Keyham gardens fully restored by Plymouth’s construction industry
Work to repair the boundary walls and back gardens for three homes in Keyham, following the bomb incident earlier this year has been completed.
As part of the ongoing support Plymouth City Council has given residents most impacted by the Keyham bomb incident in February, the Council called on the support of the local construction industry to repair the damage left behind by the Army.
Building Plymouth is an award winning, Council-led partnership with the construction industry. With nearly 70 member organisations, they engage with clients, contractors, consultants and the supply chain and have delivered a number of successful community initiatives to help improve the quality of life in the city.
As a gesture of goodwill, Building Plymouth arranged for local contractors, consultants and suppliers to work together to help repair the damage that was left in the gardens after the incident. Over recent months, eighteen local companies volunteered their time, materials and equipment equivalent value to £40,000 in-kind to support residents in Keyham whose properties were damaged by the army during the efforts to remove the unexploded bomb.
The first phase of the repair works involved repairing the boundary line at the rear of the properties – rebuilding the walls, erecting fencing and installing new back gates in order to make the area fully secure. The second phase of the works was to restore two gardens located either side of where the bomb was safely removed.
This included creating
new garden designs, laying the new decking, installing steps and fencing, reinstating destroyed masonry, as well as creating a stylish pergola.
One of the homeowners, Martyn Hammond, said: “The quality of work is outstanding! It didn’t feel like too much trouble and they listened to what I had previously and went over and above to reinstate my garden. I feel so happy to have my garden back again, considering back in February when this area was like a big sack of sand and now, I’m getting my plants restocked and am back in my happy place to sit and chill again. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped to make this happen.”
Resident Lee Elliott added: “We can’t express our gratitude enough to the skilled workforce who have been here to help us – the quality of work is top quality, the carpentry is out of this world, everything has gone to regulation with no corners cut. It was a kind freebie but everyone has completely gone above and beyond!
Many of the contractors who gave their time for free
Steve Warren-Brown, managing director of YGS Landscapes who acted as overall managing contractor on the garden projects, said: “Working brilliantly together as a team of volunteers through the Building Plymouth partnership has delivered a positive legacy after such a traumatic experience for three affected residents. As a local landscaping contractor, we knew we should play our part in helping to recover the Keyham gardens and it has been amazing to see so many construction friends stepping up to help. Thank you to everyone involved, this is another fantastic team effort coordinated through Emma Hewitt’s inspiring leadership of our Building Plymouth partnership.”
Plymouth has once again been awarded the Purple Flag accreditation for its evening and night time economy for the fifth year in a row.
The Purple Flag is an acknowledgement of exceptional standards and partnership working within the evening and night-time economy and recognises important aspects such as variety of services, culture, safety, wellbeing and partnership working.
The Purple Flag award was applied for by Safer Plymouth. Safer Plymouth is Plymouth’s community safety partnership which helps agencies to work together to improve the safety of residents, while enjoying everything that Plymouth has to offer.
Plymouth was the first city in the UK to have an anti-drink spiking scheme which has now developed force-wide and nationally. The close relationship between the partners and the trade has enabled many training sessions to further upskill evening and night-time economy staff to help support people on a night out.
Regular medical and welfare support on a number of evenings supplied by the Street Pastors and Plymouth Night Patrol, as well as the newly commissioned Safe Bus were noted during the assessment and the tight partnership working with the various partners in the city and the trade were key to the awarding of the Purple Flag accreditation.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “Plymouth is one of only 100 towns and cities worldwide which has this accreditation, and it serves as a sign to those living in the city or those wishing to visit or study here that every effort is made to make sure that people going out in the evening have a great and safe time.”
IN PLYMOUTH
Official opening of new orthopaedic surgical suite at Derriford Hospital
Derriford Hospital has formally opened the new Bigbury Orthopaedic Surgical Suite.
The new suite is now fully operational and earlier this year saw its first patients go through the three dedicated elective orthopaedic theatres.
Located on level 2 of Derriford Hospital, the theatre facility will support complex and non-complex orthopaedic operations and provide an excellent teaching environment for orthopaedic trainees.
The opening of the new theatres has substantially increased the number of orthopaedic cases being treated. In the six months since April, outputs of hip and knee operations have increased by 250 per cent compared to the same time period as last year.
Rathan Yarlagadda, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and clinical lead for Elective Orthopaedic Recovery, said: “The introduction of the Bigbury Orthopaedic Surgical Suite has greatly enhanced our capacity for orthopaedic surgery, including hip and knee replacements.
“This state-of-the-art surgical unit, combined with our improved patient pathways, will allow us to perform a higher volume of procedures each day, thereby reducing waiting times and significantly improving access to essential orthopaedic care for our patients.”
Patient Michael Duckett who cut the ribbon at the official opening of the unit said: “I have just had my hip replaced. My operation went well, and I am slowly recovering. All the staff have been really helpful and professional. Once I am fit and well and mobile again, I am looking forward to doing simple things like take a shower and go for a walk, which I haven’t been able to do.
“I was honoured to be asked to cut the ribbon for today’s opening ceremony.”
facility
Members of the Bigbury Orthopaedic Surgical Suite team at the official opening
New Urgent Treatment Centre and Fracture Clinic building progressing at rapid pace
Derriford Hospital is making great progress on the construction of the Dartmoor Building which will be the new home for a number of services the hospital provides including a new Urgent Treatment Centre and the relocation of the Fracture Clinic.
Dartmoor Building is located on the Northwest quadrant of the hospital, between Rowans house and the multi-storey carpark and the steel frame can already be seen from Derriford Roundabout. The construction of Dartmoor building is part of a journey to redevelop Derriford’s healthcare estate and free up space in the main hospital for the much needed Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, a purpose built facility creating space to care for the sickest of patients. Enabling works are already progressing for this longer term project.
Dr Anne Hicks, consultant in Emergency Medicine said: “The steel frame has risen from the ground at rapid pace and we are working hard to ensure that the vital services the Dartmoor building will house are ready for its opening early 2025”.
“The new Urgent Treatment Centre will be in addition to the Cumberland Centre in Devonport, and minor injury units in Tavistock and Kingsbridge and will give patients a choice of where to visit when they have a minor illness or injury. This increased capacity will ease the pressure on our Emergency Department, enabling emergency
Architect’s impression of the new healthcare facility
medicine specialists to focus on those patients who are seriously unwell.”
The Urgent Treatment Centre will be open from 8am – 8pm, seven days per week to treat patients who have an injury which is not life-threatening, but still requires urgent treatment. Patients will not need to pre-book an appointment as an Urgent Treatment Centre is a drop-in service.
A team of nurse practitioners who have undertaken specialist training will be able to assess, diagnose and treat patients of all
ages. Problems that can be treated include minor head injuries, sprains and certain fractures, infected wounds, small burns or scalds, bites and stings and foreign bodies in eyes.
Regular updates will be issued on the progress of the important new healthcare facility.
With winter approaching residents are reminding that medical care advice is available on the NHS 111 service by phone or online at www.111.nhs.uk Advice also available at www.plymouthhospitals. nhs.uk/stay-well
Patient Michael Duckett performed the tape-cutting ceremony at the new
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.
Southway Pre-Christmas Table Top
Nov 9
Church of the Holy Spirit, Southway from 1pm to 3pm. Set up at 12pm. Lots of goodies available plus raffle and children’s crafts. Refreshments available. For details or to book a table for £5 contact Veronica on 07855 256383.
Remembrance Service
Nov 10
Crownhill Methodist Church at 10.30am. All welcome. On Monday November 11 the church will be open from 10.30am to 11.30am for a time of remembrance and reflection with silence at 11am. All welcome.
Plympton Remembrance Day Parade & Service
Nov 10
Meet at Co-op car park on Ridgeway at 10am for 10.20am start, followed by march to Castle Green for an open air service and wreath laying from 10.50am. After the service the Parade will march along Underwood Road to the Union Inn, Branch HQ.
Remembrance Day Service
Nov 11
Victorian Chapel in Ford Park Cemetery at 10.45am. After the service, there will be a short walk to the War Memorial where a wreath will be placed.
City Centre Christmas Lights Switch-On
Nov 14
The Christmas calendar officially kicks off with the switch-on of this year’s spectacular Christmas lights on the Piazza, run by the Plymouth City Centre Company. The festive fun starts at 4pm, with a wonderful programme of entertainment, including singing, dance, plus live music from Joey the Lips, and their 10-piece funk and soul band. Santa will be coming along with special guests, sharing the Christmas magic and switching on the colourful Christmas lights. The big switch-on moment is due to take place between 6pm and 6.30pm.
Pilates and Dinner at The Dome
Nov 15
Mixed level pilates led by Pilates with Cassie in the immersive Dome at Market Hall, Devonport from 6pm to 9pm. Followed by two-course meal freshly prepared by the Olive Branch Team from Oreston. There will also be a raffle with the chance to win Pilates prizes, Dome experiences and coffee and cake! Grab your tickets from www.pilateswithcassie.co.uk
Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-on Nov 16
Join in the wonderful Christmas lights switch-on event with an afternoon of festive family fun with free activities and entertainment from 12pm to 6pm on the Barbican and Sutton Harbour.
Plymouth Children’s Book Group
Nov 17
Author workshops, stories and activities for four to 11 year olds at Millfields Trust and The Plot in Helen Walsh, try magic, felt-making, origami, music and more. Free pasties and soup. Tickets £5 per family. Accompanied children only.
Kerry Ellis - Queen of the West End
Nov 19 West End stage star Kerry brings her UK tour to the Quad Theatre at the Marjon University campus at 7.30pm. From My Fair Lady to We Will Rock You, from Les Miserables to Wicked, in both the West End and on Broadway, she has starred in musical theatre’s biggest roles. Tickets from www.comicalentertainment.com
Out and About Your guide to events in the local community and beyond
John Lydon – I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right
Nov 20
Punk icon John Lydon will perform in Plymouth as a part of his UK tour. The Sex Pistols’ frontman will be at the Quad Theatre on the Marjon campus at 7.30pm. Doors open at 6.45pm. Tickets from www. comicalentertainment.com
Sounds of Nature Themed Concert
Nov 23
University of Plymouth Orchestra presents a free children’s concert at 3pm at the Levinsky Hall on the university campus. Evening concert at 7.30pm featuring Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, Tales from the Vienna Woods by Strauss and Barry’s Out of Africa. Admission free but donations welcome. Tickets can be booked via the ‘What’s On’ page of the University of Plymouth website. The evening concert will include a raffle and free refreshments after the performance.
Christmas Fayre
Nov 23
Ford Park Cemetery from 10.30am to 1.30pm. This is always a popular event with many bargains on the various stalls.
Plymouth Christmas Market
Nov 28 to Dec 15
All the festive sites, smells and atmosphere are brought to the city centre, with the wonderful festive log cabins, festooned with Christmas lights, selling a wide range of unique gifts, crafts, clothing and festive treats including delicious food and live music
Autumn Concert
Nov 30
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir present a concert featuring works by composer geniuses, Haydn and Mozart at 7.30pm in The Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth. The programme, Haydn’s Maria Theresa Mass and Small Organ Mass and Mozart’s Vespers is packed full of beautiful music, with fugues, arias, elaborate bel canto lines and dramatic contrasts. The choir will be welcoming four first class soloists: soprano Catherine Hamilton, mezzo-soprano Judith Le Breuilly, tenor Matthew Minter and baritone James Cleverton. Tickets £20 in advance, £22 on the door, £5 students/U16s. Tickets available from choir members, the choir ticket manager 07949 311030 and wegottickets.com/event/634425. For more information please visit plymouthphilchoir.org
Dick Whittington Nov 30 and Dec 1
Sounds Musical Theatre Company present a proper Plymouth pantomime for the whole family, a bespoke version as he follows his fortune to Plymouth. Performances at 1pm and 6pm, on November 30 and December 1 at 1pm at the newly reburbished
The Christmas calendar kicks off with the switch-on of the City Centre Christmas lights on the Piazza on November 14
community hub Oreston Methodist Church Hall. Tickets £13 adults, £10 children. £42 family ticket. Book online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/sounds
Just Christmas Fair
Nov 30
A ‘fair’ and charitable event with locally and ethically produced goods for sale at Hope Baptist Church, Peverell Corner from 10am to 3pm. Free entry. Refreshments include hot pasties and home made cakes. All welcome.
Christmas Fayre
Nov 30
St Budeaux Methodist Church from 10am to 1pm. Various stalls including a raffle, tombola and cakes. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and bacon or sausage baps will be available.
Festive Good Food and Craft Market
Dec 1, 4, 8, 11, 15 and 18
Royal William Yard’s festive market is back on Sundays and Wednesdays in December. Full details at www. royalwilliamyard.com
Sleeping Beauty
Dec 3 to Dec 7
Presented by the Wranglers Theatre Company at the Muse Theatre, Lipson Community Academy. Directed by Wendy Holmes and featuring a script by Geoff Coventy, this spellbinding panto promises to delight audiences of all ages. Adults £15, family £48. Tickets at www.thewranglers.co.uk/store/c3/Box-Office
Annual Meeting
Dec 4
The Royal British Legion Plympton & District Club will hold their annual meeting at 41 Market Road, Plympton at 7pm. Members to take their membership card.
Christmas Fair
Dec 7
St Francis Church Hall, Honicknowle from 11am to 2pm. Various stalls, tombola, gifts, nearly new, Pig racing and refreshments. All welcome.
Coffee Morning
Dec 7
Crownhill Methodist Church from 10.30am to 12 noon. Various stalls. In aid of Little Bridge House. All welcome.
Christmas Coffee Morning
Dec 7
St Gabriel’s Church, Peverell Terrace from 10am to 12 noon. Home made cakes on sale, plus a selection of small Christmas items. There will be a real
Christmassy raffle and at the end of the morning a grand Christmas draw will take place. It promises to be a very enjoyable morning and everyone is welcome.
Christmas Tree Festival
Dec 7
Presented by Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir at St Maurice Church, Plympton. Admission free. Donations for church funds welcome.
Santa Fun Run
Dec 8
Organised by Saltram Rotary Club with the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership. Event covers 5km around the Barbican and Waterfront with proceeds going to Shekinah and Jeremiah’s Journey. Register at www. plymouthsantafunnrun.co.uk
Christmas Concert
Dec 10
Plymouth Rock Choir present their festive concert at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall from 7.30pm. Doors open at 6.45pm. In aid of Moorvision. Tickets £5 from 07967 979314 or 07951 861233.
After the Fire Open Day
Dec 14
St Francis Church, Honicknowle Open Day 11am to 2pm. Go along and see the church restored after the 2023 fire. Exhibition of photos on view. Bouncy castle and activities for children in the hall. Cups of tea/ coffee. No charge, go along and help celebrate using the church building once more.
Christmas Concert
Dec 14
Plymouth University Choral Society with local soprano soloist Milly Atkinson will be performing John Rutter’s Magnificat and Shepherd’s Pipe Carol, Bob Chilcott’s On Christmas Night, and other carols including I Saw Three Ships (arr. David Willcocks) St Andrew’s Minster Church 7.30pm. Tickets available from Choral Society members or on the door £16 adults, £6 students
Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir
Dec 14
Annual fundraiser concert at Harewood House, Plympton at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 on the door, including mince pies and mulled wine.
Milton Jones
Dec 14
Fans favourite Milton Jones brings his Ha!Milton tour to the Main Hall at Plymouth University at 7.30pm. Tickets available at www.comicalentertainment.com
St Luke’s Light Up A Life
Dec 17
St Andrew’s Church, Royal Parade at 3.30pm featuring the Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir. Admission free. Donations to St Luke’s Hospice welcome.
Farewell Concert
Dec 18
After 52 years of singing and raising around £500,000 for local charities the Plymouth Area Police Choir will be holding its final concert at Methodist Central Hall, Plymouth. They will be supported by the very talented young people of The Legacy Choir. Concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets can be obtained from Andrew at weymo@btinternet.com. A last chance to hear the much acclaimed Plymouth Area Police Choir.
Sir Joshua Reynolds Choir
Dec 19
Crownhill Methodist Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £7 in aid of church funds.
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.
“The
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Work to improve a community sports facility has officially kicked-off.
As part of the city’s ongoing investment in sports facilities, Stoke Damerel Community College is set to become home to three multi-surfaced pitches, providing space for several different sports.
Work will focus on a brand new, 2G sand pitch, which whilst primarily suitable for hockey, is a multi-sports surface and can be used for a number of other activities.
Also in the plans is a smaller 3G pitch, specifically targeted at football and rugby use, which has been supported by a £250,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation. A renovation and upgrade of and existing grass pitch is also set to get underway.
The new additions will be for both school and community use with modern flood lighting to ensure that they can be used all year round
The plans complement the work already underway to transform the former Brickfields Sports Centre into a new community health and wellbeing hub that will be operated by the Argyle Community Trust.
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport, Leisure and HR, joined representatives from Stoke Damerel Community College and the Football Foundation to see work begin. Sue said: “It’s always exciting to see projects that have been long in the planning get to the construction stage. I know that these facilities will be so well-received, not just by Stoke Damerel Community College students, but also by the city’s large sporting community.
“I look forward to seeing work complete and pitches in use by students and residents alike.”
Dan Cole, senior sssistant headteacher of Stoke Damerel Community College, said: “Our new sports facilities will elevate our sports programmes, offering our students and community first-rate resources to train, compete, and stay active.
“This is a significant step in advancing our commitment to fostering well-rounded students by encouraging both academic achievement and physical development”
Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“We’re delighted that works are now underway to deliver the new 3G and grass pitches at Stoke Damerel Community College and we’re excited to see the new facilities in action.”
Barbican Theatre unveils exciting line-up at Marjon’s Quad Theatre
Barbican Theatre Plymouth has announced a dynamic new lineup of events at the Quad Theatre, launching the start of an exciting partnership with Plymouth Marjon University.
The collaboration extends Barbican Theatre’s programming to the north of the city, providing a larger venue for music, comedy, and theatre that promises to bring fresh energy to Plymouth’s cultural scene.
Music lovers can look forward to stellar original and tribute acts such as The Doors Alive (February 6) and Ant Trouble - Adam and the Ants Tribute (February 22). Fans of British rock will also be treated to The Complete Stone Roses (May 2) and a stunning celebration of Stevie Wonder’s hits with The Wonder of Stevie (May 9).
For comedy fans, Comical Entertainment is returning with a star-studded lineup, featuring shows with Shaun Ryder (March 5), Ed Byrne (March19), and the legendary, John Lydon (November 20 2025).
Ray Rose of Creative Edge Events, a local Plymouth promoter known across the circuit for his work, has been instrumental in assembling this new programme at the Quad Theatre.
He said: “The Quad has a rich history of hosting unforgettable events, and I’m thrilled to partner with Barbican Theatre to add a new flavour to the programming. Together, we’re offering something unique to the north of Plymouth, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience these fantastic live performances.”
Claire Honey, business development consultant with Barbican Theatre, who helped shape the partnership added: “This partnership aligns perfectly with Barbican Theatre’s mission to create inclusive, welcoming spaces while supporting the community. By expanding our artistic footprint with Marjon University, we not only increase our programming potential but also support our core work with young people, communities and emerging artists. At a time when the arts are under economic pressure, this collaboration is a bold step in ensuring we continue to deliver enriching creative experiences and support the future of the arts in Plymouth.”
While expanding its presence in the north of the city, Barbican Theatre will continue to produce exciting shows at its waterfront venue.
December will feature Ciderella, Barbican’s alternative Christmas panto, which promises a festive season filled with fun, laughter, and a twist on the traditional holiday favourite.
For more information and to book tickets for these upcoming events, visit Eventbrite.
Plymouth families have been invited to join Improving Lives Plymouth (ILP) for a Christmas craft, family fun and information day in December. Improving Lives is a longestablished charity, working in Plymouth and the surrounding area. The charity has been involved in health and wellbeing support since 1907 and have an excellent track record of delivering services and developing new ones to meet the needs of individuals and communities.
In collaboration with a range of local partners and funding from the Alex Ferry Foundation Improving Lives is hosting the event ion the main sports hall at Plymouth Life Centre from 10.30am to 2pm on Sunday December 1.
There will be over 30 stall holders with an array of unique Christmas gifts providing a great opportunity to pick up those last minute pressies!
The Family-Friendly Fun Zone will have a range of activities suitable for all ages, including arts and crafts, face painting, wooden games, hook a duck, free bouncy castle, sweets and popcorn, Christmas craft making and much more.
The Improving Lives Wellbeing Team will be at the event to offer a variety of health and wellbeing activities available within ILP. Creative sessions will provide the opportunity to learn new skills and connect with others. A relaxation
Plymouth charity organises huge family fun day at the Life Centre
area will offer a number of mindful activities designed to help visitors unwind and recharge.
An Improving Lives spokesperson said: “We are proud to collaborate with numerous local partners in our information zone where they all share our commitment to enhancing the lives of Plymouth residents. From healthcare providers and educational institutions to community organisations and local businesses, our partners will be on-site to offer their expertise and services. An opportunity to get the information you need all in one place.
“This event is more than just a day out; it’s an opportunity to connect with your community, access important resources, and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. Whether you’re looking for support, seeking information, or simply wanting to have fun, this Family Fun and Information Day is the place to be. Together, we can improve lives in Plymouth!”
For more information and updates email ilp@ improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk follow on social media or visit www. improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk
Popular stand up comedian Ed Byrne is appearing at the Quad Theatre
Strictly great way to learn all the best ballroom dancing routines
With Strictly Come Dancing back on TV, more and more people are feeling inspired to learn to dance.
Now there are new weekly ballroom dance lessons in Plymouth for beginners and improvers run by Donahey’s Dance School who have been teaching people to dance for over 54 years.
Donahey’s Dance School have just launched a new series of weekly dance classes in Plymstock and Woolwell.
The ballroom dancing classes take place at Plymstock School on Mondays from 7pm for beginners and improvers and from 8pm for improved beginners and intermediate lessons.
The Woolwell Centre is the venue for beginners and improvers lessons on Wednesdays at 8pm.
Participants are promised excellent dance tuition in a relaxed and fun environment and with dancing being a great way to keep fit and healthy there are many other benefits.
Dancing is a perfect activity to enjoy together and even those with two left feet will benefit from the experience.
There is the chance to learn all the popular ballroom and Latin dances seen on Strictly Come Dancing, including the waltz, foxtrot, cha cha, jive, Argentine tango and more. The ideal opportunity to prepare for upcoming social occasions such as cruises, dinner
dances, holidays and more. For more information and to book places visit www.donaheys.co.uk/devon
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
Library to host Skills and Careers Festival All set for a banging Bonfire Night!
On Course South West and Plymouth Libraries have announced the launch of their first Skills and Careers Festival, a free event designed to showcase opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The festival will take place on Saturday November 2, from 10am to 2pm at St Budeaux Library. The event aims to connect residents with: Upskilling opportunities, local employers and career advice and guidance experts. The event is free and free parking is available nearby.
Attendees will have the chance to explore various career paths, learn about educational programmes, and receive personalised advice from industry professionals. The festival is an excellent opportunity for job seekers or anyone looking to enhance their skills or change careers.
There will be local counsellors, employers and community organisations from across the city, highlighting the importance of this community-focused initiative.
A spokesperson for On Course South West said: “We would like to encourage local residents to join us at the event with the chance to take the next step in their career journey and discover the wealth of opportunities available in the local community.
Pre-register interest in the event by going to www.oncoursesouthwest.co.uk/news/skillsand-careers-festival-comes-to-st-budeauxlibrary
City to receive
£600,000 in
wake of riots
Plymouth MP Luke Pollard and Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans have welcomed the Government’s announcement that the city is to receive a share of funding from a newly established Community Recovery Fund following the recent riots.
The city will receive £600,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in response to the violent disorder that took place in Plymouth in August.
Luke Pollard, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “I am incredibly proud of how Plymouth came together in August to tackle the violence and disorder that was brought to our streets, but it will take time for our communities to fully recover.
“The £600,000 Community Recovery Fund awarded by the government is a huge boost which will mean more help to deliver targeted support to our most impacted communities.
“Plymouth is so much better than the criminal disorder we saw. To truly defeat that hate we need to tackle the root causes of it as well as protecting and reassuring communities in real pain worrying whether Plymouth is safe for them. This funding will help the council motor that work.”
Tudor Evans, added: “Any additional money from the government is always welcome and we will ensure every penny is spent wisely for the benefit of everyone in Plymouth.”
Plymouth’s popular Bonfire Night is set to return once again this November, making Plymouth Hoe the backdrop to a glittering fireworks display.
On Tuesday November 5, it’s estimated that up to 20,000 spectators will be heading to the Hoe to attend the annual Bonfire Night. The event will include a 15-minute fireworks display launched from the Citadel wall, a large bonfire, fairground rides and catering stalls.
The event will start at 4pm, and the bonfire will be lit at 7pm, with a spectacular display of fireworks starting at 7.30pm to round off the night.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Events, said: “Bonfire Night is one of the most important events in our calendars every year in Plymouth. Year after year we have an impressive bonfire and fireworks display which is not to be missed. The event is free to attend with lots of fun things to do on the evening for families.”
Attending the event on Plymouth Hoe is also
one of the safest ways to celebrate Bonfire Night, reducing the potential danger from private back garden bonfires and fireworks, relieving the burden on the emergency services during a particularly busy time, and helping to cut back on carbon emissions.
The event will be sponsored by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership this year, whose chief executive Jon Walton, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this incredibly popular, and free to attend annual event, that truly showcases our spectacular Hoe and waterfront.
“This event brings footfall into our businesses, and in doing so supports our local economy. We wish all a very enjoyable evening and remember to stay safe this Bonfire Night.”
Parking in the area around the Hoe and the Barbican will be very limited and people are being advised to use city centre car parks, such as Western Approach or Theatre Royal.
It’s important to plan travel to the event in
advance as there will be road closures around the area. Disabled parking will be available on the Hoe for those displaying a blue badge. Road closures:
• Hoe Road from the mound at the Citadel to the junction of Pier Street - 5pm to 9pm
• Madeira Road from the junction of Elphinstone to the junction of Hoe Road - 5pm to 9pm
• Citadel Road from the junction of Hoe Approach to the junction of Lockyer Street - 5pm to 9pm
• Armada Way loop (Crowne Plaza) 5pm to 9pm
• Windsor Place for its entirety - 5pm to 9pm
• Osbourne Place to the junction of the Esplanade - 7am to 9pm
• Notte Street from The Crescent to Hoe approach - 7.30pm to 8.30pm
• The Crescent from Millbay Road to Notte Street - 7.30pm to 8.30pm
• Princess Street from the junction of Lockyer Street to the junction of Princess Ope Inc. access from Armada Way - 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
Funding to make Plymouth safer for women and girls
Plymouth community groups tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the city can apply for grants of up to £5,000 thanks to new funding.
The £35,000 funding pot is available through a partnership between Plymouth City Council, Devon Community Foundation and the Sedel-Collings Foundation.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Plymouth City Council, said:
“The fund is an excellent initiative to offer to those who are working hard to keep women and girls safe.
“The fund forms part of our commitment for a safer Plymouth, and as partners working together in the city, we are committed to tackling violence against women and girls.
“We have so many incredible organisations in our city that already do some amazing work in tackling VAWG, we hope that the fund will offer more opportunities for others to join us.”
Councillor Zoe Reilly, Violence Against Women and Girls Champion for the city, said: “This fund will help organisations promote cultural change
around VAWG and DASV (domestic abuse and sexual violence), and work towards increasing the safety of women and girls in the city.
“It is vital that we continue to push this work forward. Let’s continue working together to tackle violence against women and girls.”
In recent years the tragic cases of Bobbi Anne McLeod, Kerry Power and the five victims of the Keyham shooting have all provided stark evidence of the need to take urgent action now.
In developing its strategy, Plymouth’s Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Partnership Board drew on the accounts of more than 150 people with lived experience of VAWGDASV, as well as the knowledge and experience of agencies and organisations working in this field.
The board also commissioned a survey in Plymouth which found that 49 per cent of respondents had experienced some level of harm/ abuse or inappropriate behaviour whilst at home. And nearly 40 per cent had experienced unwanted sexually explicit online comments, emails, messages or images.
This new funding is ring-fenced for community
organisations whose work supports the Plymouth VAWGDASV strategy. This includes increasing the safety of women and girls in the city, support and services to adult and child survivors of VAWGDASV and interventions which engage with those who harm.
The fund is available through Devon Community Foundation’s Small Grants application process, which is open to grassroots organisations across Devon working to strengthen communities and tackle inequalities.
Hayley Everett, head of Fundraising and Communications at women and children’s charity Trevi, said: “Funding initiatives to end violence against women and girls is not only a moral imperative but a societal investment.
“It ensures that survivors can access the support they need to heal, while also addressing the root causes of violence, creating safer communities, and breaking the cycle of abuse that perpetuates trauma across generations.”
Information on applying for a grant can be found at Violence Against Women and Girls Fund - Devon Community Foundation (devoncf.com)
Photo: Scott Grenney One Plymouth
19 October 202412 January 2025
In partnership with ARTIST ROOMS, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland
Paul RooneyBroken Token
19 October 202412 January 2025
An IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund commission, in partnership with The Box Plymouth
Devonport 200
19 October 202412 January 2025
Photo:
The Box delights with exciting autumn exhibitions
New exhibitions at The Box are bringing an exciting combination of historical and contemporary art to the city this autumn.
Land Sea Sky: Ingrid Pollard, JMW Turner & Vija Celmins (October 19 to January 12 2025) has been developed in partnership with ARTIST ROOMS, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. This major exhibition brings
together three artists who, although working more than 200 years apart, are connected through their close observation of nature and skillful use of materials.
It includes over 15 works by the muchloved JMW Turner, showing how he captured the essence of the land and sea before the invention of photography.
Paul Rooney: Broken Token (also October 19 to January 12 2025) is a two-screen film that explores the idea of home during a time of war. It’s part of the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund – a national partnership programme led by Imperial War Museums. Its production has involved Plymouth veterans, creatives and West Country folk
Departing Sat 10 May ‘25
in the Emilia Romagna region.
Your break includes
Return coach travel & ferry crossings from Plymouth
First & last
on a bed & breakfast basis in France (JG3 rating) 9 nights at selected hotels in Italy (JG3, JG3+ or JG4 rating) with breakfast plus 7 dinners
Guided city tour of Modena, balsamic vinegar tasting tour at Acetaia Malpighi
Admission to the Ferrari Museum & the MeBo Museum of Brewing and Cheesemaking
Guided tour of Villa Griffone (Marconi Museum), the ‘Southern Shores of Lake Garda’ coach tour with a lunch stop at Rocca Scagliera & guided walking tour of Biella
Services of a tour manager
Excursions to Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore Fanano, Bologna, Biella & Turin
En-route visits to Vercelli & Sirmione
We explore the snow-dusted peaks and beautiful towns of Austria on this wonderful all-inclusive break, featuring a scenic boat cruise, a trip on the Ziller Valley Steam Train, surrounded by beautiful rugged mountains and a cheese tasting at a local dairy farm.
Your break includes
Return coach travel & ferry crossings from Plymouth
First & last night on a bed & breakfast basis in France (last night with a light evening meal)
6 nights at the Gasthof Kirchenwirt Hotel, Zell am Ziller (JG3 rating)
Welcome drink, dinner, breakfast, packed lunches & free bar (10am-10pm) on house wine, beer, soft drinks, tea & coffee
Journey on the Ziller Valley Steam Train
Guided visit & tasting at a Ziller Valley Cheese Farm
Cruise on Lake Achensee
Excursions to Rattenberg, Kissling Glass Factory, Krimml Waterfalls & Kitzbühel
singer Hannah Martin. Rooney has combined the veterans’ recollections of connecting with home during conflicts in the Falklands, The Gulf and Afghanistan with film footage and a melodic folk ballad.
The Box is also celebrating the 200th anniversary of the founding of Devonport –once a separate town named Dock – through displays that draw on the city’s archives and a new commission by filmmakers Naresh Kaushal and Jamie Harper.
Discover more about these, plus Osman Yousefzada: When will we be good enough? (November 2 to March 9 2025) and Planet Ocean (until April 27 2025) at www. theboxplymouth.com
Enjoy everything that’s on offer this autumn and help it reach this important milestone. Join The Box on its ‘Journey to
The Box will soon be welcoming its one millionth visitor and it could be someone reading this article. There’s only one way to find out! If you, your family or friends haven’t yet visited, went a while ago and have been meaning to go back, or you’re a regular attendee, why not head to The Box again?
Departing Sat 10 May ‘25
Fall in love with Europe’s greatest river as we sail on the Rhine from Cologne through Strasbourg and onto Koblenz in Germany.
Your break includes
Return coach travel & return ferry crossings with included access to Club Lounge from Plymouth
First night at a selected hotel in Belgium (JG4 rating) with dinner & breakfast
7-night round-trip cruise from Cologne, Germany on a premium all-inclusive basis
Free use of all on-board facilities such as sauna & fitness room
Use of on-board e-bikes for independent exploration in key locations
On-board entertainment (includes up to two cultural performances)
Free A-ROSA app to help you explore, services of an on-board Guest Relations Manager & port taxes
Excursions to Heidelberg & the Moselle (Bernkastel & Cochem) & guided walking tour of Koblenz
One of 15 works by the much-loved artist JMW Turner in the exhibition: Kilchurn Castle with the Cruchan Ben Mountains, Noon 1801. Photo - The Box, Plymouth
Ingrid Pollard’s Three Drops of Blood by Ingrid Pollard. Image by Stephen Tolfrey. Courtesy of The Box, Plymouth. © the artist
BENEFITS OF FOSTERING
Fostering can mean everything to those involved. That’s the message of a powerful new fostering film from over 100 councils – including Plymouth.
‘Everything’ is the seventh film produced by a growing partnership of councils and children’s trusts to promote local authority fostering. The ‘Everything’ project is the largest collaboration yet, with participants from Cumbria to Devon and Lancashire to Essex.
Councillor Jemima Laing, deputy leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “The ‘Everything’ project has given our fostering service an amazing film that shows the long-term impact fostering can have, with relationships between carers and children lasting well into adulthood.
“By collaborating to produce this emotionally powerful film, we will show people how rewarding and life-changing fostering is. Everything’ will help us to reach more people in our communities and encourage them to find out more about this really rewarding role.
“We are committed to giving vulnerable children and young people we care for the best chance to thrive, which for the vast majority of them is with local fostering families.
“If fostering is something you’re interested in I would urge you to please get in touch with our Foster for Plymouth team today to find out more.”
‘Everything’ follows foster carer Mike and his family on a journey through time with two of the children they have looked after, who are now adults. A surprise 60th birthday party for Mike gives Will and Zara a chance to reflect on how being fostered made a difference to their lives, thanking him for everything.
The concluding message of the film is that what you do in life could forever change someone else’s – encouraging people to foster in order to make that change.
The film was developed with the input and insight of foster carers and people with care experience, was produced by Reel TwentyFive and project managed by public sector media partner CAN/Rachel Brown.
Project director, Rachel Brown described the main message of the film: “Many people don’t realise how common it is for relationships made through fostering to last well beyond the ‘official’ caring role. This has a huge impact on the lives of those who have been fostered, giving them stability and security well into adulthood.
“We also wanted to reflect how the children of foster carers make a difference to children when they come into care, helping them to feel part of the family.
“Fostering with your local council or children’s trust means you can better support local children and young people who need a safe and nurturing home where they can grow and thrive.”
For more information about fostering in Plymouth, visit www.fosterforplymouth.co.uk
FROM LIVING IN A TENT TO HELPING BUILD HOMES FOR VETERANS – ADRIAN JOINS IN THE STIRLING PROJECT CELEBRATION
A veterans’ self-build scheme in Honicknowle has celebrated its official completion.
Based on the site of a former residential care home at Honicknowle Green, the Stirling Project has seen a number of previously homeless military veterans involved in the construction of the self-contained affordable homes to rent.
The project has helped the veterans with employment, learning skills for life and in some cases, new careers.
At the ceremony marking the completion of the project veterans welcomed representatives from Plymouth City Council, partners LiveWest and Alabaré, as well as MPs Luke Pollard and Fred Thomas, to their new homes.
The whole development is made up of 25 homes social rent, architect-designed homes, each with air source heat pumps to improve energy efficiency and help resident’s save on their energy bills.
Adrian Colwill, 49, joined the forces at the age of 16 and served in the Royal Artillery before performing a number of successful roles, including managing a hotel, when he left the military.
During this time, Adrian experienced some mental health challenges which, despite being years after leaving the forces, left him on the brink of becoming homeless and at times living in a tent. Adrian was involved in the project from the start and now lives in the home he helped to build.
Adrian said: “I don’t know where I’d be now had I not had this experience because life has taken a vastly different path and a path that I will forever be grateful for. There are no superlatives to quantify what’s happened.
“I have been on the verge of homelessness, living in a bedsit and living in tents, living in all sorts of things throughout my adult life. This is somewhere I can have pride, can open the door and go – oh, I put that door in.
“There isn’t one area of this house where I haven’t had a hand in – this is a home. To go from being virtually homeless to building my home is a phenomenal journey, something you wouldnt believe was viable.”
our partners on such a flagship scheme for Plymouth, supporting the further regeneration of the city.
“The Stirling House Project has provided much-needed housing and offered ex-service personnel the unique and special opportunity to get involved with the construction of the homes, learn new skills and build on the scheme supported by Alabaré.
“We are proud to offer these high-quality and energy-efficient homes, where the build and design of the project focuses on the wellbeing of its residents.
“Our commitment to delivering more affordable homes helps to create communities where more families and individuals have a safe place to call home.”
The Stirling House Project began in 2021 after the council selected LiveWest as a partner to redevelop the site. They joined forces with Alabaré, who provide a range of accommodation and support for ex-Armed Forces personnel who have struggled in their civilian lives, and who run several veterans’ self-build schemes across the South and South West.
Russell Baldwinson, executive director of Development and Investment at LiveWest, said: “We are delighted to have worked with
Of the 25 homes, 19 are one and twobedroom flats together with two, three and four-bedroom housing.
The large four-bedroom house has also been designed as a wheelchair adapted property, helping to address the significant shortage of such properties across the city.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Cooperative Development, said: “The Stirling Project has been far more than just a housing scheme; we’ve built far more than just homes.
“By working in partnership, we’ve managed to build new skills, new careers and new starts for our veterans and I’m so proud of everyone involved.
“I’ve made no secret of the fact that Plymouth is in the middle of a housing crisis and that we must tackle it head on.
Innovative housing schemes that tackle our local need, like the Stirling Project, can and will be replicated.”
Throughout the project, Alabaré has provided support to the veterans, helping them to rebuild their self-esteem, mental health and wellbeing, and empowering them to go on to live successful, independent civilian lives in the new homes they have built.
The support provided by Alabaré has been funded thanks to grants from Plymouth City Council, LiveWest, Veterans’ Foundation and Army Benevolent Fund
Major (Rtd) Ken Hames, chief operating officer of Alabaré Veterans’ Self-Build Scheme, said: “Days like today are what makes the Veterans’ Self-Build stand out. Our veterans have embraced the opportunity to learn new skills on the building site which has led to new employment and new homes for them.
Personal development
“However, it is the personal development that happens alongside it that is fundamental to the overall transformation in they report in their lives.
“The site, its rigour and its creativity improve attitude, mindset, and mental health that, when aligned, help enable a veteran to reintegrate back into the community and manage their new tenancy successfully.
“By working in partnership with housing providers and local authorities, Alabaré is delighted that we can offer veterans an innovative pathway of support which enables them to move on to a new life of their choosing.”
The development has benefited from a £1.7m grant from Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency.
Totnes-based, Coyde Construction, was contracted to build the Stirling House scheme which was designed by architects Form Design.
Pictured at the opening ceremony celebration (from left) Councillor Chris Penberthy, veterans Debbie and Adrian, Karl Arrowsmith of Alabaré and Gareth Jones of LiveWest
Former veteran Adrian Colwill speaking at the ceremony
the video
Whitleigh’s Woodlands School launches
‘Full of Beans’ £25,000 crowdfunder
Woodlands School in Whitleigh has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £25,000 towards their ‘Full of Beans’ Coffee Shop to empower students with disabilities.
Woodlands School, which supports children with complex physical and sensory disabilities in Plymouth and the local area, is raising the funds for the student-led community coffee shop. The initiative aims to equip students with practical skills, promote independence, and foster community engagement. The project is part of the school’s commitment to providing real-world learning experiences for its 88 pupils, aged from two to 19, who face a variety of medical and sensory challenges.
“There’s a gap between the nurturing school environment where students learn essential skills and the broader community where they must apply them,” said Philip Hanrahan, deputy head and project leader. “This space would allow our students to use and generalise their skills in a realworld setting by interacting with the wider community, friends, and families.”
Woodlands School has already raised £10,000 through sponsored events, including the city’s Half Marathon and Schools Challenge, but to bring this transformative project to life, additional funds are needed. The school is now turning to the community and seeking support through crowdfunding, with match funding provided by the Aviva Community Fund.
The Full of Beans Coffee Shop, to be built on the school grounds, will serve as a practical learning environment where students will gain hands-on experience in customer service, food preparation, and money handling. The café will offer a crucial stepping-stone, preparing students for future employment,
particularly in the hospitality sector, while also nurturing vital life skills like teamwork, independence, and financial literacy.
Andrea Hemmens, headteacher of Woodlands School said: “This café will be a fantastic opportunity for our students to practice team work, financial literacy and improve their communication skills, as well as creating an excellent brew. These experiences will not only enhance their skills sets but also prepare them for real-world challenges.
“We want our young people to aspire to future employment opportunities; our ethos encapsulates empowerment, and this café will offer every student, irrespective of their abilities, the chance to participate and be involved.”
Not only will the coffee shop benefit the students and their families, but it will also
serve the wider community. The project will provide opportunities for local businesses and organisations to collaborate with the school, promoting sustainability by using local suppliers and teaching students where their food comes from.
The café will be built using eco-friendly materials, reflecting Woodlands School’s commitment to sustainability.
The Aviva Community Fund will match each donation up to £250, up to a total of £50,000 in match funding, doubling the impact of each contribution.
Funds raised will go towards purchasing equipment, training students, and building a sustainable café structure. Woodlands School invites the public to help make this project a reality and ensure students with disabilities have the tools they need to build a brighter, more independent future.
Andrea added: “We invite our community to contribute to our crowdfunding campaign to help make this café a reality.
“We look forward to welcoming our many supporters to join us for a celebratory drink, slice of cake or an ice cream, all served by our incredible students. We can’t wait to meet and serve you when we are open!”
To donate and learn more about the project, visit www.avivacommunityfund. co.uk/p/woodlands-coffee-shop-project
Next steps for the city centre college campus
A team of specialists are to be appointed by Plymouth City Council to prepare the Civic Centre for its new life.
Earlier this year the cuncil agreed to buy back the Civic Centre from Urban Splash and unveiled exciting proposals to create a major new campus in the Civic Centre focussed on delivering future green and blue jobs and skills.
A decision has now been signed authorising the appointment of a consultant team with the expertise and capacity to progress the detailed, technical surveys and design work required to prepare the Civic Centre for its new life.
City College Plymouth is looking to expand its offer and building on its success in attracting strong engineering and construction partnerships is looking for a new central location for a skills hub.
The proposals for a new city centre campus could see up to 60 courses being delivered, focussing on the city’s emerging marine sector – known as the blue sector – as well as a host of programmes in the environment – the green sector. Up to 2,000 extra people, from school leavers to adult learners, could be learning new skills within the transformed lower floors of the Civic.
Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Mark Lowry, said: “We have committed to a new life for the Civic Centre and it is a priority for us –not just to build confidence in the wider city centre – but to make sure City College Plymouth have a central location to deliver the next generation of skilled workers for our city’s key industries.
“We need to deploy consultants with serious expertise to design and manage repair work as well re-clad the building. replace the façade and get the ground floors ready for fit out and occupation by City College Plymouth.
“We need to do this to secure the campus, keep the public funding already secured for the Civic Centre and to maximise our ability to secure other public funding which is required for the project.”
Contractors are expected to be on site at the end of next month to complete the internal strip out works. This is expected to continue into the new year.
The total cost of employing a full design team to design and manage the works is estimated to be £2.6 million over the next few years.
Police are seeking witnesses and dashcam footage following a collision in Plymouth which left a cyclist seriously injured.
Emergency services were called to Forder Valley Road at 12.45pm on Saturday October 19 after the collision involving a grey Audi A7 and a male cyclist.
The cyclist, a man in his 60s from Plymouth, sustained life-changing injuries and was taken to Derriford Hospital.
Forder Valley Road was closed for around two hours to allow officers to conduct an investigation and for vehicle recovery. Officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision and asking for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam capturing the incident to contact them.
Please contact police online or by telephone on 101, quoting log
Viewpoint
By Andy Lugger Southway city councillor and leader of the Conservative Group on Plymouth City Council
Plymouth airport - some facts not just propaganda
Plymouth has a proud aviation history; the first Trans Atlantic crossing landed in Plymouth Sound in 1919, the world’s first airmail took off from Mountbatten and the current airport played a significant role during the Second World War when it was RAF Roborough.
The airport closed its doors in 2011, when the tenant (wholly owned by Sutton Harbour Holdings) deemed it uneconomic, so enacted the Armageddon Clause in Schedule 7 of the airport lease. It is a myth that the Conservative Group closed it. What is a fact is the airport site has been ‘mothballed’ since then and the Labour Group had more than one opportunity to take it back for aviation.
While nobody expects a massive international airport on that small site, the people of Plymouth do need some form of aviation to be returned. A city with 265,000 inhabitants and no aviation is a paradox. An airport is vital for a city of this size –many businesses pulled out of Plymouth when the airport closed, and, others are deterred from establishing themselves here because of poor communications. Economic growth depends on re-opening this site.
The Conservative Group stimulated council support when two Motions on Notice were passed in an attempt to restore aviation to the airport site. The first Motion in September 2023 called for the formation of a Strategic Working Group (Cross Party) to progress the re-opening of Plymouth Airport. The second Motion in January this year called for a Notice of Forfeiture to be served on the tenant.
The hope is that once the old lease is ‘cleared off’ and the site returned to the freeholder, Plymouth City Council, aviation may be restored to Plymouth. Both Motions, although amended by the Labour Administration, were backed by full Council.
The city needs connectivity with the region, country and Europet. Our Motions were not a mandate for dogma, but, in part, calling for a return to the past. The airport is needed in order for the city to prosper and stave off any future industrial decline.
There are problems landing emergency services and military here. Chief executives of big business are put off coming to Plymouth because there is nowhere to land a helicopter. I do not want the site covered in housing.
Plymouth MP meets with Health Secretary to press case for Derriford works to continue
Plymouth Moor View’ s recently elected MP Fred Thomas has met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to underline the urgent need for works at Derriford Hospital to continue.
He said: “Like all local people, I am frustrated with these continued delays. A new emergency centre at Derriford is desperately needed and I am angry that the previous Government failed to allocate the funds to secure our centre.
“I insisted on meeting with the Health Secretary to discuss the future of Derriford. I explained how many people in Plymouth and beyond rely on Derriford and urged the Labour government to make it a priority.
“I will continue to campaign for a new emergency centre and work with the Labour government to get this done as soon as possible.”
Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “Fred has been a tireless campaigner for a new emergency centre at Derriford and has made a strong case for this hospital to be a priority.
“However unlike the previous government I am not prepared to mislead local people over the cost and offer false hope about how soon they will benefit from the facilities they deserve. We are working at pace because I recognise how important it is that we commit to a realistic timetable to deliver the healthcare facility local people need and deserve.
“We will not play fast and loose with the public finances, nor will we play fast and loose with people’ s trust as the previous Government did.”
Fred Thomas has also launched a petition to improve NHS dentistry provision in Plymouth which he will present to Parliament in due course. The petition highlights the fact that an estimated 22,000 people in the city are on the NHS dentistry waiting list.
The petition calls on the government to increase the number of NHS dental appointments in Plymouth, as well as to recruit more dentists in the city and reform the NHS dental contract.
Residents of Plymouth Moor View can sign the petition on Fred’ s website at the at www.fredforplymouth.com/dentistry
He pointed out that only 42 per cent of Plymouth children have seen an NHS dentist in the last 12 months, and only 30 per cent of
Plymouth adults have seen an NHS dentist in the last 24 months. Devon has lost nearly 100 NHS dentists in the last decade, with numbers falling from 669 in 2014/15 to 579 in 2022/23.
Fred Thomas added: “The previous government have left behind a dire inheritance on NHS dentistry here in Plymouth.
“Everyone in our city should have access to an NHS dentist, and I will present this petition in the House of Commons to keep the spotlight on this issue.
“I know that the new Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, shares my determination to fix NHS dentistry.”
Drive to cut carbon footprint at Southway business as parent company wins prestigious award
Schneider Electric, the brand behind Southway-based Drayton and Wiser, has been named the Most Sustainable Company of 2024 by TIME and Statista.
Scoring 88.6 out of a maximum of 100 in a rigorous rating system, Schneider has ranked higher on the sustainability scale than global brands such as NEC Corp, Siemens, PayPal, HP and Microsoft.
Ratings like this hold companies across the globe to high standards for their carbon emissions, as well as their energy consumption relative to company size.
The recognition is thanks to Schneider’s purpose and positioning as an impact company, meaning that as part of this global network of sustainable businesses, Schneider is aiding the transition to lower carbon energy consumption and empowering more households to become more efficient with their energy.
Having set ambitious targets to reduce its emissions - and be carbon neutral by 2025 - through its sustainability
impact programme, Schneider Electric empowers customers to reduce emissions and become more energy efficient through both large-scale Sustainability Business projects focused on energy management, and smaller scale domestic smart heating controls designed to empower every household to save energy and money.
As an integral part of Schneider Electric, Plymouth-based Drayton – one of the UK’s leading heating control manufacturers – belongs to a worldwide network of sustainable businesses that are aiding the transition to low
carbon energy consumption.
At the Plymouth site in Southway Drive the Drayton team have hugely reduced their carbon footprint from over 600 tonnes in 2017 to just under 50 tonnes in 2023.
This was achieved through the purchase of 100 per cent green energy, reducing single use plastics in the supply chain by 99 per cent, increasing the site’s biodiversity, more efficient gas heating, among numerous other projects that have enhanced energy efficiency.
Jeremy Palmer, general manager at Drayton, said: “As
part of Schneider Electric, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Through our approach to sustainable business, we support our local communities and green spaces to ensure we act for the climate both in the industry, and within our communities.”
For the company’s recent volunteering day, a nearly 50-strong group of Drayton employees volunteered at Mount Edgcumbe House & Gardens, helping to support the local green spaces.
For more information, visit www.wiser.draytoncontrols.co.uk
Drayton workers who took part in the Volunteering Day at Mount Edgcumbe
Plymouth Moor View MP Fred Thomas meets with Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP
Big grant will provide Plymouth students with life-changing experiences overseas
Plymouth City Council’s adult education provider On Course South West has been awarded nearly £200,000 to enable students to travel abroad for life-changing experiences.
The £190,000 funding has come the Turing Scheme, the UK government’s programme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world.
On Course South West’s successful bid will enable 86 learners to further their education and experiences across seven different locations - Iceland, Tenerife, Paris, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland.
“We are delighted to offer Plymouth students this incredible opportunity to broaden their horizons and develop crucial skills for their future careers,” said Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships.
“The Turing Scheme funding allows us to prioritise inclusivity, ensuring that students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs can access
City will see warm and welcoming spaces open soon this winter
Venues across Plymouth are opening their doors again this winter to offer people a safe, warm space, as part of the city’s cost of living support for residents.
Household Support Funds have been distributed to the Council by the Government to help those who are struggling to afford energy, water, food and other essentials because of the rise in cost of living, as part of this funding, businesses have the opportunity to apply to become a Welcoming Space this winter.
The warm, welcome spaces were a success last year, many locations stayed open all year round, running regular community cafes or events to help bring people together and support them.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said: “The Welcoming Spaces are not just a place to keep warm but somewhere for people to come together as a community during the winter months.
“The aim of the Welcoming Spaces is to help build individual and community resilience which could include signposting or providing some information and advice, encouraging the development of mutual aid and connecting people, and sharing and increasing skills and knowledge.
“We understand the rise in the cost of living, and I am really pleased to see that more places will be opening their doors to support residents this winter.”
For more information about Welcoming Spaces, visit: www.plymouth.gov.uk/ welcoming-spaces
these transformative experiences.”
Key highlights of OCSW’s Turing Scheme project include:
• 77% of placements reserved for students from disadvantaged backgrounds
• 69% of spaces allocated to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Diverse range of destinations offering unique cultural and educational experiences
• Tailored support to ensure accessibility for all participants
Students interested in the opportunity to study or work abroad should contact On Course South West for more details on eligibility and how to apply.
The Turing Scheme is revolutionising access to international education, and OCSW playing a part in creating a more globally-minded and skilled workforce for the future.
For more information visit www. oncoursesouthwest.co.uk
Pictured right: On Course South West Principal, Mark Trewin and Curriculum Lead, Charlotte Jacobs
Ernesettle
Beavers
rewarded with their new badges and teddy bears
Beaver scouts in Plymouth have become the latest to be presented to badges in recognition of their understanding about healthy relationships.
The new Healthy Relationships badge has been developed by the NSPCC’s Together for Childhood project in the city alongside the 31st Plymouth (Ernesettle) Scout Group.
Badges were first handed out to the youngest members of the scout group – the Squirrels – earlier this year and now the Beavers have completed the badge.
They have been presented with their badges along with teddy bears which had been donated by Build-A-Bear.
To achieve the badges the children – aged between six and eight – had to complete a number of activities which have been devised to encourage healthy relationships.
These included the children creating something which shows what friendship means to them; encouraging kindness and completing an activity which shows kindness; and an activity which makes children consider their feelings and who they should talk to if they have any worries or concerns.
At the presentation event the children were joined by their parents and carers who took part in an activity to make friendship bracelets along with a game of Simon Says based around displaying emotions.
The children were also treated to a visit from Pantosaurus, the NSPCC’s larger than life dinosaur who helps to keep
New Director of Public Health for Plymouth announced
children safe from abuse.
Jacky Wood, Together for Childhood Community lead, said: “The Beavers have shown a real enthusiasm for the Healthy Relationships badge. The programme of activities help children to learn in an age appropriate way the importance of kindness, friendship, consent and relationships.
“We have had fantastic support from the Beavers’ leaders in delivering the Healthy Relationships badge and it was great to see parents and carers getting involved at the session this week.
“The children showed a real understanding of what they have learned about Healthy Relationships and they have been able to learn about this serious subject in a fun way.”
The Healthy Relationships badges presented in Plymouth are the first to be awarded in the country. There are hopes that they could be rolled out to other Scout groups across the city and eventually around the country.
Professor Steve Maddern (pictured above) will be joining Plymouth City Council in December, as Dr Ruth Harrell steps down after eight years in the role. Steve, who is originally from Plymouth, brings a wealth of experience to the role having successfully led public health initiatives in Swindon where he is currently Director of Public Health. He began his early career in pharmacy and has worked in a number of roles in the NHS, Public Health England and local authorities.
As the new director, he will take responsibility for a number of key areas including public health, environmental health, trading standards, community empowerment, leisure, licensing and bereavement services.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “We’re delighted to welcome Steve to Plymouth and his expertise and experience will be invaluable as we work to make Plymouth a brilliant place to grow up and to grow old. I would also like to express huge thanks to Ruth for all her hard work over the last eight years as director of Public Health. I have greatly appreciated all her advice during our time working together.”
Tracey Lee, chief executive of Plymouth City Council, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ruth for her outstanding contributions to public health in Plymouth and her commitment and dedication, in particular the absolutely pivotal role that she played in guiding the city through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I look forward to working with Steve and we welcome the expertise and fresh perspective he’ll bring as we work to deliver our public health priorities to support local residents.”
Ruth first joined the council as a consultant in Public Health in 2014 and then became interim director of Public Health before taking on the role permanently in 2017. She will remain at the council but is moving into a part-time consultant role which will help to ensure a smooth transition.
Ruth said: “I’m delighted that Steve is joining Plymouth City Council as the new Director of Public Health. Unfortunately, my own health means that I couldn’t continue to give the role all that it required - and that the people of Plymouth deserve. I am really pleased to be able to hand over the baton to Steve and look forward to continuing to work with him and the rest of the team in the future.”
The youngsters with their teddy bears
Navy chefs prepare meals for homeless
A Royal Navy Outreach team from Devonport Naval Base has joined two local charities in Plymouth to help distribute meals to homeless people in the city.
Working alongside the Plymouth Salvation Army and Mutley Baptist Church, Royal Navy chefs, working from their mobile catering trailer produced hot meals and helped at several locations, across Plymouth with local charity volunteers, during their Feed the Homeless week.
The organiser of the event and chief liaison for the Royal Navy’s Outreach team was Writer Bethany Cummings. Bethany has been planning with the charities over several months.
“We are excited to be supporting this venture with our finest chefs from the Royal Navy who’ve volunteered their time and effort to prepare hot meals for the homeless community,” said Bethany.
“For me personally, meeting members of the public and service users during the event as well as speaking to you everyone has been tremendously rewarding.”
One of the chefs helping to cook the meals was Stephen Trotter, who is proud to have helped with the charities in Plymouth.
“As chefs in the Royal Navy, we take pride in serving food across the fleet. So, we’ve been thrilled to have contributed and liaise with MBC and the Salvation Army to cook and help those in need.
“It’s so sad seeing anybody in a difficult situation, so knowing that we’ve provided them with potentially their only hot meal of the day and make their day just that little bit better makes it all worthwhile.”
“I am very proud and impressed of what the team has managed to deliver, both with the Salvation Army and with the Mutley Baptist Church,” said Colonel Mike Scanlon.
“The event was planned and executed brilliantly by our team, and it gives me such comfort to know that they are using their skills and generosity to help out the community when the opportunities arise.”
Call for nominations for Community Hero Award
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership (PWP) has announced that nominations are now open for its annual Community Hero Award. This special award recognises individuals or organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to the Plymouth waterfront community.
The winner of the award is given the honour of switching on the Barbican Christmas Lights. Last year Professor Jacqui Stedmon was the community hero and this year’s event will continue to raise funds for Jeremiah’s Journey.
The PWP Community Hero Award celebrates those who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on the waterfront, whether through volunteer work, community projects, or simply making a difference in the lives of others.
The award is a way to recognise and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of individuals and organisations that help to create a vibrant and thriving waterfront community.
To nominate someone for the Community Hero Award, please visit www.visitplymouth.co.uk/christmas-in-plymouth/barbican-christmaslights-nomination and submit a brief description of their achievements. The deadline for nominations is November 8.
The winner of the Community Hero Award will join the Lord Mayor, Santa and a special guest at the Barbican Christmas Lights switch-on on Saturday November 16.
Armada Way work is now under way – at long last!
The long-awaited scheme to make Armada Way a greener, safer, more family-friendly city centre is now off the starting blocks.
Council leader Tudor Evans and city centre champion
Councillor Mark Lowry marked the start of work by digging the ground at the top compound near North Cross, which will become a hive of industry as contractors swing into action.
Councillor Evans said: “This is a big day and a big deal. We said we would sort Armada Way and we are. It’s been a hell of a journey, but we are determined to make it worthwhile. There is so much to be gained from this scheme – new spaces for events and activities, places to play, better lighting, better seating, new CCTV cameras to help prevent antisocial behaviour, new landscapes to provide for biodiversity and a sustainable urban drainage system which will relieve pressure on our ageing drainage system. We are investing in the city centre because we think it is important and the right thing to do.”
and flag poles reinstated as well as new paving are also part of the project plan.The team has met with businesses and will be working closely with the 50 or so retailers along Armada Way to ensure as little disruption as possible while the work progresses.
Steve Hughes, chief executive of the City Centre Company, said: “There are over 500 businesses here in the city centre employing over 7,000 employees.
“This scheme is hugely important to the city, to the shops, to future investors. We are delighted to see work start and can’t wait for this important street to be transformed.”
Highlights of the scheme:• Recapture the scale and grandeur of Armada Way – providing a gateway to the city centre, linking the train station to The Hoe.
City Centre Champion Mark Lowry added: “We would like to thank the businesses for their continued patience and support while we worked through all the challenges a scheme of this ambition has thrown up. Investors are watching this with great interest.
“We currently have around 800 homes in the city centre and we want to see many more. The city centre is seeing rejuvenation and regeneration on a massive scale, which is needed if we are to make it a buzzing place where people want to visit, shop or live in.”
Given the scale of the scheme, the construction will take place over 22 months and will be carried out in phases.
Armada Way has been split into work zones and the first sign of progress will be site clearance and the creation of a haul road – a temporary road made from recycled building material – in the top two zones, with the top zone the first to see extensive work carried out.
These roads will appear in each zone, to enable construction vehicles to get on and off the sites easily from the highway.
The compound overlooked by Beckley Point will see contractors digging foundations and forming the new amphitheatre, installing pipework for the rill and constructing the rain gardens – the first stage of the new SuDs scheme.
New landscaping, tree planting, new lighting, street furniture
• More trees and greenery – there will be 202 trees on Armada Way. The new trees will all be 3.5 to 8 metres high when planted, to give immediate environmental benefits and a canopy to provide cover.
• Helping wildlife and nature – there will be a variety of trees providing a range of habitats, shrubs, wildflowers and reed beds, as well as bug hotels and bird boxes.
• Huge play village for families – a destination play village that will be the size of five tennis courts, full of spaces to run, splash, balance, swing, climb, relax and sit, for children of all ages and their carers/parents to enjoy.
• Working smartly to deal with the city’s rainwater – a new surface water drainage system that will be partly powered by solar panels to make it more sustainable. It will recycle the water to maintain the plants and trees.
Improved safety for all – we will install 12 and 15 metre high lighting throughout and feature lighting to up-light plants and create patterns on the ground. A much-improved CCTV system and clear views across Armada Way will help to deter anti-social behaviour.
• Places to sit, relax and eat – there will be spaces for 500 people to sit.
• Cycling path for people of all abilities - with cycle racks and Beryl Bike hubs.
• Pop-up spaces with water and power – for retail, arts and entertainment.
For details and updates visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/armada-way
Oceansgate expansion and jobs boost
More skilled jobs and a place for Plymouth’s marine businesses to innovate and collaborate – that’s all part of the vision for the next stage of the Oceansgate development which has now been submitted to planners.
A planning application has been submitted for a series of innovation barns – high spec large industrial units for use as workshops and prototyping along with project offices.
Over 1,700 square metres of high-quality space within eight units is being planned to expand the existing Oceansgate complex, which is already home to 14 light industrial units and 12 offices.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “Plymouth is at the forefront of marine innovation and a key part of its success is enabling businesses to collaborate with each other and test prototypes.
“The first two phases have regenerated and revived land that had been unused by the MOD for decades. There are over 170 people employed directly or indirectly thanks to Oceansgate.
“We need to make sure Plymouth stays at the forefront of marine innovation and this is the ideal place to help make this happen.
“South Yard was literally built for the city’s marine industry –an industry which changes all the time. These proposals should help the city of Plymouth continue to lead in this key sector.”
South Yard is now a key part of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport and offers specific tax and relief benefits for companies based within it, incentivising employers to invest and create new jobs.
The planning application proposes two buildings that would be similar in style, but a higher specification than the already high-spec offices and industrial units at Oceansgate. The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport have allocated seed capital grant of £3.256 million and the Council is service borrowing of £3.274m to fund the plans.
Council leader Tudor Evans gets the work under way
City College to fundraise for St Luke’s Hospice
City College Plymouth is partnering with St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, choosing the Plymouth based charity as their charity for the 2024/25 academic year.
As part of the college’s ongoing commitment to supporting community wellbeing and making a difference to the lives of local people, St Luke’s has been a cornerstone of care in Plymouth and the surrounding area for over 40 years, providing compassionate end-of-life care and support for those with terminal illnesses.
Throughout the year, students and staff will be working closely with the charity to raise much-needed funds and awareness through various events and initiatives including St Luke’s flagship events such as Tour De Moor, Men’s Day Out and the Midnight Walk.
Founded in 1982, St Luke’s offers specialist care to people with life-limiting illnesses across Plymouth, South West Devon, and East Cornwall. The hospice cares for over 300 people at any one time, delivering the majority of care in the comfort of patients’ homes, alongside its specialist unit in Turnchapel.
Their holistic approach ensures not only medical care
but also emotional and practical support for patients and their families. Their dedication to dignity and compassion has made St Luke’s a lifeline for the community.
City College student experience manager Chaz Talbot said: “We are delighted to be supporting St Luke’s as our charity partner. Their incredible work touches the lives of so many in our community.
“As a college that is deeply rooted in Plymouth, we recognise the importance of supporting local organisations that make a real difference. Our students and staff are excited to engage in fundraising efforts and community initiatives that will help St Luke’s continue delivering their vital services. Together, we can raise awareness, contribute to their mission, and ensure that their life-changing work continues to reach those in need.”
Every year, City College Plymouth students and staff choose a charity to support throughout the academic year. Last year, the community at the college chose Surfers Against Sewage, taking part in numerous fundraising events and activities to support the Cornwall-based marine conservation charity.
Every year during make a will week local solicitors and legal practices prepare a will in return for a donation to a chosen charity.
This year Make a Will Week runs from November 4 to November 10 and a number of local legal companies will be giving their time free of charge to update or write wills in return for a donation to St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. Making a will helps provide peace of mind and is one of the kindest things people can do for the ones they love. Making a will is especially important for those who have children or other family members who depend on them financially.
The support offered by local companies during Make a Will Week helps ensure people with terminal illness live well to the end of their lives, making the most of every precious moment with those they hold dear. Visit the St Luke’s website for a full list of companies participating at www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/will
Friends of Cann Bridge thank Ocean City College for generous donation
The Friends of Cann Bridge School have received a donation of £500 from Ocean City enabling the dchool to purchase 10 sensory spinning chairs, which will add to the resources available to learners.
Reg Williams, chief executive of Ocean City College, said: “As a charity, we at Ocean City College understand the need for helping others and supporting the local community and fellow charities. That’s why we were more than happy to offer a donation to help Cann Bridge School purchase chairs needed for their learners and hope that they help to enrich the learners’ education and support their progress.”
Sensory Junction, a key supporter of the initiative supplied the chairs at a discounted rate, expressed their enthusiasm for the project.
A spokesperson for Sensory Junction commented: “We thought the great fundraiser that Friends of Cann Bridge was doing for the school was such an amazing opportunity for the learners. Giving back to the community is something we like to do.”
The sensory spinning chairs will support sensory development and well-being of the learners at Cann Bridge School. These chairs provide numerous benefits, including aiding
in self-regulation and improving physical core strength.
The spinning motion helps students with sensory processing disorders to calm and focus, creating an optimal learning environment. Additionally, the physical act of spinning engages the core muscles, contributing to overall physical development and stability.
The Friends of Cann Bridge
and Judi Loheac, curriculum lead for health & childhood education at City College Plymouth.
The Primrose Foundation, Plymouth’s local breast care charity, has launched a new video in the latest stage in its breast awareness campaign.
The campaign has the theme of ‘LOVE yourself enough to be breast aware.’
The aim of the campaign is to to bring to light the importance of women and girls checking their breasts once a month and to raise awareness of the work of the charity.
The charity supports the amazing work of The Primrose Breast Care Centre based on level 7 at Derriford Hospital. The message is: ‘Remember to check your breasts once a month, it could just be a life-saver!
Scan the QR code to see the new video.
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would appreciate hearing from any organisation that can help them with fundraising, however little or big, which all goes to make a real positive difference to the lives of all the children and young people at Cann Bridge School.
To learn more about Friends of Cann Bridge visit to: www. cannbridgeschool.co.uk/friends-ofcann-bridge
www.plymouthchronicle.co.uk for videos, features and exclusive content you won’t find in the printed edition. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox, and enjoy the convenience of our digital newspaper anytime, anywhere. Have a story to share? Contact Louis Chadwick at louis@cornerstonevision.com. Our website is updated regularly, so check it out today!
From back to front, left to right: Wayne Marshall, partnerships lead for St Luke’s; Pauline Hands, executive of health, science, leisure & public services at City College Plymouth; Chaz Talbot, student experience manager at City College Plymouth; Ben Manning, executive of curriculum, quality and student experience at City College Plymouth; Penny Hannah, head of fundraising for St Luke’s; Nina Wearne, Partnerships Manager for St Luke’s;
£200,000 grant boost for Stoke-based mental health support charity
A small mental health support charity based in Stoke has been awarded a £200,000 grant by the National Lottery Reaching Communities fund.
Horticultural Therapy Trust, which was founded 13 years ago, provides isolated people within the community with a safe space using gardening and horticulture as therapy.
Based at Penlee Valley Gardens the trust was established by Dennis Trewin and Deb Hoskins and has helped hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds over the years.
The Reaching Communities grant will provide funding of £50,000 a year for the next four years.
Deb Hoskin said: “This is the largest grant we have ever received and will allow us to do so much more to support local people experiencing mental ill health with a wider scope of time, days and resources.
“As well as continuing to grow our community garden haven, we will be able to help other communities to create gardens in which people and biodiversity can thrive. We have already heard of a few people out there in Plymouth doing their best to make unkempt spaces beautiful and accessible who would like our help.
“Our mission is to offer a beacon of hope for
a brighter future by cultivating a therapeutic, participant-led garden where individuals can grow whilst building emotional wellbeing, resilience and a sense of community. Central to our ethos is care of biodiversity, where wildlife is considered part of the HTT community. Being able to be with nature is where the healing happens. We also share a lot of fun and enjoyment, HTT is a safe space to share experiences including the funny ones! A smile is such a measure of change for the better and improved quality of life.”
A participant said: “HTT being funded by the National Lottery means more people can access this literally life changing space and continue to let the trust’s precious community evolve and blossom. More people crucially will feel less alone and experience more of a closeness to nature, learning to care equally for plant and person. More funding additionally enables HTTs’ passion to reach environmentally undernourished communities, always delivered with such care, and hopefully more people and green spaces can have the chance to thrive, cultivating meaningful friendships along the way.”
Deb added: “We are uniquely based on kindness and respect, peer mentoring and care. Over all the years I have been so deeply inspired by the
‘humanity’ at HTT. Everyone drops into being kind because everyone has suffered, and is going through something, so no one points the finger in judgement at another.”
Up until 2023 HTT existed with two staff doing everything in sessions and out of hours to keep the charity going, with the kind help of a group of invaluable volunteer trustees and volunteer gardeners who also offered wellbeing support.
HTT now has four part time staff all with different backgrounds each with their own journey to HTT, offering unique skills to bring alongside participants, volunteers and trustees, with Deb Hoskin and Paul Keller, a founding trustee, still fully present, and still learning.
Deb added: “We are as always so grateful to everyone who has funded us over the years. Every penny counts and has counted towards us being able to do what we do. Until this latest funding we got through by kind support of up to 30 funders without whom we wouldn’t be able to run. We have very few overheads so every penny goes into actively helping others.
Paul Keller, founding trustee and chair of Trustees said ‘HTT has always worked with mental health in an accessible and approachable way ensuring the participants it works with feel safe and cared for. This is something that is so important in our fast paced world today – a safe space created for people to grow in an awareness of the peace that nature and gardening brings with a chance to talk to others.
“I have supported this project from the beginning and continue to do so because like all those staff and volunteers, past and present that also support this project I believe in the good it brings in helping those in need to help themselves.
“Thanks to staff, volunteers, participants and funders for all your continued support.”
For more information visit www.horticulturaltherapy-trust.org
BLOCKHOUSE FOLK CELEBRATE LAUNCH OF EXHIBITION
A photographic archive of residents of Stoke, Morice Town and Ford was celebrated at a special event at Blockhouse Park early in October.
Local people who had posed for the Photo Census had a first glimpse at the special newsprint magazine of the portrait project by photographer Josh Greet together with words from community interviewer Haidee Dampney. Meanwhile an exhibition of Josh’s portraits has started using shop windows in Stoke village as gallery space.
Local residents Josh and Haidee have been working alongside Rachel Dobbs and the Village Hub, in Devonport Road as a part of a larger two year project to uncover and celebrate social and natural heritage in the area thanks to funding from the Heritage Fund.
Josh and Haidee asked people ‘What would you like someone in 100 years time to know about your daily life?’ and got some very philosophical answers! Diane from The Village
Hub said: “People have been so keen to be involved. It’s great to see all these photos coming in and knowing that our local community is being celebrated in this way. Everyone looks great in these shots!”
In the past Josh Greet had photographed football stars like Ian Wright or English Lioness Millie Bright in his work as a professional photographer for brands like Adidas, Arsenal, Sky Sports or H&M, but for Blockhouse Folk he turned his camera to his neighbours here in Stoke.
Josh teamed up with Haidee Dampney, who works with groups across Plymouth providing wellbeing activities for all, and down-to-earth mindful yoga teaching for adults, young people, children and families to interview participants in the project.
For those who cannot make the in street exhibition which runs until October 20 as part of Plymouth Art Weekender, all of the portraits and the stories people wanted to tell can be viewed online at blockhousefolk.thevillagehub. org.uk/photographic-census/
A new team has been created to support Special Guardians and Kinship Carers in Plymouth.
Kinship care is an umbrella term for when a relative or close family friend looks after a child most, or all, of the time.
It is estimated that up to 300,000 children in the UK are cared for in these kinds of arrangements.
Kinship Care Week in October, provided an opportunity to celebrate the invaluable role that kinship carers play in children’s lives and society.
There are different types of kinship care, ranging from informal agreements to private foster care. The majority of relatives who provide care are grandparents, aunts and uncles, but the group includes others such as older siblings.
Family and friends carers play a unique role in enabling children and young people to remain with people they know and trust if they cannot, for whatever reason, live with their parents. These children are not necessarily looked after or known to the council.
Plymouth City Council’s new Special Guardianship Support Team offers support for special guardians but also to people caring for children under informal care arrangements, child arrangement orders and residence orders. The support on offer includes help including:
• Managing contact arrangements with birth parents or wider family
• Training and support with challenging behaviours, impact of trauma and life-story work
• Access to therapeutic support funded by the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund
• Access to peer support groups, and professional advice and guidance as needed
• Full assessment of support needs.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “We believe there are around 400 kinship carers in Plymouth, but there could be more due to the number of informal arrangements that are often made. We have a dedicated team on hand to offer support so to any kinship carers reading this, I’d really encourage you to get in touch and see how we can help you, and the children you care for.”
The team can be contacted for more information by calling 01752 398228 (open 10am to 1pm Monday to Friday) or email SpecialGuardianshipSupportTeam@plymouth. gov.uk.
More information about kinship care and the support available in Plymouth can be found at www.plymouth.gov.uk/special-guardians
Staff and volunteers at HTT celebrate the good news
Photo: Roy Perring
Lifelines
In
the depths
of despair Tom
cried out to a God he didn’t know to ‘mend me or end me’
When Tom Collins lost his first wife Anne to cancer his life descended into years of despair, depression and darkness.
The couple had been married for more than 20 years when Anne passed away at the age of 47 in 1996. She had been diagnosed with four brain tumours at the end of 1995 and been given six months to live. She died nine months later.
Tom had a strange premonition before Anne’s cancer was diagnosed. He said: “She had become ill and I had this weird feeling that my world as I knew it was going to come to an end.”
He cared for Anne over the following months at their home in Tamerton Foliot and as her health deteriorated he cried out for her to pass peacefully. Tom said: “I wasn’t religious and didn’t go to church, but like a lot of people in this situation I cried out to a God I didn’t know for her to go peacefully. I had always felt that there was a higher power in our lives.”
With few family or friends around, Tom found himself grieving mostly on his own and more than a decade of pain and sadness followed.
Tom said: “It was as if my whole world had collapsed and I was in a very dark place. I was angry with the world and everything in it.”
A keen motor cyclist he joined the biking world and in his words ‘became a different person.’
“I had a fast racing motor bike and rode like a lunatic because I didn’t care if I died,” he said. “It got me into trouble with the police for speeding and they told me at my age I needed to slow down a bit.”
He took their advice and decided to buy a Harley Davidson instead and years of rideouts with his new found biking friends followed. “It became my whole life,” said Tom. “I enjoyed the camaraderie, but we did lots of stupid things and I got involved with soft drugs during this time.”
By this time Tom was in his early 60s and he realised that his life was shallow and meaningless. “I was sick of the life I was leading. I thought I was going to be alone for the rest of my life and got to a point where I didn’t want to be here anymore.
“Again in desperation I cried out to a God I didn’t know to “mend me or end me.’ I wanted to be a different person and really needed someone who would help me change. I had a sort of tick list wanting that person to have honesty and integrity, non smoker, non drinker, ideally a woman and someone younger than me,” he added.
A few days later he had parked up his Harley on The Hoe and was sat admiring the view in the
sunshine when Tom’s life was about to change as he heard the familiar rumble of another Harley Davidson approaching.
“I turned and watched as the rider parked up really neatly next to my bike. When they took their helmet off I could see it was a young woman. As she walked by me I commented on her neat parking and she stopped to chat. She told me she was called Bronia and I found out that she had lost her husband a few years earlier.
“She seemed so positive about life and had a really bubbly personality and it was then that she told me that her own family and church family had helped her cope with the loss. She had something about her that I didn’t have and I know that was because she was a Christian.”
They exchanged telephone numbers and later went on rideouts on their Harley Davidsons together.
“We got to know each other better and talked a lot about faith and Christianity and Bronia then talked to me about something called Alpha which is a course for people who want to find out more about faith and Christianity. I hadn’t opened a Bible or gone to church for decades, but Bronia persuaded me to go,” said Tom.
The course was run by Hope Baptist Church in Peverell and it was during the course that Tom, who was initially sceptical, became convinced of the existence of Jesus, that He was the Son of God and that He offered everyone the opportunity to invite Him into their lives.
One of the books which Alpha participants were recommended to read was John Stott’s Basic Christianity. Ironically Tom had been given a copy of the book many years before by some Christian neighboursbut he had never bothered to read it.
Tom said: “I took it to work one day to read and then came across a prayer at the end of the book. It said that if you really wanted Jesus to come into your life you have got to invite him. As I said ‘Jesus I am truly sorry, will you please come into my life,’ the tears started running down my face and I started to shake uncontrollably and as
Listen to Cross Rhythms Plymouth on 96.3FM or online at the new Cross Rhythms Plymouth website at www. crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth
this happened the DJ on my transistor radio said ‘and now we are going to play My Sweet Lord by George Harrison!’ It was incredible.”
Scan the QR code to watch Tom’s interview on Cross Rhythms Plymouth
“It was the turning point of my life. I started to attend Hope Baptist Church with Bronia on a regular basis and our friendship grew stronger and stronger. We would ride out on our Harleys, go for walks and were always talking about faith,” said Tom. They lived separately over the years but after praying about their future together they married eight years after they first met and they now live in Plympton.
Tom said: “I was in such a dark place but now my life is so fulfilled thanks to Jesus. When I came to faith I had a feeling, I didn’t hear a voice as such, but I definitely had a compulsion to tell people just what God has done for me.”
By:
Produced
Tom Collins
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Tinside transformation under way in £4.5m project
Work is under way to refurbish and transform Plymouth’s Tinside Lido following a fun-packed summer. The Grade II-listed site recently closed its doors at the end of September after celebrating a season finale weekend of free swim sessions and a doggy paddle for Seafest.
Tinside is one of three key ‘gateways’ to the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, which aims to help people enjoy being in, on, under and beside the sea.
Its £4.5 million refurbishment is designed to open up new spaces and is being funded by grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (as part of the Horizons Project), Youth Investment Fund, Levelling Up Fund and Plymouth City Council.
Improvements will include:
• the creation of a multi-purpose youth, community and events space on the derelict first floor of the main Lido building
• a revamp of the single-storey building between the Lido and Tinside Cove to provide a base where youth workers, rangers and volunteers can introduce young people to opportunities created by the National Marine Park
• a renovation of the terrace on top of the main building to include a new public seating area, with a coffee pod and multi-purpose event space overlooking the sound
The new contemporary spaces are designed to attract new visitors, support youth work and community use and help generate income
from commercial events and conferences.
They will enable youth workers and partners to engage with young people and equip them with skills by providing an open doorway to blue tech, innovation and creative industries as well as a safe space for exploring blue health benefits.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: said: “Many will see Tinside Lido as the jewel in the crown of our National Marine Park and the renewal of this iconic building will breathe new life into Plymouth’s historic waterfront. This investment will create a modern, dynamic space that can be enjoyed by even more people, as well as truly celebrate the city’s relationship with the sea.”
Councillor Jemima Laing, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet member with responsibility for children’s social care, culture and events, added: “This is an amazing opportunity to work with and support young people, increasing children and young people’s positive engagement in the city’s green and blue spaces.
“It enables us to offer more fun and engaging activities for young people, developing their confidence and skills in these environments. It is also a fantastic and fun way to highlight the training and employment opportunities that are developing in Plymouth’s growing blue and green economy.”
Rhys Jones, chief operating officer for Plymouth Active, the council-owned company that runs Tinside, said it plays a ‘vital role’ in
the life of the city. He added: “This investment will help ensure the Lido can cater for the needs of young people, community groups and commercial events so it can continue to flourish, by supporting the community and the local economy for generations to come.”
Construction work started at the beginning of October, with works expected to finish by Spring 2025. Contractor Nevada Construction has completed initial enabling works, including waterproofing and installation of safety railings to the terrace.
While the work should not be noisy and
dust will be contained within the hoardings around the site, a small number of car parking/taxi spaces will be needed for building material deliveries. Details can be found on the hoardings along the street and colonnade levels.
Pictured on site (left to right): Neil Phillips (site Manager for Nevada Construction), Kat Deeney (the council’s Head of Environmental Planning), Councillor Tom Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change), Jay Chard (Outdoor Pools Manager for Plymouth Active) and council leader Tudor Evans.
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Waste Services
Babcock welcomes over 260 new starters to Devonport
More than 260 apprentices and graduates are beginning their new careers at the expansive Babcock facility in Devonport.
The 2024 cohort of joiners will be some of the first to benefit from the recently opened Engineering & Nuclear Skills building at City College Plymouth, part of the Babcock Skills Academy. This hybrid teaching model combines cutting-edge digital resources and hands-on training to enhance learners experience and workforce capabilities.
The new members of the Babcock team will have the opportunity to support a variety of projects and business
areas, from life extension programmes on frigates and submarines, to advanced manufacturing and technology projects – playing a part in the delivery of vital defence programmes.
The apprentice roles include slingers, fabricators and pipe workers, as well as electrical fitters, mechanical fitters and computer numerical control (CNC) machinists.
The graduates are involved in a wide range of business areas such as specialist engineering (mechanical, electrical, process and civil), naval architecture and project management.
As part of their development, they will undergo specialist
training to develop the specific skills required to deliver in a nuclear and defence environment, from the complex skills needed to support submarine maintenance, to those required to deliver nuclear grade infrastructure.
John Gane, managing director at Devonport, said: “We are delighted that so many apprentices and graduates are beginning their careers with us.
“This reinforces the scale and breadth of the opportunities available for people to join Babcock and have a long-lasting career that is out of the ordinary, delivering work with a real purpose that helps protect national security.”
D. TAYLOR
Thousands of Plymouth children missing out on free school meals
Parents and carers are being urged to check if their child is eligible for free school meals, with data indicating that approximately 2,600 children in Plymouth could be missing out.
Free school meals provide children with a hot, healthy lunch every day and give access to other benefits such as free holiday clubs during the school holidays.
Schools also receive invaluable extra funding for every child attending who receives free school meals. This is worth £1,480 per eligible pupil for primary schools and £1,050 per eligible pupil for secondary schools which means Plymouth schools are collectively missing out on more than £3 million.
This funding helps to tackle barriers and enables schools to put in place extra support for pupils who need more help to thrive and achieve their highest potential. Schools can use the funding in a huge variety of ways, which can include developing high quality teaching, providing targeted academic support, implementing initiatives to support attendance or offering extracurricular activities.
While all children in Reception to Year 2 receive universal infant free school meals, eligible families can still apply to help make sure the school is able to access this funding.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “If you receive any of the qualifying benefits then I would really encourage you to apply online for Free School Meals, regardless of the age of your child, and it’s worth applying even if you are not sure if you qualify.
“It’s such a fantastic way for families to save both time and money that would be spent on prepping packed lunches. And even if your child would prefer a packed lunch, they can choose not to take up the free lunch option everyday and their school will still benefit from the vital additional funding available.”
Data from the Low Income Family Tracker by Policy in Practice has identified approximately 1,600 households in Plymouth that could be eligible for free school meals but are not currently claiming them.
Children and young people in primary, secondary and post-16 education may be eligible if their parent or carer receives certain benefits:
• Universal Credit with an annual income of less than £7,400
• Child Tax Credit with an annual income of less than £16,190
• Income based Employment and Support Allowance
• Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Income support
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on paid for four weeks after recipient stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit
To apply, visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/freeschool-meals. If extra support is needed in order to complete the application form, parents or carers can visit their local Family or Wellbeing Hub.
University’s new Vice-Chancellor promises to put students first
Professor Richard Davies has started work as Plymouth University’s new ViceChancellor.
His opening messages to the university’s students and staff saw him speak about his pride in taking on the new role, along with the excitement of moving to the city, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead:
“Let me start by saying what a privilege it is to join the University of Plymouth – a university that values inclusivity and excellence in equal measure, in an incredible city that has so much to offer. Together, our University and our city have extraordinary potential.
“I am optimistic about the future, and I will be a tireless champion for the University of Plymouth, as a broad-based university, open to all who can benefit from our educational offer.
“As a team, we need to be relentless at putting our students first in all that we do and continue to strive for an
exceptional student experience.”
Ahead of taking over the role, Richard had already begun meeting colleagues and students, and his work beyond ‘day one’ includes engaging with key stakeholders and supporters of the University in Plymouth and further afield.
And he remains committed to delivering the university’s strategy in a challenging context where he feels ‘the value of a university education is in question in a way that it hasn’t been in my lifetime.’
“I left industry to work in universities because I believe in the power of higher education, the vital importance of academic freedom, and our role in developing minds that think outside the box. Without universities who is going to reveal difficult truths, say unpopular things, and challenge orthodox thinking? Without us, who will find the solutions we all need?
The University of Plymouth will continue to play a vital role.”
Richard added that he is looking forward to living in the
area, getting to know everyone, and focusing on developing both education and research intensity to continue building Plymouth as a global-civic University.
He also praised the work of his predecessor, Professor Dame Judith Petts, who retired at the end of September and her team for their work in leading the university so successfully, including sector-leading work around environmental sustainability and widening access to higher education, along with managing finances and delivering significant new development projects.
And he feels the university is in a good place to face the difficulties facing higher education in the UK.
“Part of the reason for saying that with such confidence is that in every corner of the organisation, I have found nothing but warmth, kindness, enthusiasm, and excellence, so far.
“And for those I have already met, thank you for making me feel so welcome.”
UNIVERSITY AND ROYAL NAVY ANNOUNCE NEW PROGRAMMME OF COLLABORATION
Plymouth University and the Royal Navy have reaffirmed their commitment to working together on a range of innovative research and other initiatives.
The two organisations initially joined forces in 2021 with the ambition of conducting research and advancing understanding around the future potential of marine autonomy and maritime cyber security.
They have now agreed to collaborate, for at least a further three years, on an expanded range of disciplines that also includes floating offshore wind (FLOW) and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
This work will be carried out through the continued sharing of facilities and equipment owned by the University and the Navy. It will also make use of Smart Sound Plymouth, the UK’s premier proving area for designing, testing and developing cutting edge products and services for the marine sector.
The extended partnership agreement was signed by Professor Kevin Jones, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the University, and Commodore Marcus Rose, Deputy Director Underwater Battlespace Capability at the Royal Navy.
Professor Jones said: “The
university and Royal Navy have a proud history of collaboration. In recent years, that has grown in scope and significance, with the development of research and student projects directly aligned to global security and the health of the ocean.
“Our extended and expanded partnership will enable us to build on those successes, uniting our world-leading expertise and technologies in areas that are of critical importance on a regional, national and global scale.”
Commodore Rose added: “Navy Develop looks forward to continuing our close work with the university’s high calibre
staff and student cohort and reaping the mutual benefits of this extended agreement. As the pace of change accelerates, our collaboration with the University of Plymouth is a valuable enabler for Navy Develop.
“Having formally worked together since 2021, we have collectively achieved some notable successes in surface and sub-surface autonomy and as we both look to assess and embed a whole host of new emerging maritime technologies, I anticipate more success in the future.”
Since the signing of their collaboration agreement in 2021,
the University and Royal Navy have worked on a number of mutually beneficial initiatives. This has included cooperating around the development and deployment of a number of uncrewed vessels, and enhancing resilience against potential cyber security incidents.
This has made use of university facilities including the Marine Station, the Cyber-SHIP Lab and the Maritime Simulation Laboratory, in addition to uncrewed vessels owned and operated by both organisations.
As well as involving personnel from both parties, undergraduate and postgraduate students from the university have undertaken projects covering new sensors, data quality, marine autonomous platform capability, and data analytics.
These are all areas that the reaffirmed collaboration aims to build on, with the plans being to continue involves researchers, students and other personnel in a varied range of activities.
Discussions are also taking place around the development of future PhD opportunities, potentially looking at the use of AI to inform battlefield intelligence and enhanced decision-making for Navy personnel.
Professor Kevin Jones and Commodore Marcus Rose pictured after announcing the new programme of collaboration
Professor Richard Davies... ‘a privilege’ to join the university
City College’s supported internship programme achieves excellent results
City College Plymouth’s Supported Internship Programme, in partnership with Plymouth City Council, has delivered outstanding results this year with 39 interns, one of the highest numbers across the UK for a college, gaining valuable work experience and skills.
The programme, aimed at young people aged between 16 and 25 with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP), is supported by key local employers such as Plymouth City Council, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Livewell Southwest and Co-op among others.
Interns have benefitted from a variety of roles, from working in NHS pharmacies and canteens to meeting and greeting visitors at City College’s reception. These placements allow students to fully integrate in the workplace, where they are recognised as part of the staff team, and contribute meaningfully while continuing to work towards qualifications in maths, English and employability skills.
Steve Murphy, curriculum lead & development officer for Pre-Employment & Skills Development at City College, said: “Our internship programme is a flagship initiative at the college. It’s important that our students access employment opportunities and become the very best version of themselves. We’re incredibly proud of the impact this programme is having on their lives.”
The vision of the Supported Internship Programme is to continue expanding, with more employers coming on board to offer opportunities to students with special educational needs, ensuring equal access to employment for all. Last year’s programme showed 97% successfully moved onto employment or higher level training on completing the course, an outstanding achievement for both the students and the college.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member
for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships said: “I’m delighted to see so many interns join the programme this year. Supported internships are invaluable to help young people with special educational needs and disabilities unlock their potential by gaining real-world experience, building their confidence and developing the skills they need for future employment.”
For more information about the programme visit: www.cityplym.info/SkillsDevelopment
City leaders unite to lobby Government for housing investment
Plymouth’s three MPs, along with the Council Leader, have joined forces to lobby the Government for additional funding for much needed housing in the city. With more than 7,000 households in this city on the housing register, the need massively outweighs the supply. As the city continues to grow and with thousands of new jobs being created in the next few years, including new jobs at the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport and the expanded Devonport naval base, it is expected that even more people will need a home.
While Plymouth is one of 20 areas in the UK that is considered a ‘priority’ by Homes England, investment is needed to ensure that plans to push forward the city’s plans for housing can be delivered. In particular, plans to increase the number of new homes in the city centre.
Following a question raised in the House of Commons by South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith, Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, agreed to meet with the three local MPs, Rebecca Smith, Luke Pollard and Fred Thomas along with Council Leader Tudor Evans, to discuss the national effort required to deliver the housing needed.
Together, they discussed the growth of the city, the local housing picture and appealed to the Government for additional support.
Councillor Evans said: “Over the past nine years, we have delivered more than 7,500 new homes across the city, but we know that won’t be enough. With huge amount of planned investment in our city, particularly at Devonport, we need to make sure we have enough people to fill the jobs and we have the right local infrastructure to support this growth.
“Together with our three MPs, we stand united, lobbying the Government for more money for housing, transport, and making sure that local people have the right skills to be able to apply for the jobs available.”
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth, Sutton and
Devonport, said: “As the MP for Devonport I have been campaigning for Plymouth to get its fair share.
“The opportunity to build 5,500 homes in the city centre will provide jobs and homes for local people and will directly support the growth of our strategic industries, especially the Dockyard.”
Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, added: “The £200 million investment in Dock 9, Devonport’s largest submarine dry dock, by the previous Government will accelerate Babcock’s maintenance of UK submarines. This will preserve Devonport’s vital role in maintaining our nation’s nuclear deterrent, creating new jobs and attracting even greater levels of investment.
“However, to ensure that this investment is an opportunity rather than a potential strain on our local economy we must ensure that the correct infrastructure is in place. Upskilling our local workforce, improving Plymouth’s housing supply and providing suitable railway links must all be considered.
“I thank the Minister of State for Housing,
Plymouth MPs Rebecca Smith, Luke Pollard and Fred Thomas along with council leader Tudor Evans and chief executive of the council Tracey Lee pictured with Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government Matthew Pennycook for meeting with the Plymouth MPs and listening to my concerns. I look forward to working closely with the Minister to secure a more prosperous future for our Dockyard, Plymouth and the wider region.”
Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, added: “It is brilliant that Plymouth is growing. But we urgently need more housing to meet increased demand. It was great to meet together, cross-party, to raise this with the new Housing Minister. The new Government has been clear that it wants to get Britain building again, delivering 1.5 million more homes in the next five years. This must come together with investment in places like Plymouth and I will continue to work with the Government to make sure this happens.”
Interns outside the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust’s Brittany House
All set for Santa Fun Run!
Plymouth residents are being encouraged to jingle all the way to the finish line this December as the Santa Fun Run makes its return to Plymouth’s waterfront for the second consecutive year.
Organised by Saltram Rotary, and supported by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, the festive event will be held on Sunday December 8, starting and finishing on the Barbican.
Participants of all ages are invited to don their Santa suits (all included with the registration fee) and enjoy the fun run, jolly jog, or wonderful walk of either a 2.5km or 5km route through the city’s beautiful waterfront all to support local charities Jeremiah’s Journey and Shekinah.
Jon Walton, chief executive of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership said: “We’re so excited to see the Santa Fun Run return to the Barbican and waterfront for a second year. Last year hundreds of Santas either walked, jogged or ran along our fantastic historic roads and enjoyed spectacular waterfront views.
“We really hope even more people will enter into the Christmas Spirit and participate this year to raise even more money for two such worthy local charities, Jeremiah’s Journey and Shekinah.”
Roger Punch of Saltram Rotary Club said: “Following on from the enormous success of the Plymouth Santa Fun Run on the waterfront last year, we are delighted to be able to take the plunge again this year. Again, primarily supporting Shekinah and Jeremiah’s Journey, who are such worthy charities, both providing invaluable support for the local community, we are looking forward to building on
the exceptionally positive feedback that we received. With invaluable support from the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, we have the realistic ambition of having 1,000 Santas on the start line on December 8.”
John Naismith of Jeremiah’s Journey said: “We are absolutely delighted that Saltram Rotary have selected Jeremiah’s Journey to be one of the supported charities for the Plymouth Santa Fun Run along with our friends at Shekinah. Being a part of such a high-profile fun run provides us the platform to promote the essential service that our Bereavement Services Team provide for children, young people and families in and around Plymouth. We are looking forward to many people joining us and there is every chance that you will see Jeremiah Bear complete the full 5k of the Plymouth Santa Fun Run again this year.”
Kristy Winters of Shekinah added:“We are thrilled that Shekinah has once again been chosen as one of the beneficiary charities for the Plymouth Santa Fun Run. This event is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and support those most in need in our community. We are equally excited to be partnering with Jeremiah’s Journey once again!
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and the Saltram Rotary for their continued support and dedication. We look forward to another successful and meaningful event this year!”
The Santa Fun Run takes place on Sunday December 8 at 11am. Registration is now open at www. plymouthsantafunrun.co.uk. All entrants receive a free Santa Suit and finishing medal as part of the entry fee.
over 22,500 homes in Derriford and North edition
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.
The December edition of the Plymouth Chronicle in Derriford and North Plymouth will be published on November 22 with a copy deadline of November 12. 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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