a while and found that I was having a lot of panic attacks. I noticed how much focussing on other people calmed me so I decided to change my job to something more people focussed. I got a job in a small care home in Newton Abbot and it changed my life. Now there is nothing that I would rather do.

Why do you love your work so much?

I find it really comforting to know how much I am able to help someone, especially when you are helping someone stay in their home. There’s no place like home – you really can save someone by doing something (however small) to keep them there. When I am with a client I feel like I can really be myself – if I didn’t need to have a job, I would do it anyway.

What was it like working through the height of the lockdown?

I thought more about PPE and things like that but my actual job was the same. For me it doesn’t matter what is in the way. Some people needed more support without family and friends to help them. There has also been a change in the amount of emotional support I have to give my clients but that’s ok – I’m glad I can be there for them.

Lions to the rescue

The Lions Club of Plymouth stepped in to help the Plymouth Food Bank to distribute much needed Christmas food to people in need.

Chair of Community Service Lion George Poad is pictured on Christmas eve collecting a boot load of food from Andrew Denham at the Plymouth Food Bank ready to set off on a delivery to those in need.

In other acts of service to the community, the Lions Club and the Lions’ Ladies, presented cheques or £3000 each to Sue Rodgers of Derriford Hospital. The ladies donation will assist in the purchase of TVs for the children’s wards at the hospital whilst the Lion’s donation will go to the Derriford Children’s Cancer Service.

We are delighted to have Natalie in our team, serving the needs of our customers every day.

Are you looking for a new career?

This has been a time for many to consider career options, as new constraints will have forged a “new normal”, changing the way we want to work. We have been able to maintain “service as normal” throughout.

Our way of working has meant that we have been able to attract the best carers. We have a 90%+ carer retention rate and we have well established working relationships with the NHS and Adult Social Care teams. To find out more, use the contact details on this page to get in touch.

Absolute continuity of care.

Your choose your carer from our vigorously vetted team.

Your chosen carer will get to know you and your needs - you can ask for what makes you feel comfortable and safe.

A single point of contact to address any concerns and reassure you.

Full PPE as standard.

Contact Jo to discuss your requirements and to arrange a free initial visit, without obligation on your part to discuss your requirements.

Call us on

What advice do you have for young people considering a career in care?

I would say if you’re thinking about it then go for it. I would also say it’s really important to make sure that you have the support that you need for all of the other things that go with work so that you can just focus on your clients and their needs.

Children in hospital at this time of year and in particular this year with Covid 19 limiting numbers of visitors allowed is somewhat depressing for the children and families, so it is hoped by providing them with something to help them adjust to this situation will help them through this period. The televisions will of course, also benefit future children patients.

The Lions Club have also donated £300 to the Feast and Fun worthy charity of all the church denominations of St Budeaux who worked together to provide bumper Christmas hampers full of treats for struggling families within their parish. The hampers were distributed during the first week in January 2021.

(01752) 648 320 We provide a safe, friendly and professional service that enables you to remain living in the comfort of your own home.

Email:

plymouth@friendshelpingathome.co.uk

Find us online at: friendshelpingathome.co.uk

January 2021

@PlymChronicle

£945,000 funding boost for walking and cycling in city Plymouth City Council has secured £945,250 for local walking and cycling improvements, through the second phase of the Government’s Active Travel Fund.

The funding follows the £249,000 awarded in the summer, which has already delivered a number of measures to encourage walking and cycling, as well as support social distancing, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These include a temporary cycle route through Armada Way, 35 new cycle lockers, ‘20mph when lights show’ signs outside 14 schools and cycle safety signs on key city roundabouts.

The emphasis of the second phase of funding is on schemes that support cycling and walking in the longer term.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure said: “This council is committed to creating an environment that is safer and better for cycling and walking and establishing these as practical choices for local journeys. Not only does this improve people’s health and the environment, it also supports Plymouth’s economy through reducing congestion.

“We’re delighted to have secured this additional funding through the Active Travel Fund. Together with our existing programme of sustainable transport schemes, this will help us make Plymouth’s cycling network more connected, direct, safe, comfortable and attractive, so that people of all ages and abilities can cycle.”

The funding will be used to deliver or support a number of schemes, including the trial closure of the eastbound carriageway of Royal Parade to all traffic except buses, taxis, motorcycles and bicycles, with the aim of reducing the amount of vehicles along this

Photo: Plymouth Cycling Campaign

busy stretch and improving safety for cyclists.

This temporary closure is expected to be introduced in late spring or early summer and will be closely monitored to understand its impact on all road users.

A contribution will also be made towards further tidal flood defence works along the Embankment, which will incorporate permanent improvements to the existing shared-use, off-road pedestrian and cycle way between Arnold’s Point and Blagdon’s Meadow.

These include widening and resurfacing the

route and providing better signage.

Lighting will be installed on an eastwest cycle route through Central Park, safety improvements will be made at the roundabout on Millbay Road, near the international ferryport and two new 20mph zones will be created in Laira and also in Plympton.

Other measures will include: • ‘20mph when lights show’ signs at a further 15 schools • new cycle contraflows allowing cyclists to travel in both directions in one-way streets • improved bicycle detectors at seven signalised junctions, with a view to introducing this newer technology in more locations around the city going forward • pedestrian crossing in Larkham Lane, Plympton • traffic calming scheme near Thornbury Primary School on Miller Way • further steps to tackle physical barriers on walking and cycling routes, for example by reducing street furniture, signposts and other obstructions The funding will also be used to extend the council’s free adult cycle training and bike maintenance sessions and eCargo bike loan scheme for businesses, – currently delivered through the Plymotion programme – supporting this key infrastructure investment.

Public engagement on the various measures will start in the New Year, with the majority of schemes being delivered between Summer 2021 and Spring 2022.

Details will be published on the council’s website at www.plymouth.gov.uk/ activetravelfund.

Massive tree planting programme begins Thousands of new trees will be planted in Plymouth this winter as part of a monumental winter programme.

Earlier this year, the council launched the Plan for Trees investment programme, which promised a bare minimum 2,800 new trees across the city within the next three years. This commitment to investing in the value of trees also features strongly in the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.

This winter will see many of the initial 2,800 arrive and planted at 67 different locations across the city, including parks, streets and on verges and roundabouts.

On the whole, planting will take place in areas with less than average tree cover than some of the leafier parts of the city to ensure equal access to the benefits of trees and greenspace for everyone, no matter what their postcode is.

In all, it is planned that 1,010 large standard trees and 1,500 whips will go in the ground before April, enhancing the city’s already dense urban forest and providing a haven for wildlife.

Most of the trees will be of UK-native species although in some parks and residential streets, there will be a variety of flowering and ornamental examples and will help to replace a number of trees lost to ash dieback.

Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet member for Street Scene and the Environment, was on hand to help with the planting of the first new trees at Tothill Park.

Sue said: “This planting programme again demonstrates our commitment to our green spaces which provide our communities with cleaner air, improved wildlife and space to exercise, play and relax in.

“We know that trees are important to people in our research for the Plan for Trees we found out

Councillor Sue Dann planting a tree in Tothill Park

that 97 per cent of respondents agreed that trees were an important feature of the city - and so it’s great to see so many planted this winter.”

This first round of planting is being funded by the Forestry Commission’s Urban Tree Challenge Fund, and forms the next important phase of the Plymouth Tree Challenge.

The planting programme is being led by PCC in partnership with Plan for Trees partners including

Plymouth Tree Partnership.

Many of the tree planting projects across the city have been designed in collaboration with our Plan for Trees partners with special thanks to Plymouth Tree Partnership for their ideas and expertise.

Find out more about the Plan for Trees and the Plymouth Tree Challenge here - www.plymouth. gov.uk/plymouthtreechallenge

9

TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR HOSPITAL RADIO’S ‘LEGEND’ CONNAL CATHER Tributes have been pouring in for Hospital Radio Plymouth volunteer Connal Cather who passed away at the age of 97.

Connal

had been a part of the station since the 1970s and, over the years, had worked with many volunteers on his show ‘Nostalgia Time,’ playing wartime classics of the 20s, 30s and 40s.

Station manager Keith Jolley said: “Connal was a true legend. Over the years, many new members started out as a production assistant on his show.

“Although dealing with music made way before they were born and which they were unfamiliar with, they came to enjoy the music and the warm style of Connal’s presentation.”

Hospital Radio Plymouth president Andrew Hill delivered the eulogy at Connal’s funeral, and said: “Connal’s dedication to hospital radio and his enthusiasm for his programmes was remarkable. He was an inspiration to us all.

“We shall be forever grateful for the chance meeting he had in a pub on the Barbican with station founder Jimmie Constable in 1970, which was the catalyst for him taking up such an enduring involvement with hospital radio and presenting programmes enjoyed by so many over the decades.”

Josh Andrews, who now presents a show for Capital FM South Wales, said: “Connal was the very first presenter to trust me to produce his programme and what an honour it was.

“He was a really lovely man, full of warmth, patience and encouragement. My earliest radio memories are of working for him and learning from a true radio great!”

Connal was awarded Honorary Membership of Hospital Radio Plymouth in recognition of his ongoing dedication to the charity, and in 2008 was the recipient of the Hospital Broadcasting Association’s John Whitney Award, given to an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to hospital radio over a period of years.

Connal passed away peacefully on November 18 2020, at the age of 97.

Donations can be made to the Royal British Legion via www.wcpltd.com

Christmas can be bittersweet: for some it’s a time to celebrate and reunite with family and friends, while for others, it can be a period of loneliness or sadness. And in these exceptional circumstances, this year, far from feeling festive, many people may instead experience confusion; hardship and isolation.

At POP+ our thoughts, prayers and good wishes are particularly with those struggling with Christmas.

We know that charities, community groups and neighbourhood care networks are increasing their efforts to ensure that people are supported as best as they can be throughout the ‘festive’ season. Here at POP+, we will continue to support all their efforts to enable them to continue to help others.

Wishing you all the very best this Christmas and a Happy New Year, Matt Bell and the team at POP+

While the coronavirus continues to cause havoc there are concerns that we are simultaneously facing another crisis, that of ‘mental health’, for which there will be no vaccine. The recent warning from the Chancellor that much of the economic damage is yet to come, inevitably, means greater unemployment and, consequently, for many people, a fall in income.

Throughout the pandemic POP+ has witnessed an extraordinary commitment from communities to support their own.

Networks and community organisations are constantly evolving and establishing new ways to provide help to people-in-need. Stoke Stars has taken over a redundant building and established a community ‘hub’; the number of food banks across the city has (regrettably) increased (latest one in Whitleigh) and new Neighbourhood Care Networks have been established in Efford, Devonport and Plympton.

Meanwhile, The Citizens Advice Bureau is working with the Neighbourhood Care Networks and piloting a project to provide financial advice to people in Stoke via Stoke Stars. And through the Neighbourhood Care Networks comes news of a unique community initiative launching early next year in Keyham, that is both necessary and inspirational.

Operation Concordia The Keyham Neighbourhood Watch and The Therapy Collective are busy putting the final touches to their joint initiative ‘Operation Concordia’ which will provide training to people working (or volunteering) in the community so that they might identify when someone is experiencing a deterioration in their mental health. Kevin Sproston, the chair of the Keyham Neighbourhood Watch, says they want to be able to help people sooner rather than later: Operation Concordia will start early next year with twelve community ‘leaders’, including ‘Junior’ football coaches; community centre staff and Scout Leaders participating in a unique three-day course. They will be ‘taught’ how to look for signs that someone they know (or with whom they come into contact) appears to be ‘struggling’; how they might engage with that person and then how they could talk about options and direct them to organisations which could help them.

Therapeutic counsellor and Keyham resident, Catherine Hutchins, has devised the course and believes it will empower communities to better support themselves; “The people on the course will be those that live or work in Keyham and are, therefore bestplaced to see when an individual’s behaviour, or ‘manner’, changes. We will train them and support them throughout their new role. They will learn how to be an ‘active’ listener; the importance of boundaries and how they can provide a ‘safe-space’ for someone to talk. And they can offer them help and hope.”

As Catherine says, there are many reasons why many people suffer in silence; “Fear of judgement, not wanting to upset or worry loved ones or simply not feeling safe are all reasons why people do not feel comfortable discussing their mental well-being.”

The Keyham Neighbourhood Watch is waiting to hear if it has been successful with its applications to fund Operation Concordia. Kevin is hopeful: he believes that the value of the project, both socially and financially, will be evident; “We’re already feeling the impact of social isolation, depression and separation anxiety here in Keyham and it’s just going to get worse.

This project, which will be run and supported by the community, could - through early detection of mental health problems - help save the NHS money.”

Kevin and Catherine are already talking with other Neighbourhood Care Networks across the city about Operation Concordia. It is a really good example of how, with the right individuals; motivation and determination, communities can make themselves more resilient and better places to live.

Christmas Cheer comes from Communities Community Christmas projects designed to bring a little bit of sparkle to our lives this year include Stoke’s Window Wanderland and Nudge’s Advent Box on Union Street.

In Whitleigh people are hoping to see stars.

Whitleigh Big Local wants everyone to make a star and put it in their window. Conjured up

by Whitleigh’s festive fairy (and Whitleigh Big Local’s development manager) Pippa St John Cooper, believes a little community magic goes a long way; “We want people to make their stars and put them up in their windows where we can all enjoy them. The more households that do this, the more we can connect with each other and make Whitleigh sparkle.”

Efford Community Network

Whitleigh Bags the Wellbeing

Efford 07380 309 586

What’s in the bag?

evolving A little bit of love.

Throughout the year Whitleigh Big Local has been Community A work of (local) art. Teas to calm. and developing new ways to care for its residents. talking with Candles to soothe. workers have been out on the street listening and rt. During Chocolate for endorphins. people to hear their concerns and offer their suppo unity Advice for a good night’s the summer Winnie (the van) was out in the comm children. As sleep. And contact details for providing art sessions to individuals, families and r says it professional help. the WBL development manager, Pippa St John Coope If you know someone who really helped some people; crafting and you feel might welcome a little “We know from our art sessions that people find ve way of bag of kindness, creating really therapeutic: it’s a simple and effecti call 07725 868807 gifting people a little bit of calm.” alone and or email After hearing from people feeling overwhelmed, ed ‘Wellbeing hundr a er togeth put has hello@whitleighbiglocal.org.uk lonely the team at WBL care.

Bags’ to give to those in need of some tender loving

SUPPOSE YOU HAD £1000 TO SPEND IMPROVING YOUR COMMUNITY

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

One of the things that makes the Neighbourhood Care Networks unique is the determination of those within them to share their experiences and learn from each other. Then there is the belief that communities are best-placed to help themselves; that they know what is needed and how it might be delivered.

The NCN initiative enables individuals within each of the geographic networks to see what others are doing; for information to be shared and advice given. This openness and transparency, fundamental to the work of POP+, has created a different way of working across the city and, with it, brought about significant benefits to new and existing community groups.

Take Efford for example, the latest area in the city to launch an NCN: the Efford Community Network. For years the area had been without any sort of formal community group and any attempt to start one seemed destined to fail.

One of the founders of the Efford NCN, Dee Kelly, a Senior Professional Youth Worker, says that being part of something bigger has really motivated them; “We’ve struggled in the past to set up a community group; it felt as if we’d get so far and then come up against a wall. Now, being in regular contact with other people who are telling us what they’ve done; what they’ve set up and how they went about it has made all the difference. It’s been nothing short of inspirational.”

Now the Efford Community Network is ready for action. At the moment it is made up of individuals from organisations with a vested interest in the area, such as the Community Connections Community Youth Team; St Paul’s Church; Lipson Co-operative Academy; Plymouth Community Homes and local boxer, Gareth Russell - who promotes exercise as a means to help combat mental health issues – but the aim is that more people, particularly residents, will get involved; “We are here to offer support to people in all sorts of circumstances. Just ring the number and, if we can’t help, we will find someone who can.”

The Efford Community Network is independent, collaborative and determined to support the many different needs of the area’s four thousand residents. A thousand flyers have been delivered to households, promoting the network and reassuring residents that help, should they need it, is available.

If you live in Efford and would like to help support your community call 07380 309 586.

For more information about the Neighbourhood Care Networks, or any area of POP+’s work, call 395131 or email info@plymouthoctopus.org

Want to help out in your community?

If you’re an individual or an organisation that wants to be involved text this city-wide number 07411 949 742 and you will be contacted by someone local to you, who will welcome your support.

If you have an idea to improve your community using up to £1,000, we want to hear from you!

Contact us on 07842 043399 (WhatsApp)

@PlymChronicle

‘Miracle’ medication and publishing a children’s book transforms life for Zara A 33-year-old Eggbuckland woman who has battled severe health issues ever since she was born has seen a dramatic change in her life in 2020.

Zara Teare was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at birth which meant endless medical appointments, IV antibiotics, piles of tablets, physiotherapy and time spent in and out of hospital.

In October 2019 there was a ray of hope when she was referred to Harefield Hospital in London to start the process towards a lung transplant and started undergoing all the required preparatory tests at Derriford Hospital.

Then the pandemic struck in March last year and all of the tests were put on hold - and for Zara the outlook seemed pretty miserable.

“I was plodding along with a lung function of between 10 per cent to 35 per cent with the need for constant IVs,” said Zara. “It felt like I would be on them forever and my quality of life was vanishing.”

But a few months before the pandemic in January last year she had been given the chance to start on a new ground-breaking medication called Symkevi, and later to another new wonder drug called Kaftrio.

“It was life changing,” said Zara, “and I felt things improving week after week. Less than a year later and I’m really starting to feel the benefits. I’ve now had a stable four months and am happy with my new lease of life.”

Her lung function has improved to 50 per cent with IV antibiotic treatment every 10 to 12 weeks, depending on how she was feeling.

With things looking more positive Zara used the time during her isolated and strict lockdown to start writing a children’s story.

shop4plymouth.co.uk

“I started wondering what job I could do if I become well enough again, I could learn new skills maybe! Then I realised, I’m asking myself the question I dreaded my whole of my childhood ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’

“To a child who looks normal on the outside, I always just said ‘nurse’ – but the truth of the matter was, that’s all I knew! My whole life was treatment and medication. Deep down, I hated that question, because I thought I’d never live long enough to have a dream, a family, an occupation.

In my head, I was going to die before getting the chance to be anything!”

It was these thoughts which inspired her to start writing in the mind of her dog - Dave, a black pug.

And at the end of October her book ‘I Want to Be A Puglebrity’ was published.

Illustrated by Bex Sutton, the book reveals how The Black Pug and Mummy try to solve the hardest question of life - what should he be when he is older.

It has already received more than 30 five star reviews on Amazon.

Zara said: “What a transformation in the past 12 months: filling out my death wishes and praying new lungs will come my way to where I am now, with 50 per cent lung function with the ‘miracle’ drug and become a published author!

“I hope my story gives hope to all the children today, especially those born with life limiting conditions like cystic fibrosis. My future will hopefully be brighter, thanks to the wonderful researchers, fundraising and team at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust! Fundraising for charities and research really does make a difference.”

I Want to Be a Puglebrity is available on Amazon in all formats.

Join our city’s cast of amazing characters

Part of the Reopening High Street Safely Fund, funded by

January 2021

11

Zara with her pet pug Dave

12 January 2021

ENCOURAGING KINDNESS AT LEIGHAM PRIMARY

Staff at Leigham Primary School encouraged their pupils to think of ways in which they can show kindness to others in the run up to Christmas.

The staff led by example and instead of sending Christmas cards this year, they all donated to Meningitis Now. The school choir would normally have visited their neighbours at Pattison Court Residential Home to sing Christmas carols to the residents. Due to the restrictions, this was not possible and so the children decided to write letters and cards to the residents instead.

This was something they also did during lockdown and the children were thrilled to receive replies from the residents who thanked them for thinking about them during the difficult times.

Teachers also encouraged their classes to think about ways in which they can do small acts of kindness to spread happiness to others.

Some children made pledges and New Year resolutions with this theme.

Two children who took it upon themselves to make a big difference to others were Lucas and Billy.

In November, Lucas in Year 6 decided to run 50km in a fortnight to raise money for Myeloma UK- a charity close to his heart because his grandmother has bone marrow cancer. Lucas ran on a running machine each night and, with the help of his friends and family members, managed to raise an impressive £420 to donate to the charity.

Instead of sending his friends Christmas cards this year, Billy Lucas decided to ask his Year 4 classmates to support him to collect items for a local food bank. With Billy’s determination and his class’s generosity, they managed to collect items totalling 36.18kg in weight! Billy delivered the food to North Plymouth Food Bank at the start of December so that it could be distributed to families in need of some support over the festive season.

Headteacher, Andrew Swainson said: “I am incredibly proud of how kind and thoughtful the pupils pf Leigham have been, particularly during such a challenging year. They have put others first and showed that they genuinely care.

“At Leigham, we firmly believe that kindness is key and the children have really benefitted from seeing what a difference they can make to others. We would like to wish all readers a happy and healthy 2021.”

Billy with his food collection

12 January 2021

@PlymChronicle

Council seizes opportunity to make major improvements to the Plymouth Life Centre Major improvements are to be made at the Plymouth Life Centre while it undergoes remedial works, under plans set to be agreed by the City Council.

Additional works that will improve facilities for centre users will be carried out while the centre is closed.

The works have been approved in an executive decision approved by Council Leader Tudor Evans, who visited the site alongside Deputy Leader Councillor Pete Smith recently to oversee progress on the ongoing remedial works ahead of the planned reopening in early spring 2021.

The additional works will be carried out while the venue is closed, minimising disruption to users and ultimately delivering an improved facility for future generations to enjoy.

They will reflect the latest standards in the ever-evolving fitness sector, valuable feedback from the Life Centre’s many network groups and members, the latest standards to increase COVID safety, carbon reduction and improving the overall customer experience.

The improvements include: • Upgraded ventilation and air conditioning systems in response to the impact of COVID-19 • Upgraded LED lighting in pool and changing areas • Replacement of all cubicles and lockers in male and female gym changing areas • Installation of pool hoists to improve accessibility for disabled visitors • Creation of a new yoga studio Council Leader, Tudor Evans, said: “We are seeing really substantial progress in the work at the Life Centre. It was always our intention to get in, get the work done and get the centre open

Council leader Tudor Evans and deputy leader Pete Smith pictured during their visit to the Life Centre

again so that people can get back to the sports and activities they enjoy.

“We have given the green light for additional enhancement works to commence, these will extend the life cycle of the centre and ensure first-class facilities for visitors, for years to come.“Everyone is working very hard to remain on schedule to get this iconic regional and national venue delivered back to the people of Plymouth by early spring 2021. I thank the members and sports groups for their support and patience while the centre undergoes works.”

Matthew Ashwell, commercial director for Balfour Beatty, said: “We have been working collaboratively with the council to ensure the works are progressing in line with our

e-cargo bikes take to city streets

A fleet of brand new electric cargo bikes are taking to the streets of Plymouth, cutting carbon emissions, air pollution and business costs.

A total of 21 businesses across the city have partnered with Plymouth City Council to bring 27 e-cargo bikes into use to carry equipment and delivering goods.

One of just 18 councils in England to be awarded funding in May from the Department for Transport’s £2m eCargo Bike Grant Fund, Plymouth won £123,500 to support the introduction of e-cargo bikes and trailers.

Local businesses receiving funding towards the cost of an e-cargo bike include a community brewery, a school, a design agency, a secure storage company, a bike shop, two photographers, a marina, a restaurant and a builder.

Businesses received up to £4,750 towards the cost and also contributed to the purchase costs themselves. Many of the businesses supported the local economy by choosing Plymouth-based e-bike retailer Bikespace to supply their e-cargo bike.

James Ellwood, Co-Director of project partner Fotonow CIC, said: “It’s a great scheme and has helped us make our first step in reducing the company’s carbon footprint and doing something to

programme. We have engaged a number of local sub-contractors to deliver this important scope of works, helping us to give back to the local community.”

The enhancements works, approved by executive decision, will be funded via the accumulation of the Capital Programme and Life Centre Maintenance Fund that was established for works of this nature in 2012.

Members of Plymouth Life Centre can access gym, group fitness classes and swimming at Brickfields Sports Centre and Plympton Swimming Pool while the centre is closed.

For more informatio visit www.everyoneactive. com/news/information-for-members-on-theclosure-of-the-plymouth-life-centre/

Cabinet Member Cllr Mark Coker (far left) and Plymouth’s Cycling Champion Cllr Jeremy Goslin (far right) with proud new e-cargo bike owners and users from Plymouth Schools Sports Partnership, Rockets and Rascals, Fotonow, Secure Open Storage, MVP Property Maintenance, Snapdragons, Royal Adelaide Arts and Yoga, and Jasper LM

tackle climate change.

“We are using the bike to carry camera equipment to our shoots.

It’s already reducing the amount of short car journeys we make, reducing our fuel bills, cutting carbon emissions and keeping the team fitter at the same time!”

The growth of online shopping and grocery delivery in the last decade has led to an increase in the use of polluting diesel vans in the city and Covid-19 has accelerated this trend.

By enabling businesses to shift to clean, low carbon transport for

local ‘last mile’ journeys, e-cargo bikes can play an important part in making sure the recovery from the pandemic is clean and green.

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, Mark Coker said “E-cargo bikes are growing in popularity and offer businesses the opportunity to reduce their transport costs and their environmental impact.

I’m delighted to have secured funding to fast track the growth of e-cargo bike use in Plymouth and to have partnered with so many innovative local

businesses. This is an important step towards our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030”.

If you think your business would benefit from an e-cargo bike why not try out Plymotion’s free eCargo bike loan scheme or consider applying to the Council’s Workplace Travel Grant for funding towards the cost of e-cargo bikes for your business or other investments to enable you and your staff to travel.

January 2021

@PlymChronicle

13

Plans to store giant concrete beams on airport runway brings storm of objections

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Councillor Maddi Bridgeman is urging supporters of plans to re-open Plymouth Airport to object to the proposal

Plans to store giant concrete bridge beams needed for the Forder Valley Link road scheme on the main runway at Plymouth Airport have brought an avalanche of objections.

Contractors Balfour Beatty have applied to Plymouth City Council for permission to store 28 huge concrete beams for a period of 12 months on the runway.

But supporters of plans to re-open Plymouth Airport for general aviation purposes in the future have voiced concerns that this could be jeopardised if permission is granted.

Plymouth City Councillor Maddi Bridgeman, whose Moor View ward includes the airport, is calling on concerned residents to register their objections to the proposal.

She said: “This proposal is in direct contradiction of the Joint Local Plan which requires the site to be safeguarded for future use as a general aviation airport.

“One of the policies in the Plan states clearly that uses of a temporary nature - such as that proposed - should not prejudice the future resumption of of aviation use of the site.

“It is clear that converting the main runway to a storage facility for an unspecified 12 month period is inherently obstructive and is likely to deter aviation opportunities from coming forward.

“In addition, while temporary, the proposed non-availability of key aviation infrastructure would eat significantly into the limited safeguarding period during which aviation opportunities are able to come forward.

“For both of these reasons, the proposed temporary use would be prejudicial to the future resumption of aviation use and is therefore in contravention of the council’s own policy,” she added.

Some 130 objections have already been submitted to the City Council’s planning website - with the number growing daily.

Cllr Bridgeman said: “I have received literally dozens of phone calls from people who are deeply concerned about this proposal. I was encouraged by the number of people who wants to see Plymouth Airport re-open and formally objected before the deadline of December 22.

“There is also a safety issue to this. One

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private pilot contacted me to point out that metalled, hard surface runways - like Plymouth - provide possible emergency landing places for aircraft in trouble. This was what happened a while back when a light aircraft was forced to land on the runway.

“If the runway had not been available for the pilot to land goodness knows what might have happened.”

Cllr Bridgeman said that she was not opposed to the beams being stored on the airport site - but not on the runway.

“It should be possible for Balfour Beatty to find other alternative locations for storage away from the main aviation infrastructure.

This would then ensure that the policies of the Joint Local Plan are complied with.”

She said that people who were unsure how to submit an objection could e-mail her at Maddi.Bridgeman@plymouth.gov.uk and she would ensure their views were forwarded to council planners.

The plan can be viewed be visiting the Planning and Building Control page at www.plymouth.gov.uk and go to search and comment on a planning application.

Reference number is 20/01788/FUL

Bid submitted for support from new airport development fund Plymouth is pitching for support from a new fund which is being set up to guide future airport development.

The Council has submitted a bid to the Airfield Development Advisory Fund to get a clear picture of what level of investment would be needed to reopen the airport for commercial passenger services.

The advisory fund is managed by the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority and administered by ICF, a global consulting and digital services provider.

The advice available includes planning and conservation policy, accountancy, business model development, marketing strategy and innovation.

Council leader Tudor Evans said: “This new fund is just a month old, but it has been set up specifically to offer advice. We said we would

explore any options, ideas and opportunities which come our way and that’s what we are doing.

“We’ve all seen the aviation industry change dramatically over the last year and who knows what direction it will take.”

The council has appointed a specialist aviation consultant to proactively approach potential operators to assess the market appetite for a private sector solution - in line with the five tests set out by the council.

It is also continuing discussions with the Sutton Harbour Group who lease the site via a wholly owned subsidiary known as Plymouth City Airport Ltd. The airport was shut by Sutton Harbour in 2011 after it became financially unviable to run the airport as a going concern. The five tests were set out in 2012.

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Government planning inspectors supported the council’s pragmatic approach to airport site, which was confirmed with the adoption of the Joint Local Plan in March 2019.

The site was identified as a significant strategic infrastructure asset, with specific policies agreed to safeguard the site for aviation uses until the next review of the Plan.

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14 January 2021

14 January 2021

@PlymChronicle

Snowdrop treat in store

Laura is city’s first Laureate of Words

Laura Horton

Plymouth playwright and publicist Laura Horton is Plymouth’s first ever Laureate of Words, for the two years 2021-22.

There’s a treat in store for snowdrop enthusiasts in 2021 at The Garden House’s world famous Snowdrop Festival which takes place in January and February.

The world renowned Matt Bishop Snowdrop Collection, one of the most diverse collections of named and naturalised snowdrops in the UK, has been joined by the Colin Mason Collection at The Garden House, one of the finest gardens in England.

The new collection was left as a very special legacy to the Garden House and it’s expert gardening team very carefully transplanted the collection to the plantsman’s paradise.

Now, together with the original Matt Bishop collection, there are nearly 350 named cultivars and species of snowdrop – some rarely seen in open gardens.

Colin Mason was the owner of ‘Fieldgate Snowdrops’ from which he made successful hybrids which proved to be successful and attractive. He bulked these up by

‘twin scaling’. Much sought after examples include Fieldgate Tiffany, Fieldgate Sophie and Fieldgate Superb – and the Garden House has examples of these in its named collection.

The snowdrops are planted in huge swathes across the garden’s stunning 10 acres. The snowdrops bloom from September through to March, peaking in January and February, and are carefully labelled, tucked into herbaceous borders and naturalised with early flowering bulbs. Snowdrops are scattered across banks and in borders, in plain sight but also tucked away in secret corners.

The Snowdrop Festival, which has become an annual highlight for UK garden lovers, takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from January 15 to the end of February. The Garden House is located at Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton PL20 7LQ For information on visiting times and conditions visit www. thegardenhouse.org.uk

This autumn, Literature Works joined forces with Plymouth Culture and The Box to recruit a Laureate of Words for the city, picking up the baton from outgoing Poet Laureate, Thom Boulton.

The call for the new Laureate of Words was made far and wide to find a wordsmith of any kind to take up this new creative role, representing the city in words.

A panel of partners across the city selected three hopefuls to go through to the first ever public vote for the role.

Throughout November, Laura Horton campaigned for votes alongside fellow playwright and co-director of Downstage Write, Jon Nash and poet Caitlin Brawn before emerging as the public’s choice for Laureate of Words. A total of over 2,150 votes were cast by members of the public in Plymouth.

Over the two years of her Laureateship, Laura will respond to a series of commissions from partners and organisations across Plymouth. She will run a series of events for the public, including one for young people, as well as representing the city at occasions in the civic calendar.

Speaking about her appointment, Laura said: “I’m thrilled to be offered the position of Plymouth Laureate of Words.

To be the first woman feels significant and I know I won’t be the last. I’m excited to explore this role as the first playwright, illuminating the life, culture and stories of this historically rich city.”

Trevi receives £56,000 donation to fund support worker

Trevi, the award-winning Plymouth charity which has helped transform the lives of thousands of women and their children, has received a donation of nearly £56,000 from Devon Freemasons.

At a recent socially distanced meeting Nick Ball, deputy provincial grand master and charity steward Dr Reuben Ayres presented the charity with a certificate confirming the donation of £55,931 which will fund a support worker for three years.

Trevi’s Hayley Dann said: “We are extremely grateful to the Masonic Charitable Foundation and the Devonshire Freemasons for this wonderful donation. It really means a lot to the Trevi team, particularly at this challenging time.”

Nick Ball pictured with Laura Fraser-Crewes of Trevi

@PlymChronicle

Manadon Vale pupils going the extra mile!

Children from Manadon Vale Primary School may be unable to travel but that did not limit their teachers who held International Days in the run up to Christmas.

Plymouth Tesco shoppers donate 1,700 meals to those in need

Year 3 had an Egyptian Day where the children dressed up as ancient Egyptians and had a full day of Egyptian activities, including tasting figs, dates, grapes and celery.

The children went on to make clay amulets and things got messy when they attempted the ancient Egyptian art of mummification. Fortunately they were mummifying an orange!

The day included de-coding hieroglyphics and even dancing like an Egyptian.

Not to be out-travelled, Year 5

enjoyed an American themed day as part of topic work on New York.

They started the day listening to the American national anthem and then enjoyed trying a variety of American styled food and drink products.

Throughout the day, the children looked at the history of America, discussing the arrival of the Native Americans in 15,000BC. The children really enjoyed the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture.

“There’s even more interest in other countries at the moment.

These days are wonderful ways to teach children about other ways of living,” said Sarah Ryder, headteacher at Manadon Vale.

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Generous Tesco shoppers across Plymouth have been thanked after donating 1,740 meals to feed people in their communities amid this year’s COVID-19 pandemic.

During the annual Tesco Food Collection at the end of November, local shoppers donated enough packets, tins and boxes to help the Trussell Trust and FareShare in their vital work.

An additional Tesco Food Collection held in the summer meant that local shoppers have donated many more meals through Tesco Food Collections this year. Tesco topped up all customer donations to the collection by 20%.

Tesco’s head of community Claire De Silva thanked those in Plymouth who supported the annual collection during what had been a particularly challenging year.

She added: “With most of the UK in lockdown holding the collection was always going to be a challenge, but once again we have been amazed by the generosity of our Plymouth customers – and the fact that we have now collected more than a million meals nationally is amazing.

“We know that every single can, jar or packet donated is helping someone who needs support this winter. We are immensely proud of the vital support our customers and colleagues have been able to give to the two charities in these very challenging times” Holding the Tesco Food Collections, which ran for three days in large stores, is just one of a number of ways in which Tesco supports the two food charities. The supermarket has provided more than £60 million in support to help the charities feed communities during the pandemic.

Phoebe Ruxton, head of development at FareShare South West, said: “This year has been so difficult for so many people and FareShare has seen demand for our food skyrocket. We continue to provide over two million meals per week to vulnerable communities across the UK, and 90% of the organisations we work with expect demand to remain the same as at peak crisis levels, or even increase through the winter.

“We are immensely grateful to every single person in Plymouth who donated food during this year’s Tesco Food Collection.”

During the initial lockdown Tesco donated £15million of food, split between the two charities.

The supermarket has announced a further £4million of food for FareShare in recent months and donates two million meals a month of surplus food via the charity.

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15

16 January 2021

16 January 2021

@PlymChronicle

Digital future of Plymouth is about to be transformed with £52m full fibre roll-out Nearly every home and business in Plymouth will gain access to nextgeneration broadband thanks to a multimillion pound investment by CityFibre.

Plymouth is to benefit from an investment of at least £52m in its digital future, as part of CityFibre’s plans to upgrade the nation’s legacy networks with gigabit-capable full fibre connectivity.

The state-of-the-art infrastructure is expected to boost business productivity and innovation and deliver millions in economic benefits for the port city, while giving residents access to the UK’s fastest broadband services.

Detailed planning is already underway as CityFibre, the UK’s third national infrastructure platform, designs a network capable of serving Plymouth’s current and future demands. When completed, the network will be in reach of nearly every home and business in the city and will provide a platform for a new generation of ‘smart city’ applications, as well as the roll-out of 5G mobile services.

CityFibre has appointed Kathryn Askew Smith as City Manager to spearhead delivery of the Plymouth project, which is due to start in January. In this role, Kathryn will be responsible for

ensuring the state-of-the-art full fibre network is implemented with minimal disruption while delivering maximum benefit for the wider community.

Kathryn will also be the lead point of contact for all the city’s stakeholders and a key advocate of the wide-ranging benefits that a full fibre network will bring to Plymouth’s residents and businesses.

Kathryn said: “The past months have really shown us just how much we depend on digital technology to manage so many aspects of our

lives; yet, people across the country are still battling with unreliable connectivity that slows them down and causes no end of frustration.

“This is why it’s so exciting to be working with an organisation that has set out to tackle this challenge in communities like Plymouth. By investing in Full Fibre infrastructure and delivering a citywide network roll out, the city can expect to have the best available broadband speeds and futureproof infrastructure that can meet the data-hungry demands of today and tomorrow.”

Kathryn is a project manager with more than 25 years’ experience in supporting infrastructure and telecoms projects in the UK, Asia and the USA. Oakway Ltd is delivering the construction programme on CityFibre’s behalf, using modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly. CityFibre will work closely with Plymouth City Council and local communities to ensure a fast and successful roll-out. Residents are being kept informed by mailings ahead of works commencing in their streets.

Stuart Elford, chief executive at Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, said: “CityFibre’s investment will help ensure that the power of digital

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technologies are fully harnessed in Plymouth.

“Full fibre broadband will benefit the people and the business community by unlocking new forms of economic and social value and ensure that Britain’s Ocean City builds on its reputation as a great place to live and work.”

The network is not yet live, but once activated, services will be available from an increasing range of broadband providers. Across the UK, CityFibre is already working with launch partner, Vodafone to deliver next generation broadband services, and TalkTalk is expected to join the network soon.

If residents are interested in full fibre broadband, they can pre-register interest with CityFibre to receive information when services are available. To pre-register, visit: cityfibre.com/ residential

LONG SERVICE AWARD FOR HMS MAGPIE SAILOR

A sailor from Devonport’s HMS Magpie has received a special award in recognition of his dedicated service.

Leading Seaman John Gibson who has served in the Royal Navy for 32 years has accumulated more than 5275 sea days in that time, was presented with a ‘LSA5K award’ His first ship as a trainee was on loan to HMS Magpie’s predecessor in the Hydrographical Fleet, HMS Gleaner prior to his first proper draft on the much larger Survey Ship, HMS Hecla. He now ends his sea going days, back once again with the smallest ship in the Fleet, HMS Magpie.

His contribution to the Royal Navy with almost 14 and half years at sea was recognised by the presentation of the Longer Separation Allowance 5000 days recognition award. It was presented by the Commander Surface Flotilla, Commodore Tim Neild onboard HMS Magpie (see photo).

January 2021

@PlymChronicle

Inspirational Discovery College student is featured in national Youth Matters project Rehman Ali, from YMCA Plymouth’s Discovery College, has recently been featured in YMCA’s National Youth Matters Week, which recognises exceptional young people who have overcome significant obstacles to make a real difference to their lives and their community.

Rehman, 19, who is studying BTEC Sport at Discovery College, was one of just 10 extraordinary young people selected to be featured in Youth Matters Week in celebration of his incredible journey and achievements.

Youth Matters Week 2020 is an adaptation of YMCA’s Youth Matters Awards, a national awards programme that has been an integral part of the charity’s calendar since 2009. YMCA’s national platforms showcased incredible stories of young people from YMCAs across England & Wales, highlighting their inspiring journeys and championing their hopes for the future.

Rehman was nominated for recognition by staff and peers at Discovery College for his incredible bravery, resilience and spirit. He is an inspiration to those around him.

In 2012, at just 13 years old, Rehman fled Pakistan with his family under threat to seek refuge in the UK. Over the past six years he has overcome countless challenges, from learning a new language, to adapting to a new culture

“Rehman has inspired staff and peers alike, with an upbeat attitude, regular inspiring quotes and ability to take on challenges with enthusiasm and determination” and overcoming significant confidence difficulties.

In his new surroundings Rehman has thrived, achieving top grades at Discovery College and recently being awarded ‘Student of the Year’ for his continued dedication and high standard of work.

He has also invested time in volunteering in his community to provide free sports coaching sessions for children at local primary schools, as well as working in YMCA’s community garden that grows produce for a local foodbank.

Top rating for Crownhill’s Mama Bear’s nursery Mama Bear’s Day Nursery and Pre-School in Fortview has been named the best day nursery in Plymouth by a leading national guide.

The nursery on Crownhill Fort Road, has topped the list of Plymouth nurseries compiled by DayNurseries.co.uk, with a perfect score of 10 – the maximum score available.

DayNurseries.co.uk is the leading UK nursery review website. The setting has been named as a recommended nursery in the region based on reviews from parents and carers of children who attend, as well as its latest Ofsted results.

Mama Bear’s is a family-run group with 24 nurseries across the South West. Owner Tony Driffield said: “We are extremely proud to be top of the list of nurseries in Plymouth, especially on such a prestigious nursery guide, which is trusted by parents.

“We work really hard to ensure we provide the highest standards of care and early years education at all of our settings across the South West and achievements like this show that we really do achieve our goals and aims.”

The majority of parents and carers who reviewed the nursery said the provision was excellent and they would be extremely likely to recommend the setting to other parents.

One review by a parent read: “My daughter absolutely loves going to nursery every week and has settled in so fast. The staff are really friendly and helpful. It’s so reassuring to have updates of how my daughter is throughout the day via the parent app too! The nursery has great activities for the children to do, as well as a really lovely garden!

I have no concerns and am so happy my daughter goes here.”

Mama Bear’s Fortview - Plymouth nursery caters for children between the ages of three months and five years. The nursery is open Monday-Friday from 7.30am until 6pm and is currently accepting new registrations.

The group also has a second Plymouth nursery which can be found at Springhill Green, Pennycross.

For more information or to register visit www. mamabear.co.uk

On being selected for Youth Matters Week, Rehman said: “I feel very honoured to have been selected to spread awareness of young people such as myself who may be experiencing obstacles or difficulties in their life.

“I hope that my story can provide a source of inspiration to others, so they’re able to seek the remedy to life’s misfortunes.”

Tom Lavis, chief executive of YMCA Plymouth said: “Rehman has inspired staff and peers alike, with an upbeat attitude, regular inspiring quotes and ability to take on challenges with enthusiasm and determination.

Throughout his time here, he has demonstrated his ability to advise and mentor peers with their own challenges and obstacles, as well as use his skills to make an impact on YMCA projects.”

“His presence and contributions have been noted by his peers and staff, with the impact of his work making a real positive difference in our community.”

A video was produced showing Rehman’s story which can be found here: https://youtu.be/hkSW6j0OUhE To find out more about Discovery College, visit: www.discoverycollege.co.uk

YMCA student Rehman receives the Student of the Year Award from chief executive Tom Lavis

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17

18 January 2021

Councillor Column

18 January 2021

@PlymChronicle

Eggbuckland goes Greek!

By Nick Kelly Leader of the Conservative Group on Plymouth City Council

Lockdowns, Tiers, Vaccines & 2021

We continue to live in challenging times, having only recently come out of a national lockdown due to COVID-19, we find ourselves in a national lockdown again.

Infection rates had been rising in Plymouth, leading to the city being put into Tier 3 before the latest national lockdown.

Your discipline and adherence to the rules has undoubtedly saved lives and not previously placed Derriford Hospital under undue pressure. Please keep this up until the vaccine has been rolled out and we can truly demonstrate we have beaten the virus.

2020 was to be the year Plymouth showcased itself to the world, with a huge programme of events to commemorate Mayflower 400, as the Pilgrim Fathers left these shores in 1620, setting sail for America.

As we all know, these celebrations have been put on hold until next year, which is something to look forward to in 2021.

This year has been unprecedented on lots of levels and one that many, will be glad to see the back of, as it has brought uncertainty, financial pressures, severe limitations on personal liberty and sadly thousands of premature deaths.

So, we look to the New Year with renewed hope, that our lives will return to some form of normality and routine, that familiarity we all crave for again.

The New Year is traditionally the time we think about making new resolutions, to make ourselves better people. Be it to get healthier by taking more exercise, introducing a more balanced diet, cutting down on alcohol, quitting smoking or joining a gym, it is also a time to consider possibly doing more local community or charity work. We have so many local charities covering diverse areas, that I’m sure you would find one that would welcome your involvement.

Special recognition must really go to all our NHS workers, our emergency services and all the key workers who have kept our city functioning throughout this pandemic.

You have all been simply amazing. Let’s hope that 2021 is a quieter year for you all once we have come through the current crisis.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all, the residents and businesses of Plymouth, a fantastic New Year, with hope that 2021 will be your year.

Together, let’s make our home city of Plymouth, truly the best place to live, work and visit.

Good health, wealth and happiness.

Students in Year 4 at Eggbuckland Vale Primary School had a fun-filled and absorbing day learning about different aspects of life in Ancient Greece.

Greek day started with ‘Greece is the word’ playing to welcome the children to their classrooms.

Clownfish and Seahorse classes really put in a super effort with costumes and looked amazing. Across the course of three sessions they researched and made top trumps, gathering facts on iPads.

Writing names in Greek Cyrillic followed, before a food tasting session including pitta

bread, olives, taramasalata, humous and pomegranates. After lunch, they moved on to creating Greek vases with papier mâché and designed and painted Greek shields called hopolon.

A busy and creative day really sparked imaginations and interest in Ancient Greece.

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Online or on-campus, the college is committed to delivering a tailored art-school experience that builds

technical skills, nurtures ideas and develops conceptual and critical voice, whilst connecting students with real-world projects nationally, internationally and in the local community.

Working in a studio space with specialist resources is an important part of learning and Plymouth College of Art has launched a hybrid combination of face-to-face and remote learning that will prioritise a return to physical studios whilst safeguarding the health of students and staff. The college is identifying flexible measures to ensure that its students’ work flourishes in a digital environment whilst future-proofing them and setting them up with the networks needed for long-term success in the creative industries.

The dedicated team will oversee all later starts to the college this year and work in partnership with the Students’ Union and Admissions team to ensure a positive and welcoming experience for everyone. Support includes: enrolment, accommodation, timetabling, personalised tours and an introduction to student life, including clubs, societies, health and wellbeing and study support, no matter when you start; so if you or someone you know are ready to take the next step in your creative journey, don’t wait until next September, get in touch with Plymouth College of Art 01752 203400.

January 2021 19

@PlymChronicle

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Ryan with baby Sebastian

Ryan’s beardgrowing fund raiser for NICU

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Plymouth Hospitals Charity fundraiser Ryan Lucassi has reached his £1,000 target for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Derriford Hospital.

Ryan and his wife Gemma had a difficult journey before the birth of their baby boy, and sadly Gemma experienced five miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy.

On April 6, the pair welcomed their new born baby Sebastian ten weeks early, just after the UK had entered lockdown due to Covid-19.

The new family received care on the NICU at Derriford Hospital, and now Ryan is raising funds for the unit to give back to the staff who supported them during their pregnancy. With the COVID-19 pandemic hampering the usual fundraising ideas, new dad Ryan had to get creative in his bid to raise money NICU. Ryan started growing his beard at the beginning of November and bleached it white just before Christmas. Ryan sported the Santa beard until Boxing Day after a total of nine weeks growing it the same amount of time he and his wife, Gemma spent in NICU with their son, Sebastian.

“We spent nine weeks with these angels after our son was born 10 weeks early weighing 3lbs,” said Ryan. “We will be eternally grateful for the love, care and support we received.”

Ryan with his bleached beard

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“Nobody is left out and the tutors have time for everyone”

Louisa Morgan, BTEC Business Now Studying Business Managment @ Plymouth University

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Want to ‘Make’ a difference?

Volunteer for Mayflower 400 and spread the word about Plymouth’s amazing events in 2021!

Become a Mayflower Maker and be part of the commemorative year in Plymouth, now extending into 2021, with a packed spring and summer calendar of events and activity across the city including the Mayflower International Festival 8-11 July, Mayflower Muster 10 July and Mayflower 400 Four Nations Ceremony on Plymouth Hoe 11 July 2021. There’s also the impressive SailGP on 17 and 18 July.

As ambassadors of Mayflower 400, Mayflower Makers are raising awareness of the commemorations while helping the people of Plymouth and beyond to participate in the cultural events programme. Volunteers also provide support for a whole host of community activities within the areas of Sport & Wellbeing and Arts & Culture as well as the Mayflower Trails and the Elizabethan House.

This is your chance to do something for your city and your community to help make sure everyone has a great experience of Mayflower 400.

To sign up to be a Mayflower Maker today, visit: mayflower400uk.org/volunteering Contact: neil.minion@plymouth.gov.uk Mayflower 400 National Supporters and Sponsors

Discovery College, Honicknowle Lane, PL5 3NG Part of YMCA Plymouth, Charity No. 1066919 | T 01752 761012

20 January 2021

20 January 2021

@PlymChronicle

A light at the end of the tunnel at last THE

By Chris Cole, founder of Cross Rhythms Charity

Experience

celebrate the giving and receiving of gifts and one of the most exciting aspects of working in media for me was hearing of the establishment of a radio station in Bethlehem called Radio Hayah which means ‘come to pass, or endure’. Bethlehem means ‘House of bread’ and was the birthplace of the Saviour, Jesus Christ and also King David of the Old Testament.The team at Radio Hayah do the most extraordinary works of service and comfort, supporting the community both practically and spiritually as many of the residents are Arab Christians who struggle in the political climate, economically.

It is the same principle of using our individual and corporate influence to serve where we live.We started to get involved in Bethlehem in 1998 when we learned that the unemployment rate at the time was 98%. Bethlehem is now washed through the airwaves with music and programmes hosted by Arabic speaking presenters.

There is something mentally very healthy when we give, or ‘pay it forward’ as human beings because being made in God’s image we can reflect His heart to others.

As Christians the whole purpose of Jesus Christ’s arrival on Christmas day was as a gift to the world for anybody who would receive Him in their hearts; He continues to give the power to love in the good and the bad times.

Chris Cole

What a massively challenging year we’ve all experienced. Life changing health and economic issues created through the Coronavirus Pandemic have, in the main, adversely impacted on all of us.

We may be on information overload, but it would be fair to say that one of the only positive aspects of these challenging times has been the evidence of the ‘courage of kindness’ being expressed by so many within families, extended families and communities.

To dig deep and express kindness and love when it is tough to do so is something we can all acknowledge through the Christmas and the New Year season. It will certainly be welcome to say goodbye to 2020 with some encouragement for 2021.

The hope of a vaccine has provided some light at the possible end of a long tunnel, but we still must reduce the ‘R’ level and ensure that the NHS isn’t overwhelmed during the winter months until a national vaccine scheme is rolled out.

We will and have had some relief over Christmas when we can meet up in three of our households (check out UK GOV website for accuracy), but we aren’t out of the woods yet, health wise, so we all need to be wise in terms of our social distancing even when we meet up over this period.

My main thought for this article, however, is on the economic challenges we are going to face as a city in 2021 and how we should all do our best to shop and buy locally.

I hope to inspire you to engage with the council’s Geddon Plymouth Shop Local campaign which you can find out

more about at shop4plymouth.co.uk. Whatever the politics in times of economic crisis we have been encouraged to buy British throughout the decades of national crisis since the Second World War. Now seems a good time to do so again. Not just British, but local.

To emphasise the message let me share a brief story about a radio station many miles away. At Christmas we

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

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22 January 2021

22 January 2021

@PlymChronicle The British Firework Championships, held annually in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, will return on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 August 2021.

Fireworks will be back with a bang in 2021!

The community of Ernesettle is leading the NSPCC’s flagship Together for Childhood programme, with organisations across Plymouth working with local residents to develop and test ways in which to best protect children. The Together for Childhood team provides the latest monthly update on its Christmas activity.

The spectacular pyrotechnics competition, hosted by Plymouth City Council and The Event Services Association (TESA) sees six firework companies battle it out over two nights, all competing to be crowned the nation’s best.

The 2020 competition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but this year’s competitors have been invited back to take up the challenge in 2021.

Deputy Council Leader Pete Smith said: “The British Firework Championships really are the jewel in the crown of our brilliant annual events programme and we’re delighted to be able to announce the dates for 2021 – remember to pop it in your diaries as it’s always an unmissable event.

“We’re hoping to bounce back next year with a packed summer event programme, with not only the fireworks to look forward to but also the Mayflower International Festival and the grand prix of sailing, SailGP”.

The British Firework Championships has been held in Plymouth every year since 1997. The displays are fired from Mount Batten Pier in Plymouth Sound, which provides a natural amphitheatre for the sparkling show.

The fireworks are watched by up to an estimated 100,000 people from viewpoints all around the natural harbour, but the best viewpoint is Plymouth Hoe where thousands of people gather to gaze in awe at the tenminute displays.

Jim Winship, Director of TESA said: “We are looking forward to returning to Plymouth in 2021. After a fallow year for fireworks across the UK, we are keen to get back on track with a spectacular show to celebrate the return of the Championships.”

The fireworks will start from around 9.30pm, with three ten-minute displays each evening. There’s entertainment, including a fun fair, and food and drink stalls to enjoy on Plymouth Hoe before the spectacle begins.

For the latest updates about the British Firework Championships, please see www.britishfireworks. co.uk or visitplymouth.co.uk.

Balancing act at Widey Court!

SUSTAIN helping to build community In December the NSPCC’s Plymouth Together for Childhood Team turned their attention to Christmas, as children from Ernesettle helped spread some festive fun.

Children from both Mill Ford School and Ernesettle Community School took part in decorating St Aidan’s Church tree, with wooden baubles provided by the Together for Childhood team. They were also each given a bauble to help decorate their tree at home or school.

This was part of the team’s community engagement activity funded through the National Lottery Community Fund.

The church opened the doors to its cafe, on December 11, allowing children and their families to decorate the church’s tree with their baubles, while adhering to the Government’s social distancing guidelines.

Lots of families attended and the tree looked fabulous, filled with colour and sparkle.

In January, the team will be on the look-out for people to get involved with their SUSTAIN group, which helps people gain more support and become more connected within their community.

The free group, which runs

over a five-week period starts on January 19 and will take place over Zoom.

Hugh Millington helps run the SUSTAIN group and encourages people of all ages to get involved.

He said: “SUSTAIN has been a fantastic opportunity to build connections between people in the community and find out common goals and interests.

“Different activities have shown a range of common interests between group members and have also revealed a staggering wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise.

“Like many activities this year, SUSTAIN was delivered online but it was really heart-warming to witness the sense of togetherness the group fostered, despite the constraints of social distancing.”

Those who are interested and want to learn more can do so by speaking to Jacky or Hugh on 01752 422577 or by texting 07976065308.

To find out more about Together for Childhood, contact the NSPCC in Plymouth at Plymouth.

Servicecentre@nspcc.org.uk or 01752 422577 or visit the NSPCC website.

Any adult concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can call the NSPCC helpline for free and confidential advice on 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk

Nearly 90 children from early year classes at Widey Court Primary School have taken part in Bikeability Balance - not easy to say quickly or spell when you are only four years old!

The scheme, delivered free by the Plymouth School Sports Partnership, encourages young children to start their cycling lives on balance bikes.

Bikeability Balance combines ergonomic balance bikes with fun activities that build confidence, spatial awareness and dynamic balance skills, enabling children to cycle without ever needing stabilisers. The children started with a session of phonics in the classroom, and ended by whizzing around the cones in the sports hall with their feet in the air! But it took a few sessions to master.

Each class completed a daily 40 minute session in groups of 15 with five instructors. Day 1 was about balancing on one leg, walking a balance beam, wearing a helmet and taking part in an obstacle course. Day 2 introduced them

to the bikes; the names of the parts, where not to put their fingers and how to look after the bike and safely mount and dismount.

By Thursday they were learning to ‘kangaroo hop’ (a skill where they take both feet off the ground at the same time to propel forward) and started to learn Stop & Go signs and use their brakes. The final day culminated in testing all their skills and the chance to try a pedal bike and being awarded a Bikeability Balance sticker and certificate.

Headteacher Shaun Nicholls said: “It is the second year we’ve run the Bikeability Scheme, which is funded by the Department of Transport. Children one minute are homing in on a skill to hold a pencil correctly and the next their brains are trying to control their core stability, static and dynamic balance to not fall off the bike.

“There’s also the added value of laughing and having fun. We’ve all had a difficult year and the start of school has brought strange new restrictions to lots of the usual fun activities, like

playing on the outdoor equipment and external visits. Mental health awareness is a real focus for us at Widey. We are working towards being accredited for the Wellbeing Award for Schools by raising social interaction, fitness and having lots of fun.”

Widey Court Primary also offers the Bikeability scheme to Year 5 in the summer term. Like cycling proficiency, but with practical skills on how to cycle on today’s roads, it gives children the confidence for all kinds of cycling.

Soon they will also be able to bring their bikes and scooters to school and leave them in a smart new covered place.

The school has used PE Pupil Premium funds and PTFA fundraising to procure new bike and scooter pods which should be installed by the end of the term.

The foundations are now laid and they hope that this new cycling incentive will encourage more healthy options to travel to school.

January 2021

@PlymChronicle

23

£935,000 boost for The Box The Box has received a near £1 million grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to help with the increased capital costs caused by the pandemic.

The Box was only a couple of months away from its launch when the first national lockdown came into effect this spring.

The government restrictions meant it had to postpone its highly anticipated opening from midMay until the end of September.

The delay resulted in increased fees for the fit out of The Box’s building and its exhibition spaces.

It also had to extend the lease on its offsite store, purchase specialist PPE equipment, create and produce additional signage and develop new digital interpretation.

Tudor Evans, Plymouth City Council Leader, said: “We are thrilled to be the recipient of yet more support from Arts Council England and for the grant that The Box has now been awarded from the Capital Kickstart programme.

“No-one could have predicted the challenges that 2020 has presented us with and the delayed opening of the city’s major new museum, gallery and archive incurred a range of additional capital costs.

Emergency Numbers

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

Helplines

“This funding will go a long way towards helping to alleviate the financial pressures these have created and will help put The Box in a really strong position to go on to even bigger and better things in 2021.”

The grant of £935,000 for The Box bring the

total investment from the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund in Plymouth to £4,986,492.

The funding is supporting 14 projects across the city including Theatre Royal Plymouth, Real Ideas Organisation, Plymouth Pavilions and the Plym Valley Railway.

Mind my Rolls-Royce it’s worth £1.5 million!

The group of gleaming vintage Rolls-Royces and Bentleys waiting on Plymouth’s Millbay Docks started their engines and slowly boarded the Brittany Ferries ship for the inaugural crossing on the new Plymouth to Santander, North Spain route.

It was 1978. Naturally enough, with one of the vehicles worth £1.5 million, their owners became very protective and demanded a minimum one-metre space be left around their vehicles on the car deck. As a result, it soon became clear that not all other vehicles booked on the crossing were going to get on.

As the ship sailed out, 24 cars were left on the dockside with the angry occupants pursuing flustered Brittany Ferries staff back to the terminal. All this was played out in front of the press and TV crews who were having a field day!

This is just one of the many of the stories and anecdotes recounted in a new book on Brittany Ferries that is out now.

Brittany Ferries: From a Cause to a Brand 1973-2005 is an account of the first three decades of the ferry company’s operations that saw it grow from a single ship operation exporting agricultural produce from Brittany to England to being the sole operator of cruise ferry services from Britain and Ireland to France and Spain.

There are stories of the huge hurdles the company faced as it developed it services, fishermen strikes, dockers strikes, crew strikes, financial crises, ship

breakdowns and accidents, environmental disasters, dark dealings by competitors and more.

Brittany Ferries survived them all and by the early years of the 21st century was well on the way to becoming the leading brand it is today This is more than a book to be enjoyed by just ferry enthusiasts. Brittany Ferries benefitted from multinational management. The formation was driven by Alexis Gourvennec, one of the Breton farmers, politically astute and eventual long-standing company president.

Charismatic Christian Michielini acted as a bridge between French and British management teams. The French provided the initial cause, the finance, the ships and built the onboard experience. Yet most of the revenue was generated in a southbound direction.

So sales, branding, destination led marketing and route expansion strategies were driven by a management team in the UK. The result was an international blend of the best of French and British cultures.

It is a no-holds-barred account of how a small group of farmers had the foresight to put their money where their mouths were and start their own freight export operation rather than call on existing operators, and how it developed.

Published by Lainson Publishing, the 384-page book costs £22.95. Visit www.ferrypubs.co.uk/product/brittanyferries-from-a-cause for further information on how to obtain a copy.

Winter grant scheme set to help Plymouth families Plymouth City Council will distribute food and fuel support worth more than £900,000 to families in need as part of the Government’s COVID Winter Grant Scheme over the coming months.

The scheme will provide support to vulnerable households and families with children particularly affected by the pandemic throughout the winter period, where alternative sources of assistance may be unavailable.

With the funding ring-fenced to support with food and essential utility costs, it will allow help to reach the hardest-hit families and individuals.

Building on the success of the October half-term Council funded holiday support scheme, the COVID Winter Grant Scheme will ensure support will be provided over the Christmas holidays to all eligible children.

The council is sending batches of unique food e-voucher codes to city schools for them to distribute to all families on their Free School Meals registers. Each code can be used once to redeem vouchers to the value of £30 per child (£15 per week for the two weeks of school holidays) at various supermarkets.

Councillor Chris Penberthy Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development said:

USEFUL NUMBERS

“We know all too well the devastating impact the pandemic is having on the lives of many people across the city and throughout these difficult and uncertain times it has been our absolute priority to protect our most vulnerable residents. Our immediate focus is on the provision of food and other support to our most vulnerable households and I’m really pleased that the council is working closely with other organisations across the city to support our citizens over the winter months.”

As well as supporting the families of children who are eligible for free school meals the funding will also be used to provide support with winter warmth essentials to eligible households. The council has partnered with Plymouth Energy Community to distribute £250,000 of these funds to people at risk of fuel poverty as a result of the impacts of the pandemic. Full details of how to apply will be released soon and the first grants issued in the New Year.

In line with national guidance the following households will be eligible for support under the Winter Grant programme: • Households with children that are in receipt of any benefits • Households (including statutory provision) with children that are recognised as vulnerable

and are in receipt of statutory support • Households without children that are struggling to access food or are in arrears with utility costs.

• These households will only be eligible for support if they are on benefits and can evidence that they cannot pay for food or fuel (evidence will be needed in both cases).

Other areas of the council are also helping to tackle food poverty over the festive season. The Box, working in partnership with Fosters – the company that runs its Kitchen & Bar, Plymouth Community Homes and Food Plymouth, has raised over £26,000 in a successful crowdfunding campaign to create boxes of tasty ingredients so thousands of local families can cook a Christmas dinner. All the information and support available is listed on Plymouth On-line Directory.

The council’s Community Connections team will work with PEC to support people with fuel debt and white goods, both of which can be barriers to people moving into permanent accommodation.

More details about the COVID Winter Support Grant and other support available to residents impacted by the pandemic can be found at www. plymouth.gov.uk/coronaviruscovid19information/ ineedhelp

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

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

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

Entertainment Theatre Royal 01752 267222 Barbican Theatre 01752 267131 Devonport Playhouse 01752 606507 Plymouth Athenaeum Theatre 01752 266079 Plymouth Pavilions 01752 936363 Plymouth Pavilions Ticket Store 03337 727727 Cineworld 03303 33444 Vue Cinema 0345 308 4620 Tourist Information 01752 306330 National Trust Saltram 01752 333500 Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery 01752 304774 Plymouth Arts Centre 01752 206114

Leisure

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

Weather The Met Office Weathercall

0870 9000100 0870 6004242

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

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

24 January 2021

24 January 2021

@PlymChronicle

Global first for Plymouth’s very smart Sound!

Householders will soon have to pay to dispose of soil, rubble, plasterboard asbestos and other waste Plymouth City Council is introducing charges to get rid of some types of waste at Chelson Meadow from January.

Plymouth Sound is to be home to the world’s first 5G ocean-based marine testbed, putting the city at the forefront of marine and maritime innovation.

Part of the Marine Business Technology Centre’s (MBTC) testing and proving ground Smart Sound Plymouth, the testbed will benefit from a 5G mobile private network built by Vodafone using Nokia equipment. The network, known as Smart Sound Connect, will enable ultrafast download speeds and low-latency 5G connectivity to support the development of new marine technology.

Eligible businesses will have free access to the testbed to test 5G use cases including advanced applied autonomy, clean propulsion, smart ports, smart shipping, and environmental monitoring using the Internet of Things (IoT).

The full testbed will be available from early 2021. It will also form the basis of a proposed virtualised testing platform, to allow companies to validate ideas and test adjustments in a virtual environment. With few testbeds offering connectivity beyond the shore’s edge, Smart Sound Connect can support use cases that others cannot.

Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council said: “We’re really making waves here with another world first for Plymouth. It goes without saying we’re incredibly excited to be able to provide this globally significant testbed, which further cements our city’s reputation as the UK’s centre for advanced marine technology development.”

Anne Sheehan, business director, Vodafone UK, said: “Smart Sound is a brilliant initiative from Plymouth City Council that will show just how powerful 5G can be for businesses looking to innovate. 5G can accelerate developments in marine technologies, and this is another area where the UK can be a global leader with the right digital tools and skillset.”

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Rob Watson, MBTC director said: “With Smart Sound Connect, we are able to provide a complete innovation service that allows businesses to utilise one of the most high-tech and comprehensive test and proving environments in the world.

“Not only will our clients be able to benefit from the expertise, research capabilities and advanced equipment of our partners, they will also be able to work closely with Vodafone and Nokia to develop 5G solutions specifically for the marine sector.”

“We’re really making waves here with another world first for Plymouth” - TUDOR EVANS The MBTC is a £4.5 million European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supported partnership between Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the University of Plymouth, the University of Exeter and the Marine Biological Association that works to facilitate innovation in the marine and maritime sector. The partnership received £1.8 million in funding from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) to develop Smart Sound Connect.

Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP Karl Tucker said: “Smart Sound Connect is an excellent project that we’re investing part of our Growth Deal funding in. We know that Digital and Marine are key sectors to the recovery and future prosperity of the Heart of the South West, and this scheme will further enhance our area’s specialisations in both.

“Added to that, the MBTC is part of Oceansgate, one of HotSW’s portfolio of Enterprise Zones,

The Derriford and North Chronicle is delivered door to door every month to homes in Ernesettle, West Park, Honicknowle, Austin Farm, Crownhill, Manadon, Whitleigh, Southway, Derriford, Estover, Mainstone and Leigham.

Depending on the situation regarding the coronavirus, the February edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Derriford and North Plymouth will be published on February 5

offering favourable conditions for business growth.”

Dr James Fishwick, Head of Smart Sound Plymouth said: “Smart Sound Plymouth is firmly established as the leading location in the UK for trials and demonstration of cutting-edge marine technologies. The addition of the Smart Sound connect communications network has created a multifaceted solution unrivalled in the UK and placing Plymouth very firmly on the global stage.”

Stephan Litjens, general manager, Nokia Digital Automation said: “Working in partnership with Vodafone and MBTC on this ‘world-first’ and helping to drive world-leading marine and maritime innovation is an exciting prospect.

This ocean-based deployment will highlight all the flexibility and performance advantages that industrial-grade 5G private wireless can bring to organisations that need connectivity in challenging conditions.”

Vodafone will provide 4G and 5G connectivity using four mobile sites at the inlet, and an additional site offshore. The network will utilise Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC), a digitalisation platform capable of providing highbandwidth, hyper-fast private networking and edge computing capabilities. A compact, plug-and-play system that comprises network equipment and a cloud-based operation monitoring system, Nokia DAC enables users to securely collect, process and host all generated proprietary data on site.

Smart Sound Connect will build on the research already being supported by the MBTC, which has recently included the launch of the UK’s first seagoing electric ferry and the development of an innovative new method of gathering data about the marine environment.

More information about Smart Sound Connect will one featured at a free webinar on December 16 (book online now at www.oceansgateplymouth. com/events-schedule) or visit www. smartsoundplymouth.co.uk

A new policy, which comes into effect on January 26 will mean that residents who bring soil, rubble, plasterboard and asbestos to the recycling centre will need to pay.

Soil and rubble will be £2.40 per bag or item, plasterboard £6 per bag or sheet and bonded asbestos £11 per bag/sheet.

Last year, the council accepted 5,983 tonnes of these types of materials which then cost £140,000 to dispose of. Estimates show that the changes will almost completely offset this charge in future.

The money saved will help tackle the unprecedented financial challenges the council faces and ensure the continuation of other valued waste services.

Both Devon and Cornwall county councils already charge for these items while Torbay are also doing similar.

There are no plans to charge for anything else. Just soil, rubble, plasterboard and asbestos.

Chelson Meadow is a ‘household waste recycling centre’ and generally, the materials in scope are part of the fabric of homes or gardens and usually arise from domestic construction, DIY or landscaping projects. They are not accepted at Weston Mill at all.

The council reported that construction waste accounts for nine per cent of all fly-tipping offences in Plymouth and they will continue to respond robustly and prosecute anyone who they find responsible.

In terms of the day-to-day running of Chelson Meadow, few changes are anticipated.

Residents will continue to be greeted by a member of staff who will ask what materials are to be disposed of.

If there are any of the charged materials, they will be directed to a dedicated area of the site. Payment will be by card only.

More details on recycling centres can be found at: www.plymouth.gov.uk/ binsrecyclingandwaste/recyclingcentres Which materials are classed as soil and rubble?

Bricks, breeze blocks, concrete, drainage pipes (ceramic/porcelain), gravel, hardcore, paving slabs, rubble, sand, sanitary ware (ceramic/porcelain toilets, bidets, sinks, shower trays, pipes, etc), soil, slates/slabs, stones, tarmac, tiles (ceramic, porcelain, floor, roof, wall) and turf.

with a copy deadline of January 25.

Chronicle Plymouth

The Derriford and North edition is one of four hyper local editions delivered to a total of more than 90,000 homes throughout the city.

January 2021

Ryan’s beardgrowing fund raiser for Derrifo rd’s Neonatal Intensi ve Care Unit See page 19

COVID UP DATE See inside for news and information from Plymouth City Counc il Pages 2 and 3

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