Plymouth Chronicle Derriford & North May 2022

Chronicle Plymouth # PLYMOUTHTOGETHER

May 2022

KFC staff from St Budeaux and other branches in the city have taken part in a big litter pick For details See Page 6

Friends of Boringdon School are getting in the Jubilee Spirit by commissioning a special gin to mark the occasion See Page 16

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Devon Wildlife Trust’s popular Marine Centre at Wembury opens again for 2022 Full details See Page 24

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

• Cross Rhythms Experience • Dial the Experts • Useful numbers

Tree-mendous effort!

A groundbreaking project has seen more than 200 trees planted at Mount Wise Community Primary School - thanks to YGS Landscapes and a host of volunteers and organisations in the city

• See story on page 12

LANDLORDS ARE YOU UP TO DATE WITH CURRENT LEGISLATION? Book your 1 hour free consultation 01752 407774 | www.plymouthestates.co.uk

2 May 2022

2 May 2022

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Protect others by staying at home if you are unwell We’ve seen some very high COVID-19 rates in Plymouth recently and many people have been experiencing it at home, school or their workplace.

With the reduced testing under the Government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan we will no longer be able to use the COVID test figures to accurately gauge levels of the virus in Plymouth.

However, we will still be able to monitor COVID-19 rates using information from the Office for National Statistics (which takes a sample of the population) and through hospitalisation rates.

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 is now beginning to reduce, which is a positive sign as this probably means that rates within our community are also reducing.

However, this reduction is only slight and we do not yet know how far rates will drop.

The recent high levels and the disruption caused to so many work places shows we cannot stop taking the virus seriously. It is important that everyone continues to look out for themselves and for others. This includes following Government guidance around COVID-19 infections, especially when rates are still so high.

If you have a positive COVID-19 test result or think that you have COVID-19, you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day you took your test (or developed the symptoms).

If you feel unwell with symptoms of a respiratory infection, especially if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. You should only consider going out when you no longer have a high temperature or when you no longer feel unwell.

Employers should be encouraging staff who have tested positive, or have symptoms, to stay at home for five days or until they no longer have a temperature. This helps to avoid spread to other employees in the workplace and people they might come into contact with through their work.

We all want our lives to return to normal but our experience over the last year has shown that we need to remain cautious.

We have to expect that new variants may emerge – we just don’t know how infectious

or how severe they might be. Organisations like WHO and UK HSA are on the lookout for any signs of new, concerning variants; we are not expecting anything new to hit us straight away.

There is a saying ‘plan for the worst but hope for the best’, which seems like a sensible approach.

So living with COVID-19 means remaining cautious and keeping up simple measures that help us remain safe but don’t hugely disrupt our lives.

The best thing everyone can do is follow the Government guidance on living with COVID-19, including getting fully vaccinated, maintaining good hygiene, letting fresh air in and wearing a face covering in confined spaces.

As the weather gets warmer we also now have more opportunities to meet others outside, where there is less risk of coming into contact with particles carrying the virus.

Living with COVID-19: five things you should be doing

As we all get used to living with COVID-19 it is down to each of us to continue managing the risks to ourselves and others.

There are five simple things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community: 1. Get vaccinated to reduce the risk of you getting seriously ill and spreading the virus to others.

If you haven’t had all your vaccines yet you can book one on the NHS website or visit one of the walk-in sessions that are available at various locations around the city.

2. Avoid contact with others if you feel unwell or have flu-like or COVID-19 symptoms and a high temperature. You should stay at home if you can.

3. Let fresh air in to disperse COVID-19 particles when you meet others indoors, especially if they are at high risk from COVID-19. Meet people outdoors if you can.

4. Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue if you cough or sneeze to reduce the spread of particles carrying the virus. If you do not have a disposable tissue, use the crook of your arm – not your hand. Wash your hands regularly.

5. Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces and when coming into contact with those at higher risk from COVID-19.

While free testing has ended for most people, free tests are still available for various at-risk groups and social care staff. You can buy tests at pharmacies and other stores.

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

By Dr Ruth Harrell

Director of Public Health for Plymouth

The mobile van will be visiting the following locations Crownhill Library (9am to 5pm) • Thursday 5 May: Frankfort Gate (11am to 5pm) • Friday 6 May: St Budeaux Library (9am to 4pm) • Monday 9 May: Davie Hall (9am to 4pm) • Tuesday 10 May: Devonport Library (midday to 7pm)

• Thursday 12 May: Frankfort Gate (11am to 5pm) • Sunday 15 May: Plympton Library (10am to 5pm) Home Park is also offering walk-in vaccinations.

Please check the website for sessions for specific age groups. Visit www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ get-tested.

HOW TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE

You can check the latest number of COVID-19 cases in Plymouth on the Council’s website at www.plymouth.gov.uk/COVID-19. NOTE: This information was correct at the time of going to press on April 28.

@PlymChronicle

May 2022

Wayne’s marathon effort to help the homeless

3

A Whitleigh man is in training for the London Marathon and aims to raise funds for the homeless and people with addictions.

Pictured at the opening of Flapjackery are back row: Carol Myott, shop manager Grace and Sally Jenkin, bottom row: Adam Wotton, Alex Grassick, Plymouth RNLI Coxswain Simon Jeffery and Sam Stephan

RNLI crew turn out for launch of Flapjackery

Plymouth’s RNLI were on hand to open the Barbican’s newest shop, Flapjackery, which has taken over the famous Yarmouth Stores on Southside Street, selling delicious handmade flapjacks, and other sweet treats.

Flapjackery, which is based at Tavistock, will fund raise for the RNLI from its Plymouth shop.

Coxswain Simon Jeffery officially opened the shop, cutting the ribbon for owners Sally Jenkin and Carol Myott, to the accompaniment of sea shanty band Jack Flash.

Simon said: “We would like to thank Carol Myott and Sally Jenkin for supporting the Plymouth RNLI and inviting the crew down to the opening of Flapjackery today.

“I would also like to say thank you for asking me to do the official opening. It was a privilege and we wish the shop all the very best for the future.”

Flapjackery Plymouth joins the company’s growing stable of shops at Tavistock, Wells and Minehead, with further stores opening in St Ives and Bath this spring.

Sally Jenkin said: “It was a wonderful day, with many people turning up to enjoy a piece of flapjack, with a Plymouth Gin with Luscombe tonic. Flash Jack were fantastic, with many bystanders joining in.

“Huge thanks to all the team at RNLI Plymouth for turning up and making it such a great occasion. Fundraising is an important part of our business and RNLI Plymouth joins our other chosen charities - Wells Cathedral, RNLI Minehead and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team.”

Coxswain Simon Jeffery with Flapjackery’s shop manager Grace

Wayne Wheeler, who is 52, had his own battle with drug and alcohol addiction earlier in his life and now hopes to raise £2,500 for the Salvation Army, who do so much good work for people who are struggling.

It will be Wayne’s first marathon - but he has completed several half marathons in the past and will be taking part in this year’s Plymouth Half Marathon with his 23-year-old son Zach.

A former professional boxer Wayne is now an active member of St Chad’s Church in Whitleigh having become a committed Christian two years ago.

Wayne was born and brought up in Whitleigh and had a challenging home life as a child, with lots of rows and arguments.

He struggled at school with reading and writing because of dyslexia and obsessive compulsive disorder and was frequently punished for misbehaving.

In his 20s Wayne mixed with the wrong crowd in Stonehouse and his lifestyle spiralled into chaos. By the age of 21 he was homeless and had become heavily involved in drug dealing as well as other crime.

He ended up living in run down property in Stonehouse until his mum and sister persuaded him to go home.

They managed to secure a place for Wayne at Broadreach - a rehabilitation centre in Plymouth - where he spent 13 weeks, before spending eight months at another drug treatment centre in Cornwall.

It was a turning point in Wayne’s life as he embarked on the the Twelve Steps, a recovery programme originated

by Alcoholics Anonymous. It provides a spiritual foundation for personal recovery from the effects of lifecontrolling addictions.

Raising funds for charity is nothing

Wayne Wheeler

new for Wayne. He has raised money for Broadreach and organisations helping victims of abuse in the past which included abseiling off Drake Circus.

Wayne said: “My passion now is to help other people less fortunate than me and I’m so pleased to have got a place in the London Marathon on October 2 to support the Salvation Army.”

Wayne trains in the gym on a daily basis and also helps run boxing classes at St Chad’s alongside the vicar, Rob Fowler, who was also a keen boxer in his

youth. Wayne is helping others to train for the upcoming half marathon and also coaching a man who wants to take part in white collar boxing.

Wayne, who is a support worker, said: “Despite my age I’m still pretty fit and I’m really looking forward to taking part in the London Marathon.”

Wayne has a fund-raising page on Just Giving and would welcome any donations.

To support his efforts go to www. justgiving.com/Waynewheeler22

Prestigious award for Plymouth Boat Trips

Plymouth Boat Trips has been named as a leading light in the UK’s £40bn maritime sector after being awarded the title of Clean Maritime Operator at the prestigious Maritime UK Awards ceremony in Glasgow.

The Plymouth based cruise, ferry and fishing company scooped the award for its e-Voyager project, which launched in 2020 and saw the pioneering electrification of the first seagoing vessel in the UK. Owner of Plymouth Boat Trips, Dom Squire said: “We’re thrilled to have won this award for our e-Voyager project. It’s an exciting time for the marine sector as we develop sustainable solutions for the future and we’re proud to be working with local partners to place Plymouth and the Southwest as UK leaders in the conversion and new build of zero-carbon, fully electric commercial vessels.”

Designed and developed in partnership with the University of Plymouth, the University of Exeter, Teignbridge Propellers, MarRI-UK and EV Parts, e-Voyager was funded through the £1.4m Clean Maritime Call: a Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) initiative supported by the Department for Transport (DfT) and launched to support the UK’s goal of zero emission shipping.

Sarah Kenny, chair of Maritime UK said: “We were absolutely blown away by the number and quality of submissions this year. Organisations and individuals across the breadth of the maritime sector are making significant progress toward our shared Maritime 2050 ambitions, and this is certainly an exciting time to be in the maritime sector.

“Maritime is a sector that is now being recognised as critical

to the country’s prosperity, sustainability, resilience and future.”

The e-Voyager vessel is now in operation as a support boat across Plymouth Boat Trips operations, with passengers commenting on the smooth and silent journey created by an electric engine.

The vessel takes just under three hours to reach full charge, by plugging into 22 kWh chargers installed by Plymouth City Council on the Barbican Landing Stage. The Council continues to work with local ferry companies to further develop a charging infrastructure for marine transport in the city.

Through further technological developments and maritime applications Plymouth Boat Trips continues its ambitious plan to electrify its entire fleet, with the next project already underway.

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

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

Plymouth Model Show Jun 25 Taking place at Plymouth Guildhall from 10am to 4pm.

Plymouth’s model clubs will be displaying all types of static scale models along with several traders who will be selling model kits. Other clubs from across the South West will also be taking part. There will be a large display commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. Hot and cold refreshments are available during the day. Further details from Dave Watson on 01752 518287.

St Luke’s popular Midnight Walk returns on July 22

Exhibition Until May 19 An exhibition entitled Artists in Residence, detailing the lives and work of some of Plymouth’s famous local artists, will be held at the Visitors Centre, Ford Park Cemetery. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, weekdays 10.30am to 3.30pm (12.30pm to 3.30pm at weekends) until April 30, and then daily until May 19, 11am to 3pm.

Gospel Choir Concert July 2 A special evening of top class family entertainment at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall at 7.30pm. All ages welcome. Callington Community Gospel Choir welcome you to join them sing, clap, dance along, or just sit and and enjoy yourselves. Free entry donations welcome on the night to charity.

Exhibition - Yonaoshi Until Jun 11 Featuring paintings, textiles, ceramics, film and sculpture, South West Showcase artist Huhtamaki Wab brings his solo exhibition ‘Yonaoshi’ to the MIRROR at Plymouth College of Art. The exhibition combines influences from Japanese mythology with concepts of ecological collapse and world renewal.

Plymouth Jazz Club May 15 Dart Valley Stompers at the Royal British Legion Club, Tailyour Road, Crownhill at 7.30pm. Tickets at the door only. Details from www.plymouth-jazz-club.org. uk. Future events: Pete Canter Quartet on June 5; Dave Vaughan Swingtet on June 19 Pirates Weekend Plymouth May 7 and 8 The Barbican and Sutton Harbour host a swashbuckling two days of fun inspired by the high seas. Plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy!

Here’s One I Prepared Earlier May 8 Plymouth composer Clive Jenkins will tell of his long music-writing career with CDs and private recordings as well as live piano interludes. Event is at Stoke Damerel Church at 3pm in aid of Plymouth Music Accord.

Guided Walk May 8 The heritage team at Ford Park Cemetery are holding a guided walk in conjunction with its current exhibition Artists in Residence. Meet at the Visitors Centre at 2pm. Light refreshments will be available in the team room and there is free parking is available in the grounds. The walk is free, donations always welcome.

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and Professional World Mambo Champion and 2020 Strictly finalist Karen Hauer. Tickets from www. strictlytheprofessionals.com Lord Mayor’s Day May 21 This popular annual event offering lots of family fun will again be taking place in the city centre welcoming the new Lord Mayor into their role.

Tango Sonoro May 22 Performance by Tango Sonoro, a Devon and Cornwall based band specialising in Argentine tango and Latin music at Stoke Damerel Church, Paradise Road, Plymouth at 3pm.Tickets £15 available from 01752 770345.

Young Frankenstein May 25 to 28 Sounds Musical Theatre Company present Mel Brooks’ award Winning musical comedy at the newly refurbished Devonport Playhouse. The celebrated American brain surgeon grandson of the original Dr Victor Frankenstein arrives in Transylvania to inherit his grandfather’s estate - with hilarious consequences! Book tickets online at www. ticketsource.co.uk/sounds or phone 07395 159955.

Shows are at 7.30pm throughout plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee.

Charity Quiz Night May 13 Dartmoor Zoo will be holding a Charity Quiz Night at Plymouth Argyle to raise funds to support the zoo’s vital conservation work. Bring your family and friends along for a fun filled evening of quizzing on a variety of topics with top team prizes and a fantastic raffle.

For tickets and details visit www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/ charity-quiz-night/or telephone 01752 837645.

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

Ben Hur May 13 South Devon Players present Ben Our (touring play) at Stoke Damerel Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from www.southdevonplayers.com or on the door.

Freedom Community Festival May 28 and 29 The popular festival is back after a two year absence with some of the best in local music and plenty of family fun, starting at 11am each day in Freedom Fields.

Table Top Sale May 14 At the church of The Holy Spirit, Southway between 1pm and 3pm. Sell your unwanted items and make some money. Tables available for £5 with proceeds going to church funds for a defibrillator.

Refreshments available. For details text Veronica on 07855 256383.

Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals May 19 and 20 The official tour is back for 2022 and heads for Plymouth Pavilions in May. Directed by Strictly’s creative director Jason Gilkison, the tour will feature an exciting line-up of 10 magnificent dancers and Strictly TV favourites including Australian Open Champion and 2018 finalist Dianne Buswell; two-time Ballroom and Latin World Champion Nadiya Bychkova

Summer Concert May 28 Plymouth University Choral Society present a celebration of summer music for the Royal Jubilee at St Andrew’s Minster Church at 7.30pm. Music by Dowland, German, Jenkins, Walton and Zadok the Priest by Handel. Tickets available through the Arts Institute Box Office on 01752 585050 or email theartsinstitute@plymouth.ac.uk.

The Big Jubilee Lunch June 2 to 5 The Big Jubilee Lunch is the cherry on the cake of The Queen’s Platinum celebrations happening right across the nation over th e first weekend in June. It’s all about sharing friendship, food and fun – a chance for neighbours and communities to celebrate their connections and get to know one another a little

15/03/2022 15:54

better. The Big Jubilee Lunch is a nationwide act of community friendship, with 2022 set to be a bumper year! For more information and to download a free pack go to www.thebigjubileelunch.com 1 Big Summer Jun 2 to 4 Three days of entertainment on Plymouth Hoe. Each day has been curated to appeal to a plethora of musical tastes, genres and audiences, ensuring there really is something for everyone. Details www.1bigsummer.com One Night of Neil June 4 An incredible collection of stars from London‘s West End, backed by a phenomenal nine-piece band, will bring a concert celebrating the wonderful music of Neil Diamond to Home Park Stadium. Fifty years on from Neil‚‘s legendary ‘Hot August Night‚‘ concerts in 1972, One Night of Neil is set to be an extraordinary celebration of one of the world‚‘s greatest singersongwriters. With over 20 years of stadium concert experience, an expert team drawn from the worlds of Rock and Roll and West End theatre reproduce a stunning show worthy of the icon himself. Tickets available by calling 01752 907700. VIP packages available.

Ocean City Running Festival Jun 19 Few cities can rival Plymouth’s rich seafaring heritage, its stunning waterfront and natural harbour, its vibrant cultural life and its close proximity to some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. Thousands of runners of all ages will be making history by running in the Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival, encompassing the Half Marathon, 5K and 10K. Find out more at www.runplymouth.co. uk.

Plymouth Armed Forces Day June 25 Armed Forces Day returns to The Hoe and promises to be bigger and better than ever, celebrating the military and all the great work they do. This family fun day, in association with Babcock, will include a wide variety of thrilling activities and displays. The main stage will host performances from local choirs and groups throughout the day, and from 6pm, a free evening concert will entertain the crowds with a fantastic range of live music for all to enjoy. You can sing-a-long and dance the night away, with the fabulous backdrop of Plymouth Sound, with a fantastic headline act being announced soon! For more information visit www. plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk Summer Garden Party Jun 25 Dartmoor Zoo is staging an an exclusive adults only evening of fantastic concert band music and a sumptuous hog roast, salads and mini desserts. There will be a silent auction with some fantastic prizes and a fundraising raffle as well as animal talks. Tickets £25 which includes zoo entry, food and a welcome drink. Call 01752 837645.

Ball and Boe Jul 8 Two of the greatest voices in the world - Michael Ball and Alfie Box - will be performing in Central Park in July. As a duo, they have now sold over 1.5 million albums in the UK, received two Classic Brit Awards, sold out two headline arena tours and presented three ITV Specials. Tickets from www.ballandboe.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk Paloma Faith Jul 9 Double platinum and BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith will embark on a huge UK summer tour, performing at some amazing outdoor venues throughout the UK, including a date in Plymouth on Saturday July 9 at Central Park. For tickets and more information go to www.premier.ticketek.co.uk

Open Day Jul 16

The Royal British Legion at 41 Market Road, Plympton is holding an Open Day and all are welcome. There will be entertainment, bric-a-brac, cake stall, arts and craft, barbecue food and much more. The fun begins at midday and entry is free.

Sail GP Jul 30 and 31 SailGP will host its Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Plymouth for the second year running following a bumper event in 2021 which saw an estimated 27,500 spectators enjoy the spectacle. For full details visit SailGP.com Van Dike Reunion Event Aug 12 and 13 A grand get-together to mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of the historic Van Dike Club in 1972.

Celebrating the hundreds of rock, folk, progressive, glam rock, punk and new wave bands the Van Dike family presented to Plymouth audiences. The event at Plymouth Guildhall will feature an exhibition area with Van Dike posters, photos, records and Van Dike books and brochures for sale. From 12 noon to 5pm on Friday and 20am to 5pm on Saturday. Free admission. For more details e-mail vandike2018@ yahoo.co.uk British Fireworks Championships Aug 17 and 18 Look to the skies above Plymouth Sound as six top pyrotechnic companies showcase their very best work and battle to be crowned the champion, each putting on an extra special ten-minute display guarateed to leave you awestruck.

Charity Black Tie Masquerade Ball Aug 27 A special event at Plymouth Guildhall to raise money for three worthy causes - the Royal British Legion, Mind Devon and Jeremiah’s Journey. The evening will feature a live band, buffet and a raffle with amazing prizes. Doors open at 7.30pm with the programme starting at 8pm and ending at midnight. Tickets for the event cost just £25 and can now be booked on Facebook by searching for Black Tie Masquerade Charity Ball.

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

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Two Plymouth businesses have been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is an awards programme for British businesses and other organisations who excel in one of four categories: international trade, innovation, sustainable development or promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Promoted by the Devon Lord Lieutenant’s Office, the Award is the most prestigious award a UK based company can win and just 200 of these significant accolades are given out each year.

Plympton-based Artemis Optical Limited, were recognised in the Innovation Award category. Artemis is a world renowned company with almost 70 years’ experience in the design and application of high precision, technically differentiated, optical thin film coatings for the photonics industry involving light technology.

It is one of the UK’s largest independent coatings providers with a client portfolio that includes blue chip original equipment manufacturers in the defence, aerospace, security, photonic surgery, medical and analytical instrumentation sectors. Overseas sales grew by 65% across the three-year period with top markets including the United States, Europe, India, Australia, the Middle East and the Far East.

It positioned itself in an advisory capacity leading to new contracts and developed more complex solutions for technically challenging market requirements across a broad spectrum of commercial and defence applications. The company has won the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.

Stonehouse-based Services Design Solution Ltd were recognised in the Sustainable Development category. The company started trading in 2004 and provides consulting engineering focused on sustainable construction, supporting the delivery of zerocarbon developments.

They design innovative, energy-efficient functional engineering systems for hospitals, schools, universities, public buildings, commercial and industrial developments.

Employing 70 staff, the company has a turnover of £5.6m, with an impressive growth rate and donate one per cent ofrevenue to good causes. The business has set performance targets on social matters, including expanding sustainable sales, volunteer hours, charitable giving and training.

The awards are valid for five years and winners are invited to a royal reception at Buckingham Palace and presented with the award at their company premises by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon. In addition, winners are able to fly the Queen’s Awards flag at their main office, and use the emblem on marketing materials such as packaging and adverts.

6 May 2022

6 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

KFC team members are just litter-picking good!

KFC staff from St Budeaux were joined by other team members from across Plymouth to take part in a litter pick to mark the launch of the Great British Spring Clean.

The KFC crews were joined by Clean Our Patch founders and Plymouth City councillor Bill Wakeham, collecting over 70 bags of litter on the day.

As a headline partner for Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean, KFC has announced a series of new litter commitments including the creation of a £40,000 fund to support and equip local litter picking groups in their efforts to tidy up local areas, which will be distributed by Keep Britain Tidy.

It also includes a commitment to partner with three local councils across the UK to trial new ways to tackle littering, such as testing localised anti-littering marketing messages and the creation of new concept rubbish bins.

KFC is increasing calls on its fans to #Don’tBeATosser and help keep local areas tidy throughout Plymouth with a new marketing campaign that aims to raise awareness of the litter problem and encourage everyone to be more mindful about how they dispose of their litter.

This will include the erection of 15ft banners at restaurants across the UK, carrying the slogan.

KFC’s latest litter commitments build on the brand’s long-standing partnership with Keep Britain Tidy and its work to

KFC staff and the rest of the litter-picking crew

date to tackle littering, which has seen the brand introduce daily litter picks for KFC’s 900 restaurant teams, to tidy up the local areas around KFC restaurants. It has also implemented internal training for its 28,000 team members to increase their knowledge of the environmental impact of litter.

Commenting on the litter pick, Ash Bowman of Clean Our Patch said: “As the weather warms up and we all enjoy more time outside, the eyesore of litter in our local communities is more noticeable than ever.

So what better time to launch our latest litter

commitments than during the Great British Spring Clean. We’re pleased to have been joined by Clean Our Patch and Bill Wakeham to help us tidy up Plymouth.

“But tidying up our local area isn’t just a one-off event. We take our responsibility to tackling litter seriously and want to be part of the longer-term solution.

“That’s why we’re looking forward to funding local litter picking groups up with our new fund and working closely with Plymouth City Council and the wider community to explore ways to keep Plymouth tidy.”

TV focus on robotics in surgery at Derriford To coincide with Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, University Hospitals Plymouth released its first episode of UHP TV which focused on the innovative use of robotics in surgery.

As part of the programme, 72-year-old Clive Horsnell returned to the operating theatre to thank Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Sebastian Smolarek, for his life-saving surgery. Filmed in Freedom Theatres, one of Derriford Hospital’s 38 theatres, Clive talked about his experience and fast recovery. He said: “The symptom I was getting was constipation. I was forcing myself to go to the loo and then I was seeing clots of blood. Because I saw the advert on the television that told you that if you see blood to contact your GP, I contacted my GP at Stoke Surgery straight away.

“By the end of the week I was having a colonoscopy. It was all very quick. I was told right away that I had the cancer. They brought my wife in and sat her down, so she was a little bit concerned. But really I knew there was something wrong and I just had to accept it and put my hands into the professionals to sort it out.

“I was in within a couple of weeks for scans. I met Dr Smolarek and that was when my mind was really put at ease. He explained the operation and I literally came in the following day. I met him at the entrance to the operating theatre, we did the consent form and then Seb went off to get scrubbed up. I went to get myself ready, next thing I knew I was in with the anaesthetist. They put a mask on my face and that’s the last thing I knew.

“The day after the operation I was into the chair sat up, and then I was walking around the following day. I came in on the Friday and went home on the Tuesday morning. It was that quick.

And of course, it felt a bit strange at first and my mobility was a little bit slow, but I recovered within a few weeks.”

“I lost my mum when I was 18 with a tumour on the brain. I’ve got four sisters and all of them had cancer. Also, my son has had testicular cancer, so

I thought I was the odd one out. So, when I heard the news, I thought ‘well that’s it’.

“And I can now get on with my life. You’re in the hands of these wonderful people here. It was explained to me in detail about this robotic machine and what it does and I’m the proof of the pudding. I had five or six holes in my tummy, I haven’t been opened up and they’ve done everything inside. The recovery time is so quick, everything was done so quickly and efficiently.

And then I was back in again in January just to confirm that everything went well. I’ve had the ‘all clear’.”

Consultant surgeon Sebastian said: “We started using robotics in 2020 with the first three cases, and so far, we’ve done 60 cases. The robot has a three-dimensional view, we have a multiple dimension movement of the arms which creates a better and stable platform to do the operation.

In addition, the patient has less blood loss less pain. Patients are able to mobilise faster and come back to their normal activities very fast. We know from our data that it also cuts the length of stay in hospital for our patients.”

Mark Coleman, consultant colorectal surgeon at University Hospitals Plymouth and chairman

of Bowel Cancer West said: “Bowel cancer is unfortunately quite a common condition in our community, particularly affecting in most cases older people but it can also affect people of any adult age. It’s seen equally in men and women and we see patients that are coming who are concerned about symptoms like having blood in their poo, and changes to their normal bowel habit, or any other concerns like abdominal pains or weight loss.

“There’s a very good two-week wait pathway between your general practitioner and the hospital to make sure that patients are seen and investigated in a timely way. It’s important to know that early recognition of symptoms, early investigation, early treatment is really important.

“The message I want to give to patients who are worried about this, or may have just been diagnosed, is in many cases it’s a curable condition with the right treatment and so they can get back to their normal lives. Many people also fear and worry about having to have a bag on their tummy otherwise known as a stoma and actually most of our patients never end up in that situation. So, get to your doctor early, get seen, get investigated get treated as soon as possible.”

Derriford’s ventilation specialists have treated 1500 patients in their homes

A total of 1500 patients with lung and chest problems have now been treated at home by Derriford Hospital’s Home Ventilation Team.

The service, run from the Chest Clinic at the hospital, has reached an amazing milestone in the history of home mechanical ventilation, after almost 20 years.

Starting with just 38 patients in 2004, patients originally had to travel to London to the Royal Brompton Hospital for a prolonged inpatient stay.

Consultant chest physician Phil Hughes and nurse consultant Jon Palmer set up the service to stop patients having to make that long journey for treatment.

Phil said: “Our patients, for various reasons, can’t support their own breathing. This causes quite nasty symptoms and can have a major impact on their life expectancy.

“Some of those patients started with us as children and some have come as adults who have developed a problem very much later in life. They all face the same problem, that without some form of support with mechanical ventilation, their life expectancy will be dramatically curtailed, and they’ll be very symptomatic as well.”The success of the service is down to an expert team of consultants, nurses, lung function technicians, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists.

Phil added: “We have demonstrated that it’s a very safe and cost-effective service, patients prefer it, there are no delays, and often you don’t have to bring people into hospital - you can go straight to their house.”

There are now over 500 patients aged between 17 and 80 years old who are using this life changing and prolonging therapy in the community locally, with many not even coming into the hospital to start treatment.

“We’ve been immensely lucky that the staff who have joined the service have been incredibly passionate and have driven the service forward to become the second largest service in the southwest next to Bristol.”

The Chest Clinic Team also provides nurse-led clinics for asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis and sleep apnoea and works closely with colleagues in radiology, thoracic surgery, oncology, pathology and palliative care.

In addition to the consultant-led respiratory outpatient service at Derriford Hospital, clinics are also held at Kingsbridge, Liskeard, Launceston and Tavistock.

@PlymChronicle

Thousands of youngsters take part in seed sowing to mark World Earth Day Environmental organisation Pollenize and community interest organisation Real Ideas came together on World Earth Day inn April, to celebrate biodiversity through a 36,000 children-strong mass wild seeding, and a one-of-its-kind interactive, 360 degree, immersive, cinematic, experience at The Dome, Market Hall, Devonport.

Both experiences marked the culmination of an ambitious schools project, involving children across Plymouth, to engage the younger generation in the importance of bees and other pollinators, and their natural habitat.

Wildflower seeds from Pollenize have been gifted to every school child in Plymouth, as part of its Seeds for Schools programme. Schools have been encouraged to seed wildflower areas in an attempt to increase the forage for our pollinating insects, many of which can be found on the Ten-year-old Milo Smith, two year old Evelyn Cox and seven year old Remi Smith plant rooftops of some of Plymouth’s most iconic wild seeds in Plymouth as part of World Earth Day. Photos: Agata Kalend buildings.

In collaboration at Market Hall, which is owned from the Seeds for Schools programme with honey wildflower meadows are rare habitats in the UK, and run by Real Ideas, children and adults alike production, pollen and DNA analysis. and they have declined by 97% since the 1930s. coloured in their own individual flowers. These Warren Stonebridge, from St Andrews C of E “Our Seeds for Schools project and Market specific artworks were unleashed in a 360-degree Primary School said: “Our children love to see Hall’s Dome experience presents fun, interactive cinematic experience within the venue’s state-ofseeds grow and develop over time, and especially ways for children to look after our planet and take the-art, immersive Dome. after a few months see them flowering. Seeing a positive action against climate change.”

Children were enthralled with how their bee or pollinator come towards their flowers is It was part of a whole programme of events creativity came to life, as in a virtual, awereally exciting for them. Any learning where a child from Real Ideas with climate change and inspiring world, their flower attracts bees can be hands on and actually see things in action, sustainability at its heart. The schedule, including and other pollinators from around Plymouth, is always of benefit. It’s the best way of learning.”

Pollenize’s involvement in World Earth Day, saw showcasing the number of pollinators that bring Owen Finnie, Pollenize co-founder said: “This a number of organisations and individuals, all of so much to the biodiversity to the area. spring, every school child in Plymouth has the whom have been supported in some way by Real Seeds for Schools is part of an extensive power to become an eco-hero. Pollinators are Ideas, come together to provide crafts, storyeducational programme from Pollenize which in real trouble and they need our help, our telling, and activities for adults, families and includes designing beehives, positioning hives on children. rooftops throughout the city, and Laura Adams, programme cocreating greater biodiversity for Five-year-old Matilda Parsons ordinator at Real Ideas said: “We pollinating insects in and around planting her seeds can all do more, to make real, Plymouth. discernible change, both to our The seeds in the packet local environment and in our daily have been specially selected to lives. Our programme of events attract more than 350 insects building up to World Earth Day, was and pollinators. 39 species of about galvanising everyone to do wildflowers have been blended their bit. for maximum flower production, “Real Ideas’ commitment over an extended period of time, to to sustainability and action in avoid gaps in pollen throughout the response to the climate change foraging season. began with its themed light Participants in the project will festival, Illuminate, last year. We log their sowing coordinates onto are committed to using our places, an interactive rewilding map on the spaces and opportunities to help Pollenize website, and these sites the local Plymouth community will contribute to important citizen understand more about its green science research, correlating data and blue surroundings.”

FREE TO ATTEND

Fridays 11.30am Moments Cafe, New George Street, Plymouth

Funded singing sessions for mums & expectant mums

Get in on the act at Starlines Drama School

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According to Mike Potterton, founder of Starlines Drama School: ‘It would be hard to find another children’s drama group in Plymouth with cheaper fees than ours.’

Mike added: “We opened 12 years ago and have since catered for hundreds of children across the city.”

Starlines was set up in St Budeaux with the specific intention of providing drama sessions and productions at a fraction of the cost of other similar companies. “I hoped this would encourage children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to get involved. We currently charge only £4 per session with any extra rehearsals free of charge. We offer everything that the larger companies offer, but we just charge a lot less for it,” said Mike.

Operating on Saturdays from St Paul’s School in St Budeaux Starlines has produced many shows including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Annie, The Pirates of the Curry Bean, Olivia, Ye Ha, The Show of Shows and Bugsy Malone (which they are currently rehearsing).

They also offer subsidised trips to see professional shows at Plymouth Theatre Royal.

“Starlines caters for children and young people ranging in age from about eight to fourteen” says Mike. We do not separate into ages so the children all work together.

This is great for the older children, who look out for the younger ones and makes for a happy, supportive atmosphere. There is no experience necessary and at present we have children coming to us from all over Plymouth”.

Contact Mike to arrange a free taster session by telephoning or texting to 07837 585223 or find out more about Starlines by visiting their website at starlinesdramaschool.co.uk, on their Facebook page, by emailing starlinesschool@gmail.com or by telephoning 07837 585223.

Cogsworth from Starlines production of Beauty and the Beast

Singing for your Soul!

Community singing sessions

May 2022

FREE TO ATTEND

Mondays 9.30am Barne Barton Commmunity allotments

10% DISCOUNT

Wednesdays 9.30am Plymstock Library

Friday 9.30am Just Imagine, Christian Mill Business Park

@soulsingerscic Email mj@soulsingerscic.com

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Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer in store.

E&OE, Terms and Conditions apply. Valid until 30/06/22

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8 May 2022

8 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Art college students show their creative talents at Poole Farm in Derriford Students from Plymouth College of Art have designed and installed sculptural installations at Plymouth’s community farm, Poole Farm, based in Derriford Community Park.

Students Caroline Barr, Vittoria Sutton and Sirun Chiarini inside the willow pod

KEEP IN SHAPE WITH PLYMOUTH ACTIVE

Plymouth Active, the council-owned company which has taken over the running of the city’s leisure facilities has launched its new website at www.plymouthactive.co.uk

The site provides information about the facilities, how to join as a member and all the ways people can get and stay active.

Plymouth Active has replaced Everyone Active as the operator for Brickfields Sports Centre and Recreation Ground, Mount Wise Outdoor Pools, Plymouth Life Centre, Plympton Swimming Pool and Gym and Tinside Lido.

It will continue to provide opportunities for people to be – and stay – active but it will also look at ways to better promote health and wellbeing and benefit our most vulnerable residents, helping to make Plymouth the most active coastal city in England by 2034.

The Plymouth Active app is expected to be launched in the next couple of weeks.

All current members of Everyone Active have been contacted directly, and their membership and direct debits will transfer over to Plymouth Active.

Follow the latest updates on www.facebook.com/plymouthactive

Tamar House Residential Home 11 Brest Road, Derriford, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 5XN Our Care Home is just that - a caring, inviting environment designed to offer comfort, security, friendship and companionship.

Now available: single rooms with en-suite facilities Respite short term care available - Including trial stays and carer relief A choice of varied nutritious home-prepared meals 24-hour personalised care and support from our experienced staff team run by a dedicated care home manager • A calendar of varied social activities • Informal visits welcome anytime • • • •

Contact the Care Manager on 01752 510810 or Email: tamar.manager@theabbeyfield.co.uk or tamar.admin@theabbeyfield.co.uk See us on www.abbeyfieldtamarhouse.co.uk Abbeyfield Tamar Extra Care Society - A Registered Charity (No 1185635) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (Company No 12182254) Registered in England and Wales. Registered Office 11 Brest Road, Derriford, Plymouth PL6 5XN

Working in partnership with the Green Minds project, first year BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices students Sarah Drury, Lisa Mceleny, Elisabeth Vass, Stuart Morrisey and Nathan Soper worked together to develop a sculpture for the grounds of Poole Farm.

Featuring mixed materials such as glass, ceramics and wood, including wood felled from trees in Bircham Valley, the sculpture was inspired by the farm itself. Collecting feathers, leaves and flowers to create textured ceramic and glass tiles, the students even added a section of bamboo sticks to create a mini bug hotel.

Student Nathan Soper, who worked on hexagonal glass tiles for the sculpture, said: “It was different working with a team, there were loads of ideas flying around. I really enjoyed the process, installing something for people to get their eyes on. Poole Farm is an amazing place, I was so inspired by the preservation of the native bees and nature. You really feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere when you’re there - definitely not in the middle of a city.”

Jerry Griffiths, natural infrastructure officer for Plymouth City Council, said: “The sculpture is beautiful. So much thought has gone into the design and skill and into the execution. To call it a sign or a map is a disservice though, it is more like an embodiment of Poole Farm.

“The attention to detail and the way that nature has inspired the piece is clear to see and the choice of organic colours and shapes is spot on. Even the glass hexagons are exactly the right colour of the honeycomb within the hives! The wood background sets off the piece and the use of timber that was felled from the road gives it a storytelling element. I always take visitors past it now and it helps to start discussions on the importance of nature and conservation at Poole Farm.”

Another group of first year students from BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices at Plymouth College of Art, Sirun Chiarini, Vittoria Sutton, Caroline Barr, Grace Crawford, Bonny Timms and Jaimie Clarke, created a willow pod structure for the farm, situated in the forest school area.

Sirun Chiarini said: “The whole project from start to finish took about a month. We came up with ideas to pitch to the rest of the class before splitting into groups with those who had similar ideas.

My group wanted to do something interactive, with natural materials that would fit in with Poole Farm’s commitment to the community and sustainability.

“As a group, we quickly agreed to make a willow pod-like structure, building on skills we had previously

Green Minds project lead Jemma Sharman, student Stuart Morrisey and Poole Farm landscape assistant Grace Edmund Jones

been shown. We used a large MDF wheel for the base and constructed our panels, side by side, interweaving them as we went. I had put out a request for green material donations, so as well as willow we also used eucalyptus, curly willow and cuttings of honeysuckle, vines and dogwood.”

“Despite the limited time frame, we managed to achieve what we set out to do which is thanks to everyone in the group being proactive and communicating well. I’m really proud of how we worked as a team, and I’m so proud of the finished pod, which fits perfectly in the woodland at Poole Farm.”

Jerry Griffiths said: “The willow pod is eye catching, intriguing, fun and enchanting, but still functional.

The children already love it. It is perfectly cited and blends into the surroundings and takes pride of place in our new forest school area.

The deer have been kept out by a fence whilst the sticks of the pod dry out. I can’t wait to take away the fence so the pod will melt into a secret hideaway in the surroundings of the beaver woods.”

“Is it a duck? Or a platypus, or a beaver maybe? It doesn’t matter, because it makes people stop and think. I feel there’s some Van Gogh Starry Night swirls going on in some sections, but the choice of materials is perfect for the beaver woods. I just hope they don’t eat it on their return!”

“The green areas of Poole Farm are naturally beautiful, but other parts are also functional and agricultural.

I’ve long wanted to bring more creativity, art and culture to the site to make it more beautiful, so thanks to all the students for their hard work to help this quest.”

Grace Edmunds-Jones, landscape

technician apprentice at Poole Farm said: “It’s a great addition to our woodland site. The children from the forest school love to use it as an escape from the crowd. It’s a lovely calming space.”

Jemma Sharman, Green Minds project lead said, “These sculptures are a beautiful response to the place and natural environment, provoking conversations about the farm and wider community park. A big thank you to all those involved!”

Chris Smith, Green Minds project coordinator for Plymouth College of Art, said, “This has been such a fabulous project. We put the call out to college staff back in July 2021, to see who would like to find opportunities for their students to collaborate with Green Minds, and Jason Marks, tutor on Craft and Material Practices, was one of the first to see the potential opportunities.”

“The Poole Farm project tied in beautifully with our curriculum objectives. Giving students the chance to create sculptures in response to ‘place’, whilst learning more about their local environment and simultaneously making art that actively contributes to nature. I love the way that the sign tells the story of the place, but also creates homes for wildlife. I also love that the willow pod sculpture creates a magical space for inspiration and play in nature.”

Green Minds is a partnership project, led by Plymouth City Council, and funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Urban Innovative Actions. You can keep up to date with the project at www. greenmindsplymouth.com and follow Poole Farm on their Instagram page, @poolefarmplymouth.

MAY TO AUGUST:

May

7 and 8 Pirates Weekend Plymouth Barbican and Sutton Harbour 14 Commando Gunners’ 60th Anniversary Parade Royal Parade 21 Lord Mayor’s Day City Centre 27 to 29 Flavour Fest City Centre

June

July

2 to 5 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

10 Simply Red Central Park

19 Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival Plymouth Hoe

30 and 31 Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Plymouth Sound

2 to 4 1 Big Summer Plymouth Hoe

23 Rehabilitation Triathlon hosted by the Royal Marines Plymouth Hoe 25 Armed Forces Day Plymouth Hoe

9 Paloma Faith Central Park

August

17 and 18 British Firework Championships Plymouth Waterfront 27 West End Carnival Plymouth City Centre

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

WhatsOnPlymouth

10 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Anger over plans to abolish elected school governors Moves to do away with elected parent governors and abolish individual governing bodies at more than a dozen schools in Plympton and Plymstock have resulted in a backlash from many parents who are angered by the proposals.

Luke Pollard MP pictured in front of the Palace Theatre

‘Invest or sell’ MP tells owners of neglected city buildings on his ‘At Risk’ list Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has called on the owners of disused and neglected buildings in Plymouth to invest in them, or sell to someone who will.

He has released a Buildings at Risk List, naming 10 iconic buildings that have fallen into disuse, including The Palace Theatre, the Reel Cinema and the Cooperage on the Barbican.

Many of Plymouth’s most historic properties are derelict or otherwise neglected. The Palace Theatre on Union Street – a Victorian-era building that has served as a theatre, bingo hall, dance academy and nightclub – has been empty for 15 years and takes the top spot on the MP’s list. He says that, unless action is taken soon, these buildings could be permanently damaged or lost to a fire.

Last summer, Mr Pollard successfully challenged the Church of Scientology to secure, clean and remove fly-tipping from outside the empty Royal Fleet Club in Devonport that they own.

He will be updating the Buildings at Risk List on an annual basis, until Plymouth’s historic buildings across are brought back to life.

Luke said: “Too many iconic buildings in our city are derelict and disused, having been left to rot by their owners. Plymouth is a proud city and we have a proud history and heritage. It is time these buildings were given a new lease of life, a fresh purpose, and a brighter future.

“These buildings tell our city’s story.

Many are a century old, surviving the Plymouth Blitz and the wrecking ball of past regenerations. They’ve hosted everything from A-list concerts to sporting events to weddings. But, without investment, they are at risk of being lost forever due to fire or other damage.

“My challenge to the owners of these properties is simple: invest in these buildings or sell them to someone who will.”

Luke’s Buildings at Risk List 2022: The Palace Theatre, Union Street; The Royal Fleet Club, Devonport; The Reel Cinema, City Centre; The Pot Black Building/Mechanics Institute, Devonport; Pounds House, Central Park; Raglan Gatehouse, Devonport; Great Western Hotel, Union Street; The Cooperage, the Barbican. The Royal Bank of Scotland Building (aka the Natwest Building), City Centre; St Simon’s Church, Mount Gould.

Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) announced the plans recently and this has led to more than 750 people signing an online petition on change. org to fight the plans.

WeST is a Multi-Academy Trust with 27 schools under its wing, including Eggbuckland Community College, Plymstock School, Coombe Dean, Hele’s and 10 primary schools in the area.

Under what is planned it would also leave each of the schools in the Multi-Academy Trust without its own individual governing body.

In a letter to parents, carers, staff and existing governors, WeST’s chairman of Trustees, Iain Grafton, said: “WeST has grown from two to 27 schools and that has started to challenge our current system of local governing bodies.

At present, several local governing bodies are struggling to recruit a full complement of governors and others are struggling to recruit clerks.

“To deal with these risks, trustees have considered a number of options from retaining the status quo to dissolving local governance mechanisms. After considerable debate, the Trustees believe that WeST would be best served, at this stage in its development, by a system of hub advisory boards which will replace local governing bodies on September 1 2022.

“Trustees recognise the significant personal investment that many governors have made in our schools, and I would like to thank you for the time and commitment you have given to our pupils and staff. I very much hope that you will want to be part of what comes next.”

However, Mr Grafton’s letter has gone down like a lead balloon with a significant number of parents who have come together to fight the plans tooth and nail.

A spokesperson for the parents’ group said: “Parents across the Trust are upset that any accountability or link between governors and local schools will be lost alongside their right to elect parent governors. Also staff will no longer have a governor either. To make this worse, many longstanding governors across the trust were not even shown the courtesy of being informed that they were being dismissed prior to this (letter) being sent out. It is a power grab pure and simple.

“Parents, staff and communities across WeST are organising to overturn this decision and with 17,000 children in a WeST school across our locality we think this is going to be a big public interest story.”

“We believe that every school is a special and unique place which evokes pride, develops identity and inspires loyalty for a lifetime. If WeST has got too big to value each school then WeST is too big” Explaining the proposed replacement scheme Mr Grafton said in his letter: “The Board proposes to establish four hub advisory boards. All hubs will have between six and eight schools, at least one of which will be a secondary school. Schools within each hub will be geographically close, in order that the hub may maintain links with the broad community that the schools within the hub serve.

“The Board wants to create hubs which add value to the work of the Trust. Trustees recognise the important role of our school communities in influencing the direction of the Trust.

“With this in mind, the Board intends to invite interested parents, staff and local business people

then WeST is too big. We entirely reject the premise that WeST bureaucrats are better placed to decide who should govern our schools.

“We do not believe that the children’s interests are best served by batch governing multiple schools in a one-size-fits-all homogenised and centrally-vetted politburo.

“Good governors know the school area, the children, the families and the staff. These governors are in-tune with the challenges and opportunities and passionate about working with the leadership team to help make that school the best it can be for the students.

“Therefore we think that WeST’s decision to sever the link between school communities and their governors is an abhorrent power grab by a faceless organisation desperate to steal school’s voices and identities to create one for itself.

Iain Grafton, chair of Trustees

to apply for a seat on a hub advisory board. The Trust will consider the skills and experience of everyone who applies and will select just over half of each hub’s members from them. The chair of the hub advisory board will be elected from this group.

“In addition to this group, a number of seats equal to the number of schools within the hub, will be appointed. Parents and carers from each WeST school will be able to apply to serve on their hub. Again, the Trust will consider the skills and experience of everyone who applies and will select from them.

“This group will support the hub in thinking about the communities served by the hub schools.

The Trust Board is clear that these elected members are not representatives of a particular school but will have the interests of WeST and all its 14,000 learners at heart.

“Each hub advisory board’s remit will be to consider and advise the Trust Board on matters to do with curriculum, community involvement and safeguarding. The Trustees are very clear that they wish each hub advisory board to act as the eyes and ears of Trustees. Hub advisory boards will have no decision-making powers.”

The headteacher of each school within each hub will serve on its advisory board.

Mr Grafton concluded: “The Trust has considered carefully the advantages and disadvantages for the proposals for the operation of hub advisory boards and would now like you to give your views on the proposed route ahead, or suggestions on constituting the hubs differently.”

Involved parties were able to take part in a consultation with an initial closing date of March 28, but this was later extended to April 4.

In a statement issued in support of their petition the group of parents pulled no punches in their response to Mr Grafton’s letter, saying: “We believe that every school is a special and unique place which evokes pride, develops identity and inspires loyalty for a lifetime.

“If WeST has got too big to value each school

“Schools need to be more accountable to children and families, not less. This will make it even more difficult for parents and staff to question and change practices which are not in the best interests of the children” “WeST needs to stop its creeping increase in controls on member schools and we demand that the system of each school maintaining its own local governing board is retained as a minimum.

“The stated reason for this power grab is that some schools don’t have a full complement of governors and others cannot appoint a clerk. It seems perplexing that WeST haven’t actually advertised any of these crucial vacancies to parents across the Trust or anywhere else in order to try and fill them - why is this?

“It also seems quite illogical that the answer to not having enough governors is to sack every experienced, long-standing and effective governor across the Trust. It is clear this argument doesn’t stack up.

“No bureaucracy ever gives back power. We must make a stand now for our local schools or they will be subsumed into this faceless entity that nobody chose.”

Individual parents have also been having their own say by posting additional comments alongside their support of the online petition.

One parent remarked: “I think it’s important to have school governors that are linked into every individual school. This sounds like a bureaucratic watering down of the safeguards for our children in schools.”

Another stated: “Schools need to be more accountable to children and families, not less. This will make it even more difficult for parents and staff to question and change practices which are not in the best interests of the children. This move is indicative of the further corporatisation of state education.”

A further remarked: “If you receive taxpayers money to provide services you should have proper systems to be held to account by the public and by your service users or their families. This is a basic premise of public service and WeST appointing their own choice of governors flies in the face of this principle.”

Parents with children at small WeST schools are particularly concerned about the adverse impact of the proposals. One said: “Our primary is a tiny village school and I cannot see how it can be effectively represented in this way.” Another endorsed this, adding: “Every school is different.

Each school has to have its own identity. A small village school will get lost in these hubs.”

Parents now eagerly await WeST’s response to the consultation and their response to the petition against the overall proposals. (story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)

May 2022

Shiver me timbers - the Pirates are back! @PlymChronicle

The popular Plymouth Pirates Weekend returns in May after a two year break because of COVID.

The beloved family event will be back on May 7 and 8 and in full-swing for the first time since 2019, with the last two year’s events having been held virtually due to the pandemic.

With plenty of ocean-themed entertainment, tall ships, a treasure trail and live music, family members of all ages are set to enjoy a rip-roaring weekend on The Barbican and Sutton Harbour.

The event, run by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Business Improvement District (PWP BID), offers an impressive line-up of free entertainment including pirate puppet

shows and storytelling, demonstrations of canon and musket firing, mermaid encounters, stilt walkers, arts and crafts activities, face painting and appearances from lovable rogue, Captain Jack Sparrow.

Two tall ships, the three-masted Grayhound and the topsail schooner Johanna Lucretia, will also be docked alongside Quay Square and visitors are welcome to hop aboard and explore the ships for free.

Nick Buckland, chair of PWP, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing our hugely popular Pirates Weekend back this year, in-person. The event encourages thousands of visitors to enjoy our beautiful Waterfront and experience all the thrills that the high seas have to offer.

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Two tall ships will be docked alongside Quay Square during Plymouth Pirates Weekend

Ten shanty bands will be performing at the Plymouth Pirates Weekend

“Waterfront businesses love to get involved too, with amazing window displays and lots of fancy dress, which is actively encouraged. Bring the whole family for a great day out and I’d urge you to please show your support for our local shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and accommodation providers after such a difficult couple of years, and without whom this event would not be possible.”

This year, 10 talented local shanty bands will be performing at different locations throughout the weekend to entertain the crowds. A number of the bands will also be performing in nearby pubs after the main event has finished for the day, between 4pm and 6pm, on Saturday May 7.

On Sunday May 8, award-winning circus company, Pirates of the Carabina, and Barbican Theatre will present a family-

friendly circus show, ‘Pirate Taxi’ on Commercial Wharf. The show takes place in, on and around an old-school London taxi and features extraordinary aerial performances plus hula-hooping, acrobatics and juggling.

Also new for this year is a chill-out zone in the garden area at the entrance to Basket Ope and a green space picnic area at Commercial Place, which will provide accessible calmer spaces for visitors to retreat to if they need it.

The event has been supported by Great Western Railway, official travel partner of Plymouth Pirates Weekend, offering a traffic free journey for those planning to visit from further afield.

For all the latest information about Plymouth Pirates Weekend go to visitplymouth.co.uk/plympiratesweekend

Local solicitors are giving their time free of charge to update or write wills, in return for a donation to St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth.

Complete your will online, or book an appointment from a participating solicitor near you.

Reg Charity No. 280681

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20/04/2022 12:27

12 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Groundbreaking green project gets underway with first ‘wacky’ forest planted in the heart of Plymouth

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A micro-forest with massive potential has been created, with hundreds of trees planted at a Plymouth primary school in a pioneering new project that wants to give every school its own forest.

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Pupils and families at Mount Wise Community Primary School helped plant over 220 trees, including oak, willow, hawthorn, rowan and other varieties. An idea devised and led by local business, YGS Landscapes, this flagship forest marks the start of a project that it plans to replicate and roll out citywide.

The school’s new micro-forest is planted in such a way – using a method developed by worldrenowned ecologist, Dr Miyawaki – that it has the potential to grow 10 times faster, be 20 times more biodiverse, and can be up to 30 times better at absorbing carbon compared to more traditional ways of creating woodland, delivering huge benefits for the environment and air quality.

The micro-forest project started almost a year ago at Mount Wise, with the school eager to breathe new life into an overgrown and unused playground area – putting out a plea for help. It came at the right time, as YGS Landscapes sought out somewhere to create Plymouth’s first microforest. Paths crossed and the project grew from there. Giving time and abundant energy to the initiative for free, it has been project managed throughout by a leading member of the local business community, Nigel Pay. Support has come from across the city, from volunteers providing time, labour and equipment – including members of Plymouth Albion RFC who gave much-needed muscle and manpower – as well as generous donations to help fund the work. Millfields Inspired, the Stonehouse based charity, backed the project as part of its Widening Horizons schools programme, which supports school aged children and is soon to be delivered in Devonport.

The school now has a newly planted forest, complete with a forest school seating and learning area, to help children study and engage with the environment. To help bring learning to life, YGS Landscapes’ managing director, Steve WarrenBrown has penned a children’s book series, illustrated by local artist Steve Evans. The book series is named ‘My Wacky Forest’ and plays on the name of Dr Miyawaki, whose natural planting methodology inspired this Plymouth project.

The first three books in the My Wacky Forest series feature a lead character Mushi, a ‘fun guy’ mushroom, who introduces young readers to an array of colourful woodland creatures to help convey stories about the natural environment in a fun, informative and entirely unique way. With more stories up Steve’s sleeve, there is yet more

Enthusiastic youngsters enjoy getting involved

to come from Mushi and pals in the future.

The books have been adopted into the curriculum at Mount Wise, so that the new microforest, forest school, and books can work handin-hand to educate, entertain and empower a new generation of environmentalists. All children received copies of the new books at the treeplanting day, and enjoyed a storytelling session in the forest school area.

A successful start for a project with huge potential for local schools, communities, businesses and the entire environment, there are plans afoot to scale up and branch out across the city. YGS Landscapes plans to create a programme that unites schools, volunteers and businesses

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Helping with the tree planting

seeking to offset carbon and support community projects. The goal is to give every school their own forest, either on their own land, or created in their name within public spaces.

Steve Warren-Brown of YGS Landscapes, said: “I wanted to create Plymouth’s first ever urban micro-forest, and that’s been achieved, with the help of an enthusiastic school, supportive sponsors and generous volunteers. I’m exceptionally proud to have brought my vision and books to life in this way. This is the culmination of much hard work, creativity and passion – and hopefully just the start of a project with huge potential.

“Micro-forests are incredible for our climate and community; they act as a ‘super-lung’ by improving air quality in the area around it – and who wouldn’t want that to be a part of every school?

For communities, the advantages are obvious, benefiting the next generation in so many ways, and for businesses looking to offset their carbon and Enjoying the new book support socially responsible projects, it presents a huge opportunity.”

Helen Jennings, head of Mount Wise Community Primary School, said: “This has been a match made in heaven. We put out a call to our community to support us in creating an outside learning space, and we now have this incredible urban forest. It’s been an exciting journey with so much learnt along the way, and this really is only the beginning. We want our children and the wider community to get involved, learn more about the environment, and enjoy the forest for generations to come.”

Andy Botterill, trustee of Millfields Inspired, said: “We were keen to support this project; something that benefits children’s learning, community connections, and helps the environment is the type of initiative that fits perfectly with our objectives. With our Widening Horizons programme expanding into Devonport, we help children learn more about the world of work and possibilities open to them, and this project is a great starting point.”

May 2022

@PlymChronicle

13

Ambassador role for Mark Ormrod at Veteran Games

Plymouth’s Mark Ormrod, has been announced as Ambassador for the 2022 Games which will take place in Israel later this year.

Mark Ormrod: ‘extremely proud’

Plymouth Arts Cinema gets £45,000 boost

Plymouth Arts Cinema is one of more than 300 organisations to receive a financial boost from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The cinema has received an emergency grant of just over £45,000, as part of a £35 million handout in the final round of the Cultural Recovery Fund.

The emergency support package has helped keep independent cinemas across the country running in the wake of the pandemic.

Thanks to the funding Plymouth Arts Cinema - the city’s only independent cinema - has been able to continue its programme of international and UK independent films, as well as offering cheaper tickets to the jobless, students, asylum seekers and refugees.

Anna Navas, director and film programmer at Plymouth Arts Cinema said: “We are very grateful to receive this support for Plymouth Arts Cinema. It will enable us to continue rebuilding our audience as we recover from the pandemic, and to develop new audiences by deepening our community engagement. We are committed to bringing world class independent cinema and film culture to Plymouth.”

Ben Roberts, chief executive of the British Film Institute added: “Every penny of the Culture Recovery Fund including over £500,000 in this final round of funding to independent cinemas across the country has been vital to their survival, enabling them to recover and welcome back their audiences.

“As well as bringing people together to experience the magic of experiencing film on the big screen, local cinemas are hubs for educational and film activities and provide thousands of jobs contributing to regeneration and local economies.”

His appointment was announced by organisers of the Veteran Games and Conference which will be held between May 29 and June 3 in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

First held in 2019, the event will see 65 British wounded, sick and injured Armed Forces veterans travel to Israel with their families where they will compete with their Israeli counterparts who are battling identical challenges.

The Veteran Games recognise the fundamental role played by sport and family in supporting the ongoing recovery of veterans who have suffered physical and psychological challenges as a result of serving their country.

Veterans will compete in a variety of sports while learning how their respective countries provide care for those wounded, sick and injured in the service of their country. Families will have the chance to meet and share common experiences in a relaxed and supportive environment while enjoying social activities and cultural events that will provide an insight into Israel’s rich heritage and history.

Former Royal Marines Commando Mark was injured in Afghanistan and became the UK’s first triple amputee. He said: “I am extremely proud to support this important event that brings together wounded, sick and injured veterans to celebrate sport and family as a means of recovery. Both have had a hugely positive impact on me.

“Sport has played a massive part in motivating me to achieve new goals and not be defined by my injuries. The Veteran Games offer competitors something really special, because family members, who are often a veteran’s ongoing support system

and play an important role in recovery, also get to attend the event. I wish all the competitors every success at this year’s Games!”

The Veteran Games is the first of its kind and funded entirely by philanthropic donations. It is backed by leading rehabilitation and Armed Forces charities who have put forward beneficiaries to compete including: Rock2Recovery, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, The Not Forgotten Association, the Royal Marines Charity, the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, Veterans Scotland, FELIX Fund, SSAFFA, Help for Heroes and Blind Veterans UK. The Games will take place at pioneering state-of-the-art facilities run by the charity Beit Halochem, which offers rehabilitation, sports and recreation centres and lifelong care for disabled veterans and their families in Israel.

The Veteran Games Conference will be chaired by Sir Simon Wessely, Professor of Psychological Medicine at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London and consultant advisor in psychiatry to the British Army.

The conference will see internationally renowned academics and experts in the field of mental health from both countries meet to discuss mental and physical health, veteran recovery and welfare issues.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Leo Docherty said: “Sport is an integral part of the rehabilitation and recovery journey for wounded veterans. The 2022 Veteran Games highlights how sport can provide amazing opportunities for veterans across the globe to connect, over shared experiences.

I wish good luck to all the athletes in this year’s games and thank charities across the UK for their continued support for our disabled veterans.”

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14 May 2022

14 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Marine Academy Primary is selected for prestigious behaviour hub status A Plymouth school is one of just two in Devon which have been selected as Behaviour Hub Leads thanks to the ‘exceptional behaviour culture’ in their schools.

Marine Academy Primary in St Budeaux and St James School in Exeter, which are both part of the Ted Wragg Trust, are among only four in the south west and 28 schools across the UK to have been awarded the prestigious Behaviour Hub Lead status by the Department for Education.

Each Behaviour Hub works with a cohort of local schools, supporting them to develop good behaviour, routines, and structures, which in turn helps improve pupil engagement, mental health, and wellbeing.

The Behaviour Hubs programme provides senior leadership teams with the tailored support, training, and advice needed to improve behaviour and generate lasting cultural change. By creating calm, orderly, safe, and supportive environments, schools can build a behaviour culture that benefits everyone – so that pupils can learn, and teachers can teach.

As lead schools, Marine Academy Primary and St James have shown exemplary behaviour practices and will help partner schools within the programme to implement lasting whole-school culture changes by providing

tailored one-to-one support, training, and advice to improve behaviour culture and encourage lasting cultural change that is tailored to each individual school.

Simon Weir, director of Behaviour and Attendance at the Ted Wragg Trust, said: “We are excited and delighted to be collaborating with our partner schools. It is a testament to the hard work and endeavour of our students, parents, and staff that we have this opportunity to transform lives and communities for the better.”

The programme is a £10m initiative to improve pupil behaviour in schools. The Behaviour Hubs programme, a manifesto commitment from this Government, aims to support around 650

New boss for Plymouth’s Waterfront BID Plymouth Waterfront Partnership’s Business Improvement District (PWP BID) has appointed Jon Walton as its new chief executive.

Jon, who currently manages the Sovereign Shopping) Centre and assists with regeneration in Weston-super-Mare, has taken the position to help deliver the new 2022-27 BID and develop the role of the PWP in Plymouth.

One of Jon’s main tasks will be to develop strategic links with major stakeholders in the city. This will include involving the BID in the city’s regeneration plans, such as Plymouth City Council’s economic plan, Plymouth’s Visitor Plan for 202030 and the emerging Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

Plymouth currently has two BIDs, Plymouth City Centre Company, which covers the retail heart of the city centre and PWP which covers four square miles of waterfront with its vibrant mix of hospitality, retail, leisure, office, accommodation and attractions.

Together they represent more than 1,000 businesses in Plymouth and help to promote and manage regeneration schemes, events and street trading generating millions of pounds of investment.

Nick Buckland, chair of PWP,

said: “BIDs have already made a huge impact in Plymouth and there is great potential to expand their role and make a telling difference to the city’s future development, and to help businesses recover from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

“Jon recognises the opportunities BIDs represent and I’m thrilled he is joining us.

He has a very impressive track record in delivering BIDs, initially as Plymouth City Centre Manager, then as CEO for the Southampton and Stirling BIDs. He’s also been Chair of the Dundee BID and Dundee Business Forum, plus has input to major regeneration projects, the BritishBIDs Advisory Board and acted as an executive member (cities) of the Scottish Towns Partnership.

This is a key appointment and Jon will be a fantastic asset, who in 2021 won the Sceptre ‘Shopping Centre Manager of the Year’ award. I look forward to working with him over what will be an exciting five years ahead of us, delivering our new Waterfront BID Business Plan.”

Jon was previously City Centre manager for the Plymouth City Centre Company between 2015 and 2017. His appointment follows the departure of Diane

schools between 2021 and 2024 in improving their behaviour cultures by working with selected schools that are exemplary in this regard.

Moira Marder, chief executive of the Ted Wragg Trust, said: “This is a real accolade for our ambitious schools, and is great recognition for all the amazing work that takes places within our teams to serve their communities every day.”

Siobhan Meredith, director of Primary and AllThrough and headteacher at Marine Academy an outstanding lead school, said: “We are delighted that Marine Academy Primary has been selected as a Behaviour Lead School. It is a true privilege and testament to the dedication of staff at the school and within the Trust.

We’ve already embarked on training days with partner schools which have been well received and this enables us to empower schools to make sustainable and impactful changes to their behaviour culture.”

The Behaviour Hubs programme is based on principles outlined in ‘Creating a culture: a review of behaviour management in schools’ – an independent behaviour review

by Tom Bennett, lead adviser on the Behaviour Hubs programme, published in March 2017.

The Ted Wragg Trust consists of 13 schools including Marine Academy primary and secondary schools, All Saints Academy and Lipson Cooperative Academy.

Jon Walton...delighted to be back in Plymouth

Mansell, PWP’s previous CEO, who steered the Waterfront BID to a successful renewal in November 2021, but who resigned for family reasons.

Jon, who holds a BSc Degree in Business Studies and International Marketing, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be moving back to Plymouth, to take the Waterfront BID to the next level, making a significant contribution to the city that I’ve fallen in love with.

“I’ve hugely benefited from working in Southampton, Stirling and especially Weston-superMare, but have always regretted leaving Plymouth and I look forward to meeting everyone

involved with the Waterfront’s development at the heart of Britain’s Ocean City.

“I want to ensure the success the BIDs have enjoyed over the past few years is built upon and together with our key partners, such as at the LEP, Destination Plymouth and the City Council, that we harness the potential of the city’s private sector to continue to drive the Waterfront’s economy forward.

Diane will be a hard act to follow but I am determined to build on her fantastic legacy and create a vision and delivery of my own.”

Find out more about Plymouth Waterfront Partnership at waterfrontbid.co.uk/

Growing success for firm’s tree planting initiative Plymouth-based online builders’ merchant CMO Group is moving closer to achieving its goal of planting two acres of trees within two years, with the first 2,500 saplings now taking root thanks to the support of the local community.

As part of the company’s ongoing ‘CM Grow’ initiative, CMO has committed to planting 5,000 new trees in total and has already raised an impressive £22k of its £30k fundraising target.

Two thousand of the trees have now been planted at Poole Farm in Derriford, a community farm that’s focused on community involvement through health and wellbeing, education and conservation. The young tree whips were planted to form a mosaic of different forest habitats in the area. A further 500 trees have also been planted at Newnham Meadow Park.

Over 100 people helped plant the trees, with staff at CMO, which is the UK’s largest online-only retailer of building and construction materials, keen to get their hands dirty, alongside friends, family and members of wider community.

Further support for the campaign has come from national charity Trees for Cities, who has partnered with CMO to help identify the local sites and bring its ‘CM Grow’ campaign to fruition.

Launched by CMO at the beginning of 2021, the campaign forms part of the company’s wider commitment to its environmental, social and corporate governance responsibilities.

The ambition behind the CM Grow campaign is also inspired by the company’s desire to improve the air quality and natural landscape of Plymouth where its head office is based, whilst also reducing its own carbon footprint.

Commenting on the CM Grow initiative, CMO’s chief operating officer, Sue Packer, said: “We operate in an industry where the need to reduce carbon emissions and become more energy-efficient is paramount and this awareness and desire to make a real positive impact runs through all our business operations.

“It’s also the thinking behind our CM Grow campaign which has been inspired by our commitment to helping to improve the local area around where we work and live. We are grateful for all the support so far and the fact that we are now able to see tangible results with the completion of our first planting season has been really exciting. We’re not finished yet though, and we’re now focused on hitting our total target which will allow us to plant more trees and make an even bigger difference”.

Alongside its own efforts, CMO has received support for the campaign from other local businesses as well as allowing customers to make donations when placing orders with the online builders’ merchant. This is set to continue as the company looks ahead to raising funds to plant the next 2,500 trees and complete its very own forest!

May 2022

@PlymChronicle

15

Thought For The Day “Success is not final: failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts” Winston Churchill

Tom Rowe with his brother Dr James Rowe, and members of his family and NICU staff

Tom returns to Derriford to thank staff who cared for him 18 years ago A man who spent two months on Derriford’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), has returned to say thank you almost 18 years later.

Tom Rowe, who was born prematurely in April 2004, was treated by NICU staff before being allowed home a few months later.

Going full circle, his brother, Dr James Rowe, has just completed a placement within the NICU and invited Tom in to say thank you for the support and care their family had received.

James said: “I especially want to thank all of the staff on NICU and Transitional Care Ward for welcoming me to such an amazing team, it really has been an honour to work with everyone.

“NICU has had such a positive impact for my family with Tom being

a patient there and it’s really special to come full circle and work here too.”

Tom, who now works as an apprentice at Babcock, spent two months in the NICU at Derriford after being born at 30 weeks gestation which is 10 weeks premature.

His mum, Ann-Marie spoke about how she is grateful for the care her family received during that time. She said: “It was a scary time, but all of the staff were there for each one of us.

“Every step of the way we felt safe and cared for; part of the NICU family.

We cannot thank them enough.”

Tom’s return to the unit was made extra special as he was joined by staff from the department who cared for him and supported his family all those years ago.

Neonatal nurse consultant, Roisin McKeon-Carter said: “it is a privilege to care for preterm babies and their families. Neonatal services is a special place to work and many of the staff who cared for Tom 18 years ago are still working here today, including his consultant neonatologist, Dr John Madar, matron Katie Hoffman and outreach sensor sister Jo Bennet. It is lovely to see the fruits of our labour in Tom, a healthy 18 year old who is starting out on his career in Babcock.”

Roisin added: “NICU is one of the best places to be a nurse and doctor in Derriford and we are delighted that Tom’s big brother was inspired at the age of seven to become a doctor and care for preterm babies and their families. I call it succession planning.”

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Plymouth based charity Friends and Families now have a beach wheelchair worth £3000 to offer families thanks to a generous grant from Devon County Council and Parent Carer Forum Devon.

The all-terrain beach wheelchair, which is light, stable and robust, will enable families with children who use a wheelchair to enjoy the sand and the sea with ease.

Jessica Butland, parent to Grace, said: “Taking a child in a wheelchair onto a beach is really difficult. The wheels spin in the sand, and the salt water can erode the metal.

“But the beach wheelchair solves all of this and makes going to the seaside so much easier. Grace loves it too – especially when splashing in the sea!”

Tim Tod, CEO at Friends and Families said: “Something as simple as going to the beach can be inaccessible for children in wheelchairs.

“Specialist equipment is expensive, especially if only occasionally used, so we are delighted to offer the beach wheelchair as part of our Lending Library so our families can enjoy time at the beach.”

Friends and Families supports and empowers families with disabled children in Plymouth and the surrounding area. The charity provides practical advice, support, and fun activities to children with a disability and their families.

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16 May 2022

Sounds Musical back on stage to ‘continue the magic’

16 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

One of Plymouth’s oldest and celebrated amateur dramatic musical companies is returning to ‘the show must go on’ mode after a difficult and challenging two years.

Founded in 1911, Sounds Musical Theatre Company’s last production, Wind in the Willows in 2020, received rave reviews, managing to perform its run just as lockdown was declared. The following two pandemic years saw the group stage three virtual performances, keeping the momentum going and staying in touch with audiences.

Sadly, following the deaths of three respected members, the company lost key advocates. Loyal stalwart Pat White, served refreshments during rehearsals, organised fund raising and ran front of house in the Athenaeum and Devonport Playhouse for 23 years.

South West’s theatre world was devastated when ‘legend’ David Bailey, a frequent performer with Sounds since 1998 died in March. He had always wanted to play the part of Badger in Wind in the Willows – and this was to be his last performance with them.

Edward Gigg was a company member for 60 years, father figure, chairman for many years and president for the last several years. He will be remembered for his passion for local amateur theatre, and for his support and guidance in encouraging members to ‘continue the magic that live theatre can offer.’

Sounds are nowproud to continue their tradition of presenting their annual full musical production, with Young Frankenstein from May 25 to 28 at The Devonport Playhouse.

The award winning monster musical comedy is brought to life on stage in an all singing raucous comedy, where Dr Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Frankenstein continues his grandfather’s experiments which yield madcap success and monstrous consequences.

Sounds Musical Theatre Company continues to grow with the show’s announcement bringing in a wealth of new talent led by musical director Kristy Marcer-Griffiths and director Amanda Paddison.

After such a gap in being able to perform on stage the Company are now looking forward to entertaining audiences old and new.

Show tickets are available on www. ticketsource.co.uk/sounds or by calling 07395 159955. Further information can be found at soundsmusical theatrecompany. co.uk

Boringdon School children near Dorsmouth rock with Plympton in the background in the process of collecting the botanics. From left to right: Henry Mallard, Alice Stewart, Sebastien Daragon, Poppy Mallard and Emma Stewart

School Friends getting in the Jubilee Spirit!

The Friends of Boringdon School in Plympton have commissioned an award-winning distillery to develop and manufacture a unique gin named ‘The Spirit of Plympton’ to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

a bit different and special so nobody wants to miss out as there are only a limited number of bottles being made!

“We hope that plenty of local people, whether they live here, work here or have any connection with Plympton, past or present, will raise a glass of our gin to toast the Queen on the Jubilee weekend – with the added bonus of local charities benefiting from every sip!’

Mrs Daragon added: “And I can tell you, as one of only three people who have tasted the gin, it is absolutely delicious!

“Definitely the most fun I have had donating to charity in a long time!”

The bespoke Spirit of Plympton gin is due to be delivered in mid-May with collection before the Jubilee weekend in June.

It is available now, sold by pre-order only for £38 and orders must be placed by April 27.

More details and how to order can be found at https://bit.ly/3uXoyhs

The botanics to flavour the gin have been collected by local children from the town’s fields and hedgerows and the honey is from Plympton beehives too so the gin is completely unique and special to the area.

The Limited Edition, 70cl, 40% ABV Premium gin includes a generous donation to Plympton charities for every bottle sold.

Hannah Daragon, chair of the Friends of Boringdon School, said: “It is great to be working on such a unique project in aid of Plympton charities. Plympton is really proud of its identity and we felt that naming the gin ‘The Spirit of Plympton’, with our iconic castle on the label, really does sum up the town.

“People are really excited as this is something

Police appeal for witnesses after moped thefts and robbery

Local officers are appealing for witnesses following a number of incidents that took place on the same evening in the Weston Mill area of Plymouth.

On Wednesday April 6 between 8pm and 10pm, two Papa John’s mopeds were stolen from in front of the store on Wolseley Road.

One moped was later retrieved in the Tresluggan Road area; the other one was retrieved from the lane behind Papa John’s with significant damage.

A 20-year-old local man has been arrested

on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and has since been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.

Between 8.30pm and 9pm on the same night, a second incident took place involving a man in his 20’s who was the victim of a robbery.

It is alleged that a group of eight men all wearing black and with London accents assaulted the victim, who sustained minor injuries after being struck with a hammer, before having his watch stolen.

It is believed that there were numerous

people in the area of Wolseley Road that evening who may have witnessed the robbery or moped thefts.

It is vital that witnesses make contact with the local policing team as they may have information that can help with the investigation.

Anyone with any information relating to the above incidents is asked to contact 101@ dc.police.uk.

The crime reference for the moped thefts is CR/029126/22.The crime reference for the street robbery is CR/029636/22.

May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Art of recovery at Harbour Harbour, Plymouth’s leading addiction support service, is using art to help the people of the city as a new mural on Mutley Plain by local artists welcomes people working through their addiction.

Charities join forces to form new mental health alliance Mental health charities from across Devon have unveiled the Devon Mental Health Alliance (DMHA), a partnership which aims to improve access to mental health services and identify new opportunities to support people across all of the county’s communities.

The colourful mural is next to Harbour’s Mutley Plain building, near the Seaton Barracks car park.

Harbour has a long history of saving lives, local artists Yvonne Hayes and Debra Purse, have drawn on their own creativity to give something back to those that have helped them in times of crises.

Debra reflects on her journey: “I wanted to die. I worked with Hamoaze and Harbour and came out of addiction, gradually trusting the process and the staff, I never trusted anyone before.

“I applied to Plymouth College of Art for a BA Hons Degree and they accepted me! I could never have achieved this without the help and support I received” “The mural shows a picture of a Harbour, the rest we named Starry Starry Plymouth after Van Gogh, the lighthouse represents the LGBTQ+ community, the houses represent the citizens of our city, the big white house is Hamoaze, and the greenery reflects Dartmoor.

“The mural also represents hope and is a beacon to everyone struggling at the moment.”

Yvonne had a troubled childhood and was raised in a cult like religion, she developed unhealthy ways of

17

managing difficult emotions and stress. Alcohol became a part of managing long term mental health problems, which only exasperated the issues.

Yvonne reflects: “I sought help from Harbour and later Hamoaze which became a lifeline for me.

Whilst at Hamoaze they recognised a creative part of me, which they encouraged and without their support, I would not now be studying at degree level.”

If you or anyone you know needs support or you would like to find out more about Harbour its services, or how you can help, please get in touch at 01752 434343 or visit www. harbour.org.uk

Focused on delivering community services as part of the NHS Community Mental Health Framework improvement programme, the Alliance will be led by six organisations dedicated to supporting people experiencing mental health challenges. They will work collaboratively with partners from the statutory, voluntary, and community sectors to make services across Devon more accessible, more effective, and better suited to the needs of their users.

The DMHA includes six member charities: Improving Lives Plymouth, Shekinah, Step One Charity, CoLab Exeter, Devon Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. The collective is working closely with the Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Livewell Southwest as lead statutory partners, and will link with other organisations across the county to create stronger pathways and brand-new services dedicated to supporting people with mental health problems.

Speaking on the launch, chair of the Alliance Rob Smith commented: “We’re so excited to be launching the Devon Mental Health Alliance after 12 months of work with charities, voluntary sector and NHS partners. There are so many great mental health services across Devon, but with the strength of our six organisations – and numerous other partners we hope will join us in the future – we know that we can make a real positive change in how thousands

of people across the county access and benefit from support.”

As part of the DMHA’s work, several dedicated roles will be created to develop and deliver services across four coordinated areas of Devon, the fourth-largest county in England. Each area will have a locality manager to help coordinate services, as well as multiple recovery practitioners to deliver therapeutic intervention, courses, workshops, and more.

Recruitment has already begun for these roles and will continue over the next year.

To find out more about the Devon Mental Health Alliance and how to get involved, visit www. mentalhealthdevon.co.uk or email info@mentalhealthdevon.co.uk.

How to tackle debt problems Citizens Advice across England and Wales answered 64,656 enquiries about debt in January 2022. In these difficult times, when the money coming in does not cover the money going out on bills, it is very easy to slip into debt and get out again.

In this article, we want to share some steps you take to get back in control.

Many of us will have some form of debt in our lifetimes, such as a mortgage on your property, credit cards or an overdraft. If we treat it with care, debt can be useful. But if it gets out of control, it can create other problems. If your total debts (excluding mortgage) add up to more than you earn in a year and you’re struggling to repay these debts, then you may have a debt problem.

Know your budget Count up all the money coming into your household to find your total income, including child benefit, attendance allowance, carer’s allowance and all benefits and wages. Make sure you know exactly how much you must manage on.

Check that you are receiving all benefits you are entitled to. You can use a benefits calculator on our website www.citizensadviceplymouth.entitledto. co.uk/home/start. If you don’t have internet, you can speak to us over the telephone.

Lay out all your bills and other debts Include food and essentials bills and see if your household income covers the amount going out. If your outgoings are higher

0808 278 7910

than your income, then identify priority bills.

Priority bills are those that keep a roof over your head, like the rent/mortgage, council tax, court fines, TV licence, overpaid tax credits, etc. It is essential you pay for these first.

If you cannot pay the most important bills, contact your creditor urgently and explain your situation and budget. They may be able to offer you a deal that will make your payments more affordable.

Although some debts are treated as a lower priority, they will still need to be paid. Creditors will often contact you to ask for a payment. If you can’t pay, speak to someone about your situation. Many debt advice agencies can help you to find a way forward. Citizens Advice web page has a lot of information about dealing with debt www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-andmoney/.

Check for old direct debits and standing orders Sometimes you may forget that you’re paying for unused services such as a gym

membership or a paid TV subscription.

Go through your bank statements and look for any payments that don’t look familiar.

Then check your contract and see if you can cancel them.

Avoid payday loans and loan sharks Having an instant lump sum may sound useful and an answer to your immediate problem. But the interest you will have to pay will be much higher than you think.

Payday loans must usually be paid within 2 to 3 weeks. From January 2015, there is an interest cap on payday loans of 0.8% per day with an APR (Annual Percentage Rate) of around 1,250%. A different type of loan can be more affordable.

Loan sharks are illegal money lenders who charge high rates of interest and don’t have permission from FCA to lend money.

They might not give you any paperwork and can become very aggressive when you’re unable to pay.

them at reportloansharks@stoploansharks. gov.uk or text loan shark and your message to 60003.

Don’t be ashamed to seek advice Don’t wait for the bills to mount up, get help as soon as you can. Doing nothing will just allow matters to get worse.

Advice agencies may be able to advise on your situation, refer you for further advice, issue a foodbank voucher if you can’t afford to pay for food, and also find other grants and schemes that could help with your situation.

If you’re struggling with managing your finances, call our Adviceline on 0808 278 7910, visit our website www.citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk or use Facebook Messenger to get in touch.

The Citizens Advice Debt Helpline on 0800 240 4420 can also help.

If you owe money to a loan shark, you can speak to the Illegal Money Lending Hotline on 0300 555 2222 and report the loan shark anonymously. You can also email

www.citizensadviceplymouth.org.uk

@citizensadviceplymouth

18 May 2022

18 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Laundryman is honoured after 22 years’ service and 1.9 million pairs of socks!

A member of Devonport-based Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll has been recognised for his dedicated service to the ship with a special presentation from the ship’s sponsor, Lady Wendy Levene.

Laundryman Hom Thapa, had served in the Gurkha Regiment for 15 years before looking for a new challenge in 1997, when he joined the Laundry Service. He worked on several ships before being assigned to HMS Argyll in 2000 – where he has now served as a loyal member of the ship’s company for 22 years.

During that time, he has deployed on 10 different occasions, including spells off the coast of Africa during the Sierra Leone conflict, the Gulf numerous times, the Far East and to the Caribbean to name but a few. Over the period he has seen 13 Commanding Officers, had 15 Logistics Officers and washed approximately 1.9 million pairs of socks.

A highlight of his time onboard HMS Argyll was when his son, Chet Thapa, joined as his apprentice. But far from an easy ride, Chet soon realised how proficient his father was and had to learn quickly in order to maintain pace. Chet successfully

Kevin receives the Commendation from Cdre Peter Coulson

Teacher is honoured for his work with Services students A teacher from Devonport High School for Boys has been recognised for his work with students from Armed Services families, with a special award from Commodore Peter Coulson, Devonport Naval Base Commander.

Laundryman Hom Thapa is presented with his award by Lady Levene

completed his apprenticeship and is now serving in HMS Montrose carrying forward the family tradition and maintaining the high standards he was taught by his father.

“Having basically become part of the ship’s furniture,” said Lieutenant Commander Dan Thomas, HMS Argyll’s Logistics Officer. “It is timely that Hom will be bidding farewell during the ship’s de-store. Thankfully, he is getting the recognition he

deserves and will be joining HMS Albion on promotion, where he will oversee all laundry operations.

“Efficient, professionally competent and a warm and friendly face onboard, he has been an absolute stalwart member of the Argyll family, and on behalf of everybody here today, Hom, I would like to thank you for all your hard work and dedication and wish you the best of luck for the future.”

Singing group’s donation to boost Parkinson’s research A local singing group has raised £500 to accelerate Parkinson’s research at the University of Plymouth.

The Singing-4-Fun group, run by Elder Tree Befriending, put on a charity concert in aid of a new project to accelerate technologies to help people with Parkinson’s better manage their symptoms from home.

The fundraising was inspired by one of the group’s members, Mike Webber, who has the condition, and the group proudly presented a cheque to Dr Camille Carroll, Associate Professor at the University of Plymouth and Parkinson’s Service lead at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, and Dr Edward Meinert, Associate Professor of eHealth in the University’s Centre for Health Technology.

Mike said: “Our Singing-4-Fun group is exactly that, we’re not professional, but we thoroughly enjoy what we do and try to raise some money for local causes in the process.

“I met Dr Carroll through the Parkinson’s service and she’s been fantastic in helping to ensure that people with Parkinson’s are heard during the development of new treatments, so I was pleased that we were able to support the

Dr Camille Carroll and Dr Edward Meinert receiving the cheque

research in one of our recent concerts.

Dr Carroll and Dr Meinert went along to meet the choir and accept the donation at a recent practice. “It was brilliant that Camille and Edward got involved in the singing too – we were delighted to welcome them,” added Mike. The cheque was made out to charity Parkinson’s UK, which has put the University’s new project front and centre of its most recent fundraising campaign.

You can help to save lives! www.daat.org Registered Charity No: 1077998

Dr Carroll said: “I’m so pleased that Mike and the group chose our project as their latest fundraising endeavour.

Plymouth is really pioneering in its approach to Parkinson’s care, and, thanks to donations like this, we hope to be able to roll out successful technologies to people with Parkinson’s across the UK.” For more information about supporting the University’s life-changing research, please contact giving@plymouth.ac.uk.

Kevin Mitchell was presented with the Naval Base Commander’s Commendation by Cdre Coulson at one of the regular breakfast clubs, held each half term, organised by himself and the school’s family support advisor, Lorna Taylor.

In total, around 100 students at the school have a close family member who is currently serving or who has recently served in the Armed Forces.

These gatherings have found to be a great way to make connections and provide support for the students.

Commodore Coulson said, “It’s a real pleasure to present this commendation today. Being a Service parent, away from your children is often difficult – but it is just as challenging for the parents and children left at home. I have seen first-hand the contribution that Kevin makes to the welfare of Service children.

“Small things, like sports afternoons on a Friday, or parents’ evenings on a Thursday can make all the difference to Service parents getting back from duties to attend these important events. But when you can’t, knowing there is someone like Kevin looking out for their welfare is a huge help.

This commendation is just a small way to say a very big thank you on behalf of Service children and parents at DHSB” The breakfasts are very informal and are a chance for Kevin to talk to the students, welcome any newcomers and ask if anyone has a parent who is away at the moment. He usually includes a quiz and activities that will bond the group and get students talking with others in the same situation.

They are also a good opportunity to offer support with likeminded students, and meet any special requirement for individuals, if needed.

Dan Roberts, headteacher said, “Mr Mitchell’s support is a light touch and is offered over and above the pastoral support provided by the school to all our students.

“Our students value the support that Mr Mitchell provides; many who have moved through the school have commented that they have appreciated the support and guidance that he has offered during their time, and always knew that if they needed anything then he wouldn’t hesitate to help them.”

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

Together we can overcome loneliness The Plymouth Social Isolation Forum has been brought together to help tackle, here in Plymouth, a nationwide epidemic of loneliness.

More and more people are experiencing the dread of feeling ‘lonely’ and of being social isolated. From mothers of newborn babies to older people living on their own; teenagers to people in abusive relationships, loneliness can blight the life of any one of us.

Patrick Weir

Helpline Numbers:

Loneliness can be as damaging to a person’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It can lead to a whole range of physical and mental health issues, such as, heart conditions, depression and dementia. It can also bring about a premature death.

The PSIF has been established to tackle loneliness across the city; to recognise those who may feel lonely; identify potential factors and then to do something about it.

As well as promoting the social interventions, clubs and activities available, the PSIF aims to bring about more strategic changes, such as, to planning and policies.

One of the things it is keen to see is community and outdoor spaces betterdesigned to encourage interaction and ‘friendly’ behaviour.

Efford Efford Community Community Network Network

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

SUPPOSE YOU HAD £1000 TO SPEND IMPROVING YOUR COMMUNITY

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? POP is working with Street to Scale to bring grassroots community ideas to life. There is no application form; no targets and no need for written outcomes. If you’d like £1000 to spend on your community, contact:

07842 043399 (WhatsApp)

The forum is made up of community and voluntary sector organisations – including POP – along with the city’s social prescribing teams, wellbeing hubs and a range of other individuals and organisations with experience and/or knowledge of the harm that social isolation can bring.

From mindfulness to martial arts; gardening to gaming and crafting to conversations, an abundance of grassroots initiatives has taken root in Keyham since the beginning of the year bringing people together and strengthening relationships. Now, a second round of the Keyham Community Sparks Grant, has been announced which will see a second wave of small but significant projects bring further positive change to the area and its residents.

29 large grants of £3000 and 33 small grants of £500 have already been invested in the Keyham community either to kick start or sustain community projects. Thanks to an additional pot of money from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, there will be a further round of £10,000 gifting £500 to both new and existing projects to support people; strengthen the community and help to create a greater sense of belonging.

Debbie Burton, Plymouth Together Coordinator says it’s been amazing seeing the community get involved and bring about exciting opportunities so quickly: “There’s so much talent in the area and the willingness of individuals to share their skills with others. We have an amazing range of projects already underway which are really bringing people together, such as the dancing, cooking and planting workshops.

And this second round of funding will see more opportunities for more residents and, with it, bring about a stronger supportive community.”

Imogen Potter, the capacity building manager from POP, which has been managing the funding process, says even the application process is all about fostering greater ties within the community: “Each person or project that applies for the Sparks funding needs to get other local organisations to support their application.

So even at the early stage of applying people are having to talk to each other and, in doing so, are creating stronger relationships. That in itself, is going to have a positive impact in Keyham even before these projects have got off the ground!”

Changes have already begun at the 1st Keyham Scout Group which successfully applied for two lots of £500: one, to pay for some much-needed new equipment and the second, to help set up a new scouting group, “Squirrels”, for four to six-year-olds. Scout leader, John Davies, says the positive effects can be widespread: “When you build up relationships you build up teamwork and aspirations and give youngster something to look forward to and that has the potential to reduce negative impacts on the community.”

Patrick Weir, born in 1937, has been going to the fortnightly Red Velvet Cinema, a social interaction for ‘older’ people for five years.

He says it has, quite simply, changed his life: “I’ve never been married; I’ve never been in a relationship, and this is the only time I talk to people other than when I do my shopping.”

The conference at the Duke of Cornwall on Wednesday the 27th of April will include presentations, workshops and discussions: Dr Ruth Harrell, the director of Public Health at Plymouth City Council, will be one of the event’s speakers. There will also be an exhibition of many of the organisations; charities and community organisations that are already working hard to bring people together and help reduce the feelings of loneliness across the city. For more information or to book a place visit call Jan Knight on 0776 423 2946 or visit www.socialisolationforum.org.uk

Keyham Community Sparks showcase event in March

Round Two of the Small Grants Scheme is now OPEN! You don’t need a bank account and, unlike most conventional funds, decisions are quick: each application is considered, approved or rejected within a week. Don’t hang about, visit www.plymouthtogether.co.uk for more information.

20 May 2022

20 May 2022

THE

Experience

I’ve been on planet earth for some time now and must be totally honest with you, I’ve never known a time of such doom and gloom. You can see it on so many people’s faces.

I’m from the baby boomer generation, born and raised in London just after the Second World War in the 50s. My folks emigrated to Canada and then moved to the USA. You could do that for £10 back then. We returned to the UK in the mid 60s when my father’s job relocated him back to the UK. I share this with respect to those born before 1946 and who were part of the silent generation born during or before the Second World War who really experienced some traumatic times.

I’ve had a colourful life of travel and from the age of 16 or 17, when my folks divorced, I found myself in a bedsit just outside London trying to make sense of what had happened to me. I worked at various jobs to make ends meet and finally ended up in Brussels in Belgium at the right time and became a successful DJ and businessman.

My life began to fall apart in the late 1970s through an excessive lifestyle of recreational drugs and alcohol. Inside myself I was an extremely lost and broken individual. Circumstances became very dark around this time, but within the darkest of

@PlymChronicle

Light shone through the darkness

By Chris Cole, Founder of Cross Rhythms charity

times opportunities of light can also be experienced.

I met a group of Christian businesspeople who weren’t interested in my business activities as much as they were in me as a human being.

Through a process of amazing spiritual experiences, I encountered Jesus Christ on December 6 1981, at 11.30pm and my life changed for ever.

I had emotionally hurt somebody in the 70s very badly and had always felt guilty about the way I had dealt with this person. On that night in December my conscience was touched

by God, and I asked Jesus to forgive me for what I had done. I broke my heart as God forgave me and released me from the guilt of that sinful episode.

This was over 40 years ago, and I must share that through the good and bad circumstances of life, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been totally faithful to myself and my family. Being a Christian

does not exempt you from difficulties and suffering.

This is what the cross represents. God wants to mature us increasingly day by day that we may be carriers of His Grace and Love to those who are seeking an answer to the complexities of this life.

As we recognise the Easter season, we are faced with the historical reality of God in the person of Jesus Christ coming to earth as 100 per cent Divine and 100 per cent human. He revealed that, despite the brokenness of this world, there is a good God who has placed eternity within the human heart.

Chris Cole His miracles confirmed His message. Jesus then suffers the injustice of the cross, as a sinless sacrifice, to open a portal to the Father through His death and resurrection.

Today, 2.4 billion Christians all over the world recognise this truth. Many of them are in persecuted countries, where it is

personally very costly to live a Christian life because of that persecution. Despite this they courageously share their testimony because they truly love their neighbour as themselves and have good news to convey.

This Easter may I encourage you if you have a faith in Christ Jesus to share your story. The good and bad bits of your life, because people need to hear the truth of why you believe the way you do. If you don’t have a faith and are seeking, then may I also encourage you to ask God to guide you into His light and you’ll be surprised at the outcome if you ask Him with a truthful heart.

On Cross Rhythms Plymouth you can hear a number of people sharing their life stories and why they believe what they do. You can listen to these interviews whenever it suits you on the listen again pages on crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth.

If this article has impacted you and you want to learn more about Christian faith email info@crplymouth.co.uk.

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

Price of school meals frozen - at least for now

The Marine Station is a cutting edge facility providing direct access to Plymouth Sound for students and researchers (Credit University of Plymouth)

School meal prices in Plymouth will remain among the lowest in the region from April despite continuing increases in the cost of ingredients and wage rises.

Plymouth supporting action to prevent plastic pollution Some of the UK and France’s leading experts in plastic pollution met in Plymouth earlier this month to discuss advances being made in tackling the global crisis.

Partners from 18 organisations involved in the Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) project gathered for three days in the city to share insights from their work.

This included updates on initiatives to promote behaviour change in businesses, schools, and communities; demonstrations of interventions being used to remove plastic from the environment; and workshops to discuss research on the ecological impact of plastics in the environment Around 80 per cent of all litter found in oceans is from a land source, and it is estimated that there could be more items of plastic than fish in the sea by 2050.

These numbers are stark, and demonstrate that tackling the mountain

of plastic waste is a global issue, which requires engagement at all levels and across borders.

PPP aims to drive that engagement across seven pilot sites, including the River Tamar catchment.

It brings scientists, local charities and environmental experts together to start to map and truly understand the sources and movement of plastic pollution from source to sea, by following a river catchment-based approach.

That process is being led by the University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Council, Westcountry Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency in collaboration with communities and businesses.

Professor Richard Thompson, head of the University’s International Marine Litter Research Unit, has been working on the accumulation of plastic in the environment for almost 30 years.

He said: “There is broad consensus across society about the scale of the

plastics crisis. Solutions to address this issue are the same as they were in the early 1990s, and are absolutely about reduce, reuse and recycle. However, we still lack specific information on the effectiveness of various interventions, the trade-offs between solutions and how these may vary between nations.

“An international collaboration like PPP is essential to help achieve that because plastics and other waste pay no attention to borders or boundaries.

Through research at both a local, national and international scale our team are working to develop and test interventions to address the challenge.”

Liz Cole, natural infrastructure 0fficer at Plymouth City Council, added: “The PPP project has helped us to deliver a reduction in single use plastic across the city. Working in collaboration with partners both locally and across the channel has increased our capacity to deliver impactful solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.”

The Board of CATERed recognise that, post BREXIT and post the COVID pandemic, all families will have seen the cost of food rising when they do the weekly shop and this is no different for CATERed, Plymouth’s main school meal provider in all but a handful of schools and academies.

In the last few months price increases of between 20 per cent and 30 per cent have come through on food and ingredients such as chicken, pasta, rice and potatoes and, along with increases to wage costs – CATERed is an accredited UK Living Wage Employer – and increases to national insurance from April it is a becoming increasingly difficult to balance costs in a sustainable manner.

In spite of this, and recognising the pressure that household budgets are currently under, the Board have taken the decision that the cost of a paid for meal, and the value of a benefit-based Free School Meal, should not increase at the start of the new financial year, when most organisations introduce price increases.

Instead families will benefit from a price freeze for the next six months, before a rise of 20 pence per meal is introduced from the start of the new academic year on September 5.

The new price for a hot, twocourse school meal, which also includes a drink, will be £2.40 for primary schools and primary aged pupils in special schools and £2.70 for secondary schools

and academies. The price for secondary-aged students in special schools (currently £2.20) will increase to £2.45 and will then rise incrementally to match the price in all mainstream secondary settings.

This will be the first increase in four years and it still means that school meal prices in Plymouth schools will remain lower than, or the same as, those in surrounding areas including Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset continuing CATERed’s ethos of providing excellent value for money for local families.

Brad Pearce, managing director at CATERed said: “This future increase is as a result of the tsunami of BREXIT and the pandemic which has lead to the well-publicised and significant rises in food and ingredient prices, which look set to continue for the foreseeable future, as well as an increase to our wage bill.

“We employ 265 local people, who prepare around 10,500 meals every day to make sure children get the fuel they need to perform well at school. We are an accredited UK Living Wage Employer because we value our staff and firmly believe in looking after them so they do a great job looking after the children they serve every day.

Brad continued: “For £2.40 a day, less than most takeaway coffees, each child will have a great tasting, freshly prepared two-course school lunch. We are also one of the few providers in the region to offer pupils a drink of milk offered on a daily basis. This is the just one of the ways we go the extra mile to make a difference, every child, every time.”

To see the latest menus visit www.catered.org.uk

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22 May 2022

22 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

Popular Freedom Community Festival is back after two year absence because of pandemic

Exclusive dresses added to The Box’s fashion collection An exclusive, hand-made latex dress celebrating Plymouth’s legacy has been unveiled at The Box museum.

The popular Freedom Community Festival is back again in 2022 after a two year absence because of the pandemic.

Plans for this year’s community festival on May 28 and 29 are well in hand and will feature some of the best in local live music including The Andy Quick band, The Kingstons, Alex Hart, Vince Lee and many more. There will be the usual craft stalls and a variety of food outlets and a licenced bar.

There will be a dedicated family and community area featuring interactive activities and entertainment. It will also feature local community focused groups and this year we are pleased to welcome back students from the Plymouth University medical department to promote various community projects that they are running. The fun starts at 11am each day.

For more information and line up please go to Facebook Freedom community festival or call 07722308462.

Importance of continuous learning highlighted 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 activity.

Continuous Learning is vital for the Together for Childhood team to continue to support children, young people and their families in Ernesettle.

To do that, we need to identify and understand what people want or need, what is working well, what could be better, what more we need to do, and what is the impact we are having.

One of the ways we are doing that is using something called ‘Transformative Evaluation’ where we ask people who have been involved in the project what has been the most significant change for them as a result of Together for Childhood.

These stories are written down in people’s own words and communicate the range of change that is happening and why these changes are important.

Over the past few months, we’ve collected accounts in Ernesettle and from across our professional networks, from people who wanted to share their experience of change.

The stories covered four themes, which were: • Having more confidence to seek support and challenge the system • Breaking the taboo and reducing the stigma of child sexual abuse • The importance of relationships so people can work together to prevent abuse

• How working on the project had helped one person deal with their own childhood trauma One account read: “The most significant change from Together for Childhood both in my personal and professional life is that I feel empowered, and I hope I have empowered others, to talk about sexual abuse.

“In the past sexual abuse was something that was only whispered about, something people didn’t want to talk about.

“Even in safeguarding meetings it was something that was alluded to rather than using the actual words.

“The Together for Childhood focus on prevention has made it easier to talk about child sexual abuse.

“People don’t feel like you are accusing

them of anything. Conversations can be about keeping children safe and that’s something people are happy to talk about and take action on.”

We’ll continue to use this approach, collecting more accounts from people over the summer, to learn how Together for Childhood is bringing about change and working towards the prevention of child sexual abuse.

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

Plymouth-based global clothing brand Westward Bound produced the dress after being approached by the £46 million museum and cultural attraction. It will sit within The Box’s Dress Code collection – Plymouth’s first exhibition dedicated to fashion.

The dress, titled Brand Me-Flag Me, is green, black, and white in a nod to Devon’s heritage and also represents the city’s history of garment manufacture.

Steve Beech, founder and managing director of Westward Bound, said: “We went for a relatable, funky-punky vibe for this dress. We want to reshape public thinking. People nowadays have been polluted into assuming that anything that isn’t modern, or that you can buy or sell, isn’t important. We’ve been made to think that knowledge is boring.

Culture is fundamentally important, and being informed isn’t dull. It is power!

“Gallery connections need to be alive. You need to capture people’s imagination, and our dress has very much done that.”

Terah Walkup, Curator of Art at The Box added: “We are acquiring the Brand Me dress because of Westward Bound’s local history and importance, and its representation of 21st-century fashion.

“Our dress history collection has items from the 1700s to 1970s, but very little material after that. We wanted to acquire this dress to represent the contemporary production of fashion and garments in Plymouth to continue the story of Plymouth’s history of garment manufacture represented in our collections.”

In addition to creating the dress, Westward Bound also created two dresses to represent The Box’s Cottonian Collection – one in aubergine and gold and another in classic, creamy-white with a mixture of Elizabethan and Victorian design styles (see picture right.)

This collection contains several thousand fine and rare prints, drawings, and watercolours from across the world, including works by Plymptonborn, renowned 18thcentury portraitist Sir Joshua Reynolds. It was also awarded national Designated Status by The Arts Council England in 1998, meaning that it’s one of the UK’s most important collections.

Steve Beech added: “A lot of thought went into these dresses because it meant an enormous amount. For a brief moment, you’re a part of the history of that collection, and you have to be serious about that.

“We’re presenting these dresses in a very traditional context and paying homage to an iconic collection. We are very much embracing it and looking at how we can integrate ourselves into it because it’s a great honour to leave our mark on it.”

In including the dress in its collection, The Box now encompasses everything from lace to latex. The Brand Me-Flag Me dress will be on display at The Box’s Dress Code exhibition until September 4.

USEFUL Bickleigh-based Marines train NUMBERS May 2022

@PlymChronicle

23

for sub-zero rescue missions

Royal Marines from Bickleigh preparing for their ‘resuce’ mission with US Super Stallion helicopters in support

Emergency Numbers

Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard 999 or 112 Police general enquiries 101 Derriford Hospital 01752 202082 NHS 111 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 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

Plymouth-based Royal Marines ‘fought’ over the barren landscape of Iceland as they practised rescuing pilots shot down behind enemy lines.

Fresh from the largest military exercise in Norway in 30 years, commandos remained in the cold north to join their American counterparts and the Icelandic Coast Guard in staging helicopter raids to ‘recover’ colleagues in the face of both a hostile environment and ‘hostile’ forces.

Joint Personnel Recovery – rescuing downed aircrew, their passengers and, if necessary, their equipment from behind enemy lines – is a mission relatively new to the Royal Marines, brought about by the advent of the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.

A dedicated unit has been formed – Lima Company from 42 Commando based at Bickleigh – specifically for the mission, a unit which has trained extensively around the world, frequently making use of the expertise of the US Marine Corps.

They’ve trained in Virginia, Guam, central Europe and with the first foray by the new carriers into the Arctic Circle – HMS Prince of Wales has been operating both in the Atlantic and northern Norway over the past month – the commandos extended their skills and experience by practising similar rescue missions in an unforgiving, frozen landscape.

Iceland sits on the edge of the Arctic Circle with temperatures just below zero by night at

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

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this time of year and barely above it by day.

It also hosts an annual exercise with the US military, Northern Viking. This year the invitation to participate was extended to the Royal Marines as well as other NATO allies including France, Germany, Norway, and Portugal.

The exercise is aimed at demonstrating the collective ability of allied nations to defend

Royal Marines ‘rescue’ a downed aircrew member and head for the Super Stallion helicopter

not just the land of fire and ice, but also the sea lanes across the Greenland-Iceland-UK ‘gaps’ in the North Atlantic, with individual phases focusing on operations as varied as amphibious landings, search and rescue, and delivering humanitarian aid.

Lima Company embarked in assault ship USS Arlington – similar to the Royal Navy’s HMS Albion and Bulwark – from where they flew into Iceland in Super Stallion helicopters – double the weight of the commandos’ Merlins and capable of carrying more than twice as many troops – to recover stranded personnel, ‘fighting’ shoulder-to-shoulder with their American counterparts.

“Conducting these exercises in Iceland proves the wider utility of our winter warfare training that we conduct in Norway,” said 23-year-old Lieutenant Sam Gorton, 42 Commando. “And Northern Viking has been a great opportunity to deepen our strong relationships with our US Marine Corps cousins.

“We aspire to conduct Joint Personnel Recovery training in every challenging environment, from the jungle to the urban, and after a full winter’s training in Norway and now Iceland we can confidently contribute to the Royal Navy’s presence in the Arctic.”

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

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

01752 606900 01752 563320 01752 201918 0870 300 0020 0845 146 1460 0871 5501010 01752 306330 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 May 2022

24 May 2022

@PlymChronicle

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homes in Derriford and North edition Wembury Bay Photo: Sam Hussey

Popular Wembury marine centre opens doors for the new season The ever-popular Wembury Marine Centre, near Plymouth is opening its doors for the start of another busy season of fun, marine education and seashore-based activities.

The Centre has taken its normal winter-break over the past months but opened again to visitors from on April 9. Its new season begins with a series of rockpool safaris, providing visitors with a guided introduction to Wembury beach’s stunning wildlife.

Each safari is led by members of Devon Wildlife Trust’s expert team of staff and volunteers.

People taking part can expect to come face-to-face with some of the rich range of species found locally including Hermit crabs, cushion star fish, blennies, snakelocks anemones, painted topshells, Pipefish and much else besides.

Wembury Marine Centre is run by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust.

Wembury marine awareness and eEngagement officer Coral Smith said: “We are incredibly excited to be opening our doors this Easter and welcoming visitors back to our new and improved Centre, as well as continuing to raise awareness of Devon’s stunning underwater world and encouraging everyone

Lots of family fun at Wembury Marine Centre Photo: Devon Wildlife Trust

to enjoy and protect it!”

Wembury Marine Centre occupies an enviable position

PART-TIME, SELF EMPLOYED

just above one of South Devon’s most interesting beaches and rocky shores. The Centre was

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The June edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Derriford and North Plymouth will be published on May 27 with a copy deadline of May 10.

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.

We welcome submissions but cannot guarantee publication. We accept press releases in the form of text documents and images in JPG or TIFF format (high resolution please).

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May 2022

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KFC staff from St Budeaux and other branches in the city have taken part in a big litter pick For details See Page 6

Friends of Boringdon School are getting in the Jubilee Spirit by commissioning a special gin to mark the occasion See Page 16

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Devon Wildlife Trust’s popular Marine Centre at Wembury opens again for 2022 Full details See Page 24

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Tree-mendous effort!

A groundbreaking project has seen more than 200 trees planted at Mount Wise Community Primary School - thanks to YGS Landscapes and a host of volunteers and organisations in the city • See story on page 12

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fully refurbished in 2021. It is free to enter and uses a unique blend of interactive activities and beautiful underwater imagery to tell the story of local marine life.

Since opening in 1994, it has inspired thousands of visitors, fascinating them with the richness of Devon’s seas and leaving them with practical messages on how they can help conserve the oceans.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s work for the local marine environment is supported by local authority partners, Plymouth University and South West Water.

South West Water customer service director, Jo Ecroyd, said: “South West Water is proud to support Devon Wildlife Trust which is doing fantastic work to inspire and engage people of all ages about the wonders of the marine environment.

“By partnering with organisations in this way, we are able to build on our own schools and community learning programmes, while working collectively to raise awareness and encourage people to play their part in protecting the natural environment.”

For more information about Wembury Marine Centre, to plan a visit or book an event visit www.wemburymarinecentre.org

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

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The Plymouth Chronicle is published by Cornerstone Vision Limited, 28 Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL3 4PY. Registered in England Company Number 05563986. Printed by Newsquest, Weymouth.